Abstract:
A self stabilizing system which has an incompressible coil at least partially encompassed in a housing, and which controls a foot of a device to be stabilized. The coil abuts a plunger, which plunger is for allowing a user to selectably lock the elevation by use of a pin which fits within a plurality of annular grooves on the plunger. In a first embodiment, a pair of coils surround the plunger on either side and control a pair of feet, thus allowing automatic stabilization on an uneven surface. In a second embodiment, a single coil is controlled by a spring which abuts the plunger allowing a spring-loaded system for selecting an elevation to lock the plunger.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a stabilizing system, and more particularly, a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE. 
       Description of the Prior Art 
       [0002]    Numerous innovations for stabilizers have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
         [0003]    A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 2,975,468, Published/Issued on Mar. 21, 1961, to McClellan teaches an improvement in a table with retractable casters. More particularly, it deals with such a table in which automatic leveling means are located at each caster or at the end of each leg of the table to support the table when the casters are retracted. The table of this invention finds use for example, as a typewriter table or stand which will rest level and steady on an uneven floor when the table is being used, and may be readily raised on to its casters and rolled out of the way when not in use. 
         [0004]    A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,191, Published/Issued on Nov. 25, 1997, to Burbank teaches a new wheelbarrow braking system for facilitating braking of a conventional wheelbarrow while transporting heavy loads thereby retaining the desired position of the wheelbarrow on uneven surfaces and reducing velocity when transporting down hill. The inventive device includes at least one brake disc secured to the inside surface of a support member of a conventional wheel barrow near the tire rim, and an ergonomic handle support member of a conventional wheel barrow near the tire rim, and an ergonomic handle connected to a brake cable secured to the opposite end of the support member and mechanically connected to the brake disc. 
         [0005]    A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,303, Published/Issued on Nov. 25, 1997, to Winters teaches a base for supporting an object such as a cafe table and the like on uneven flooring includes a central support to which are attached two leg assemblies, one rigidly attached and one rotatably attached to opposing faces on the central support. The rotatable leg assembly includes a bolt through an elongated hole in the leg assembly and a hole through the face of the central support that allow some rotation but limit excessive rotation. Each leg assembly is composed of two angled legs interconnected by a section that is substantially planar so as to complement the face formed on the central support. A frictional pad between the central support and the leg assembly is used to resist rotation of the central support with respect to the rotating leg. 
         [0006]    A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,773, Published/Issued on Apr. 12, 2005, to Bibb, et al. teaches automatic and simultaneous retraction of a pair of stabilizer legs for a backhoe loader machine is beneficial for the operator (not shown). Instead of retracting the stabilizer legs by manually holding a pair of control levers continuously in a retract position, the operator (not shown) may simply move the control levers to an auto-retract position. The movement of the control levers in such a manner activates a control switch in connection with each of the control levers. The control switches, in turn, activate a timer relay that activates a solenoid detent operative with each control lever. Once the solenoid detents are in an activated state, the operator (not shown) may relinquish contact with the control levers. The solenoid detents will retain the control levers in the auto-retract position via electro-magnetic forces. The timer relay controls the solenoid detents so that the control levers are retained in the auto-retract position for a preselected time to fully retract the stabilizer legs from any one of a plurality of extended positions. 
         [0007]    A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,396, Published/Issued on Oct. 18, 2005, to Moon, et al. teaches a self stabilizing and shock absorbing support structure for a collapsible picnic table having integral benches. The support structure includes U-shaped members resiliently attached to each other in a coplanar arrangement which allows the supports to flex and stabilize independently. This arrangement also allows the support structure to absorb shock which would normally be transferred across the table from one bench seat to the other. 
         [0008]    A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,730, Published/Issued on Jun. 16, 2009, to Kubinski teaches a stabilizer system and method that can provide high speed, relatively low force extension and retraction of a stabilizer leg during a first portion of a stroke, and low speed, relatively high force extension and retraction during a second portion of the stroke. Accordingly, the stabilizer system and method takes less time to deploy than conventional stabilizer systems but without sacrificing performance. 
