LEVELING APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE A LEVEL SURFACE WITH RESPECT TO AN INCLINE PLANE

BACKGROUND

In general, because there is a plurality of roofing and construction surfaces with different textures and different degrees of slant, contemporary safety measures are utilized during roof installation or general construction. For example, a harness is a contemporary safety measure that a construction worker wears to prevent that construction worker from falling off one of the plurality of roofing and construction surfaces. Wearing a harnesses can be bulky, restrict movement, and slow mobility of the construction worker.

SUMMARY

Embodiments herein relate to an apparatus that provides balance on a plane to a user. The apparatus includes an attachment plate, a boat plate, a first fastener, and an adjustable bracket. The boat plate includes a first surface configured to contact the plane. The first fastener attaches a first end of the attachment plate to a first end of the boat plate. The adjustable bracket can attach to a second end of the boat plate, thereby fixing a second end of the attachment plate to cause the attachment plate to be at a horizontal level.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein. For a better understanding of the disclosure with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the embodiments herein are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a shoe-level apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a set of schematics of a shoe-level apparatus in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a leveling apparatus in a collapsed position and a retracted position in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in an elevated position and the retracted position in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in the retracted position in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in the collapsed position and the retracted position in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in the elevated position and an extended position in accordance with the embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure relates generally to a leveling apparatus configured to provide a level surface with respect to an incline plane.

In view of the above, embodiments disclosed herein may include a system, method, and/or apparatus (herein referred to as a shoe-level apparatus or a leveling apparatus) that is a lightweight device, provides a level surface on an incline plane, maximizes a contact surface with the incline plane, maximizes friction between the incline plane and the leveling apparatus, is adjustable to adapt to a variety of incline planes, is adjustable to adapt to a variety of objects, and can be secured to the incline plane.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a shoe-level apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The shoe-level apparatus 100 includes a boat plate 105, a first rod 110 that attaches to the boat plate 105 through a first mounting 115 and a second rod 120 that attaches to the boat plate 105 through a second mounting 125. The shoe-level apparatus 100 also includes a first slot 130 that houses a third rod 135 attached to the boat plate 105 through a third mounting 140 and a second slot 145 that houses a fourth rod 150 attached to the boat plate 105 through a fourth mounting 150. The shoe-level apparatus 100 also includes an extendable sub-plate 160 configured to extend along a range (e.g., to a second position 165).

The shoe-level apparatus 100 is depicted via a top-down view with an attachment plate removed so that an interior of the boat plate 105 can be shown. The extendable sub-plate 160 is illustrated by a dash-line, as the extendable sub-plate 160 is generally hidden from the top-down view by the boat plate 105. The shoe-level apparatus 100 is configured to utilize any combination of the rods 110, 120, 135, and 150 to fix a second end of the attachment plate in an orientation above the boat plate 105.

For example, in an embodiment, the first and second rods 110, 120 can pivot at the first and second mountings 115, 125, respectively, to raise a first side of the attachment plate, while a second side of the attachment plate remains in contact (e.g., attached) with the boat plate 105. The distance that the first side of the attachment plate is raised can correspond to a horizontal level above the boat plate 105, when the boat plate is resting on an incline plane.

Further, in an embodiment, the third and fourth rods 135, 150 can pivot at the third and fourth mountings 140, 155, respectively, to raise a third side of the attachment plate, while a fourth side of the attachment plate remains in contact (e.g., attached) with the boat plate 105. The distance that the third side of the attachment plate is raised can correspond to a horizontal level above the boat plate 105, when the boat plate is resting on an incline plane. In this embodiment, the slots 130 and 145 can provide stability to the shoe-level apparatus 100 by structurally reinforcing the sides of the shoe-level apparatus 100 and/or can provide a mechanism for housing the third and fourth rods 135, 150.

FIG. 2 illustrates a set of schematics 200 of a shoe-level apparatus in accordance with another embodiment. A first schematic 210 of the set of schematics 200 is a side view of the shoe-level apparatus in an elevated position in accordance with an embodiment. As shown by the first schematic 210, a boat plate 212 supports a raised position of an attachment plate 214 by pivoting a rod 216 at a mounting 217 and coupling 219 the attachment plate 214 to the rod 216.

A second schematic 230 of the set of schematics 200 of a shoe-level apparatus includes a boat plate 232 in accordance with an embodiment. The boat plate 232 comprises built-in rods 234 and 236, where at least one mounting 238 enables the built-in rod 236 to pivot.

A third schematic 250 of the set of schematics 200 of a shoe-level apparatus illustrates a side view of a boat plate in accordance with an embodiment. The side view of the boat plate illustrates an extendable sub-plate 253 configured to extend along a range.

A fourth schematic 270 of the set of schematics 200 of a shoe-level apparatus includes a boat plate 272 in accordance with an embodiment. The boat plate 272 comprises adjustable brackets 274, 276 configured with multiple opening for coupling to an attachment plate.

