Abstract:
A device for enhancing the mobility of a standard mixer, the device including a housing attached to a mixer, the housing having at least one shoulder attached thereto, the at least one shoulder having at least one nodule jutting out therefrom, a lever pivotally connected to the housing, a rod pivotally connected to the lever, a plate mounted to the rod, the plate having at least one finger that protrudes therefrom and a retractable member having at least one transfer ball attached thereto for rolling on a surface, the retractable member slidably engaged to the at least one finger, the retractable member having at least one groove thereon for fitting the at least one finger therein, the at least one groove having at least one bar fitted therein for permitting the first side of the at least one finger to slide over the at least one bar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/775,310, filed Mar. 8, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0002]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the topside of a device for enhancing the mobility of a mixer, comprising an embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0003]      FIG. 2  is the perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  depicting the direction of movement of particular component parts; 
         [0004]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         [0005]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the topside of a retractable member; 
         [0006]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the underside of the retractable member; 
         [0007]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the topside of a plate having protruding fingers; 
         [0008]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the plate have protruding members; 
         [0009]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the underside of the plate having protruding fingers; 
         [0010]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the topside of the device of  FIG. 1  without a plate and retractable member attached thereto; 
         [0011]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the underside of the housing of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         [0012]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1  in stationary mode; 
         [0013]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1  in mobility mode; 
         [0014]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the topside of the device for enhancing the mobility of a mixer, comprising an embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0015]      FIG. 14  is a is the perspective view of the device of  FIG. 13  depicting the direction of movement of particular component parts; and 
         [0016]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a standard mixer attached to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    A standard mixer is a staple in the kitchen of homes and businesses around the world. Because of its utilitarian aspect especially in food applications, typically a mixer is used in or around the area of a kitchen and, when not in use, stored in various places, such as on a kitchen countertop, in a kitchen cabinet, within an appliance garage or other similar compartment or storage unit. Therefore, generally after the mixer has been used, it is moved to a separate location for storage purposes. Once it is needed again, it is repositioned to the proper area of the kitchen for reuse. 
         [0018]    Mixers exist in varying shapes, sizes and weights. Most mixers, however, are substantial in size and are heavy; some weigh in excess of twenty-five (25) pounds. They tend to comprise a plethora of structural as well as electrical and mechanical components, thus contributing to their considerable weight. Also, because mixers comprise internal parts that move and/or rotate when in operation, they are designed and manufactured to remain stationary while in use. Therefore, because of their considerable weight and because of the manner in which they are designed, typically mixers are inert to movement. They are designed to sit upright on a surface and to resist forces which displace them, such as forces that would cause them to slide on a surface such as a countertop. Consequently, intentionally repositioning and/or moving a mixer along a surface entails picking the mixer up vertically from the surface, moving it to the desired location and then setting it down. Therefore, the intentional moving, displacing and/or repositioning of mixers can be a daunting task particularly if they are cumbersome and heavy. 
         [0019]    Occasionally, a mixer is stored on a countertop surface and moved from one countertop location to another countertop location for use. Unfortunately, moving the mixer from one location to another on the same surface requires a user to pick up the mixer vertically and place it at the desired spot. Because the mixer is not designed to slide on a surface as previously mentioned, the mixer must be removed from the surface by the user, such as by picking it up so that it is disengaged from the surface, suspended in mid air, moved to the desired location and then placed back onto the surface. Additionally, for cleaning purposes, a mixer may be relocated to an area next to the sink. Again, in doing so; the mixer cannot be slid or rolled along the surface. 
         [0020]    Due to a mixer&#39;s considerable size and weight, users may find it difficult to lift. For some users, lifting a mixer may exacerbate back or neck problems and/or cause bodily pain. For others, a mixer may weigh too much to lift without the aid and assistance of others. Moreover, lifting and carrying a mixer expends additional time and considerable effort for the user. Also, it increases that chances that the mixer could be damaged due to falling accidently out of the user&#39;s hands while the vertical lift is in progress. 
         [0021]    What is needed is a device that, when prompted (activated), permits a standard mixer to be moved from one location on a surface to another location on the surface without removing the mixer vertically from the surface, thereby permitting the mixer to be repositioned with a minimum amount of time and effort. More specifically, what is needed is a device that, when prompted, permits a standard mixer to roll easily on a surface until it is repositioned to the desired location. 
         [0022]    A device that attaches to a standard mixer which, when prompted (activated), permits the mixer and the attached device to roll easily on a surface such as a countertop until repositioned at the desired surface location is a novel invention that meets the needs described in the above paragraphs. Disclosed herein are embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can comprise additional embodiments not necessarily disclosed in this paper. 
         [0023]    An embodiment of the present invention comprises a device which attaches to the bottom (i.e., underside) of a standard mixer. Typically, to prevent any movement such as sliding or rolling, a standard mixer has feet that extend downward from the bottom of the mixer which make contact with a surface or has a flat bottom which contacts the surface. The device can attach to either type of mixer as well as to other types. Similar to the bottom of many standard mixers, the bottom of the device comprises feet that extend downward which can make contact with a surface, thereby preventing the mixer from moving about the surface unless prompted. When prompted, a retractable member having transfer balls attached thereto descends from the bottom of the device. The retractable member descends until the retractable balls make contact with the surface and extend downward lengthwise further than the feet of the device, thereby causing the feet to detach from the surface. Then, the mixer is permitted to roll on the surface and can be positioned to a desired location. 
