Stabilizing Device Used Under A Table Leg, Chair Leg, Or Similar Related Product That Requires Slight Adjustment to Create A Solid Connection To The Floor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive leveling and stabilizing device used under any object that needs balance on any surface; and more particularly to a device used under a table leg, chair leg, or similar related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor. Furthermore, the present invention provides cushion or shock absorbing properties to the objects that need balancing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive leveling and stabilizing device used under any object that needs balance on any surface; and more particularly to a device used under a table leg, chair leg, or similar related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor. Furthermore, the present invention provides cushion or shock absorbing properties to the objects that need balancing.

2. Description of Related Art

The problem involved is an ever-present one. It is common and annoying experience that a table or a chair or similar related product will not rest firmly on the floor due to the uneven ground or wear to table legs or chair legs or similar product. When the table or chair wobbles, a sugar packet or matchbook is commonly used to be placed under the leg to give slight adjustment. However, this presents potential hazards.

The use of leveling and stabilizing devices for providing balance to furniture on the uneven ground or to the furniture or appliance with uneven legs is known in the prior art. Various devices have been employed in attempts to level and stabilize furniture pieces. More specifically, wedge-type devices are used to level or stabilize the furniture. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,730 to Costar discloses a pair of identical wedges that mate with one another to provide height adjustment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,320 to Bellows discloses a wedge-shaped device adapted to stabilize an article of furniture with upper and lower surfaces having a plurality of transverse rib teeth. U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,767 to Mellen discloses a table leveling wedge having a cavity in the top surface to confine a table glide therein. These wedge-type devices do not blend in with the furniture and appear unsightly.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,508 to Burn discloses a slide caster for moving bulky structures including furniture of all kinds. The function and appearance of present invention is not same as those disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,106 to Denkinger et al. discloses a blister-type device consisting of a plastic deformable bubble. It provides cushion under chairs to protect floor finishes and carpet. However, it includes a screw for attaching said blister to a foot of a piece of furniture. U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,725 to Fisher discloses a table leg leveling device including an internally threaded aperture extending upwardly into the leg of a table. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,648 to Cullen discloses a mechanical stabilizer. U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,227 to Thuelig discloses an adjustable screw foot. These screw-type or threaded type mechanical devices are mechanical cumbersome; needless to say, they are relatively expensive or may damage the leg of the furniture.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,379 to Kimmel discloses a furniture balancing pad which is a thin resilient, flexible pad and can be readily slid under an uneven leg with minimum lifting clearance needed. The table balancing pad includes a flexible stabilizing cushion that deforms upon placement of a leg base. This device has limited application to certain furniture. In addition, adjustable legs or shims that compensate for unevenness have also been proposed over the years. However, their application is limited to certain type of furniture.

Nevertheless, although these devices in prior art fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents are either mechanical cumbersome, expensive, or cause damage to the furniture. The aforementioned prior art do not meet all objectives of the present invention (i.e. leveling, stabilizing, and shock absorbing and inexpensive). The device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and design of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive leveling and stabilizing device used under any object that needs balance on any surface; and more particularly to a device used under a table leg, chair leg, or related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor. Furthermore, the present invention provides cushion or shock absorbing properties to the objects that need balancing.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive leveling and stabilizing device used under a table leg, chair leg, or similar related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor. This invention is a simple inexpensive solution to other devices of prior art that are either mechanical cumbersome or expensive. In addition, the present invention has universal application; other than furniture (e.g. table, chair, cabinet, shelf) or appliance (e.g. washer, dryer, etc.), the present invention may be applied to any object (e.g. table lamp, printer, etc.) that needs balance on any surface.

