UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE

Abstract

A self stabilizing system which has an incompressible coil at least partially encompassed in a housing, and which controls a foot of a device to be stabilized. The coil abuts a plunger, which plunger is for allowing a user to selectably lock the elevation by use of a pin which fits within a plurality of annular grooves on the plunger. In a first embodiment, a pair of coils surround the plunger on either side and control a pair of feet, thus allowing automatic stabilization on an uneven surface. In a second embodiment, a single coil is controlled by a spring which abuts the plunger allowing a spring-loaded system for selecting an elevation to lock the plunger.

Claims

1. A stabilizer device which comprises: a) at least one coil; b) a housing; and c) at least one sleeve; wherein said at least one sleeve comprises: a) a foot; and b) a collar; wherein said at least one coil is connected to said foot of said at least one sleeve; wherein said at least one coil is at least partially enclosed in said housing; wherein said collar of said sleeve extends from said foot of said sleeve; wherein said collar of said sleeve partially encompasses said housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one coil is incompressible; and wherein the position of said foot is controlled by the position of said at least one coil.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one coil has a proximal end and a distal end; and wherein said proximal end of said at least one coil is connected to said foot of said at least one sleeve.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said device further comprises a plunger; wherein said distal end of said at least one coil abuts said plunger; wherein said plunger is rigid and incompressible; and wherein said plunger is encompassed by said housing.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said plunger has at least one annular groove therein; wherein said at least one annular groove is for facilitating locking of said plunger in a particular location relative to said housing.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said housing has a plurality of holes therein; wherein said plurality of holes comprise pairs of holes which face one another so that a pin may travel between them; wherein said locking of said plunger in a particular location relative to said housing is accomplished by said pin which travels through at least one of said holes of said housing and abuts said at least one annular groove of said plunger.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said at least one annular groove comprises a plurality of annular grooves; and wherein said plurality of annular grooves are for allowing for said locking of said plunger in a particular location relative to said housing to be done in a variety of locations relative to said housing.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said pin comprises a substantially U-shaped pin having two legs, wherein said plurality of holes comprise at least two pairs of holes which face one another; wherein said at least two pairs of holes which face one another are separated by a distance which corresponds to the distance between said two legs of said substantially U-shaped pin; and wherein said two legs of said substantially U-shaped pin go into said at least two pairs of holes for said locking of said plunger in a particular location relative to said housing.

9. The device of claim 9 wherein said housing has at least one straight portion; and wherein said plunger is contained within said straight portion of said housing.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one coil comprises a first coil and a second coil; wherein said first coil and said second coil each have a proximal end and a distal end; wherein said at least one sleeve comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve; wherein said proximal end of said first coil is connected to said foot of said first sleeve; and wherein said proximal end of said second coil is connected to said foot of said second sleeve.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said device further comprises a plunger; wherein said plunger has a first end and a second end; wherein said distal end of said first coil abuts said first end of said plunger; wherein said plunger is for being selectably locked in a position; wherein said distal end of said second coil abuts said second end of said plunger; wherein said plunger is rigid and incompressible; and wherein said plunger is encompassed by said housing.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said housing comprises a first leg and a second leg; wherein said first sleeve comprises a first collar; wherein said second sleeve comprises a second collar; wherein said first collar is capable of traveling along at least part of said first leg of said housing; and wherein said second collar is capable of traveling along at least part of said second leg of said housing.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said first leg comprises a first stop; wherein said second leg comprises a second stop; wherein there is a maximum extent to the travel of said first collar along said first leg of said housing; wherein there is a maximum extent to the travel of said second collar along said second leg of said housing; wherein said maximum extent to the travel of said first collar along said first leg of said housing is governed by said first stop; and wherein said maximum extent to the travel of said second collar along said second leg of said housing is governed by said second stop.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said first collar and said second collar move in unison; wherein said movement in unison is caused by the incompressibility of said first coil, said second coil, and said plunger; and wherein said movement in unison causes a weight attached to said housing to be self-stabilizing.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said device comprises a first device and a second device; and wherein said first device and said second device are for providing a set of four supports for an object.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said first device and said second device have coils and plungers of such lengths that said feet of said first device and said feet of said second device all rest on a flat surface at the same time.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said first device comprises a first foot of said first device and a second foot of said first device; wherein said second device comprises a first foot of said second device and a second foot of said second device; wherein said first foot of said first device and said first foot of said second device are capable of being placed at a first elevation; wherein said second foot of said first device and said second foot of said second device are capable of being placed at a second elevation different from said first elevation; and wherein said first device and said second device are capable of stabilizing an object connected to them when said first feet are at said first elevation and said second feet are at said second elevation.