         [0009]    A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,723, Published/Issued on Jul. 6, 2010, to Iturbide Jimenez teaches a device for stabilizing and supporting wheelbarrows which maintains the balance and increases the resistance of a system (wheelbarrow) including an angled monolithic body which is made up of two arms which define a triangular shape, whose ends have holes for the insertion of affixing means to affix to the leg of a wheelbarrow. In one embodiment, one of said arms makes up an arched area along most of its length which generates two points of support, a first point of support defined on the end of the joint affixing with the leg of the wheelbarrow and a second point of support defined in the area near where the two arms meet to define that angle. The arched area of the arm, positioned substantially horizontally and defining the two points of support, absorbs deformation, and also absorbs the load applied to the element, bringing more stability to the wheelbarrow on flat or irregular surfaces, providing a stabilizer comprised by each leg. 
         [0010]    AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,651,441, Published/Issued on Feb. 18, 2014, to Brooke teaches 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 washers in response to pivoting of the displaceable support member about a pivot axis which is transverse to the displaceable support member&#39;s guide path, automatically to anchor the displaceable support member frictionally against sliding displacement relative to the support structure. 
         [0011]    A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20040178306, Published/Issued on Sep. 16, 2004, to Hallberg teaches a self-stabilizing telescopic leg assembly for use in supporting a portion of a platform assembly above a floor surface. The telescopic leg assembly has at least one first leg portion slidably engaging at least one second leg portion. The leg assembly also has at least one pin adapted to simultaneously engage a hole passing laterally through the first leg portion and an angled slot passing laterally through the second leg portion, wherein when the leg assembly is in a vertical orientation, the pin transfers a vertical load from the first leg portion to the second leg portion and causes engagement between the first and second leg portions in a direction at an angle to the vertical orientation of the leg portions. 
         [0012]    A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20040227314, Published/Issued on Nov. 18, 2004, to Black teaches a tilting mechanism incorporated into a conventional wheelbarrow, the wheelbarrow including a bucket portion, a pair of elongated handles supporting the bucket portion, and a front wheel. The tilting mechanism includes a frame adapted to being secured to a rearwardly extending location of the elongated handles and such that the bucket portion is disposed between the frame and the front wheel. A pair of elongated supports are incorporated into the frame and, in combination with the front wheel, support the wheelbarrow upon a surface. The frame includes structure for establishing an angle or incline, relative to an uneven or peaked surface, and is actuated to facilitate tilting of the bucket portion about a longitudinal axis extending through the wheelbarrow. 
         [0013]    It is apparent now that numerous innovations for stabilizers have been provided in the prior art that adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0015]    ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0016]    STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE that is simple to use. 
         [0017]    BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE that stabilizes a foot in a selectable and lockable position. 
         [0018]    More particularly, it deals with such a device in which automatic leveling mechanism are located at each end of each leg of the device to support the device in a level position. The device of this invention finds use for examples, as a table, wheelbarrow, chair or ladder which will rest level and steady on an uneven floor when the device is being used, and may be readily leveled on its legs by a user as required or desired. 
