Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/132,154, filed Jun. 16, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a stand, specifically to place devices, such as pots, on at different levels or elevations during the process of brewing beer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is well known in the beer brewing industry, particularly the homemade or small scale beer making industry, to utilize a stand to support one or more pots for the all grain beer making process (as opposed to a malt extract brewing process where only one vessel is utilized). Typically, one pot or vessel is used for holding hot water (hot liquor tank), another for the mash (mash tun), and a third for a boil vessel. During different stages of the brewing process it is necessary to move the liquid from one pot to another. Often this is done with a pump with the vessels all at one level. However, it is advantageous to use gravity to drain or siphon the liquid in lieu of pumping. This eliminates the cost of a pump, additional cleaning, and can be done without electrical power. To function, each pot must be at a lower level than the vessel being drained. To accomplish this, a stand is used with one or more tiers (typically 3) with each tier higher than the preceding tier. Typical construction is welded structural steel or wood. However, these designs have significant limitations since once constructed, the tiers can not readily be moved should the brewer upgrade equipment or change their brewing process. In addition, any equipment already owned by the brewer, such as a burner, cannot readily be reused in the stand and must be abandoned further adding to the cost of the stand. Yet more limitations of the current art is that shipping costs are high due to the bulky nature of these fixed stands. This also makes them less portable for transporting the stand for brewing at other locations. The present invention overcomes these limitations by integrating a fully modular, adjustable tier installation system along with a burner system that can be used as a stand-alone floor standing burner or fixed to the stand for use in a tiered system. This allows the beginning brewer to purchase a floor standing burner for basic malt extract brewing, and later upgrade to intermediate brewing on a multi-tiered stand, then to advanced brewing all without discarding previously purchased equipment. Furthermore, the brewer can readily reconfigure the tier positions as their brewing process or equipment needs or sizes change. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A modular stand is adapted for use with a brewing process and is comprised of a mast defining a bottom, a top and a plurality of sides. The sides are connected at a corner portion. Positioned on each of the plurality of sides are a plurality of mast faces extend between the bottom and the top of the mast. A plurality of t-slots (being recognized that numerous slot configurations such as V, L, round, teardrop etc. are also equally suitable) are positioned on each of the plurality of sides and are interposed the plurality of mask faces, the plurality of t-slots extend between the bottom and the top. Each of the plurality of mast faces form a continuous mast face from the bottom to the top. The plurality of t-slots form a continuous t-slot from the bottom to the top. A plurality of legs are removably attached to the mast near the bottom. Each of the plurality of legs has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a support face. The first end portion is positioned in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces. And, a through hole is positioned in the first end portion and is in alignment with one of the plurality of t-slots. A nut is positioned in the of the plurality of t-slots and is aligned with the through hole and has a fastener positioned in the through hole and threadedly secures the plurality of legs with the mast. The support face neat the second end portion has a leveling device attached thereto positioning the mast in a vertical position. And, a plurality of tier assemblies are removably attached to the mast. Each of the plurality of tier assemblies are movably spaced from the bottom and the top at a vertical positions. Each of the plurality of tier assemblies have an arm defining a mast end portion and a shelf end portion. The mast end portion has a through hole positioned therein and is in alignment with one of the plurality of t-slots. The mast end portion is positioned in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces. The shelf end portion has a through hole therein, each of the plurality of tier assemblies has one of a burner assembly and a shelf assembly attached by a fastener positioned in the through hole in the shelf end portion of the arm. It is recognized that the shelf end portion could be fixedly attached such as welding or being formed as an integral part to the burner assembly  3  or by other similar means. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the invention a method of assembling a modular stand comprises the step of positioning one of a plurality of legs on a side at a bottom of a mast by placing a first end portion of the one of the plurality of legs in contacting relationship with at least two of a plurality of mast faces on the mast, aligning a through hole in the first end portion of the one of the plurality of legs with a t-slot in the mast, positioning a nut in the t-slot and aligning the through hole with the nut, inserting a fastener through the through hole in the first end portion of the one of the plurality of legs and threading the fastener into the nut. And, positioning a second one of the plurality of legs on one of the side and one of another side and the bottom of the mast, placing a first end portion of the second one of the plurality of legs in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces on the mast, aligning a through hole in a first end portion of the second one of the plurality of legs with an additional t-slot in the mast, positioning a nut in the additional t-slot and aligning the through hole with the nut, inserting a fastener through the through hole in the first end portion of the second one of the plurality of legs and threading the fastener into the nut, And, positioning a third one of the plurality of legs on one of the side and one of another side and the bottom of the mast, placing a first end portion of the third one of the plurality of legs in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces on the mast, aligning a through hole in a first end portion of the third one of the plurality of legs with a further additional t-slot in the mast, positioning a nut in the further additional t-slot and aligning the through hole with the nut, inserting a fastener through the through hole in the first end portion of the third one of the plurality of legs and threading the fastener into the nut. And, tightening each of the fasteners in the first one of the plurality of legs, the second one of the plurality of legs, and the third one of the plurality of legs. And, attaching a leveling device to a support face near a second end portion of each of the first one of the plurality of legs, the second one of the plurality of legs and the third one of the plurality of legs. And, adjusting the leveling device in each of the first one of the plurality of legs, the second one of the plurality of legs, and the third one of the plurality of legs, the adjusting placing the mast in a vertical alignment. It is understood that the invention will function without leveling feet, however, this will make leveling the mast more difficult. And, positioning one of a plurality of tier assemblies on the mast intermediate the bottom and a top of the mast, placing a mast end portion of an arm of the one of the plurality of tier assemblies in contacting relationship with at least two of said plurality of mast faces on the mast, aligning a through hole in the mast end portion of the arm of the one of the plurality of tier assemblies with a t-slot in the mast, positioning a nut in the t-slot and aligning the through hole with the nut, inserting a fastener through the through hole in the one of the plurality of tier assemblies and threading the fastener into the nut, tightening the fastener positioning the one of the plurality of tier assemblies on the mast intermediate the bottom and the top of the mast. And, positioning a second one of the plurality of tier assemblies on the mast intermediate the one of the plurality of tier assemblies and the top of the mast, placing a mast end portion of an arm of the second one of the plurality of tier assemblies in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces on the mast, aligning a through hole in the mast end portion of the arm of the second one of the plurality of tier assemblies with a t-slot in the mast, positioning a nut in the t-slot and aligning the through hole with the nut, inserting a fastener through the through hole in the second one of the plurality of tier assemblies and threading the fastener into the nut and tightening the fastener positioning the second one of the plurality of tier assemblies on the mast intermediate the first one of the plurality of tier assemblies and the top of the mast. 
         [0006]    And in another aspect of the invention a modular stand comprises a mast defining a bottom, a top and a plurality of sides, the sides connected at a corner portion. Positioned on each of the plurality of sides are a plurality of mast faces extend between the bottom and the top. A plurality of t-slots are positioned on each of the plurality of sides and are interposed the plurality of mast faces, the plurality of t-slots extend between the bottom and the top. Each of the plurality of mast faces form a continuous mast face from the bottom to the top. The plurality of t-slots form a continuous t-slot from the bottom to the top. A plurality of legs are removably attached to the mast near the bottom, each of the plurality of legs have a first end portion, a second end portion, and a support face. The first end portion is positioned in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces, and a through hole is positioned in the first end portion and is in alignment with one of the plurality of t-slots. A nut is positioned in one of the plurality of t-slots and is aligned with the through hole and has a fastener positioned in the through hole and threadedly secures the plurality of legs with the mast. The support face near the second end portion has a leveling device attached thereto positioning the mast in a vertical position. A plurality of tier assemblies are removably attached to the mast, each of the plurality of tier assemblies are movably spaced from the bottom and the top at a horizontal positions. Each of the plurality of tier assemblies has an arm defining a mast end portion and a shelf end portion, the mast end portion has a through holes positioned therein and is in alignment with one of the plurality of t-slots. The mast end portion is positioned in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces. The shelf end portion has a through hole therein. Each of the plurality of tier assemblies has one of a burner assembly and a shelf assembly attached by a fastener positioned in the through hole in the shelf end portion of the arm. And, a brewing apparatus has a burner attached to at least one of the plurality of tier assemblies, a pot or vessel is positioned on at least one of the plurality of tier assemblies and a drain or siphon is positioned in the pot or vessel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the stand configuration. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the mast showing the geometry and configuration thereof. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view through the mast showing an elevational view of one of the burner tiers. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an alternate stand configuration. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a mast  1  is supported by a plurality of legs  2 , which in this application uses four legs  2 . The mast  1  defines a bottom  30  and a top  32  being spaced one from the other a preestablished distance. The mast  1  has a plurality of sides  34  being space apart a preestablished distance. In this application, four (4) sides are shown; however, other numbers of sides  34  such as three or more could be used. As an alternative the mast  1  could be round. The plurality of sides  34  connect at a corner portion  36 . A plurality of webs or web members  38  interconnect the corners  36 . A plurality of lighting holes  40  some being circular and others being generally rectangular or triangular in cross section are shown. Legs  2  define a first end portion  44  and a second end portion  46  being spaced one from the other. The legs  2  contain a plurality of leveling feet  14  positioned in a support surface  48  of the legs  2 . The plurality of leveling feet  14  aid in leveling the unit for proper and safe operation. The plurality of leveling feet  14  are positioned near the second end portion  46  of each of the legs  2 . It is understood that the invention will function without leveling feet  14 , however, this will make leveling the mast more difficult. A plurality of through holes  50  are positioned in each of the plurality of legs  2  near the first end portion  44  and when assembled to the mast  1 , the through holes are in alignment with one of the plurality of t-slots  7 . It is recognized that numerous slot configurations such as V, L, round, teardrop etc. are also equally suitable. In this application, there are two t-slots positioned in each side and extend between the bottom and top of the mast. The t-slots are interposed a plurality of mast faces  8 . The first end portion  44 , when assembled to the mast  1 , is in contacting relationship with at least two of the plurality of mast faces  8 . The plurality of mast faces  8  extend between the bottom and top of the mast. A plurality of burner tier assemblies  3  are affixed to mast  1  with an arm  4 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , a pair of arms  4  are shown connected to burner assembly  3  via plurality of fasteners  13 . Arms  4  are then connected to mast  1  via fasteners  10  and a plurality of t-slot nuts  9  (ref  FIG. 3 ). The Arms  4  have a mast end portion  52  in which are position a plurality of through holes  54 . In the assembled position, the plurality of through holes are aligned with the t-slots. The arms  4  have a shelf end portion  56  spaced from the mast end portion  52 . The shelf end portion  56  has a plurality of through holes  58  therein and in the assembled position has a fastener  12  therein connected to one of the burner assemblies  3  or to a plurality of shelf tier assembly  5 . It is recognized that the shelf end portion  56  could be fixedly attached such as welding or being formed as an integral part to the burner assembly  3  or by other similar means. 
         [0012]    In the assembled position, the mast end portion  52  is in contacting relationship with at least two of the mast faces  8 . This forms a burner tier assembly  20 . Referring back to  FIG. 1 , a vessels  6  rest on burner tier assembly  20 . Burner tier assemblies  20  can be adjusted to an infinite number of positions vertically along the t-slot  7  ( FIG. 2 ) and also may be installed on a face  8  of any mast  1 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , a shelf assembly  5  is affixed to arms  4  in lieu of burner assembly  3  when a non-fired shelf support structure is desired such as insulated cooler  15 . This forms a shelf tier  21 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the mast cross section is shown. Preferably constructed from extruded aluminum, it contains eight mast faces  8  to allow for the mounting of arms  4  on all four sides of mast  1  as well as left and or right faces  8  on each mast  1 .  FIG. 3  shows arms  4  affixed to mast  1 , and burner assembly  11  affixed to arms  4 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the mast  1  has a circular configuration, as an alternative the mast  1  could have a rectangular tube type configuration, and is generally a piece of tubing having a central axis  60  and a preestablished wall thickness. The mast  1  includes a plurality of through holes  62  being drilled or punched perpendicular to the central axis  60  and are arranged about a circumference  64  of the mast  1 . A plurality of u-bolts and nuts, or bolts and nuts  66  connect the plurality of arms  4  with the mast  1 . Unlike the mast  1  with the plurality of T-slots  7  making an indefinitely variable adjustment, the tube design would enable an adjustment of a plurality of preestablished intervals. 
       OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , mast  1  is affixed to four legs  2  which supports the weight of the structure and mounted equipment, and resists the tipping forces. Leveling feet  14  are adjusted to keep mast  1  stable and reasonably perpendicular to the ground or vertical. Burner assemblies  3  and shelf assemblies  5  are affixed to arms  4  with fasteners  13 . In addition, arms  4  are affixed to mast  1  via fasteners  13  and t-slot nuts  9  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring back to  FIG. 1 , Burner tiers assemblies  20  and shelf tiers assemblies  21  can be moved infinitely in any position vertically, and also four 90 degree increments horizontally to meet the needs of the brewer and the brewers unique equipment. For cases where liquids in the vessels  6  are to be heated, a burner tier  20  is selected. For vessels that are not to be heated, an insulated cooler  15  or a vessel  6  may be placed on shelf tiers  21 . For brewers using gravity to transfer liquids from one vessel  6  to another, the shelf tiers  21  or burner tier assemblies  20  are adjusted up or down as needed so that there is sufficient vertical separation to allow siphoning and draining with the tube  22  to occur. As the brewers needs change, additional equipment is added to their system, or larger or smaller equipment etc is purchased, the burner tier assemblies  20  and shelf tier assemblies  21  can be quickly adjusted to accommodate these changes. In addition, shelf tiers  21  can be replaced or exchanged by burner tier assemblies  20  should the brewer so desire.  FIG. 4  shows a ramification of the invention whereby mast  1  is replaced by mast  13  constructed of perforated tubing. While burner tier assemblies  20  and shelf tiers  21  can only be adjusted in fixed steps, it still provides adequate adjustability for proper function. Note that the beginning malt extract brewer who only utilizes one burner assembly  3  for beer-making can purchase the burner assembly  3  and as his or her brewing expertise increases, and he or she moves into all grain advanced brewing, this initial purchase can be quickly fitted into the invention without modification or replacement. Additionally, ancillary equipment such as pumps, heat exchangers, shelves, spoon holders, piping supports etc can be easily and quickly affixed to mast  1  via use of the t-slots  7  and t-slot nut  9 . 
       SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0014]    Many ramifications of the invention are possible. For example, the mast could be constructed out of perforated tubing (ref  FIG. 4 ), strut channel, notched tubing (similar to storage shelving), u-bolts connecting to a rectangular or round tube etc. Another ramification is to use more than one mast for the main structural framing. Yet another ramification is to use triangular shaped masts, or masts with fewer or more t-slots. Yet another is to construct the stand with integral burners in lieu of removable burners. While this reduces functionality, it would potentially reduce the cost for those brewers not needing floor-standing burners. It is also recognized that numerous methods could be used to connect the burners to the mast in lieu of the arms shown in the preferred embodiment such as structural tubes, channels, angles, and various other sheet metal configurations. 
       LIST OF DRAWING NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 . Mast 
           2 . Plurality of Legs 
           3 . Plurality of Burner Tier Assemblies 
           4 . Arms —Tiers 
           5 . Plurality of Shelf Tier Assemblies 
           6 . Vessels 
           7 . Plurality of T-Slots 
           8 . Plurality of Mast Faces 
           9 . Plurality of T-Slot Nuts 
           10 . Fasteners 
           11 . Burner Assembly 
           12 . Fastener 
           13 . Plurality of Fasteners 
           14 . Plurality of Leveling Feet 
           15 . Insulated Cooler 
           16 . 
           17 . 
           18 . 
           19 . 
           20 . Burner Tier Assembly 
           21 . Shelf Tier 
           22 . Tube—siphon 
           23 . 
           24 . 
           25 . 
           26 . 
           27 . 
           28 . 
           29 . 
           30 . Bottom—Mast 
           31 . 
           32 . Top—Mast 
           33 . 
           34 . Plurality of Sides 
           35 . 
           36 . Corner Portion—Mast 
           37 . 
           38 . Plurality of Webs or Web Members 
           39 . 
           40 . Lightening Holes—Mast 
           41 . 
           42 . 
           43 . 
           44 . First End Portion—Legs 
           45 . 
           46 . Second End Portion—Legs 
           47 . 
           48 . Support Surface—Legs 
           49 . 
           50 . Plurality of Through Holes—Leg—First End Portion 
           51 . 
           52 . Mast End Portion—Arms 
           53 . 
           54 . Plurality of Through Holes—Arm—Mast End Portion 
           55 . 
           56 . Shelf End Portion—Arm 
           57 . 
           58 . Plurality of Through Holes—Arm—Shelf End Portion 
           59 . 
           60 . Central axis 
           61 . 
           62 . Through holes 
           63 . 
           64 . Circumference 
           65 . 
           66 . Bolts and nuts

Technology Category: 4