18. The device of claim 4 wherein said plunger has a proximal end and a distal end; and wherein said proximal end of said plunger abuts said distal end of said coil.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said housing further comprises a cap; and wherein said cap is at an end of said housing and closes that end.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said device further comprises a spring; and wherein said spring is for controlling the location of said distal end of said plunger in respect to said cap of said housing.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said plunger comprises a bore; wherein said bore of said plunger extends from said distal end of said plunger; and wherein said bore does not reach said proximal end of said plunger.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said spring is encompassed at least partially in said bore of said plunger.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said encompassing of said spring in said bore allows said plunger to be flush with said cap when said spring is compressed.

24. The device of claim 3 wherein said proximal end of said at least one coil is connected to said foot of said at least one sleeve by a rod.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein said rod is at least partially threaded; and wherein said coil is secured to said rod by threading said coil into the threads of said rod.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0020] The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention being utilized with a wheelbarrow standing on an uneven surface;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention installed on a table per se;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof, of the table taken in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 3;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof, of the table taken in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 3;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof, of the table taken in the direction of arrows 6 in FIGS. 3 and 5;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

[0027] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed in the dotted circle indicated by arrow 8 in FIG. 7;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention being utilized with another table;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention being utilized with vanity chair;

[0030] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention being utilized with ladder;

[0031] FIG. 12 is a partial cross sectional view taken on line 12-12 in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 showing the leg of the device in a first unextended position;

[0032] FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view taken on line 12-12 in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 showing the leg of the device in a second extended position;

[0033] FIG. 14 is diagrammatic perspective view of the locking end of the second embodiment of the device with parts broken away;

[0034] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view thereof taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14; and

[0035] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view thereof taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 14.

A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

REFERENCE NUMERALS OF ELEMENTS COMMON TO ALL EMBODIMENTS

[0036] 17 universal stabilizer device [0037] 18 coil [0038] 19 housing [0039] 20 sleeve [0040] 21 foot of sleeve 20 [0041] 22 collar of sleeve 20 [0042] 23 proximal end of coil 18 [0043] 24 distal end of coil 18 [0044] 25 plunger [0045] 26 annular groove of plunger 25 [0046] 28 plurality of holes of housing 19 [0047] 30 pin [0048] 32 legs of pin 30 [0049] 34 straight portion of housing 19 [0050] 36 rod [0051] 38 threads of rod 36 [0052] 40 threading of coil 18 onto threads 38 of rod 36

REFERENCE NUMERALS OF FIRST EMBODIMENT 110

[0053] 110 first embodiment of a universal stabilizer device 17 [0054] 111 first coil [0055] 112 second coil [0056] 114 proximal end of first coil 111 [0057] 115 distal end of first coil 111 [0058] 116 proximal end of second coil 112 [0059] 117 distal end of second coil 112 [0060] 118 first sleeve [0061] 120 second sleeve [0062] 122 plunger [0063] 124 first end of plunger 122 [0064] 126 second end of plunger 122 [0065] 128 first leg of housing 19 [0066] 130 second leg of housing 19 [0067] 132 collar of first sleeve 118 [0068] 134 collar of second sleeve 120 [0069] 136 first stop [0070] 138 second stop [0071] 140 first device [0072] 142 second device [0073] 144 first foot of first device 140 [0074] 146 second foot of first device 140 [0075] 148 first foot of second device 142 [0076] 150 second foot of second device 150 [0077] 152 first elevation [0078] 154 second elevation [0079] 156 object connected to device 10

REFERENCE NUMERALS OF SECOND EMBODIMENT 210

[0080] 210 second embodiment of a universal stabilizer device 17 [0081] 211 plunger [0082] 212 proximal end of plunger [0083] 213 distal end of plunger [0084] 214 cap of housing 19 [0085] 216 end of housing 19 [0086] 218 spring [0087] 220 bore of plunger 211

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0088] Two embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. The first embodiment 110 is disclosed in drawing FIGS. 1-8. The second embodiment 210 is disclosed in drawing FIGS. 9-16. A number of elements are common to both embodiments. This description will begin with those elements common to both embodiments, then discuss the first embodiment 110 and second embodiment 210 in their particulars.

