Self-positioning Patents (Class 248/188.3)
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Patent number: 11774031Abstract: Stabilising arrangement (1) for supporting an object (4) has: first, second, third and fourth legs (5, 6, 7, 8) with respective ground engaging means and connected to interconnection means (2) by respective slide connections, the second and fourth ground engaging means on opposing sides of a virtual line between the first and third ground engaging means; a first balance beam (32) pivoted to the interconnection means and engaging with the first and second legs, the position of each leg determined by at least two additional constraints: i. a second balance beam (33) pivoted to the interconnection means and engaging with the second and third legs; ii. a third balance beam (34) pivoted to the interconnection means and engaging with the third and fourth legs; iii. a first leg fixing (46) connecting the first and third legs; and iv. a second leg fixing (47) connecting the second and fourth legs.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: No Rock Cafe Tables Pty LtdInventors: Toby William Heyring, John Gerard Catoni
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Patent number: 11549636Abstract: A platform to be used to secure objects for delivery by air. As a platform is lowered toward the ground, the legs of the platform touch the ground and interact with each other to stabilize the platform. A stable platform does not tip over. The platform may stabilize itself even when lowered onto uneven terrain. As the platform is lowered, the legs, except the last leg, move upward or inside the body of the platform until the last leg touches the terrain. On uneven terrain, the legs of the platform move upward or inside different amounts, so the legs have different lengths. The last leg to touch locks the other legs so that they cannot move up or down thereby stabilizing the platform. An incompressible material is used to detect when the last leg touches the terrain and to lock the other legs.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Inventor: Richard F. Langner
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Patent number: 11262231Abstract: A swivel foot assembly for a force plate or balance plate is disclosed herein. The swivel foot assembly includes a foot attachment component including a stem portion and a body portion, the stem portion of the foot attachment component configured to be attached to a force plate or balance plate; and a foot base component including a receptacle for receiving the body portion of the foot attachment component, the foot base component configured to be disposed on a support surface. The swivel foot assembly is configured to accommodate an uneven support surface on which a force plate or balance plate is disposed so that a force measurement accuracy of the force plate or balance plate is not adversely affected by stresses resulting from the uneven support surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Bertec CorporationInventors: Necip Berme, Sasan Ghassab
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Patent number: 10660416Abstract: A piece of luggage (1) comprising a housing (2) and at least one pair of caster wheels (9), wherein each of the caster wheels (9) comprises a swivel axis (S) and at least one wheel (10) with a peripheral surface (11) rotating around a rotation axis (R) running perpendicular to the swivel axis (S). The diameter (D) of the at least one wheel (9) is as large as possible under the provision that in a rotational position parts of the peripheral surface (10) of the wheel (9) extend in a space between a center plane (C) extending centrally between a front wall (3) and a back wall (4) and a reference plane (P) extending parallel and at a distance (A) to the center plane (C), which distance (A) amounts up to 20% of the diameter (D) of the wheel (9).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: VICTORINOX AGInventors: Tillman Paul, Carsten Kulcke, Max Toma, Michel Perret
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Patent number: 10500112Abstract: A dynamic support system mounted to a chair to permit a user to be supported in one of a plurality of positions is provided. The dynamic support system includes a seat assembly coupled to the chair and having a cushion and a pair of support plate assemblies coupled to the cushion, each support plate assembly having a central interface plate coupled to the chair and disposed between an inner interface plate and an outer interface plate, the central interface plate of each support plate assembly having a pair of pivot slots, the inner and outer interface plates of each support plate assembly coupled to the cushion by a pair of bolts extending through the inner interface plate, the pair of pivot slots in the central interface plate and the outer interface plate of each support plate assembly. The seat assembly can adjust between an anterior position and a posterior position.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Inventors: Wayne Harvey Hanson, Martin Carl Haas, Mark Christopher Saunders
