Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Utilizing fluid pressure – Venturi effect
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-10
2001-11-06
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 2167)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Utilizing fluid pressure
Venturi effect
C294S066100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312031
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to devices that retrieve objects that are submerged in a fluid and, more specifically, to a device that uses negative pressure to retrieve an object from a fluid.
BACKGROUND ART
There are many situations in which an object must be retrieved from a fluid. The object may have fallen into a fluid by accident or may have been purposely submerged in a fluid for cleaning. For example, ultrasonic jewelry cleaners enjoy widespread use by professional jewelers. However, problems occur when an individual gemstone becomes dislodged from its setting while in the cleaner. The gemstone is extremely difficult to locate and retrieve due to the murkiness and the heat of the cleaning fluid used in the cleaner. In order to retrieve the gemstone, one must typically go through the time consuming task of straining the cleaning fluid to retrieve the loose gemstone. For other loose objects, the availability of straining the fluid may be not only impractical, but actually impossible, depending upon the environment of the fluid.
There have been a myriad of attempts in the prior art to develop a device that can easily and simply retrieve an object that is submerged in a fluid. Unfortunately, these devices are overly complex and often require many attempts to successfully retrieve the object from the fluid. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,092 to Salinas describes a device for retrieving a gemstone that is submerged in a cleaning solution. The user is required to locate the gemstone using the sighting shaft and then must retrieve the gemstone using attached tweezers. Unfortunately, it is difficult for a user to effectively grasp the gemstone between the arms of the tweezers.
Therefore, there is a need for a simple and effective device for retrieving an object from a fluid, which does not require the user to make numerous attempts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a new and improved device for retrieving an object that is submerged in a fluid that is simple to manufacture and use. A first member, preferably formed in the shape of a cylinder, has an open top end and a bottom wall. The bottom wall has an aperture therethrough that provides an inlet that allows the object to enter within the device. A second member, also preferably formed in the shape of a cylinder, has an open top and a passageway therethrough that is in fluid communication with the hole in the bottom wall of the first member. The passageway has a first portion positioned above the hole and a second portion that extends to the top of second member. The first portion is preferably perpendicular to the second portion so that the object to be retrieved is trapped within the first portion. In use the open top end of second member is covered, preferably by the user's finger. Next, the device is submerged in the fluid so that the hole is aligned over the object to be retrieved. In order to trap the object in the first portion of the passageway, the top end of second member is simply uncovered. As a result of uncovering the top end of the second member, the negative pressure within the passageway, formed when the device was inserted into the liquid, sucks the object into first portion of passageway.
A major advantage of the present invention is its simplicity of use. In operating the retriever, the user merely needs to move a single finger to cover and uncover the opening to the second member. This operation creates a negative pressure within the passageway so as to draw the object into the retriever. As a result, the user will not require many attempts to retrieve an object.
Since the present invention does not have any moving parts, the simplicity of manufacture is another advantage. As a result of this simplicity, the present invention can be manufactured at a much cheaper cost than prior art retrievers.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
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Kramer Dean J.
Myers Joel D.
Myers & Associates Intellectual Property Law P.C.
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