Patent Publication Number: US-2009223268-A1

Title: Groover Extension Device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to extensions to machines designed to create grooves in materials “groovers” and particularly where normally a groover is connected to a second machine, often with the second machine providing the means to power the groover. Groovers designed with short attachment members, that require locomotive power from a secondary machine, are the primary focus group for this extension, but may also include other grooving devices that will gain additional benefits from an extension. 
     REFERENCES 
     In general within the art, descriptions of groovers and groover assemblies and grooving systems are found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,223,054 set forth by Cady; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,152 set forth by Dole et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,150 set forth by Westley et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,664 set forth by Williams; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,039 set forth by Williams et al. and in United States Published Patent Applications 2003/0226387 set forth by Dole et al.; and 2003/0192357 Hamm et al. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Extensions have been used on tools and machines for centuries to gain greater range with a tool, and to also create space between one tool or machine and the other objects that they interact with the tool and the machine in performing their functions. This second class of extensions, used to create space between the tool or machine and the other interacting objects is of particular relevance to the background of the instant invention. In particular how they assist grooving devices. 
     Grooving devices serve the purpose of making grooves in various materials used in construction and related works, including working upon wood, metals, stones and other materials. However, some designs of these machines are quite large and cumbersome to use. Further, among these designs are groovers that require locomotive power from sister machines, such as “power machines,” to which the grooving device is attached, often by an attachment member, located on the groover itself. However, because these attachment members often possess short lengths, attaching and removing the groover from the power machine is often a time-consuming, multi-step process that often subjects users to significant physical stress, particularly because of the great weight associated with these machines. The instant invention seeks to rectify these shortcomings in a simple, but elegant solution. 
     What is needed is a means of avoiding the above described time-consuming, multi-step process. Said means should allow users to avoid all unnecessary physical stress associated with attaching and removing the groover from the power machine. The present invention provides a solution to all of these shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. A groover extension device designed to overcome the previously mentioned shortcomings of earlier problems seen in the art would afford a user the advantages of avoiding the need to perform the time-consuming, multi-step, backbreaking process of constantly connecting and removing the groover and the power machine. Thus, the several embodiments of the instant invention are illustrated herein. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the previously mentioned shortcomings found in the prior art with a groover extension device. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device of great enough length to avoid the need of removing supplemental assemblies attached to a power machine. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device of great enough length to avoid the need of removing supplemental assemblies attached to a grooving machine. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device comprised of durable materials. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that may be comprised of weather resistant materials. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that is simple to install. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that is simple to uninstall. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that will avoid the need for disconnecting the power machine from the groover in order for the power machine to perform other functions for other machines that it services. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device, that will prevent unnecessary physical stress for users because the groover extension substantially reduces the need to remove heavy machinery from the power machine in order to connect the groover member to the power machine. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that saves users time, as it substantially reduces the time lost from removing machinery from a power machine, every time that a groover must be attached to said power machine. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that has a locking mechanism which holds the groover in place thereby increasing safety. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a groover extension device that may be daisy-chained to other groover extension devices so as to provide additional space between a power machine and a grooving machine. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims, Detailed Description of the Embodiments Sections and drawings of this application, with all said sections adding to this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the groover extension device as well as front views of the left and right sides of said groover extension. Note that the front views reveal a hollowed out six-sided end and solid six-sided end. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the extension unit of  FIG. 1  connecting a power machine and a groover. Also illustrated in this Figure is a “carriage” assembly attached to said power machine. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the elements in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the side view of the groover extension seen in  FIG. 1 , in which a screw safety-locking member has been added to assist the extension locking onto the groover. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the side view of the groover extension seen in  FIG. 1 , in which a dimple safety-locking member has been added to assist the extension locking onto the groover. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the elements as seen in  FIG. 2  but further demonstrates that the groover extension has been daisy-chained onto a second groover extension. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, such as groover extension devices that have different shapes, dimensions and sizes. 
     Presently, to connect a groover to a “power machine” (as they are commonly known in the art), a “carriage assembly” (as they are known in the art) must be removed from the power machine, in order for a groover attachment member to be connected to the chuck member of the power machine. If the carriage assembly is not removed, it is physically impossible for the groover attachment member to reach the power machine chuck member. Further, when the carriage is required to again be attached to the power machine, the groover must once again be detached from the power machine. This non-inclusive binary system leads to numerous inefficiencies as well as physical stresses inflicted upon users. 
     The present invention rectifies these inefficiencies by introducing an extension member to attach the groover and the power machine at a great enough distance to allow for the carriage assembly to remain attached to a power machine, with ample space about the power machine, even with the extension connecting the groover to the power machine. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the groover extension device  1 , a front view of the power machine attachment end  2  and a front view of the groover attachment end  3 . Also shown are a cylindrically shaped end  5 , a bisecting bulge  4 , protruding out of said groover extension device  1  that separates said cylindrically shaped end  5  and said power machine attachment end  2 . 
       FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  6  illustrate common elements involved with the use of the groover extension device  1 , wherein  FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the groover extension device  1  connecting the groover  6  and the power machine  7  with the carriage assembly  8  still attached to the power machine  7 , while  FIG. 3  illustrates these elements in a exploded side view. Also, commonly illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  are the visible elements of the groover extension device  1 , including the bisecting bulge  4  and the cylindrically shaped end  5 .  FIG. 6  further illustrates a groover extension device  1  daisy-chained onto the end of a second groover extension device  1 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate two embodiments of providing additional safety features in the instant invention.  FIG. 4  illustrates the use of a screw member  9 , when screwed into place will lock the groover extension device  1  into place, while  FIG. 5  illustrates the use of dimple members  10  to lock the groover extension device  1  into place. 
     The cylindrically shaped end  5  of said groover extension device  1  is removably attached to the groover  6  at a groover attachment member, whereas the power machine attachment end  2  is attached to the power machine  7 . To finish the securing process either the groover  6 , with the groover extension device  1  already attached, may be moved into place so that the power machine attachment end  2  becomes removably attached to the power machine  7 . In the alternative the power machine with the groover extension device  1  already attached may be moved into place so that the cylindrically shaped end  5  becomes removably attached to the groover  6 .