Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Ladder and platform
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-17
2004-04-27
Lev, Bruce A. (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Ladder and platform
C182S116000, C182S129000, C182S187000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06725970
ABSTRACT:
(1) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Aims of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a support base frame, denoted herein as a “Stability Alignment Frame” or “STAF”. This STAF can be used, for example, as the stable base for the erection of an observation and hunting stand, which is configured for ease of portability and disassembly.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Hunters, nature watchers, or guards usually require an elevated means to obtain a higher vantage point for observing games, animals, birds or people. Many such means have been described in the prior art, but these seem to have one or other drawbacks.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,694 (Woolfolk Sr., 1976), U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,993 (Stark, Sr., 1994), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,968 (Morales, 2000) each disclose platforms for fishing, hunting or the like that are collapsible and portable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,980 (Shortes et al., 1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,508 (Hughes et al., 1981), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,436 (Talley, Sr., 1998), each disclose sectional ladders and stands, per se.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,283 (Prejean 1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,978 (Hernandez 1996), U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,435 (Benton, 1999); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,660 (Meeks 2001) each disclose hunting stands, per se.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,334 (Brignac, 1995) discloses ladders having adjustable legs or similar elements.
None of the prior art patents teach the concept of an adjustable, portable, multi-purpose stand which may be easily assembled and disassembled, that is based on a stability alignment frame (STAF), which is configured to provide stability to such multi-purpose stands by resisting forces of the weight of the multi-purpose stand and the user, where, in the absence of the STAF, the multi-purpose stand may fall apart.
(2) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
(a) Aims of the Invention
It is a first object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of the prior art.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide stabilizing means for a multi-purpose stand comprising a plurality of components and a vantage point, e.g., a housing unit.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide such a multi-purpose stand in which structure is provided to cause the plurality of component elements to be wedged together so that they cannot accidentally fall apart.
It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose stand that is adjustable to provide different vantage points for the user.
It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose stand that can be used for a variety of purposes.
It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose stand that can be assembled and dissembled by a single user.
It is a seventh object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose stand that can be dissembled into component elements for easy transport and storage.
It is an eighth object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose stand whose component elements can be manufactured separately.
(b) Statements of Invention
This invention, in a first embodiment, provides a stability alignment frame which includes a plurality of vertical posts and a horizontal framework interconnecting adjacent posts. A leg is secured to an associated vertical post, each leg extending downwardly and outwardly. A first stabilizing member interconnects non-adjacent, opposed legs, thereby providing a plurality of interconnected legs. First structure is provided for applying a force to the interconnected legs to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of the interconnected legs. In this way, a wedging action is provided between the stability alignment frame and an elevated vantage point supported thereon, thereby to prevent accidental disassembly.
The present invention, in a second embodiment, also comprises a multi-purpose stand including a stability alignment frame and an elevated vantage point. The stability alignment frame includes a plurality of vertical posts and a horizontal framework interconnecting adjacent posts. A leg is secured to an associated vertical post, each leg extending downwardly and outwardly. A first stabilizing member interconnects non-adjacent, opposed legs, thereby providing a plurality of interconnected legs. First structure is provided for applying a force to the interconnected legs to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of the interconnected legs. The elevated vantage point is connected to the stability alignment frame by male members and female sockets which are operatively associated with the stability alignment frame members and with the vantage point. In this way, a wedging action is provided between the stability alignment frame and an elevated vantage point supported thereon, thereby to prevent accidental disassembly.
The present invention also provides in a third embodiment, a kit comprising a plurality of components which are configured to be assembled to provide the stability alignment frame. The stability alignment frame which includes a plurality of vertical posts and a horizontal framework interconnecting adjacent posts. A leg is secured to an associated vertical post, each leg extending downwardly and outwardly. A first stabilizing member interconnects non-adjacent, opposed legs, thereby providing a plurality of interconnected legs. First structure is provided for applying a force to the interconnected legs to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of the interconnected legs.
In a fourth embodiment, a kit is provided comprising a plurality of components which are configured to be assembled to provide a multi-purpose stand including the stability alignment frame and an elevated vantage point. The stability alignment frame includes a plurality of vertical posts and a horizontal framework interconnecting adjacent posts. A leg is secured to an associated vertical post, each leg extending downwardly and outwardly. A first stabilizing member interconnects non-adjacent, opposed legs, thereby providing a plurality of interconnected legs. First structure is provided for applying a force to the interconnected legs to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of the interconnected legs. The elevated vantage point is connected to the stability alignment frame by male members and female sockets which are operatively associated with the stability alignment frame members and with the vantage point. In this way, a wedging action is provided between the stability alignment frame and an elevated vantage point supported thereon, thereby to prevent accidental disassembly.
(c) Other Features of the Invention
By a first feature of this first broad embodiment of the present invention, the first structure for applying a force to the interconnected legs to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of interconnected legs applies a compressive force to the interconnected legs, thereby to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of the interconnected legs by drawing the legs closer together.
By a second feature of this first broad embodiment of the present invention, the first structure for applying a force to the interconnected legs to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of interconnected legs applies an extensive compressive force to the interconnected legs, thereby to change the spacing between the bases of a pair of the interconnected legs by pushing the legs further apart.
By a third feature of this first broad embodiment of the present invention, and/or the above features thereof, the stability alignment frame includes four vertical posts which are oriented to meet at an imaginary apex.
By a fourth feature of this first broad embodiment of the present invention, and/or the above features thereof, the stability alignment frame has three legs which are oriented with respect to each other to meet at an imaginary apex.
By a fifth feature of this first broad embodiment of the present invention, and/or the above features thereof, the stability alignment frame has up to ten legs which are oriented with respect to each other t
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