Patent Application
20180110236
The invention disclosed herein generally relates to running wheels or human size hamster wheels. More particularly, the invention relates to a human powered beverage-making apparatus for providing an iced beverage.
Running wheels or hamster wheels refer to exercise devices intended primarily for rodents or hamsters. However, with most jobs requiring employees to work for long hours in a seated position, running wheels have been designed to provide adequate exercise. These running wheels may be installed at workplaces or homes based on the preference of the user. Although running wheels may be installed anywhere, existing running wheels require skilled personnel for installation. Additionally, they are not portable in nature. A running wheel, which could be easily installed and is portable, is required. Moreover, running wheels may be used at parks or for recreational activities at parties for children and adults alike. A running wheel or a hamster wheel in itself seems monotonous and unattractive. Accordingly, using the running wheel to create beverages, ice creams, etc., attract individuals of all ages. This ensures the individual exerts himself or herself and eventually converts his or her exertion into a tangible product. An attachment or added capability to a running wheel, which increases the involvement and amusement of both adults and kids alike, is required.
Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a running wheel, which is easily installed and is portable. Furthermore, there is a need for an attachment or added capability to a running wheel, which increases the involvement of both adults and kids alike who use it.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The human powered beverage-making apparatus, disclosed herein, addresses the above-mentioned need for a running wheel, which is easily installed and is portable. Furthermore, the invention addresses the need for an attachment or added capability to a running wheel, which increases the involvement of both adults and kids alike who use it. A human powered beverage-making apparatus powered by a user for providing an iced beverage comprises a frame member, a hollow cylindrical wheel, an ice dispenser assembly, a conveyor assembly, and a beverage dispensing assembly. The frame member accommodates a hollow cylindrical wheel. The hollow cylindrical wheel is rotatably mounted on roller assemblies positioned on the frame member. The user, running inside the hollow cylindrical wheel, rotates the hollow cylindrical wheel to generate a rotary drive. The ice dispenser assembly is attached on a side of the frame member. Additionally, the ice dispenser assembly is aligned vertically above a conveyor assembly. The ice dispenser assembly comprises a drive plate rotatable by the rotary drive received from the user driven hollow cylindrical wheel to dispense ice shavings into a container positioned on the conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly is positioned on the frame member substantially in front of the user. The conveyor assembly is configured to be driven by a manual crank drive to convey the filled container to a beverage dispensing assembly. The beverage dispensing assembly is positioned at an end of the conveyor assembly. The beverage dispensing assembly is configured to selectively dispense one or more beverages into the ice shavings filled container to provide the iced beverage.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.
The human powered beverage making-apparatus 100 also comprises a separate, detached sub assembly, consisting of an axle and two 8-inch wheels, which inserts in to the frame member 101 for transporting use only. This feature allows the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100 to be portable. In an embodiment, the roller assemblies 106 are positioned about 180 degrees apart on the hollow cylindrical wheel 102. The hollow cylindrical wheel 102 is constructed of two semi circles, aligned by tabs protruding from the rim of the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 and secured together by a center band 102a that bolts together for ease of assembly and assured safety. In an embodiment, the roller assemblies 106 comprise about five sets of metal rollers with bearings, bearing holders, and a shaft. A one-way clutch roller assembly comprising clutch bearings, roller, keyways, keyed shaft prevents the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 from rotating backwards. The user, running inside the hollow cylindrical wheel 102, rotates the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 to generate a rotary drive. The ice dispenser assembly 103 is attached on a side of the frame member 101. The ice dispenser assembly 103 is aligned vertically above the conveyor assembly 104. The ice dispenser assembly 103 comprises a drive plate rotatable by the rotary drive received from the user driven hollow cylindrical wheel 102 to dispense ice shavings into a container 107 positioned on the conveyor assembly 104.
