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2010-03-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

United States Patent 7,642,903
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Kuentz, et al.
January 5, 2010

Trailer tire alert system

Abstract

A tire pressure sensing device for a tow trailer that signals the driver of the tow vehicle subsequent to deflation of at least one tire mounted to the trailer. The tire pressure sensing device further includes a base plate mounted to the axle of the tow trailer releasably secured by a generally u-shaped clamp. A switch is superposed on the base plate. The switch further includes an actuating rod support member and an actuating rod extending in a downward direction. The actuating rod biases the switch to a closed position subsequent to deflation of the tire thereby electrically activating a warning indicator.

Inventors: Kuentz; Charles L. (Helotes, TX), Kuentz; Judith (Helotes, TX)
Appl. No.: 11/501,623
Filed: August 8, 2006
Related U.S. Patent Documents

Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
10487116
PCT/EP02/09365 Aug., 2002
Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug 22, 2001 [GB] 0120441.1

Current U.S. Class: 340/442 ; 340/443; 340/444; 340/445
Current International Class: B60C 23/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 340/442,443,444,445
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

4173011 October 1979 Gibson
6466127 October 2002 Martin

Primary Examiner: Lee; Benjamin C
Assistant Examiner: Nwugo; Ojiako
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Parent Case Text

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/487,116 filed Apr. 6, 2004 now abandoned, which is a US National 371 phase filing of International Application PCT/EP 02/09365 filed Aug. 21, 2002 which claims priority to Application No. 0120441.1 filed in Great Britain on Aug. 22, 2001.
Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for detecting low tire pressure for a tow trailer, comprising: a switch supported on a base plate and positioned proximate at least one tire of the tow trailer, said switch switchable between an open position and a closed position, said switch being a normally open switch; said base plate configured to be mounted adjacent to an axle of the tow trailer; a mounting clamp mounted around the axle to support the base plate; said mounting clamp having two ends; said two ends releasably secured to said base plate; an actuating rod support member mounted to the base plate and pivotally connected to said switch, for supporting an actuating rod that is operable to switch said switch between said open position and said closed position; said actuating rod surroundably mounted to one end of the actuating rod support member and tightened by a strap on a side of the base plate opposite the switch; said actuating rod extending downward to a predetermined point proximate the ground surface under the tow trailer; and a warning device connected to said switch and operable when said switch is in said closed position; wherein when said actuating rod engages the surface under the tow trailer when the tire pressure of the tow trailer drops to a determined level said actuating rod switches said switch to said closed position.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, and further including a mount, said mount configured to securely receive said switch.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said warming device includes a light.

4. The device as recited in claim 3, and further including a DC power source connected to said switch for supplying power to said warming device.

5. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein said warning device is substantially disposed within a vehicle connectable to the tow trailer.

6. A pressure monitoring and warning device for monitoring the pressure of at least one tire of a tow trailer, said pressure monitoring and warning device comprising: a switch supported on a base plate and mounted proximate the tire of the tow trailer, said switch switchable between on open position and a closed position, said switch being a normally open switch; an actuating rod support member mounted to the base plate and pivotally connected to said switch, said actuating rod operable to switch said switch between said open position and said closed position; a warning device connected to said switch and operable when said switch is in said closed position; an actuating rod surroundably mounted to one end of the actuating rod support member and tightened by a strap on a side of the base plate opposite the switch; said actuating rod extending downward to a predetermined point proximate the ground surface under the tow trailer; and wherein when said actuating rod engages the surface under the tow trailer when the tire pressure of the tow trailer drops to a determined level said actuating rod pivots thereby switching said switch to said closed position.

7. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 6, and further including a mount, said mount configured to securely receive said switch.

8. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 7, wherein said mount includes a base plate, said base plate configured to be mounted adjacent to an axle of the tow trailer.

9. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 8, and further including a clamp, said clamp configured to releasably secure said base plate to said axle.

10. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 6, wherein said warning device includes a light.

11. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 10, and further including a DC power source connected to said switch for supplying power to said warning device.

12. A pressure monitoring and warning device for monitoring the pressure of at least one tire of a tow trailer, said pressure monitoring and warning device comprising: a switch supported on a base plate and mounted proximate the tire of the tow trailer, said switch switchable between an open position and a closed position, said switch being normally open switch; a mount configured to releasably receive said switch; an actuating rod support member mounted to the base plate and connected to said switch, said actuating rod operable to switch said switch between said open position and said closed position; an actuating rod surroundably mounted and generally contiguous with one end of the actuating rod support member by a strap opposite the switch; said actuating rod extending downward to a predetermined point proximate the ground surface under the tow trailer; a warning device connected to said switch and operable when said switch is in said closed position; wherein when said actuating rod engages the surface under the tow trailer when the tire pressure of the tow trailer drops to a determined level said actuating rod switches said switch to said closed position.

13. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 12, wherein said warning device includes at least one LED light.

14. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 13, and further including a DC power source connected to said switch for supplying power to said warning device.

15. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 14, wherein said mount includes a base plate, said base plate configured to be mounted adjacent to an axle of the tow trailer.

16. The pressure monitoring and warning device as recited in claim 15, and further including a clamp, said clamp configured to releasably secure said base plate to said axle.

17. The device as recited in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said warning device is disposed within a vehicle that is connectable connected to the tow trailer.
Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a tire pressure indication device, more specifically a trailer tire pressure indicator and alert system that is releasably secured to the axle of a trailer that has a portion which engages with the ground upon the deflation of the adjacent tire.

BACKGROUND

Thousands of drivers tow trailers behind their vehicles every day. From recreational trailers to commercial tractor trailers, towing these trailers can present numerous difficulties for the drivers. Stopping distance is lengthened and handling is cumbersome when a trailer has a heavy load disposed thereon.

One particular challenge with multi-axle trailers is detecting when the tire pressure of the trailer tire has become low so as to present a potential hazard. The rear axle trailer tires are extremely difficult to see even with the proper towing mirrors on the tow vehicle. Vision of these tires is usually blocked by the fender well and the tire adjacently in front. Additionally, these trailers have a plurality of tires which makes it almost impossible for a driver to notice a handling difference when only one tire has become partially deflated. A partially deflated tire rises to a higher temperature than a tire with correct air pressure. This higher temperature increases the risk for a blowout. Low tire pressure can also increase the difficulty in handling the trailer. As these trailers are heavy and can long, this present a significant potential for an accident resulting in damage to the trailer and its contents. Furthermore, trailers in this condition present a safety hazard to other motorists nearby.

Accordingly, there is a need for a trailer tire pressure sensing device that can signal to the driver in the tow vehicle when a tire has become partially deflated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention is to provide a device that is mounted on at least one axle on a trailer that will, upon deflation of at least one proximate tire on the trailer, provide a signal to the driver indicating such deflation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that is normally not engaged with the ground when the tires on the trailer are mounted and inflated properly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tire deflation sensing device for a trailer being towed by a vehicle that has an electrical circuit that is normally open when the tires are properly inflated and wherein the circuit will be closed when a portion of the tire deflation sensing device contacts the ground.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tire deflation sensing device for a trailer being towed by a vehicle that uses a resilient rod and tube to contact the ground thereby activating a switch and completing the electrical circuit.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawing are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention mounted to an axle of a trailer with the axle and wheel of the trailer illustrated in dashed lines; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring in particular to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein the various elements are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like reference numerals are used for like elements through the figures, there is illustrated a tire deflation signal device 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

The tire deflation signal device 100 comprises a mounting clamp 10 to releasably secure the tire deflation signal device 100 to an axle 5 of a conventional trailer. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the tire deflation signal device 100 could be mounted to numerous different types of trailers. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the tire deflation signal device 100 could be mounted to a boat trailer or travel trailer.

The mounting clamp 10 is secured to the axle 5 proximate to and inside the tire 60 in at least one position on a conventional trailer. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that a tire deflation signal device 100 could be mounted proximate to each tire on a trailer. The mounting clamp 10 is generally a unshaped bolt having two ends 11 that extend downward from the axle 5. Each end 11 of the mounting clamp 10 has conventional threads 13 circumferentially disposed on a portion thereof. Interposed the two ends 11 of the mounting clamp 10 and contiguous therewith is a generally arcuate section 14. The arcuate section 14 is of sufficient radius to correspond with the radius of the trailer axle upon which it is to be mounted.

The mounting clamp 10 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to zinc or steel. Those skilled in the art should recognize that numerous different types of mounting clamps 10 could be utilized to conform or mate with the shape of the axle 5 of the trailer in order to provide a stable connection.

Secured to each end 11 of the mounting clamp 10 is a base plate 15. The base plate 15 is positioned generally adjacent to and underneath the axle 5. The base plate 15 is configured to be attached in a substantially horizontal manner with a portion 16 extending laterally from both sides of the axle 5. The base plate 15 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to galvanized steel. Each end 11 of the mounting clamp 10 extends through a corresponding aperture 17 in the base plate 15 and is releasably secured with a fastener 12. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of fasteners 12 could be utilized to secured the mounting clamp 10 to the base plate 15. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the fasteners 12 could be conventional nylon insert nuts or wing nuts.

Superposed on the base plate 15 is a switch housing 22. The switch housing 22 is generally rectangular in shape and substantially hollow. The switch housing 22 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as thermoplastics. The switch housing 22 is water resistant to protect the switch 20 disposed inside. The switch 20 is contained within the switch housing 22 and is manufactured from a conventional self-centering normally open switch. The switch 20 and switch housing 22 are secured to the base plate 15 by conventional mechanical or chemical methods. The switch 20 has an actuating rod support member 45 extending downward through the base plate 15. The actuating rod support member 45 is positioned generally perpendicular to the base plate 15. The actuating rod support member 45 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as steel. The actuating rod support member 45 is sealably connected to the switch 20 to inhibit water from propagating into the switch housing 22.

The actuating rod support member 45 is pivotally mounted to the switch 20. The actuating rod support member 45 can pivot in either a generally forwards and backwards direction. Surroundably mounted to one end of the actuating rod support member 45 opposite the switch 20 is an actuating rod 30. The actuating rod 30 is surroundably mounted to the actuating rod support member 45 and is generally contiguous therewith. The actuating rod 30 extends downward to a predetermined point so as to be disengaged with the ground 80 when the adjacent tire 60 is properly inflated.

The actuating rod 30 is manufactured from a semi-flexible plastic tube. The actuating rod 30 is secured to the actuating rod support member 45 using a strap 40. Although no particular type of strap 40 is required, good results have been achieved with a strap 40 that is a nylon tie strap. Those skilled in the art should recognize that numerous different type of straps could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the strap 40 as described herein.

Utilizing a semi-flexible material provides flexible compensation for the vertical component of the force present on the actuating rod 30 subsequent to deflation of the tire 60. The switch 20 is in an open condition when the actuating rod 30 is extending downward and generally perpendicular to the base plate 15. Subsequent to a tire deflation, the actuating rod 30 contacts the ground 80 underneath thereby causing the actuating rod support member 45 to pivot in either a backwards or forwards direction depending on the travel direction of the trailer. Ensuing to pivoting due to contact with the ground 80, the switch 20 is moved to its closed position whereby a circuit is completed which results in a current traveling through the circuit thereby activating the warning light 70 that has been installed where it can be easily observed by the driver of the tow vehicle. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different styles of lights could be utilized as a warning light 70. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the warning light 70 could be manufactured from a conventional LED light. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the warning light 70 could be mounted in a plurality of visible positions. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the warning light could be mounted in the passenger compartment of the tow vehicle or at a position on the trailer that can be easily seen in a tow vehicles rear view mirror.

The switch 20 is in loop with a conventional electrical circuit that is powered by a standard 12 volt car battery. It is further contemplated that the circuit has in line a 20-amp fuse with the circuit further consisting of 14-gauge wire. The wire 50 is conventional insulated wire 50 that can be secured to the trailer frame and extended to connect with the tow vehicle using conventional trailer connections. Although no specific amount of wire 50 is required, good results have been achieved utilizing approximately fifty foot of wire 50. The wire 50 is connected to the switch leads 25 that are superposed the switch housing 22. The switch leads 25 are conventional copper leads that are designated with opposite polarities of positive and negative. It is further contemplated in the scope of the present invention that there could be more than one tire deflation sensing device 100 mounted on the trailer as a part of a single electrical circuit with the tire deflation sensing device 100 being in a series on the electrical circuit. More specifically but not by way of limitation, a conventional tandem axle trailer could have mounted thereon four tire deflation sensing devices 100. Those skilled in the art should recognize that by utilizing a semi-flexible actuating rod 30, the tire deflation signal device 100 could be activated when the trailer is stationary. Utilizing the semi-flexible actuating rod 30 allows the actuating rod 30 to bend when engaged with the ground when the trailer is in a stationary condition. This facilitates the pivoting of the actuating rod support member 45 thereby closing the electrical circuit and activating the warning light 70.

A detailed description of the operation of a preferred embodiment of tire deflation sensing device 100 is as follows. In use, at least one tire deflation sensing device 100 is mounted to an axle 5 of a conventional trailer proximate to a tire 60 that has been inflated to the proper tire pressure. The actuating rod 30 is positioned such that it will be disengaged with the ground when the adjacent tire is in this condition. The warning light 70 is mounted in a desired position and the wires 50 are used to connect the warning light 70 to the switch 20 to form a circuit with the switch 20 being intermediate the circuit and in an open position. The tire deflation signal device 100 is further connected to the 12 volt battery of the tow vehicle. The user can then tow the trailer to its desired location while monitoring the warning light 70. If a tire 60 on the trailer begins to deflate, either while in motion or stationary, the actuating rod 30 will become engaged with the ground.

Subsequent to becoming engaged with the ground, the switch 20 is moved to its closed position, thereby completing the electrical circuit of the tire deflation sensing device 100. Ensuing circuit completion, the warning light 70 will be activated to alert the driver that the trailer tire 60 is below acceptable tire pressure. The driver then remedies the tire pressure issue which will then return the actuating rod 30 to its first position whereby it is generally perpendicular to the base plate and disengaged with the ground 80. In this position, the switch 20 returns to its normally open state and the warning light 70 is deactivated. The driver resumes normal use of the trailer.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

United States Patent 7,677,056
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Panganiban
March 16, 2010

Portable cooling system for a beverage container

Abstract

A portable cooling system for maintaining a beverage container at an internal temperature dissimilar to that of the temperature of its external surroundings comprising of a substantially circular shaped storage compartments with a hingly attached lid. The portable cooling system further includes a flexible temperature sleeve positioned in the interior volume of the storage compartment during use. The temperature sleeve contains a plurality of ribs being configure to have an internal chamber filled with temperature controlling substance.

Inventors: Panganiban; Frank (Bartlett, IL)
Appl. No.: 11/251,234
Filed: October 15, 2005

Current U.S. Class: 62/457.4 ; 62/371
Current International Class: F25D 3/08 (20060101)
Field of Search: 62/371,457.1,457.2,457.3,457.4,457.8,475.3
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

4463664 August 1984 Peace
4830190 May 1989 Inagaki
5042258 August 1991 Sundhar
5283420 February 1994 Montalto
5345784 September 1994 Bazemore et al.
5842353 December 1998 Kuo-Liang
6330808 December 2001 Kouwenberg et al.
6378325 April 2002 Yang
6513661 February 2003 Mogil
6789693 September 2004 Lassiter

Primary Examiner: Jones; Melvin
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable cooling system comprising: a storage compartment having at least one wall and a bottom, said wall and said bottom configured to define an interior volume with an opening for receipt of objects therein; a lid configured to fit over the opening of said storage compartment, said lid for closing the opening of said storage compartment, wherein said lid has a first position in which said lid is mated over said opening of said storage compartment and a second position wherein said lid is removed from said opening of said storage compartment, wherein said lid is secured into said second position with a hook/loop fastener; a temperature controller removably disposed within at least a portion of said storage compartment; an attachment device for releasably securing said lid into said first position, wherein said attachment device is a zipper; and a belt clip mounted to the external surface of said storage compartment, said belt clip for releasably securing said portable cooling system to a belt.

2. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller further includes a membrane integrally formed with at least one chamber having an internal volume, said chamber containing material for freezing therein.

3. A portable cooling system for maintaining the temperature of a single beverage container dissimilar to that of its external surroundings comprising: a storage compartment having one insulated wall and an insulated bottom, said wall and said bottom configure to define an interior volume for receipt of a beverage container therein, said all and said bottom further being configured to have an open end; an insulated lid, said lid hingly mounted to said storage compartment proximate to said open end, said lid for closing said open end of said storage compartment; and a removable temperature sleeve for controlling the interior volume of said storage compartment, said sleeve removably interposed between said wall of said storage compartment and said beverage container.

4. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 3, and further including a zipper, said zipper located proximate to said open end of said storage compartment, said zipper for releasably securing said lid to said storage compartment in a first position, wherein said lid closes said open end.

5. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 4, and further comprising an attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism for securing said lid into a second position, wherein said lid is removed from said open end allowing access to said interior volume of said storage compartment.

6. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 5, wherein said attachment mechanism is a hook/loop fastener.

7. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 6, and further comprising a belt clip centrally mounted to the exterior surface of the storage compartment, said belt clip for allowing said portable cooling system to be releasably secured to a belt.

8. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 7, wherein said temperature sleeve further includes a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end and a plurality of temperature ribs integrally formed therewith, said ribs further being configured with three walls to define an internal chamber, said internal chamber containing a temperature controlling compound therein.

9. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 8, wherein said temperature sleeve further includes a plurality of notches, said notches interposed to said temperature ribs, said notches for allowing said sleeve to be formed into a generally cicular shape by placing said first end and said second end adjacent to each other.

10. the portable cooling system as recited in claim 9, wherein said walls and said lid are constructed to form foam.

11. A portable cooling system for cooling a beverage container and the contents therein, comprising: a storage compartment having one insulated wall and an insulated bottom, said wall and said bottom configured to define an interior volume for receipt of a beverage container thereing, said interior volume substantially lines with a waterproof material, said wal and said bottom further being configured to have an open end, said storage compartment being generally circular in shape; and an insulated lid, said lid having a first position and a second position, said lid hingly mounted to said storage compartment proximate to said open end, said lid for closing said open end of said storage compartment; a removable temperature sleeve for controlling the interior volume of said storage compartment, said sleeve surroundably mounted adjacent said beverage container, said sleeve further being configured with a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end, said sleeve having a plurality of temperature ribs being configured with three walls defining an internal chamber, said internal chamber containing a temperature controlling substance therein; and a belt clip, said belt clip for releasably securing said portable cooling system to a belt, said belt clip mounted to the exterior of said storage compartment.

12. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 11, wherein said temperature sleeve further includes a plurality of notches, said notches interposed to said temperature ribs, said notches for allowing said sleeve to be shaped into a generally circular shape whereby said first end and said second end are adjacently located.

13. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 12, wherein said sleeve is biased against the interior lining by said beverage container.

14. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 13, wherein said wall in one-quarter of an inch in thickness.

15. The portable cooling system as recited in claim 14, and further including an exterior surface substantially disposed on said lid and said storage compartment, and said exterior surface is nylon wherein said exterior surface prevents degradation of the foam wall and further provides a gripping surface for use.
Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a portable cooling system, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a portable cooling system designed to reduce and then maintain a temperature differential of a beverage can that has been inserted into the system and its external surroundings.

BACKGROUND

Individuals engage in numerous activities where transportation of beverages is desired. During transportation and upon arrival, maintaining a desired temperature for the beverage is normally accomplished by utilizing a conventional cooler.

Transporting conventional coolers when only a single beverage is desired to be transported is not practical as conventional coolers can be large and difficult to transport. For example, many workers transport a meal to be consumed while at work. A typical way of transporting a meal and drink is a plastic or paper bag. Many facilities do not offer refrigerators to store the drinks or access to such devices is inconvenient. As it is usually several hours before the meal and drink are consumed, many consider it desirable to maintain a cool temperature for the beverage. Utilizing a conventional cooler for such an activity is not practical as only one beverage is desired to be transported.

Another problem exists is that conventional coolers require ice to be deposited therein to make and keep the contents cold. As the ice melts, it requires that it be removed from the cooler.

Another example of current devices that are used to transport beverages in small quantities is a conventional thermos. Typically, a desired beverage is poured into the thermos along with ice and the device is then closed for transportation. A problem with this method is that after a period of time the ice melts and dilutes the beverage contained in the conventional thermos. Additionally, the thermos must be cleaned between uses.

Accordingly, there is a need for a portable cooling system that is designed to cool and maintain the lowered temperature of beverages in the original containers, such as but not limited to an aluminum can, that is compact and easily transported, prevents the dilution of the beverage by utilizing an external temperature control sleeve that surrounds the beverage container, and does not need to be cleaned after every use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable cooling system for a single beverage container that can isolate and maintain the temperature of the single beverage container from the external ambient temperature and be easily transported by an individual. The portable cooling system has a cooling and insulating device capable of cooling and maintaining a temperature of a single beverage container and the contents therein and thermally isolate the container and contents from its external surroundings. The system includes a removable temperature control sleeve that is positioned interposed an insulation layer and the beverage container.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable cooling system for a single beverage container that is compact and lightweight for easy transportation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable cooling system for a single beverage container that has a lid releasably secured thereto in order to completely encase the beverage container thereby maintaining a sanitary environment for the beverage container and providing further internal climate control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable cooling system for a single beverage container that has a device that allows the system to be releasably secured to a belt worn by an individual for ease of transportation.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the temperature control sleeve; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a beverage container inserted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in particular FIG. 1 through 3, there is illustrated the components of a preferred embodiment of a portable cooling system constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

The first component of the system is the storage compartment 100. The storage compartment 100 is generally annular in shape and hollow to allow receipt therein of a beverage container 5. The storage compartment 100 has a wall 10 and a bottom 20 configured to define an interior volume of the storage compartment 100 and an opening 25 at the top of the storage compartment. Proximate to the opening 25 is the upper peripheral edge 40. For storage compartment 100, good results have been achieved with measurements designed to accommodate a conventional beverage containers, such as but not limited to twelve ounce aluminum beverage container, or plastic, disposable beverage bottles.

The wall 10 and the bottom 20 are constructed of an insulating material such as but not limited to foam. Although good results have been achieved with a wall 10 that is one-quarter of an inch in thickness, it is understood that the thickness of wall 10 will depend on the type of insulating material used and the desired performance of such.

Although it is illustrated in the preferred embodiment that one wall 10 and a bottom 20 are used to construct the main body 25 of the storage compartment 100, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that a plurality of walls configured with a bottom could be used to construct a storage compartment 100 in order to achieve the function suggested herein.

The wall 10 has an exterior surface 35 that is substantially disposed thereon. The exterior surface 35 is constructed of nylon. The exterior surface 35 of nylon prevents. degradation of the foam wall 10 and provides a suitable surface for an individual to grip the storage compartment 100. The exterior surface 35 is mounted to the wall by conventional chemical methods. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous materials could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with nylon to construct the exterior surface 35 to achieve the desired function suggested herein.

The wall 10 has an interior liner 60 that is substantially disposed about the interior volume of the storage compartment 100. The interior liner 60 serves to provide additional insulation for a beverage container to be disposed therein. The interior liner 60 is constructed of a liquid impermeable material to prevent any condensation from propagating into the foam wall 10. Good results have been achieved in the construct of the interior liner 60 with conventional materials such as the reflective waterproof materials used in standard soft-sided ice chest.

Proximate to the opening 25 and hingly connected to the exterior surface 35 of the wall 10 is the lid 50. The lid 50 is designed to be releasably secured to the main body 25 of the storage compartment 100. The lid 50 is generally annular in shape and integrally formed with a top 65 and an upper wall 55 to form an interior volume and is of a particular diameter to allow the lid 50 to mate securely with the main body 25 of the storage compartment 100. The top 65 and upper wall 55 are constructed of an insulating material such as but not limited to foam. Good results have been achieved with an upper wall 55 that is three-quarters of an inch in thickness, however it is contemplated that the thickness will depend on the type of insulation and desired performance.

Substantially disposed about the exterior of the lid is the exterior surface 35. The lid 50 has a lower peripheral edge 75 that has circumferentially disposed thereon a zipper 80. The zipper 80 is a conventional zipper that consists of two interlocking halves with the opposing half of the zipper 80 mounted along the upper peripheral edge 40. The zipper 80 functions to releasably secure the lid 50 in its first position to the main body 25 thereby encapsulating the beverage container 5 in the storage compartment 100. Once releasably secured with the zipper 80, the beverage container 5 is protected from any debris and is completely surround by insulating material allowing the storage compartment 100 to maintain and isolate the temperature of beverage container 5 and its contents to that the external surroundings.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of attachment mechanisms could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the zipper 80 to achieve the desired functionality as suggested herein.

One half of an attachment mechanism 90 is positioned opposite the zipper 80 and secured to the exterior surface 35 of the lid 50. The opposing half of the attachment mechanism 90 is secured to the exterior surface 35 of the main body 25 of the storage compartment 100 proximate to and beneath the upper peripheral edge 40. The opposing halves of the attachment mechanism 90 function to releasably secure the lid 50 into its second position, which allows access to the beverage container 5 contained within the storage compartment 100.

The attachment mechanism 90 is constructed of conventional hook/loop fasteners and is secured by suitable chemical or mechanical methods such as but not limited to stitching or chemical adhesion. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different materials or devices could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the hook/loop fasteners to achieve the functionality suggested herein of the attachment mechanism 90. More specifically but not by way of limitation conventional snaps could be used to secure the lid 50 in the lid's 50 second position to the main body 25.

A belt clip 95 is mounted contiguous to the exterior surface 35 of the main body 25 and configured in a generally perpendicular manner. The belt clip 95 functions to allow an individual using the portable cooling system to temporarily fasten the storage compartment 100 to their belt or other location for ease of transportation. The belt clip 95 is made of conventional material such as but not limited to a resilient metal. The belt clip 95 is mounted to the exterior surface 35 of the main body 25 by known chemical or mechanical methods such as but not limited to chemical adhesion or mechanical rivets. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of materials could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with metal to achieve the functionality as suggested herein of the belt clip 95.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 2, there is illustrated the second component of the portable cooling system, the temperature sleeve 115. The temperature sleeve 115 is comprised of a membrane 130 having a first end 120 and a second end 122. The membrane 130 is configured in a substantially planar manner and is constructed of a flexible liquid impermeable material such as but not limited to plastic. The length of temperature sleeve 115 can be varied depending upon the desired container to be cooled. Good results have been achieved in making the length of temperature sleeve 115 such that the opening of the container of to be cooled can be readily accessible by the consumer. For example, if a soda in a typical can is to be cooled, the desired length of temperature sleeve 115 would be such that a user could easily consume the soda in the container from its opening and not have the temperature sleeve 115 interfere with the consumption of the soda.

Superposed on one side of the membrane 130 is a plurality of temperature ribs 110. The temperature ribs 110 are comprised of three walls 130 that are integrally formed with the membrane 130 to form an internal chamber 135. The internal chamber 135 has substantially disposed therein a suitable liquid or gel that has general properties of slow temperature dissipation and absorption.

Upon changing the temperature of the temperature sleeve 115 by introduction for a sustained period of time into a freezer or other device, the material within the internal chamber 135 will reach or approach the operating temperature of the freezer or device and be able to maintain that temperature for an extended period of time once removed from the freezer or other device and placed into the storage compartment 100. The material disposed within the internal chamber 135 of the temperature ribs 110 not only helps to maintain a temperature the interior volume of the storage compartment 100 but will also cool the temperature of the interior volume and contents there if, when inserted, the contents are at a temperature different than that of the temperature sleeve 115. If for example, a can of soda at room temperature is inserted into the portable cooling system and the temperature sleeve 115 has been substantially chilled in a freezer, temperature sleeve 115 will cool off the contents of the can of soda, and once cooled help maintain the cooled temperature.

The temperature ribs 110 are integrally formed with the membrane 130 and are formed with the membrane 130 to create a plurality of notches 125. The notches 125 allow the temperature sleeve 115 to be configured in circular manner whereby the first end 120 and the second end 122 are adjacent to one another and then placed inside the storage compartment 100 interposed to the beverage container and wall 10. The beverage container 5 biases the temperature sleeve 115 against the interior lining 60. The temperature ribs 110 are adjacent to the beverage container 5 upon placement into the storage compartment 100 as the temperature sleeve 115 encircles the beverage container 5.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the temperature sleeve 115 could be utilized to maintain a temperature in the storage compartment 100 that is either cooler or warmer than that of its external surroundings. It is contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention that the size of the storage compartment 100 could be manufactured to accommodate numerous different sizes and types of beverage containers. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the storage compartment 100 could be configured to accept therein bottles or larger cans. It is further contemplated within the scope of the invention that the storage compartment 100 could be manufactured in a plurality of colors and patterns.

Referring in particular to the drawings submitted herewith, in particular FIGS. 1 and 2; a description of the operation of the portable cooling system is as follows. In use, a user would place the temperature sleeve 115 in a device such as a freezer for a sufficient time to allow the material in the internal chamber 135 to reach a temperature similar to its environment. Once the temperature has been reached, the temperature sleeve 115 is removed from the device and is configured by the user to a generally circular shape by placing the first end 120 and the second end 122 of the membrane 130 adjacent to each other.

The lid 50 is placed in its second position and secured with the attachment mechanism 90 to allow access to the internal volume of the storage compartment 100. The temperature sleeve 115 is then placed into the storage compartment 100 adjacent to the interior lining 60 with the temperature ribs 110 facing inward. The user then places the desired beverage container 5 in the storage compartment 100 adjacent to the temperature sleeve 115. The user then secures the lid 50 in its first position with the zipper 80. This closes the portable cooling system and increases the efficiency of the system in maintaining a temperature of the internal volume of the storage compartment 100 dissimilar to that of the external environment.

The user may then use the belt clip 95 to aid in transportation of the portable cooling system to the desired location. Once ready to use, the user will release the lid 50 from the storage compartment 100 by releasing the zipper 80 and securing the lid 50 into its second position. The user then consumes the desired amount of beverage contained in the beverage container 5 and returns the lid 50 to its first position. This process is repeated as desired until the beverage is consumed.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM, WWW.YAHOO.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

USPTO to Hold Independent Inventors Roundtable at Alexandria Headquarters
WWW.USPTO.GOV

Event To Be Webcast Live

David Kappos, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark will host a roundtable for independent and small entity inventors on Monday, March 29 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. The event will be held in the Madison Auditorium on the agency’s campus in Alexandria, Virginia. It will also be webcast live on www.uspto.gov. Director Kappos will make opening remarks and then invite questions from the audience and those watching on the web. The roundtable will address current issues of concern to the independent and small entity inventor community including patent reform legislation.

Directions for logging on to the webcast will be posted on the homepage of the agency’s website the day of the roundtable. If you plan to attend in person please RSVP to independentinventor@uspto.gov. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

United States Patent 7,677,575
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Eisenbarth
March 16, 2010

Apparatus for playing a lawn game

Abstract

Golf Gladiator is a lawn game of skill involving balls or other objects connected by a string or rope and a ladder design that has rungs at various distances from the players due to its unique angled design. To play, the ladder assembly is placed a predetermined distance from the players. A player grabs one ball and rope assembly and swings its at the ladder rungs, attempting to get it to wrap around a rung. Each rung has a point value assigned to it. There are three ball and rope assemblies per person or team. Each player or team throws all of his or its ball and rope assemblies and then the next player or team takes his or its turn. A variety of variations on these rules are possible.

Inventors: Eisenbarth; Jerome (Blair, NE)
Appl. No.: 11/724,803
Filed: March 15, 2007

Current U.S. Class: 273/343
Current International Class: A63B 63/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 273/343,317,348 482/15,16 211/202
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

2445403 July 1948 Mayerman
4596391 June 1986 Carolan, Jr.
6569027 May 2003 Florian
6602146 August 2003 Pirre
6773014 August 2004 Lynch
7004468 February 2006 Johnson et al.
7134661 November 2006 Trecartin
2008/0048397 February 2008 Mancini
2008/0093803 April 2008 Vallee et al.
2008/0224408 September 2008 Eisenbarth

Primary Examiner: Chiu; Raleigh W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates LP
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sporting device comprising: a support that attaches on top to a first rung; a first support member connected at an angle to the first rung on one end and to a second rung on the other end; and a second support member connected at an angle to the second rung on one end and a third rung on the other end; wherein said support connects to a base on bottom; and wherein said base is rectangular and has a first shorter pipe in the front and a second shorter pipe in the back and a first longer pipe on one side and second longer pipe on the other side.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the support is a first upside down V-shaped piping that connects to the first longer pipe and a second upside down V-shaped piping that connects to the second longer pipe.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first rung connects the top of the first upside down V-shaped piping and the second upside down V-shaped piping.

4. A sporting device comprising: a support that attaches on top to a first rung; a first support member connected at an angle to the first rung on one end and to a second rung on the other end; a second support member connected at an angle to the second rung on one end and a third rung on the other end; and a rope attached to a first ball on one end and a second ball on the opposite end.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the rope is nylon.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the rope is one quarter of an inch in diameter.

7. A sporting device comprising: a base that is rectangular and has a first shorter pipe in the front and a second shorter pipe in the back and a first longer pipe on one side and a second longer pipe on the other side; an anchor support made of a first upside down V-shaped piping that connects to the first longer pipe and a second upside down V-shaped piping that connects to the second longer pipe; a first rung that connects the top of the first upside down V-shaped piping and the second upside down V-shaped piping; a first support member and a second support member running parallel that are connected at the bottom at an angle to the first rung; a second rung connecting the top of the first support member and the second support member; a third support member and a fourth support member running parallel that are connected at the bottom at an angle to the second rung and at the top to a third rung; the first shorter pipe, the second shorter pipe, the first longer pipe, the second longer pipe, the first upside down V-shaped piping, the second upside down V-shaped piping, the first rung, the first support member, the second support member, the second rung, the third support member, the fourth support member and the third rung are made of PVC pipe; and a rope that is made of nylon attached to a first ball on one end and a second ball on the other end.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a fifth support member and a sixth support member running parallel that are connected at the .bottom at an angle to the third rung and at the top to a fourth rung.
Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional Patent applications or any foreign patent applications.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the sporting and game industries. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of lawn games.

BACKGROUND

Millions of people in the United States enjoy various lawn games at barbeques or other family outings and at parks and beaches. Croquet, horseshoes, tetherball, washers, and badminton are just some of the most common games. Recently, a ladder golf game involving two golf balls tied to opposite ends of a rope and a ladder device has become popular. Players are awarded varying amounts of points by causing the rope to tie around the different ladder rungs when the golf balls are slung at a distance from the ladder device. Multiple players of any age can play this type of game.

Unfortunately, the traditional ladder golf games only utilize a ladder that runs perpendicular to the ground and base, allowing for players to more easily master the game because the rungs are all the same distance from the player.