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Patent number: 10487973Abstract: A mounting system for supporting rotary machinery on a supporting structure of an off-shore installation, the system including a base frame provided with an upper side, for mounting the rotary machinery and a lower side, a set of at least four supporting members arranged at the lower side of the base frame and adapted to be placed on the supporting structure to act as an intermediate layer or frame between the base frame and the supporting structure in mounting condition. The supporting members include resilient elements generating a reaction force when subject to load and are configured to transfer to the base frame stresses and/or strains lower than allowable limits also in case of deformation of the supporting structures; the base frame has stiffness such as to guarantee design acceptance criteria for example for rotary machinery alignment, terminal points or interface point displacement, dynamic behavior or like parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie SrlInventors: Jacopo Barsali, Valentina Bisio, Emanuele Checcacci, Francesco Capanni, Roberto Merlo
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Patent number: 10001813Abstract: An electronic device which is protected against screen breakage when dropped includes a display panel defining a through hole, a gravity sensor, a processor, and a bumper deployment mechanism. The bumper deployment mechanism includes a first elastic part and a connected rotating mechanism. The rotating mechanism includes a motor. The processor can compare a detected acceleration value with a preset acceleration value. When the detected acceleration value represents free-fall motion, which is greater than the preset acceleration value, the processor controls the motor to drive the first elastic part to pass through the through hole of the display panel and protrude from the display panel as a shock absorber.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTDInventors: Zhen-Wu Tang, Qian-Fa Zhao, Tai-Shan Zhu, Jun-Liang Zhang
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Patent number: 9961994Abstract: A coffee maker stand includes a drawer for brewing cartridges and a two position latch or handle. The latch or handle has a first position locking the drawer into the stand and extending rollers under the stand allowing easy movement of the stand, and second position retracing the rollers to resist moving the stand and releasing the drawer.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Inventor: Adrian Rivera
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Patent number: 9961996Abstract: A table assembly can include a table top, a post assembly coupled at one end to an underside of the table top, and a base assembly operatively coupled to an opposite end of the post assembly and configured to support the table top on a floor surface. The table assembly can include one or more racks disposed above the base assembly and arranged about the post assembly. Each of the one or more racks defines an opening between the post assembly and a cross-bar of the rack configured to receive an elongate platform therethrough for storage. Optionally, the table assembly can have a height adjustment mechanism actuatable to adjust the height of the table top above the floor space.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Company of Motion, LLCInventor: Joel Ward Heath
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Patent number: 9588482Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first leg part that supports a housing; a second leg part that supports the housing at a position away from the first leg part; and a third leg part that supports the housing, the third leg part being disposed, so as to be pivotable relative to the housing, at a position where a triangle is formed by connecting the first leg part, the second leg part, and the third leg part.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Shohei Matsunami, Yuji Hayakawa
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Patent number: 9532650Abstract: The present invention is a filing cabinet with an outrigger that increases a footprint of the file cabinet to prevent the file cabinet from tipping over. The outrigger is positioned in proximity to a bottom of the housing, the outrigger includes a bias element to move a cantilever structure from a retracted position to a deployed position when the file cabinet is tipped to a release angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Inventor: Ralph Lipsey Barnett
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Patent number: 8991780Abstract: A load carrier device is provided with a support structure and means arranged for connection to a lifting means. The support structure comprises one or more shock absorbers provided with a telescoping element which in an initial position projects downwards from an underside of the support structure and is arranged for damped compressive telescoping at the contact of the load carrier with a base.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Offshore Technology Partner ASInventors: Tarald Tveit Pedersen, Kjell Morten Kaldestad
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Patent number: 8870134Abstract: A support mechanism (7) for an object, such as a table, has at least two fixed legs (3 and 5), at least two moveable legs (4 and 6) and an interconnection means (8). The interconnection means is intermediate and rigidly connected to the at least two fixed legs. Each moveable leg includes a beam portion (4a, 6a), with one end of the beam portion connected to the interconnection means by a pivot having a pivot axis (provided by the bolt 12 for example). Each moveable leg also includes at least one support member (19-22) connected to and extending from the beam portion. At least one object support portion (19b-22b) is provided on each support member, the object support portion in contact with the object (such as the underside of a table top) in use and providing a substantially vertical support force to the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Tipstop Tables Pty LtdInventors: John Gerard Catoni, Christopher Brian Heyring, Toby William Heyring, Richard Monk