         [0019]    The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0020]    The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention being utilized with a wheelbarrow standing on an uneven surface; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention installed on a table per se; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view thereof, of the table taken in the direction of arrow  4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view thereof, of the table taken in the direction of arrow  5  in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view thereof, of the table taken in the direction of arrows  6  in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view taken on line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of the area enclosed in the dotted circle indicated by arrow  8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention being utilized with another table; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention being utilized with vanity chair; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention being utilized with ladder; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a partial cross sectional view taken on line  12 - 12  in  FIGS. 9, 10 and 11  showing the leg of the device in a first unextended position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross sectional view taken on line  12 - 12  in  FIGS. 9, 10 and 11  showing the leg of the device in a second extended position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is diagrammatic perspective view of the locking end of the second embodiment of the device with parts broken away; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view thereof taken on line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view thereof taken on line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS OF ELEMENTS COMMON TO ALL EMBODIMENTS 
       [0000]    
       
           17  universal stabilizer device 
           18  coil 
           19  housing 
           20  sleeve 
           21  foot of sleeve  20   
           22  collar of sleeve  20   
           23  proximal end of coil  18   
           24  distal end of coil  18   
           25  plunger 
           26  annular groove of plunger  25   
           28  plurality of holes of housing  19   
           30  pin 
           32  legs of pin  30   
           34  straight portion of housing  19   
           36  rod 
           38  threads of rod  36   
           40  threading of coil  18  onto threads  38  of rod  36   
       
     
       REFERENCE NUMERALS OF FIRST EMBODIMENT  110   
       [0000]    
       
           110  first embodiment of a universal stabilizer device  17   
           111  first coil 
           112  second coil 
           114  proximal end of first coil  111   
           115  distal end of first coil  111   
           116  proximal end of second coil  112   
           117  distal end of second coil  112   
           118  first sleeve 
           120  second sleeve 
           122  plunger 
           124  first end of plunger  122   
           126  second end of plunger  122   
           128  first leg of housing  19   
           130  second leg of housing  19   
           132  collar of first sleeve  118   
           134  collar of second sleeve  120   
           136  first stop 
           138  second stop 
           140  first device 
           142  second device 
           144  first foot of first device  140   
           146  second foot of first device  140   
           148  first foot of second device  142   
           150  second foot of second device  150   
           152  first elevation 
           154  second elevation 
           156  object connected to device  10   
       
     
       REFERENCE NUMERALS OF SECOND EMBODIMENT  210   
       [0000]    
       
           210  second embodiment of a universal stabilizer device  17   
           211  plunger 
           212  proximal end of plunger 
           213  distal end of plunger 
           214  cap of housing  19   
           216  end of housing  19   
           218  spring 
           220  bore of plunger  211   
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0088]    Two embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. The first embodiment  110  is disclosed in drawing  FIGS. 1-8 . The second embodiment  210  is disclosed in drawing  FIGS. 9-16 . A number of elements are common to both embodiments. This description will begin with those elements common to both embodiments, then discuss the first embodiment  110  and second embodiment  210  in their particulars. 
       Description of Elements Common to Both Embodiments 
       [0089]    Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIGS. 1, 7, and 12  disclosed is A universal stabilizer device  17  which constitutes: 
         [0090]    a) at least one coil  18 ; 
         [0091]    b) a housing  19 ; and 
         [0092]    c) at least one sleeve  20 . 
         [0000]    The at least one sleeve  20  constitutes: 
         [0093]    a) a foot  21 ; and 
         [0094]    b) a collar  22 . 
         [0000]    The at least one coil  18  is connected to the foot  21  of the at least one sleeve  20 . The at least one coil  18  is at least partially enclosed in the housing  19 . The collar  22  of the sleeve  20  extends from the foot  21  of the sleeve  20 . The collar  22  of the sleeve  20  partially encompasses the housing  19 . The at least one coil  18  is incompressible, and the position of the foot  21  is controlled by the position of the at least one coil  18 . 
         [0095]    This construction facilitates the use of a coil  18  to control a foot  21  for stabilization purposes. This provides a number of advantages. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9-13 , this allows the coil to travel through a housing  19  which has a number of bends, while still producing a firm support because of the incompressible coil  18 . Additionally, the sleeve  20  construction permits movement of the support for an object without adjusting more visible or exterior components than necessary. 
         [0096]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 7 , as well as in  FIG. 12 , the at least one coil  18  has a proximal end  23  and a distal end  24 . The proximal end  23  of the at least one coil  18  is connected to the foot  21  of the at least one sleeve  20 . The device  17  further constitutes a plunger  25 . The distal end  24  of the at least one coil  18  abuts the plunger  25 . The plunger  25  is rigid and incompressible, and the plunger  25  is encompassed by the housing  19 . This permits the plunger  25  to be a part of the control of the foot  21  without causing extra movement. 
