Patent Abstract:
A stabilizer pad includes a generally square shape with an interior area having a geometry adapted to removably secure objects having either matching geometrical bases. The pad is capable of stacking upon an identically shaped pad.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of, was first described in, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/138,419, filed Mar. 26, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a stabilizer pad having interiors to removably secure objects having matching appendages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a great many products used around homes and businesses in an outdoor environment. These objects include everything from tables and chairs, ladders, planters, portable awnings, to heavier objects such as support jacks used for recreational vehicles and the like. Unfortunately, when such objects are placed on soft ground surfaces such as grass or even asphalt, they are not level and/or sink into the ground immediately or over time. Many resort to the use of blocks of wood to help level, stabilize, and to prevent sinking. It is quickly realized that these blocks of wood are often too thick, too thin, or not wide enough. This causes the blocks to slip, slide, and create even more problems than they were intended to solve. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which various types of door objects can be supported, leveled, and stabilized in order to prevent problems as described. The development of the stabilizer pad fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stabilizing pad system, including at least one (1) first generally square resilient body, each having a planar first side, a planar second side, and a first recessed area located within a first interior rib upstanding from the first side. The system also includes least one (1) second square resilient body, each having a planar third side, a planar fourth side, a first perimeter rib disposed about a perimeter of the third side, a second recessed area located between a second interior rib upstanding from the third side and the first perimeter rib, a second perimeter rib disposed about a perimeter of the fourth side, and a third recessed area located between a third interior rib upstanding from the fourth side and the second perimeter rib. The first interior rib is capable of stacking with either the second or third interior rib. The first recessed area is capable of receiving and supporting a portion of a piece of weighted object therein. Some embodiments also include a fourth recessed area located within a fourth interior rib upstanding from the second side. wherein said plurality of notches are capable of removably receiving said fourth interior rib therein of another first body. The fourth interior rib is capable of stacking with either the second or third interior rib. The fourth recessed area is also capable of receiving and supporting a portion of a piece of weighted object therein. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for the first interior rib or fourth rib of the first body to be generally circular. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide for the first interior rib to be generally rectangular. In certain embodiment, the first interior rib further has a plurality of notches. Such plurality of notches is shaped to be capable of removably retaining the circular shape of the first or fourth interior rib. Some embodiments include a second plurality of notches shaped to be capable of removably retaining the rectangular shape of the first interior rib. 
     Another object of the second body it to have the second interior rib to include a first center portion located on a center of the third side, and a first plurality of linear portions, each radiating outward from the first center portion to the first perimeter rib. Similarly, the third interior rib further includes a second center portion located on a center of the fourth side, and a second plurality of linear portions, each radiating outward from the second center portion to the second perimeter rib. In certain embodiments, the first plurality of linear portions includes a plurality of notches, each capable of removably receiving either the first or fourth interior rib from the first body. The first plurality of linear portions can also include another plurality of notches, each capable of removably receiving either first or fourth interior rib from the first body. Similarly, the second plurality of linear portions can include a plurality of notches, each capable of removably receiving either first or fourth interior rib from said first body. The second plurality of linear portions can also include another plurality of notches, each capable of removably receiving either first or fourth interior rib from the first body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment  10  of a stabilizer pad, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment  20  of a stabilizer pad, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment  30  of a stabilizer pad, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment  40  of a stabilizer pad, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment  10  of a stabilizer pad, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment  20  of a stabilizer pad, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment  30  of a stabilizer pad, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment  40  of a stabilizer pad, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  first embodiment 
               11  first embodiment first recessed area 
               12  first embodiment first side interior rib 
               13  first embodiment arcuate notch 
               14  first embodiment center notch 
               15  first embodiment first side 
               16  first embodiment second recessed area 
               17  first embodiment second side 
               18  first embodiment second side interior rib 
               20  second embodiment 
               21  second embodiment recessed area 
               22  second embodiment interior rib 
               23  second embodiment arcuate notch 
               24  second embodiment center notch 
               25  second embodiment first side 
               27  second embodiment second side 
               30  third embodiment 
               31  third embodiment first recessed area 
               32   a  third embodiment first side interior rib 
               32   b  third embodiment second side interior rib 
               33   a  third embodiment first side first notch 
               33   b  third embodiment first side second notch 
               34  third embodiment first side perimeter rib 
               35  third embodiment first side 
               36  third embodiment second recessed area 
               37  third embodiment second side 
               38   a  third embodiment second side first notch 
               38   b  third embodiment second side second notch 
               39  third embodiment second side perimeter rib 
               40  fourth embodiment 
               41  fourth embodiment recessed area 
               42  fourth embodiment interior rib 
               45  fourth embodiment first side 
