Abstract:
A compact, easy to use, single-use jack is provided. The jack includes an expandable volume formed from nested cylinders and a mechanism to fill the volume, under pressure, with a foam. When the foam is released, the volume expands, increasing the height of the jack. The jack may be safely stored and may be actuated to provide force when needed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/427,554 filed Dec. 28, 2010. The entire contents of the above-listed provisional application are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a device for lifting objects, and more particularly to a portable, single-use device for lifting heavy objects. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0005]    There is a need in the art for a portable jack-like device that may be used to lift heavy objects in an emergency. Such a device should be light weight, compact, easy to use, and inexpensive. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by providing a device having an expandable internal volume and a mechanism for rapidly filling the volume such that the device may support a heavy load. 
         [0007]    Certain embodiments provide a single-use jack comprising: a container having an internal volume and an expandable height; and a mechanism within the container to generate a foam within the container. The foam at least partially solidifies when expanded, such that the foam increases the height of the container and provides support for an object placed on or supported by the jack. 
         [0008]    In certain other embodiments, a single-use jack is provided comprising: two or more nested cylinders having an internal volume, a maximum diameter, and an expandable height; and a mechanism within the two or more nested cylinders to generate a foam within the two or more nested cylinders and increase the height of the nested cylinders. The foam provides support for an object placed on or supported by the jack. 
         [0009]    These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the jack of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a side view illustrating the general features of various embodiments a jack prior to use; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the jack of  FIG. 1A  in a partially expanded configuration; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of the jack of  FIG. 1B  in a further expanded configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1D  is a side view of the jack of  FIG. 1C  in a fully expanded configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a side sectional view  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a side sectional view  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 1B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a side sectional view  2 C- 2 C of  FIG. 1C ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  is a side sectional view  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 1D ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the jack embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is bottom view of the jack embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is top sectional view  5 A- 5 A of  FIG. 1A  of a first embodiment of the jack prior to use; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is top sectional view  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 1B  of the first embodiment of the jack when actuated; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is side sectional view  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5A   
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is top sectional view  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 1A  of a second embodiment of the jack prior to use; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is top sectional view  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 1B  of the second embodiment of the jack when actuated; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A  is top sectional view  8 A- 8 A of  FIG. 1A  of a third embodiment of the jack prior to use; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8B  is top sectional view  8 B- 8 B of  FIG. 1B  of the third embodiment of the jack, when actuated; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  is sectional view  9 A- 9 A of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  is sectional view  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 8B ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10A  is top sectional view  10 A- 10 A of  FIG. 1A  of a fourth embodiment of the jack prior to use; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10B  is top sectional view  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 1B  of the fourth embodiment of the jack when actuated; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11A  is sectional view  11 A- 11 A of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11B  is sectional view  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 10B ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12A  is a side view of an alternative jack prior to use; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the jack of  FIG. 12A  in a fully expanded configuration; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13A  is a sectional view  13 A- 13 A of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13B  is a section view  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12B ; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 13C ,  13 D, and  13 E are views  13 B of three alternative jack embodiments; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14A  is top sectional view  14 A- 14 A of  FIG. 1A  of a fifth embodiment of the jack prior to user; 
           [0039]      FIG. 14B  is top sectional view  14 B- 14 B of  FIG. 1B  of the fifth embodiment of the jack when actuated; 
           [0040]      FIG. 15A  is sectional view  14 A- 14 A of  FIG. 10A  of the jack prior to use; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 15B  is sectional view  14 B- 14 B of  FIG. 10B  of the jack when actuated. 
       
    
    
       [0042]    Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    The Figures illustrate a single-use jack  100 , where:  FIG. 1A  is a side view illustrating the general features of various embodiments of the jack prior to use and  FIG. 2A  is a side sectional view  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1A ;  FIG. 1B  is a side view of the jack in a partially expanded configuration and  FIG. 2B  is a side view  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 1B ;  FIG. 1C  is a side view of the jack in a further expanded configuration and  FIG. 2C  is a side view  2 C- 2 C of  FIG. 1C ; and  FIG. 1D  is a side view of the jack of  FIG. 1C  in a fully expanded configuration and  FIG. 2D  is a side view  2 D- 2 D of  FIG. 1D . In addition,  FIG. 3  is a top view of jack  100  and  FIG. 4  is bottom view of the jack. 