         [0097]    The plunger  25  has at least one annular groove  26  therein. The at least one annular groove  26  is for facilitating locking of the plunger  25  in a particular location relative to the housing  19 . Further for facilitating same, the housing  19  has a plurality of holes  28  therein. The plurality of holes  28  constitute pairs of holes  28  which face one another so that a pin  30  may travel between them. Thus, the locking of the plunger  25  in a particular location relative to the housing  19  is accomplished by the pin  30  which travels through at least one of the holes  28  of said housing and abuts the at least one annular groove  26  of the plunger  25 . 
         [0098]    In the preferred embodiment, the at least one annular groove  26  constitutes a plurality of annular grooves  26 . This allows that the plurality of annular grooves  26  allowing for the locking of the plunger  25  in a particular location relative to the housing  19  to be done in a variety of locations relative to the housing  19 . Preferably, and as shown in  FIGS. 8, 12 , and  13 , the pin  30  is a substantially U-shaped pin  30  having two legs  32 . 
         [0099]    The U-shaped pin  30  having two legs facilitates locking as follows. The plurality of holes  28  constitute at least two pairs of holes  28  which face one another. The at least two pairs of holes  28  which face one another are separated by a distance which corresponds to the distance between the two legs  32  of the substantially U-shaped pin  30 . Thus, the two legs  32  of the substantially U-shaped pin  30  go into the at least two pairs of holes  28  for the locking of the plunger  25  in a particular location relative to the housing  19 . This configuration requires that the plunger  25  have at least two annular grooves  26  for the legs  32  of the pin  30  to go into. 
         [0100]    Further, in the preferred construction of the invention common to all embodiments, the housing  19  has at least one straight portion  34 , and the plunger  25  is contained within the straight portion  34  of the housing. This permits the plunger  25  to travel within the straight portion  34  to facilitate controlled motion of the at least one foot  21  for stabilization. 
         [0101]    In reference to the controlling of said foot  21 , in the preferred structure, the proximal end  23  of the at least one coil  18  is connected to the foot  21  of the at least one sleeve  20  by a rod  36 . The rod  36  is at least partially threaded  38 . The coil  18  is secured to the rod  36  by threading  40  the coil  18  into the threads  38  of the rod  36 . 
       Description of the First Embodiment  110   
       [0102]    The first embodiment  110  of the device  17  is disclosed in  FIGS. 1-8 . In the first embodiment  110 , the at least one coil  18  constitutes a first coil  111  and a second coil  112 . The first coil  111  and said second coil  112  each have a proximal end  23  and a distal end  25 . Thus, the first coil  111  has a proximal end  114  and a distal end  115 . Likewise, the second coil  112  has a proximal end  116  and a distal end  117 . The at least one sleeve  20  constitutes a first sleeve  118  and a second sleeve  120 . The proximal end  114  of the first coil  111  is connected to the foot  21  of the first sleeve  118 . The proximal end  116  of the second coil  112  is connected to the foot  21  of the second sleeve  120 . 
         [0103]    As in the elements common to all embodiments, the first embodiment of the device  110  further constitutes a plunger  122 . The plunger  122  has a first end  124  and a second end  126 . The distal end  115  of the first coil  111  abuts the first end  124  of the plunger  122 . The plunger  122  is for being selectably locked in a position. The distal end  117  of the second coil  112  abuts the second end  126  of the plunger  122 . The plunger  122  is rigid and incompressible. The plunger  122  is encompassed by the housing  19 . 
         [0104]    This structure allows that the first coil  111 , the second coil  112 , and the plunger  122  work in unison to move within the housing  19 . Thus the first sleeve  118  and the second sleeve  120  and their respective feet  21  move correspondingly, keeping a fixed relative distance because of the incompressibility of the first coil  111 , second coil  112 , and the plunger  122 . 
