Abstract:
A device for supporting in an open position a tilting platform, such as a shelf or window, movably connected to a frame, said device comprising a unitary structure having a platform-contacting portion and an anchor portion, wherein the platform-contacting portion and the anchor portion are connected to form a fixed angle between the portions or are movably connected to one another such that the connection of the portions forms an adjustable angle between the portions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention provides a device for holding tilt-in windows and similar moving platforms in which a person needs to temporarily hold the window/platform in a position other than within the normal fame or casing of the window/platform. The device can be used to temporarily hold, for example, tilt-in windows to allow for easier cleaning of the surfaces that are not exposed to the person when the window is in its normal position secured within the casing. The device of this invention is an improvement on prior devices for holding tilting windows, such as poles or hooks or chains, in that it is designed to be temporarily secured directly to the window, can be easily manipulated, and is storable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject invention provides a device for supporting in an open position a tilting platform movably connected to a frame. In one embodiment the device comprises a unitary structure having a platform-contacting portion and an anchor portion, said platform-contacting portion having at least two side edges and two end edges and said anchor portion having at least two side edges and two end edges, wherein at least one end edge of said platform-contacting portion is connected to at least one edge of said anchor portion, the connection of the portions forming a fixed angle between the portions. As used herein, the term “platform” refers to any material shaped to form a substantially rigid surface. As used herein, the term “substantially rigid” means that the material would not collapse due to its own weight or additional weight placed upon it when tilted from the frame. Platforms as understood herein may comprise any material such as plastics, woods, metals, glass, fibers and the like including or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term “tilting” refers to the movement of the platform relative to the frame 
         [0003]    In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the device comprises plastic, plastic composites, light weight metal materials, or a combination thereof. Examples include high density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride and polypropylene. 
         [0004]    In certain embodiments, the device further comprises a support portion contacting both the platform-contacting portion and the anchor portion. In certain embodiments, the support potion contacts the platform-contacting portion at the bottom surface of the platform-contacting portion. In certain embodiments, the support potion contacts the anchor portion at the bottom surface of the anchor portion. In certain embodiments, the platform-contacting portion, anchor portion and support portion form a generally triangular shape to the device. 
         [0005]    In certain embodiments, the platform contacting portion comprises at least two opposing caliper elements, said caliper elements being spaced apart so as to form a recess in the device for engaging the platform within the recess. In certain embodiments the caliper elements are set in a fixed position relative to one another. In certain embodiments, at least one of the caliper elements is movably connected to the device such that the space between said caliper elements, i.e, the recess formed by the calipers, is adjustable. Allowing for the adjustment of the caliper elements allows for the device to engage different size platforms. Various means for movably connecting such caliper elements to one another will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Such means include, but are not limited to, a hinge or a spring or a combination thereof. Depending on the material from which the device is constructed, a hinge, for example, could be fashioned as a separate piece, made of the same or a different material as the device, and later connected to the device. Alternatively, a hinge could be incorporated in the material from which the device is made, such as where the device is made of a plastic or moldable resin and the hinge is fashioned by crimping the material at a point to form a fulcrum or pivot element. In an alternative embodiment, a spring element can also be fashioned from the same or different material as the device and incorporated into the device. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises means for holding said at least one movable caliper element in a fixed position. Various means for holding the caliper at least a portion of such movement being in the vertical direction. Thus, the device of the subject invention provides a hands free support for the platform, restricting movement of the platform in a vertical direction by virtue of the device engaging the platform. 
         [0006]    In certain embodiments of the invention, the platform-contacting portion of the device comprises a generally rectangular shape having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comes in contact with the tilting platform. 