               47  fourth embodiment second side 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The stabilizer pad, as its name implies, is a set of interlocking pads available in multiple embodiments  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  used to support, level, and spread the weight impact of concentrated loads in an outdoor environment. The first embodiment  10 , second embodiment  10 , and fourth embodiment  40  are each capable of being placed under and protecting legs of an object, the third embodiment  30  is capable of enabling stacking of adjacent ones of either the first embodiment  10 , second embodiment  20 , or fourth embodiment  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, 4-6, and 8 , each of the first embodiment  10 , second embodiment  20 , and fourth embodiment  40  is capable of being placed under various objects or legs of objects. The pads  10 ,  20 ,  40  may vary in size according to need; however an average size pad is envisioned to be a generally square shape with rounded corners and sized approximately twelve square inches (12 in 2 ). Each pad  10 ,  20 ,  40  would vary in thickness from one-quarter inch (¼ in.) up to one inch (1 in.) or more. The first side  15 ,  25 ,  45 , of the first embodiment  10 , second embodiment  20 , and fourth embodiment  40  is provided either with a circular or rectangular center recessed area  11 ,  21 ,  41  to hold the original object or leg of the object. The recessed area  11 ,  21 ,  41  is provided with additional interlocking segments such as interior support ribs  12 ,  22 ,  42  that complement the perimeter of the object it is supporting. These support ribs  12 ,  22 ,  42  can be provided with inner locking anti-rotation tabs. Each pad  10 ,  20 ,  40  would be used on objects such as chairs, tables, ladders, portable awnings, trailer jacks, and the like. The user can adjust the height of the object or level individual parameters of the object by placing at least one (1) pad  10 ,  20 ,  40  under the object. It is possible to also include the third embodiment  30  in order to stack multiple embodiments  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  together to achieve the desired height. While originally viewed as a method to obtain a desired height or level an object, it may also be used to protect products from ground contact and to prevent any point of load objects from sinking into the ground. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  the fourth embodiment first side  45  and the first embodiment second side  17  each has a recessed area  41 ,  16  in the shape of a circle. Both the fourth embodiment first side  41  and the first embodiment second side  17  has respective fourth embodiment interior rib  42  a first embodiment second interior rib  18  also in the general shape of a circle. The fourth embodiment interior rib  42  and first embodiment second interior rib  18  are continuous. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first embodiment first side  15  and second embodiment first side  25  each have interior support ribs  12 ,  22  that are discontinuously in the form of a rectangle. The sides with the shorter length are continuous. The sides with the greater length has aligned center notches  14 ,  24 . Adjacent the ends of the side with the greater length are arcuate notches  13 ,  23  corresponding to the circular shape of the fourth embodiment interior rib  42  and first embodiment second interior rib  18 . As such, this enables the fourth embodiment first side  45  to have a friction fit nesting stacking arrangement with either the first embodiment first side  15  or second embodiment first side  25 . Similarly, the first embodiment second side  17  also can enjoy a friction fit nesting stacking arrangement with either another first embodiment first side  15  or a second embodiment first side  25 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the second embodiment second side  27  and the fourth embodiment second  47  are each planar and have no ribs. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the third embodiment  30  has a general shape similar to that of the first embodiment  10 , second embodiment  20 , and fourth embodiment  40 , although it is thicker. The third embodiment has a first side  35  and second side  37  having identical features. The third embodiment  30  is capable of employing friction fit nesting stacking arrangements of either the first embodiment  10 , second embodiment  20 , or fourth embodiment  40  on either the third embodiment first side  35  or third embodiment second side  37 . The third embodiment first side perimeter rib  34  is continuously disposed about the perimeter of the third embodiment first side  35 . Similarly, the third embodiment second side perimeter rib  39  is continuously disposed about the perimeter of the third embodiment second side  37 . The third embodiment first interior rib  32   a  is fashioned as a continuous small circular portion centered on the third embodiment first side  35  and a plurality of discontinuous radiating ribs connecting to the third embodiment first side perimeter rib  34 . Similarly, the third embodiment second interior rib  32   b  is fashioned as a continuous small circular portion centered on the third embodiment second side  37  and a plurality of discontinuous radiating ribs connecting to the third embodiment second side perimeter rib  39 . In a preferred embodiment, the number of radiating ribs are eight (8) and they are equidistantly spaced from each other. The third embodiment first recessed area  31  corresponds to all the area between the third embodiment first side perimeter rib  34  and third embodiment first side interior ribs  32   a , whereas the third embodiment second recessed area  36  corresponds to all the area between the third embodiment second side perimeter rib  39  and third embodiment second side interior ribs  32   b.    
     Similar to the first embodiment and second embodiment interior ribs  12 ,  42 , the third embodiment  30  has a plurality of notches  33   a ,  33   b ,  38   a ,  38   b  to enable the friction fit nesting stacking arrangement between either side  35 ,  37  of the third embodiment  30  with the circular shape of the interior rib  42 ,  18  of the first embodiment second side  17  or fourth embodiment first side  45 , or the rectangular shape of the interior rib  12 ,  22  of the first embodiment first side  15  or second embodiment first side  25 . The plurality of radiating ribs on the third embodiment first side  35  has a plurality of third embodiment first side first notches  33   a  aligned in an arrangement capable of receiving in a friction fit nesting stacking arrangement of the rectangular shape of the first embodiment first side interior rib  12  and second embodiment interior rib  22 . Similarly, the plurality of radiating ribs on the third embodiment second side  37  has a plurality of third embodiment second side first notches  38   a  aligned in an arrangement capable of receiving in a friction fit nesting stacking arrangement of the rectangular shape of the first embodiment first side interior rib  12  and second embodiment interior rib  22 . The plurality of radiating ribs on the third embodiment first side  35  has a plurality of third embodiment first side second notches  33   b  aligned in an arrangement capable of receiving in a friction fit nesting stacking arrangement of the circular shape of the first embodiment second side interior rib  12  and fourth embodiment interior rib  42 . Similarly, the plurality of radiating ribs on the third embodiment second side  37  has a plurality of third embodiment first side second notches  38   b  aligned in an arrangement capable of receiving in a friction fit nesting stacking arrangement of the circular shape of the first embodiment second side interior rib  12  and fourth embodiment interior rib  42 . 
     The use of each pad  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  provides a means to stabilize and level outdoor objects in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The materials required to produce each stabilizer pad  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  are all readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. Each of the pads  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  would be made of high density, ultraviolet (UV) resistant plastic in an injection molding process. Such a process would require the design and use of custom molds. The raw materials as used in each pad  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  would best be obtained from wholesalers and manufacturers that deal in goods of that nature and assembled at a final location. The relatively simple design of each pad  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  and the material of construction make it a cost-effective design due to the relatively low material and labor costs involved. Final production of each pad  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40  will be performed by manufacturing workers of average skill. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1