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Patent number: 8746638Abstract: A stand for engaging support of a smart mobile telephone includes a base plate formed of planar thermoplastic polymer generally rectangular in shape having a midline axis and a first and second extreme edges in opposed relationship, parallel and spaced apart from the midline axis. A first and a second flex plate formed of the planar thermoplastic polymer and include an attachment region extending from an extreme edge and to a first root edge and is fused to base plate in a manner to bias the first flex plate toward the base plate. A generally rectangular limb extends beyond the root edge to a living hinge affixed to a generally rectangular first riser defining at least one first tab being configured to engage the registration slot when the first riser is rotated to an attitude perpendicular to the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventor: Michael H. Carney
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Patent number: 8651441Abstract: A support assembly for an item of furniture has an elongated support structure with a first pair of feet fast with the support structure at its lower end; a passage defining arrangement defining a guide passage fast with the support structure and extending lengthwise; a support member displaceable with respect to the support structure which has a second pair of feet at its lower end; an elongated a guided pin fast with the displaceable support member that is complementary to and longitudinally slidably engaged with the passage defining arrangement, so that the displaceable support member is slidably displaceable along a rectilinear guide path which is transverse to lines drawn between both the pairs of feet, the passage defining arrangement comprising a hollow carrier with a pair of longitudinally spaced precision washers which engage the guided pin, the dimensions of the washers and the guided pin being such that automatic frictional engagement of the guided pin occurs, in use, with inner walls of the washerType: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Hedera ABInventor: Rory Brooke
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Patent number: 8627927Abstract: A device (10), such as a ladder, scaffold, piece of furniture or a support for any other appliance has at least two legs (12;14), each of which has a slidable leg part (30;32) slidably positioned with respect to another part (18;20) of the device to form a leg having an adjustable length. A locking structure (34;36) is arranged to prevent movement of each of the slidable leg parts (30;32) with respect to said other part (18;20) of the device in a locked state of the locking structure (34;36), and to allow movement of each of the slidable leg parts (30;32) with respect to said other part (18;20) of the device in an unlocked state of the locking structure (34;36). A flexible member (38) interconnects the slidable leg parts (30;32) and is arranged such that it pulls the locking structure (34;36) into the unlocked position when strained under the action of gravity acting on at least one of the slidable leg parts (30;32).Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: EYE2Z APSInventor: Henrik Seibaek
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Patent number: 8607715Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement supports an object on four ground engaging devices on uneven ground has an interconnection mechanism, and three or four lever parts connected to the interconnection mechanism by respective pivots each with a pivot axis. The first and third pivot axes are at an angle of up to thirty degrees from parallel to each other and within thirty degrees of perpendicular to the second pivot axis. The first lever part includes a first engaging region engaging with the second engaging region of the second lever part. The third lever part includes a second engaging region engaging with the first engaging region of the second lever part. Rotation of the first lever part drives rotation of the second lever part which drives rotation of the third lever part opposite to the first lever part, allowing warp displacement of the four ground engaging devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: No Rock Cafe Tables Pty LtdInventors: John Gerard Catoni, Toby William Heyring, Christopher Brian Heyring, Jonathan Ramsey Beames, Richard Monk
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Patent number: 8596598Abstract: A booster structure of legs contains a support plate including four posts disposed at four corners of a bottom end thereof respectively. Each post includes a plurality of recesses having a vertical sliding section and a number of horizontal retaining sections perpendicular to the vertical sliding section. Each of a plurality of vertical moving units, including includes an inner stem and an outer stem, with the outer stem including a bottom cover. A bolt element is inserted and slides between the inner and outer stems. The bolt element includes a straight sliding section and a number of engaging sections perpendicular to the straight sliding section and includes a resilient element, a button, and a lip. The button is disposed on one side of the outer stem so that the bolt element is forced by the button to slide horizontally and return to its original position.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Inventors: Yu-Shan Lai, Yen-Chuan Lai