         [0024]    Once the mixer is positioned to the desired location, the device can be prompted again. When prompted again, the retractable member retracts into the device, thereby causing the transfer balls to retract into the device. As the transfer balls retract, they move upward and are detached from the surface. Once the transfer balls retract, the feet of the device contact the surface. Now the mixer is in stationary mode, inhibiting movement about the surface so that it can be used, stored, cleaned, etc. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the prompting can occur through the use of a lever that is positioned on the side of the device. When the lever is pulled/pushed, the retractable member descends/ascends and the tractable balls contact/detach the surface, thus allowing/preventing the mixer from rolling on the surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, the prompting can occur through the use of a switch positioned on or about the device. The switch can comprise three different modes: a mode to cause the retractable member and transfer balls to descend so that the mixer can roll on a surface, a mode to cause the retractable member and transfer balls to retract so that the mixer is stationary and does not roll and a mode that causes no action by the device (i.e., the ‘off’ position). This embodiment comprises certain electrical components such as, without limitation, an actuator, battery and switch—instead of a lever—to cause the device to operate. A user can adjust the switch so that the device performs the desired function. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    While the present invention encompasses numerous embodiments that provide for a device which, when prompted, permits a mixer to roll about a surface and, when prompted again, restrains the mixer from moving about the surface, one particular embodiment involves a device having a lever attached thereto to impart to the device promptings by a user. In this embodiment, the present invention comprises only mechanical components—no electrical or electronic components. As such, no electrical power is needed to cause the present invention to operate.  FIG. 1  depicts such an embodiment. 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , an illustration is shown that depicts a device  100  which attaches to the underside of a standard mixer and permits the mixer and the attached device  100  to roll about a surface when prompted and inhibits movement about the surface when prompted again. The portion of the device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , which is the topside of the device  100 , securely attaches to the underside of a mixer, so that the device  100  and the mixer can be considered one unit. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts a housing  105  having two shoulders  110  attached thereto and a plurality of nodules  115  that jut out from the shoulders  110 . A lever  120  pivotally connects to the housing  105  via a fulcrum  125 . The proximate portion  130  of a rod  135  pivotally connects to the load portion  140  of the lever  120 . A plate  145  having two protruding fingers  150  mounts to a prong  155  that extends upward from the distal portion of the rod  135  and also mounts to a retractable member  160 . The retractable member  160  comprises two grooves  165  thereon which slidably engage with the fingers  150  of the plate  145 . The retractable member  160  includes a plurality of bars  170  that are positioned thereon. 
         [0029]    As  FIG. 2  depicts, when prompted, the lever  120  is pulled in a direction opposite the housing  105 , causing the load portion  140  of the lever  120  to move in a forward but slightly circular direction about the fulcrum  125 . As the load portion  140  moves, it pushes the rod  135  in a forward direction which, in turn, pushes the plate  145  in a forward direction. As the plate  145  moves forward, the protruding fingers  150  slide forward in the grooves  165  of the retractable member  160 . At a predetermined location, the protruding fingers  150  begin to slide over the bars  170  positioned within the retractable member  160 . As the protruding fingers  150  slide over the bars  170 , the retractable member  160  is forced downward. The downward force results because the nodules  115  restrict the protruding fingers  150  from moving in an upward direction, thus the only other direction for movement is downward. Therefore, as the protruding fingers  150  slide over the bars  170 , the retractable member  160  is forced downward. As the protruding fingers  150  continue sliding over the bars  170 , the retractable member  160  continues in a downward direction until the transfer balls attached thereto descend further than the length of the feet attached to the housing  105 . Once transfer balls descend further than the feet, the transfer balls make contact with the surface, thereby permitting the mixer to roll about the surface. 