The present invention is directly applicable to the lower end of a table leg or chair leg or any objects. The present invention may vary in shapes and sizes depending on the objects that need balance. The preferred embodiment used to stabilize the table leg or chair leg is cylindrical or rectangular in shape. The device may be made of different materials because the hardness and the flexibility (or compressibility) needs to be adjusted according to the objects that need balance. The preferred embodiment used to stabilize table legs, chair legs is made of Buna rubber which provides ideal hardness and flexibility to stabilize table legs and chair legs and is resistant to indentation. The device is one single piece of construction having air gaps on the perimeter which provides cushion or shock absorbing properties. The upper end of the device has a layer of adhesive disposed thereon for adhering to the free lower end of a piece of an object (such as leg of table or chair). The adhesive is protected by a release paper when it's not in use. The adhesive and release paper used in the preferred embodiment is acrylic adhesive and silicon release paper.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. The size and dimension mentioned in the which may range depending on the material and the objects to be supported.

FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a cylindrical shaped device. Acrylic adhesive is applied on the top of the device.

FIG. 1b illustrates a white silicone release paper which is placed on the top of the acrylic adhesive layer of the device. It is peeled off from the acrylic adhesive layer prior to use.

FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a rectangular shaped device. Acrylic adhesive is applied on the top of the device.

FIG. 2b illustrates a white silicone release paper which is placed on the top of the acrylic adhesive layer of the device. It is peeled off from the acrylic adhesive layer prior to use.

FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the cylindrical shaped device.

FIG. 3b illustrates a top view of the cylindrical shaped device wherein the diameter of the device is about 1 inch and the diameter of the core is about 0.374 inch.

FIG. 3c illustrates a cross-sectional central view of an embodiment of the cylindrical shaped device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a general view of a round release paper which has a diameter of about 1 inch.

FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the rectangular shaped device.

FIG. 5b illustrates a top view of a rectangular shaped device wherein the width and length of the device is about 1 inch by 1 inch and the diameter of the core is about 0.374 inch.

FIG. 5c illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the rectangular shaped device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a general view of a square release paper which is about 1 inch by 1 inch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive leveling and stabilizing device used under a table leg, chair leg, or similar related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor. This invention is a simple inexpensive solution to other devices of prior art that are either mechanical cumbersome or expensive. In addition, the present invention has universal application; other than furniture (e.g. table, chair, cabinet, shelf) or appliance (e.g. washer, dryer, etc.), the present invention may be applied to any object (e.g. table lamp, printer, etc.) that needs balance on any surface.

Referring to FIG. 1 through 6 of the drawings, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment used under a table leg, chair leg or similar related products. The device is made of Buna rubber and in a cylindrical or rectangular shape. On one end it has a layer of acrylic adhesive disposed thereon for adhering to the free lower end of a table/chair leg. The adhesive is protected by silicone release paper when it's not in use. Prior to use, the silicone release paper is peeled off from the acrylic adhesive side. The device is one single piece of construction wherein a solid core providing support and air gaps on the perimeter providing cushion or shock absorbing properties. The details are described in FIG. 3c and FIG. 5c. In general, the three dimensions of the device, core diameter, air gap width and height may vary depending on the objects to be supported.

FIG. 3c illustrates a cross-sectional central view of an embodiment of the cylindrical shaped device which has a diameter of about 1 inch. The solid core of the device has a diameter about 0.374 inch. The flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the device. The air gap is about 0.025 inch in height and about 0.313 inch in width and reoccurs about every 0.031 inch.

FIG. 5c illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the rectangular shaped device wherein the width and length is about 1 inch by 1 inch. The solid core of the device has a diameter about 0.374 inch. The flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the device. The air gap is about 0.025 inch in height and about 0.313 inch in width and reoccurs about every 0.031 inch.

When choosing a material for this preferred embodiment several constraints arise. The material should be hard, and abrasion resistant. Furthermore, the material should be cost effective. Therefore, the materials of construction for this device are preferably rubber due to the critical property of hardness and resistance to permanent indentation. The hardness of rubber is determined by an international standard for measuring hardness, called the Durometer. Within the Durometer there are various scales used depending upon the material type. The scales are defined by the word “Shore”, followed by a letter to classify the material. Generally, a low number means that the material is soft, whereas higher numbers mean the material is hard.