         [0007]    In certain embodiments of the invention, the anchor portion comprises a generally rectangular shape having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface comes in contact with a second surface other than the tilting platform, thereby immobilizing the device between the platform and said second surface. The angle formed between the portions is between approximately 45° and approximately 120°. In equally preferred embodiments, the angle formed between the portions is between approximately 55° and approximately 115°, between approximately 65° and approximately 110°, between approximately 75° and approximately 100°, between approximately 85° and approximately 105°, or between approximately 90° and approximately 100°. In certain embodiments, the angle formed between the portions is approximately 90°. 
         [0008]    In certain embodiments of the invention the platform comprises a shelf or a window. As used herein “window” includes, but is not limited to, glass panes immobilized within a casing attached to a frame, whereby the frame allows for the moving of the window relative to the frame, while the window is still connected to the frame. Various examples of such windows are known to those in the art and include Pella Windows (Pella, Iowa, USA), Anderson Windows (Bayport, Minn., USA), American Craftsman (USA), and Castle Windows (Mt Laurel, N.J., USA). Such windows are typically installed in walls within new and older constructed buildings. The ability of the windows to tilt within the frame allows for access to both sides of the window, for example to allow cleaning or repair of the side of the window opposite the user. elements in a fixed position will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Such means include, but are not limited to, a locking mechanism such as a hole and peg combination or Velcro closure mechanism. 
         [0009]    In certain embodiments, at least one of the top surface of the platform-contacting portion and the top surface of the anchor portion comprises a non-stick surface. Means for creating non-stick surfaces are known to those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to, incorporating foam, rubber, adhesive or some combination thereof to the surface. 
         [0010]    The subject invention also provides a device for supporting in an open position a tilting platform connected to a frame, said device comprising a unitary structure having a platform contacting portion and an anchor portion, said platform contacting portion having at least two side edges and two end edges and said anchor portion having at least two side edges and at least two end edges, wherein at least one end edge of said platform contacting portion is movably connected to at least one edge of said anchor portion, the connection of the portions forming a means to adjust the angle between the portions. Various means for movably connecting the platform contacting portion and the anchor portion will be apparent to those in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, the platform contacting portion is connected to the anchor portion by a hinge. In certain embodiments, the platform contacting portion is connected to the anchor portion by a spring. Depending on the material from which the device is constructed, a hinge, for example, could be fashioned as a separate piece, made of the same or a different material as the device, and later connected to the device. Alternatively, a hinge could be incorporated in the material from which the device is made, such as where the device is made of a plastic or moldable resin and the hinge is fashioned by crimping the material at a point to form a fulcrum or pivot element. In an alternative embodiment, a spring element can also be fashioned from the same or different material as the device and incorporated into the device. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, the device further comprises means for adjusting the angle between the portions. For example, the device may comprise a support portion contacting both the platform contacting portion and the anchor portion and further comprising a means for varying the length of the support portion. In certain embodiments, this type of support portion comprises at least two pieces and said means for varying the length of the support portion typically comprises a means for securing said two pieces at various points along the length of the pieces. Various means for securing the two pieces are readily apparent to those of skill in the art, and include, but are not limited to Velcro closure, straps, bands or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the means for securing said at least two pieces may comprise holes on one piece and corresponding pegs on at least one other piece. In certain embodiments, at least one end of each piece of the support portion may have a threaded surface. In such embodiments, the device may further comprise a connector portion contacting the threaded surfaces of each piece, whereby manipulation of said connector portion results in said threaded ends of said pieces moving relative to one another. Said movement relative to one another allows for the entire support portion (made up of the movable pieces) to elongate or contract in length. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C depict an embodiment of the claimed invention from side elevation ( 1 A), front elevation ( 1 B), and rear elevation ( 1 C). 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts a plan view showing an embodiment of the invention used to support a tilting platform. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention used to support a window. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment of the invention showing a means for adjusting the angle between the platform contacting portion and the anchor portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of the invention showing a means for adjusting the space between the caliper elements of the platform contacting portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Certain embodiments of the subject invention will now be described in more detail by reference to the attached figures. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the device of the invention  101  is shown comprising platform contacting portion  102  and anchor portion  103 , with optional support portion  104 . In  FIG. 1B , device  101  is shown from the right side revealing detail of this embodiment, wherein platform contacting portion  102  comprises optional caliper elements  105  and  106 .  FIG. 1C  depicts this embodiment from the left side, revealing caliper elements  105  and  106  and showing anchor portion  103 . In  FIG. 1A , anchor portion  103  further comprises optional non-stick surface  107 . In  FIGS. 1B and 1C , recess  108  is depicted as formed from the positioning of caliper elements  105  and  106 . 
