Supports – Stand – Receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1996-04-10
2002-02-26
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
Receptacle
C248S154000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06349906
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to an earthquake-proof beverage bottle support and storage structure for bottled water holders and dispensers, and, more particularly, to an earthquake-proof support structure incorporating means for removably securing such structure to a separate structure for further support.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Bottled water holders and dispensers used in households and in commercial or office environments are typically tall structures with relatively small foot-prints. Such structures have a high center-of-gravity and, because of this high center-of-gravity, are prone to being tipped over with relatively little side-loading, such as are manifested during the application of horizontally directed forces. During an earthquake or other disaster, such lateral forces can easily reach magnitudes which will cause the unfastened bottled water holder and dispenser to be moved to the point of tipping over. Should this occur, several gallons of water or liquid beverage will flood the floor therebeneath. Or, worse yet, a small child might grab the bottled water holder and dispenser, with a sufficient side-load, cause it to tip over and possibly injuring the child. Depending on the nature of the material forming the floor, flooding the floor can readily and easily cause serious damage to the flooring. Such a quantity of water is definitely not welcome on a wooden floor which tends to be water absorbent which results in warping of the wooden floor. Should the floor be covered with carpeting laid over carpet padding material, such a jute or rebonded pieces of rubber foam material, dumping several gallons of water on it will result in significant damage, due to leeching out of the sizing in the carpeting causing the carpeting to become loose and bunch up. Such carpet bunching produces a rippling effect over the surface of the carpet which acts to engage, or catch, a person's shoes causing the person to trip, and sometimes, fall to the floor. Besides creating traps for the unwary, such flooding augments the rapid production of mildew, creating undesirable smells and destroying the carpeting. Unsightly water stains on the carpeting material are another unwanted product of such water flooding. Water damage to the carpet padding, which is typically formed of foam rubber material, results in the destruction of the carpet padding.
Further, water on a plain floor without carpeting, creates a serious hazard for persons who must walk over the floor because the presence of the water covering a bare floor creates an extremely low coefficient of friction as between the floor and the shoe or foot of the person walking therein over.
No similar device known to the Applicant herein incorporates the unique combination of features and characteristics embodied in the unique earthquake-proof support structure for a bottled water holder and dispenser as taught and disclosed in the Application for Letters Patent herein.
The following prior art patents were discovered as a result of a patent search requested by the inventor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,944 (Sanderson) relates to a liquid dispensing apparatus
4
for use in combination with rigid or semi-rigid inverted liquid containers
2
. This apparatus comprises a base portion
6
which provides a stable platform for the combination. The base portion
6
contains a fluid seal coupling
14
for effectuating a fluid sealing connection with the neck of the open liquid container
2
and provides an opening into which the liquid is discharged. A spigot
26
incorporating a valve
28
is in communication with the base portion
6
. A stabilizing arm
30
extending from the base portion
6
contacts the bottom of the inverted liquid container
2
, and, in conjunction with the coupling
14
, secures the liquid container to the liquid dispensing apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,188 (Troncone) discloses a mixing pail jig comprises a ring
10
with a U-shaped foot
12
which supports the jig on a floor (substrate
14
). A pair of diametrically-opposed feet
20
are secured to the ring
10
for supporting the pail
16
when the pail
16
is inserted into the jig. The jig can be easily moved by a workman to any desired location, and is employed to securely hold a conventional bucket or pail
16
in such a manner that inhibits relative rotation between the jig and the pail
16
.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,573 (Horvath) relates to a water heater safety fastener which includes a collar adapted to securely fasten a vertically disposed holding tank in the form of a water heat
11
to the wall
7
of the structure surrounding the tank
11
. The two-piece collar is formed of a non-flexible, rigid supporting strap
3
which is attached to the surrounding wall
7
by a pair of rigid supporting legs
2
and a flexible supporting strap or outer collar
1
.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,133 (Peterson, et al.) describes a new and unique water heater support system
10
and related methods which protects the water heater
12
from sustaining earthquake damage. The horizontally-directed segment or member or foot bar
42
of the main support frame
32
of a support bracket
30
is secured to the floor
28
by two fastener assemblies
44
. The vertical arm portion
46
of the main support frame
32
is disposed adjacent to the vertically-disposed cylindrical exterior
18
of the water heater
12
. A secondary or side-support frame
34
is joined to one another at connection site
36
and is used in combination with the main support frame
32
. The lower end of the side support brace
34
is secured via bearing or foot plate
38
to the floor
28
. The main support frame
32
is connected to the water heater
12
via a vertical component or member
46
by use of two tight steel bands, top band
48
and lower or bottom band
50
. The resulting structure prevents the water heater tank from tipping over during an earthquake.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,156 (Matsumura, et al.) relates to an earthquake-proof leg support structure
10
of electronic apparatus. The invention disclosed by Matsumura, et al. describes an earthquake-proof leg support structure
10
of an electronic apparatus, such as a computer, placed on a floor, in which a plurality of legs
12
extend downwardly from an outer case of such electronic apparatus extending from the outer case of an electronic apparatus. As the electronic apparatus is laterally moved by the jolt of an earthquake, the end of the supporting leg
12
moves laterally within a leg support seat
20
. Since such lateral movement of the legs
12
is permitted, the likelihood of tip over of the electronic apparatus is minimized. Should the earthquake produce forces causing such lateral movement to move the leg(s) up to the peripheral flange
24
of the leg support seat
20
, the leg(s) will cause the leg support seat
20
to move relative to the floor
4
so that the electronic apparatus is prevented from falling over, which might occur when the horizontally moving electronic apparatus is suddenly stopped at the leg
12
thereof.
The present invention provides a much desired solution to a long-felt needs for a sturdy and stable earthquake-proof system for supporting a water bottle holder and dispenser combination, which is commonly referred to as a “water cooler”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS AND OBJECTS
Fundamentally, the present invention disclosed and described herein is an earthquake-proof support structure for securing a bottled beverage container holder and dispenser above a floor, including a shelf for supporting a bottled beverage container holder and dispenser, at least three legs secured to the shelf extending above and below the shelf for supporting the shelf above a floor, and straps with interlocking buckles for securing the beverage bottle to the support structure to restrict horizontal movement between the shelf and the beverage bottle, and fasteners for securing a leg to a building wall or to another support structure. The three legs are secured peripherally about the shelf to provide maximum sta
Greenberg & Lieberman
Ramirez Ramon O.
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