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Publication number: 20130221170Abstract: A support mechanism (7) for an object, such as a table, has at least two fixed legs (3 and 5), at least two moveable legs (4 and 6) and an interconnection means (8). The interconnection means is intermediate and rigidly connected to the at least two fixed legs. Each moveable leg includes a beam portion (4a, 6a), with one end of the beam portion connected to the interconnection means by a pivot having a pivot axis (provided by the bolt 12 for example). Each moveable leg also includes at least one support member (19-22) connected to and extending from the beam portion. At least one object support portion (19b-22b) is provided on each support member, the object support portion in contact with the object (such as the underside of a table top) in use and providing a substantially vertical support force to the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: TIPSTOP TABLES PTY LTDInventors: John Gerard Catoni, Christopher Brian Heyring, Toby William Heyring, Richard Monk
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Publication number: 20130112821Abstract: This invention relates to a self adjusting furniture stabilising device (10), connectable to the bottom surface of a foot (12) of a table (14). The device (10) comprises a first body (16), connectable to the foot (12) and a second body (18) for resting on a surface (20). The first body (16) includes first ramp formations (22), having a plurality of first engaging surfaces (24) and the second body (18) includes second ramp formations (26), having a plurality of complementary second engaging surfaces (28). The first and second bodies (16 and 18) are coupled to one another with the plurality of first and second engaging surfaces (24 and 28) engaging one another to permit rotational movement of the second body (18) relative to the first body (16), so that the stabilising device (10) self-adjusts in the event of a rotational force applied thereto in order to stabilise the table (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Inventor: Rory Brooke
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Patent number: 8382056Abstract: A safety device, comprising: a mounting arrangement operable to receive and support a lower portion of a ladder; and a support assembly upon which the device may rest, the support assembly comprising a plurality of elongate support members, each of which has a pair of ground contacting locations on which the device may rest and is independently pivotable with respect to the mounting arrangement around a point located between the ground contacting locations.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventors: Steven Le Masurier, John Phillips
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Publication number: 20130036950Abstract: A stabilising arrangement to support an object (1) (such as a table) above four ground engaging means (5c-8c) (such as feet) includes an interconnection means (4) interconnecting at least three lever parts (e.g. four table legs (5-8) or beam portions (5a-8a) each connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot (9) having a respective pivot axis (5h-8h). Each ground engaging means can be attached to or integral with one of the three lever parts where at least one of the ground engaging means is connected to the first lever part and at least one ground engaging means is connected to the third lever part. The first pivot axis and the third pivot axis are at an angle of up to thirty degrees from parallel to each other and within thirty degrees of perpendicular to the second pivot axis. The second lever part has first and second engaging regions, the first engaging region located on the opposite side of the second pivot axis to the second engaging region in plan view.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2010Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: NO ROCK CAFE TABLES PTY LTDInventors: Christopher Brian Heyring, Jonathan Ramsey Beames, John Gerard Catoni, Toby William Heyring, Richard Monk
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Publication number: 20120248266Abstract: A support for supporting a structure on a surface, comprising at least one support element, each support element comprising a piston, a cylinder in which the piston is moveable, and a brake for maintaining the piston in a position that is stable relative to the cylinder, wherein the piston and the cylinder are arranged so that a loading associated with the structure effects an adjustment of the support element, and wherein an increase in hydraulic pressure within the cylinder, effected by the loading associated with the structure, activates the brake.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: FLAT PTY LTDInventors: Antony Lawrence Pike, Duncan B. Gilmore, Raymond L. Hope
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Publication number: 20120241568Abstract: A leg adjusting assembly has a housing, a rod that moves through the housing, a foot mechanism, and a biasing member. The rod moves through a hole in the housing and a hole in the foot mechanism. The biasing member moves the foot mechanism against the rod and prevents the rod from moving within the housing. A foot-activated force applied to the foot mechanism enables the rod to move and alter a height of the leg of a table or chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Steven Lee Christian, Michael S. Maize