Hence, there is a need in the art for an inexpensive, durable, easy to use, store, transport, and assemble lawn game of skill involving balls or other objects connected by a string or rope and a ladder design that has rungs at various distances from the players due to its unique angled design.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Golf Gladiator is a lawn game of skill involving balls or other objects connected by a string or rope and a ladder design that has rungs at various distances from the players due to its unique angled design.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a lawn game that has balls or other objects connected by a string or rope and a ladder design that has rungs at various distances from a player due to its unique angled design.

Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable lawn game.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lawn game that is quickly assembled and easy to play.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safe lawn game.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable lawn game.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight lawn game.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable lawn game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the preferred embodiment of the ladder assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of another preferred embodiment of the ladder assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the golf ball and rope assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of Golf Gladiator is comprised of at least some of the following: an angled ladder assembly with three or four rungs attached to a base and a set of two golf balls attached to rope.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, a ladder assembly 1 has a rectangular base 2 having two shorter pipes 3 in the front and the back and two longer pipes 4 on the sides. Upside down V-shaped anchor supports 5 connect to each of the longer pipes 4 of the base 2. A first rung 6 connects the top of the upside down V-shaped supports 5 and attaches to the bottom of support members 7 on each side. The support members 7 are angled at approximately thirty degrees from the perpendicular running to the base 2 through the top of the V-shaped anchor supports 5. A second rung 8 connects the top of the two support members 7. A second set of support members 9 connect to the second rung 8 on the bottom and a third rung 10 at the top. The second set of support members 9 are angled at thirty degrees opposite the angle of the support members 7 such that the third rung 10 is located directly above the first rung 6.

The shorter pipes 3, longer pipes 4, anchor supports 5, support members 7, second set of support members 9, first rung 6, second rung 8 and third rung 10 are ideally made of three-quarter of an inch diameter PVC pipe to minimize costs and increase durability. However, three-quarter of an inch galvanized pipe, aluminum, copper or stainless steel could also be utilized. The diameter of the components could also be altered. Ideally, the ladder assembly 1 would be three feet high, three feet long at the base and two feet wide with the first rung 6 located one foot off of the ground, the second rung 8 located two feet off the ground and the third rung 10 located three feet off the ground.

FIG. 2 shows another version of the preferred embodiment of the ladder assembly of the present invention. A ladder assembly 20 has a rectangular base 21 having two shorter pipes 22 in the front and the back and two longer pipes 23 on the sides. Upside down V-shaped anchor supports 24 connect to each of the longer pipes 23 of the base 21. A first rung 25 connects the top of the upside down V-shaped supports 24 and attaches to the bottom of support members 26 on each side. The support members 26 are angled at approximately thirty degrees from the perpendicular running to the base 21 through the top of the anchor supports 24. A second rung 27 connects the top of the two support members 26. A second set of support members 28 connect to the second rung 27 on the bottom and a third rung 29 at the top. The second set of support members 28 are angled at thirty degrees opposite the angle of the support members 26 such that the third rung 29 is located directly above the first rung 25. A third set of support members 30 connect to the third rung 29 on the bottom and a fourth rung 31 at the top. The third set of support members 30 are angled at thirty degrees opposite the angle of the second set of support members 28 such that the fourth rung 31 is located directly above the second rung 27.

As with the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the components of FIG. 2 are ideally made of three-quarter of an inch PVC pipe to minimize costs. However, three-quarter of an inch galvanized pipe, aluminum, copper or stainless steel could also be utilized and the diameter of the components could also be altered. Ideally, the ladder assembly 20 would be four feet high, four feet long at the base and two feet wide with the first rung 25 located one foot off of the ground, the second rung 27 located two feet off the ground, the third rung 29 located three feet off the ground, and the fourth rung 31 located four feet off the ground.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of the golf ball and rope assembly 40 of the present invention. Two golf balls 41 are connected by nylon rope 42. The nylon rope 42 is one quarter of an inch in diameter and one foot in length in the preferred embodiment though a variety of types of rope, string or cord of varying dimensions could be utilized.

To use the preferred embodiment of Golf Gladiator, a player grabs one golf ball and swings the golf ball and rope assembly at the ladder rungs, attempting to get them to wrap around a rung.

The ladder assembly is placed forty feet from the players. There are three golf ball and rope assemblies per team. In the three rung model, the third rung is worth one point, the second rung is worth three points and the first rung is worth two points. In the four rung model, the first rung is worth two points, the second rung is worth three points, the third rung is worth four points and the fourth rung is worth one point. Each player or team throws all of his or its two-ball assemblies and then the next player or team takes his or its turn.

The object of the game is to score twenty-one points first. The winner of each match is determined on the basis of two out of three games. Players must accumulate exactly twenty-one points. Failure to get exactly twenty-one points will result in reduction of points from the points already scored. For example: If the player or team has eighteen points and receives four points on his or their next throw, four points would be deducted from his or their total, resulting in a total of fourteen points.

Obviously, a variety of other ways to play and score the game are possible utilizing the same equipment.

The components of Golf Gladiator may vary but will likely use metal and plastic materials. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of Golf Gladiator can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of metals, plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color. It should also be obvious that while golf balls and rope are used in the preferred embodiment, a variety of objects connected by string or other similar device could be utilized. Hence, balls or golf balls include any weighted object and rope includes any string or similar object for purposes of this invention. In addition, while a base with an anchor support is the preferred method for stabilizing the ladder assembly and elevating the rungs, a variety of other methods may work and do not require a base. For example, a support could be attached to the bottom of the first rung and then driven into the ground.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

USPTO and UKIPO Announce Action Plan to Reduce Global Patent Backlogs
WWW.USPTO.GOV

LONDON - The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) today agreed to develop an action plan for reducing patent processing backlogs in both offices. Patent backlogs hinder the deployment of innovation and have clear adverse effects on the global economy. According to a study by London Economics released on behalf of the UKIPO, the first study that attempts to quantify the economic impact of patent backlogs, the cost to the global economy of the delay in processing patent applications may be as much as £7.65 ($11.4) billion each year.

Today, David Lammy, UK Minister of State for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, and David Kappos, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, committed both the UKIPO and the USPTO to develop a plan to optimize reuse of work on patent applications that are filed jointly at the USPTO and the UKIPO. To this end, the offices will identify all areas of reutilization potential by the end of this calendar year, and shall pursue measures designed to facilitate maximum reuse by building confidence in the work done by each office.

David Lammy said: “If we are serious about economic recovery, then we cannot sit back and watch good ideas go to waste. I want to see an international system that works efficiently to provide innovative businesses with high quality patents in the timescales they need. The UK is working hard to secure our competitive advantage in innovative, high-growth sectors like advanced manufacturing, the life sciences, low-carbon and others. Patents act as a short-term reward to innovators, so that they offset the costs involved in developing their ideas. I welcome the joint working that we have agreed with David Kappos today to tackle this issue head on to reduce unnecessary duplication of work and maintain quality between patent offices.”

David Kappos said: “Every quality patent application that sits on the shelf represents jobs not created. For that reason, the USPTO has made reduction of the patent backlog our highest priority. At the USPTO, we have already undertaken substantial reform of our system for processing patent applications. Work-sharing is an important feature of this reform. Thus far, however, our work-sharing efforts at the USPTO have largely been applicant driven and therefore dependent on whether individual applicants know about, and appreciate, the clear benefits of work-sharing. So I am particularly delighted that we are today embracing with the UK an office-driven mechanism for reutilization of work.”

Today’s agreement commits the USPTO and UKIPO to a follow-on study into the effect of the backlog on competitors and to an ambitious work-sharing collaboration, with the goal of reutilizing each other’s work to the maximum extent possible. This commitment to maximizing the reutilization of work performed by the USPTO and UKIPO will have the advantage that it will be the offices, rather than the applicants, that initiate the priority handling of applications.

In addition to unveiling the USPTO-UKIPO agreement, Minister Lammy released the results of a study prepared for UKIPO by London Economics entitled, Economic Study on Patent Backlogs and a System of Mutual Recognition, which examined the economic impact of delays in processing patents. According to the study, patent processing delays prevent high-tech businesses such as telecommunications, aviation and engineering sectors from getting to market as quickly as they otherwise could. This results in a loss of competitiveness, delays in R&D and an overall reduction in the incentive to create and innovate. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM, WWW.YAHOO.COM, or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,490,684
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Seymour, et al.
February 17, 2009

Self-propelled infant stroller

Abstract

An infant stroller that can propel itself under its own power, or in other circumstances provide propulsion assistance to aid the stroller attendant so as to reduce the required effort to push a stroller over various types of terrain. The stroller having a base frame formed of a plurality of connected substantially rigid formed tubular or molded plastic members, the frame adapted to fold for storage. Provided on the frame and interfacing with the ground are a plurality of wheels of which at least one wheel is an electrically driven wheel. The stroller includes two handle arms secured to the rear portion of the frame with a handle grip bar secured to an upper portion of the arms. The handle grip has a battery compartment for receiving a rechargeable battery pack therein. The stroller includes an electrically powered drive means for providing power assist to drive one or more driven wheels over sometimes hilly, grassy or rough terrain. Once discharged, the battery can be removed and replaced with a recharged battery, or on certain embodiments the stroller can also recharge while exposed to direct sunlight. The attendant controls the stroller's electric drive by manipulating a motor control bar located near the stroller handle grip.

Inventors: Seymour; Craig A. (Pittsfield, IL), Seymour; Gretchen (Pittsfield, IL)
Appl. No.: 11/509,262
Filed: August 24, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 180/65.1 ; 280/47.38
Current International Class: B60K 1/04 (20060101)
Field of Search: 280/47.38 180/65.1,65.5,65.6
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

2494489 January 1950 Raucher
4629950 December 1986 Ching
4685688 August 1987 Edwards
5168947 December 1992 Rodenborn
D345720 April 1994 Pohl
5351774 October 1994 Okamoto
5873425 February 1999 Yang
5937961 August 1999 Davidson
6148942 November 2000 Mackert, Sr.
6360836 March 2002 Milano et al.
7004272 February 2006 Brown et al.
7198122 April 2007 Smith

Primary Examiner: Restifo; Jeffrey J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A self-propelled electrically powered stroller for transporting one or more infants, the stroller comprising: a stroller frame configured to support the weight of an infant, the frame comprising: a base frame comprising a plurality of connected substantially rigid formed elongated members, the base frame adapted to fold for storage; a plurality of wheels wherein at least one wheel is a driven wheel, the wheels rotably secured to the stroller frame, the wheels arranged to stably and rollably support the stroller frame upon ground; a handle assembly comprising: two elongated substantially rigid handle arms, the arms having an upper and an opposing lower end, the arms foldably secured at a lower end to the rear portion of the base frame; and a handle grip bar having a battery receiving compartment with electrical contacts secured therein, the handle grip bar secured along opposing end portions to the upper ends of the elongated handle arms, the handle grip bar configured to be grasped by a human hand for guiding or pushing the stroller; an electrically powered drive means for driving the at least one driven wheel so as to propel the stroller over the ground, the drive means secured to the stroller frame; a rechargeable battery pack for storing and supplying electrical energy to power the drive means, the battery pack removably secured within the battery receiving compartment of the handle grip bar, the battery pack having electrical contacts thereon for electrically engaging with the contacts in the battery compartment; one or more infant seats secured to the base frame so as to ride upon the frame and wheels; a canopy positioned above the infant seats, the canopy secured to the stroller frame, the canopy configured to shelter the infant seat from sun rays and rain; a safety power interrupt device, the safety power interrupt device comprising: a safety switch device secured to the handle grip bar; a safety key removably received into the safety switch, wherein removing the safety key from the switch interrupts electrical power from the battery to the drive means such as to stop the drive means, wherein frictional and rotary inertia of the drive means brakes rolling motion of the stroller; and a lanyard having two ends, one end secured to the safety key, an opposing end having a hook secured thereto, the hook configured to retentively engage onto a stroller operator, the lanyard and safety key cooperating so as to pull the safety key out of the safety switch if stroller gets away from the operator so as to brake the stroller; and a drive motor control means, the drive motor control means comprising: a spring return electrical drive off-on switch for selectably providing or interrupting electrical power from the battery to the drive means; and a motor control bar distally spaced from and substantially parallel to the handle grip bar, the motor control bar positioned and configured to be operable by attendant's fingers, wherein the attendant has a palm of a hand resting on the grip bar and wherein the attendant manipulates the motor control bar with fingers of the hand, the motor control bar connected to the electrical drive switch wherein compressing the motor control bar against the handle grip provides power to the drive means and wherein releasing the hand compression on the motor control bar interrupts the power.

2. The stroller of claim 1, wherein the frame material is selected from the group consisting of tubular aluminum, tubular steel, reinforced plastic; and wherein the wheels comprise rubber treads secured over plastic wheels.

3. The stroller of claim 2, wherein the electrically powered drive means comprises: a wheel drive shaft, the shaft rotably and torsionally connected to the at least one driven wheel; a gear reduction transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, the output shaft connected to the wheel drive shaft wherein the output shaft transmits rotary motion and torque to the wheel drive shaft, the gear reduction transmission secured to the stroller frame; and an electric drive motor having a drive shaft, the drive motor secured to the gear reduction transmission, the motor drive shaft connect to the input shaft of the transmission, wherein the motor transmits rotary motion and torque to the input shaft.

4. The stroller of claim 3, wherein the transmission further comprises a foot operated means of selectively engaging/disengaging the transmission output shaft from the wheel drive shaft, wherein disengaging the transmission permits the stroller to be manually propelled without electrical power.

5. The stroller of claim 4, wherein the plurality of wheels consists of four wheels, and wherein the base frame comprise a back member secured to two opposing side members, each side of the frame having two wheels located generally at opposing ends of the side member.

6. The stroller of claim 5 further comprising a solar cell assembly secured to a top portion of the canopy, the solar cell assembly providing electrical power to charge the battery pack.

7. The stroller of claim 5 wherein the battery pack is a 24 volt rechargeable storage battery pack, and wherein the motor comprises a 12 to 19 volt electric motor.

8. The stroller of claim 7 wherein the at least one driven wheel comprises one driven rear wheel.

9. The stroller of claim 7, wherein the at least one driven wheel comprises two driven opposing rear wheels, and wherein the wheel drive shaft extends between the two driven wheels, wherein at least one driven wheel further comprise drive teeth disposed on an inner facing perimeter of the wheel, the drive teeth engaging with a ratchet pawl drive connected to an end of the wheel drive shaft, wherein the pawl driven wheel is permitted to rotate faster than non-pawl driven wheel such that the stroller can be easily steered while rolling.

10. The stroller of claim 7 further comprising a 24 volt solar cell assembly secured to a top portion of the canopy, the solar cell assembly electrically connected to the battery terminals in the battery receiving compartment, the solar cell assembly providing electrical power to charge the 24 volt battery pack.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to wheeled baby strollers for transporting infants and, more particularly, to self-propelled strollers having an electric drive means to propel the stroller, reducing the required effort to push the stroller particularly over rough ground, through grassy terrain, as well as up hills and inclines.

BACKGROUND

Push type infant strollers are well known. Such strollers comprise a wheeled frame with an infant seat secured thereon. The stroller frame is provided with a raised handle configured to allow a parent, family member or other attendant to manually push the stroller along as they walk. The infant seat is typically provided with a restraint device to prevent the infant or child from accidentally falling out of the seat. Many times the stroller is provided with a canopy to shield the child from the ultraviolet rays in sunlight, as well as shield the child from an unexpected downpour. Strollers are often used to convey children who are too young to walk independently. Infants and young children have needed to be carried for as long as parents have needed to go places and such strollers ease the burden of bearing the weight of children on long or even short walks.

The first baby carriages were introduced in England in the 1700's and were designed to be pulled by dogs or Shetland ponies. Today, many varieties of strollers are available from models that permit the child to lie down to those that maintain the child in a substantially upright position. More recent times have seen the introduction of strollers that can be pulled behind bicycles. The vast majority of infant strollers are designed to be propelled by a hand wherein the attendant exerts physical effort to push the stroller carrying the infant over sometimes hilly, rough, or gravel covered terrain. It is to the improvement of such strollers and improving the lot of parents and guardians that this inventive disclosure is directed.

While conventional push type strollers fulfill their original intent, such strollers have one or more drawbacks. One drawback, as discussed above, is that the stroller must be manually pushed by the attendant to propel it from one place to another. When pushing such a stroller on a long walk, even on smooth level pavement, such a task takes its toll and eventually becomes tiring to the person pushing the stroller. The difficulty and required effort to manually push the stroller multiplies when the stroller must be pushed up a hill, along rough or grassy terrain, or when the stroller must be pushed through a patch of gravel or along a gravel path or road. Pushing a stroller for even limited distances in such terrain can be a difficult and strenuous task. Then there are the occasions when an older person and grandparent with health issues or other limitations on physical exertion desires to take the baby out in the stroller for a walk. Difficult terrains as discussed above can place undue physical burdens on elders with health issues and present a serious health risk. Additionally, younger children or people with various physical handicaps are limited in their physical capacity to push a bulky and unwieldy stroller and so would benefit from the use of a powered stroller such as disclosed herein.

Therefore, an infant stroller which is configured to overcome the drawbacks of such push type strollers as discussed above, a stroller which either propels under its own power or provides a propulsion assist so as to reduce the physical effort required to push the stroller over various terrains, such a stroller would be useful, advantageous and novel.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise various embodiments of a self-propelled infant stroller that has the capacity to propel itself under its own power, or in other circumstances to provide propulsion assistance to reduce the required effort of the attendant to push the stroller over various types of terrain.

In embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, a self-propelled electrically powered stroller for transporting one or more infants comprises a stroller frame configured to support the weight of an infant or child. The frame comprises a base frame having a plurality of connected substantially elongated frame members that may consists of metallic tubular or formed plastic. The base frame adapted to fold for storage and therefore to reduce the size of the stroller, thereby making the folded stroller easier to carry and to store, as well as to transport in an automobile. Provided on the frame and interfacing with the ground are a plurality of wheels of which at least one wheel is a driven wheel. The wheels are rotably secured to the stroller frame on axles and are so arranged as to stably and rollably support the stroller frame upon the ground without tipping the stroller. The stroller includes a handle assembly comprising two elongated substantially rigid handle arms secured to the rear portion of the frame. A handle grip bar is secured to an upper portion of the handles and spans between the handle arms. The handle grip bar has a battery receiving compartment with electrical contacts provided therein. The handle grip bar is configured to be grasped by a human hand for guiding or pushing the stroller along, somewhat similar to the conventional manually pushed variety of strollers. The stroller includes an electrically powered drive means configured to drive the driven wheels so as to propel the stroller over the ground. The drive means is secured to the stroller frame. A rechargeable battery pack is provided for storing and supplying electrical energy to power the drive means of the stroller over terrain. The battery pack removably secured within the battery receiving compartment of the handle grip bar. The battery has electrical contacts thereon configured to electrically engage with the contacts in the battery compartment. The battery is designed to be removable for replacement, permitting a discharged battery to be swapped out for recharging while replacing the discharged battery with a charged battery thereby permitting continued use of the self-propelled stroller. As in conventional stroller, one or more infant seats are secured to the base frame so as to ride upon the frame and wheels. A canopy is positioned above the infant seats and secured to the stroller frame. The canopy is configured to shade the infant seat from sun rays and rain during walks with the stroller outside. The stroller includes a safety power interrupt device comprising: a safety switch and a mating safety key which is removably insertable into the switch. The key must be inserted into the switch to permit electrical power to flow from the battery to the electric drive means. When the key is removed the flow of electrical power from the battery to the drive motor is interrupted and the stroller comes to a stop. The drive means incorporates a gear reduction unit that functions to transform the shaft revolution speed at the motor to a lower speed of revolution at the wheels and in so doing the transmission increases the limited torque present at the motor shaft to a higher torque value so as to drive the stroller driven wheel or wheels. The gear reduction means, together with the inertia of the drive motor and friction of the gear train are able to bring the stroller to a stop when the power is removed, such as when the safety key is removed from the switch. A lanyard is permanently attached at one end to the safety key while the other end of the lanyard has a hook or other means of attaching the lanyard to an attendant or the clothing of an attendant. The hook configured for attaching the lanyard to or around a stroller attendant, for example to the belt or belt loop on the attendant's clothing, or to wrap the lanyard around the waist of the person and secure the loop closed with the hook. These are illustrative only. Other means of attaching the safety lanyard to the stroller attendant can be utilized without deviating from the intent of the inventive disclosures herein. The lanyard and safety switch work together such that if the stroller gets away from the attendant, then the lanyard pulls the safety key out of the safety switch on the stroller grip handle, thereby removing power from the stroller drive means and the stroller comes to a stop as discussed above. The safety switch is a safety device and not used to control the drive means in normal use. To control the power to the drive motor the stroller has an electric drive motor control bar for selectably providing or interrupting electrical power from the battery to the drive means. The motor control bar is conveniently placed in a distally spaced from and substantially parallel relationship to the handle grip bar so that the motor control bar may be grasped together with the handle grip bar in one hand. The motor control bar configured to be compressed against the grip bar by a human hand when the attendant wishes the stroller to be propelled by the drive means. The motor control bar is connected to an electrical drive switch wherein compressing the motor control bar against the handle grip provides power to the drive means and wherein releasing the hand compression on the motor control bar interrupts the power to the drive means.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the self-propelled stroller frame comprises tubular aluminum, tubular steel, or reinforced plastic, or some combination of those, and the wheels comprise molded plastic wheel having a rubber tread or tire secured to the periphery thereof.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the electrically powered drive means comprises a wheel drive shaft, the shaft rotably and torsionally connect to at least one driven wheel. The drive means has a gear reduction transmission having an output shaft connected to the wheel drive shaft wherein the output shaft transmits rotary motion and torque to the wheel drive shaft. The gear reduction transmission is secured onto the stroller frame. The drive means includes an electric drive motor secured to the gear reduction transmission. The motor drive shaft is connected to the input shaft of the transmission such that the motor transmits rotary motion and torque through the transmission to the driven wheels of the stroller so as to propel the stroller.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the stroller transmission further comprises a foot operated means of selectively engaging or disengaging the transmission output shaft from the wheel drive shaft, wherein disengaging the transmission permits the stroller to be manually propelled without electrical power.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the plurality of wheels consists of four wheels, and the base frame has a back member secured to two opposing side members. Each side member of the frame has two wheels located generally at opposing ends of the side member.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the stroller battery pack is a 24 volt rechargable battery pack, and the electric drive motor comprises a 12 to 19 volt rated electric motor.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the stroller has one driven wheel, a rear driven wheel, where the other wheels are free rolling and undriven.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the stroller has two driven wheels, both are rear driven wheels, where the other wheels are free rolling and undriven.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the stroller further comprising a solar cell assembly secured to a top portion of the canopy over the infant seat. The solar cell assembly generates electrical power from solar energy to charge the battery pack of the stroller.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures herein, the stroller solar cell assembly is a 24 volt solar cell assembly secured to a top portion of the canopy and the solar cell assembly provides electrical power to charge the 24 volt battery pack.

It is an objective of the inventive disclosure made herein to provide an infant stroller which either propels under its own power or provides a propulsion assist to the person guiding the stroller so as to reduce the physical effort required to roll the stroller along various terrain, particularly up hills, through rough or grassy terrain, or through gravel or sand.

It is an objective of the inventive disclosure made herein to provide an infant stroller that provides a safety shut off switch to remove power from the stroller drive means when the stroller gets away from the attendant guiding the stroller.

It is an objective of the inventive disclosure made herein to provide an infant stroller using a storage battery to provide electrical power and wherein one means of recharging the battery is to place the stroller outside in the sunlight. The solar charging panels reduce the dependence upon energy from burning fossil fuels to power the stroller thereby making the stroller more environmentally friendly.

It is an objective of the inventive disclosure made herein to provide an infant stroller that uses a drive means that can be controlled by compressing the motor control bar against the handle grip, and stops automatically when the motor control bar is released, and where the handle grip and motor control bar can be grasped by one hand.

It is an objective of the inventive disclosure made herein to provide an infant stroller utilizing a removable rechargeable battery pack placed into the handle of the stroller. Wherein a discharged battery pack can be removed from the stroller and replaced with a charged battery pack so that the stroller can continue to operate without stopping for an extended period to recharge the battery.

These and other objects of the invention made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred; however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of an infant stroller in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of one embodiment of an infant stroller in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In preparation for explaining the details of the present inventive disclosure, it is to be understood by the reader that the invention is not limited to the presented details of the construction, materials and embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as the invention concepts are clearly capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and realized in various ways by applying the disclosure presented herein.

Turning now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of an infant stroller in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of an infant stroller in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. A self-propelled electrically powered stroller 1 for transporting one or more infants comprises a stroller frame configured to support the weight of an infant, the stroller frame comprising a base frame 2 comprising a plurality of connected substantially rigid formed tubular members wherein the base frame is adapted by a locking hinge 23 to fold for storage. A plurality of wheels 3 are rotably secured to the stroller frame on axles such that the wheels are free to roll, the wheels are so arranged so as to stabily and rollably support the stroller frame upon ground. The stroller frame includes a handle assembly comprising: two elongated substantially rigid handle arms 4, the arms 4 having an upper end 5 and an opposing lower end 6. The arms are foldably secured at a lower end 6 to the rear portion 7 of the base frame. A handle grip bar 8 is secured along opposing end portions to the upper ends of the elongated handle arms 4, the handle grip 8 configured to be grasped by a human hand for guiding or pushing the stroller. The handle grip bar 8 has a battery receiving compartment 10 with electrical contacts therein for receiving a rechargeable battery 9 pack into the grip bar. The battery pack fits into the grip bar so as to form a smooth continuous grip bar.

An electrically powered drive means 11 is secured to the stroller frame. The drive means is configured to drive the driven wheels so as to propel the stroller over the ground, either totally self-propelled, or to provide a propulsion assist such as to make the stroller easier for an attendant to propel over rough or hilly terrain. Removably secured within the grip bar is a rechargeable battery pack 9 for storing and supplying electrical energy to power the drive means 11, the battery pack having electrical contacts thereon for electrically engaging with the contacts in the battery compartment 10 such as to enable electrical current to flow between the battery and the stroller electrical components. One infant seat 12 is secured to the base frame 2 so as to ride upon the frame and wheels. In many cases the stroller requires only a single infant seat, but in other cases strollers configured to transport twins or even triplets are envisioned, and these larger strollers particularly benefit from the propulsion assisted electric drive of the present inventive disclosure. A canopy 14 is positioned above the infant seat 12. The canopy 14 is secured to the stroller frame to shade the infant seat and the occupant from the direct ultraviolet rays of the sun. As an added safety feature, a safety power interrupt device is provided. The safety power interrupt device comprises a safety switch device 15 secured to the handle grip bar. A safety key 16 is removably received into the safety switch 15, wherein removing the safety key 16 from the switch interrupts electrical power from the battery to the drive means such as to stop the drive means. When the power is removed the frictional and rotary inertia of the drive means brakes the rolling motion of the stroller, bringing the stroller to a complete stop. A lanyard 17 has one end secured to the safety key and an opposing end secured to a hook or clasp 18. The hook 18 is configured to attach to or around a stroller operator. The lanyard 17 and safety key 16 cooperate such as to pull the safety key 16 out of the safety switch 15 if stroller manages to get away from the operator, thereby removing the power and bringing the stroller to a stop. A drive motor control means is provided. The drive motor control means having a spring return electrical drive off-on switch for selectably providing or interrupting electrical power from the battery to the drive means. A motor control bar 19 is distally spaced from and substantially parallel to the handle grip bar 8. The motor control bar 19 is configured to be compressible against the grip bar 8 by the palm and fingers of a human hand. The motor control bar connected to the electrical drive switch wherein compressing the motor control bar against the handle grip provides power to the drive means and wherein releasing the hand compression on the motor control bar interrupts the power. The motor control bar being of the spring return type such that when the hand grip is released from the motor control bar then the power to the drive means is interrupted and the stroller comes to a stop. The drive means in FIG. 1 comprises a gear reduction transmission 20 having an output shaft transmitting rotary motion and torque to the driven wheel 22. An electric drive motor 21 has its motor drive shaft connected to the input shaft of the transmission 20 such that the motor transmits rotary motion and torque through the transmission 20 and to the drive wheel 22. The base frame includes two locking folding means 23, the locking folding means permitting the frame to fold so as to reduce the size of the stroller for transport or storage.

The frame of the stroller depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG.2 comprises tubular aluminum or molded reinforced plastic, and the wheels comprise rubber treads or tires over molded plastic wheel rims or wheel base structures. The invention is not limited to the materials disclosed herein. Other materials may be used as would be known to one skilled in the art without deviating from the scope and intent of the inventive disclosures herein. The transmission further comprises a foot operated means of selectively engaging or disengaging 24 the transmission output shaft from the wheel drive shaft. The foot operated disengaging means permits the stroller to be manually propelled without electrical power when the power assist is not required. Disengaging the transmission from the wheels also makes the stroller free rolling, and therefore better suited to being manually pushed when that is desired.

In the preferred embodiment the rechargeable battery pack is a 24 volt rechargeable storage battery pack, and the drive motor is rated between 12 to 19 volts.

Certain embodiments of the self-propelled stroller include a solar cell array 25 secured to the top sun facing portion of the canopy as shown in FIG. 1. The solar cell array is electrically connected through the wiring of the stroller to the rechargeable battery pack. On sunny days the solar cell array provides electrical power to charge the 24 volt battery pack. The battery pack may also be charged by placing the battery into a battery charger and plugging the charger into a conventional electrical outlet. Use of the solar array for charging makes the stroller more environmentally friendly by reducing the burning of fossil fuels at utility power stations so as to charge the battery pack.

The discussed construction, illustrations and sequence of operation is for one embodiment of the invention but is in no way limiting to other embodiments. The operating modes may be changed and enhanced without deviating from the intention of this inventive disclosure.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments and certain variants thereof have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, material, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,584,983
WWW.USPTO.GOV
McKenney
September 8, 2009

Probe-operated trailer guide with lights

Abstract

A probe-operated guide is provided with battery-powered lights on a pole, such that a driver can attach a trailer to a vehicle without help from another person. The guide is mounted directly above the trailer cup on a trailer, and the lights on the guide can be adjusted in height and orientation to achieve the optimum visibility for the driver from most viewing angles. A direction light on the guide can be switched on, so that when backing up the driver can align it with a small light placed in the center-back of the vehicle. A directional probe on the guide can also be adjusted to turn on a second light on the guide when the vehicle is in position for attaching the trailer cup to a trailer hitch on the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, the driver switches off, removes, and stores the guide and attaches the trailer to the vehicle.

Inventors: McKenney; Rex L. (Princeton, MN)
Appl. No.: 11/211,282
Filed: August 25, 2005

Current U.S. Class: 280/477
Current International Class: B60D 1/36 (20060101)
Field of Search: 280/477,511 116/28R 33/264
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

4552376 November 1985 Cofer
5755453 May 1998 Bell
5821852 October 1998 Fairchild
6062160 May 2000 Delcambre
6139041 October 2000 Murphy
6209902 April 2001 Potts
6222457 April 2001 Mills et al.
6273448 August 2001 Cross
6279940 August 2001 Beavington
6386572 May 2002 Cofer
6499851 December 2002 Kelly et al.
6827363 December 2004 Amerson
6916109 July 2005 Julicher
7036840 May 2006 Kwilinski
7207589 April 2007 Givens
2006/0097481 May 2006 Nicholas

Primary Examiner: Morris; Lesley D.
Assistant Examiner: Scharich; Marc A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates LP
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising a direction light, a probe-operated light, a supporting pole, means of adjusting a height of the direction light and the probe-operated light, means of adjusting a directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light, means of supplying electrical power to the direction light and the probe-operated light, a directional probe comprising a spring-loaded telescoping probe having at least two sections that telescope relative to one another, such that compressing the telescoping probe to a preconfigured position turns on the probe-operated light, and wires attaching the directional probe to at least one battery, means of attaching the directional probe to the guide, and means of attaching the guide to a trailer.

2. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising a direction light; a directional probe; a probe-operated light, wherein the probe-operated light is turned on when the directional probe is compressed to a position such that a trailer cup on a trailer to which the guide is mounted is in position for attachment to a trailer hitch on a vehicle, wherein said directional probe is spring-loaded and has at least two sections that telescope relative to one another; a supporting pole; means of adjusting a height of the direction light and the probe-operated light; means of adjusting a directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light; the guide further comprising at least one swiveling clamp for attaching the directional probe to the guide; at least one battery; and at least one clamp for attaching the guide to a trailer.

3. The means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 2, wherein the means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises a telescoping shaft that slides within the supporting pole, and a tension collar.

4. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 2, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises a telescoping shaft that rotates within the supporting pole, and a tension collar.

5. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 2, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises a ball and socket joint on a housing for the lights.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to guides for attaching trailers to vehicles and more particularly to a probe-operated guide with lights for attaching trailers to vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Many users of cars, trucks, and other vehicles employ trailers to haul items that are too large to fit into the vehicles. For example, owners of small boats typically haul them on trailers to water and unload the boats for use there. To attach a trailer to a vehicle, a user typically places a trailer cup attached to the front end of the trailer over a trailer hitch attached to the rear bumper of the vehicle and locks and chains the trailer cup in place. The trailer cup must be directly over the trailer hitch for the user to be able fasten it in place easily. Otherwise, the user has to move the trailer into the correct position, which can be difficult since trailers are usually manufactured at least partly of metal and can be heavy. Or the user has to reposition the vehicle, which can also be awkward and time consuming. It can also be difficult to judge the position of a trailer when a driver is backing a vehicle toward it, especially at night or when visibility is otherwise difficult. Because of these difficulties, more than one person may be needed to maneuver a vehicle and a trailer into proper position for attachment.

Therefore, mechanical guides for attaching trailers to vehicles are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,160 for Delcambre and U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,453 for Bell both provide folding vertical guide members, in different designs, for the rear of a carrier or boat trailer. Although these guides provide general orientation that may be useful in many circumstances, they are not precise guides and may still require the assistance of a second person to attach the vehicle and trailer. For example, they do not provide lights that would make the guides highly visible at night or when visibility is otherwise difficult. Nor do they have a probe-operated light to show precisely when a vehicle is in the right position for attaching a trailer cup to the Vehicle's trailer hitch. Moreover, they are not clearly designed for general use with any vehicle and any trailer.

Therefore, there is a need for a guide for attaching trailers to vehicles that provides a highly visible direction light and a probe-operated light to show precisely when a vehicle is in the right position for attaching a trailer cup to the vehicle's trailer hitch, so that the driver of any vehicle can attach it from most directions to any trailer without aid from another person.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following explanation describes the present invention by way of example and not by way of limitation.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a guide for attaching trailers to vehicles comprising highly visible lights that are adjustable in height and direction of orientation.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a guide for attaching trailers to vehicles comprising a highly visible lights that are adjustable in height and direction of orientation.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a guide for attaching trailers to vehicles comprising a probe-operated light that shows precisely when a vehicle is in the right position for attaching a trailer cup to the vehicle's trailer hitch.