Description of Elements Common to Both Embodiments

[0089] Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 7, and 12 disclosed is A universal stabilizer device 17 which constitutes:

[0090] a) at least one coil 18;

[0091] b) a housing 19; and

[0092] c) at least one sleeve 20.

The at least one sleeve 20 constitutes:

[0093] a) a foot 21; and

[0094] b) a collar 22.

The at least one coil 18 is connected to the foot 21 of the at least one sleeve 20. The at least one coil 18 is at least partially enclosed in the housing 19. The collar 22 of the sleeve 20 extends from the foot 21 of the sleeve 20. The collar 22 of the sleeve 20 partially encompasses the housing 19. The at least one coil 18 is incompressible, and the position of the foot 21 is controlled by the position of the at least one coil 18.

[0095] This construction facilitates the use of a coil 18 to control a foot 21 for stabilization purposes. This provides a number of advantages. As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9-13, this allows the coil to travel through a housing 19 which has a number of bends, while still producing a firm support because of the incompressible coil 18. Additionally, the sleeve 20 construction permits movement of the support for an object without adjusting more visible or exterior components than necessary.

[0096] As shown most clearly in FIG. 7, as well as in FIG. 12, the at least one coil 18 has a proximal end 23 and a distal end 24. The proximal end 23 of the at least one coil 18 is connected to the foot 21 of the at least one sleeve 20. The device 17 further constitutes a plunger 25. The distal end 24 of the at least one coil 18 abuts the plunger 25. The plunger 25 is rigid and incompressible, and the plunger 25 is encompassed by the housing 19. This permits the plunger 25 to be a part of the control of the foot 21 without causing extra movement.

[0097] The plunger 25 has at least one annular groove 26 therein. The at least one annular groove 26 is for facilitating locking of the plunger 25 in a particular location relative to the housing 19. Further for facilitating same, the housing 19 has a plurality of holes 28 therein. The plurality of holes 28 constitute pairs of holes 28 which face one another so that a pin 30 may travel between them. Thus, the locking of the plunger 25 in a particular location relative to the housing 19 is accomplished by the pin 30 which travels through at least one of the holes 28 of said housing and abuts the at least one annular groove 26 of the plunger 25.

[0098] In the preferred embodiment, the at least one annular groove 26 constitutes a plurality of annular grooves 26. This allows that the plurality of annular grooves 26 allowing for the locking of the plunger 25 in a particular location relative to the housing 19 to be done in a variety of locations relative to the housing 19. Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 8, 12, and 13, the pin 30 is a substantially U-shaped pin 30 having two legs 32.

[0099] The U-shaped pin 30 having two legs facilitates locking as follows. The plurality of holes 28 constitute at least two pairs of holes 28 which face one another. The at least two pairs of holes 28 which face one another are separated by a distance which corresponds to the distance between the two legs 32 of the substantially U-shaped pin 30. Thus, the two legs 32 of the substantially U-shaped pin 30 go into the at least two pairs of holes 28 for the locking of the plunger 25 in a particular location relative to the housing 19. This configuration requires that the plunger 25 have at least two annular grooves 26 for the legs 32 of the pin 30 to go into.

[0100] Further, in the preferred construction of the invention common to all embodiments, the housing 19 has at least one straight portion 34, and the plunger 25 is contained within the straight portion 34 of the housing. This permits the plunger 25 to travel within the straight portion 34 to facilitate controlled motion of the at least one foot 21 for stabilization.

[0101] In reference to the controlling of said foot 21, in the preferred structure, the proximal end 23 of the at least one coil 18 is connected to the foot 21 of the at least one sleeve 20 by a rod 36. The rod 36 is at least partially threaded 38. The coil 18 is secured to the rod 36 by threading 40 the coil 18 into the threads 38 of the rod 36.

Description of the First Embodiment 110

[0102] The first embodiment 110 of the device 17 is disclosed in FIGS. 1-8. In the first embodiment 110, the at least one coil 18 constitutes a first coil 111 and a second coil 112. The first coil 111 and said second coil 112 each have a proximal end 23 and a distal end 25. Thus, the first coil 111 has a proximal end 114 and a distal end 115. Likewise, the second coil 112 has a proximal end 116 and a distal end 117. The at least one sleeve 20 constitutes a first sleeve 118 and a second sleeve 120. The proximal end 114 of the first coil 111 is connected to the foot 21 of the first sleeve 118. The proximal end 116 of the second coil 112 is connected to the foot 21 of the second sleeve 120.