In view of FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be noted that at least one rod can be built-in along a perimeter of the boat plate (e.g., up-and-down and/or side-to-side); the attachment plate can be adjustable to accommodate (accept or receive) footwear of a user, a foot of a user, a board, or a beam; the at least one rod can include quick release couplings or mechanisms (e.g., for fast changing or adjusting of an orientation between the attachment and boat plates); the material utilized in construction of the shoe-level apparatus can be lightweight; and the boat plate can span a large surface area to increase a surface grip.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-8, an embodiment of a leveling apparatus will now be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the leveling apparatus includes a boat plate 305, an attachment plate 310, an adjustable bracket 315, a first mounting 320, and a second mounting 321. Further, the leveling apparatus is illustrated in a collapsed position and a retracted position. The collapsed position is an orientation where the attachment plate 310 is in-line with the boat plate 305. As an alternative to the collapsed position, an elevated position is an orientation where the attachment plate 310 is raised away from the in-line orientation. The retracted position is an orientation where members of the boat plate 305 are pulled-in, while an extended position is where the members of the boat plate 305 are not in the pulled-in orientation, as further described below.

The boat plate 305 is a supporting structure of the leveling apparatus. That is, the boat plate 305 can include a first surface for contacting a plane, such as an inclined construction surface or roof. Further, the boat plate 305 can provide mounting portions (e.g., mountings 320, 321) for supporting the attachment plate 310 and the adjustable bracket 315. The attachment plate 310 and the adjustable bracket 315 can fit inside and/or be received by the boat plate 305.

The attachment plate 310 is a portion of the leveling apparatus that receives an object, such as footwear of a user, a foot of the user, a board, or a beam. The attachment plate 310 can comprise a support member 325, a plurality of platforms 330, 335, and plurality of straps 340. The attachment plate 310 can include a sprit level or bubble level, which is an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb).

The adjustable bracket 315 can be rigid corner piece comprising first and second panels. The first and second panels can be connected via a bend along a lengthwise portion of the pieces. The first and second panels can be orthogonal to each other. One of the first and second panels can include a plurality of openings configured for coupling to the support member 325. In an embodiment, each opening can be spaced to equate to a particular angle. For instance, nine openings can be spaced along one of the panels of the adjustable bracket 315. The spacing can equate to five degree increments, such that the adjustable bracket 315 can be set at 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, and 45°. The adjustable bracket 315 can include a scale, increments of which being associated with the plurality of openings.

The support member 325 can be a flat, rigid panel that is generally rectangular in shape. The long edges of the support member 325 can be folded to create a flange. The flange provides structure to the support member 325 and comprises a plurality of first openings 345 for coupling to the adjustable bracket 315. The support member 325 can also comprise a plurality of second openings 350 for coupling to the plurality of platforms 330, 335. The attachment plate 310 is adjustable to accept varying object sizes by coupling the plurality of platforms 330, 335 to alternative positions on the support member 325. The plurality of platforms 330, 335 can also be interchangeable so to support different objects, such as a first set of platforms can accommodate a shoe and a second platform can accommodate a board.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 is illustrated according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the leveling apparatus includes an adjustable bracket 415 that compliments the adjustable bracket 315. The boat plate 305 comprises a support member 419, a first mounting pin 420, a first mounting nut 421, spacers 422, a second mounting pin 424, a second mounting nut 425, and an extendable sub-plate 428.

The support member 419 can be a flat, rigid panel that is generally rectangular in shape. The long edges of the support member 419 can be folded to create a flange. Similarly, the extendable sub-plate 428 can be a flat, rigid panel that is generally rectangular in shape. The long edges of the extendable sub-plate 428 can be folded to create a flange. The flange provides structure to the extendable sub-plate 428 and comprises openings through which the second mounting pin 424 extends through. In this way, the extendable sub-plate 428 can be slightly smaller than the support member 419 so that the support member can receive the extendable sub-plate 428 and the extendable sub-plate 428 can slide within the support member 419. The opening of the flange of the support member 419 can provide a range from a retracted position to an extended position. The second mounting pin 424 can couple to the second mounting nut 425 and, when tightened, can fix the extendable sub-plate 428 along the range based on a clamping force. The extendable sub-plate 428 can include a scale, increments of which being associated a length of extension. Note that the by extending the extendable sub-plate 428, the leveling apparatus increases a ‘footprint’ on the incline plane, thereby providing greater stability.

The boat plate 305 also comprises at least one sole member 430 and at least one spacer 435. The at least one sole member 430 is a replaceable portion of the leveling apparatus that provides friction between the at least one sole member 430 and the inclined surface. That is, the at least one sole member 430 is replaceable with different embodiments, each of which provides a different level friction on the incline plane that corresponds with a surface area of the at least one sole member 430. For example, if an incline is 10°, then a sole member 430 having a first surface area and a first weight can be employed. Further, if an incline is 20°, then a sole member 430 having a second surface area and a second weight can be employed. The first surface area is less than the second surface area, as less friction is needed for the stability on the 10° incline. Also, the first weight is less than the second weight, to not over burden a user when the need for higher friction levels is less.