It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a battery-operated power source for lights for attaching trailers to vehicles.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a guide for attaching trailers to vehicles such that a driver can accomplish the alignment for attachment without the aid of another person.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings. In accordance with the present invention, a probe-operated guide is provided with battery-powered lights on a pole, such that a driver can attach a trailer to a vehicle without help from another person. The guide is mounted directly above the trailer cup on a trailer, and the lights on the guide can be adjusted in height and orientation to achieve the optimum visibility for the driver from most viewing angles. A direction light on the guide can be switched on, so that when backing up the driver can align it with a small light placed in the center-back of the vehicle. A directional probe on the guide can also be adjusted to turn on a second light on the guide when the vehicle is in position for attaching the trailer cup to a trailer hitch on the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, the driver switches off, removes, and stores the guide and attaches the trailer to the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a probe-operated guide with lights for attaching trailers to vehicles;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view that illustrates a probe-operated guide mounted on a trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The following description of drawings is offered to illustrate the present invention clearly. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the concepts of the present invention are not limited to these specific details. Also, commonly known elements are shown in diagrams for clarity, as examples only and not as limitations of the present invention.

The present invention comprises a probe-operated guide with lights for attaching trailers to vehicles. In an embodiment, the guide measures approximately four feet in height, sixteen inches in length, and two inches in width, with a supporting pole approximately one and three quarters of an inch in diameter. It may be manufactured of lightweight, durable materials, such as plastic or metal

As shown in FIG. 1, the guide comprises the following elements: A direction light 2, A probe-activated light 3, A housing 4 for the lights, A supporting pole 5, Means of adjusting the height of the direction light 2 and probe-activated light 3, Means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light 2 and probe-activated light 3, A directional probe 10. Clamps 11 for attaching the directional probe, Wires 12, A battery 14, An on-off switch 16 on the battery 14, and A clamp 18 for attaching the guide to a trailer.

A small alignment light is also used for the back of the vehicle.

The direction light 2 serves to orient the user to the location of the trailer on which the guide is mounted. In an embodiment, the direction light 2 is powered by an electrical battery 14 mounted on the guide. The direction light 2 is connected to the battery 14 by wires passing through a supporting pole 5 and comes on when a user turns an on-off switch 16 on the battery 14 to the on position. Although the direction light 2 may be any color, in a useful embodiment it is red. In an embodiment the direction light 2 is contained within a housing 4.

The probe-activated light 3 comes on when a vehicle is in the right position for attaching a trailer cup to the vehicle's trailer hitch. The probe-activated light 3 is also powered by the battery 14 and is connected to it by wires 12. But the probe-activated light 3 only comes on when the telescoping directional probe 10 is compressed by contact with a vehicle to a position that completes an electrical circuit connecting the directional probe 10, the battery 14, and the probe-activated light 3. This position for the directional probe 10 can be determined by estimation and experimentation. Although the probe-activated light 3 may also be any color, in a useful embodiment it is red. The probe-activated light 3 is also contained within the housing 4. In different embodiments, the probe-activated light 3 may be located above or below the direction light 3 or in other orientations to it.

The housing 4 is mounted on a durable supporting pole 5. In an embodiment, one or more durable plastic plates cover the lights 2 and 3 within the housing 4.

Means of adjusting the height and orientation of the direction light 2 and probe-activated light 3 may also be provided. For example, in an embodiment the housing 4 may be attached to the supporting pole 5 by means of a ball and socket joint, allowing the housing 4 to be turned at many different angles, as is known in the art.

In still another embodiment, the housing 4 may be attached to a telescoping shaft 6 that slides within and can be rotated within the supporting pole 5 and can be held in position by tightening a tension collar 8. This allows the housing 4 to be raised and lowered to different positions and to be turned at different angles. This embodiment can be combined with attachment of the housing 4 to its support by means of a ball and socket joint, allowing adjustment in a very wide range of positions. For example, placing the housing 4 at a 30.degree. angle from the vehicle may provide a particularly effective viewing angle.

The directional probe 10 is attached to the supporting pole 5, by means of swiveling clamps 11 that allow it to be placed at different heights and angles, for use with different vehicles and trailers. The directional probe 10 is spring loaded, so that upon its release from being compressed it extends outward to its full length again.

The battery 14 may comprise one or more commonly available batteries, for example two AA batteries in a waterproof box. As mentioned above, the battery is equipped with an on-off switch 16.

A clamp 18 or mounting plate is used to attach the guide. FIG. 2 shows how the clamp 18 is placed directly above a trailer cup 20 on a trailer 22 used for hauling a boat 24. The guide can thus be attached by means of the clamp 18 at the correct position on the trailer 22 for placing the trailer cup 20 over the trailer hitch on the rear bumper of the vehicle. In this position, the vehicle will press the directional probe 10 to the pointthat turns on the probe-activated light 3.

In another embodiment, the guide also comprises an alerting sound, for example a safety beeper, which is activated when the battery switch is switched on and alerts others that the driver will be backing up.

The alignment light may comprise a small, portable light that may be switched on and off, for example a pen light. The driver attaches it, for example with adhesive, in plain view in the center-rear of the vehicle, for example on the tailgate or in the back window, and turns it on. This allows the driver to line up the alignment light with the direction light 2, shown in FIG. 1, on the guide, when the driver is backing up the vehicle toward the trailer.

Use

Typically, the driver of a vehicle mounts the guide directly above of the trailer cup 20, shown in FIG. 2, on a trailer 22 with the clamp 18. The driver then adjusts the directional probe 10 so that it points toward the rear of the vehicle and is at the correct height and angle to touch a surface on the rear of the vehicle. The driver estimates and experiments with positioning the directional probe with the swiveling clamps 11, shown in FIG. 1, to preconfigure its position for precisely attaching the vehicle to the trailer before actual use.

The driver further turns on the switch 16 to the battery 14, which turns on the direction light 2. The driver also attaches a small light on the tailgate or in the back window of the vehicle, for example with adhesive, and turns on the small light.

During actual use, the driver backs the vehicle toward the trailer, lining up the alignment light with the direction light 2, which is especially effective when visibility is difficult, for example at night. When a surface on the rear of the vehicle presses the directional probe to the correct position for attaching the vehicle and the trailer, the probe-operated light 3 comes on. The driver then stops the vehicle, typically puts on the emergency brake, removes the guide from above the trailer cup 20, shown in FIG. 2, and lowers the trailer onto the trailer hitch on the rear bumper of the vehicle. The driver can then turn off the battery switch 16, shown in FIG. 1, and store the guide.

The best dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention described above, including variations in form and use, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-08T07:50:00.001-08:00

United States Patent 7,567,180
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Blevins, et al.
July 28, 2009

Facilitating medical emergency assistance

Abstract

In another embodiment of the present invention, an medical emergency assistance apparatus comprises a visual display, an audible output device, a telephonic input device, medical emergency assistance situation options, a device selecting a desired one of the medical emergency assistance situation options, medical emergency assistance instructions and at least one emergency assistance call selector. The medical emergency assistance situation options are outputtable via at least one of the visual display and the audible output device. The medical emergency assistance instructions are outputtable via the visual display and the audible output device in response to selection of the desired one of the emergency assistance situation options. The medical emergency assistance instructions correspond to the desired one of the emergency assistance situation options. The at least one emergency assistance call selector whose selection initiates a connection with a prescribed telephone number being established such that two-way communication with a remotely located party via the audible output device and the telephonic input device is enabled.

Inventors: Blevins; Daniel Allen (Stafford, VA), Blevins; Christine (Stafford, VA)
Appl. No.: 11/322,022
Filed: December 29, 2005

Current U.S. Class: 340/573.1 ; 340/539.12; 434/262; 607/5
Current International Class: G08B 23/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 340/573.1,539.18,825.49,825.36,539.12 434/262,365,142 600/509,523 607/5,6,7,8,10
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

4863385 September 1989 Pierce
5189632 February 1993 Paajanen et al.
5913685 June 1999 Hutchins
6078803 June 2000 Fernandez Martinez
6334070 December 2001 Nova et al.
6459933 October 2002 Lurie et al.
6865418 March 2005 Merry
6872080 March 2005 Pastrick et al.
7277752 October 2007 Matos
7289029 October 2007 Medema et al.

Primary Examiner: La; Anh V
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Simmons; David O. Galasso & Associates, L.P. WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for facilitating medical emergency assistance functionality, comprising: removing a portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus from a base station thereby activating the portable electronic medical assistance apparatus; outputting medical emergency situation options from the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus; receiving a selection signal for a chosen one of said medical emergency situation options after outputting at least a portion of said medical emergency situation options, wherein said receiving is performed by the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus; outputting medical emergency assistance instructions from the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus in response to receiving the selection signal, wherein said medical emergency assistance instructions correspond to the chosen one of said medical emergency situation options.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said outputting medical emergency situation options is performed automatically in response to removing the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus from the base station.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said outputting medical emergency situation options includes audibly outputting said medical emergency situation options.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein: said outputting medical emergency situation options includes visually outputting said medical emergency situation options synchronously with said audibly outputted medical emergency situation options; and said visually outputted medical emergency situation options contextually correspond to said audibly outputted medical emergency situation options.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein: said outputting medical emergency situation options include outputting groupings of medical emergency situation options; and said groupings of medical emergency situation options includes a first grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a first category and a second grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a second category.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said outputting medical emergency instructions includes audibly outputting said medical emergency instructions.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein: said outputting medical emergency instructions includes visually outputting said medical emergency instructions synchronously with said audibly outputted medical emergency instructions; and said visually outputted medical emergency instructions contextually correspond to said audibly outputted medical emergency instructions.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said outputting medical emergency instructions includes visually outputting said medical emergency instructions.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an emergency assistance call request signal; and establishing connection with a prescribed phone number in response to receiving the emergency assistance call request signal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: terminating said outputting of medical emergency assistance instructions in response to one of said receiving the emergency assistance call request signal and said establishing connection being performed.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an emergency assistance call request signal; establishing connection with a prescribed phone number in response to receiving the emergency assistance call request signal; and terminating said outputting of medical emergency assistance instructions in response to one of said receiving the emergency assistance call request signal and said establishing connection being performed; wherein said outputting medical emergency situation options is performed automatically in response to removing the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus from the base station; wherein said outputting medical emergency situation options includes audibly outputting said medical emergency situation options and visually outputting said medical emergency situation options synchronously with said audibly outputted medical emergency situation options; wherein said visually outputted medical emergency situation options contextually correspond to said audibly outputted medical emergency situation options; wherein said outputting medical emergency situation options includes outputting groupings of medical emergency situation option; wherein said groupings of medical emergency situation options includes a first grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a first age range and a second grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a second age range; wherein said outputting medical emergency instructions includes audibly outputting said medical emergency instructions and visually outputting said medical emergency instructions synchronously with said audibly outputted medical emergency instructions; and wherein said visually outputted medical emergency instructions that contextually correspond to said audibly outputted medical emergency instructions.

12. An medical emergency assistance apparatus, comprising: a base; said base further comprising a power supply assembly, cordless telephone receiver and mating channels; a housing comprising alignment features that engage with the mating channels of the base; a visual display; an audible output device; a telephonic input device; medical emergency assistance situation options output table via at least one of the visual display and the audible output device; means for selecting a desired one of said medical emergency assistance situation options; medical emergency assistance instructions output table via the visual display and the audible output device in response to selection of the desired one of said emergency assistance situation options, wherein said medical emergency assistance instructions correspond to the desired one of said emergency assistance situation options; and at least one emergency assistance call selector whose selection initiates a connection with a prescribed telephone number being established such that two-way communication with a remotely located party via the audible output device and the telephonic input device is enabled.

13. The medical emergency assistance apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said medical emergency assistance situation options are visually outputted via the visual display and the audible output device; and said means for selecting the desired one of said medical emergency assistance situation options includes a first selector for moving a selection identifier through said visually outputted medical emergency assistance situation options and a second selector for accepting the selected one of said medical emergency assistance situation options.

14. The medical emergency assistance apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: exterior electrical contracts configured for being engaged by mating electrical contacts of a base station; and an apparatus cordless telephone signal transceiver configured for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a base station cordless telephone signal transceiver, wherein said two-way communication with the remotely located party is facilitated through the apparatus cordless telephone signal transceiver.

15. An medical emergency assistance system, comprising: a base station including a cordless telephone signal transceiver, a power supply and mating channels; wherein said base station is powered by a power supply assembly via a power cable; a portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus including a cordless telephone signal transceiver, at least one data processing device, a removable memory device coupled to said at least one data processing device and instructions accessible from said memory device and processable by said at least one data processing device and a housing which includes alignment features for engaging with the mating channels of the base station; wherein the cordless telephone signal transceiver of the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus is configured for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the cordless telephone signal transceiver of the base station; wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate outputting medical emergency situation options, receiving a selection signal for a chose one of said medical emergency situation options after outputting at least a portion of said medical emergency situation options and outputting medical emergency assistance instructions corresponding to the chose one of said medical emergency situation options in response to receiving the selection signal; wherein performing of said instructions is initiated in response to removing the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus from the base station; and wherein said removable memory device allows the instructions to be changed or upgraded.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein: said outputting medical emergency situation options includes audibly outputting said medical emergency situation options and visually outputting said medical emergency situation options synchronously with said audibly outputted medical emergency situation options; and said visually outputted medical emergency situation options contextually correspond to said audibly outputted medical emergency situation options.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein: said outputting medical emergency situation options includes outputting groupings of medical emergency situation options; and said groupings of medical emergency situation options includes a first grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a first category and a second grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a second category.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein: said outputting medical emergency instructions includes audibly outputting said medical emergency instructions and visually outputting said medical emergency instructions synchronously with said audibly outputted medical emergency instructions; and said visually outputted medical emergency instructions contextually correspond to said audibly outputted medical emergency instructions.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising: receiving an emergency assistance all request signal; and establishing connection with an prescribed phone number in response to receiving the emergency assistance call request signal.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: terminating said outputting of medical emergency assistance instructions in response to one of said receiving the emergency assistance call request signal and said establishing connection.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to apparatuses and methods for administering medical emergency assistance and, more particularly, to apparatuses configured for audibly and/or visually providing information needed to render medical emergency assistance.

BACKGROUND

In the event of a medical emergency situation, responding as quickly as possible is crucial to limiting adverse outcome of the situation for a victim. Furthermore, when administering medical emergency assistance, it is very important to use proper medical procedures and techniques. Medical emergency situations give rise to unnecessary adverse results when an untrained individual that is responding to the situation does not have immediate and effective access to information relating to proper techniques, assistance and/or equipment required for such medical emergency situation.

It is quite common for a person to call 911, a poison control center or medical professional in the case of a medical emergency situation. The trained professional answering such calls are generally able to provide valuable information that may be critical to the life of the victim. However, the person answering the call is able to audibly, but not visually, provide such information. The likelihood is that the untrained individual rendering assistance will be nervous or in a state of panic, which adds to the difficulty of the trained professional being able to coach them through a situation with only an audible means to do so.

Therefore, a medical emergency assistance system that enables medical emergency assistance information to be provided audibly and visually to a person rendering medical emergency assistance is useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient and effective means for assisting a person in aiding another person or pet (i.e., victim) during a medical emergency situation. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide audibly and visually outputted medical emergency assistance information that is specific to a given medical emergency. A portable user-friendly apparatus is configured for audibly and visually outputting such medical emergency assistance information. In doing so, embodiments of the present invention advantageously overcome one or more unmet needs associated with conventional approaches for offering emergency-specific information to an untrained professional in an medical emergency situation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for facilitating medical emergency assistance functionality comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for outputting medical emergency situation options from a portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus. After outputting at least a portion of the medical emergency situation options, an operation is performed for receiving a selection signal for a chosen one of the medical emergency situation options. The portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus performs receiving of the selection signal. In response to receiving a chosen one of the medical emergency situation options, an operation is performed for outputting medical emergency assistance instructions from the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus. The medical emergency assistance instructions correspond to the chosen one of the medical emergency situation options.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an medical emergency assistance apparatus comprises a visual display, an audible output device, a telephonic input device, medical emergency assistance situation options, means for selecting a desired one of the medical emergency assistance situation options, medical emergency assistance instructions and at least one emergency assistance call selector. The medical emergency assistance situation options are outputtable via at least one of the visual display and the audible output device. The medical emergency assistance instructions are outputtable via the visual display and the audible output device in response to selection of the desired one of the emergency assistance situation options. The medical emergency assistance instructions correspond to the desired one of the emergency assistance situation options. The at least one emergency assistance call selector whose selection initiates a connection with a prescribed telephone number being established such that two-way communication with a remotely located party via the audible output device and the telephonic input device is enabled.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a medical emergency assistance system comprises a base station and a portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus. The base station includes a cordless telephone signal transceiver. The portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus includes a cordless telephone signal transceiver, at least one data processing device, memory coupled to the at least one data processing device and instructions accessible from the memory and processable by the at least one data processing device. The cordless telephone signal transceiver of the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus is configured for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the cordless telephone signal transceiver of the base station. The instructions are configured for enabling the at least one data processing device to facilitate outputting medical emergency situation options, receiving a selection signal for a chosen one of the medical emergency situation options after outputting at least a portion of the medical emergency situation options and outputting medical emergency assistance instructions corresponding to the chosen one of the medical emergency situation options in response to receiving the selection signal. Performing the instructions is initiated in response to removing the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus from the base station.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, outputting the medical emergency situation options is performed automatically in response to removing the portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus from a base station.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, outputting the medical emergency situation options includes audibly outputting the medical emergency situation options.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, outputting the cal emergency situation options includes visually outputting the medical emergency situation options synchronously with the audibly outputted medical emergency situation options and the visually outputted medical emergency situation options contextually correspond to the audibly outputted medical emergency situation options.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, outputting the cal emergency situation options includes outputting groupings of medical emergency situation options and the groupings of medical emergency situation options includes a first grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a first category and a second grouping of medical emergency situation options typically associated with persons of a second category.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, outputting the emergency instructions includes audibly outputting the medical emergency instructions.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, outputting the cal emergency instructions includes visually outputting the medical emergency instructions synchronously with the audibly outputted medical emergency instructions and the visually outputted medical emergency instructions contextually correspond to the audibly outputted medical emergency instructions.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an operation is performed for receiving an emergency assistance call request signal and establishing connection with an prescribed phone number in response to receiving the emergency assistance call request signal.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an operation is performed for terminating outputting of the medical emergency assistance instructions in response to one of the receiving the emergency assistance call request signal and the establishing connection being performed.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the medical emergency assistance situation options are visually outputted via the visual display and the audible output device; and the means for selecting the desired one of the medical emergency assistance situation options includes a first selector for moving a selection identifier through the visually outputted medical emergency assistance situation options and a second selector for accepting the selected one of the medical emergency assistance situation options.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, exterior electrical contacts configured for being engaged by mating electrical contacts of a base station are provided.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus cordless telephone signal transceiver configured for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a base station cordless telephone signal transceiver and two-way communication with the remotely located party is facilitated through the apparatus cordless telephone signal transceiver.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a medical emergency assistance system in accordance with the present invention, which includes a portable electronic medical assistance apparatus and a base station.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of functional components of a medical emergency assistance system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the portable electronic medical assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a method for facilitating medical emergency assistance in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a medical emergency assistance system in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein the medical emergency assistance system 10. The medical emergency assistance system 10 comprises a portable electronic medical emergency assistance apparatus 12 (i.e., apparatus 12) and a base station 14. As is discussed below in greater detail, the apparatus 12 and a base station 14 interact for providing medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the apparatus 12 includes a housing 16 (i.e., the apparatus housing 16) and the base station includes a housing 18 (i.e., the base station housing 18). The apparatus housing 16 is removably engagable with (e.g., mountable on) the base station housing 18. The apparatus housing 16 includes raised portions 20 (i.e., alignment features) that engaged mating channels 22 of the base station housing 18, thereby securely and positively positioning the apparatus housing 16 with respect to the base station housing 18.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the base station 14 includes a power supply assembly 24 and a cordless telephone transceiver 26. The power supply assembly 24 and the cordless telephone transceiver are interconnected either directly or indirectly for enabling power to be provided to the cordless telephone transceiver 26. The components of the base station 14 depicted in FIG. 2 are not intended to illustrate all components that the base station 14 includes, but rather the general components of the base station 14 that enable medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the power supply assembly 24 and the cordless telephone transceiver 26 of the base station 14 are housed within the base station housing 18. Power is provided to the power supply assembly 24 via a power cable 28 (FIG. 1), such as that having a plug configured for being plugged into a line current electrical outlet or that connected to a power converter. In the case where in the power cable 28 is connected directly to a line current electrical outlet, the power supply assembly 24 will include a power converter, power transformer or both. Telecommunication connectivity is provided to the cordless telephone transceiver 26 via a telecommunication cable 30 (FIG. 1), such as that configured for being plugged into a telecommunication outlet. The power supply assembly 24 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 32 (FIG. 1) that are expose within respective openings 34 of the base station housing 18. The plurality of electrical contacts 32 serve as a means for providing power (e.g., direct current power) to the apparatus 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 12 includes a visual display 36, a speaker 38, a microphone 40, a situation choice selector device 42, a situation choice accept device 44, a power supply assembly 46, a data processing device 48, memory 50 having instructions 52 accessible therefrom, a first call number selector device 54, a second call number selector device 56 and a cordless telephone transceiver 58. The visual display 36, the speaker 38, the microphone 40, the situation choice selector device 42, the situation choice accept device 44, the power supply assembly 46, the data processing device 48, the memory 50, the first call number selector device 54, the second call number selector device 56 and the cordless telephone transceiver 58 are interconnected for either directly or indirectly for enabling associated functionalities and are attached to the apparatus housing 16. The components of the apparatus 12 depicted in FIG. 2 are not intended to illustrate all components that the apparatus 12 includes, but rather the general components of the apparatus 12 that enable medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the power supply assembly 46 of the apparatus 12 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 60 that are expose within respective openings 62 of the apparatus housing 16 and one or more rechargeable batteries (not specifically shown) connected to the of electrical contacts 60. The plurality of electrical contacts 32 are positioned such that they each contact a respective one of the electrical contacts 32 of the base station 14. In this manner, power from the power supply assembly 24 of the base station 14 is conducted to the power supply assembly 46 of the apparatus 12 through the electrical contacts (32, 60) for maintaining the rechargeable battery or batteries of the apparatus 12 in a charged state while the apparatus 12 is mounted on the base station 14 and while the base station 14 is connected to a suitable power source (e.g., a line current electrical outlet).

The cordless telephone signal transceiver 58 of the apparatus 12 is configured for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the cordless telephone signal transceiver 26 of the base station 14. In this manner, the apparatus 12 and the base station 14 are jointly configured for facilitating conventional cordless phone communication functionality (i.e., communication of voice signal between the apparatus 12 and the base station 14). The present invention is not necessarily limited to a particular configuration of cordless telephone signal transceiver. Various types of known cordless telephone signal transceivers will provide required functionality.

The instructions 52 of the apparatus 12 are configured for enabling medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention to be facilitated. More specifically, the instructions 52 are the logical instructions by which medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention is carried out. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the method 100 discussed in reference to FIG. 4 embodies medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention.

The memory 50, from which the instructions 52 are accessible, is coupled to the data processing device 48. The instructions 52 are accessible from the memory 50 and are processable by the data processing device 48. Performing of the instructions 52 is initiated in response to removing the apparatus 12 from the base station 14. For example, the removal of an applied voltage to the electrical contacts 60 of the apparatus 12 initiates performing of the instructions 52.

It is disclosed herein that memory 50 may be a removable memory device (e.g., mounted on or mounted behind memory device cover 64 in FIG. 3). Implementation of such a removable memory device allows the instructions 52 to be changed or upgraded by replacing the removable memory device. Different removable memory devices would have different (e.g., upgraded) instructions residing thereon.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a method for facilitating medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the method 100. The apparatus 12 discussed in reference to FIGS. 1-3 is an example of an apparatus suitable configured for carrying out the method 100. However, embodiments of methods for facilitating medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention are not limited specifically to the apparatus 12 discussed in reference to FIGS. 1-3. A skilled person will appreciate that other embodiments of electronic medical emergency assistance apparatuses in accordance of the present invention may be suitable configured for carrying out methods for facilitating medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention.

The method 100 comprises a plurality of related operations for carrying out such medical emergency assistance functionality. The medical emergency assistance functionality resulting from such operations being performed provides a convenient and effective means for assisting a person in aiding another person or pet (i.e., victim) during a medical emergency situation. In doing so, the method 100 advantageously overcomes one or more unmet needs associated with conventional approaches for offering emergency-specific information to an untrained professional in an medical emergency situation.

In response to activation of the apparatus 12 being removed from the base station 14, the method 100 is initiated (i.e., medical emergency assistance functionality in accordance with the present invention is activated). Accordingly, the data processing device 48 performs an operation 102 for outputting medical emergency situation options. Preferably, one embodiment of activation includes the apparatus 12 being automatically activated in response to being removed from the base station 14. For example, the apparatus 12 being is automatically activated upon disengagement of power supply assembly contacts (32, 60) between the apparatus 12 and the base station 14.

Preferably, outputting of medical emergency situation options includes audibly outputting the medical emergency situation options, visually outputting the medical emergency instruction or both. Where the medical emergency situation options are both audibly and visually outputted, the visually outputted medical emergency situation options are outputted synchronously (i.e., in concert with) with the audibly outputted medical emergency situation options and the visually outputted medical emergency situation options contextually correspond (i.e., providing visual augmentation) to the audibly outputted medical emergency situation options. Furthermore, the dual mode output will aid in delivery of the options as the person to whom they are delivered will often times be in a state of nervousness, panic or shock.

Examples of medical emergency situation options include, but are not limited to poison, heart attack, choking, unconscious, stroke, bleeding, broken bone, snake bite, contusion, insect bite, animal bite, chemical/drug overdose and the like. It is disclosed herein that the medical emergency situation options may be grouped according to different victim categories (e.g., age, race, gender, etc,) as different medical emergency situation instructions or details thereof may apply to different groups of victims. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the medical emergency situation options are selectively outputted in related groupings of options that each correspond to a particular category of victim.

After outputting at least a portion of the medical emergency situation options, the data processing device 48 performs an operation 104 for receiving a selection signal for a chosen one of the medical emergency situation options. The signal corresponds to a medical emergency situation option that an operator of the apparatus has chosen (i.e., highlighted on a list and accepted that selection). The situation choice selector device 42 (FIG. 2) includes an exposed knob 43 used for selecting a desired one of the displayed medical emergency situation options and the situation choice accept device 44 includes an exposed button 45 for confirming the selection (i.e., entering the selection). Optionally, the visual display 36 may be a touch-screen type display and the desired one of the displayed medical emergency situation options may be selected by touching the screen at a location corresponding to the desired one of the displayed medical emergency situation options.

The data processing device 48 performs an operation 106 for outputting medical emergency assistance instructions from the apparatus in response to receiving the selection signal. The medical emergency assistance instructions correspond to the chosen one of the medical emergency situation options. In the case where the medical emergency situation options are selectively outputted in related groupings (e.g., selection of age first, then gender, then situation), a selection signal corresponds to each one of the groupings. But, it is the selection signal for the medical emergency situation option itself (i.e., the victim's ailment) that triggers outputting of the medical emergency assistance instructions.

Preferably, outputting of medical emergency assistance instructions includes audibly outputting the medical emergency situation options and visually outputting the medical emergency instruction. Provisions such as a rewind or replay options may be provided for enabling a person operating the apparatus. Such a provision allows all or a portion of the medical emergency assistance instructions to be outputted one or more times after an initial output.

The visually outputted medical emergency assistance instructions are outputted synchronously (i.e., in concert with) with the audibly outputted medical emergency assistance instructions and the visually outputted medical emergency assistance instructions contextually correspond (i.e., providing visual augmentation) to the audibly outputted medical emergency assistance instructions. In view of the synchronous and contextual output of the audibly and visually medical emergency assistance instructions, a far more detailed explanation of potentially life saving information may be provided as opposed to the information being outputted only visually or audibly.

After the medical emergency assistance instructions are outputted, the data processing device 48 performs an operation 108 for offering another medical emergency instructions session. In response to another session being requested, the method 100 continues at the operation 102 for outputting medical emergency situation options. Otherwise, the method 100 terminates and is reset after the apparatus 12 is placed on the base station 14 or a resetting button (e.g., the button 45 of the situation choice accept device 44) is depressed.

Before, during or after the output of the medical emergency assistance instructions, the person operating the apparatus 12 may utilize the apparatus 12 for facilitating a call to speak with trained emergency personnel. The first call number selector device 54 includes an exposed button 55 and the second call number selector device 56 includes an exposed button 57. Depression of either button initiates connection to a programmed telephone number associated with the respective button.

In response to depression of the button of a respective one of the call number selector devices (54, 56), the data processing device 48 performs an operation 110 for receiving a call request signal transmitted from the respective one of the call number selector devices (54, 56). The call request signal represents a request for establishing a connection between the apparatus 12 and a telephone number (e.g., 911 or other pre-programmed number) associated with the respective one of the call number selector devices (54, 56). In response to receiving the call request, the data processing device 48 performs an operation 112 for terminating outputting of the medical emergency assistance instructions and the data processing device 48 performs an operation 114 for facilitating connection to the telephone number associated with the respective one of the call number selector devices (54, 56). Optionally, outputting of the medical emergency assistance instructions may be terminated in response to the connection to the telephone number associated with the respective one of the call number selector devices (54, 56) being established.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-05T08:21:00.001-08:00

United States Patent 7,625,293
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Jago
December 1, 2009

Cue ball entertainment game

Abstract

Q Ball consists of at least some of the following: a tabletop attached to a base and having pockets and bumper rails, touch screen visual display units, and a felt surface. Q Ball also utilizes cue and object balls, break lines and a center dot on the felt surface, color emblems on the edges of the table, and a rack. Two or more players alternate turns attempting to pocket object balls by striking a cue ball into the object balls. Whenever a player pockets the appropriate object ball, he attempts to answer a trivia question from the touch screen visual display units. If he is successful, he gets to shoot again. The winner is the player that pockets all of the appropriate object balls first.

Inventors: Jago; Neil R. (Hartlepool, GB)
Appl. No.: 11/474,034
Filed: June 23, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 473/29 ; 473/1; 473/4
Current International Class: A63D 15/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 473/1,4,18,29 463/1,6,9 273/108,118R,118A,123R,123A
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

1967217 July 1934 Amsden
3711099 January 1973 Milu
3825258 July 1974 Frierman
3889945 June 1975 Ellis
4120494 October 1978 Roe
4524969 June 1985 Erzmoneit
4834384 May 1989 Cortesi
4840376 June 1989 Garret
5026053 June 1991 Paterson et al.
5066008 November 1991 Rivera
5505665 April 1996 Bumstead
5653640 August 1997 Shirley, Jr.
5685779 November 1997 Tsoukalas
5738591 April 1998 Opsal
5765828 June 1998 Baker et al.
2008/0269925 October 2008 Lita

Primary Examiner: Chiu; Raleigh W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An entertainment game comprising: (a) a tabletop connected to a base and having a set of raised bumper rails attached to a set of edges around the periphery of the tabletop; (b) a pocket located on the periphery of the tabletop; (c) a touch screen visual display unit located on the periphery of the tabletop; and (d) a first set sets of object balls and a cue ball wherein the pocket has a fabric net.

2. The entertainment game of claim 1 further comprising a coin slot located on the base.

3. The entertainment game of claim 2 wherein the pocket connects to a chute that connects to a receptacle located beneath the table.

4. An entertainment game comprising: (a) an octagonal table with a felt covering and a set of raised bumper rails attached to a set of edges around the perimeter of the octagonal tabletop; (b) a first pocket with a first fabric net, a second pocket with a second fabric net, a third pocket with a third fabric net, a fourth pocket with a fourth fabric net located on the periphery of the tabletop; (c) a first touch screen visual display unit, a second touch screen visual display unit, a third touch screen visual display unit and a fourth touch screen visual display unit located on the periphery of the tabletop; (d) a first set of object balls, a second set of object balls, a third set of object balls, a fourth set of object balls and a cue ball; (e) a plurality of wooden legs attached to the octagonal tabletop; (f) a rack for gathering the first set of object balls, second set of object balls, third set of object balls, and fourth set of object balls, and (g) said felt covering having a dot in the center and a plurality of break lines.
Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claim priority to any United States provisional patent application or any foreign patent applications.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the entertainment industry. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of bar and billiards games.

BACKGROUND

Many people frequent bars to relax after busy or stressful days. In many bars, a variety of games of skill or intellect are available to entertain patrons. Billiards, video games, including trivia machines, darts, foosball and shuffleboard are examples of some of the games most frequently available.

Often people even choose to purchase these types of games for home entertainment. A basement, family room, or game room can be an excellent retreat for families to play one or more of these types of games.

Pool or billiards is one of the most popular games of skill. A variety of pool or billiards games have been invented. However, all of them involve a player striking a cue ball with a cue stick with the intent of knocking either a striped or colored object ball into one of several pockets placed around the perimeter of the pool table.

Trivia games are one of the most popular types of intellectual games. Many types of trivia games exist. One of the more popular of these games involves the use of a touch screen. After money is inserted into a trivia machine, a user can select a variety of different trivia topics. Then, a question related to the selected topic is displayed for a player for a set amount of time with several multiple choice answers listed beneath the question. The player attempts to press the letter on the screen that corresponds with the correct answer to the displayed question.

A variety of interactive, multiple choice trivia games are also available in many bars. These games utilize hand units to allow a multitude of players within a bar or at different bars to compete against each other.

The games discussed herein, such as pool or trivia, are either games of skill or intellect. None of these games commonly seen at bars or in homes combine skill and intellect into one game.

Hence, there is a need in the art for an easy to use, affordable game of both skill and intellect that combines pool and trivia.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Q Ball is a game that utilizes a table with pockets and rails, touch screen visual display units, a felt surface, and cue and object balls.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an easy to use billiard-type game with a trivia component.

Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable game that is easy to learn and play.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a game that combines both skill and intellect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the first set of object balls of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the second set of object balls of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the third set of object balls of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the fourth set of object balls of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Q Ball consists of at least some of the following: a table with legs, pockets and bumper rails, touch screen visual display units, a felt surface, cue and object balls, break lines and a center dot on the felt surface, color emblems on the edges of the table, and a square rack.