The conveyor assembly 104 is positioned on the frame member 101 substantially in front of the user. The conveyor assembly 104 is driven by a manual crank drive 104a to convey the filled container 107 to a beverage dispensing assembly 105 as exemplarily illustrated in
By changing the spring/rubber band tension on the fluid dispenser, it allows the transfer of a combination of viscous fluids. The fluid dispensing heads dispense pre mixed beverages, as in adult beverages, or the ingredients remain separate, and are dispensed via independent dispensers. The conveyor assembly 104 is segmented into three sections for two reasons. One was to stop the cup at the precise location for the next operation to be performed. The other reason is so that the human powered beverage-making apparatus 100 is used in an assembly line fashion, allowing a person to be running in the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 grinding ice, while another is at the start location, and another person is applying beverage to their container 107 at another end of the conveyor assembly 104. This aids in the through put time, allowing users to have three containers 107 in operation simultaneously, therefore increasing sales. Moreover, the human powered beverage-making apparatus 100 comprises an insulated ice storage bin 108. In an embodiment, the ice storage bin 108 manually feeds ice to the ice dispenser assembly 103 via a manually operated crank handle, which drives an auger inside the ice storage bin 108, to dispense gravity fed ice down a clear plastic chute into the ice dispenser assembly 103.
The ice dispenser assembly 103 comprises a housing, a steel blade, a drive plate, an ice-dispensing chute, and a lever and cable system. The housing of the ice dispenser assembly 103 receives the dispensed ice from the ice storage bin 108. The lever and cable system raises and lowers the drive plate. The steel blade finely cuts or shaves the dispensed ice. A belt driven gear reduction pulley rotates the drive plate to rotate the ice over the steel blade. The belt driven gear reduction pulley simultaneously rotates the container 107 during the ice shaving process. The ice shavings are dispensed through the ice-dispensing chute into the container 107 positioned on an adjustable container holder 109 that rests on a trolley platform. In an embodiment, the adjustable container holder 109 is fitted with a magnet to aide in alignment and stability when mated with the container lifting assembly 110 as exemplarily illustrated in
The human powered beverage-making apparatus 100 also comprises a manually operated pneumatic horn 112 that is activated via a rope for indicating motion of the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 as exemplarily illustrated in
The adjustable container holder 109 is perfectly located and held in place via magnets. The magnet also locks the adjustable container holder 109 in place to prevent the container 107 from tipping. A lever located on the frame member 101 is then lowered to raise the ice shaving drive plate. Ice is added to the ice dispenser assembly 103 via the crank attached to an auger of the ice storage bin 108. A manually operated pneumatic horn 112 is then activated to announce that the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 is about to go in motion. The individual then enters the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 of the human powered beverage-making apparatus 100. The individual deactivates a manual brake similar to what can be found on a push lawnmower. The individual starts walking, which causes the container 107 to rotate as the ice simultaneously shaves itself via the ice dispenser assembly 103. The rotating container 107 aides in dispensing the ice evenly within the container 107. When the container 107 has filled to the point that the ice mounds well above the height of the container 107. The container 107 is lowered via a handle, then another crank advances the container 107 further down the conveyor assembly 104 to the next operation.
The container 107 stops automatically, when positioned vertically below the ice dispenser assembly 103. The individual then activates a lever to cause an ice compactor 111 to smash the ice into the container 107 tempering the top layer of ice. The individual then exits the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 and cranks another handle to advance the container 107 to the beverage dispensing assembly 105 of the conveyor assembly 104. The individual locates their container 107, via crank, to their desired flavor. Next, an individual pulls an independent lever to dispense the desired beverage amount to exact quantity. This method controls not only the quantity of fluid, but also the possible release of fluids from adjacent dispensers if the individual activates the incorrect dispenser. The individual then pushes a button or lever to activate the flow of the beverage, via showerheads, to the container 107. Finally, the drink is then advanced further down the conveyor assembly 104.
Without this feature, the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 would not maintain its true shape. In an embodiment, 8-inch wheels are permanently installed at four locations to transport the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 to the site of use. An additional axle with 8-inch wheels can be added to the frame member 101 of the human powered beverage-making apparatus 100. This allows the human powered beverage-making apparatus 100 to travel around tight corners during installation. They are removed during normal use. In an embodiment, the frame member 101 comprises leveling legs at about eight locations. The human powered beverage-making apparatus 100 also comprises a manually operated pneumatic horn 112 that is activated via a rope for indicating motion of the hollow cylindrical wheel 102 as exemplarily illustrated in
The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100, disclosed herein. While the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100, has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100 is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100 extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the human powered beverage making-apparatus 100 disclosed herein in their aspects.
