Patent Application
20130092283
The present invention generally relates to pole weights. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filling method and a pole weight comprising a chambered enclosure including an integrated funnel portion, to facilitate the filling of the enclosure with dense media.
Filling enclosures with sand or other media to create a weight is well known. For example U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,467 to Cicero and U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,272 to Permann both disclose enclosures for filling with sand to create a weight. Such a weight can be used for weighting farm implements or vehicles, for creating temporary levies to hold back flood water, for weighting objects to secure them from the elements, or for other purposes.
The shape of these enclosures conforms to the use intended. For example in Permann, the enclosure is made for easy handling and includes external straps to secure the sand-filled enclosure in place within farm implements. In Cicero, the enclosure is long and narrow and is designed to fit easily in the trunk of a vehicle. The filled enclosure in Cicero is intended for the dual purpose of providing weight over the drive wheels of the vehicle for better traction, and a vessel for sand, in the event that sand was required to be sprinkled under the drive wheel for added traction.
In many cases the shape of a media-fillable enclosure is such that filling the enclosure with sand or other media is difficult. A long and narrow enclosure, for example, would typically be filled from an end, and the end opening on such a structure would typically be small and difficult to access. Further, a typical prior art enclosure would be of a unitary shape, that is, a cylinder or cuboid-type shape. Such shapes have limited adaptability to diverse tasks that might require such a weight. Therefore, remains a need for an improved pole weight device, method and system.
The present invention addresses certain deficiencies discussed above by providing a pole weight device and method that includes an integrated funnel structure to assist in filling the enclosure. In one aspect, the weight comprises a body defining a first chamber. The first chamber includes a closed bottom, closed sides and an upwardly facing open top. The funnel can extend outwardly from the open top in a deployed position and can fold inside of the chamber in the retracted position. A closure can be disposed at the interface of the funnel and open top. A single or a plurality of chambers can be defined in the body, each with its own integral funnel. The chambers can be of any desired shape and size. A closure can be provided to the opening in the chamber.
The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various example embodiments; nevertheless, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention.
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A single seal can be provided in al alternative embodiment, which would thus define first and second compartments on either side of the seal. The compartments can be of any desired shape and size (or multiple different shapes/sizes on the same body) without departing from the scope of the invention. The sealed portion can also define a width to create a separation distance between adjacent compartments. Thus the body 101 can be at least partially wrapped around a vertical pole as will be explained later herein. The width of the separation distance can be varied to accommodate a variety of pole diameters. The separation distance can be uniform or non-uniform.
A portion of the body extending generally upwardly from each compartment forms an integral funnel 112. The funnel functions to permit ease of filling of the compartment with fill media, such as sand, rock earth, other, or combinations of materials. The funnel is generally flexible and can be folded into the compartment when the compartment has been filled to the desired level.
The interface between the funnel and the respective compartment can be provided with a closure 114. For example, a drawstring 115, elastic band or other closure means to partially or fully close the open top of the enclosure can be utilized.
A portion of the body, such as for example, the top portion of the sealing section 116 can be provided with a hook or loop 118. The loop permits the container 100 to be hung or suspended from various structures, including ropes, chains, hooks, poles and portions of a tent. The loop is also useful for storing the container 100 by hanging it up.
A strap 120 can be disposed on or in the sidewalls of the container body 101. The strap 120 permits the user to secure one end portion of the body to the opposing end portion of the body. Thus, a pole or other object can be generally surrounded by the body. In one example embodiment, a hook portion of a hook and loop fastener is attached to the outer surface portion of one or both of the compartments adjacent the ends of the body. This portion extends in a generally horizontal direction. The corresponding loop portion of the hook and loop fastener is secured to the opposing container sidewall adjacent the opposing end of the body (or across both opposing hook portions), and again extends outwardly in a generally horizontal direction.
In a further alternative, a single hook and loop fastener strap can be secured to one end of the body, extending outwardly therefrom, and a ring can be secured to the opposing end edge of the container outer surface. The strap is inserted through the ring and then folded back on itself and secured, thereby retaining the opposing ends in close proximity to one another.
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One or more carry handles can also be provided on the body. For example, a single bucket-style handle can be provided to allow for one-hand carrying by a single person. In another example, a handle can be provided to the outsides of the outermost chambers to facilitate two-person carrying.
The container can be useful in weighting down or securing a tent or a portion of a tent such as a pole. In such application, the bottom of the container can rest on the base platform of the pole, if present, or can be suspended from the corner of the tent by a rope. One or more hooks or loops disposed on the body can facilitate the suspension from a rope or hook.
The weight of the container can be adjusted by the type and amount of fill placed in the compartments.
The enclosures can be non-uniform shapes to facilitate variable levels of fill and different weights with the same body configuration.
The pole weight of the present invention and the method of filling described herein can be utilized with other container types and can be employed for other uses, without departing from the scope of the invention.
The integral funnel facilitates the easer of filling the compartments and cannot be lost because it is integral. Also, in embodiments where the funnel is flexible, the funnel can be folded into its respective compartment, which can assist in the retaining of the media in the compartment because the funnel portion can cover part of the opening.
The container 100 can be formed of a variety of suitable materials without departing from the scope of the invention. One such material is heavy-gauge nylon.
The body can define one, two, three, or a greater number of chambers. More than two chambers is particularly useful to fold the body around poles or other objects having a larger diameter.
The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive features thereof. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.
For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.