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of the invention. It consists of an octagonal tabletop 1 with four legs 2 as a base. The legs 2 are made of wood. The octagonal tabletop 1 has a felt covering 3 with raised bumper rails 4 along the perimeter. The raised bumper rails 4 are attached to a set of edges 5 surrounding the octagonal tabletop 1. Four pockets 6 are located within the set of edges 5 and beneath the felt covering 3. The four pockets 6 are evenly spaced along the perimeter of the octagonal tabletop 1 such that each pocket is directly opposite another pocket. Each pocket has a fabric net (not pictured) for catching and storing the balls used for playing the game.

The felt covering 3 has a variety of markings on it to aide in playing the game. A set of four break lines 7 is located in front of each of the pockets. A dot 8 is located in the center of the felt covering 3.

A touch screen visual display unit 9 is located on one side of each pocket. The visual display unit 9 is wired with an insulated cord and metal adaptors to a central computer. A color marker 10 with an emblem corresponding to one of four sets of object balls is located on the other side of each pocket.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the first set of object balls. There are four balls in this first set of object balls. A silver rocket 20 is located on two opposite sides of each ball in this set. The first set of object balls has a purple background 21. These object balls are made of a hard plastic or phenolic resin and are approximately 21/4 inches in diameter and weigh six ounces.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the second set of object balls. Again, there are four balls in this second set of object balls. A gold pyramid 30 is located on two opposite sides of each ball in this set. The second set of object balls has a black background 31. These object balls are made of a hard plastic or phenolic resin and are approximately 21/4 inches in diameter and weigh six ounces.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the third set of object balls. Four balls comprise this third set of object balls as well. A white unicorn 40 is located on two opposite sides of each ball in this set. The third set of object balls has an orange background 41. These object balls are made of a hard plastic or phenolic resin and are approximately 21/4 inches in diameter and weigh six ounces.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of one ball in the fourth set of object balls. There are also four identical balls in this set. A blue ship 50 is located on two opposite sides of each ball in this set. The fourth set of object balls has a cream background 51. These object balls are made of a hard plastic or phenolic resin and are approximately 21/4 inches in diameter and weigh six ounces.

Q Ball also utilizes a white cue ball (not pictured) that is approximately the same size and weight as the object balls. The total of sixteen object balls can be gathered using a square rack 11 as shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, the square rack 11 is made of wood.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the table would have only two sets of object balls, two touch screen visual display units, two pockets and two color emblems corresponding to the appropriate set of object balls. This design would be ideal for a two-player game. In this alternative embodiment, a color emblem corresponding to one of the sets of object balls would be located on one side of the pockets while one of the touch screen visual display units would be located on the other side of the pockets. The two pockets would be directly opposite one another on the table. In this alternative embodiment, there would be eight object balls in each set rather than four.

To play the game, players would choose an emblem and set up the sixteen balls within the rack on the center dot. One player would set up the cue ball behind his break line and break the balls in the traditional manner of any billiards game. If the player that breaks the balls pockets one of the balls with his selected emblem, he attempts to answer a trivia question. If he does not pocket a ball with the appropriate emblem, the player to his left attempts to pocket a ball with his emblem.

Whenever a player pockets a ball with his emblem, he attempts to answer a trivia question. If he is successful, he gets to shoot again. The winner is the player that pockets all of the balls with his assigned emblem on them.

The touch screen visual display units are pressed after a ball is pocketed. A question is displayed along with three answer choices and a horizontal bar that gradually shrinks over a thirty-second time period. The player has thirty seconds to touch the correct answer on the screen. If he touches the incorrect answer choice or the thirty seconds elapse without him making a choice, his turn is over and the player to his left attempts to shoot a ball with his assigned emblem on it into a pocket. After an erroneous selection is made or the time elapses, the correct answer flashes on the screen.

The components of Q Ball may vary widely but will likely utilize wood, fabric, metal, plastic, and electrical components. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of Q Ball can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

All electronic components of the invention will also be ideally selected from those currently having the highest industry ratings. These components will also meet and/or exceed all safety and usage regulations. Wiring and associated connecting hardware should be insulated and otherwise protected from intrusion by any harmful or degrading elements, including water, medium level temperatures, and low to medium impact force.

The size of the Q Ball table may vary widely. The preferred embodiment is approximately thirty-two inches high and each edge of the octagonal tabletop is approximately three feet long. It should be obvious, however, that any table shape or size table could be utilized. Q Ball could also be coin operated in the same manner that traditional pool tables are operated. Q Ball could utilize a coin slot operatively attached to the table that releases balls from a receptacle beneath the table after coins are inserted, as is well known in the art.

It should further be obvious that any suitable material could be used for the balls used with the present invention. The size and weight of the balls may also vary. Moreover, the rack could be made of plastic or any other suitable material and could be of a variety of shapes. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,509,706
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Clarke
March 31, 2009

Battery-powered portable vacuum

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated vacuum body, a battery-pack attached to the elongated vacuum body and shoulder straps attached directly to the elongated vacuum body and/or the battery-pack. The battery-pack is engaged with an exterior side face of the elongated vacuum body and is generally positioned between said shoulder straps such that the battery-pack engages a back of a person having each arm extending through a respective one of said shoulder straps.

Inventors: Clarke; Derick Royston (Calne, Wiltshire, GB)
Appl. No.: 11/370,548
Filed: March 8, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 15/327.5 ; 15/327.6; 15/412; 15/DIG.1
Current International Class: A47L 5/36 (20060101)
Field of Search: 15/327.5,327.6,412,DIG.1
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

4748712 June 1988 DiGiovanni
5588177 December 1996 Eriksen

Primary Examiner: Redding; David A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Simmons; David O. Galasso & Associates, LP WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: a vacuum body; a battery-pack attached to the vacuum body; and spaced-apart shoulder straps attached directly to at least one of the vacuum body and the battery-pack, wherein the battery-pack is generally positioned between said shoulder straps, and further comprising: battery-pack retention straps each engaged with the battery pack and extending at least partially around the vacuum body for securing the battery pack to the vacuum body.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the vacuum body has opposing end faces and has an air outlet within a first one of said end faces and air inlet within a second one of said end faces; a first end portion of each one of said shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the first one of said end faces; and a second end portion of each one of said shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the second one of said end faces; and wherein said battery pack is generally positioned between the first and second end portions of said shoulder straps; and further comprising a flexible hose having a first end thereof attached to the air inlet; and an extension tube attached to a second end of the extension tube, wherein the extension tube includes a plurality of segments wherein said segments are telescopingly adjustable with respect to each other.

3. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: an elongated vacuum body; a battery-pack attached to the elongated vacuum body, wherein the battery-pack is engaged with an exterior side face of the elongated vacuum body; and shoulder straps attached directly to at least one of the elongated vacuum body and the battery-pack, wherein the battery-pack is generally positioned between said shoulder straps such that the battery-pack engages a back of a person having each arm extending through a respective one of said shoulder straps.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, further comprising: battery-pack retention straps each engaged with the battery pack and extending at least partially around the vacuum body for securing the battery pack to the vacuum body.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3 wherein: the vacuum body has opposing end faces and has an air outlet within a first one of said end faces and air inlet within a second one of said end faces; a first end portion of each one of said shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the first one of said end faces; and a second end portion of each one of said shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the second one of said end faces.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, further comprising: a flexible hose having a first end thereof attached to the air inlet; and an extension tube attached to a second end of the extension tube, wherein the extension tube includes a plurality of segments and wherein said segments are telescopingly adjustable with respect to each other.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5 wherein the battery pack is generally positioned between the first and second end portions of said shoulder straps.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, further comprising: battery-pack retention straps each engaged with the battery pack and extending at least partially around the vacuum body for securing the battery pack to the vacuum body.

9. A vacuum cleaner, comprising: an elongated vacuum body having opposing end faces, wherein an air outlet is within a first one of said end faces and an air inlet is within a second one of said end faces; shoulder straps attached to the elongated vacuum body, wherein a first end portion of each one of said shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the first one of said end faces of the vacuum body and wherein a second end portion of each one of said shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the second one of said end faces of the vacuum body; a battery-pack attached to the elongated vacuum body; and a plurality of wheels attached to the side face of the elongated vacuum body, wherein said wheels are attached to the side face of the elongated vacuum body at a region of the side face generally opposite a region of the side face where the battery-pack is attached to the side face such that a longitudinal axis of the elongated vacuum body is located between all of said wheels and the battery pack.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, further comprising: a flexible hose having a first end thereof attached to the air inlet; and an extension tube attached to a second end of the extension tube, wherein the extension tube includes a plurality of segments and wherein said segments are telescopingly adjustable with respect to each other.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9 wherein the battery-pack is engaged with an exterior side face of the vacuum body such that the battery-pack engages a back of a person having each arm extending through a respective one of said shoulder straps.

12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, further comprising: battery-pack retention straps each engaged with the battery pack and extending at least partially around the vacuum body for securing the battery pack to the vacuum body.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 11 wherein the battery pack is generally positioned between the first and second end portions of said shoulder straps.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 wherein the battery-pack is engaged with an exterior side face of the vacuum body such that the battery-pack engages a back of a person having each arm extending through a respective one of said shoulder straps.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, further comprising: battery-pack retention straps each engaged with the battery pack and extending at least partially around the vacuum body for securing the battery pack to the vacuum body.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, further comprising: a flexible hose having a first end thereof attached to the air inlet; and an extension tube attached to a second end of the extension tube, wherein the extension tube includes a plurality of segments and wherein said segments are telescopingly adjustable with respect to each other.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to battery-powered vacuum cleaners and portable vacuum cleaners.

BACKGROUND

Various configurations of vacuum cleaners are well known. Examples of specific applications for which vacuum cleaners are configured include, but are not limited to, general home cleaning, cleaning industrial/work sites and cleaning automobile interiors. The general premise of operation of a vacuum cleaner is that a vacuum created by the vacuum cleaner serves to lift debris, water, and the like into a collection container of the vacuum cleaner typically through a flexible hose.

Portability and versatility are two valuable and useful attributes of a vacuum cleaner. Portability enables a vacuum cleaner to be used at different physical locations (e.g., different rooms in a building, different buildings, etc). Versatility enables a vacuum to be operated in a manner that is entirely or somewhat specific to a given application. For example, a vacuum cleaner that includes different cleaning attachments can be used in any number of different cleaning applications (e.g., cleaning water from floors, cleaning dust and debris off floors, cleaning dust and debris from wall and ceiling mounted fixtures, etc). Together, portability and versatility add value to a vacuum cleaner in that it can be used for a wide array of applications at any number of different locations.

Therefore, a vacuum cleaner that provides for portability and versatility is desirable in many applications. For example, at a construction/work site, a considerable amount of debris is typically generated. Examples of such debris include pieces of paper and plastic, various forms of dust, wasted supplies and the like. Accordingly, it is desirable that a vacuum used in a construction/work site be configured for efficiently picking up such debris (i.e., a high suction capability and easy emptying of debris) and for being conveniently carried such that it is not on the floor being pulled through such debris. Furthermore, because electrical outlets at construction/work sites are often sparse or entirely not available, a vacuum with an on-board power supply (e.g., a rechargeable battery-pack) is desirable as it enhances portability.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a vacuum cleaner that is wearable on the back of a user and that is battery-powered. In addition to being wearable on a user's back, a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention includes wheels that enable it to be supported on a floor in a conventional manner. Due to being battery-powered and wearable on a user's back as well as having the capability of being supported on a floor in a conventional manner, such a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention provide exceptional portability and versatility. In applications where there is limited or no access to electrical power and where the floor is extremely dirty or cluttered, a battery-powered vacuum cleaner that is wearable on the back of a user has specific and advantageous functionality.

To further enhance utility and functionality of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention, battery-pack placement for a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention is preferably configured so as to reduce wearer fatigue due to weight associated with the battery-pack. The battery-pack is one of the heaviest vacuum cleaner components and, thus, has a direct impact on the associated loading on a person wearing the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, the battery-pack is preferably situated close to the wearer's back such that the battery-pack has a limited impact on causing fatigue to the wearer.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum body, a battery-pack attached to the vacuum body and spaced-apart shoulder straps attached directly to at least one of the vacuum body and the battery-pack. The battery-pack is generally positioned between the shoulder straps.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated vacuum body, a battery-pack attached to the elongated vacuum body and shoulder straps attached directly to at least one of the elongated vacuum body and the battery-pack. The battery-pack is engaged with an exterior side face of the elongated vacuum body and is generally positioned between the shoulder straps such that the battery-pack engages a back of a person having each arm extending through a respective one of the shoulder straps.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated vacuum body, shoulder-straps, a battery-pack and a plurality of wheels. The elongated vacuum body has opposing end faces. An air outlet is within a first one of the end faces and an air inlet is within a second one of the end faces. The shoulder straps are attached to the elongated vacuum body. A first end portion of each one of the shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the first one of the end faces of the vacuum body and a second end portion of each one of the shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the second one of the end faces of the vacuum body. The battery-pack is attached to the elongated vacuum body. The plurality of wheels are attached to the side face of the elongated vacuum body. The wheels are attached to the side face of the elongated vacuum body at a region of the side face generally opposite a region of the side face where the battery-pack is attached to the side face such that a longitudinal axis of the elongated vacuum body is located between all of the wheels and the battery pack.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, battery-pack retention straps are provided and each one of the battery-pack retention straps are engaged with the battery pack and extending at least partially around the vacuum body for securing the battery pack to the vacuum body.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum body has opposing end faces and has an air outlet within a first one of the end faces and air inlet within a second one of the end faces.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a first end portion of each one of the shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the first one of the end faces and a second end portion of each one of the shoulder straps is attached to the vacuum body adjacent the second one of the end faces.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a flexible hose has a first end thereof attached to the air inlet of the vacuum body, an extension tube is attached to a second end of the extension tube, the extension tube includes a plurality of segments and the segments are telescopingly adjustable with respect to each other.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack is generally positioned between the first and second end portions of the shoulder straps.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary face view showing a top portion of a battery pack of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a bottom portion of the battery pack of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1-4 show various aspects of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the vacuum cleaner 10. Various types of vacuum cleaners and debris collection approaches used in vacuum cleaners are well known. A skilled person will appreciate that the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to a specific type or configuration of vacuum cleaner. For example, in one embodiment, a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention is preferably a bag-less vacuum cleaner that has a debris compartment that is removable or openable for enabling debris to be emptied from within the debris compartment.

Now referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner 10 includes an elongated vacuum body 12, shoulder straps 14, a battery pack 16, wheels 18, a flexible suction hose 20, an extension tube 22 and a cleaning attachment 24. The vacuum body 12 has an upper end face 26 and a lower end face 28 generally opposing the upper end face 26. An air outlet 30 is within the upper end face 26 and an air inlet 32 is within the lower end face 28. Although the air outlet 30 and the air inlet 32 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being within respective end faces (26, 28) of the vacuum body 12, the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to the air outlet 30 and the air inlet 32 being located within such respective end faces (26, 28). For example, the air inlet 32 may be in the upper end face 26 and the air outlet 30 may be in an exterior side face 34 (FIG. 1) of the vacuum body 12.

A skilled person will fully comprehend that vacuum generating components of the vacuum cleaner 10 are located within the vacuum body 12. For example, components such as a motor; vacuum impeller, debris compartment, etc are contained within the vacuum body 12. For example, a skilled person will appreciate that, in a bag-less embodiment of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention, debris is contained within a debris compartment of container within the vacuum body 12 and is emptied through a door in the vacuum body 12 or by removing the debris container from the vacuum body 12. As disclosed above, the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to a specific type or configuration of vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, the specific components contained within the vacuum body 12 and their specific integration are not discussed herein in specific detail.

A first end 36 of the suction hose 20 is attached to the air inlet 32 and a first end 37 of the extension tube 22 is attached to a second end 38 of the suction hose 20, thereby enabling extension and mobility of the extension tube 22. The extension tube 22 includes a first segment 40 and a second segment 42. The segments (40, 42) are telescopingly adjustable with respect to each other. Telescopingly is defined herein to include the second segment 42 of the extension tube 22 being mounted within the first segment 40 and the second segment 42 being able to slide longitudinally with respect to the first segment 40. Such telescoping functionality enables the extension tube 22 to be used for accessing location to be cleaned that are at varying distances of reach (e.g., levels of height).

The cleaning attachment 24 is attached to a second end 44 of the extension tube 22. In one embodiment, the cleaning attachment 24 is a brush attachment. In other embodiments, the cleaning attachment 24 is any one of a number of different configurations (e.g., floor sweeping head, water extraction head, tapered suction head, etc). The cleaning attachment 24 is not limited to any particular type of functional configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the battery-pack 16 is attached to an exterior side face 34 of the vacuum body 12. Battery-pack retention straps 46 are each engaged with battery-pack retention members 48 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the battery pack 16. As depicted, the battery-pack retention straps 46 extend fully around the vacuum body 12 for securing the battery pack 16 to the vacuum body 12. In another embodiment (not shown), the battery-pack retention straps 46 extend only partially around the vacuum body 12 (e.g., are engaged with retention members of the vacuum body 12). Although not specifically shown, each one of the battery-pack retention straps 46 may be configured for being adjusted and/or quickly released (e.g., through a suitable buckle arrangement).

Preferably, but not necessarily, the face of the battery-pack 16 that engages the exterior side face 34 of the vacuum body 12 is shaped such that it generally follows a shape of the engaged portion of the vacuum body 12. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the exterior face 34 of the vacuum body 12 is generally cylindrical-shaped. Accordingly, the mating face of the battery-pack 16 has an inwardly curved profile.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery-pack retention straps 46 are omitted and the battery-pack 16 is secured to the vacuum body 12 using alternate means. Examples of such alternate means include, but are not limited to, mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws), mating interlocking structures, etc. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the battery-pack 16 may be integral with the vacuum body 12 (e.g., a housing of the battery pack 16 is integral with a housing of the vacuum body 12).

The battery-pack 16 supplies electrical power to other electrical components of the vacuum cleaner 10. For example, the battery-pack 16 supplies electrical power to a motor located within the vacuum body 12. Preferably, the battery-pack 16 is rechargeable. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 16 includes contact terminals 47 through which a recharge voltage is applied through mating contact terminals of a cradle (not shown) on which the vacuum body 12 is stored. The battery pack 16 further includes a plug receptacle 49 through which the recharge voltage may be applied from a power cord of a recharge unit (i.e., a power cord of the cradle).

Still referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the shoulder straps 14 are attached directly to the battery-pack 16. An upper end portion 50 of each one of the shoulder straps 14 is attached to a respective upper shoulder strap retention member 51 of the battery pack 16. A lower end portion 52 of each one of the shoulder straps 14 is attached to a respective lower shoulder strap retention member 53 of the battery pack 16. The upper shoulder strap retention members 51 are spaced apart as are the lower shoulder strap retention members 53. Accordingly, the shoulder straps 14 are generally spaced apart. Preferably, but not necessarily, the shoulder straps 14 include padded portions 54 for enhancing comfort to a person wearing the vacuum cleaner 10.

In other embodiments of a vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention, the shoulder straps 14 are attached directly to the vacuum body 12 as opposed to the battery-pack 16. For example, in one such embodiment, the shoulder strap retention members (51, 53) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are integral with the vacuum body 12 as opposed to the battery pack 16. Such a configuration provides for the upper and lower portions (50, 52) of the shoulder straps 14 to be attached directly to the vacuum body 12 through the shoulder strap retention members (51, 53).

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the battery-pack 16 is engaged with the exterior side face 34. Furthermore, the battery pack 16 is generally positioned between the spaced-apart shoulder straps 14 and, more specifically, between the upper and lower end portions (50, 52) of the shoulder straps 14. This battery-pack orientation provides for the battery-pack 16 to engage a back of a person having each arm extending through a respective one of the shoulder straps 14 (i.e., wearing the vacuum cleaner 10). Keeping the battery-pack 16 close to the back of a wearer of the vacuum cleaner 10 serves to positively impacts weight distribution associated with the battery-pack 16. As the battery-pack 16 is one of the heavier components of the vacuum cleaner 10, keeping its weight close to the back of the wearer reduces wearer fatigue associated with the weight of the battery.

The wheels 18 are attached to the exterior side face 34 of the vacuum body 12. The wheels 18 are attached to the exterior side face 34 of the vacuum body 12 at a first region of the exterior side face 34. The battery-pack is positioned at a second region of the exterior side face 34. The first region of the exterior side face 34 is generally opposite the second region of the exterior side face 34. More specifically, a longitudinal axis of the vacuum body 12 is located between all of the wheels 18 and the battery pack 14. The wheels enable the vacuum body 12 to be placed on a floor surface and moved in a conventional wheeled manner. With the vacuum body 12 in such a floor supported orientation, the battery-pack 14 is generally located on a respective top position of the vacuum body 12 with the wheels 18 being at a respective bottom position of the vacuum body 12.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM, WWW.YAHOO.COM, or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-03-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,428,795
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Herring
September 30, 2008

Receiver for firearm

Abstract

A firearm comprises an upper receiver body and a lower receiver assembly. The upper receiver body is configured for receiving belt-fed ammunition and the lower receiver assembly is attached to the upper receiver body. The lower receiver assembly includes a receiver body having an accessory mounting structure, a trigger group mounting structure, one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock, and one of a hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip.

Inventors: Herring; Geoffrey A. (Blacksburg, VA)
Appl. No.: 11/346,514
Filed: February 2, 2006
Related U.S. Patent Documents

Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
60652300 Feb., 2005

Current U.S. Class: 42/75.01 ; 89/33.14; 89/33.2
Current International Class: F41A 21/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 89/33.2,33.14
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

2032376 March 1936 Moore
3035495 May 1962 Stoner
3198076 August 1965 Stoner
4392407 July 1983 LaFever et al.
4942802 July 1990 Stoner
5117735 June 1992 Flashkes
6293040 September 2001 Luth
6681677 January 2004 Herring

Other References

Lakside Guns AR15/M16 Rimfire Beltfed, www.lakesideguns.com/title1/upper.html, Jan. 2005. cited by examiner.

Primary Examiner: Carone; Michael J.
Assistant Examiner: Klein; Gabriel J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, LP
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/652,300, filed Feb. 11, 2005, entitled "Mounting Arrangement For A Belted Ammunition Container", having a common applicant herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A receiver body, comprising: an accessory mounting structure configured for being engaged with a mating mounting structure of an ammunition container and configured in a manner that inhibits ammunition cartridges from being fed through the receiver body into a mating cartridge chambering component of a firearm; one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip; one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock; and a trigger group mounting structure.

2. The receiver body of claim 1 wherein: the trigger group mounting structure is configured for having a complete trigger group engaged therewith; and the accessory mounting structure is configured for having an accessory mounted directly thereon.

3. The receiver body of claim 1 including the butt-stock mounting structure, wherein the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface.

4. The receiver body of claim 3 wherein the accessory mounting structure, and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of a lower receiver body.

5. The receiver body of claim 1 wherein the accessory mounting structure and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the receiver body.

6. The receiver body of claim 1 wherein the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of an accessory for enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the receiver body.

7. The receiver body of claim 6 wherein: the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface; and the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating tapered engagement surface whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.

8. The receiver body of claim 6 wherein: the accessory mounting structure includes a keyed engagement structure; the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating keyed engagement structure configured for being engaged by the keyed engagement structure of the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.

9. The receiver body of claim 1 wherein: the trigger group mounting structure is configured for having a complete trigger group engaged therewith; the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface; the accessory mounting structure, and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the receiver body; the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of an accessory for enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the receiver body; the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface; the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating tapered engagement surface whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.

10. A firearm, comprising: an upper receiver body configured for receiving belt-fed ammunition through an upper surface thereof and for receiving magazine-fed ammunition through a lower surface thereof; and a lower receiver assembly attached to the upper receiver body with an upper receiver interface surface thereof positioned adjacent the lower surface of the upper receiver body, wherein the lower receiver assembly includes a receiver body having an accessory mounting structure, a trigger group mounting structure, one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock, and one of a hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip; and wherein the accessory mounting structure is configured for being engaged with a mating mounting structure of an ammunition container and is configured in a manner that inhibits ammunition cartridges from being fed through the lower receiver body into the upper receiver body.

11. The firearm of claim 10, further comprising: a detachable hand grip; a detachable butt-stock; and a complete trigger group mounted on the trigger group mounting structure; wherein the receiver body of the lower receiver assembly includes the butt-stock mounting structure and the hand grip mounting structure; wherein the detachable hand grip is attached to the hand grip mounting structure; and wherein the detachable butt-stock is attached to the butt-stock mounting structure.

12. The firearm of claim 11 wherein: the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface; and a centerline axis of the butt stock extends generally along a centerline axis of the upper receiver body.

13. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the accessory mounting structure, and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the receiver body of the lower receiver assembly.

14. The firearm of claim 10 wherein the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of an accessory for enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the receiver body of the lower receiver assembly.

15. The firearm of claim 14 wherein: the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface; the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating tapered engagement surface whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.

16. The firearm of claim 14 wherein: the accessory mounting structure includes a keyed engagement structure; the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating keyed engagement structure configured for being engaged by the keyed engagement structure of the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.

17. The firearm of claim 10, further comprising: a detachable hand grip; a detachable butt-stock; and a complete trigger group mounted on the trigger group mounting structure; wherein the receiver body of the lower receiver assembly includes the butt-stock mounting structure and the hand grip mounting structure; wherein the detachable hand grip is attached to the hand grip mounting structure; and wherein the detachable butt-stock is attached to the butt-stock mounting structure; wherein the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface; wherein a centerline axis of the butt stock extends generally along a centerline axis of the upper receiver body; wherein the trigger group mounting structure is configured for having a complete trigger group engaged therewith; wherein the accessory mounting structure, and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the receiver body of the lower receiver assembly; wherein the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of an accessory for enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the receiver body of the lower receiver assembly; wherein the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface; wherein the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating tapered engagement surface whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.

18. A receiver system, comprising: an upper receiver body configured for receiving belt-fed ammunition through an upper surface thereof and for receiving magazine-fed ammunition through a lower surface thereof; and a lower receiver body including an accessory mounting structure, a trigger group mounting structure, one of a butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock and one of a hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip, wherein the accessory mounting structure is configured for being engaged with a mating mounting structure of an ammunition container and is configured in a manner that inhibits ammunition cartridges from being fed through the lower receiver body into the upper receiver body and wherein the upper receiver body and the lower receiver body are jointly configured for being interconnected with an upper receiver interface surface of the lower receiver body positioned adjacent the lower surface of the upper receiver body.

19. The receiver system of claim 18 wherein the accessory mounting structure and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the lower receiver body.

20. The receiver system of claim 18 wherein the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of an accessory for enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the lower receiver body.

21. The receiver body of claim 18, wherein: the lower receiver body includes the butt-stock mounting structure; and the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface.

22. The receiver body of claim 21 wherein the accessory mounting structure and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of a lower receiver body.

23. The receiver system of claim 18 wherein: the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface; the tapered engagement surface is configured be being engaged with a mating tapered engagement surface of an accessory whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure; the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of the accessory thereby enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the lower receiver body; the accessory mounting structure, and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the lower receiver body; the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of the accessory for enabling the accessory to be secured in a relatively fixed position with respect to the lower receiver body; the accessory mounting structure is positioned forward of the trigger group mounting structure; and a lowest portion of the accessory mounting structure is vertically offset from an upper receiver interface surface of the receiver body by a distance less than an uppermost portion of a trigger window of the receiver body is vertically offset from the upper receiver interface surface.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to firearms and, more particularly, to receivers for firearms.

BACKGROUND

In the 1970's, the United States (U.S.) government issued a requirement that light machine guns (LMG's) issued by various branches of the U.S. military shall have dual ammunition feed capability. Specifically, this dual ammunition feed capability requirement stated that such LMG's were to be capable of receiving magazine-fed ammunition and belt-fed ammunition. Belt-fed ammunition is typically contained in and supplied from a box that is attached to a LMG. The belt-fed ammunition, which is arranged in a belted configuration (e.g., clips connect each round of ammunition to the next round), is fed from the box to a receiver of the LMG. The advantage of belt-fed ammunition is that a supply of belt-fed ammunition is relatively large, thereby enabling sustained firing of the LMG without the need to frequently reload the LMG of ammunition. On the other hand, the benefit of being capable of receiving magazine-fed ammunition is that it readily enables continued operation of the LMG when the supply of belted ammunition is exhausted. The quantity of ammunition that can be supplied by a magazine is relatively small as compared to a supply of belt-fed ammunition. But, a magazine can be installed and, when empty, removed from a LMG in a matter of seconds. Removing and installing a belted ammunition container takes considerably longer to perform than does removing and installing a magazine.

The current U.S. military issue LMG is the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). The M249 SAW, whose overall construction is at least partially disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,817, has a magazine well located on the left side of the receiver assembly. Because this magazine well location results in the magazine protruding from the left side of the LMG, the magazine well configuration of the M249 SAW is seen as a considerable drawback as it adversely impacts how the M249 SAW is carried, is held/positioned in storming operations and affects use by left and right handed users.

A more preferred orientation for a magazine well is directly below the magazine assembly. With this orientation, the magazine well and an installed magazine extend in the 6 o'clock direction when looking down the longitudinal axis of the receiver with the firearm in a horizontal firing position. For example, the M16 rifle, which is also a standard U.S. military issue firearm, uses this magazine well orientation.

In its original manufacturer configuration, the M-16 rifle is configured for magazine feed capability only, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,555. However, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,274 and 6,681,677, the M16 rifle may be reconfigured for dual ammunition feed capability (i.e., magazine-fed ammunition and belt-fed ammunition). Some belt-fed machine guns such as the Stoner 63 and the US M60 provide for the mounting of a belted-ammunition container to one side of the weapon. This side-mounted configuration for the belted-ammunition container undesirably results in the rifle being unbalanced.

A known alternative to side-mounting the belted-ammunition container in a dual ammunition feed capable firearm such as, for example, the M-16 rifle disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,274 and 6,681,677 is to implement a container attachment device that is received within the magazine well. This type of device acts as an interposer connected between the rifle and the belted-ammunition container. An example of such a container attachment device that is received in the magazine well is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,012. A drawback of this type of mounting arrangement for the belted-ammunition container is that the depth of the magazine well and length of the container attachment device result in the belted-ammunition container being positioned relatively low under the rifle. The vertical orientation of the belted-ammunition container with this type of mounting arrangement cause the firearm to set relatively high off of the ground when an operator is firing the rifle in a prone position. Every added inch of vertical height off the ground can place the operator (e.g., the operator's head) in harms way.

Therefore, a mounting arrangement for belted ammunition containers that overcomes drawbacks, limitations and/or shortcomings associated with conventional mounting arrangements for belted ammunition containers would be useful, advantageous and novel.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

U.S. government solicitation no. N00164-99-R-0041--LIGHTWEIGHT MACHINE GUNS stipulates that "The LMG shall be belt fed using standard DoD 5.56 mm ammunition with no provision for an attachable/detachable box magazine." One reason for such a solicitation is that, in any armed conflict, U.S. troops can be expected to be out-numbered by enemy troops, often by a large margin. As combat tactics evolve, military and law enforcement organizations are now leaning toward a belt-fed only LMG as their chosen weapon for special operations and counter-terror activities. For example, as recently as 2003, U.S. Special Forces have been issued LMG's having the designation "MK 46 MOD 0" and "MK 48 MOD 0", which are both belt-fed only LMG's manufactured by FN Manufacturing Inc.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular weapon system in which there is an upper receiver body and a lower receiver body that interconnects with the upper receiver body. Variants of the M16-M4 assault rifle are examples of a firearm that includes such an upper receiver body and lower receiver body. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a lower receiver body that is configured for allowing a belt feed ammunition supply (i.e., a belted ammunition container) to be mounted directly on or by way of secondary attachment to the lower receiver body in the physical location that would typically be occupied by a magazine well of the lower receiver body. By mounting directly to the receiver and using the magazine well area, the overall height dimension of the loaded firearm (i.e., with the a belt feed ammunition supply) is much less than is the case with conventional mounting arrangements where the belt feed ammunition supply is mounted below the lower receiver body at the magazine well area.

Reducing this overall height dimension is advantageous in that it serves to aid in keeping the firearm operator's head out of harm's way when firing from the prone position. In the case of a M16-M4 assault rifle configured according to the present invention, the approximate reduction in the overall height dimension is approximately 2.4 inches. As a reference, 2.4 inches is more than 10 bullet diameters of a 0.223 round. As the operator's head is usually the highest critical body part when firing from the prone position, a 2.4-inch reduction in the overall height dimension may save the operator from receiving a fatal head wound in combat. Additionally, a firearm having a belt feed ammunition supply mounting arrangement in accordance with the present invention can be made to be lighter, more compact and centrally balanced.

Clearly, the primary benefits of a lower receiver body in accordance with the present invention are reducing the overall height dimension of a firearm having a belted ammunition container mounted below the lower receiver while maintaining/enhancing the weight, compactness and balance of such a firearm. However, it will be appreciated that, in addition to a belted ammunition container, a lower receiver body in accordance with the present invention is also applicable to other accessories such as a vehicle mount adapter, a tripod and the like. To facilitate such attachment to such other types of accessories, the accessory is configured with a mounting structure that mates with the accessory mounting structure of a lower receiver body in accordance with the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a receiver body comprises an accessory mounting structure, a trigger group mounting structure, one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock, and one of a hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a firearm comprises an upper receiver body and a lower receiver assembly. The upper receiver body is configured for receiving belt-fed ammunition and the lower receiver assembly is attached to the upper receiver body. The lower receiver assembly includes a receiver body having an accessory mounting structure, a trigger group mounting structure, one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock, and one of a hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a receiver system comprises an upper receiver body and a lower receiver body. The upper receiver body is configured for receiving belt-fed ammunition. The lower receiver body includes an accessory mounting structure, a trigger group mounting structure, one of an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock, and one of a hand grip mounting structure and an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip. The upper receiver body and the lower receiver body are jointly configured for being interconnected.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, the trigger group mounting structure is configured for having a complete trigger group engaged therewith, the accessory mounting structure is configured for having an accessory mounted directly thereon and the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the accessory mounting structure, and the trigger group mounting structure are each an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the lower receiver body.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the accessory mounting structure is configured for engaging a mating mounting structure of the accessory for securing the accessory in a relatively fixed position with respect to the lower receiver body.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface and the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating tapered engagement surface whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the accessory mounting structure includes a tapered engagement surface and the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating tapered engagement surface whereby engagement of said tapered engagement surfaces limits an engagement depth of the accessory with respect to the accessory mounting structure.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the accessory mounting structure includes a keyed engagement structure and the mating mounting structure of the accessory includes a mating keyed engagement structure configured for being engaged by the keyed engagement structure of the accessory mounting structure.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a hand grip attached to the hand grip mounting structure, a butt-stock attached to the butt-stock mounting structure and a complete trigger group mounted on the trigger group mounting structure.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the butt stock mounting structure extends above an upper receiver interface surface a centerline axis of the butt stock extends generally along a centerline axis of the upper receiver body.