         [0044]    Jack  100  has a cylindrical tapered shape, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  and includes several nested cylinders including a first cylinder  110 , a second, slightly smaller diameter cylinder  120 , a third yet smaller diameter cylinder  130 , and a fourth smallest diameter cylinder  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , cylinder  110  has a top  103 , a wall  112 , and a bottom lip  111 , cylinder  120  has a top lip  123 , a wall  122 , and a bottom lip  121 , cylinder  130  has a top lip  133 , a wall  132 , and a bottom lip  131 , and cylinder  140  has a top lip  143 , wall  142 , and bottom  101 . Although the Figures show four nested cylinders, the number of nested cylinders in jack  100  may be more or less than for. Thus, for example jack  100  may be formed from 2 or 3 nested cylinders, or from 5, 6, or more nested cylinders. 
         [0045]    Walls  112 ,  122 ,  132 , and  142  and lips  111 ,  121 ,  123 ,  131 ,  133 , and  143  are sized and configured to allow cylinders  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  to slide as nested cylinders. Walls  112 ,  122 ,  132 , and  142 , lips  111 ,  121 ,  123 ,  131 ,  133 , and  143 , and bottom  101  and top  103  form a generally sealed internal volume of variable size which is illustrated as volume VA in  FIG. 2A , volume VB in  FIG. 2B , volume VC in  FIG. 2C , and volume VD in  FIG. 2D . Specifically, jack  100  has a diameter D and a stored, or unused configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2A  with height L 1 , and a fully expanded configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1D and 2D  with a height L 2 , while  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  1 C and  2 C illustrate intermediate volumes. 
         [0046]    In certain embodiments, a mechanism is provided within volume VA that allows jack  100  to lift heavy objects. Thus, for example and without limitation, volume VA may be provided with a high pressure medium or a mechanism that generates a high pressure, causing bottom  101  and top  103  to move apart from each another as the volume increases from volume VA to volume VD. In certain other embodiments, for example and without limitation, volume VA is provided with a material that expands and hardens, thus providing a force to move bottom  101  and top  103  apart from each other. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment jack  100  has an unexpanded height L 1  and a fully expanded volume L 2 , where the ration L 2 /L 1  is, for example and without limitation, from 4 to 12. Thus, for example and without limitation, for a height L 1  of ½ inch, jack  100  expands to a height L 2  of 6 inches. In another embodiment, jack  100  has a diameter D of from 2 inches to 6 inches. 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, cylinders  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  are formed from a metal, including but not limited to, aluminum or steel, or a strong plastic. In other embodiment, one or more of cylinders  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  may include a corrugated material sandwiched between cylindrical and/or flat walls. 
         [0049]    In certain embodiments, jack  100  contains compounds (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) that, when activated, form a foam and cause the jack to expand in size as shown, for example, in the sequence  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D. In certain other embodiments, the compounds are stored, prior to use, in separate pouches or compartments as compounds A and B. Thus, for example, a sufficient quantity of compound A and compound B are stored within volume VA to fully expand into a foam that occupies substantially the entire volume VD. In one embodiment, the foam hardens over a relatively short period of time, resulting in an extended jack that can support weight due to the rigidness of the resulting foam. In certain other embodiments, jack  100  is thus not reusable, and is thus a one-time use jack. 
         [0050]    The use of foaming compounds is well known in the field. In one embodiment, compound A and compound B, for example and without limitation, are resins. In one specific embodiment, compound A and compound B are the compounds of ICYNENE LD-CP-50™ Pour Fill Formula insulation (manufactured by Icynene, Inc, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) 
         [0051]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  6  are various views of a first embodiment of jack  500  in a top sectional view  5 A- 5 A of  FIG. 1A  of the jack prior to use, a sectional view  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 1B  of the jack when actuated, and a side sectional view  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5A . Jack  500  may be generally similar to jack  100 , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of jacks  100  and  500 . 
         [0052]    As described subsequently, the jack  500  includes a mechanism  600  for pressurizing the internal volume of the jack using two compounds (“A” and “B”) which, when mixed, expand to form a foam. This mechanism is exemplary, and is provided as one possible device for actuating jack  1500 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , volume VA includes a mechanism  600  to pressurize the volume, where the volume includes: a lower volume portion  610  and a lower volume portion  620  separated by a divider  630 . Lower volume portion  610  includes a pressurized container  611 ; a first compound A, and a second compound B. Upper volume portion  620  includes a first nozzle  621  that provides fluid communication between first compound A and the upper volume portion, and a second nozzle  623  that provides fluid communication between the second compound B and the upper volume portion. 