With these considerations, Buna rubber was selected for use for this device. Buna rubber, formally known as nitrile, acrylonitrile butadiene, has a blend of oil and solvent resistance when compared to other rubbers. Buna rubber is high strength, and comes in different Durometer ratings. For this particular application, a material with 70 Shore A was chosen for the preferred embodiment. The hardness of this material would be similar to the heel of a shoe in the above chart. Other types of rubber or other types of material may be used for the device depending on the objects to be supported.

The adhesive is protected by silicone release paper. Acrylic adhesive used on the material is a type of structural adhesive that is tough and flexible. Acrylic adhesive sets rapidly and exhibits high strength due to cross-linking. This particular adhesive adheres well to oily surfaces, prepared or unprepared metal surfaces, plastics, wood, ceramics, and fiberglass. The paper protecting the adhesive is what is known as silicone release paper. This particular paper has silicone based release agents on one side. The side with the silicone agents is placed over the adhesive, forming a protective barrier that is easily removed by peeling. Other types of material may be used for adhesive or protecting barrier.

The following materials are used in one of the preferred embodiment:

Material               Function Description
Buna Rubber            Material for product
Acrylic Adhesive       Adhesive used to stick product to surface
Silicone Release Paper Protective paper for adhesive

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.

Claims

1. A leveling and stabilizing device under any object that needs balance on any surface comprising:

(a) an elongate member to engage an object to be supported having an upper end and a lower end; the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member;

(b) means for adhering the upper end of the device to an object; and

(c) means for protecting the adhesive means.

2. A leveling and stabilizing device under a table leg, chair leg, or similar related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor comprising:

(a) an elongate member to engage a table leg, chair leg or similar related product having an upper end and a lower end; the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member;

(b) means for adhering the upper end of the device to the table leg, chair leg or similar related product; and

(c) means for protecting the adhesive means.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the elongate member is made of Buna rubber.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the elongate member is made of Buna rubber with a hardness of 70 Shore A on a Durometer.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the means for adhering is acrylic adhesive.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the means for protecting the adhering means is silicon release paper.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein the elongate member is cylindrical in shape having a round shaped upper end and lower end of a diameter of about 1 inch, the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the solid core having a diameter of about 0.374 inch, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, the air gap is about 0.025 inch in height and about 0.313 inch in width and reoccurs about every 0.031 inch.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein the elongate member is rectangular in shape having a square shaped upper end and lower end of 1 inch by 1 inch, the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the solid core having a diameter of about 0.374 inch, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, the air gap is about 0.025 inch in height and about 0.313 inch in width and reoccurs about every 0.031 inch.

9. A leveling and stabilizing device under a table leg, chair leg, or similar related product that requires slight adjustment to create a solid connection to the floor comprising:

(a) an elongate member to engage a table leg, chair leg or similar related product having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a layer of acrylic adhesive disposed thereon for adhering to the free lower end of the table leg, chair leg or similar related product, the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the length of the elongate member;

(b) a silicone release paper is placed on top of the acrylic adhesive layer; and

(c) the elongate member is made of Buna rubber with a hardness of 70 Shore A on a Durometer.

10. The stabilizing device of claim 9 wherein the elongate member is cylindrical in shape having a round shaped upper end and lower end with about 1 inch in diameter, the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the solid core having a diameter of about 0.374 inch, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, the air gap is about 0.025 inch in height and about 0.313 inch in width and reoccurs about every 0.031 inch.

11. The stabilizing device of claim 9 wherein the elongate member is rectangular in shape having a square shaped upper end and lower end of about 1 inch by 1 inch, the elongate member having a solid core and a flexible perimeter region, the solid core having a diameter of about 0.374 inch, the flexible perimeter region having a number of air gaps along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, the air gap is about 0.025 inch in height and about 0.313 inch in width and reoccurs about every 0.031 inch.