         [0105]    Further, in the first embodiment  110 , the housing  19  has a first leg  128  and a second leg  130 . The first sleeve  118  constitutes in part a first collar  132 . The second sleeve constitutes in part a second collar  134 . The first collar  132  is capable of traveling along at least part of the first leg  128  of the housing  19 . The second collar  134  is capable of traveling along at least part of the second leg  130  of the housing  19 . 
         [0106]    Still further, the first leg  128  of the housing  19  has a first stop  136 . Likewise, the second leg  130  has a second stop  138 . These stops  136 ,  138  are disposed at the ends of the first leg  128  and second leg  130  respectively. There is a maximum extent to the travel of the first collar  132  along the first leg  128  of the housing  19 . Likewise, there is a maximum extent to the travel of the second collar  134  along the second leg  130  of the housing  19 . The maximum extent to the travel of the first collar  132  along the first leg  128  of the housing  19  is governed by the first stop  136 . The maximum extent to the travel of the second collar  134  along the second leg  130  of the housing  19  is governed by the second stop  138 . 
         [0107]    Thus, the first collar  132  and the second collar  134  move in unison. The movement in unison is caused by the incompressibility of the first coil  111 , the second coil  112 , and the plunger  122 . The movement in unison causes a weight or object  156  attached to the housing  19  of the device  110  to be self-stabilizing. 
         [0108]    Now will be discussed a second variant of the first embodiment of the device  110 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-6 . In this variant the device  110  constitutes a first device  140  and a second device  142 . The first device  140  and the second device  142  are for providing a set of four supports for an object  156 . 
         [0109]    To facilitate this, the first device  140  and the second device  142  have coils  18  and plungers  122  of such lengths that the feet  21  of the first device  140  and the feet  21  of the second device  142  all rest on a flat surface at the same time. 
         [0110]    The first device  140  constitutes in part a first foot  144  of the first device  140  and a second foot  146  of the first device  140 . The second device  142  constitutes in part a first foot  148  of the second device and a second foot  150  of the second device  142 . 
         [0111]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , The first foot  144  of the first device  140  and the first foot  148  of the second device  142  are capable of being placed at a first elevation  152 . The second foot  146  of the first device  140  and the second foot  150  of the second device  142  are capable of being placed at a second elevation  154  different from the first elevation. Thus, the first device  140  and the second device  142  are capable of stabilizing an object connected to them  156  when the first feet  144 ,  148  are at said first elevation  152  and the second feet  146 ,  150  are at said second elevation  154 . 
       Description of the Second Embodiment  210   
       [0112]    Disclosed now is a second embodiment of the device  210 . This embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 9-16 , and discloses a version of the device  17  with a single, adjustable stabilizer. In the second embodiment  210 , a plunger  211  has a proximal end  212  and a distal end  213 , and where the proximal end  212  of the plunger  211  abuts the distal end  24  of the coil  18 . 
         [0113]    The housing  19  further constitutes a cap  214 . The cap  214  is at an end  216  of the housing  19  and closes that end  216 . The device  210  further contains a spring  218 . The spring  218  is for controlling the location of the distal end  213  of the plunger  211  in respect to the cap  214  of the housing  19 . This allows that the coil  19  is essentially spring loaded, with the only compressibility being afforded by the spring  218 . The plunger  211  preferably has the annular grooves  26  for locking common to both embodiments, allowing that the spring  218  can be used for balancing a load and then locking the foot  21  in place at the desired elevation. 
         [0114]    In the preferred construction as illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 15 , the plunger  211  has a bore  220  therein. The bore  220  of the plunger  211  extends from the distal end  213  of the plunger, but the bore  220  does not reach the proximal end  212  of the plunger  211 . The spring  218  is encompassed at least partially in the bore  220  of the plunger  211 . The encompassing of the spring  218  in the bore  220  allows the plunger  211  to be flush with the cap  214  when the spring  218  is compressed. 
         [0115]    It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
         [0116]    While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a UNIVERSAL STABILIZER DEVICE, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0117]    Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.