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Patent number: 8162273Abstract: An adjustable support device (10) for a structure, including an arcuate support bar (26) terminating in feet (28) for engagement with a ground surface. Two spaced apart locking mechanisms (30) are pivotally connected to the structure. The arcuate support bar (26) extends between engagement rods (36a, 36b) of the locking mechanisms (30). The locking mechanisms (30) are pivotally moveable between a first position, in which a stop member (38) prevents further pivotal movement in one direction such that the engagement rods (36a, 36b) are positioned to allow the arcuate support bar (26) to slide freely over the engagement rods (36a, 36b), and a second position, when weight is applied to the locking mechanisms (30). In the second position, the engagement rods (36a, 36b) lock against the arcuate support bar (26) to prevent sliding movement there through for supporting the structure in a required orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventor: Ronald Paul Jones
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Publication number: 20120085873Abstract: A support assembly for an item of furniture has an elongated support structure with a first pair of feet fast with the support structure at its lower end; a passage defining arrangement defining a guide passage fast with the support structure and extending lengthwise; a support member displaceable with respect to the support structure which has a second pair of feet at its lower end; an elongated a guided pin fast with the displaceable support member that is complementary to and longitudinally slidably engaged with the passage defining arrangement, so that the displaceable support member is slidably displaceable along a rectilinear guide path which is transverse to lines drawn between both the pairs of feet, the passage defining arrangement comprising a hollow carrier with a pair of longitudinally spaced precision washers which engage the guided pin, the dimensions of the washers and the guided pin being such that automatic frictional engagement of the guided pin occurs, in use, with inner walls of the washerType: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: HEDERA ABInventor: Rory Brooke
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Patent number: 8118379Abstract: Disclosed is a support apparatus for a washing machine. The support apparatus includes a first adjustment unit coupled to a base, in which a coupling position of the first adjustment unit to the base is adjustable, and a second adjustment unit that is movable relative to the first adjustment unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seok In Hong, Chan Woo Park, Woong Sub Yim, Jee Won Lee, Do Yeon Kim, Dong Woo Shin
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Patent number: 8104724Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilising device for stabilising an object having a plurality of support elements on a surface, particularly objects that are moved frequently such as garden furniture or the tables or restaurant terraces. The stabilising device comprises a plurality of fluid-containing compartments which are in fluid communication with each other by way of a restricted flow mechanism such that they are each variable in height in response to the amount of fluid contained therein and are located between the support elements and the surface. The stabilising device eliminates the requirement for using a valve to control the flow of fluid by using the restricted flow mechanism comprising a plurality of interconnected narrow-bore hoses.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Inventor: Frank Sorohan
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Patent number: 8052106Abstract: A folding workbench includes a rectangular benchtop frame and first and second leg assemblies pivotably coupled to the frame. Each leg assembly includes first and second legs coupled to respective side rails of the frame, the leg assembly rotatable between a folded position, in which the leg assembly lies substantially within the benchtop frame, and an open position in which the leg assembly extends from the benchtop frame at about a 90 degree angle. Each leg assembly includes a shelf bracket extending between the first and second legs, with a notch extending lengthwise in the shelf bracket. With the leg assemblies in their open positions, a shelf assembly extends between and engages the notches of the shelf brackets, preventing rotation of the leg assemblies away from their open positions. Ends of the legs can be shaped to bind against the frame at selected positions, to provide detents to hold the leg assemblies in their folded or open positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Inventor: N. Eric Knudsen
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Patent number: 8020938Abstract: The disclosure relates to a chair comprising a seat part, at least one leg part, at least one foot part that consists of a predetermined plurality of foot elements and at least one spring assembly. According to the disclosure, at least one designated foot element and/or a sub-section of said element is configured to be mobile and is subject to a restoring moment under the action of a load.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Inventors: Josef Glöckl, Thomas Walser
