IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,453,608
Granted Patent B2
US 9,453,608 · App. 14/860,098 · Granted Sep 27, 2016

Self-leveling utility platform

Inventor: Gary Hoyle (Cumming, GA)
F16M11/38A47B13/02B25H1/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,453,608
App. No.
14/860,098
Granted
Sep 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A self-adjusting support assembly for use on uneven surfaces that includes a support element; at least one pivoting leg assembly positioned beneath the support element; and at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly that connects the support element to the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly further includes: at least one bracket that is adapted to attach to the support element, and wherein the at least one bracket further includes: a receiving channel formed therein that is positioned along an angled axis of insertion, and a locking ridge positioned in the receiving channel; and a proximal head portion that is adapted to rotationally cooperate with at least one bracket and to receive the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the proximal head portion further includes: a flange formed at one end thereof that rotationally engages the locking ridge; a stem positioned beneath the flange, wherein the stem rotationally engages the receiving channel; and a receiving portion positioned beneath the stem that is adapted to receive the at least one leg assembly.

Claims (52)

1. A self-adjusting support assembly for use on uneven surfaces, comprising:

(a) a support element;

(b) at least one pivoting leg assembly positioned beneath the support element, wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly is triangular in shape; and

(c) at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly, wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly connects the support element to the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly further includes:

(i) at least one bracket, wherein the at least one bracket is adapted to attach to the support element, and wherein the at least one bracket further includes:

a) a receiving channel formed therein, wherein the receiving channel is positioned along an angled axis of insertion, and

b) a locking ridge positioned in the receiving channel; and

(ii) a proximal head portion, wherein the proximal head portion is adapted to rotationally cooperate with at least one bracket and to receive the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the proximal head portion further includes:

a) a flange formed at one end thereof, wherein the flange rotationally engages the locking ridge;

b) a stem positioned beneath the flange, wherein the stem rotationally engages the receiving channel; and

c) a receiving portion positioned beneath the stem, wherein the receiving portion is adapted to receive the at least one leg assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a support surface attached to the support element, wherein the support surface is perpendicular to the support element.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly further includes multiple tubular leg sections, and wherein the multiple tubular leg sections are connected to one another in a planar configuration.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angled axis of insertion of the receiving channel is deflected outward from an axis that is perpendicular to a surface plane of the support element, and wherein the angle of deflection is between 2 degrees and 20 degrees.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angled axis of insertion of the receiving channel is deflected outward from an axis that is perpendicular to a surface plane of the support element, and wherein the angle of deflection is between 13 degrees and 17 degrees.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angled axis of insertion of the receiving channel is deflected outward from an axis that is perpendicular to a surface plane of the support element, and wherein the angle of deflection is 15 degrees.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly can be rotated from 1 degree to 360 degrees around the angled axis of insertion.

8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly can be rotated 180 degrees around the angled axis of insertion.

9. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one locking element for preventing rotation of a leg assembly around the angled axis of insertion.

10. A self-adjusting support assembly for use on uneven surfaces, comprising:

(a) a support element;

(b) at least one pivoting leg assembly positioned beneath the support element, wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly is triangular in shape; and

(c) at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly, wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly connects the support element to the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly further includes:

(i) at least one bracket, wherein the at least one bracket is adapted to hingeably attach to the support element, and wherein the at least one bracket further includes:

a) a receiving channel formed therein, wherein the receiving channel is positioned along an angled axis of insertion, and

b) a locking ridge positioned in the receiving channel; and

(ii) a proximal head portion, wherein the proximal head portion is adapted to rotationally cooperate with at least one bracket and to receive the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the proximal head portion further includes:

a) a flange formed at one end thereof, wherein the flange rotationally engages the locking ridge;

b) a stem positioned beneath the flange, wherein the stem rotationally engages the receiving channel; and

c) a receiving portion positioned beneath the stem, wherein the receiving portion is adapted to receive the at least one leg assembly; and

(d) a support surface attached to the support element, wherein the support surface is perpendicular to the support element.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the support element is configured as an I-beam.

12. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly further includes multiple tubular leg sections, and wherein the multiple tubular leg sections are connected to one another in a planar configuration.

13. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly can be rotated 180 degrees around the angled axis of insertion.

14. The assembly of claim 10 , further comprising at least one locking element for preventing rotation of a leg assembly around the angled axis of insertion.

15. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the support surface is circular or rectangular in shape.

16. A self-adjusting support assembly for use on uneven surfaces, comprising:

(a) a support element, wherein the support element is configured as an I-beam;

(b) at least one pivoting leg assembly positioned beneath the support element, wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly is triangular in shape; and

(c) at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly, wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly connects the support element to the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the at least one self-adjusting attachment assembly further includes:

(i) at least one bracket, wherein the at least one bracket is adapted to hingeably attach to the support element, and wherein the at least one bracket further includes:

a) a receiving channel formed therein, wherein the receiving channel is positioned along an angled axis of insertion, and

b) a locking ridge positioned in the receiving channel; and

(ii) a proximal head portion, wherein the proximal head portion is adapted to rotationally cooperate with at least one bracket and to receive the at least one pivoting leg assembly, and wherein the proximal head portion further includes:

a) a flange formed at one end thereof, wherein the flange rotationally engages the locking ridge;

b) a stem positioned beneath the flange, wherein the stem rotationally engages the receiving channel; and

c) a receiving portion positioned beneath the stem, wherein the receiving portion is adapted to receive the at least one leg assembly; and

(d) a support surface attached to the support element, wherein the support surface is perpendicular to the support element.

17. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly further includes multiple tubular leg sections, and wherein the multiple tubular leg sections are connected to one another in a planar configuration.

18. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the at least one pivoting leg assembly can be rotated 180 degrees around the angled axis of insertion.

19. The assembly of claim 16 , further comprising at least one locking element for preventing rotation of a leg assembly around the angled axis of insertion.

20. The assembly of claim 16 , wherein the support surface is circular or rectangular in shape.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2017
From: HOYLE, GARY C.
To: G. C. HOYLE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 041453/0295 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 13889093 · May 7, 2013
Related Publication 20160178114A1 · Jun 23, 2016