[0103] As in the elements common to all embodiments, the first embodiment of the device 110 further constitutes a plunger 122. The plunger 122 has a first end 124 and a second end 126. The distal end 115 of the first coil 111 abuts the first end 124 of the plunger 122. The plunger 122 is for being selectably locked in a position. The distal end 117 of the second coil 112 abuts the second end 126 of the plunger 122. The plunger 122 is rigid and incompressible. The plunger 122 is encompassed by the housing 19.

[0104] This structure allows that the first coil 111, the second coil 112, and the plunger 122 work in unison to move within the housing 19. Thus the first sleeve 118 and the second sleeve 120 and their respective feet 21 move correspondingly, keeping a fixed relative distance because of the incompressibility of the first coil 111, second coil 112, and the plunger 122.

[0105] Further, in the first embodiment 110, the housing 19 has a first leg 128 and a second leg 130. The first sleeve 118 constitutes in part a first collar 132. The second sleeve constitutes in part a second collar 134. The first collar 132 is capable of traveling along at least part of the first leg 128 of the housing 19. The second collar 134 is capable of traveling along at least part of the second leg 130 of the housing 19.

[0106] Still further, the first leg 128 of the housing 19 has a first stop 136. Likewise, the second leg 130 has a second stop 138. These stops 136, 138 are disposed at the ends of the first leg 128 and second leg 130 respectively. There is a maximum extent to the travel of the first collar 132 along the first leg 128 of the housing 19. Likewise, there is a maximum extent to the travel of the second collar 134 along the second leg 130 of the housing 19. The maximum extent to the travel of the first collar 132 along the first leg 128 of the housing 19 is governed by the first stop 136. The maximum extent to the travel of the second collar 134 along the second leg 130 of the housing 19 is governed by the second stop 138.

[0107] Thus, the first collar 132 and the second collar 134 move in unison. The movement in unison is caused by the incompressibility of the first coil 111, the second coil 112, and the plunger 122. The movement in unison causes a weight or object 156 attached to the housing 19 of the device 110 to be self-stabilizing.

[0108] Now will be discussed a second variant of the first embodiment of the device 110, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-6. In this variant the device 110 constitutes a first device 140 and a second device 142. The first device 140 and the second device 142 are for providing a set of four supports for an object 156.

[0109] To facilitate this, the first device 140 and the second device 142 have coils 18 and plungers 122 of such lengths that the feet 21 of the first device 140 and the feet 21 of the second device 142 all rest on a flat surface at the same time.

[0110] The first device 140 constitutes in part a first foot 144 of the first device 140 and a second foot 146 of the first device 140. The second device 142 constitutes in part a first foot 148 of the second device and a second foot 150 of the second device 142.

[0111] As illustrated in FIG. 1, The first foot 144 of the first device 140 and the first foot 148 of the second device 142 are capable of being placed at a first elevation 152. The second foot 146 of the first device 140 and the second foot 150 of the second device 142 are capable of being placed at a second elevation 154 different from the first elevation. Thus, the first device 140 and the second device 142 are capable of stabilizing an object connected to them 156 when the first feet 144, 148 are at said first elevation 152 and the second feet 146, 150 are at said second elevation 154.

Description of the Second Embodiment 210

[0112] Disclosed now is a second embodiment of the device 210. This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9-16, and discloses a version of the device 17 with a single, adjustable stabilizer. In the second embodiment 210, a plunger 211 has a proximal end 212 and a distal end 213, and where the proximal end 212 of the plunger 211 abuts the distal end 24 of the coil 18.

[0113] The housing 19 further constitutes a cap 214. The cap 214 is at an end 216 of the housing 19 and closes that end 216. The device 210 further contains a spring 218. The spring 218 is for controlling the location of the distal end 213 of the plunger 211 in respect to the cap 214 of the housing 19. This allows that the coil 19 is essentially spring loaded, with the only compressibility being afforded by the spring 218. The plunger 211 preferably has the annular grooves 26 for locking common to both embodiments, allowing that the spring 218 can be used for balancing a load and then locking the foot 21 in place at the desired elevation.

[0114] In the preferred construction as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 15, the plunger 211 has a bore 220 therein. The bore 220 of the plunger 211 extends from the distal end 213 of the plunger, but the bore 220 does not reach the proximal end 212 of the plunger 211. The spring 218 is encompassed at least partially in the bore 220 of the plunger 211. The encompassing of the spring 218 in the bore 220 allows the plunger 211 to be flush with the cap 214 when the spring 218 is compressed.

[0115] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

[0116] While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

[0117] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.