These and other objects and embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view depicting an embodiment of a lower receiver body in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a belted ammunition container mounted on the lower receiver body in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the lower receiver body shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view depicting a receiver system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional lower receiver comprised by a receiver system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a firearm in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a lower receiver assembly in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the lower receiver assembly 100. The lower receiver assembly 100 includes a lower receiver body 102 including an accessory mounting structure 104 configured for having an accessory directly mounted thereon. Examples of such accessories include a belted ammunition container, a tripod, a vehicle mount adapter and the like. The lower receiver assembly 100 further includes a trigger group 106 mounted on the lower receiver body.

The trigger group 106 includes a plurality of components (i.e., trigger group components) exclusively mounted on the lower receiver body 102, whereby such components can interact and move as required to provide required trigger group functionality. Thus, the trigger group 106 is fully functional as mounted on the lower receiver body 102. In one embodiment, the trigger group 106 includes a trigger (i.e., trigger 108), a hammer (i.e., hammer 110), a disconnect (not specifically shown), and an automatic sear (not specifically shown). It is contemplated and disclosed herein that the trigger group components may be discrete components each individually mounted directly on the lower receiver body 102 or, optionally, at least a portion of the trigger group components may be configured as a subassembly and the subassembly is mounted on the lower receiver body 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the accessory mounting structure 104 is engaged with a mating mounting structure 112 of a belted ammunition container 114. The accessory mounting structure 104 and the mating mounting structure 112 jointly facilitate securing the belted ammunition container 114 in a relatively fixed position with respect to the lower receiver body 102. Preferably, but not necessarily, the accessory mounting structure 104 is an integrally-formed, non-detachable component of the lower receiver body 102. For example, in one embodiment, the lower receiver body 102 is formed from either a casting blank or from a solid block of material and the accessory mounting structure 104 is cast and/or machined directly in the casting or solid piece of material. Alternatively, the accessory mounting structure 104 is separately fabricated (e.g., via casting and/or machining) and is attached to the lower receiver body 102 by fasteners such as, for example, a plurality of threaded fasteners.

The accessory mounting structure 104 is positioned forward of the trigger group components 106. Additionally, the accessory mounting structure 104 is configured for enabling the belted ammunition container to at least partially reside in front of the trigger group components 106. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, relative to an upper receiver interface surface 116 of the lower receiver body 102, the accessory mounting structure 104 has a lesser degree of vertical offset from the upper receiver interface surface 116 than does a trigger window 118 of the lower receiver body 102. Accordingly, the belted ammunition container 114 resides forward of the trigger group components 106 and partially in front of the trigger group components 106.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the accessory mounting structure 104 includes spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces 120 (i.e., that define a tapered slot) that engage mating spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces 122 (e.g., that define a mating member) of the belted ammunition container 114. Mating dovetail-style engagement surfaces are an example of the spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces (120, 122) of the accessory mounting structure 104 and the belted ammunition container 114. The spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces 120 are an example of a keyed engagement structure configured for being engaged by a mating keyed engagement structure (i.e., the mating spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces 122) of the belted ammunition container 114.

The spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces (120, 122) define a maximum engagement depth of the accessory mounting structure 104 when engaged with the mating mounting structure 112 of the belted ammunition container 114. Thus, the tapered configuration of engagement surfaces (surfaces 120, 122) defines a fully engaged position of the belted ammunition container 114 with respect to the lower receiver body 102 and allow the belted ammunition container 114 to be engaged with the lower receiver body 102 from only one side of the lower receiver body 102 (e.g., the left side). By defining a maximum engagement depth and providing a tapered engagement lead-in configuration, the spaced-apart, tapered engagement surfaces (120, 122) provide for respective mounting structures (104, 112) that decrease the time it takes to adequately change belted ammunition containers. Furthermore, by mounting the belted ammunition container 114 from the side of the lower receiver body rather than from the front of the lower receiver body 114, reduces interference with other components of a firearm (e.g., a tripod, light, hand grip, etc) positioned below a barrel of the firearm.

The lower receiver body 102 includes a pocket 126 (FIG. 3) that receives a retention member 128 (FIG. 2). The pocket 126 and the retention member 128 jointly serve to retain the belted ammunition container 114 in a fixed position (i.e., the engaged position) with respect to the lower receiver body 102. The retention member 128 is selectively movable for disengaging it from the pocket 126 for allowing the belted ammunition container 114 to be disengaged from the lower receiver body 102.

The depicted tapered-configuration of the accessory mounting structure 104 is one embodiment of a specific and preferred configuration. However, other embodiments of configurations for the accessory mounting structure 104 are contemplated and disclosed herein. Examples of such other configurations include, but are not limited to, a picatinny rail extending longitudinally along or laterally across the lower receiver body 102, a T-slot extending longitudinally along or laterally across the lower receiver body 102 and a mounting surface with passages therein (e.g., threaded holes) that is configured for having a mating mounting surface of the belted ammunition container 114 engaged (e.g., abutted) therewith and secured in place with discrete fasteners (e.g., screws). Preferably, but not necessarily, implementation of any one of these alternate embodiments of the accessory mounting structure 104 includes positioning the accessory mounting structure 104 relatively close (e.g., as close as is physically possible) to the upper receiver interface surface 116 such that the belted ammunition container 114 is positioned as close as possible to the upper receiver interface surface 116. The position of the belted ammunition container 114 relative to the lower receiver body 102 as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 represents a relatively close mounting position of the belted ammunition container relative 114 to the lower receiver body 102.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the lower receiver body 102 includes a load-bearing support member 131. The load-bearing support member 131 is preferably, but not necessarily, an integrally formed, non-detachable component of the lower receiver body 102. The load-bearing support member 131 extended vertically above the upper receiver interface surface 116 of the lower receiver body 102. In at least one embodiment of the load-bearing support member 131, the load-bearing support member 131 includes means such as, for example, an aperture configured for enabling a butt-stock to be attached to the load-bearing support member 131. The means for enabling attachment of the bitt-stock is positioned such that a centerline of the butt stock extends generally along a centerline axis of the upper receiver assembly (e.g., along a longitudinal axis of a bolt carrier group bore). In this manner, the load-bearing support member 131 serves as a but-stock attachment means.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower receiver body 102 is configured for having a handgrip 132 mounted completely thereon. As depicted in FIG. 3, the lower receiver body includes a hand grip mounting structure 133 that is configured for having the hand drip 132 attached thereto. The handgrip mounting structure 133 is preferably, but not necessarily, an integrally formed, non-detachable component of the lower receiver body 102 (i.e., is formed in combination with a main portion of the lower receiver body 102).

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a receiver system in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the receiver system 150. The receiver system 150 includes the lower receiver body 102 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and an upper receiver body 152. The upper receiver body 152 (i.e., a first receiver body) and the lower receiver body 102 (i.e., a second receiver body) are jointly configured for being interconnected at mating interface surfaces (i.e., along interface 158) and are interconnectable in a manner that enables interoperability between receiver components of the lower receiver body 102 and the upper receiver body 152.

The upper receiver body 152 includes a first ammunition insertion port 154 configured for having magazine-fed ammunition provided therethrough from an ammunition magazine and a second ammunition insertion port 156 configured for having belt-fed ammunition provided therethrough from a belt-fed ammunition apparatus. The first ammunition port 154 of the upper receiver body 152 extends through an interface surface 160 of the upper receiver body 152. In one embodiment, the accessory mounting structure 104 is positioned such that it precludes insertion of ammunition through the first ammunition insertion port 154 when the upper receiver body 152 is interconnected with the lower receiver body 102 (e.g., the accessory mounting structure encroaches into an area defined by a perimeter of the first ammunition insertion port 154).

The receiver system 150 is an embodiment of a configurable, dual-feed capable receiver system in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the upper receiver body 152 is configured for having a plurality of different lower receiver bodies interchangeably mounted thereon, is configured for receiving magazine-fed ammunition through the first ammunition insertion port 154 and is configured for receiving belt-fed ammunition through a second ammunition insertion port 156. The lower receiver body 102 depicted in FIGS. 1-5 is an embodiment of a first lower receiver body that is interchangeably mountable on the upper receiver body 152. FIG. 6 depicts a second lower receiver body 162 having a magazine well 164 rather than a mounting structure configured for having an accessory directly mounted thereon. The magazine well 164 is positioned and configured for enabling magazine-fed ammunition to be supplied from within the magazine well 164 (e.g., from a magazine clip mounted in the magazine well 164) into the upper receiver body 152 through the first ammunition insertion port 154. Accordingly, the ability to interchange between the first lower receiver body and the second lower receiver body preserves use of the dual feed capability of upper receiver body 152.

Optionally, the upper receiver body 152 may be configured for receiving only belt-fed ammunition.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a firearm in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the firearm 180. The firearm 180 includes the lower receiver body 102 depicted in FIGS. 1-6 and the upper receiver body 152 depicted in FIGS. 4-5. Accordingly, the firearm 180 comprises a receiver system in accordance with the present invention and exhibits the advantageous attributes and construction of a lower receiver body in accordance with the present invention.

It is disclosed herein that, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a lower receiver body includes an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip and an integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock. For example, such an integrally-formed, non-detachable hand grip and integrally-formed, non-detachable butt-stock may be integrally-molded or integrally machined and non-detachable components of the lower receiver body 102. For example, the hand grip 132 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 and the butt-stock 135 depicted in FIG. 7 may be integrally-molded or integrally machined and non-detachable components of the lower receiver body 102.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM, WWW.YAHOO.COM, or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-02-26T08:00:00.001-08:00

United States Patent 7,458,899
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Michaud
December 2, 2008

Putter training apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A putter training apparatus and method of use are provided. In one form, a putter training apparatus includes a putter head generally formed as a mallet attached to a standard golf shaft. The putter head includes an opening through the vertical distance of the putter head, generally centered in the putter head. The putter head further includes a standard golf ball, generally centered within the opening. The golf ball is attached to an extension and retraction system comprising two spherical seats inserted in the heel side and toe side of the opening and two ligaments connecting the spherical seats to the golf ball. The extension and retraction system allows the golf ball to extend from the opening during use, and remain visible to the user through the opening, as long as the user employs a smooth, in line, and in tempo putting stroke.

Inventors: Michaud; Mark David (Singapore, SG)
Appl. No.: 11/359,040
Filed: February 21, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 473/226 ; 473/138; 473/235; 473/340
Current International Class: A63B 69/36 (20060101)
Field of Search: 473/147,219,223,226,229,230,235,250,138,139,145,146,286,340,341,345,350
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

3300241 January 1967 Eberwein et al.
3434722 March 1969 Esposito
3708172 January 1973 Rango
3841639 October 1974 Werner
3999765 December 1976 Bishop
4147357 April 1979 Strop
4976436 December 1990 Serizawa
5375833 December 1994 Marier, Jr.
5485999 January 1996 Hull et al.
6702688 March 2004 Hale
6863617 March 2005 Park

Primary Examiner: Legesse; Nini
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, LP
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A putter training apparatus comprising: a putter head generally formed as a mallet and coupled to a standard golf shaft; a top opening generally centered within said putter head; said top opening being larger than the size of a standard golf ball; said top opening operable to provide a visual of the standard golf ball during the swing; a "U" shaped bottom operable to allow said golf ball to exit said putter head during use; a standard golf ball placed within said top opening or said "U" shaped bottom opening of the mallet; and a golf ball extension and retraction system coupled to the mallet and the golf ball and operable to enable an extension of the golf ball from the opening, wherein the extension and retraction system comprises a bearing and wherein the extension and retraction system is operable to enable the golf ball to extend approximately twelve (12) inches from the opening; wherein the extension and retraction system is operable to provide the golf ball free movement in a vertical and a horizontal direction during a back stroke and a fore stroke.

2. The putter training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension and retraction system comprises a metal strand.

3. The putter training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension and retraction system comprises an elastic material.

4. The putter training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mallet substantially bisects a center axis of the golf ball.

5. The putter training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the extension and retraction system operable to return the golf ball to the opening at the conclusion of the stroke.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention generally relates to golf, and more particularly to a putter training apparatus and method of use.

BACKGROUND

Golf has a long history, dating back to the 1400s. The inherent difficulty of the game and enjoyment of improving one's skills have much to do with the ever increasing popularity of the sport. More and more golf courses have opened in the United States over the past few decades, offering everything from expensive private golf clubs, to local municipal golf courses, to smaller par-3 golf courses.

The sport of golf is comprised of three primary facets, driving the ball from the tee, using a range of woods and irons to get the golf ball onto the putting green, and finally putting the ball into the hole. All facets provide unique challenges, but one can easily double one's score for a hole just on the putting green without a mastery of the skills required for successful putting. These skills include not only being able to putt the ball straight, but also require a smooth stroke with correct tempo and a sense of rolling the ball, instead of merely striking the ball which can lead to incorrect follow through. There are many putting aids on the market that provide feedback as to whether or not a putting stroke is straight. What is needed, however, is a putting training aid that provides feedback on whether or not a putt is straight, whether or not the stroke is smooth and in tempo, and that provides a sensation of rolling the golf ball, rather than merely striking it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with another aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of using a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

A putter training apparatus and method of use are provided. In one form, a putter training apparatus includes a putter head generally formed as a mallet and coupled to a standard golf shaft. The putter training apparatus further includes a standard golf ball placed within an opening of the mallet and viewable to a user. The putter training apparatus further includes a golf ball extension and retraction system coupled to the mallet and the golf ball.

According to another aspect of the invention, a putter training apparatus includes a putter head formed generally formed as a mallet and coupled to a standard golf shaft. The putter training apparatus further includes a standard golf ball placed within an opening of the mallet and coupled to a golf ball extension and retraction system. The extension and retraction system enables an extension of the golf ball from the opening.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a putter training apparatus and method of use are provided. The putter training apparatus includes a putter head formed generally formed as a mallet and coupled to a standard golf shaft. The putter training apparatus further includes a standard golf ball placed within an opening of the mallet and viewable to a user, and a golf ball extension and retraction system coupled to the mallet and the golf ball and operable to enable an extension of the golf ball from the opening during a back stroke and a forward stroke of the putter head.

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear bottom perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A putter head of the putter training apparatus is illustrated generally at 100. Putter head 100 is generally shaped as a mallet and may be attached to a putter shaft (not expressly shown). Putter head 100 further includes a rear side 101 of opposite a front side (not expressly shown). Putter head 100 also includes a toe side 102 opposite a heel side (not expressly shown) and a bottom side 103 opposite a top side (not expressly shown). Putter head 100 further includes a cutaway portion 104 of putter head 100 extending substantially toward bottom side 103 along rear side 103 of putter head 100. Cutaway 104 enables standard golf ball 105 to exit putter head 100 during a back stroke and a forward stroke of putter head 100. Golf ball 105 is generally centered within opening 106 and opening 106 is generally centered within putter head 100. Opening 106 allows a user to view golf ball 105 along a top portion of putter head 100 during use (not expressly shown).

Putter head 100 further includes a golf ball extension and retraction system illustrated generally at 108 coupled to golf ball 105 along a side portion of golf ball 105 and aligned with a side portion 112 of putter head 100. Extension and retraction system 108 includes a cable or wire 113 coupled to a side portion of golf ball 105 and in one embodiment may extend through golf ball 105 and to toe side 102. Putter head 100 further includes bottom opening 107 extending to cutaway portion 104 along the rear side 101 of putter head 100, forming a "U" shaped opening generally centered along bottom side 103 of putter head 100. Extension and retraction system 108 allows golf ball 105 to extend from opening 107 and cable 113 may be extended to a maximum distance of approximately twelve (12) inches from putter head 100 when putter head 100 is moved in a backward or forward direction. Additionally, golf ball 105 will be retracted into opening 107 when transitioning between a back stroke and a forward stroke, or when putter head 100 is at rest. Extension and retraction system 108 and top opening 106 and bottom opening 107 allow golf ball 105 freedom of movement in a horizontal and a vertical direction during use and encourages a smooth putting stroke with consistent tempo to provide a user the sensation of rolling golf ball 105 rather than striking it. Opening 106 allows a user to view golf ball 105 during a backward and forward stroke.

Putter head 100 may include a width 109 of at least two (2) inches and no more than four (4) inches, extending from rear side 101 to a front side (not expressly shown). Putter head 100 may further include a length 110 of at least three (3) inches and no more than five (5) inches, extending from toe side 102 to a heel side (not expressly shown) and a height 111 of at least one half (1/2) inch and no more than two (2) inches, extending from bottom side 103 to a top side (not expressly shown). In one embodiment, putter head 100 may include a mallet formed from steel and have dimensions of two (2) inches by three (3) inches by one half (1/2) inch. In another embodiment, putter 100 may be formed from any material generally found in putter head including but not limited to stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, polymers, plastics, and graphite. In another embodiment, putter head 100 may include extension and retraction system 108 formed as wire retractably attached to ball bearings and coupled to golf ball 105. In another embodiment, putter head 100 may include extension and retraction system 108 formed as elastic material attached to golf ball 105.

During use, a user desires to achieve a smooth putting stroke and a user may grasp putter shaft (not expressly shown) attached to putter head 100 and align putter head 100 with the desired putting location such as a cup, a hole, a pin, practice green, or any other object that will allow a user to determine whether or not golf ball 105 followed a desired path or putting line. A user may view golf ball 105 through top opening 106 when setting up for a putt and as a user moves putter head 100 to achieve a smooth putting stroke golf ball 105 remains in a user's view through top opening 106 while extending from extension and retraction system 108. During a smooth forward stroke, a user will also see golf ball 105 through top opening 106. However, if a user moves putter head 100 too quickly or in a non-linear fashion, golf ball 105 will disappear from a user's view through top opening 106. For example, as a user brings putter head 100 in a backward direction too quickly during a backstroke, extension and retraction system 108 allows golf ball 105 to extend from opening 107 up to a distance of approximately twelve (12) inches. As a user brings putter head from the back stroke to a neutral position, extension and retraction system 108 retracts golf ball 105 into opening 107 and as a user continues moving putter head 100 from a neutral or center position to a forward stroke, golf ball 105 again extends from opening 107 using extension and retraction system 108 to a maximum distance of twelve (12) inches from putter head 100 if a user's forward stroke is too quick. In this manner, a user is provided a visual feedback of a putting stroke that is too fast, unstable, etc. allowing a user to achieve a smooth putting stroke.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A putter training apparatus is illustrated generally at 220 and includes a putter head 200 generally formed as a mallet and attached to a putter shaft 202. Putter head 200 includes a top side 201 opposite a bottom side of the mallet (not expressly shown). Putter head 200 further includes a top opening 203, generally centered to putter head 200 and sized larger than standard golf ball 204. Putter head 200 also includes a bottom opening 205, sized larger than top opening 203. Bottom opening 205 allows golf ball 204 to exit putter head 200 during use. Putter head 200 also includes a toe side 214 of putter head 200 opposite a heel side 215, and a front side 216 opposite a rear side 217.

Standard golf ball 204 is coupled to a golf ball extension and retraction system that includes a first spherical seat 206 coupled to a first ligament 208 and a second spherical seat 207 coupled to second ligament 209. First spherical seat 206 is located generally toward toe side 214 of putter head 200 and second spherical seat 207 is located generally toward heel side 215 of putter head 200. First spherical seat 206 is coupled to first ligament 208 and a portion of golf ball 204 along a center portion of golf ball 204. Similarly, second spherical seat 207 is coupled to second ligament 209 and a center of golf ball 204

In one embodiment, putter head 200 includes a width 210 of at least two (2) inches and no more that four (4) inches and a length 211 of at least three (3) inches and no more than four (4) inches. Standard golf ball 204 includes a diameter 212 of approximately one and sixty-eight hundredths (1.68) inches. Opening 203 further includes a diameter 213 between one and seven hundredths (1.7) inches and two and one half (2.5) inches.

During use, a user generally stands in a normal putting stance with feet apart, knees slightly bent, both hands on the putter, and feet in alignment with the desired direction of a putt. A user starts in a neutral position by gripping shaft 202 so that putter head 200 is located generally proximal or on the ground and centered between but out in front of a user's feet. If a user is right-handed, front side 216 will be toward a user's left. If a user is left-handed, front side 216 will be toward a user's right. A user then takes a back stroke. If a user is right handed, this consists of bringing the putter slowly back to the right. If a user is left-handed, this consists of bringing the putter slowly back to the left. During the back swing, golf ball 204 may extend from bottom opening 205 to a maximum distance of twelve (12) inches. For example, during a smooth back stroke, golf ball 204 remains visible to a user through top opening 203. It the swing is off-line or off-tempo, golf ball 204 may become partially or completely obscured by putter head 200 while extended up to twelve (12) inches from putter head 200. After completion of the back stroke, a user initiates a fore stroke by swinging putter head 200 in the opposite direction of the back stroke, causing putter head 200 to pass the neutral position to a position forward of the neutral position. As putter head 200 approaches the ground at the neutral position, golf ball 204 retracts (if extended) into top opening 203. As putter head 200 rises from the ground during the forward stroke, golf ball 204 again extends from bottom opening 205 to a maximum distance of twelve (12) inches depending on the tempo and line of putter head 200. For example, golf ball 204 will remain visible during extension to a user through top opening 203 as long as the stroke is in-line and in-tempo. However, as if a fore stroke is off-line or off-tempo, golf ball 204 may extend up to twelve (12) inches from putter head 200. At the completion of the stroke, golf ball 200 will again retract into opening 200, becoming once again centered in top side 201.

In one embodiment, first spherical seat 206 and second spherical seat 207 comprise a metal, plastic polycarbonate material, etc. For example, first spherical seat 206 and second spherical seat 207 may include a metallic bearing or ball bearing. In one embodiment, first ligament 208 and second ligament 209 may include a metal strand material, elastic material, cable, filament, etc. Ligaments 208 and 209 may be coupled directly to golf ball 204 using a fastener, glue, epoxy, etc. (not expressly shown). In another embodiment, ligaments 208 and 209 wrap around a circumference of golf ball 204 or may extend through a cavity or channel within golf ball 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A putter training apparatus is illustrated generally at 300 and includes a putter head 301, which is generally formed as a mallet. Putter head 301 is coupled to a putter shaft 305 and includes a top side 302 opposite a bottom side (not expressly shown), a toe 303 opposite a heel 315, and a front side or face 304 of putter head 301 opposite a rear side (not expressly shown). Shaft 305 is attached to top side 302 generally toward a comer formed by the front side 304 and the rear side (not expressly shown), although other locations along putter head 301 may also be used. Shaft 305 allows a user to practice a putting swing with the putter training apparatus 300 by stroking putter training apparatus 300 much as a user would swing a conventional golf putter. In one embodiment, shaft 305 may be steel or an alloy material. In another embodiment, shaft 305 may include wood, graphite, or any other type of material that may formed into a putter shaft.

Putter head 301 also includes a golf ball 306 coupled to putter head 301 and extending through opening 307. Golf ball 306 is generally centered within opening 307, which includes a diameter that is larger than golf ball 306 and allows for golf ball 306 to move within opening 307. Opening 307 is generally centered in top side 302 although other locations may be employed and allows a user to receive feedback on the quality of their golf swing by observing the position of the golf ball relative to opening 307.

In one embodiment, putter head 301 includes a length 308 of at least three (3) inches and no more than five (5) inches, representing the portion of putter head 301 between toe side 303 and a heel side (not expressly shown). Putter head 301 further includes a width 309 of at least two (2) inches and no more than four (4) inches, representing the portion of putter head 301 between front side 304 and a rear side (not expressly shown). Putter head 301 further includes a height 310 of at least one half (1/2) inch and no more than two (2) inches, representing the portion of putter head 301 between top side 302 and a bottom side (not expressly shown).

In one embodiment, putter head 301 may be shaped generally as a straight-sided polygon. In another embodiment, putter head 301 may have curved sections, as many modern putters do. A shape of putter head 301 could be manufactured to replicate a shape of any putter created and shaft 305 could be made of any material used to manufacture any other putter shaft to provide a user consistency between putter training apparatus 300 and a user's normal putter.

During use, a user grips shaft 305 and takes putting apparatus 300 through a back stroke segment and a forward stroke segment of a normal putting stroke. A user views golf ball 306 through opening 307. If the stroke is smooth and in line, golf ball 306 will remain visible through opening 307 through the entire stroke. Front side 303 may be used to align the shot, as it is a straight edge and will point in the direction that golf ball 306 would go during a putting stroke. However, if a user's putting stroke is not smooth, gold ball 306 will extend away from putter head 301 through a bottom/rear opening of putter head 301 (not expressly shown) indicating to a user that a putting stroke is too fast or offline.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A putter training apparatus is illustrated generally at 400. Putter training apparatus 400 includes putter head 401 coupled to a standard putter shaft 403. Putter head 401 also includes a front side or face 402 opposite a rear side (not expressly shown).

Putter head 401 includes golf ball 404 attached to a golf ball extension and retraction system including a first ball bearing 405, a second ball bearing 406, a first ligament 407, and a second ligament 408. First ball bearing 405 is located generally toward a toe 410 of putter head 401 and is coupled to first ligament 407, which is in turn coupled to golf ball 404. Golf ball 404 is generally centered along putter head 401. Second ball bearing 406 is coupled to a heel 411 of putter head 401. Second ball bearing 406 is coupled to second ligament 408, which is in turn coupled to golf ball 404. Second ligament 408 is generally coupled to golf ball 404 along a center portion of golf ball 404. Extension and retraction system of golf training apparatus 400 allows golf ball 404 to exit putter head 401 along a cutaway portion 409 located toward bottom side 413 and rear side of putter head 401 (not expressly shown).

In one embodiment, putter head 401 includes a length 415 of at least three (3) inches and no more than five (5) inches, representing the portion of putter head 401 between toe side 410 and heel 411. Putter head 401 further includes a height 414 of at least one half (1/2) inch and no more than two (2) inches, representing the portion of putter head 401 between top side 412 and bottom side 413. Golf ball 405 extends through height 414 of putter head 401.

First bearing 405 and a second 406 may include a clutch mechanism, controlling the amount of first ligament 407 and second ligament 408 allowed to unwind from first bearing 405 and second bearing 406, controlling the distance golf ball 404 may extend from putter head 401.

During use, a user grips shaft 403 to take putter training apparatus 400 through a normal putting stroke. When a user is addressing the ball, a user holds putter training apparatus 400 so that putter head 401 is positioned slightly off the ground. At this point, golf ball 404 protrudes above top side 412 and below bottom side 413. During the stroke, as putter head 401 rises, first ball bearing 405 and second ball bearing 406 allow first ligament 407 and second ligament 408 to extend along with golf ball 404, so that golf ball 404 rolls along with the stroke. When putter head 401 returns to the ground, first ball bearing 405 and second ball bearing 406 retract first ligament 407 and second ligament 408, retracting golf ball back into the opening in putter head 401 (not expressly shown).

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of using a putter training apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A method of using a putter training apparatus is illustrated generally at 500. A putter training apparatus 500 includes a putter head 501 attached to putter shaft 502 coupled to a top side 508 of putter head 501. Putter head 501 further includes a front side 507 opposite a rear side 506 a heel opposite a toe (not expressly shown).

Putter head 501 also includes a standard golf ball 503 centered within an opening of putter head 501 and extending from top side 508 generally centered along putter head 501 to a bottom side 509 of putter head 501. Golf ball 503 is coupled to a golf ball extension and retraction system 505 coupled to putter head 501 that includes a first spherical seat 504 coupled to a first ligament 517 and an opposing second spherical seat coupled to a second ligament (not expressly shown).

During use, a user stands in a normal putting stance with feet apart, knees slightly bent, both hands on the putter, and feet in alignment with the desired direction of a putt. A user starts in a neutral position 513 by gripping shaft 502 so that putter head 500 is located generally on the ground, and generally centered between but out in front of a user's feet. If a user is right-handed, front side 507 will be toward a user's left. If a user is left-handed, front side 507 will be toward a user's right. A user then takes a back stroke. If a user is right handed, this consists of bringing the putter slowly back to the right. If a user is left-handed, this consists of bringing the putter slowly back to the left. During the back stroke, a user takes putter head 501 through a first back position 511. At position 511, golf ball 503 begins to extend from putter head 501 through a bottom opening of putter head 501. A "U" shaped opening (not expressly shown) at the junction of rear side 506 and bottom side 509 may be used to provide an exit for golf ball 503 from putter head 501. First spherical seat 504 and a second spherical seat (not expressly shown) allow an extension of first ligament 517 and a second ligament (not expressly shown) enabling golf ball 503 to extend from putter head 501 while remaining attached to putter head 501. As a user completes the back stroke, bringing putter head 501 to second back position 512, golf ball 503 extends fully to a distance not to exceed twelve (12) inches from putter head 501. If a user employs a smooth in-line and in-tempo back stroke, golf ball 503 will remain visible to a user for the duration of the back swing via a top opening in putter head 501 (not expressly shown). However, if a user's back stroke is too fast or off-line, golf ball 503 extends past putter head 503 and may not be visible though an opening of putter head 503.

As a user brings putter head 501 through neutral position 513, golf ball 503 is retracted into a bottom opening of putter head 501 using extension and retraction system 505. For example, if a back stroke is on-line, putter head 501 may retract smoothly into putter head 501. However, if a back stroke is off line, golf ball 503 may become incident to bottom side 509 of putter head 501 and may not retract entirely into a cavity of putter head 501. In this manner, a user may be provided feedback on the accuracy and tempo o a back stroke for putting a golf ball and adjust accordingly.

As a user move putter head 501 to first forward position 514, an extension and retraction system comprising first spherical seat 504 and first ligament 505 and a second spherical seat and ligament (not expressly shown) allow an extension of golf ball 503 from putter head 501. For example, a "U" shaped opening (not expressly shown) along rear side 506 and bottom side 509 facilitates an exit of golf ball 503 from putter head 501. As a user brings putter head 501 through first forward position 514 into second forward position 515, golf ball 503 extends to a maximum distance of twelve (12) inches from putter head 501, depending on the overall speed of a desired putt. If a user maintains a smooth in line in tempo stroke, golf ball 501 remains visible to a user through a top opening (not expressly shown) in putter head 501. For example, if a user is off-line, as golf ball 503 extends from putter head 501, golf ball 503 may be skewed to the left or right of putter head 501 and as such golf ball 503 may not be entirely visible through a top opening of putter head 501. In this manner, a user may be provided visual feedback as to whether a conventional golf ball will be on-line or off-line upon completing a golf stroke.

In one embodiment, first ligament 505 and a second ligament (not expressly shown) are retractably attached to first spherical seat 504 near heel of putter head 501 and a second spherical seat (not expressly shown) attached along toe of putter head 501 (not expressly shown) set within a centered opening (not expressly shown) inside putter head 501. First ligament 505 and second ligament (not expressly shown) may be coupled directly to golf ball 503, or may wrap a circumference of golf ball 503 or extend through a cavity or channel (not expressly shown) bisecting golf ball 503. At the full twelve (12) inch extension of golf ball 505, spherical seat 504 will initiate a retraction of first ligament 505 and a second ligament (not expressly shown), retracting golf ball 503 into an opening (not expressly shown) in putter head 501 as a user brings putter head 501 from second back position 512 through first back position 511 and into neutral position 513.

Note that although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail herein, along with certain variants thereof, many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art. Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-02-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,461,877
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Bailey
December 9, 2008

Bumper protection system

Abstract

A vehicle bumper protection system comprises a control unit, a pneumatically inflatable protective cover and an air pump. The control unit is configured for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal. The pneumatically inflatable protective cover is configured for being attached to a bumper of a vehicle and is normally in a deflated condition. The air pump is electrically connected to the control unit and is fluid communicatively connected to the protective cover. The air pump supplies compressed air to the protective cover for inflating the protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit. The air pump facilitates deflation of the protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit.

Inventors: Bailey; Pauline Elizabeth (Queens Village, NY)
Appl. No.: 11/400,946
Filed: April 10, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 293/142
Current International Class: B60R 19/44 (20060101)
Field of Search: 293/102,107,108,118,126,142 296/187.09,187.03
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

3822076 July 1974 Mercier et al.
4810015 March 1989 McNeil
4815777 March 1989 Campbell
5106137 April 1992 Curtis
5215031 June 1993 Inman et al.
5725265 March 1998 Baber
5810427 September 1998 Hartmann et al.
6056336 May 2000 Balgobin
6106038 August 2000 Dreher
6126214 October 2000 Kim
6443510 September 2002 Gibeau et al.
6497183 December 2002 Demarquilly et al.
6749218 June 2004 Breed
6923483 August 2005 Curry et al.
7036844 May 2006 Hammer et al.
2001/0028173 October 2001 Demarquilly et al.
2003/0020289 January 2003 Dohrmann et al.
2005/0035608 February 2005 Larsen etal.

Primary Examiner: Gutman; H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Simmons; David O. Galasso & Associates, LP. WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle bumper protection system comprising: a control unit configured for selectively outputting a first control signal and a second control signal; an expandable protective cover configured for being attached to a bumper of a vehicle, wherein said protective cover is normally in a non-expanded condition; and wherein a bumper engagement surface of said protective cover is contoured to mate substantially flush with a mating portion of the bumper; said protective cover includes a license plate exposure feature; and edges of the license plate exposure feature at least partially encompass a license plate mounting region of the bumper for enabling visibility of the license plate mounting region of the bumper when said protective cover is attached to the bumper; and an expansion apparatus connected to the control unit and to said protective cover, wherein the expansion apparatus acts on said protective cover for causing said protective cover to expand to an expanded condition when the first control signal is outputted by the control unit and when the expansion apparatus causes said protective cover to return to the non-expanded condition when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein: the expansion apparatus includes an air pump for supplying compressed air to an interior space of said protective cover; and said compressed air is supplied to the interior space when the first control signal is outputted by the control unit.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein: the expansion apparatus includes an air valve for enabling said compressed air to be released from the interior space of said protective cover; and said compressed air is released from the interior space when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the air valve is integral with the air pump.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein: the expansion apparatus includes an air pump for supplying compressed air to an interior space of said protective cover; said compressed air is supplied to the interior space when the first control signal is outputted by the control unit; the expansion apparatus includes an air valve for enabling said compressed air to be released from the interior space of said protective cover; and said compressed air is released from the interior space when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

6. A vehicle bumper protection system, comprising: a control unit configured for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal; a pneumatically inflatable protective cover configured for being attached to a bumper of a vehicle, wherein said protective cover is normally in a deflated condition; a bumper engagement surface of said protective cover is contoured to mate substantially flush with a mating portion of the bumper; said protective cover includes a license plate exposure feature; and edges of the license plate exposure feature at least partially encompass a license plate mounting region of the bumper for enabling visibility of the license plate mounting region of the bumper when said protective cover is attached to the license bumper; an air pump electrically connected to the control unit and fluid communicatively connected to said protective cover, wherein the air pump supplies compressed air to said protective cover for inflating said protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit and wherein the air pump facilitates deflation of said protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit; and an air valve for enabling said compressed air to be released from the interior space of said protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit, wherein the air valve is integral with the air pump, wherein the inflation signal is an electrical current supplied to the air pump and wherein the deflation signal is an electrical current supplied to the air valve.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising: an air valve for enabling said compressed air to be released from the interior space of said protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the air valve is integral with the air pump.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein: the inflation signal is an electrical current supplied to the air pump; and the deflation signal is an electrical current supplied to the air valve.