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Patent number: 7910841Abstract: A foot assembly for a weighing scale comprises a base, a ring arranged in coaxial spaced relation to the base; and a plurality of deformable compensation beams projecting outwardly from a portion of the base so as to support the ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Measurement LtdInventor: Damon Germanton
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Publication number: 20100224745Abstract: A support structure is provided that can comprise a central support member and leveling devices arranged in a deployed configuration where the leveling devices are radially offset from the central support member. In one embodiment of the support structure, each of the leveling devices can comprise an actuator assembly for fine positioning of a support plane of the support structure. The actuator assembly can communicate with a control system, and in one example the control system is operatively configured to monitor the position of the support plane, providing feedback in the form of a control that operates the actuator to adjust the orientation of the support plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Evgeny M. Orlov, Alexei K. Shkurko
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Patent number: 7744050Abstract: A self-leveling foot for an appliance of the type that includes a base to be seated on a floor; a rod affixed to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom; an elastic element having a lower end seated on the base and a tubular sleeve, slidably mounted and guided around the rod, and having a lower portion seated on the upper end of the elastic element and an upper portion to be mounted under a lower frame portion of the appliance, so as to apply on the base, through the elastic element, a respective portion of the appliance weight. The foot of the present invention may further comprise a dampening means mounted between the parts of rod and tubular sleeve, so as to exert a braking force against the relative axial movement between said parts.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.Inventors: Carlos Eduardo Buratto de Toledo, Adelcio Braz, Antonio de Oliveira, Wladimir Alex Magalhaes Barcha, Douglas Alex Resende Pereira, Erico de Oliveira Munhoz, Jorge Oyama
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Patent number: 7744049Abstract: An automatic level controlling apparatus (100) for supporting an appliance includes a hollow leg body (110), a piston (140) inserted in the hollow leg body (110), a spring (130) seated on an upper portion of the piston (140), a cap (120) disposed on an upper portion of the piston (140) to support an upper portion of the spring (130), a frictional member (150) disposed around the piston (140), and a piston rod (160) coupled to the piston (140) and supported on a floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ho Cheol Kwon, Hack Jai Song, Beom Jun Kim, Il Jyeok Yim, Kang Mo Choi
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Patent number: 7717380Abstract: An automatic height adjustment leg of a laundry handling apparatus according to the present invention comprises a cylinder mounted to a base of a laundry handling apparatus; a piston movably arranged inside the cylinder; a elastic member installed in the cylinder so as to elastically support the piston; and a leg penetrating the cylinder and fixed to the piston. There are provided advantages that the horizontality of the laundry handling apparatus may be automatically adjusted as the piston and leg move on and vibration may be absorbed and reduced by the elastic member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ho Cheol Kwon, Beom Jun Kim, Il Hyeok Yim, Hack Chai Song
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Patent number: 7717395Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an axial load between first and second planes with an axial dimension therebetween includes first, second, and third members. The first member has a planar face on one end engaging the first plane and has a spherical face on the other end. The second member has a spiraling face on one end and has a spherical face on another end. The spherical face engaging the spherical face of the first member so that the first and second spherical faces maintain substantial contact for transferring the axial load between the first and second planes whether the planes are parallel or non-parallel. The third member has a spiraling face on one end and has a planar face on another end. The planar face engages the second plane. The spiraling face engages the spiraling face of the second member. The axial dimension of the second and third members can be adjusted when at least one is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Robert L. Rowan & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Rowan, Jr., Charles L. Rowan
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Patent number: 7677524Abstract: The invention relates to a self-stabilizing support assembly (14) for an item of furniture, such as a table, stool or chair. The assembly includes a support structure (16) for connection at an upper end thereof to an upper portion of an item of furniture. The support structure has a first pair of feet (50) at a lower end (22) thereof. An elongated guides pin (38) projects from a lower end of the support structure. A displaceable support member (30), which has a second pair of feet (32), is provided with a housing (36) defining a guide passage, in which guide passage the guide pin is longitudinally slidably received.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Hedera ABInventor: Rory Brooke