         [0054]    As shown in the stored configuration of  FIG. 5A , lower volume portion  610  further includes a first flexible membrane  613  containing compound A and a second flexible membrane  615  containing compound B. Flexible membranes  613  and  615  may either completely surround compounds A and B, or may be attached to wall  142 . Pressurized container  611  includes a valve/stopper  617  having a pull tab  619  that extends through a small hole  612  in wall  142 . A rotatable cover  640  having a cover opening  641  surrounds the lower volume portion  610 . 
         [0055]    In the configuration of  FIG. 5A , valve/stopper  617  prevents fluid from escaping pressurized container  611 , rotatable cover  640  covers hole  612 , thus preventing pull tab  619  from being accessed without first rotating the rotatable cover. As shown in  FIG. 5B , rotatable cover  640  has been rotated to expose pull tab  619 . Pull tab  619 , which actuates jack  100 , has been pulled, allowing gas to escape from pressurized container  611 . In certain embodiments, pressurized container  611  is a CO2 cartridge. In certain other embodiments, pressurized container  611  provides a gas or liquid at pressures of from 2 atmospheres to 10 atmospheres. 
         [0056]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 5B , when jack  500  is actuated, valve/stopper  617  is forced into hole  612 . The force, which may result from the action of pull tab  619  and/or the increased pressure in the lower volume portion  610 , seals off the internal volume (that is, VA, VB, VC, VD, etc.) of jack  100  and allows the fluid from pressurized container  611  to fill the internal volume of the jack. 
         [0057]    As further shown in  FIG. 5B , the pressure increases the pressure within compound A and compound B, which causes compound A and compound B to flow though nozzles  621  and  623 , respectively. Nozzles  621  and  623  are directed towards each other in upper volume portion  620 , which permits compound A and compound B to mix and react with each other. As compound A and compound B are forced into upper volume portion  620 , flexible membranes  613  and  615  deform, as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0058]    A second embodiment jack  700  is illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , where  FIG. 7A  is top sectional view  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 1A  of the jack prior to use, and  FIG. 7B  is top sectional view  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 1B  of the jack when actuated. Jack  500  may be generally similar to jack  100  or  500 , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of jacks  100 ,  500 , and  700 . 
         [0059]    Mechanism  600  of jack  700  includes a plunger  710  having a pin  715  in proximity to an end  701  of container  611  and a button  713  that protrudes through wall  142 . Prior to use (as in  FIG. 7A ), cover  640  covers button  713 , preventing the accidental use of jack  700 . To actuate mechanism  600  (as in  FIG. 7B ), cover  640  may be rotated to expose button  713  through opening  641 , allowing button  713  to be pushed, which activates jack  700  by pin  715  puncturing container  611  and releasing pressurized gas to cause the mixing of compounds A and B, such as those described previously. 
         [0060]    A third embodiment jack  800  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A and  9 B, where  FIG. 8A  is top sectional view  8 A- 8 A of  FIG. 1A  of the jack prior to use,  FIG. 8B  is top sectional view  8 B- 8 B of  FIG. 1B  of the jack when actuated,  FIG. 9A  is sectional view  9 A- 9 A of  FIG. 8A , and  FIG. 9B  is sectional view  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 8B . Jack  800  may be generally similar to jack  100 ,  500  or  700  except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of jacks  100 ,  500 ,  700  or  800 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  8 A, and  8 B illustrate the portions of mechanism  600  of jack  800  that provide an alternative mechanism to container  611  and do not show compounds A and B, which are present but which are not illustrated on these figures. Specifically, mechanism  600  includes container  611  which is held in place on cylinder  140  by portions  801  on wall  142  and portion  803  on bottom  101 , a plunger  807  having a pin  809 , which is allowed to slide toward or away from container  611  by plunger holder  805 , and a cam  811  attached to top  103 . 
         [0062]    Jack  800  is activated by rotating cylinder  110  relative to cylinder  140  from the position in  FIGS. 8A and 9A  to a position where cam  805  contacts a stop  802  on wall  142  as shown in  FIGS. 8B and 9B . The rotation of the cylinders causes cam  811  to push plunger  807 , puncturing container  611  and thus activating jack  800 . Cylinder  110  may also be provided with protrusions, such as protrusion  804  to facilitate the rotation by the fingers of the user. Jack  800  may then increase in size, as from  FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 1D . 
         [0063]    A fourth embodiment jack  1000  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  11 A, and  11 B, where  FIG. 10A  is top sectional view  10 A- 10 A of  FIG. 1A  of the jack prior to use,  FIG. 10B  is top sectional view  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 1B  of the jack when actuated,  FIG. 11A  is sectional view  11 A- 11 A of  FIG. 10A , and  FIG. 11B  is sectional view  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 10B . Jack  1000  may be generally similar to jack  100 ,  500 ,  700  or  800 , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of jacks  100 ,  500 ,  700 ,  800 , or  1000 . 