The at least one spacer 435 is a replaceable portion of the leveling apparatus that provides a mechanism for aligning the at least one sole member 430 on a common plane. For example, due to the extendable sub-plate 428 fitting inside of the support member 419, the spacer 435 for the extendable sub-plate 428 can be larger than the spacer 435 for the support member 419 so that each corresponding sole member 430 aligns and evenly contacts the incline plane.

The attachment plate 310 comprises the support member 325 and a receiving bracket 440. The receiving bracket 440 comprises the plurality of platforms 330, 335, the plurality of straps 340, mounting washers 442, fasteners 444, and nuts 446. The plurality of platforms 330, 335 also comprises a plurality of openings 448 for coupling the mounting washers 442 to the plurality of platforms 330, 335.

The mounting pins 420, 424, the mounting nuts 421, 425, the spacers 422, etc. (e.g., mountings 115, 125, 140, 155 and mountings 320, 321) are examples of fasteners, which can be any hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. Examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to, closing devices, clips, buttons, screws, bolts, nuts, nails, rivets, internal reinforcements, dowels, biscuits, cam dowels locked by cam locks, rope, string, wire, metal wire, coated plastic devices, multiple parallel wires, cable, chain, plastic wraps, hinges, springs may join objects together, adhesives, welds, solders, magnetic devices. Note that any of the openings described herein can be threaded to receive a fastener directly.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in the elevated position and the retracted position is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the leveling apparatus comprises at least one coupling 545. In the elevated position, a first end of the attachment plate 310 is fastened to a first end of the boat plate 305 (e.g., by the mountings 320, 321) and can pivot in a radial direction around this attached position. The adjustable brackets 315, 415 attach to a second end of the boat plate 305 and can pivot in a radial direction around this attached position. The attachment plate 310 and the adjustable brackets 315, 415 can, therefore, change orientations respective to the boat plate 305. For instance, when the boat plate 305 is on an inclined surface, the attachment plate 310 can be fixed above the boat plate 305 by using the at least one coupling 545 to secure an end of the attachment plate 310 to at least the adjustable bracket 315.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a bottom view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in the retracted position is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the at least one sole member 430 comprises at least one textured mark 560. The at least one textured indentation 560 is a modification to the at least one sole member 430 to maximize fiction between the at least one sole member 430 and the inclined surface. The at least one textured mark 560 can be echelons, chevrons, bumps, indentations, hollows, groves, etc., or a pattern or combination thereof

In view of the above, FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the leveling apparatus of FIG. 3 in the collapsed position and the retracted position in accordance with an embodiment, and FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the leveling apparatus in the elevated position and an extended position in accordance with the embodiment.

In operation, the leveling apparatus is placed on an incline plane. When placed, the leveling apparatus can generally be in the collapsed position and the retracted position shown in FIG. 7. The incline plane is flat and un-level. The attachment plate 310 of the leveling apparatus is then pivoted to a level position above the boat plate. The level position can be an orientation in-line with a plane that is perpendicular to a gravity force (e.g., a horizontal level). That is, while a first end of the attachment plate 310 remains attached to a first end of the boat plate 305, a second end of the attachment plate 310 is moved radially to a level position.

Once at the level position, the adjustable brackets 315, 415, which are attached to a second end of the boat plate 305, are also moved to fix a second end of the attachment plate 310 at the horizontal level above the boat plate 305. The leveling apparatus can then be worn by a user or support a board, such that the user can have a level surface to work from while on the incline plane. For example, when a plurality of leveling apparatuses is utilized on the incline plane at a same horizontal height, a board can be placed across the leveling apparatus so that the board is at a stable and horizontal level. To further stabilize the plurality of leveling apparatuses, each leveling apparatus can include a flange on a first end configured to allow each leveling apparatus to be secured to the incline plane. For instance, as shown in FIG. 9, a schematic 900 of a boat plate 905 includes a flange 980 comprising a plurality of openings 980. The flanged 980 can be coupled to the support member 419 of the boat plate 305. One or more fasteners can be driven through the plurality of openings 980 to secure the each leveling apparatus. The flange 980 can also be utilize to secure at least one leveling apparatus to the inclined plane when the at least one leveling apparatus is being worn by a user. Note that the schematic 900 is depicted via a top-down view with an attachment plate removed so that the boat plate 105 can be shown.

Technical effects and benefits of embodiments herein include providing a lightweight safety mechanism to eliminate leg and foot fatigue of construction worker while walking on an angled surface, provide a level position on the angled surface to eliminate spine health issues association with back injuries of construction worker, provide full stability on the incline plane by maximizing a contact surface with the incline plane and minimizing a slip factor, etc.

Embodiments may include an apparatus, a system, and/or a method at any possible technical detail level of integration. Aspects of the embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus, and systems. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof

The descriptions of the various embodiments herein have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

LEVELING APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE A LEVEL SURFACE WITH RESPECT TO AN INCLINE PLANE

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CPC

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Abstract

Description

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