Supports: racks – Special article – Velocipede type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-06
2003-11-18
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Velocipede type
C211S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06648148
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to devices for supporting objects, and in particular to a wall-mounted storage device for lifting and storing an object such as a bicycle.
Bicycles and other objects are often stored in confined areas, such as garages or patios. The available storage space in these areas is usually limited. Consequently, it may be difficult to find enough space for storing the objects. Another problem is that storing additional objects in the area may interfere with the use of objects currently located in the area. For example, storing a bicycle near a workbench may interfere with the use of the workbench. Unused space is often available on the upper portions of walls in the area. However, gaining access to this unused space for storage can be difficult.
A person can sometimes store an object on the upper portion of a wall by lifting the object and mounting it on the wall. However, lifting a relatively heavy object to an elevated storage position can cause stress and strain on the human body. Children and others may not have the strength to lift the object. Handicapped people may be unable to lift a relatively heavy object to an elevated position. Some people are not tall enough to reach the elevated position. The use of a ladder to reach the elevated position presents safety issues, because it is awkward to lift a relatively heavy object while positioned on the ladder. It is also difficult for a person to hold the object in the elevated position while simultaneously mounting the object on the wall.
In addition to the problems encountered in lifting the object to the elevated storage position, it is also difficult to control the object while it is being lifted and lowered. For example, the front wheel of a bicycle will often move back and forth uncontrollably when the bicycle is being lifted or lowered. This may damage the bicycle or harm the person lifting the bicycle. As another example, a basket of objects being lifted for storage will often move about uncontrollably. The objects may be dropped from the basket, or the basket may be damaged.
Some devices, such as a block and tackle, are known for lifting objects. Unfortunately, currently available devices are not totally satisfactory for lifting an object such as a bicycle to an elevated storage position. The current devices suffer from drawbacks in the areas of ease of installation and use, controllability, reliability, cost or other areas. Some devices require an external power source. There is no widely accepted alternative to human-powered lifting available in the marketplace today. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a wall-mounted storage device capable of lifting and storing an object such as a bicycle in a controlled fashion with minimum effort. It would also be desirable to provide such a device which is relatively simple in design and which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for storing a bicycle. The device includes a support including an anchor positioned on an anchor tube. The support further includes a base for mounting the device. The base includes a base tube. The anchor is swivel-mounted on the base. The anchor tube can rotate relative to the base tube to allow the anchor to swivel. The device also includes an arm mounted on and pivotally supported by the anchor. The arm is movable between first and second arm positions. The arm has an attachment for supporting the bicycle thereon. The device also includes a spring device connected between the support and the arm. The spring device is movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The movement of the spring device generates a force to urge the arm from the first arm position to the second arm position. The device also includes a damper connected between the support and the arm to resist movement of the arm from the second arm position to the first arm position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 557567 (1896-04-01), Eddy
patent: 580032 (1897-04-01), Bierbach
patent: 610656 (1898-09-01), Martin
patent: 618394 (1899-01-01), Clark
patent: 618999 (1899-02-01), Sayer
patent: 621819 (1899-03-01), Ivatt
patent: 624231 (1899-05-01), Martin
patent: 633806 (1899-09-01), Cifka
patent: 1232501 (1917-07-01), Colen
patent: 2875903 (1959-03-01), Shourds
patent: 3417874 (1968-12-01), Bryant
patent: 3782559 (1974-01-01), Wright
patent: 3827413 (1974-08-01), Meacham
patent: 3872972 (1975-03-01), Cummins et al.
patent: 3883002 (1975-05-01), Moore
patent: 3924751 (1975-12-01), Ballenger
patent: 3934436 (1976-01-01), Candlin et al.
patent: 3963227 (1976-06-01), Molders
patent: 3976200 (1976-08-01), Munns
patent: 3981158 (1976-09-01), Watson
patent: 4091488 (1978-05-01), Artzberger
patent: 4114764 (1978-09-01), Rich
patent: 4116341 (1978-09-01), Hebda
patent: 4156523 (1979-05-01), Bauer
patent: 4160390 (1979-07-01), Spaetgens
patent: 4194731 (1980-03-01), Marx
patent: 4197931 (1980-04-01), Norcia
patent: 4221353 (1980-09-01), Kuhn et al.
patent: 4307875 (1981-12-01), Schitzius et al.
patent: 4343404 (1982-08-01), Folsom
patent: 4400129 (1983-08-01), Eisenberg et al.
patent: 4433759 (1984-02-01), Ichinose
patent: 4573854 (1986-03-01), McFarland
patent: 4595182 (1986-06-01), Freitag et al.
patent: 4618140 (1986-10-01), Brown
patent: 4700845 (1987-10-01), Fretter
patent: 4749089 (1988-06-01), Stewart, III
patent: 4779845 (1988-10-01), Bartesch et al.
patent: 4808056 (1989-02-01), Oshima
patent: 4813550 (1989-03-01), Saeks
patent: 4852842 (1989-08-01), O'Neill
patent: 4854554 (1989-08-01), Ludwig
patent: 4901594 (1990-02-01), Selzer
patent: 5083729 (1992-01-01), Saeks et al.
patent: 5086930 (1992-02-01), Saeks
patent: 5125517 (1992-06-01), Martinell
patent: 5180335 (1993-01-01), Maucher et al.
patent: 5183162 (1993-02-01), Ritzenthaler
patent: 5209628 (1993-05-01), Hassell
patent: 5257767 (1993-11-01), McConnell
patent: 5294006 (1994-03-01), Deschino
patent: 5433376 (1995-07-01), Kueshner
patent: 5474189 (1995-12-01), Peterson
patent: 5529231 (1996-06-01), Burgess
patent: 5553718 (1996-09-01), Robar
patent: 5638559 (1997-06-01), Natri et al.
patent: 5642820 (1997-07-01), Angeles
patent: 5662256 (1997-09-01), Bryan
patent: 5664687 (1997-09-01), Liatti
patent: 5702091 (1997-12-01), Perin et al.
patent: 5709521 (1998-01-01), Glass et al.
patent: 5784740 (1998-07-01), DiSieno et al.
patent: 5839719 (1998-11-01), Hosan et al.
patent: 5845831 (1998-12-01), Nusbaum et al.
patent: 5860440 (1999-01-01), Murray et al.
patent: 6000071 (1999-12-01), Fettes
patent: 6082552 (2000-07-01), Pollock et al.
patent: 6095344 (2000-08-01), White
patent: 6105795 (2000-08-01), Terragni
patent: 6163913 (2000-12-01), DiSieno et al.
patent: 6199735 (2001-03-01), Cothern et al.
patent: 6269958 (2001-08-01), Pollock et al.
patent: 6279932 (2001-08-01), White et al.
patent: 6302278 (2001-10-01), Dueck
patent: 4209007 (1993-08-01), None
patent: 2045707 (1980-11-01), None
patent: WO 91/05693 (1991-05-01), None
Gear Up Technologies Corporation
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Stodola Daniel P.
Tran Khoa
LandOfFree
Device for supporting a bicycle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for supporting a bicycle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for supporting a bicycle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3131943