10. A vehicle, comprising: a front bumper, a rear bumper, a first pneumatically inflatable protective cover attached to the front bumper, wherein said first protective cover is normally in a respective deflated condition; a second pneumatically inflatable protective cover attached to the rear bumper, wherein said second protective cover is normally in a respective deflated condition; a control unit manually controllable for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal; a first air pump electrically connected to the control unit and fluid communicatively connected to said first protective cover, wherein the first air pump supplies compressed air to said first protective cover for inflating said first protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit and wherein the first air pump facilitates deflation of said first protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit; and a second air pump electrically connected to the control unit and fluid communicatively connected to said second protective cover, wherein the second air pump supplies compressed air to said second protective cover for inflating said second protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit and wherein the second air pump facilitates deflation of said second protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising: a first air valve connected to said first protective cover for enabling said compressed air to be released from an interior space of aid first protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit; and a second air valve connected to said second protective cover for enabling said compressed air to be released from an interior space of said second protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein: the first air valve is integral with the first air pump; and the second air valve is integral with the second air pump.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein: a bumper engagement surface of said first protective cover is contoured to mate substantially flush with a mating portion of the first bumper; and a bumper engagement surface of said second protective cover is contoured to mate substantially flush with a mating portion of the second bumper.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein: said first protective cover includes a license plate exposure feature; edges of the license plate exposure feature of said first protective cover at least partially encompass a license plate mounting region of the first bumper for enabling visibility of the license plate mounting region of the first bumper when said first protective cover is attached to the first bumper; said second protective cover includes a license plate exposure feature; and edges of the license plate exposure feature of said second protective cover at least partially encompass a license plate mounting region of the second bumper for enabling visibility of the license plate mounting region of the second bumper when the second protective cover is attached to the second bumper.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a first air valve connected to said first protective cover for enabling said compressed air to be released from an interior space of said first protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit; and a second air valve connected to said second protective cover for enabling said compressed air to be released from an interior space of said second protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to protective implements for automobile body panels and bumpers and, more particularly, to selectively controllable protective implements for automobile body panels and bumpers.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles such as cars and light trucks are particularly susceptible to damage sustain from contact with objects while parked or while being parked. Examples of such objects include, but are not limited to, other vehicles, shopping karts, trees, light posts, walls and concrete footings. Such damage is undesirable to a vehicle owner as it can reduce the value of a vehicle, cost considerable money to repair, compromise safety of the vehicle and/or detract from the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.

It is well known that damage to bumpers of a vehicle often occurs when the vehicle is parked or is being parked. This is particularly true in the case of painted plastic bumpers that are susceptible to having the paint scuffed, chipped or otherwise damaged. In some instances, damage may occur to the bumper of a parked vehicle when another vehicle inadvertently contacts the bumper of the parked vehicle. In other instances, damage is done to the bumper of a vehicle being parked when it inadvertently contacts an object such as, for example, another vehicle, a shopping kart, a tree or plant, a light post, a wall and a concrete footing. While the damage done to a bumper during a single incident, repeated incidents of damage have a cumulative effect that, as a whole, can reduce the value of a vehicle, cost considerable money to repair, compromise safety of the vehicle and/or detract from the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.

Therefore, a system for protecting a bumper of a vehicle from damage due to contact with objects while the vehicle is parked or being parked and that does so in a manner that overcomes limitations associated with conventional systems for protecting a bumper of a vehicle would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention relate to protecting a vehicle bumper from incidental and accidental damage. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide for protecting a bumper of a vehicle from damage due to contact with objects while the vehicle is parked or being parked. Such functionality is beneficial and desirous because damage to one or more bumpers of a vehicle can reduce the value of a vehicle, cost considerable money to repair, compromise safety of the vehicle and/or detract from the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle bumper protection system comprises a control unit, an expandable protective cover and an expansion apparatus. The control unit is configured for selectively outputting a first control signal and a second control signal. The expandable protective cover is configured for being attached to a bumper of a vehicle and is normally in a non-expanded condition. The expansion apparatus is connected to the control unit and to the protective cover. The expansion apparatus acts on the protective cover for causing the protective cover to expand to an expanded condition when the first control signal is outputted by the control unit. The expansion apparatus causes the protective cover to return to the non-expanded condition when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle bumper protection system comprises a control unit, a pneumatically inflatable protective cover and an air pump. The control unit is configured for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal. The pneumatically inflatable protective cover is configured for being attached to a bumper of a vehicle and is normally in a deflated condition. The air pump is electrically connected to the control unit and is fluid communicatively connected to the protective cover. The air pump supplies compressed air to the protective cover for inflating the protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit. The air pump facilitates deflation of the protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle comprises a front bumper, a rear bumper, a first pneumatically inflatable protective cover, a second pneumatically inflatable protective cover, a control unit, a first air pump and a second air pump. The first pneumatically inflatable protective cover is attached to the front bumper. The first protective cover is normally in a respective deflated condition. A second pneumatically inflatable protective cover is attached to the rear bumper. The second protective cover is normally in a respective deflated condition. The control unit is manually controllable for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal. The first air pump is electrically connected to the control unit and is fluid communicatively connected to the first protective cover (e.g., via a hose or tube). The first air pump supplies compressed air to the first protective cover for inflating the first protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit. The first air pump facilitates deflation of the first protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit. The second air pump is electrically connected to the control unit and is fluid communicatively connected to the second protective cover. The second air pump supplies compressed air to the second protective cover for inflating the second protective cover when the inflation signal is outputted by the control unit. The second air pump facilitates deflation of the second protective cover when the deflation signal is outputted by the control unit.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, an air valve is provided for enabling the compressed air to be released from the interior space of the protective cover when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the air valve is integral with the air pump.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the inflation signal includes is an electrical current supplied to the air pump and the deflation signal is an electrical current supplied to the air valve.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a bumper engagement surface of the protective cover is contoured to mate substantially flush with a mating portion of a bumper to which the protective cover is attached.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the protective cover includes a license plate exposure feature and edges of the license plate exposure feature at least partially encompass a license plate mounting region of the bumper for enabling visibility of the license plate mounting region of the bumper when the protective cover is attached to the bumper.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the expansion apparatus includes an air pump for supplying compressed air to an interior space of the protective cover and the compressed air is supplied to the interior space when the first control signal is outputted by the control unit.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the expansion apparatus includes an air valve for enabling the compressed air to be released from the interior space of the protective cover and the compressed air is released from the interior space when the second control signal is outputted by the control unit.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a bumper protection system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the bumper protection system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1-3 show various aspects of a bumper protection system in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the bumper protection system 10. The bumper protection system 10 serves to protect a front bumper 12 (i.e., a front bumper portion) and a rear bumper 14 (i.e., a rear bumper portion) of a vehicle 16. The bumper protection system 10 is selectively operable such that it can be user activated while the vehicle 16 is being parked and/or while it is parked and then deactivated while driving the car. While activated, the bumper protection system 10 provides a substantial degree of protection against damage to the front bumper 12 and the rear bumper 14 of the vehicle 16 from incidental and accidental contact with an object such as, for example, another vehicle, a shopping kart, a tree or plant, a light post, a wall and a concrete footing.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the bumper protection system 10 includes a first pneumatically inflatable protective cover (i.e., the first protective cover 18), a second pneumatically inflatable protective cover (i.e., the second protective cover 20), a control unit 22, a first air pump 24 and a second air pump 26. The first protective cover 18 is attached to the front bumper 12 of the vehicle 16 and the second protective cover 20 is attached to the rear bumper 14 of the vehicle 16. It is disclosed herein that the protective covers (18, 20), may be attached via mechanical and/or adhesive means. Additionally, it is disclosed herein that the protective covers (18, 20) may be integrally formed with the bumpers (12, 14).

The first air pump 24 is electrically connected to the control unit 22 via one or more electrical conductors 28 and is connected to the first protective cover 18 via an air hose 30. The second air pump 26 is electrically connected to the control unit 22 via one or more electrical conductors 31 and is connected to the second protective cover 20 via an air hose 32. In this manner, the air pumps (24, 26) are connected to the respective one of the protective covers (18, 20) in a fluid communicatively manner such that compressed air from the air pumps (18,20) can be supplied to the respective one of the protective covers (18, 20). To components being fluid communicatively connected to each other refers to being connected in a manner that allows a fluid (e.g., compressed air) to be supplied from one component to another component in a generally contained manner (i.e., little to no leakage of the fluid).

The control unit 22 is controllable for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal, such as via a switch having a first position corresponding to the inflation signal and a second position corresponding to the deflation signal. In one specific embodiment, the inflation signal is an electrical current that is supplied from a power supply 34 (e.g., a chassis grounded battery of the vehicle 16) through the control unit 22 to a respective motor portion (36, 38) of each one of the air pumps (18, 20) and the deflation signal is an electrical current that is provided through the control unit 22 to a respective air valve (40, 42) of each one of the air pumps (24, 26). Each air valve (40, 42) may be integral with the respective one of the air pumps (24, 26) or discretely connected thereto. It is disclosed herein that the control unit 22 may be manually controllable for selectively outputting an inflation signal and a deflation signal or may be controlled by a powertrain computer of the vehicle 16 (e.g., inflation signal provided when the vehicle is in parked and deflation signal provided when the vehicle is in gear).

The electrical current supplied to the respective drive portion (36, 38) of the air pumps drives the respective motor portion (36, 38) of the air pumps (24, 26), which in turn causes compressed air to be supplied to an interior space (e.g., the interior space 44 shown in FIG. 3) of the respective one of the protective covers (18,20) such that the protective covers (18, 20) inflate. The electrical current supplied to the respective air valve (36, 38) of the air pumps (24, 26) moves the respective air valve of the air pumps (24, 26) from a pressure holding position to a pressure release position such that the compressed air within the interior space of the protective covers (18, 20) escapes to the atmosphere, which in turn causes the protective covers (18,20) to deflate.

The protective covers (18, 20) are normally in a respective deflated condition D (FIG. 3) and achieve an inflated condition I (FIGS. 1 and 3) when compressed air is supplied from the air pumps (24, 26). When in the inflated condition I, the protective covers (18, 20) provide a cushion that limits damage to the bumpers (12, 14) when there is contact with another object. When in the deflated condition D, the protective covers (18, 20) are generally flush with the respective bumper (12, 14), thus lessening their aesthetic impact and/or enhancing their aesthetic appeal.

Optionally, to facilitate deflation of the protective covers (18,20), the air pumps (24,26) may be operated for creating a vacuum, thereby generating a suction force for evacuating air from within the interior space of each protective cover (18, 20). Such a vacuum may be generated by applying a reverse polarity voltage to the motor portion (36, 38) of each one of the air pumps (24, 26) relative to the voltage polarity applied for generating compressed air. In such an optional embodiment, the air valves (40, 42) may be omitted, providing that some other means is provided for maintaining suitable air pressure within the interior space of the protective covers (18, 20) when the air pumps (24, 26) are not running.

Discussed above is a means for pneumatically inflating and deflating the protective covers (18, 20). However, it is disclosed herein that a non-pneumatic means may be used for expanding a protective bumper cover in accordance with the present invention. For example, a motor may be used for mechanically causing the protective bumper cover to change from a non-expanded condition to an expanded condition.

It is contemplated herein that a protective bumper cover in accordance with the present invention can be made from a number of different materials and/or in a number of different configurations. An important aspect of these materials and/or configurations is that a bumper cover in accordance with the present invention must be capable of being pneumatically or mechanically expanded to provide a cushioning effect on the case of accidental or incidental contact between a vehicle equipped with the bumper cover and another object. Preferably, but not necessarily, a protective bumper cover in accordance with the present invention is made from a durable polymeric material that is either resiliently inflatable or formed with pleats and/or bellows that facilitate expansion.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a respective bumper engagement surface of each one of the protective covers (18, 20) is contoured to mate substantially flush with a mating portion of the respective bumper (12, 14). This is beneficial as it enhances the aesthetic appeal of the protective bumper covers (18, 20), maintains a relatively low profile for the protective bumper covers (18, 20) and/or distributes applied loads over a relatively large area of the bumpers (12, 14). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the protective bumper covers (18, 20) each include a respective license plate exposure recess (46, 48) having edges that at least partially encompass a license plate mounting region of the respective bumper (12, 14). The license plate exposure recesses (46, 48) enabling visibility of the license plate mounting region of the respective bumper (12, 14) when the respective protective bumper cover (18, 20) is attached to the respective bumper (12, 14). A license plate exposure recess is one embodiment of a license plate exposure feature in accordance with the present invention. A hole within a protective bumper cover (e.g., in the general shape of a license plate) is another embodiment of a license plate exposure feature in accordance with the present invention.

The protective covers (18, 20) are shown as covering a significant surface area of the respective bumper (12, 14) when in a deflated condition. Optionally, it is disclosed herein that the protective covers (18, 20) may be configured for deploying from a generally unseen position and covering substantially an entire face or surface of the bumpers (12, 14) when the protective covers (18, 20) are fully expanded. The present invention is not limited to a particular non-expanded shape or configuration, a particular non-expanded positioning and/or a particular degree of expansion.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-02-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,426,791
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Martin
September 23, 2008

Energy saving device for clothes dryer and clothes dryer system comprising same

Abstract

An energy savings apparatus configured for use with a clothes dryer comprising an air duct and a damper assembly. The air duct has a first end and a second end. The damper assembly includes an air duct portion and a damper device mounting on the duct portion. The air duct portion of the damper assembly is attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the air duct. The second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly of a clothes dryer. The damper assembly is configured for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from the second end of the air duct and from an air inlet intermediate the ends of the air duct portion of the damper assembly.

Inventors: Martin; Mack V. (Winnfield, LA)
Appl. No.: 11/054,027
Filed: February 9, 2005

Current U.S. Class: 34/607 ; 34/487; 34/493; 34/566; 34/570; 34/608
Current International Class: F26B 21/10 (20060101)
Field of Search: 34/565,566,570,571,90,604,607,608,471,493,201,202,235,86,496,497,476,475,446 432/62 126/616,629,513,522 454/236
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

4043051 August 1977 Lussenden
4137647 February 1979 Clark, Jr.
4279082 July 1981 Commander
4594797 June 1986 Houck, Jr.
6640461 November 2003 Berger

Primary Examiner: Rinehart; Kenneth B
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Assoc. LP
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An energy savings apparatus configured for use with a clothes dryer, comprising: an air duct having a first end and a second end; a damper assembly including an air duct portion and a damper device mounting on the air duct portion, wherein the air duct portion of the damper assembly is attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the air duct, wherein a second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly of a clothes dryer and for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from the second end of the air duct and from an air inlet intermediate said ends of the air duct portion of the damper assembly; and an electrically-powered blower unit having an air outlet attached to the second end of the air duct; and a control system attached to a damper device of the damper assembly and to the blower unit; wherein: the damper assembly includes an adapter configured for enabling the second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly to be attached to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer; the control system includes a temperature-sensing device attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct; the control system is configured for moving the damper device to a first position and activating the blower unit when a first temperature condition is sensed and for moving the damper device to a second position and deactivating the blower unit when a second temperature condition is sensed; air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when the damper device is in a first position; air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from said intermediate air inlet when the damper device is in the second position; the first temperature condition is a temperature at or above a prescribed level; and the second temperature condition is a temperature below the prescribed level.

2. The energy savings apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end of the air duct portion the damper assembly includes an adapter configured for enabling the second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly to be attached to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer.

3. The energy savings apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the damper assembly includes means for manually operating a damper device of the damper assembly; and said means allows air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when said means in a first position; and said means allows air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly through said intermediate air inlet when said means is in the second position.

4. The energy savings apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a control system attached to a damper device of the damper assembly, wherein the control system is configured for sensing air temperature and wherein the control system is configured for moving the damper device to a first position when a first temperature condition is sensed and for moving the damper device to a second position when a second temperature condition is sensed.

5. The energy savings device of claim 4 wherein: air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when the damper device is in a first position; air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from said intermediate air inlet when the damper device is in the second position; the first temperature condition is a temperature at or above a prescribed level; and the second temperature condition is a temperature below the prescribed level.

6. The energy savings apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the control system includes a temperature-sensing device attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct.

7. The energy savings apparatus of claim 1 wherein the temperature-sensing device and the air duct are jointly configured for enabling the temperature-sensing device to be attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct.

8. A kit configured for reducing energy consumption of a clothes dryer, comprising: an air duct having a first end and a second end; a damper assembly including an air duct portion and a damper device mounting on the duct portion, wherein the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the air duct, wherein a second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly of a clothes dryer and for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from the second end of the air duct and from an air inlet intermediate said ends of the air duct portion of the damper assembly; and an electrically-powered blower unit having an air outlet configured for being attached to the second end of the air duct; and a control system configured for being attached to a damper device of the damper assembly and to the blower unit; wherein: the damper assembly includes an adapter configured for enabling the second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly to be attached to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer; the control system includes a temperature-sensing device attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct; the control system is configured for moving the damper device to a first position and activating the blower unit when a first temperature condition is sensed and for moving the damper device to a second position and deactivating the blower unit when a second temperature condition is sensed; air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when the damper device is in a first position; air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from said intermediate air inlet when the damper device is in the second position; the first temperature condition is a temperature at or above a prescribed level; and the second temperature condition is a temperature below the prescribed level.

9. The kit of claim 8 wherein the damper assembly includes an adapter configured for enabling the second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly to be attached to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer.

10. The kit of claim 8 wherein: the damper assembly includes means for manually operating a damper device of the damper assembly; and said means allows air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when said means in a first position; and said means allows air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly through said intermediate air inlet when said means is in the second position.

11. The kit of claim 8, further comprising: a control system configured for being attached to a damper device of the damper assembly, wherein the control system is configured for sensing air temperature and wherein the control system is configured for moving the damper device to a first position when a first temperature condition is sensed and for moving the damper device to a second position when a second temperature condition is sensed.

12. The kit of claim 11 wherein: air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when the damper device is in a first position; air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from said intermediate air inlet when the damper device is in the second position; the first temperature condition is a temperature at or above a prescribed level; and the second temperature condition is a temperature below the prescribed level.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein: the control system includes a temperature-sensing device; and the temperature-sensing device and the air duct are jointly configured for enabling the temperature-sensing device to be attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct.

14. The kit of claim 8 wherein the temperature-sensing device and the air duct are jointly configured for enabling the temperature-sensing device to be attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to clothes dryers and, more particularly, to energy saving devices for clothes dryers.

BACKGROUND

A clothes dryer works by heating clothes and aerating them through tumbling. In fact, the essence of a clothes dryer is to produce a lot of hot air and continually tumble clothes while exposing them to the hot air. Clearly, this functionality consumes considerable amounts of energy. So much energy that, in many homes, the clothes dryer is the number two consumer of energy--second only to the refrigerator. Because of its relatively high-energy usage, increasing the efficiency of a clothes dryer can dramatically reduce the associated costs of its operation as well as unnecessary waste of natural resources and energy production resources.

Intake air temperature at the heating assembly of a clothes dryer is one factor that determines how efficiently a dryer converts a unit of energy to a given unit of heat. Relatively cold intake air required more energy to heat to a given temperature than does relatively hot air. Similarly, as compared to relatively cold air, relatively hot air is heated to a higher temperature for a given amount of energy than is cold air for the same given amount of energy. The effect of intake air temperature on energy utilization illustrates why ingesting relatively cold air intake air (e.g., indoor air) at the heating assembly of a clothes dryer adversely affects efficiency and performance of the clothes dryer. Therefore, an apparatus that delivers relatively hot air to the heating assembly of a clothes dryer without an associated cost for delivering such heated air is useful and advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An energy saving apparatus in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein directs relatively hot attic air to a clothes for reducing energy consumption and increasing drying performance of the clothes dryer. To provide such energy savings, the apparatus is configured for being attached to and/or incorporated into a clothes dryer and is configured for enabling the dryer to selectively take in relatively hot air from an attic space rather than relatively cool indoor air. Generally speaking, typical indoor air of a climate-controlled environment is about 75.degree. F. and, depending on the season and climate, attic air is often 115.degree. F. or hotter. Ingestion of the relatively hot attic air rather than relatively cool indoor air reduces the amount of work required by a heating element of the clothes dryer and, correspondingly, the energy consumed by the clothes dryer to dry clothes.

At least a portion of the apparatus may be installed during construction of a new structure (e.g., a home) or it may be retrofitted into an existing home. Additionally, at least a portion of the apparatus may be incorporated into a clothes dryer by a manufacturer of the clothes dryer. For the DIY (i.e., do-it-yourself) market, the apparatus may be provided in the form of a DIY kit that is configured for being installed (e.g., retrofitted) by a homeowner or general contractor.

In one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, an energy savings apparatus configured for use with a clothes dryer comprising an air duct and a damper assembly. The air duct has a first end and a second end. The damper assembly includes an air duct portion and a damper device mounting on the duct portion. The air duct portion of the damper assembly is attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the air duct. The second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly of a clothes dryer. The damper assembly is configured for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from the second end of the air duct and from an air inlet intermediate the ends of the air duct portion of the damper assembly.

In another embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a kit configured for reducing energy consumption of a clothes dryer comprises an air duct and a damper assembly. The air duct has a first end and a second end. The damper assembly includes an air duct portion and a damper device mounting on the duct portion. The air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached at a first end thereof to the first end of the air duct. A second end of the air duct portion of the damper assembly is configured for being attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly of a clothes dryer. The damper assembly is configured for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from the second end of the air duct and from an air inlet intermediate the ends of the air duct portion of the damper assembly.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, an electrically-powered blower unit is provided and has an air outlet attached to the second end of the air duct.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the second end of the duct portion of the damper assembly includes an adapter configured for enabling the second end of the duct portion to be attached to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the damper assembly includes means for manually operating a damper device of the damper assembly. The means allows for air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when the means in a first position and for air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly through the intermediate air inlet when the means is in the second position.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a control system is attached to a damper device of the damper assembly. The control system is configured for sensing air temperature, for moving the damper device to a first position when a temperature at or above a prescribed level is sensed and for moving the damper device to a second position when a temperature below the prescribed level is sensed.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the second end of the air duct when the damper device is in a first position and is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer from the intermediate air inlet when the damper device is in the second position.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the control system includes a temperature-sensing device attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct.

In at least one embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the temperature-sensing device and the air duct are jointly configured for enabling the temperature-sensing device to be attached to the air duct adjacent the second end of the air duct.

These and other objects and embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an energy-savings apparatus in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a damper assembly in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein and as integrated into the energy savings apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an energy-savings apparatus in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein. The energy-saving apparatus is referred to generally by reference numeral 10 (i.e., the energy-saving apparatus 10) and excludes the clothes dryer 12 and ceiling 14. The energy-saving apparatus 10 is configured for use with the clothes dryer 12 and for reducing energy consumption associated the clothes dryer 12 performing the operation of drying clothes.

The energy-saving apparatus 10 includes an air duct 16, a damper assembly 18, a control system 20 and an electrically-powered blower unit 22. The air duct 16 has a first end 24 attached to a first end 26 of an air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18. A second end 28 of the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18 is attached to an air inlet of a heater assembly (not specifically shown) of the clothes dryer 12. Preferably, but not necessarily, the second end 28 of the air duct portion 27 the damper assembly 18 includes an adapter (e.g., an integral adapter) configured for enabling the second end 28 of the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18 to be attached to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer 12. As will be discussed below in more detail in reference to FIG. 2, the damper assembly 18 is configured for selectively enabling air to be routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly from a second end 30 of the air duct 16 and from an air inlet 32 intermediate the ends of the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18 (i.e., the intermediate air inlet 32).

Depending on the type of installation of the apparatus 10 (e.g., new construction or retrofit), the configuration of the apparatus 10 and the resources (e.g., financial resources) available for installing the apparatus 10, the air duct 16 may be located within the walls of a structure or exterior to the walls of the structure. Similarly, the type of installation of the apparatus 10, the configuration of the apparatus 10 and the resources available for installing the apparatus 10 will dictate whether the damper assembly is situated vertically, horizontally, within a wall, exterior to a wall, or even intermediate between the first end 24 and the second end 30 of the air duct 16.

The blower unit 22 has an air inlet 34 and an air outlet 36. The air outlet 36 of the blower unit 22 is attached to the second end 30 of the air duct 16. The blower unit 22 is configured for being mounted in an attic space 38 of a building. When activated (i.e., energized), the blower unit 22 draws air from within the attic space 38 through the air inlet 34 and forcibly blows such air into the air duct 16 through the second end 30 of the air duct 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the damper assembly 18 includes a damper device configured for controlling the routing of air through the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18 (i.e., from where airflow into the duct portion 27 is supplied). The damper device is referred to generally by reference numeral 40 (i.e., the damper device 40). The damper device 40 includes a damper member 42, a shaft 44 attached to the damper member 42 and a J-arm 46 attached to an end of the shaft 44. The shaft 44 is pivotally mounted on the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18 for enabling the damper device 40 to be moved between a first position P1 and a second position P2. When the damper device 40 is in the first position P1, the damper member 42 is engaged over the intermediate air inlet 32 of the air duct portion 27, thereby limiting airflow through the intermediate air inlet 32 and promoting airflow through the first end 26 of the air duct portion 27. When the damper device 40 is in the second position P2, the damper member 42 is substantially blocking off the first end 26 of the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18, thereby limiting airflow through the first end 26 of the air duct portion 27 (i.e., limiting air inlet through the second end 30 of the air duct 16) and promoting airflow through the intermediate air inlet 32.

The control system 20 includes a controller 48, a damper actuator 50, a thermostatic switch assembly 52 and various cables for distributing power and/or signals. A power cord 53 supplies power (i.e., standard 110V line voltage) to the controller 48 and the controller distributes such power accordingly to the thermostatic switch assembly 52, the blower unit 22 and/or the damper actuator 50. A blower unit cable 56 is preferably connected between the controller 48 and the thermostatic switch assembly 52 for enabling power to be provided to the blower unit 22 and for a signal corresponding to the attic air temperature being provided to the controller 48. A damper device cable 58 is connected between the controller 48 and the damper actuator 50 for enabling power to be provided to the damper actuator 50 from the controller 48.

In one embodiment, a temperature-sensing device (e.g., a sensor) integral with the thermostatic switch assembly 52 provides the signal corresponding to the attic air temperature. In another embodiment (not specifically shown), the temperature sensor is attached to the air duct 16 adjacent the second end 30 of the air duct 16. For example, the temperature-sensing device and the air duct 16 may be jointly configured for enabling the temperature-sensing device to be attached to the air duct 16 adjacent the second end 30 of the air duct 16.

The damper actuator 50 is mounted on an exterior surface of the air duct portion 27 of the damper assembly 18 and has a movable actuation member 54 attached to the J-arm 46 of the damper device 40, whereby the damper actuator 50 is configured for moving the damper device 40 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. Examples of the damper actuator 50 include, but are not limited to, a solenoid and a servo. The thermostatic switch assembly 52 is configured for enabling power to be supplied to the blower unit 22 (e.g., a relay for supplying power to the blower unit 22) and for providing a signal that corresponds to the attic air temperature to the controller 48.

The controller 48 is configured for activating the blower unit 22 and moving the damper device 40 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 when the clothes dryer 12 is in operation and the attic air temperature is at or above a prescribed temperature. In one embodiment, the controller 48 includes digital and/or solid state circuitry and corresponding logic for providing such blower activation and damper movement functionalities. Alternately, the controller 48 includes one or more switches and/or relays.

The controller 48 facilitates the damper actuator 50 moving the damper device 40 to the first position P1 and activating the blower unit 22 when a first temperature condition is sensed for the attic air (i.e., the attic air temperature at or above a prescribed temperature) and for moving the damper device 40 to the second position P1 (or enabling it to be biased back to the second position P2) and deactivating the blower unit 22 when a second temperature condition is sensed for the attic air (i.e., the attic air temperature being below the prescribed temperature). Although not specifically depicted, it is disclosed herein that the controller system 20 preferably, but not necessarily, only provides its functionality when the clothes dryer is in operation. It is also disclosed herein that the damper device 40 is preferably, but not necessarily, biased to the second position P2 when the clothes dryer 12 is not in operation and/or when the damper actuator is not energized.

In operation, when the clothes dryer 12 is in operation and the first temperature condition is sensed, attic air is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer 12 from the second end 30 of the air duct (i.e., the damper device 40 is in the first position P1). In this manner, pre-heated air is provided to the heater assembly, thus enabling the air heated by the heater assembly to be heated more efficiently and with less energy. When the clothes dryer 12 is in operation and the second temperature condition is sensed, indoor air (i.e., air within the room where the clothes dryer 12 is located) is routed to the air inlet of the heater assembly of the clothes dryer 12 from the intermediate air inlet 32 of the damper assembly 18. In this manner, the clothes dryer operates in a generally standard fashion (e.g., drawing in and heating indoor room air).

The control system 20 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is one embodiment of a means for operating the damper device 40 of the damper assembly 18. In an alternate embodiment (not specifically shown), the control system 20 is configured for enabling blower unit and damper advice functionality to be implemented via an activation switch (i.e., moving the switch from an off position to an on position results in the blower unit 22 turning on and the damper device 40 moving from the second position P2 to the first position P1. In an alternate embodiment (not specifically shown), the control system 20 and the blower unit 22 are omitted (i.e., blower of heater assembly generates airflow through air duct 16 and damper assembly 18) and means for manually controlling routing of air through the air duct 16 and damper assembly 18 is provided. One example of such manual means is a hand-operated control mechanism (e.g., a lever with linkage) connected to the damper device 40 (e.g., to the J-arm 46) for enabling the damper device 40 to be manually moved between first position P1 and the second position P2.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an apparatus (i.e., assembled components, assemblies, devices, systems, etc) configured for facilitating energy-saving functionality in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein. In another embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, a kit is provided for enabling such energy-saving functionality to be facilitated. The kit comprises the components, assemblies, devices, systems, etc of the apparatus 12 in a fully and/or partially disassembled format and in a configuration for enabling such components, assemblies, devices, systems, etc. to be interconnected accordingly for enabling such energy-saving functionality to be facilitated.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM, WWW.YAHOO.COM, or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-02-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,546,902
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Schwertner
June 16, 2009

Personnel lift apparatus

Abstract

Accordingly, embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise a personnel lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations or from a base elevation to a raised elevation. A moveable lift platform rides within a track provided on a pair of substantially upright side rails. The platform is connected by a flexible metallic cable to an electrically operated winch. The personnel lift eliminates steps and ladders on recreational items or any equipment requiring climbing.

Inventors: Schwertner; Larry Victor (Ballinger, TX)
Appl. No.: 11/593,353
Filed: November 6, 2006
Related U.S. Patent Documents

Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
60734526 Nov., 2005

Current U.S. Class: 187/241 ; 182/103; 182/148; 182/69.6; 187/245; 187/406; 414/630; 414/631
Current International Class: B66B 9/16 (20060101); B66B 9/06 (20060101); B66F 11/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 248/297.21 187/241,245,276 182/69.6,37,102-103,148 104/124-127 414/630-631
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

292265 January 1884 Stoddard
2394148 February 1946 Campbell
2714434 August 1955 Peterson
2950948 August 1960 Hardigan et al.
3115211 December 1963 Ostrander, Jr.
3428145 February 1969 Lyon
3614994 October 1971 Goodrum
3672471 June 1972 Badding
4026387 May 1977 Abreu
4183423 January 1980 Lewis
4324317 April 1982 Winkelblech
5273132 December 1993 Sasaki et al.
6244381 June 2001 Ruble
6371449 April 2002 Chamberlain
6640934 November 2003 Edwards
7004288 February 2006 Araki et al.

Primary Examiner: Cuomo; Peter M
Assistant Examiner: Kruer; Stefan

Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/734,526 filed Nov. 7, 2005 entitled "Personnel Lift" having a common applicant herewith.
Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A personnel lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations comprising: two elongated upright substantially parallel distally spaced rails, each rail having a track along length of the rail, a top end of the rails secured to an elevated platform member, the rail providing a supportive and retentive guide track for a movable load bearing platform; the movable load bearing lift platform for raising or lowering a person in a standing position on the personnel lift apparatus, the movable lift platform comprising: a substantially horizontal platform floor sized for supportively receiving a standing person onto the platform floor; a rigid back wall having a hole for receiving a cable clamp in a mid portion of the back wall, the back wall secured to a back edge of the platform floor, the wall substantially perpendicular to the platform floor, the back wall extending above the platform floor so as to guidably retain feet of the standing person on the platform; a pair of sidewalls, each secured to opposing side edges of the platform floor, the sidewalls secured along a rear portion to opposing side edges of the rigid back wall, the sidewalls and back wall forming a rigid frame for structural support to the platform floor, the sidewalls guidably retaining the feet of the standing person on the platform floor; and a pair of flanges having two distally spaced holes therethrough, the holes positioned near opposing top and bottom portions of the flange, the flanges distally spaced across the platform, each flange uniquely secured to an outside face of the opposing sidewalls, wherein each sidewall has only one flange secured thereto; a pair of roller bracket assemblies, each roller bracket assembly comprising: an elongated roller bracket frame having two holes for receiving an axle and two holes for receiving an elongated threaded bolt therethrough, the axle holes proximate opposing end portions of the roller bracket frame, the axle holes extending through opposing sidewalls of the roller bracket frame, the bolt holes distally spaced along and extending through a top and bottom face of the roller bracket frame, the holes in each roller bracket positioned to align with the distally spaced holes in one flange; two axles, each axle received into the axle hole, each axle sized to extend outwards beyond the sidewalls of the roller bracket frame; two pairs of roller wheels, each roller wheel having a bearing for receiving the axle therethrough, each roller wheel rollably secured to opposing ends of the axle, wherein the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are rollably and moveably received onto the track of the rail; and a pair of elongated threaded bolts, each bolt received into the bolt holes of the flange, each bolt having a threaded portion extending outwards beyond the top face of the roller bracket, extending outwards beyond the front face of the rail and extending through the holes of the flanges and secured to the flanges, wherein the moveable load bearing platform is rollably, supportively and moveably secured to the rails by the roller bracket assemblies, wherein the load bearing platform is free to move along and guided by the track of the rails; an electrically motor driven means of raising and lowering the movable platform, the motor driven means comprising: a reversible electric drive motor having an output shaft; a flexible metallic cable having two ends, a first end secured to the back wall of the lift platform; a cable spool sheave for windably receiving and securing a second end of the cable and a portion of a cable thereon, wherein cable is wound onto the spool to raise the moveable platform, wherein cable tension supports the platform at an elevation along the rails; a cable pulley secured to the bottom of the elevated platform near the top end of the rails, wherein the cable routes from the cable spool, over the pulley, then down to secure to the back wall of the lift platform; and a gear reducer having an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft joined to the output shaft of the motor, the output shaft of the reducer joined to the cable spool sheave, wherein the motor rotates the sheave through the reducer; at least one substantially upright hand hold bar having a lower portion secured to one flange of the lift platform, the hand hold for providing hand support to a person riding the lift platform; an electrical drive motor control means, the control means operable by the hand of the person riding the lift platform, the control means having raise, lower and stop positions for commanding rotation of the motor driven means; and a power supply means for providing electric power to operate the motor drive means, said power supply means electrically connected to said control means and motor.

2. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the track of each rail comprises a cavity along length of the rail and a slot extending through a front face of the rail, the slot joining with the cavity, the cavity and slot providing a supportive and retentive guide track for a movable load bearing platform; the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are rollably, moveably and retentively received into the cavity of the rail; and the elongated threaded bolts of the roller bracket extend outwards through the slot of the rail, and extending through the holes of the flanges of the movable lift platform.

3. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 2, wherein each rail is secured to opposing substantially upright legs of a ladder, wherein the personnel lift eliminates the need for a person to climb the ladder; and the electrically driven means is secured to the elevated platform member.

4. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 3, wherein the drive motor control means comprises an electrical rocker switch secured to one hand hold bar, the rocker switch positioned to be easily operated by the hand of the moveable platform rider, the rocker switch having raise, lower and stop positions, the rocker switch being spring loaded to automatically return to the stop position when released.

5. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a safety strap having a first end secured to one of the hand hold bars; a latching receptacle secured to another hand hold bar, the latching receptacle for receiving and latchably locking a second end of the safety strap into the receptacle, wherein the safety strap is restrainably operable to prevent the person riding the personnel lift from accidentally falling from the platform of the personnel lift.

6. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electric drive motor comprises a 12 volt direct current motor; and wherein the power supply means comprises a 12 volt DC power supply such as commonly available on a motor vehicle, farm tractor or automotive storage battery.

7. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electric drive motor comprises a 120 volt alternating current motor; and wherein the power supply means comprises a 120 volt alternating current power supply.

8. A personnel lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations comprising: two elongated upright substantially parallel distally spaced rails, each rail having a track along length of the rail, the rail providing a supportive and retentive guide track for a movable load bearing platform; the movable load bearing lift platform for raising or lowering a person in a standing position on the personnel lift apparatus, the movable lift platform comprising: a substantially horizontal platform floor sized for supportively receiving a standing person onto the platform floor; a rigid back wall having a hole for receiving a cable clamp in a mid portion of the back wall, the back wall secured to a back edge of the platform floor, the wall substantially perpendicular to the platform floor, the back wall extending above the platform floor so as to guidably retain feet of the standing person on the platform; a pair of sidewalls, each secured to opposing side edges of the platform floor, the sidewalls secured along a rear portion to opposing side edges of the rigid back wall, the sidewalls and back wall forming a rigid frame for structural support to the platform floor, the sidewalls guidably retaining the feet of the standing person on the platform floor; and a pair of flanges having two distally spaced holes therethrough, the holes positioned near opposing top and bottom portions of the flange, the flanges distally spaced across the platform, each flange uniquely secured to an outside face of the opposing sidewalls, wherein each sidewall has only one flange secured thereto; a pair of roller bracket assemblies, each roller bracket assembly comprising: an elongated roller bracket frame having two holes for receiving an axle and two holes for receiving an elongated threaded bolt therethrough, the axle holes proximate opposing end portions of the roller bracket frame, the axle holes extending through opposing sidewalls of the roller bracket frame, the bolt holes distally spaced along and extending through a top and bottom face of the roller bracket frame, the holes in each roller bracket positioned to align with the distally spaced holes in one flange; two axles, each axle received into the axle hole, each axle sized to extend outwards beyond the sidewalls of the roller bracket frame; two pairs of roller wheels, each roller wheel having a bearing for receiving the axle therethrough, each roller wheel rollably secured to opposing ends of the axle, wherein the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are rollably and moveably received onto the track of the rail; and a pair of elongated threaded bolts, each bolt received into the bolt holes of the flange, each bolt having a threaded portion extending outwards beyond the top face of the roller bracket, extending outwards beyond the front face of the rail and extending through the holes of the flanges and secured to the flanges, wherein the moveable load bearing platform is rollably, supportively and moveably secured to the rails by the roller bracket assemblies, wherein the load bearing platform is free to move along and guided by the track of the rails; an electrically motor driven means of raising and lowering the movable platform, the motor driven means comprising: a reversible electric drive motor having an output shaft; a flexible metallic cable having two ends, a first end secured to the back wall of the lift platform; a cable spool sheave for windably receiving and securing a second end of the cable and a portion of a cable thereon, wherein cable is wound onto the spool to raise the moveable platform, wherein cable tension supports the platform at an elevation along the rails; a cable pulley secured to an upper portion of the rails, wherein the cable routes from the cable spooi, over the pulley, then down to secure to the back wall of the lift platform; and a gear reducer having an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft joined to the output shaft of the motor, the output shaft of the reducer joined to the cable spool sheave, wherein the motor rotates the sheave through the reducer; at least one substantially upright hand hold bar having a lower portion secured to one flange of the lift platform, the hand hold for providing hand support to a person riding the lift platform; an electrical drive motor control means, the control means operable by the hand of the person riding the lift platform, the control means having raise, lower and stop positions for commanding rotation of the motor driven means; and a power supply means for providing electric power to operate the motor drive means, said power supply means electrically connected to said control means and motor.

9. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the track of each rail comprises a cavity along length of the rail and a slot extending through a front face of the rail, the slot joining with the cavity, the cavity and slot providing a supportive and retentive guide track for a movable load bearing platform; the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are rollably, moveably and retentively received into the cavity of the rail; and the elongated threaded bolts of the roller bracket extend outwards through the slot of the rail, and extending through the holes of the flanges of the movable lift platform.

10. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electrically driven means is secured to a lower portion of the rails of the lift apparatus.

11. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 10, wherein the drive motor control means comprises an electrical rocker switch secured to one hand hold bar, the rocker switch positioned to be easily operated by the hand of the moveable platform rider, the rocker switch having raise, lower and stop positions, the rocker switch being spring loaded to automatically return to the stop position when released.

12. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a safety strap having a first end secured to one of the hand hold bars; a latching receptacle secured to another hand hold bar, the latching receptacle for receiving and latchably locking a second end of the safety strap into the receptacle, wherein the safety strap is restrainably operable to prevent the person riding the personnel lift from accidentally falling from the platform of the personnel lift.

13. The personnel lift apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electric drive motor comprises a 12 volt direct current motor; and wherein the power supply means comprises a 12 volt DC storage battery.

14. Thepersonnel lift apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electric drive motor comprises a 120 volt alternating current motor; and wherein the power supply means comprises a 120 volt alternating current power supply.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to load bearing lift apparatus, and more particularly to electrically driven lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations, or between a base plane and a raised platform.

BACKGROUND

In performing assigned duties workers often need to move between a base level and one or more elevated platforms. For example, this can be the case on say large earth moving or earth transport equipment or on large machinery used in farming operations. In such cases the equipment is normally provided with a fixed rung ladder or with steps that are climbed by the worker or person to move between various elevations. Ladders of both the fixed and portable types are very common, from ladders to reach an elevated platform of a recreational item such as a deer blind to ladders in chemical and manufacturing plants to move between platforms and walkways at various elevations, or to climb to the top of equipment or towers. Additional examples include a ladder to enable a hunter to reach an elevated platform in a deer blind, or to access elevated positions to perform maintenance work on the outside siding of a home or perform roof repairs.

Workers and others climb and descend ladders frequently in the completion of the tasks of their trade, often while carrying tools and other materials. However, repeatedly climbing and descending ladders throughout the work day can be tiring, even more so for people having bad knees or other temporary or permanent physical handicaps and injuries.

Therefore, a personnel lift apparatus having a movable platform configured to raise or lower a person standing on the lift platform between two or more elevations, a personnel lift that makes repetitive moving between elevations less stressful to the human body and reduces the required effort, a personnel lift that eliminates the need to manually climb ladders, a personnel lift that in certain embodiments can be retrofitted onto a fixed or portable ladder, such a personnel lift apparatus would be useful and novel.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise a personnel lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations, with embodiments for fixed ladders as well as portable embodiments.

In a various embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein a personnel lift apparatus for raising or lowering a standing person between two or more elevations generally comprises two elongated upright substantially parallel distally spaced rails. Each rail has a track substantially along the length of the rail. The top end of each of the rails is either supportively resting against, or in cases of fixed ladders secured to, an elevated member such as a platform, tree branch or tree trunk, platform of a deer blind, sidewall of a home, or other elevated supportive member. The plate or other support member, which may be a platform of a recreational item such as a deer blind, a raised walkway in a manufacturing-facility, a leg of a ladder over which the personnel lift is installed or any other number of raised platform-like entities to which a person may need to occasionally climb to or descend from. The track on each rail provides a supportive and retentive guide track for the movable load bearing platform. The movable load bearing lift platform for raising or lowering a person in a standing position on the personnel lift apparatus is provided with a substantially horizontal platform floor sized to supportively receive a standing person onto the platform floor. The movable platform has a rigid back wall secured to the back edge of the platform floor. The back wall is substantially perpendicular to the platform floor and extending above the platform floor so as to guidably retain feet of the standing person on the platform to prevent a foot from sliding over the back side of the platform. Sidewalls are secured to opposing side edges of the platform floor and are secured along a rear portion to opposing side edges of the rigid back wall. The sidewalls together with the back wall form a rigid frame for the structural support of the platform floor. Additionally, the sidewalls guidably retain the feet of the standing person on the platform floor. Each sidewall of the moveable lift platform is provided with a flange, and each flange has two distally spaced holes therethrough. The holes in the flanges are positioned near opposing top and bottom portions of the flange. The flanges are used to secure the movable platform to a roller bracket assembly that rides upon or within the track of each rail. The moveable lift platform includes a pair of roller bracket assemblies secured to opposing side of the lift platform. Each roller bracket assembly comprises an elongated roller bracket frame having two holes for receiving an axle and two holes for receiving an elongated threaded bolt therethrough. The axle holes are located near opposing ends of the roller bracket frame. The axle holes extend through opposing sidewalls of the roller bracket frame. Each roller bracket includes two axles, each axle received into the axle hole discussed above, each axle is sized to extend outwards beyond the sidewalls of the roller bracket frame to have sufficient length to rollably engage a roller wheel at each side of the roller bracket. Each roller bracket includes two pairs of roller wheels, each pair on opposing end of the roller bracket, each roller wheel having a bearing for receiving the axle therethrough, each roller wheel rollably secured to opposing ends of the axle, wherein the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are rollably, moveably received into the track of the rails. A pair of elongated threaded bolts secures the roller bracket to the flange of the lift platform. Each bolt is received into the bolt holes of the flange with each bolt having a threaded portion extending outwards beyond the top face of the roller bracket and continuing to extend outwards beyond the front face of the rail and reaching through the holes in the flanges where they are secured to the flanges by nuts and lock washers, or other, suitable means. This invention is not limited to the use of elongated bolts to secure the roller brackets to the flanges of the lift platform, other means of securing the roller brackets to the lift platforms may be used as would be know to one skilled in the art. With moveable platform secured to the roller bracket as above, the moveable load bearing platform is rollably, supportively and moveably secured to the rails by the roller bracket assemblies, wherein the load bearing platform is free to move along and guided by the track of the rails. The personnel lift platform is driven by an electrical motor drive to accomplish the raising and lowering of the movable platform. The cable sheave and motor may be mounted to the rails of the personnel lift (particularly advantageous in the case of a portable personnel lift), or in the case of a fixed ladder the motor and sheave may be mounted to the underside of an overhead platform. The motor driven means comprises a reversible electric drive motor having an output shaft connected to a gear reducer which transforms the high speed low torque of the motor to low speed high torque needed to raise the personnel lift platform. The output shaft of the gear reducer drives a cable spool sheave. One end of a metallic cable such as steel wire rope cable is connected to and windably received upon the cable spool sheave. The remaining portion of the cable feeds through a pulley located near the top end of the rails and mounted below the elevated platform. From the pulley the cable proceeds down behind the rails to fasten to the cable termination mount secured to the back side of the moveable lift platform. The motor drive winds or unwinds the cable from the spool to raise or lower the moveable platform. The weight of the lift platform and load thereon is transmitted through the cable as tension to cancel the downward force of gravity and support the platform at an elevation along the rails. A substantially upright hand hold bar or opposing hand hold bars (one each side of the platform) are provided having a lower portion secured to one flange of the lift platform. The hand holds providing hand graspable support to a person riding the lift platform so as to stabilize the person on the lift. Mounted to one of the hand hold bar is an electrical drive motor control means, the control means operable by the hand of the person riding the lift platform. The control means has lift platform raise, lower and stop positions for commanding rotation of the motor driven means. A safety belt or strap is provides to prevent the person using the lift from falling off the platform while using the personnel lift. One end of the safety strap is secured to one of the hand hold bars; the opposing end of the safety strap is equipped with a latching device for removably locking into the receptacle on the; opposing hand hold bar. The receptacle is electrically operable to disable operation of the drive motor when the safety belt is not latched in the receptacle and to enable the drive motor control means when the safety belt is latched into the receptacle.

For safety, a brake means engages to prevent the motor driven means from rotating under the weight of the load on the movable platform in the event of a power failure. The brake means releases during commanded operation of the motor driven means then re-engages after the command completes. The brake means is of a fail-safe type, energize to release brake type.

In a second embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the personnel lift apparatus as described in general above is modified such that the track of each rail comprises a cavity along the length of the rail and a slot extending through a front face of the rail, the slot joining with the cavity. The cavity and slot provide a supportive and retentive guide track for the movable load bearing platform. The roller bracket frame and roller wheels are rollably, moveably and retentively received into the above cavity of the rail. The elongated threaded bolts of the roller bracket extend outwards through the slot of the rail and extend through the holes of the flanges of the movable lift platform where they are secured to the flanges, thereby structurally mounting the movable lift platform to the roller bracket assembly to the moveable lift platform.

In a third embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the personnel lift apparatus of the second embodiment is modified to have each rail secured to opposing substantially upright legs of a ladder wherein the personnel lift eliminates the need for a person to climb the ladder.

In a fourth embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein, the personnel lift apparatus of the third embodiment is modified such that the drive motor control means comprises an electrical rocker switch secured to the hand hold bar of the movable platform. The rocker switch positioned to be easily operated by the hand of the moveable platform rider. The rocker switch provides raise, lower and stop positions and the rocker switch is spring loaded to automatically return to the stop position when released, thereby stopping platform movement.

It is an objective of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide an electric personnel lift which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or implied by the known prior art.

It is another objective of the present inventive disclosures to provide a new personnel lift that makes repetitive moving between elevations less stressful to the human body and reduces the required effort by eliminating the need to manually climb ladders.

It is another objective of the present inventive disclosures to provide a new personnel lift that in various embodiments can be retrofitted onto a fixed or portable ladder.

It is another objective of the present inventive disclosures to provide a new personnel lift which can be operated in the absence of or unavailability of utility electric power supply, for instance at remote locations in a field on farm equipment, as well as in remote wooded areas by the use of one or more storage batteries to supply power.

It is another objective of the present inventive disclosures to provide a new electric personnel lift which has improved safety features due to a fail-safe braking means.

It is another objective of the present inventive disclosures to provide a new electric personnel lift which has improved safety features due to a safety strap which must be extended around the back of the rider on the platform and locked into a receptacle on the hand hold bar to permissively enable the drive motor to operate.

These and other objects of the invention made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred; however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 1A depicts a side view of an embodiment of a portable personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein

FIG. 2 depicts a top sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1 or FIG. 1A of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein showing the roller wheels and roller bracket riding within the rails and the personnel lift rails secured to a face of a fixed or portable ladder.

FIG. 3 depicts a top sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1 or FIG. 1A of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the roller bracket and roller wheels of one embodiment of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 5 depicts an enlargement of the lift platform and roller assemblies of the personnel lift of FIG. 1 or FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In preparation for explaining the details of the present inventive disclosure, it is to be understood by the reader that the invention is not limited to the presented details of the construction, materials and embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as the invention concepts are clearly capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and realized in various ways by applying the disclosure presented herein.

Turning now to FIG. 1 together with FIG. 5

FIG. 1 depicts a right side view of one embodiment of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. FIG. 5 depicts a right side view enlargement of the lift platform and roller assembly of the personnel lift of FIG. 1. One of two elongated upright substantially parallel distally spaced rails 2 is depicted as attached to a front face of fixed ladder 3, the fixed ladder 3 and spaced rails of the personnel lift reaching from a base elevation to the elevated platform 4. An electrically motor driven means of raising and lowering the movable platform, in the depicted case an electric winch 5 is secured to a bottom surface of the elevated platform 4. The movable load bearing lift platform 5 for raising or lowering a person in a standing position on the personnel lift apparatus has a substantially horizontal platform floor 6 sized for supportively receiving a standing person onto the platform floor. The rigid back wall 7 of the platform has a cable clamp 8 secured to the back wall in a mid portion of the back wall. The back wall 7 secured to a back edge of the platform floor 6, the back wall extending above the platform floor so as to guidably retain feet of the standing person on the platform. A pair of sidewalls 9, of which only one is illustrated, are secured to opposing side edges of the platform floor 6. The sidewalls are secured along a rear portion to opposing side edges of the rigid back wall 7 such that the sidewalls and back wall forming a rigid flame for providing structural support to the platform floor while the sidewalls guidably retain the feet of the standing person on the platform floor. A pair of flanges 10 each has two distally spaced holes therethrough, the holes positioned near opposing top and bottom portions of the flange 10. Each flange secured to an outside face of the opposing sidewalls 9, wherein each sidewall has only one flange secured thereto.

A pair of roller bracket assemblies, one per rail, comprise an elongated roller bracket frame 11 having two pairs of roller wheels 12, each pair rollably secured to opposing ends of the roller bracket frame 11 such that the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are free to move along the track of the rail 2. Each rail has a cavity 13 substantially along length of the rail and a slot extending through a front face of the rail, the slot joining with the cavity, the cavity and slot providing a supportive and retentive guide track for a movable load bearing platform.

Each side of the personnel lift platform has a substantially upright hand hold bar 15 having a lower portion secured to one flange 10 of the lift platform, the hand hold 15 providing hand support to a person riding the lift platform so as to stabilize the rider on the platform. An electrical rocker switch 16 is secured at the top of one of the hand hold bars 15, preferably the right hand hold bar. The rocker switch is positioned to be easily operated by the hand of the moveable platform rider. The rocker switch has raise, lower and stop positions on the rocker switch and is of the spring loaded type to automatically return to the stop position when finger grasp is released. Mounted to the hand hold bar 15 below the rocker switch 16 is a belt receptable 30 for latchably receiving a releasable end of a safety belt therein. The opposing end of the safety belt is secured to the hand hold bar 15 on the opposing side of the lift platform from the side having the rocker switch 16. The safety belt is adapted to be secured around the back of a person riding the platform 6 so as to prevent the rider from falling off the platform 6. The winch 5 and rocker switch 16 are disabled until the safety belt is secured into the belt receptacle 30, preventing the personnel lift from being operated until the safety strap is secured.

The wire rope cable 18 from the cable spool on the winch 5 routes over a cable pulley 17 secured to the underside of the elevated platform 4. The cable from the pulley routes down between the rails 2 to mount to the rigid back wall 7 of the movable lift platform 5 by cable termination mount 8, wherein the winch is operated by the rocker switch to windably retract the cable and raise the platform, or to unwind the cable and lower the platform.

Turning now to FIG. 1A together with FIG. 5 presenting a variation of the embodiment presented in FIG. 1 being adapted for use as a portable personnel lift.

FIG. 1A depicts a right side view of the portable embodiment of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

One of two elongated upright substantially parallel distally spaced rails 2 is depicted, the spaced rails of the personnel lift reaching from a base elevation to the elevated platform, for example a deer blind. An electrically motor driven means of raising and lowering the movable platform, in the depicted case an electric winch 5 is secured to a cross member or plate 31 which mounts and bridges between the rails 2. The movable load bearing lift platform 5 for raising or lowering a person in a standing position on the personnel lift apparatus has a substantially horizontal platform floor 6 sized for supportively receiving a standing person onto the platform floor. The rigid back wall 7 of the platform has a cable clamp 8 secured to the back wall in a mid portion of the back wall. The back wall 7 secured to a back edge of the platform floor 6, the back wall extending above the platform floor so as to guidably retain feet of the standing person on the platform. A pair of sidewalls 9, of which only one is illustrated, are secured to opposing side edges of the platform floor 6. The sidewalls are secured along a rear portion to opposing side edges of the rigid back wall 7 such that the sidewalls and back wall forming a rigid frame for providing structural support to the platform floor while the sidewalls guidably retain the feet of the standing person on the platform floor. A pair of flanges 10 each has two distally spaced holes therethrough, the holes positioned near opposing top and bottom portions of the flange 10. Each flange secured to an outside face of the opposing sidewalls 9, wherein each sidewall has only one flange secured thereto.

A pair of roller bracket assemblies, one per rail, comprise an elongated roller bracket frame 11 having two pairs of roller wheels 12, each pair rollably secured to opposing ends of the roller bracket frame 11 such that the roller bracket frame and roller wheels are free to move along the track of the rail 2. Each rail has a cavity 13 substantially along length of the rail and a slot extending through a front face of the rail, the slot joining with the cavity, the cavity and slot providing a supportive and retentive guide track for a movable load bearing platform. In certain embodiments the rails 2 may by attached to the legs 3 of a ladder as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment in FIG 1A, the personnel lift may be used alone to raise and lower a person on the platform 5 without having or securing the rails 2 to a ladder.

Each side of the personnel lift platform has a substantially upright hand hold bar 15 having a lower portion secured to one flange 10 of the lift platform, the hand hold 15 providing hand support to a person riding the lift platform so as to stabilize the rider on the platform. An electrical rocker switch 16 is secured at the top of one of the hand hold bars 15, preferably the right hand hold bar. The rocker switch is positioned to be easily operated by the hand of the moveable platform rider. The rocker switch has raise, lower and stop positions on the rocker switch and is of the spring loaded type to automatically return to the stop position when finger grasp is released. Mounted to the hand hold bar 15 below the rocker switch 16 is a belt receptable 30 for latchably receiving a releasable end of a safety belt therein. The opposing end of the safety belt is secured to the hand hold bar 15 on the opposing side of the lift platform from the side having the rocker switch 16. The safety belt is adapted to be secured around the back of a person riding the platform 6 so as to prevent the rider from falling off the platform 6. The winch 5 and rocker switch 16 are disabled until the safety belt is secured into the belt receptacle 30, preventing the personnel lift from being operated until the safety strap is secured.

The wire rope cable 18 from the cable spool on the winch 5 routes from the winch 5 up between the rails 2 to a pulley 32 secured to an upper portion of the personnel lift between the rails 13. The cable from the pulley 32 routes down between the rails 2 to mount to the rigid back wall 7 of the movable lift platform 5 by cable termination mount 8, wherein the winch is operated by the rocker switch to windably retract the cable and raise the platform, or to unwind the cable and lower the platform.

FIG. 2 depicts a top sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1 or FIG. 1A of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein showing the roller wheels 12 of the roller bracket 11 riding moveably and retentively riding within the substantially upright side rail 2. In this embodiment, the side rail is secured to the front face of the leg 19 of an existing fixed ladder by straps 21, wherein the personnel lift apparatus eliminates the need to climb steps or the ladder to reach an elevated platform. Roller wheels 12 are free to roll on axle 20. Axle 20 rollably secures the roller wheels 12 to the roller bracket frame 11.

FIG. 3 depicts a top sectional view along A-A of FIG. 1 or FIG. 1A of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. In this view both side rails are shown together with the movable platform of the personnel lift. Roller wheels 12 on roller bracket frames 11 are free to roll while retained within the cavity of the side rails 2. Two bolts 14 extend outwards from the roller bracket frame 11 and through holes in the flanges 10 of the moveable personnel lift platform 5. Threaded nuts 21 secure the flanges 10 and lift platform 5 to the roller bracket frames 11. The rigid back wall 7 of the lift platform is provided with a cable termination mount 8 to which the steel wire rope cable of the winch is secured. The flanges 10 are secured to outside surfaces of the platform side walls 9. The substantially horizontal platform floor 6 is secured to the rigid back wall 7 and the side walls 9. The substantially upright hand hold bar 15 has a lower portion secured to the right flange 10 of the lift platform by the bolts 14 securing the flange 10 to the roller bracket frame.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the roller bracket and roller wheels of one embodiment of the personnel lift in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. The roller bracket and wheels are depicted outside of the rail. Roller bracket 11 has two pairs of roller wheels, one pair of roller wheels 12 is rollably secured near opposing ends of the roller bracket 11. Thread bolts 14 extend outwards from the roller bracket 11 to eventually engage with the flanges of the lift platform.

The discussed construction, illustrations and sequence of operation is for one embodiment of the invention, but is in no way limiting to other embodiments. The operating modes may be changed and enhanced without deviating from the intention of this inventive disclosure.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments and certain variants thereof have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, material, electrical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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2010-02-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,548,803
WWW.USPTO.GOV
MacCarthy
June 16, 2009

Vehicle surveillance and control system

Abstract

A vehicle surveillance and control system is provided which has a camera for creating video data and a transmitter coupled to the camera for transmitting the video data to a receiver. The surveillance system can also have a microphone for providing audio data for transmission. The receiver is then coupled to a recorder and possibly a monitor. If the operator of the vehicle is not authorized to operate the vehicle (a thief) or to perform an activity (operation of the vehicle recklessly or while intoxicated) then the activities of the operator can be recorded or monitored and the data can be utilized to convict, penalize, or fine an individual or to implement remote control of the vehicle. The camera can also monitor activity outside the vehicle such as a hit and run, a parking lot impact or theft of a tire. In one embodiment, the receiver can be coupled to a monitor and the video data can be viewed in real-time. The system can also include an Input/Output module and a vehicle system control module, wherein the Input/Output module can receive and display video and send a control signal having an identification code to the vehicle system control module wherein the vehicle system control module can control the operation of a vehicle system such as the ignition system or the fuel system thereby stopping dangerous operation of the vehicle and reducing potential economic losses and loss of life.

Inventors: MacCarthy; James (Maybrook, NY)
Appl. No.: 10/979,938
Filed: November 1, 2004
Related U.S. Patent Documents

Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
60538034 Jan., 2004

Current U.S. Class: 701/36 ; 307/10.5; 340/426.1; 340/5.83; 348/151; 701/1
Current International Class: G06F 7/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 348/151,118,937,153,159 701/1,36 382/104,118,115 340/541,397,426.18,426.22,426.24,426.28,5.83,426 307/10.5
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Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Cuong H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
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Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/538,034 entitled "Video Thief" filed on Jan. 21.sup.st 2004.
Claims

What is claimed is:

1. The vehicle surveillance system comprising: a vehicular mirror assembly having a reflective surface; at least one camera concealed behind the reflective surface; said camera having a wide range lens and operable to provide coverage of the entire cockpit and rear of the vehicle; at least one camera concealed within the vehicular mirror assembly; said camera comprising a wide range lens and operable to provide coverage of the front of the vehicle; a transmitter coupled to the camera for transmitting video data; a storage device for storing the video data, wherein activities proximate to the vehicle can be stored.

2. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1, wherein said system is coupled to an ignition system.

3. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 2, further including a microphone for providing audio data.

4. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1, further including a first receiver for receiving data; and a monitor for displaying the received data such that the activities proximate to the vehicle can be remotely monitored.

5. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1, further including: an input/output device for transmitting a control signal; a second receiver for receiving said control signal; and a vehicle system controller coupled to said second receiver and a system of said vehicle wherein a control signal from the input/output device can restrict performance of said vehicle.

6. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1, further including a sensor for activating the surveillance and control system.

7. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1 further including a microphone for producing audio data.

8. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1 wherein the transmitter is wireless.

9. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one camera is located in the interior rear view mirror.

10. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 1, wherein said system controller is coupled to a fuel system.

11. The vehicle surveillance system as in claim 5, further including an identification code assignable to the vehicle system controller; and a relational database for relating a license plate identifier to a vehicle system controller such that the input/output device con disable a selectable vehicle responsive to the human activity and the license plate identifier.
Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to a visual surveillance and control system and more particularly to a visual surveillance system for monitoring human activities and restricting a human's ability to cause vehicular damages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, boats or any motorized apparatus, collectively referred to herein as vehicles, are a significant component of the American society. Billions of dollars are spent insuring vehicles, fixing vehicles and on damages caused by vehicles. Vehicles are a major cause of property damage and personal injury. Millions of additional dollars are spent on vehicle theft and theft of vehicle parts. When a vehicle is stolen or "car jacked" personal property and human lives are often at stake and loss of life can result. During a high-speed chase law enforcement officials are often at the mercy of the criminal and have to risk their life in order to protect citizens from death. Drunk driving is another act that carries a high social cost. Additionally, when drivers are not the owners of the vehicle, the business that own the vehicle can incur a significant financial risk when an operator behaves badly. A rental company such as U-Haul.TM., Avis.TM. or a boat rental company can incur significant costs if a renter drives inebriated or recklessly and causes damages. When vehicle renters seriously abuse a vehicle, the rental company can also be economically damaged. In the trucking industry millions of dollars are spent on safety and insurance by companies who own their own trucks. Accident investigators and insurance companies would benefit from being able to determine what happened prior to an accident or theft. The present disclosure is directed at identifying undesirable human activity and providing solutions for controlling or restricting undesirable vehicular related activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle surveillance and control system is provided which has a camera for creating video data and a transmitter coupled to the camera for transmitting the video data to a receiver. The surveillance system can also have a microphone for providing audio data for transmission. The receiver is then coupled to a recorder and possibly a monitor. If the operator of the vehicle is not authorized to operate the vehicle (a thief) or to perform an activity (operation of the vehicle recklessly or while intoxicated) then the activities of the operator can be recorded or monitored and the data can be utilized to convict, penalize, or fine an individual or to implement remote control of the vehicle. The camera can also monitor activity outside the vehicle such as a hit and run, a parking lot impact or theft of a tire. In one embodiment, the receiver can be coupled to a monitor and the video data can be viewed in real-time. The system can also include an Input/Output module and a vehicle system control module, wherein the Input/Output module can receive and display video and send a control signal having an identification code to the vehicle system control module wherein the vehicle system control module can control the operation of a vehicle system such as the ignition system or the fuel system thereby stopping dangerous operation of the vehicle and reducing potential economic losses and loss of life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself however, as well as the preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 Illustrates a rear view mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 2 depicts a vehicle video surveillance and control system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, a rear view mirror assembly in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted. Rear view mirror assembly 10 has a housing 12, which is coupled to reflective surface 14 and first camera 16 (illustrated between reflective surface 14 and housing 12), and a second camera 18 (also illustrated between reflective surface 14 and housing 12). A reflective surface, which allows viewing from one direction, is often called a 1-way mirror. A one-way mirror could be utilized in cooperation with the cameras. First camera 16 and second camera 18 can produce still photos or they can produce streaming video. First camera 16 and second camera 18 can utilize wireless communication or they can be hard wired together with other components of the system. In one embodiment first camera 16 and second camera 18 have wide-angle lenses. First camera 16 can point towards the rear of the vehicle and can provide coverage for the entire cockpit and the rear of the vehicle. Second camera 18 can point towards the front of the vehicle and can provide coverage for activities, which occur in front of the vehicle. If maximum resolution is desired then additional cameras can be installed in mirror housing 10 (additional cameras are not shown) each having a narrower viewing angle.

Although the shape of rear view mirror assembly 10 in FIG. 1 has the shape of an interior rear view mirror it could also take the shape and function of an external rear view mirror. Thus a system utilizing one interior and two exterior rear view mirrors could have six cameras covering four side quadrants of the vehicle and the front and the back center region.

Referring now to FIG. 2 an embodiment of a vehicle surveillance system is depicted in accordance with the present disclosure. Although not specifically illustrated, all components depicted in FIG. 2 except for Input/Output module 42 can be physically mounted to a vehicle and wired utilizing standard wiring procedures. Referring briefly back to FIG. 1, video data created by first camera 18 and second camera 16 or any camera in the system can be transferred to receiver/transmitter 30. For example, first camera 16 can be coupled to first receiver/transmitter 30 and first receiver/transmitter 30 can be coupled to first antenna 34. In other embodiment one transmitter could be utilized for both cameras. Video data can be transmitted from first antenna 34 to second antenna 36 in FIG. 2. Second antenna 36 can be coupled to central receiver-transmitter 60. Central receiver-transmitter 60 can be coupled to recorder 62. Components of central module 38 can be mounted to the vehicle or they can be located remotely from the vehicle (not shown) such as in a cellular telephone network. I/O (input/output) device 42 can be coupled to fourth antennae 46 and can communicate with central receiver transmitter 60 via wireless communication network, a hardwired network or any combination thereof. Vehicle system controller 64 can be coupled to second antennae 36 and can receive instructions from I/O module 42 or from activation sensor 66. I/O module 42 has input switches 22 to receive user input. Responsive to the instructions, vehicle system controller 64 can send a signal to an ignition system 68 or a fuel system 69 to instruct such systems to modify operation. Numerous other methods for controlling or disabling the vehicle could be utilized without parting from the scope of this disclosure. It is desirable that the vehicle not be entirely disabled because this could reduce steering and braking control. In specific instances commanding the motor to shut down entirely would be desirable. During a high-speed chase commands from the I/O device 42 can entirely disable the vehicle to reduce potential dangers to others.

Activation sensor 66 can be utilized to activate components such as the cameras, the receiver transmitters and the recorder. Activation sensor 66 may sense if someone has bumped the vehicle or someone is sitting in the drivers seat. I/O module 42 could also be utilized to activate the surveillance and control system. Although the system is described with multiple components in the central module 38 these components could be discretely or remotely mounted without parting from the scope of the present invention.