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Patent number: 7617018Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing platform attitude adjustment range for platforms supported by jacks in which the apparatus includes jacks for supporting a platform at spaced-apart locations, jack drive mechanisms, and a controller connected to each of the jacks through their respective jack drive mechanisms and programmed to adjust platform attitude by coordinating jack movement. The controller coordinates jack movement by selecting and commanding at least one of the jacks to retract and selecting and commanding at least one other of the jacks to extend.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Innovative Design SolutionsInventors: Robert M. Ford, John P. Manfreda, Mark J. Woloszyk, Shawn P. Haley
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Patent number: 7597294Abstract: A leveling system for household appliances comprises appliance feet which are arranged at the underside of the household appliance and which are adjustable in height at least partly by an actuation member and therefore make it possible to adjust the height of the household appliance and/or to adapt to unevenness in floors. According to the invention, the actuation member is a traction element and the appliance feet which are adjustable in height by the traction element have, in each instance, a cylindrical housing which is fastened to the underside of the household appliance and in which there is arranged a piston which carries the appliance foot plate, and the piston has a receptacle for the height-adjustable arrangement of the shaft of an appliance foot plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: A-Z Ausruestung und Zubehoer GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Joachim Lotz
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Patent number: 7597295Abstract: The furniture stabilizer attaches to furniture legs or other furniture bottom surfaces. The stabilizer has a hollow support tube. A furniture attachment member is attached to the top of the support tube. A floating pin is disposed through an axial bore in a retaining cap at the bottom of the support tube. A helical compression spring fits over the support tube. A stabilizing sleeve extending from a height adjustment collar receives the bottom end of the support tube. The collar is slidably disposed in contact with the compression spring lower end. A housing covers the tube and collar, the housing having a bore disposed at its bottom to allow the collar to protrude. The housing top is attached to the furniture attachment fitting. The floating fastener is attached to the collar to keep the collar in contact with the spring. A footpad or roller attaches to the adjustment collar.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2009Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Inventors: Paul D. Neibert, Lawrence P Neibert
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Publication number: 20090039216Abstract: An automatic level controlling apparatus for supporting an appliance includes a hollow leg body, a piston inserted in the hollow leg body, a spring seated on an upper portion of the piston, a cap disposed on an upper portion of the piston to support an upper portion of the spring, a frictional member disposed around the piston, and a piston rod coupled to the piston and supported on a floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2005Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Ho Cheol Kwon, Hack Jai Song, Beom Jun Kim, Il Jyeok Yim, Kang Mo Choi
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Patent number: 7481405Abstract: An assembly for supporting a home appliance includes a support base and two roller assemblies mounted on the support base. Each roller assembly includes a roller rotatable about a first axis and a rod coupled with the roller assemblies. Each roller assembly is rotatable with respect to the rod about a second axis different than the first axis. The appliance includes a cabinet having a top panel, a bottom panel, side panels, a front panel, and a back panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ronald Miles Johnson
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Publication number: 20080190696Abstract: A support for supporting a structure on a surface, comprising at least one support element, each support element comprising a piston, a cylinder in which the piston is moveable, and a braking means for maintaining the piston in a position that is stable relative to the cylinder, wherein the piston and the cylinder are arranged so that a loading associated with the structure effects an adjustment of the support element, and wherein an increase in hydraulic pressure within the cylinder, effected by the loading associated with the structure, activates the braking means.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2005Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: Flat Pty LtdInventors: Antony Lawrence Pike, Duncan B. Gilmore, Raymond L. Hope
