Patent Application
20190289997
The described invention relates in general to self-leveling tables, platforms, benches, chairs, stands, supports, and other substantially flat or planar surfaces of various shapes, and more specifically to foldable leg assemblies for use with such devices.
Substantially flat or planar platforms are common utilitarian components found in many items including tables; benches; chairs; cooking surfaces; work surfaces; elevated storage containers; hunting, fishing, and camping products; and many others. Most of these platforms are most useful when they are in a level position (i.e., positioned horizontally). However, placing and holding a substantially flat or planar platform in a level position can be challenging, particularly when the surface or substrate upon which the platform is placed is uneven. In restaurants, coffee shops, and other establishments, encountering tables or chairs that wobble or tilt, or that are otherwise unstable is a common and annoying occurrence for many people. An unstable table or chair is also more likely to collapse or fall over, thereby creating a risk of injury to the person using the item. Furthermore, an unstable work platform may present a significant safety hazard, particularly if the platform is being used for activity that involves sawing or other reciprocating motion that would encourage the work platform to tip over or collapse. Legs or other support structures attached to such platforms may be collapsible, foldable, or adjustable with regard to height and/or angle relative to the platform itself; however, these support structures are not typically adjustable with regard to maintaining the platform in a level position when the platform is sitting on an uneven substrate.
Self-adjusting support assemblies for use on uneven substrates or surfaces are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,140,401 and 9,453,608, which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety, for all purposes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,140,401 and 9,453,608 both teach a self-adjusting support assembly for use on uneven surfaces that includes: (a) a support element (e.g., a platform, work surface, tabletop, or seat); (b) at least one pivoting leg assembly positioned beneath the support element; and (c) at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly connecting the support element to the at least one pivoting leg assembly. Each self-adjusting attachment assembly includes: (i) a bracket that is adapted to attach to the support element; and (ii) a proximal head portion that is adapted to rotationally cooperate with the bracket and to receive the pivoting leg assembly. The bracket includes: (i) a receiving channel formed therein that is positioned along a predetermined angled axis of insertion; and (ii) a locking ridge positioned within the receiving channel. The proximal head portion includes: (i) a flange formed at one end thereof that rotationally engages the locking ridge; (ii) a stem positioned beneath the flange that rotationally engages the receiving channel; and (iii) a receiving portion positioned beneath the stem that is adapted to receive the pivoting leg assembly.
The self-adjusting attachment assemblies taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,140,401 and 9,453,608 can be attached to and effectively used with almost any type of platform, and many types of pre-existing devices (tables, benches, chairs, etc.) can be modified by retrofitting to include the self-adjusting attachment assemblies and the pivoting leg assemblies with which the self-adjusting attachment assemblies are designed to work. The self-adjusting attachment assemblies and the pivoting leg assemblies may also be integrated into various types of platforms. However, the pivoting leg assemblies, which are typically triangular, can create certain challenges associated with transporting and storing the platforms to which the pivoting leg assemblies are attached or into which they are integrated. Accordingly, there is a need for leg assemblies for use with the self-leveling devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,140,401 and 9,453,608 that may be folded to conserve space and facilitate transporting and storing the platforms to which the leg assemblies are attached.
The following provides a summary of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a first foldable leg assembly for use with a self-leveling platform is provided. This foldable leg assembly includes at least one rotatable bracket assembly that further includes a first section including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein a curved channel is formed in the upper portion thereof and wherein a stem and flange receiving region is formed in the lower portion thereof; and a second section adapted to be connected to the first section, wherein the second section includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein a curved channel is formed in the upper portion thereof and wherein a stem and flange receiving region is formed in the lower portion thereof; and at least one support device that further includes a pivot device that is adapted to pivotally and rotationally engage the stem and flange receiving regions of the at least one rotatable bracket assembly, and wherein the pivot device further includes a stem; a flange positioned on top of the stem; and a leg receiving portion, wherein the leg receiving portion is adapted to receive at least two legs therein.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a second foldable leg assembly for use with a self-leveling platform is provided. This foldable leg assembly includes at least one rotatable bracket assembly that further includes a first section including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein a curved channel is formed in the upper portion thereof and wherein a stem and flange receiving region is formed in the lower portion thereof; and a second section adapted to be connected to the first section, wherein the second section includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein a curved channel is formed in the upper portion thereof and wherein a stem and flange receiving region is formed in the lower portion thereof; and at least one support device that further includes a pivot device that is adapted to pivotally and rotationally engage the stem and flange receiving regions of the at least one rotatable bracket assembly, and wherein the pivot device further includes a stem; a flange positioned on top of the stem; a leg receiving portion, wherein the leg receiving portion is adapted to receive at least two legs therein; a first leg and a second leg mounted within the leg receiving portion; and a crossbar positioned between the first and second legs such that the two legs and the crossbar form a triangular configuration.
In yet another aspect of this invention, a third foldable leg assembly for use with a self-leveling platform is provided. This foldable leg assembly includes at least two rotatable bracket assemblies, wherein each rotatable bracket assembly further includes a first section including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein a curved channel is formed in the upper portion thereof and wherein a stem and flange receiving region is formed in the lower portion thereof; and a second section adapted to be connected to the first section, wherein the second section includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein a curved channel is formed in the upper portion thereof and wherein a stem and flange receiving region is formed in the lower portion thereof; and at least two support devices, wherein each support device further includes a pivot device that is adapted to pivotally and rotationally engage the stem and flange receiving regions of each rotatable bracket assembly, and wherein each pivot device further includes a stem; a flange positioned on top of the stem; and a leg receiving portion, wherein the leg receiving portion is adapted to receive at least two legs therein.
Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein:
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
The present invention provides folding or foldable leg assemblies for use with the self-leveling devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,140,401 and 9,453,608 and other systems and devices. The STABLZ® family of products provides various platforms that are supported by sets of triangular legs that operate to “self-level” these platforms on uneven substrates. Within the context of this invention and in describing the STABLZ® products generally, the phrase “self-leveling” refers to the mechanical relationship between the platform, the legs (which are typically triangular in overall shape) that support the platform, and the bracket assembly that attaches the legs to the platform. The bracket assembly receives and houses the legs in a manner that permits the upper portion of the legs to rotate and pivot, independent of one another, thereby permitting a user of the device to orient the platform in a level position even if the bottom portions of the legs are resting on an uneven substrate or surface. The platforms compatible with this system can vary in size, weight, and shape; however, the triangular pivoting leg assemblies can create certain challenges associated with transporting and storing the platforms to which the leg assemblies are attached. Accordingly, the present invention provides folding leg assemblies for use with the bracket assemblies described above, wherein the folding leg assemblies can be collapsed to occupy less physical space, thereby facilitating transportation and storage of the entire self-leveling device.
With reference to the Figures,
Rear bracket portion 402 is adapted to attach to front bracket portion 410 after the two bracket portions have been mounted in a rotatable manner on dowel 438 (see
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, there is no intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.
Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically, and by way of example, although the headings refer to the “Background”, this is not to be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any embodiment(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the embodiment(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple embodiments may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the embodiment(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.