         [0030]    If, however, the device  100  is mobile, permitting the mixer to roll about a surface uninhibited, but it is desired to return the device  100  to immobility so that the device  100  cannot roll about the surface, then the device  100  can be prompted to return to a stationary mode. When prompted, the lever  120  is pushed in a direction toward the housing  105 , causing the load portion  140  of the lever  120  to move in a backward but slightly circular direction about the fulcrum  125 . As the load portion  140  moves, it pulls the rod  135  in a backward direction which, in turn, pulls the plate  145  in a backward direction. As the plate  145  moves backward, the protruding fingers  150  slide backward, thus sliding off of the bars  170 . As the protruding fingers  150  slides off of the bars  170 , the retractable member  160  moves in an upward direction. As the retracted member  160  retracts into the housing  105 , the transfer balls attached to the retractable member  160  retract also. Thus, the transfer balls disengage the surface, thereby causing the feet to make contact with the surface. In so doing, the mixer becomes stationary and resistant to mobility about the surface. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of the device  100 . As shown, the device  100  comprises the housing  105  having feet  175  attach thereto and that protrude therefrom, a retractable member  160  having transfer balls  180  attached thereto, a lever  120 , a plate  145  having protruding fingers  150  and shoulders  110  attached to the housing  105 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the topside of the retractable member  160 . Two grooves  165 , each parallel to one another, extend the length of the retractable member  160 . Toward each end of each groove  165  at a predetermined located a bar  170  is positioned within the retractable member  160  and placed so that the lengthwise portion of the bar  170  is perpendicular to the lengthwise portion of the groove  165 . Secured to the middle of the bar  170  is a nut  185  which is positioned within the groove.  165 . When the protruding fingers  150  are being slid in the grooves  165  and come upon the nut  185 , the protruding fingers will slide over the nut  185 , causing the protruding fingers  150  to push downward on the retractable member  160 . The protruding fingers  150 , however, cannot move in an upward direction because of the constraints provided by the nodules  115 , thus force is applied in a downward direction. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrate the underside of the retractable member  160 . A plurality of transfer balls  180  are attached to the underside of the retractable member  160 , one at each corner. When the transfer balls make contact with a surface, the mixer is then permitted to roll about a surface. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  depict differing views of the plate  145  with protruding fingers  150 .  FIG. 6  depicts a top perspective view. As shown, the plate  145  is rectangle in shape and defines an aperture  190  at its center for mounting the plate  145  to the rod  135  via the prong  155 . Each finger  150  comprises a first side  195  and a second side  200 . The structure of the first side  195  gradually recedes at one end portion  205  and is indented  215  at the other end portion  210  but which gradually increases from the indention to the other end portion  210 . When in use, the second side  200  engages the nodules  115  of the shoulders  110  when the second side  200  slides over the nuts  185  attached to the bars  170  of the retractable member  160 . This occurs when the plate  145  slides forward, thus pushing the retractable member  160  in a downward direction.  FIG. 7  depicts a side view of the first side  195 . The first side  195  fits into the groove  165  of the retractable member  160  and slidably engages therewith.  FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of the underside of the plate  145  and protruding fingers  150 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates the topside of an embodiment of the present invention but shown without the plate  145  having protruding fingers  150  or the retractable member  160  attached thereto. As shown, the lever  120  and shoulders  110  attach to the housing  105 . The rod  135  pivotally connects to the lever  120  and extends outward. The distal portion of the rod  135  comprises a prong  155  that extends upward. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10  illustrations the underside of an embodiment of the present invention but shown without either the plate  145  having protruding fingers  150  or the retractable member  160  attached thereto. As shown, feet  175  are attached to the bottom of the housing  105 . The feet  175  can be comprised of any material that resists movement such as sliding or rolling. For example, the material of the feet  175  can be comprised of rubber. Therefore, when the retractable member  160  descends, the transfer balls contact the surface, enabling the device to roll about the surface. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  depicts the device  100  in stationary mode. When in a stationary mode, the feet  175  make contact with a surface and the transfer balls  180  are suspended within the device  100 , thereby preventing an attached mixer from moving/rolling about the surface. When in this mode, the protruding fingers  150  have not slid over the nuts  185  embedded in the retractable member  160 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 12 , on the other hand, depicts the device  100  in mobility mode, thereby permitting the device  100  to move/roll about a surface. When in mobility mode, the feet  175  are suspend in mid air and do not make contact with the surface, however the transfer balls  180  do make contact with the surface because the retractable member  160  has descended from the device  100 . The retractable member  160  descends when the protruding fingers  150  slide forward in the grooves  165  and slide over the nuts  185  embedded within the retractable member  160 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 13  illustrates a device  220  comprising another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of a lever to prompt the device to operate, a switch  230  is used to prompt the device to operate. The switch  230  can be a toggle switch or other type of switch that allows for at least three different modes of operation: a mode that causes the retractable member  160  to descend, thereby permitting the device  220  to move/roll about a surface; a mode that causes the retractable member  160  to ascend, thereby causing the device  220  to become stationary and resist to movement/rolling; and an ‘off’ mode. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the switch  230  connects to an actuator  225  and a power source such as a battery pack  235 . The actuator  225  engages a rod  135  and force is applied to the rod  135  to move the rod  135  forward or backward. The switch  230  is located on the exterior of the housing  105  so that it can be manipulated by a user. In  FIG. 13 , the switch is set to a position which causes the actuator  225  to apply force to the rod  135 , force which causes the rod  135  to move backward and the retractable member  160  to retract. As such, the device  220  is shown in a stationary position, resistant to rolling on a surface. 
         [0041]      FIG. 14  depicts the device  220  in a mode that causes the retractable member  160  to descend. When the switch  230  is placed in such a mode, the actuator  225  forces the rod  135  forward, and in turn, forces the retractable member  160  downward as the protruding fingers  150  slide forward in the grooves  165  and over the nuts  185  embedded in the retractable member  160 . As the retractable member  160  descends, the transfer balls  180  contact the surface, thereby enabling the device  220  to roll on a surface. 
         [0042]      FIG. 15  illustrates the device  100  attached to a standard mixer  240 . When the lever  120  is pulled, the mixer  240  can roll on a surface such as a kitchen countertop. 
         [0043]    Although many embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.