Abstract:
The device of the present invention comprises a frame for supporting the device comprised of substantially horizontal and vertical support members; and a trough attached to the frame and sloped to allow for gravity feeding the items from an entrance end to an exit end of the device. The device is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with a security checkpoint.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/359,995, filed Feb. 27, 2002, and which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a sliding device to be used preferably with a security checkpoint. In particular, to a security sliding device comprised of two troughs aligned at acute angles attached to a support frame to allow for gravity feeding a tray between ends of the device.  
           [0003]    Security checkpoints of the type located in airports, public buildings, sports facilities, schools, and other locations have become commonplace. The checkpoints often consist of a magnetometer and an x-ray machine. The normal procedure is to place any bags or lose clothing on the conveyor that leads into the x-ray machine for scanning. Personal items like coins, cell phones, or other objects are placed in a tray for personal inspection by a security official. Then the individual passes through the magnetometer that can detect if the individual is concealing any items of concern.  
           [0004]    This procedure can be awkward, which can lead to frustration as people try to move through the checkpoint as quickly as possible. One problem that can occur is passing the personal items back and forth between the entrance and the exit of the security checkpoint. Often this requires the security officials to move between or through the individuals passing through the checkpoint. Further confusion results when the individuals stop just through the entrance to return the personal items to their pockets. This can create a backup and often prevents others from moving through the checkpoint due to the fact they must wait for the individual to gain control over the personal items and for the security officials to return the tray to the entrance of the station for reuse.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, a need exists for an improved method and apparatus for moving individuals through security checkpoints and in other situations where individuals wait in line.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    On object of the present invention comprises providing a sliding device for use in moving items from an entrance end to an exit end of said device.  
           [0007]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification, drawings, and claims.  
           [0008]    The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encountered heretofore. To that end, a sliding device is provided for use in moving items from an entrance end to an exit end of said device. The device comprises a frame for supporting the device comprised of substantially horizontal and vertical support members; and a trough attached to the frame and sloped to allow for gravity feeding the items from an entrance end to an exit end of the device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exit end of a security sliding device.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exit end of the security sliding device.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an entry end of the security sliding device.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exit end of the security sliding device.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the security sliding device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    In the Figures, is shown a security sliding device  10  for use in conjunction with a security station  32  that is typically comprised of an x-ray machine and a magnetometer. The device  10  comprises of a first tough  12  and a second trough  14  supported on a frame  16 . The first and second troughs  12 ,  14  are configured and an acute angle relative to each other, such that the slope of the troughs  12 ,  14  is sufficient to gravity feed a tray  28  from an upper end to a lower end of the troughs  12 ,  14 .  
         [0015]    The frame  16  is comprised of a plurality of vertical supports  18 , and horizontal supports  20 , and trough supports  22 . In particular, the frame  16  includes three vertical supports  18  at an entrance end  34 , and three vertical supports  18  at an exit end  36 . The horizontal supports  20  form a perimeter around the bottom of the vertical supports  18 . The trough supports  22  span the gaps between the vertical supports  18  toward the top of the supports  18 , and support the bottom of the troughs  12 ,  14 . The vertical supports  18  vary in height based on the position of troughs  12 ,  14 . The various members of the frame  16  are secured with conventional fasteners like screws, nut and bolt combinations, and the like. Furthermore, the troughs  12 ,  14  are similarly secured to the frame  16 . In addition, the troughs  12 ,  14  are secured to each other at a midpoint with a pin  24 .  
         [0016]    The tray  28  is gravity fed from the top of one trough  12 ,  14  to the bottom, and then back again. A cushion  30  can be placed at the lower end of the first trough  12  to mitigate the force of the tray  28  striking the lower end of one of the first trough  12  in order to avoid the items in the tray  28  from being dislodged. Additionally, side guards  26  are attached to the lower end of the first trough  12  to further provide for retaining the items in the tray  28  within the trough  12 .  
         [0017]    The device  10  can be constructed of a number of different types of material such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, metal, and the like. However, the sliding surface of the troughs  12 ,  14  and the bottom surface of the tray  28  should be sufficiently low friction to allow the tray  28  to freely slide from the top of one trough  12 ,  14  to the bottom.  
         [0018]    In operation, the device  10  is placed near security checkpoint  32  such that the entrance end  34  of the device  10  is positioned adjacent to the point where individuals enter the security checkpoint  32 . For reference, the entrance end  34  is the end of the device  10  closest to the upper end of the first trough  12 , and the exit end  36  is the end located opposite thereto. Typically, as individuals enter the security checkpoint  32  they place luggage, purses, brief cases, coats, and other items of this nature on the conveyer of the x-ray machine, and at the same time they are asked to remove any metal objects from their pockets which are then placed in the tray  28 . The tray  28  is then placed in the upper end of the first trough  12 , where it slides to the exit end  36  of the security checkpoint  32 . This naturally leads the individual through the magnetometer and away from the entrance end  34  and toward the exit end  36  where they can retrieve their personal items in the tray  28  and the items they placed on the conveyer without interfering with others at the checkpoint  32 . The tray  28  is then placed on the upper end of the second trough  14  where it returns to the entrance end  34  of the security checkpoint  32  for use by the next individual passing through the security checkpoint  32 .  
         [0019]    In this manner, the device  10  naturally moves people through the security checkpoint  32  and imposes an order and flow to the security checkpoint process. Also, the device  10  provides the security officers with a very convenient method of moving the tray  28  back and forth between the entrance and exit ends  34 ,  36  of the security checkpoint  32 . The device  10  is simple to construct, has no moving parts (other than the tray  28 ), and requires very little if any instruction on how to operate. Additionally, the device  10  is compact and sized to fit into the space between the magnetometer and the x-ray machine, and is of a length that will allow the tray to move the end of the x-ray conveyor where the individual would normally top to pick up items sent through the x-ray machine without inconvenience to others.  
         [0020]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention the device  10  is 8 feet in total length. The frame  16  is 4 feet in length. The slope of the troughs  12 ,  14  can and will vary depending on the nature of the material selected to achieve the desired amount of friction between the troughs  12 ,  14  and the tray  28 . Preferably, the top end of the troughs  12 ,  14  are 40 and ¼ inches in height, and the lower ends are 24 inches in height. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the exact dimensions and type of materials used can and will vary depending without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0021]    This invention may be adapted to accommodate the movement of people in other line forming situations. Examples of include, but are not limited to, lines at cash registers and fast food restaurants, and the like. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment of the invention includes troughs  12 ,  14  to allow for movement of the tray  28  in both directions, the invention is not so limited. The invention could include a single trough  12  or  14  for moving the tray  28  or items in one direction if desired.  
         [0022]    The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.