         [0064]    Mechanism  600  of jack  1000  includes compound A, stored in a pouch  1010  with a nozzle  1011 , compound B, stored in a pouch  1020  with a nozzle  1021 , a protrusion  1001  attached to cylinder  140 , and a protrusion  1003  is attached to cylinder  110 . Mechanism  600  of jack  1000  mixes compounds A and B without the assistance of a pressurized container. As in jack  800 , a user rotates cylinder  140  relative to cylinder  110 , from the position in  FIGS. 10A and 11A  to the position in  FIGS. 10B and 11B . Protrusion  1001  pushes the pouch containing compound B and protrusion  1003  pushes the pouch containing compound B. Compounds A and B escape from nozzles  1011  an  1012 , respectively, to mix and foam, as shown in  FIGS. 10B and 11B . Jack  1000  may then increase in size, as from  FIGS. 1A  to  FIG. 1D . 
         [0065]    A fifth embodiment jack  1400  is illustrated in  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B,  15 A, and  15 B, where  FIG. 14A  is top sectional view  14 A- 14 A of  FIG. 1A  of the jack prior to use,  FIG. 14B  is top sectional view  14 B- 14 B of  FIG. 1B  after being actuated,  FIG. 15A  is sectional view  15 A- 15 A of  FIG. 14A , and  FIG. 15B  is sectional view  15 B- 15 B of  FIG. 14B . Jack  1400  may be generally similar to jack  100 ,  500 ,  700 ,  800 , or  1000 , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of jacks  100 ,  500 ,  700 ,  800 ,  1000 , or  1400 . 
         [0066]    Mechanism  600  of jack  1400  includes a plurality of blades  1401 ,  1403  and  1405  attached to cylinder  140  and a plurality of blades  1402 ,  1404  and  1406  attached to cylinder  110 . Blades  1401 ,  1402 ,  1403 ,  1404 ,  1405 , and  1406 , are arcs that intermesh when cylinders  110  and  140  are rotated. 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIGS. 14A and 15A , blades  1401 ,  1402 ,  1403 ,  1404 ,  1405 , and  1406  are at first not in contact with the pouches containing compounds A and B. As cylinders  110  and  140  are rotated, blades  1401 ,  1402 ,  1403 ,  1404 ,  1405 , and  1406  interleave, puncturing the A and B pounces and acting as mixing blades to mix compounds A and B. Jack  1400  may then increase in size, as from  FIGS. 1A  to  FIG. 1D . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate alternative embodiments of jack  100  that may be used to help maintain the jack in the fully expanded configuration of  FIG. 1D . Thus, for example,  FIGS. 12A and 13A  illustrate one embodiment of jack  100  in a configuration similar to that of  FIG. 1A  and  FIGS. 12B and 13B  illustrate the embodiment fully extended, as in  FIG. 1D . The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  may be used with any of the other jack embodiments described herein. 
         [0069]    The alternative embodiment of jack  100  in  FIGS. 12 and 13  includes cylinder  120  with one or more mechanism  121 , cylinder  130  with one or more mechanism  131 , and cylinder  140  with one or more mechanisms  141 . In general, mechanism  121 ,  131 , and  141  provide a ratchet mechanism that lock into place when adjacent cylinders are extended, as shown in  FIGS. 12B and 13B . Mechanisms  121 ,  131 , and  141  may be for example and without limitation, spring loaded levers or portions of the cylinders that are left with or provided with a residual stress to prefer an extended configuration. The mechanisms of adjacent cylinders may either be in line with one another or be displaced, as shown in  FIGS. 12B and 13B . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 13C ,  13 D, and  13 E are views  13 B of three alternative jack embodiments illustrating mechanisms  121 ,  131 , and  141  in various states of actuation. In general, mechanisms  121  move from an outward configuration prior to jack use, bend inwards at the cylinders move past one another, and then extend outwards, locking cylinders in a fully extended configuration. 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 13C , mechanisms  121 ,  131 , and  141  are spring loaded metal or plastic levers  1301 . In  FIG. 13D , mechanisms  121 ,  131 , and  141  are protrusions  1303  of the cylinders to which they are attached. In  FIG. 13E , mechanisms  121 ,  131 , and  141  are metal springs  1305  that are attached to each of the cylinders. 
         [0072]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
         [0073]    Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
         [0074]    Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.