         [0018]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a plan view is shown wherein an embodiment of the device of the invention  101  used to support a tilting platform  201 . As shown in this embodiment, platform  201  engages device  101  at platform contacting portion  102 . Platform  201  is connected to frame  202  at connecting point  203 , which can be a hinge or other pivot means. Optional support portion  104  is depicted between platform contacting portion  102  and anchor portion  103 . Device  101 , which contacts platform  201 , also contacts frame  202  at anchor portion  103 , thereby supporting and substantially immobilizing platform  201  in an “open” position. 
         [0019]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a perspective view is shown wherein an embodiment of the device of the invention  101  used to support a tilting platform, which can be a tilting window  301 . As shown in this embodiment, window  301  engages device  101  at platform contacting portion  102 . Window  301  is connected to frame  302  and may comprise glass  304  immobilized within casing  305 . As used herein, the term “frame” also is referred to as the window jamb and the term “casing” is also known as the window sash. In this embodiment of device  101 , platform contacting portion  102  comprises caliper portions  105  and  106 , forming recess  108 . Optional support portion  104  is depicted between platform contacting portion  102  and anchor portion  103 . Window  301  contacts platform contacting portion  102  by insertion of window casing  305  within recess  108 . Device  101 , which contacts window  301 , also contacts frame  302  at anchor portion  103 , thereby supporting and substantially immobilizing window  301  in an “open” position. 
         [0020]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the device of the invention  401  depicting platform contacting portion  401  and anchor portion  403 . Anchor portion  403  contains optional no-slip coating  404 . Device  401  further comprises adjusting means  405  for adjusting the angle between the platform contacting portion  402  and anchor portion  403 . In this embodiment, adjusting means  405  comprises arms  406  and  407  fixedly connected to the platform contacting portion and restricting means  408 . Platform contacting portion  402  and anchor portion  403  are connected at pivot element  409 . Arms  406  and  407  are spaced apart at an interval  410  that allows for restricting means  408  to engage arms  406  and  407  and restrict pivot of platform contacting portion  402  and anchor portion  403  around pivot element  409 , thereby controlling the angle between platform contacting portion  402  and anchor portion  403 . Unseen in this depiction, restricting means  408  may comprise a screwing mechanism that allows for the adjustment of restricting means  408  relative to anchor portion  403 , such that arms  406  and  407  are held in place against anchor portion  403  as restricting means  408  is turned. 
         [0021]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the device of the invention  501  is shown depicting platform contacting portion  502  and anchor portion  503  connected by support portion  507 . Platform contacting portion  502  further comprises caliper elements  504  and  505  defining recess  508  between them. Device  501  is depicted containing optional adjusting means  506  for adjusting the space between the caliper elements  504  and  505  such that at least caliper element  504  is able to move between positions a and b, thereby adjusting the size of recess  508 . Adjusting means  506  may comprise a hinge or spring element that provides tension such that force is required to move caliper element  504  between position a to position b. In such an embodiment, adjusting means  506  provides for a restrictive force on caliper elements  504  and  505 , creating a means for restricting a platform within recess  508 , such as by friction. In this manner device  501  may be secured to a platform contacting device  501  within recess  508  while contacting a frame to which the platform is connected at anchor portion  503 , thereby supporting and substantially immobilizing said platform in an “open” position. 
         [0022]    Several example embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.