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Patent number: 7328880Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilizing system for a unit having a horizontal and vertical orientation, the chassis cover including at least one wall panel incorporating a recess and a stabilizer adapted to be located in the recess, where the recess is adapted so that in a retracted position the stabilizer is substantially contained within the recess and, in an extended position, the stabilizer extends from the recess in such a way so as to stabilize the chassis when the chassis is mounted in a vertical orientation, wherein the stabilizer is moved into and locked into the extended or stabilizing position by means of a combined extension and rotation action. The stabilizing system may be used to stabilize vertically mounted computer hardware and may be constructed in a variety of ways depending on the style, design, size and type of casing which is to be supported.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jacques H Helot, Gilbert Rahmouni
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Patent number: 7328879Abstract: A bearing washer is inserted into a horizontally elongated recess formed within the top flat surface of an upper tapered wedge of a support assembly through which equipment is adjustably positioned on a foundation. The upper wedge is vertically and horizontally adjusted in slidingly positioned contact with a lower tapered wedge along inclined surfaces within a recess formed therein before attachment of the tapered wedges to each other by horizontal fastener bolts extending through the upper wedge and the lower wedge. In such adjusted position of the wedges, a convex surface on the inserted bearing washer is in contact with a concave surface within a recess formed in the top surface of the upper wedge to support the equipment in close spaced relationship thereabove. Slidable adjustment of the wedges is limited by a recess shoulder in the lower tapered wedge to avoid excessive loading of the fastener bolts under severe shock and vibration conditions imposed on the equipment positioned on the foundation.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Gus F. Plangetis
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Patent number: 7314206Abstract: A supporting apparatus for a washing machine including a plurality of supporting legs mounted on a base fixed to a lower portion of a washing machine main body to move in the vertical direction, a foot mounted on the lower end of the supporting leg to contact the support surface, and a spring provided between the base and the foot, for applying an elastic force to the foot. The supporting apparatus for the washing machine automatically controls the level of the washing machine by the elastic force of the spring, and reduces noises and vibrations during the operation of the washing machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tae-Hee Lee, Moon-Hee Hong, Hyun-Seok Seo, Sang-Wook Hong, Byung Keol Choi, Byung-Soo Je, Si-Moon Jeon
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Patent number: 7249742Abstract: A self adjusting foot arrangement for an appliance cabinet has a first socket connected with the cabinet and a second socket connected with the cabinet spaced apart from the first socket. A foot downwardly protrudes from each socket and is moveable along axis into and out of the respective socket. A non-extensile band is fixed at one end to the first socket, passes into the first socket to bear on the first foot and is fixed at its other end to the second socket passing into the second socket to bear on the second foot. The band passes over the top of each foot within the respective socket.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Allen James Guinibert, Russell Joseph Jackson, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Daniel Keith Raphael Pitt, Bruce Reginald Frank McGregor, Geoffrey Simon Frazerhurst
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Patent number: 7246784Abstract: A spring-loaded shelf for an existing beverage cooler, which obviates the need for a user to reach more deeply within the confines of the cooler for a beverage as the contents of the cooler become depleted. The spring-loaded shelf has a base, a platform pivotally attached to the base by two scissor-type linkages, and a lifting mechanism for selectively and automatically raising the platform with respect to the base upon the scissor-type linkages, as the weight of the beverages placed upon the platform gradually decreases. Use of the spring-loaded shelf prevents injury to the user while retrieving a beverage from the cooler, and also provides for increased accessibility and visibility of the contents of the cooler.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventor: Hector Lopez
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Patent number: 7174682Abstract: A transition support for flooring extending between a floor area of a high height and a floor area of a low height, said support being in the shape of a wedge which is generally unnoticeable by persons walking across the support and which does not jostle wheeled vehicles crossing the support.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Johnsonite Inc.Inventor: Frank Pelosi, Jr.
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Patent number: 6983570Abstract: A pedestal adapted to support a floor panel comprising a base, support means for supporting said floor panel above said base, displaceable means operable between said base and said support means for selectively displacing said support means and said floor panel relative to said base so as to level said floor panel while said floor panel is supported by said support means.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: ASM Modular Systems Ltd.Inventor: Bruce Mead