Vehicle system controller 64 can be assigned an identification code 70. The identification code 70 can be stored by recorder 62 and when a transmission from I/O device 42 is received by controller 64, controller 64 can process the incoming signal compare it to its assigned identification code 70 to determine if the transmission is intended for controller 64. The identification code 70 can be linked in a relational database (not shown) to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle. (The VIN is a code, which the manufacturer assigns to the vehicle at the factory.) The government often has records, which can relate a VIN number to an issued license plate number. Peace officers typically have access to this information via a dispatcher. Thus, a relational database can be created which links a license plate number to the identification code 70 of the system controller 64 on board the vehicle and authorities can selectively control a vehicle, which has the present system on board.

In the event of a theft or high speed chase the behavior of the operator can be viewed and, if the officer can obtain the license plate of the vehicle then, using an I/O device 42 the officer can transmit a signal having a controller identification code 70 to a specific controller 64 and in response to the transmission, the controller 64 can disable or control the vehicle. The central module 38 can also contain recorder/memory 62 to record video and audio 31 information.

In one embodiment cellular telephone functions are incorporated into the central module 38. Cellular telephone towers (not shown) can provide multiple I/O receivers. In this embodiment video can be available over the Internet to the owner of the vehicle or a local police department. Using an input/output device 42 an authorized controller can receive data then send a signal via the Internet and a cell telephone network to the vehicle system controller 64. The disclosure relates to a surveillance system, which can be utilized to produce video data such that human activities proximate to an automobile can be identified, monitored and possibly restricted. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-02-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,512,971
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Ellington
March 31, 2009

Method and system for enabling remote access to a computer system

Abstract

Method and systems configured for allowing a non-local remote user to access a computer system with a particular authorization level. Such access is facilitated by examining non-local directory services group memberships of the user and performing a mapping of the user's identity to a corresponding universal local user account that have the proper authorization level or levels. Such methods and systems allow any number of non-local remote users access to the computer system in such a way that the remote user assumes the identity of (i.e., is mapped to) a corresponding universal local user account of an appropriate privilege level. All non-local remote users that the computer system determines to be of the same privilege level will share the identity of the same universal local user account.

Inventors: Ellington; Jeremy Mark (Austin, TX)
Assignee: Newisys, Inc. (Austin, TX)
Appl. No.: 10/767,400
Filed: January 29, 2004

Current U.S. Class: 726/6 ; 709/225; 713/164; 713/183; 713/184; 726/16; 726/17; 726/18; 726/19; 726/20; 726/21
Current International Class: G06F 7/04 (20060101); G06F 15/16 (20060101); G06K 19/00 (20060101); G06K 9/00 (20060101); G06F 7/58 (20060101); G06F 17/30 (20060101); G06F 12/00 (20060101); G11C 7/00 (20060101); H04L 9/32 (20060101); G06F 12/14 (20060101); G06F 13/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 726/6,16-21

References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

5239648 August 1993 Nukui
6539482 March 2003 Blanco et al.
7152108 December 2006 Khan et al.
2002/0095571 July 2002 Bradee
2003/0233571 December 2003 Kraus et al.
2005/0044411 February 2005 Somin et al.
2005/0080897 April 2005 Braun et al.

Primary Examiner: Sheikh; Ayaz
Assistant Examiner: Chen; Shin-Hon
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, L.P.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method for enabling users to remotely access a computer system using an active shared directory account maintained on a different computer system, comprising: facilitating authentication of a user using only information derived from said shared directory account, wherein said authenticating includes the computer system accessing said shared directory account on the different computer system; determining that the user does not have a local account on the computer system in response to successfully authenticating the user thereby recognizing that the user is a non-local user with respect to the computer system; selecting a universal local user account of the computer system in response to successfully identifying a recognized group membership affiliation for the user that corresponds to said shared directory account such that the universal local user account is selected dependent upon said shared directory account and the recognized group membership affiliation, wherein the universal local user account has access privilege on the computer system; and mapping the user to the universal local user account, wherein said mapping enables access to the computer system by the user in accordance with an access privilege level corresponding to the universal local user account.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting the universal local user account of the computer system dependent upon said shared directory account includes determining at least one of directory services group membership information associated with said shared directory account and access privilege information associated with said shared directory account.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said selecting the universal user account includes correlating a universal local user account access level to a corresponding group membership of the user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein: the universal local user account is one of a plurality of universal local user accounts; and each one of said universal local user accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: creating said plurality of universal local user accounts prior to performing said selecting, wherein each one of said universal local user access accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein several users can be simultaneously mapped to the universal local user account for enabling simultaneous access by each one of said users to the computer system.

7. A computer-implemented method for enabling users to remotely access a computer system using an active shared directory account maintained on a different computer system, comprising: facilitating authentication of a user using only information derived from said shared directory account, wherein said authenticating includes the computer system accessing said shared directory account on the different computer system; determining that the user does not have a local account on the computer system thereby recognizing that the user is a non-local status user with respect to the computer system; and associating the user with a universal local user account of the computer system after said determining and in response to successfully identifying a recognized group membership affiliation for the user that corresponds to said shared directory account such that the universal local user account is selected dependent upon said shared directory account and the recognized group membership affiliation, wherein the universal local user account has access privilege on the computer system and wherein said associating enables access to the computer system in accordance with said access privilege corresponding to the universal local user account.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein associating the user with the universal local user account includes determining at least one of directory services group membership information associated with said shared directory account and access privilege information associated with said shared directory account.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said associating includes correlating a universal local user account access level to a corresponding access level of a group membership of the user.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein: the universal local user account is one of a plurality of universal local user accounts; and each one of said universal local user accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: creating said plurality of universal local user accounts prior to performing said selecting, wherein each one of said universal local user access accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said user account selection information includes at least one of directory services group membership information and access privilege information.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said selecting the universal user account includes correlating a universal local user account access level to an access level of a group membership of the user.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein several users can be simultaneously mapped to the universal local user account for enabling simultaneous access by each one of said users to the computer system.

15. A computer system, comprising: at least one data processing device; instructions processable by said at least one data processing device; and an apparatus from which said instructions are accessible by said at least one data processing device; and means for accessing an active shared directory account maintained on a different computer system; wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: facilitating authentication of a user using only information derived from the active directory account, wherein said authenticating includes the computer system accessing said shared directory account on the different computer system; determining that the user does not have a local account on the computer system in response to successfully authenticating the user thereby recognizing that the user is a non-local user with respect to the first computer system; selecting a universal local user account of the computer system in response to successfully identifying a recognized group membership affiliation for the user that corresponds to said shared directory account such that the universal local user account is selected dependent upon said shared directory account and the recognized group membership affiliation, wherein the universal local user account has access privilege on the computer system; and mapping the user to the universal local user account, wherein said mapping enables access to the computer system by the user in accordance with an access privilege level corresponding to the universal local user account.

16. The computer system of claim 15 wherein selecting the universal local user account of the computer system dependent upon said shared directory account includes determining at least one of directory services group membership information associated with said shared directory account and access privilege information associated with said shared directory account.

17. The computer system of claim 15 wherein said selecting the universal user account includes correlating a universal local user account access level to a corresponding group membership of the user.

18. The computer system of claim 15 wherein: the universal local user account is one of a plurality of universal local user accounts; and each one of said universal local user accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

19. The computer system of claim 15 wherein said instructions are further configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: creating said plurality of universal local user accounts prior to performing said selecting, wherein each one of said universal local user access accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

20. The computer system of claim 15 wherein several users can be simultaneously mapped to the universal local user account for enabling simultaneous access by each one of said users to the computer system.

21. A computer system, comprising: at least one data processing device; instructions processable by said at least one data processing device; and an apparatus from which said instructions are accessible by said at least one data processing device; and means for accessing an active shared directory account maintained on a different computer system; wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: facilitating authentication of a user using only information derived from the active shared directory account, wherein said authenticating includes the first computer system accessing said shared directory account on a different computer system; determining that the user does not have a local account on the computer system thereby recognizing that the user is a non-local status user with respect to the computer system; and associating the user with a universal local user account of the computer system after said determining and in response to successfully identifying a recognized group membership affiliation for the user that corresponds to said shared directory account such that the universal local user account is selected dependent upon said shared directory account and the recognized group membership affiliation, wherein the universal local user account has access privilege on the computer system and wherein said associating enables access to the computer system in accordance with said access privilege corresponding to the universal local user account.

22. The computer system of claim 21 wherein associating the user with the universal local user account includes determining at least one of directory services group membership information associated with said shared directory account and access privilege information associated with said shared directory account.

23. The computer system of claim 21 wherein said associating includes correlating a universal local user account access level to a corresponding access level of a group membership of the user.

24. The computer system of claim 21 wherein: the universal local user account is one of a plurality of universal local user accounts; and each one of said universal local user accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

25. The computer system of claim 21 wherein said instructions are further configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate: creating said plurality of universal local user accounts prior to performing said selecting, wherein each one of said universal local user access accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith.

26. The computer system of claim 25 wherein said user account selection information includes at least one of directory services group membership information and access privilege information.

27. The computer system of claim 25 wherein said selecting the universal user account includes correlating a universal local user account access level to an access level of a group membership of the user.

28. The computer system of claim 21 wherein several users can be simultaneously mapped to the universal local user account for enabling simultaneous access by each one of said users to the computer system.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to computer systems and, more particularly, to methods and systems configured for enabling remote access to a computer system.

BACKGROUND

For any number of reasons, a computer user (i.e., a user) who does not have a local account on a particular computer system sometimes has a valid need to remotely gain access to that particular computer system. One conventional approach for granting access is assigning a non-local remote user with valid user identification or group identification (UID or GID) by extending the directory service's schema to contain the additional required information. MKSADExtPlugin, which is accessible at www.css-solutions.ca/ad4unix/, is an example of a software package capable of extending the directory service's schema for Microsoft's Active Directory Server.

Such conventional approaches for enabling such access by a non-local remote user have one or more shortcomings associated therewith. For example, system administrators often find extending a directory service's schema to contain additional required information for enabling a non-local remote user to be assigned a valid UID or GED to be an unacceptable solution, as it requires the use of third-party software running on their enterprise computer systems. Other shortcomings associated with such conventional approaches include making access by such non-local users difficult and/or complicated to achieve, compromising security of the computer system, contributing to user and group account clashes, and/or allowing non-local users to pollute the computer systems environment with superfluous directories, processes and files.

Therefore, methods and system configured for enabling remote access to a computer system by non-local users in a manner that overcomes shortcomings associated with conventional approaches for enabling such remote access by non-local users would be advantageous and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a method for facilitating remote computer system access in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosures made herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a system configured for carrying out remote computer system access in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Methods and systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein enable remote access to a computer system by non-local users (i.e., users that do not have a local account). Such methods and systems are referred to herein as disclosed methods and disclosed systems. Disclosed methods and disclosed systems perform remote access functionality in a manner that overcomes shortcomings associated with conventional methods and systems for providing remote access functionality.

A networked computer system including instructions for carrying out a disclosed method is an example of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosures made herein. Remote users without a local user account are referred to hereinafter as non-local remote users.

Disclosed methods and disclosed systems accomplish several objectives. One objective is to allow access to a computer system by a non-local remote user. Another objective is to facilitate the management of non-local remote users' access to a computer system by making the authorization process a simple matter of consulting a remote user's affiliation with specific remote membership groups. Still another objective is to allow non-local remote users to access a computer system without polluting the system's environment with superfluous home directories or processes and files owned by foreign user accounts. Yet another objective is to preclude the directory services administrator from having to extend the directory services schema or run any third party software.

Disclosed methods and disclosed systems are advantageous and unique in that they accomplish such objectives in a manner that overcomes shortcomings associated with conventional methods and systems for providing remote access functionality. Access to one or more computer systems by non-local remote users is managed centrally by managing users' membership in directory services groups. The directory services mechanism is not required to support authorization concepts used on the local computer system (e.g., UIDs or GIDs). Disclosed methods and disclosed systems allow remote users to access a computer system and to be granted an appropriate authorization level without requiring any local configuration for the user. Thus, remote users are granted access in a manner that virtually eliminates the possibility of a remote user's UID or GID clashing with a local user's UID or GID. Thus, disclosed methods and systems prevent irremovable files from being generated and stored. Furthermore, privilege escalation based on a UID or GID clash is virtually eliminated, while still providing non-local remote users access to a respective home directory with the appropriate permissions once they are logged into the computer system.

Disclosed methods and systems allow a non-local remote user to access a computer system with a particular authorization level by examining the user's membership in one or more non-local, directory services groups, and performing a mapping of the user's identity to a pre-existing local account with the proper authorization level(s). Such disclosed methods and systems allows any number of non-local remote users access to the computer system in such a way that the remote user assumes the identity of (i.e., is mapped to) a pre-created local user (i.e., a universal local user account) of an appropriate privilege level. The computer system chooses the appropriate pre-created local user to which the non-local remote user will be mapped by evaluating the non-local remote user's directory services group memberships. All non-local remote users that the computer system determines to be of the same privilege level will share the identity of the same pre-created local user.

In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed methods and systems, a computer-implemented method for enabling non-local remote users to access a computer system comprises creating a plurality of universal local user accounts, determining a non-local status of a non-local remote user with respect to the computer system, authorizing access to the computer system in response to determining the non-local status, selecting a universal local user account of the computer system dependent upon user account selection information of the non-local remote user and mapping the non-local remote user to the universal local user account (i.e., the corresponding universal local user account). Authorizing access includes verifying that the non-local remote user has an active account on a shared directory service manager. The corresponding universal local user account is one of the plurality of universal local user accounts and each one of the universal local user accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith. Several non-local remote users can be simultaneously mapped to the corresponding universal local user account for enabling simultaneous access by each one of the non-local remote users to the computer system. The user account selection information includes at least one of directory services group membership information and access privilege information. Selecting the universal user account includes correlating a universal local user account access level to a corresponding group membership of the user. The mapping enables the user to access the computer system in accordance with an access privilege level corresponding to the universal local user account.

In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed methods and systems, a computer-implemented method for enabling users to access a computer system comprises creating a plurality of universal local user accounts, determining a non-local status of a user (i.e., a non-local remote user) with respect to the computer system, determining group membership affiliations of the non-local remote user and associating the non-local remote user with a universal local user account (i.e., the corresponding universal local user account) after determining the non-local status. The corresponding universal local user account has access privilege on the computer system and associating the non-local remote user is performed dependent upon the group membership affiliations of the non-local remote user. Associating the non-local remote user further includes correlating a universal local user account access level to a corresponding access level of a group membership of the non-local remote user. The corresponding universal local user account is one of a plurality of universal local user accounts and each one of the universal local user accounts has a respective access privilege level associated therewith. Associating the non-local remote user still further includes selecting the corresponding universal local user account dependent upon user account selection information of the non-local remote user and mapping the non-local remote user to the corresponding universal local user account. Selecting the corresponding universal user account includes correlating a universal local user account access level to an access level of a group membership of the non-local remote user. The mapping enables the non-local remote user to access the computer system in accordance with an access privilege level corresponding to the universal local user account. The user account selection information includes at least one of directory services group membership information and access privilege information.

Turning now to specific figures, FIG. 1 depicts a method 100 (i.e., an embodiment of a disclosed method) for facilitating remote access of the computer system 200 (i.e., an embodiment of a disclosed system) depicted in FIG. 2. It should be understood and is contemplated herein that the computer system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a disclosed system capable of carrying out the method 100. Accordingly, it should be understood and is contemplated herein that implementation of disclosed methods (e.g., the method 100) is not limited to being carried out via the computer system 200.

An operation 105 is performed for authenticating a remote user in response to the remote user attempting to remotely log-in to the computer system 200 via a Secure Shell Daemon (SSHD) 205 using one or more Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) 210. The remote user has an account on a shared directory service manager (on a networked computer system, not specifically shown) configured for use on the computers system 200. Microsoft Active Directory Server is an example of a shared directory service manager. An appropriate system or systems (e.g., a networked computer system, not specifically shown) facilitates such authentication based on information such as that obtained by prompting the remote user for a user identification (UID) and password. The method 100 terminates (e.g., ends or re-requests authentication information) in response unsuccessfully authenticating the remote user.

In response to the remote user being successfully authenticated, an operation 110 is performed for determining an account status of the remote user. In one embodiment, one or more Pluggable Authentication Modules 210 consults with a Security Manager (SM) 215 for determining the account status. The Security Manager 215 is a software component of the computer system 200 that enforces the authorization process used on the computer system 200. If it is determined that the remote user is a local remote user (i.e., has a local account), an operation 115 is performed for facilitating a local user access authorization process granting access to the computer system 200 with the identity of the remote user's local account.

If it is determined that the remote user is a non-local user (i.e., does not have a local account), an operation 120 is performed for determining group affiliations of the non-local remote user. To determine such group affiliations, the Security Manager 215 consults the shared directory service manager's database. In one embodiment, the Security Manager 215 consults the shared directory service manager's database through use of a Name Service Switch 220 of the computer system 200. If the Security Manager 215 does not determine any recognized group membership affiliations, the method 100 terminates (e.g., ends or requests additional affiliation information). If the Security Manager 215 identifies a recognized group membership affiliations (i.e., indicating that access should be granted), an operation 125 is performed by the Security Manager 215 for determining to the corresponding universal local user account (i.e., the corresponding local pre-created account) to which the non-local remote user should be mapped.

After determining the corresponding universal local user account, an operation 130 is performed for granting access under the corresponding universal local user account. Granting access includes propagating the decision to grant access to the non-local remote user and the corresponding universal local user account back to the PAM 210 from the security Manager 215 and the Name Service Switch 220 for authorization, and likewise back to the Secure Shell Daemon 205. Accordingly, the Secure Shell Daemon 205 grants the non-local remote user access with the identity and access level of corresponding to the universal local user account.

It is contemplated herein that any number of algorithms, methods and the like can be used to determine the universal local user account to which the non-local remote user is to be mapped. In one embodiment, the computer system 200 is configured with a group mapping that describes one-to-one relationships (i.e., one-to-one mapping) between remote directory service groups and local administrative groups (e.g., in a dual column table). The non-local remote user is mapped to a universal local user affiliated with local groups analogous to those of the non-local remote user.

Referring now to computer readable medium in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein, methods, processes and/or operations as disclosed herein for enabling disclosed remote access functionality are tangibly embodied by computer readable medium having instructions thereon for carrying out such methods, processes and/or operations. In one specific example, instructions are provided for carrying out the various operations of the methods, processed and/or operations depicted in FIG. 1. and/or associated with the computer system depicted in FIG. 2. The instructions may be accessible by one or more processors (i.e., data processing devices) of a computer system as disclosed herein (i.e., a data processing system) from a memory apparatus (e.g. RAM, ROM, virtual memory, hard drive memory, etc), from an apparatus readable by a drive unit (e.g., a diskette, a compact disk, a tape cartridge, etc) or both. Examples of computer readable medium include a compact disk or a hard drive, which has imaged thereon a computer program adapted for carrying out disclosed remote access functionality.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, functional blocks shown in the figures could be further combined or divided in any manner without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM, WWW.YAHOO.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.

2010-02-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

United States Patent 7,490,903
WWW.USPTO.GOV
Ruppe
February 17, 2009

Tiltable seat mounting apparatus

Abstract

A tiltable seat apparatus comprises a mounting structure attachable a vehicle chassis and including spaced-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between the upstanding portions. A seat assembly includes a seat frame having spaced-apart downstanding portions. Each one of the downstanding portions is pivotably attached to a respective one of the upstanding portions such that an axis of rotation extends through the downstanding and upstanding portions whereby the seat frame pivots about the axis of rotation. A resilient member is engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure, and allows the seat assembly to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation. The resilient member exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat assembly when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation.

Inventors: Ruppe; Fredy L. (Livingston, KY)
Appl. No.: 11/438,854
Filed: May 23, 2006

Current U.S. Class: 297/314 ; 248/371
Current International Class: B60N 2/02 (20060101)
Field of Search: 297/313,314 248/371,372.1,185.1
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents

1640812 August 1927 Ammon
3466089 September 1969 Stueckle
3970274 July 1976 Resk
4095770 June 1978 Long
4183492 January 1980 Meiller
4466590 August 1984 Parks et al.
4500062 February 1985 Sandvik
4515337 May 1985 Torras
5054739 October 1991 Wallin
5372347 December 1994 Minnich

Primary Examiner: Barfield; Anthony D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Galasso; Raymond M. Galasso & Associates, LP.
WWW.GAPATENTS.COM

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tiltable seat mounting apparatus, comprising: a mounting structure configured for being attached to a chassis of a vehicle, wherein the mounting structure includes spaced-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between said upstanding portions; a seat attachment structure configured for being attached to a seat usable with the downstanding portions and a seat attachment member connected between said downstanding portions, wherein each one of said downstanding portions is pivotably attached to a respective one of said upstanding portions such that an axis of rotation extends through said downstanding and upstanding portions whereby the seat attachment structure pivots about the axis of rotation; a resilient member engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure, wherein the resilient member allows the seat attachment structure to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation and wherein the resilient member exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation; wherein said resilient member includes a spring; a preloaded adjuster engages with said spring for enabling selective adjustment of a preload force exerted by the spring when the seat attachment structure is in the static orientation; wherein the preload adjuster is engaged with the mounting member; and the spring is a leaf spring having end portions engaged with the preload adjuster and a central portion engaged with the seat attachment structure.

2. The tiltable seat mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the mounting member is generally flat and has opposing edge portions with a respective one of said upstanding portions attached to one of said edge portions of the mounting member; and the seat attachment member is generally flat and has opposing edge portions with a respective one of said downstanding portions attached to one of said edge portions of the seat attachment member.

3. A tiltable seat mounting apparatus, comprising: a mounting structure configured for being attached to a chassis of a vehicle, wherein the mounting structure includes spaced-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between said upstanding portions; a seat attachment structure configured for being attached to a seat usable with the vehicle, wherein the seat attachment structure includes spaced-apart downstanding portions and a seat attachment member connected between said downstanding portions, wherein a first one of said downstanding portions is juxtaposed to a first one of said upstanding portions and wherein a second one of said downstanding portions is juxtaposed to a second one of said upstanding portions; pivot means having an axis of rotation that extends through said juxtaposed downstanding and upstanding portions, said pivot means connecting the juxtaposed downstanding and upstanding portions so the seat attachment structure pivots on said pivot means about the axis of rotation; self-centering means engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure, wherein said self-centering means allows the seat attachment structure to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation and wherein the self-centering means exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat structure when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation; said self-centering means includes a spring and a preload adjuster, the spring is engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure, wherein the spring allows the seat attachment structure to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation; the spring exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation; the preload adjuster is engaged with the spring for enabling selective adjustment of a preload force exerted by the spring when the seat attachment structure is in the static orientation; the preload adjuster is engaged with the mounting member; and the spring is a leaf spring having end portions engaged with the preload adjuster and a central portion engaged with the seat attachment structure.

4. The tiltable seat mounting apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the mounting member is generally flat and has opposing edge portions with a respective one of said upstanding portions attached to one of said edge portions of the mounting member; and the seat attachment member is generally flat and has opposing edge portions with a respective one of said downstanding portions attached to one of said edge portions of the seat attachment member.

5. A tiltable seat apparatus, comprising: a mounting structure configured to being attached to a chassis of a vehicle, wherein the mounting structure includes space-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between said upstanding portions; a seat assembly including a seat frame having spaced-apart downstanding portions, wherein each one of said downstanding portions is pivotably attached to a respective one of said upstanding portions such that an axis of rotation extends through said downstanding and upstanding portions whereby the seat frame pivots about the axis of rotation; a resilient member engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure, wherein the resilient member allows the seat assembly to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation and wherein the resilient member exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat assembly when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation; the resilient member includes a spring; a preload adjuster engaged with the spring for enabling selective adjustment of a preload force exerted by the spring when the seat frame is in the static orientation; the preload adjuster is engaged with the mounting member; and the spring is a leaf spring having end portions engaged with the preload adjuster and a central portion engaged with the seat frame.

6. The tiltable seat mounting apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the mounting member is generally flat and has opposing edge portion with a respective one of said upstanding portions attached to one of said edge portions of the mounting member; and the seat frame includes a generally flat portions having opposing edge portions with a respective one of said downstanding portions attached to one of said edge portions of the seat frame.
Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to vehicles with an operator seat and, more particularly, to horizontally tiltable operator seats.

BACKGROUND

It is generally desirable for the operator of a vehicle such as an agricultural tractor or a highway mower to sit level relative to the horizontal while operating the vehicle. Afflictions such as fatigue, back pain and the like can result if the operator is made uncomfortable due to an unlevel seat. Sustained operation of the vehicle over inclined areas, such as mowing the grassy banks adjacent limited access highways, can quickly lead to these afflictions when the operator sits on a seating surface that is generally parallel with incline d terrain over which the vehicle is travelling. Moreover, the operator of a vehicle travelling across an inclined terrain is less able to maintain safe control of the vehicle and/or preclude contributing to a vehicle roll-over if he or she is not seated in a generally upright orientation.

Various tiltable seat mounting structures that maintain a vehicle seat level with respect to the horizontal are known. Examples of such known tiltable seat mounting structures are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,372,347; 4,515,337; 4,500,062; 4,183,492; 4,095,770; 3,970,274; 4,466,089 and 1,640,812. While these prior devices meet some of the objectives for a horizontally tiltable vehicle seat, they have not completely met the objectives or the requirements for such a seat, and are thus known to have shortcomings. Examples of such shortcomings include, but are not limited to, complexity in design, being cumbersome to operate, offering limited tiltability, being relatively expensive and being expensive to manufacture. Therefore, a self-levelling seat structure that overcomes shortcomings associated with conventional self-levelling seat structures would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a tiltable seat mounting apparatus for vehicles such as, for example, agricultural tractors or highway mowers. Such a tiltable seat mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention enables an operator of the vehicle to generally sit level relative to the horizontal while operating the vehicle on an inclined surface (e.g., driving the vehicle horizontally across the inclined surface). By enabling the operator to sit generally level, the tiltable seat mounting apparatus alleviates adverse considerations such as, for example, general fatigue, back pain and the like during sustained operation of the vehicle over inclined surfaces thereby reducing the potential for enhancing the operator's ability to maintain safe control of the vehicle and/or reducing the potential for the vehicle rolling-over due in part to the weight distribution of the operator. Furthermore, a tiltable seat mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention overcomes shortcomings associated with conventional tiltable seat mounting structures.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a tiltable seat mounting apparatus comprises a mounting structure, a seat attachment structure and a resilient member. The mounting structure is configured for being attached to a chassis of a vehicle. The mounting structure includes spaced-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between the upstanding portions. The seat attachment structure is configured for being attached to a seat usable with the vehicle. The seat attachment structure includes spaced-apart downstanding portions and a seat attachment member connected between the downstanding portions. Each one of the downstanding portions is pivotably attached to a respective one of the upstanding portions such that an axis of rotation extends through the downstanding and upstanding portions whereby the seat attachment structure pivots about the axis of rotation. The resilient member is engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure. The resilient member allows the seat attachment structure to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation. The resilient member exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tiltable seat mounting apparatus comprises a mounting structure, a seat attachment structure, pivot means and self-centering means. The mounting structure is configured for being attached to a chassis of a vehicle. The mounting structure includes spaced-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between the upstanding portions. The seat attachment structure is configured for being attached to a seat usable with the vehicle. The seat attachment structure includes spaced-apart downstanding portions and a seat attachment member connected between the downstanding portions. A first one of the downstanding portions is juxtaposed to a first one of the upstanding portions. A second one of the downstanding portions is juxtaposed to a second one of the upstanding portions. The pivot means has an axis of rotation that extends through the juxtaposed downstanding and upstanding portions. The pivot means connects the juxtaposed downstanding and upstanding portions so the seat attachment structure pivots on the pivot means about the axis of rotation. The self-centering means is engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure. The self-centering means allows the seat attachment structure to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation. The self-centering means exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tiltable seat apparatus comprises a mounting structure, a seat assembly and a resilient member. The mounting structure is configured for being attached to a chassis of a vehicle. The mounting structure includes spaced-apart upstanding portions and a mounting member connected between the upstanding portions. The seat assembly includes a seat frame having spaced-apart downstanding portions. Each one of the downstanding portions is pivotably attached to a respective one of the upstanding portions such that an axis of rotation extends through the downstanding and upstanding portions whereby the seat frame pivots about the axis of rotation. The resilient member is engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure. The resilient member allows the seat assembly to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation. The resilient member exerts force on the mounting structure and the seat assembly when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation.

Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, the self-centering means includes a spring and a preload adjuster.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the spring is engaged between the mounting structure and the seat attachment structure, the spring allows the seat attachment structure to pivot about the axis of rotation with respect to the mounting structure between a static orientation and an angularly displaced orientation, the spring exerts force on the mounting structure and/or the seat attachment structure when in the angularly displaced orientation for biasing the seat attachment structure toward the static orientation and the preload adjuster is engaged with the spring for enabling selective adjustment of a preload force exerted by the spring when the seat attachment structure is in the static orientation.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the preload adjuster is engaged with the mounting member and the spring is a leaf spring having end portions engaged with the preload adjuster and a central portion engaged with the seat attachment member.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting member is generally flat and has opposing edge portions with a respective one of the upstanding portions attached to one of the edge portions of the mounting member, and the seat attachment member is generally flat and has opposing edge portions with a respective one of the downstanding portions attached to one of the edge portions of the seat attachment member.

These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting an embodiment of a tiltable seat mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a vehicle equipped with a tiltable seat mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1-3 depict various aspects of a tiltable seat mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the tiltable seat mounting apparatus 10. The tiltable seat mounting apparatus 10 includes a mounting structure 12, a seat attachment structure 14, a leaf spring 16 and a plurality of preload adjusters 18. The mounting structure 12 is configured for being attached to a chassis of a vehicle (e.g., directly or indirectly). The seat attachment structure 14 is configured for being attached to a seat usable with the vehicle (e.g., a original equipment seat of the vehicle). Examples of attachment configurations include, but are not limited to, being configured for being welded, being configured for being secured with threaded fasteners and the like. It is disclosed herein that, alternatively, a seat attachment structure in accordance with the present invention may be integral with a seat frame of a seat and/or a mounting structure in accordance with the present invention may be integral with a chassis of a vehicle.

The mounting structure 12 includes spaced-apart upstanding portions 20 and a mounting member 22 connected between the upstanding portions 20. The seat attachment structure 14 includes spaced-apart downstanding portions 24 and a seat attachment member 26 connected between the downstanding portions 24. Each one of the downstanding portions 24 is pivotably attached to a respective one of the upstanding portions 20 such that an axis of rotation R1 (FIG. 1) extends through the downstanding portions 24 and the upstanding portions 20. In this manner, the seat attachment structure 14 pivots about the axis of rotation R1 relative to the mounting structure 12.

More specifically, a first one of the downstanding portions 24 is juxtaposed to a first one of the upstanding portions 20 and a second one of the downstanding portions 24 is juxtaposed to a second one of the upstanding portions 20. A pivot means extends through the juxtaposed downstanding portions 24 and upstanding portions 20 along the axis of rotation R1. As depicted, a shaft 27 extends through a hole in each one of the downstanding portions 24 and the upstanding portions 20. The shaft 27 is in interference fit with the holes of at least a portion of the downstanding portions 24 and the upstanding portions 20. Optionally, the shaft 27 may be held in place with a plurality of locking collars and, optionally, separate shafts extending through the holes in respective pairings of juxtaposed ones of the downstanding portions 24 and upstanding portions may be provided for enabling the seat attachment structure 14 to pivot on the pivot means about the axis of rotation R1.

The leaf spring 16 is engaged between the mounting structure 12 and the seat attachment structure 14 and extends generally laterally with respect to the axis of rotation R1. The leaf spring 16 is engaged between the mounting structure 12 and the seat attachment structure 14 in a manner that allows the seat attachment structure 14 to pivot about the axis of rotation R1 with respect to the mounting structure 12 between a static orientation S and an angularly displaced orientation D. The leaf spring 16 exerts force on the mounting structure 14 and the seat attachment structure 12 when in the angularly displaced orientation D for biasing the seat attachment structure 14 toward the static orientation S.

More specifically, each end portions 28 of the leaf spring 16 has one of the preload adjusters 18 adjustably engaged therewith. Each one of the preload adjusters 18 is engaged with the mounting member 22 for transmitting force from the leaf spring 16 to the mounting member 22. In the depicted embodiment, the each spring adjuster 18 is a threaded fastener threadedly engaged within a respective threaded hole of the respective one of the end portions 28. A central portion 30 (FIG. 3) of the leaf spring 16 is engaged with the seat attachment structure 14 via a backing plate 31 and fastener 32. In this manner, each one of the preload adjusters 18 is adjustably engaged with the respective end portion 28 of the resilient member 16 for enabling selective adjustment of a preload force exerted by the leaf spring 16 when the seat attachment structure 14 is in the static orientation S. Through such preload adjustment, the static orientation of the seat attachment structure 14 may be adjusted and/or a degree of applied load required for moving the seat attachment structure 14 from the static orientation S toward the displaced orientation D may be adjusted (i.e., generally referred to herein as self-centering functionality).

The leaf spring 16 is an embodiment of a self-centering means implemented in accordance with the present invention. Furthermore, the leaf spring 16 is an example a resilient member in accordance with the present invention. Spaced apart compression springs engaged between the mounting structure 14 and the seat attachment structure 12 and spaced equidistant from the axis of rotation R1 are jointly another embodiment of a self-centering means in accordance with the present invention. Adjustable preload functionality may be provided by a threaded fastener threadedly engaged with the mounting structure 14 of the seat attachment structure 12 in a manner that enables each of the compression springs to be statically compressed through rotation of the threaded fastener.

It is disclosed herein that a preload adjuster in accordance with the present invention may be integral with the seat attachment structure 14, with the mounting structure 12 and/or with the central portion 30 of the leaf spring 16. It is further disclosed that the preload adjusters 18 may be emitted entirely.

In use, the tiltable seat mounting apparatus 10 is provided between a chassis 50 and a seat 52 of a vehicle 54. When the vehicle 54 is being driven horizontally across an inclined surface 56 (e.g., a hill), an operator O may position his or her weight and/or a force applied by the operator O such that the seat attachment structure is moved to a suitably displaced orientation so as to cause the upper portion U of the operator O to be substantially upright with respect to horizontal. This substantially upright orientation serves to increase comfort of the operator O, reduce fatigue of the operator O, enhance control of the vehicle 54 and reduce the potential for the vehicle 54 rolling over.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For more information go to WWW.GAPATENTS.COM or WWW.GOOGLE.COM.