Supports: racks – Special article – Article includes elongated portion
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-10-16
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Article includes elongated portion
C211S175000, C211S207000, C224S403000, C248S218400, C248S316400, C248S287100, C248S297210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302280
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the technical field of holders or racks for selectively supporting and storing leaf blowers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blower holder or rack adapted to support and store a backpack type leaf blower.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Leaf blowers are today very commonly used by homeowners and professional landscapers for the purpose of blowing and moving leaves, grass clipping and other debris over lawns, sidewalks, driveways, etc. In this manner, the leaves and other debris, for example, can be centralized in piles for more easily gathering and discarding. A versatile and light weight blower typically used for this is commonly generally referred to as a backpack type blower. Backpack blowers generally include an engine and blower adapted to be carried on the user's back and have a flexible air pipe or hose which is carried by one of the user's arms for selectively directing the high velocity stream of air as desired. Because the engine and the blower are carried on the user's back these blowers are less tiring. Typically, the engine and blower are mounted on a padded back plate or frame which rests on the user's back.
In view of their versatility and ease of use, backpack blowers are often used by landscape professionals. As can be appreciated, as landscapers or others use the blowers and move from job to job, they typically store and transport the blowers on their truck or trailer. Blowers which are merely placed on the trailer or truck bed tend to roll around and slide while in transit thereby causing damage to the blowers and other equipment. Further, blowers which are merely placed on the trailer or truck bed and not otherwise secured may be stolen while parked and unattended.
The typical current solution for supporting and storing such blowers is to hang the blower by the frame, back straps or clips/adaptors on a hook attached to the truck or trailer. A tie strap is also selectively placed around the blower and a fixed portion of the truck or trailer so as to prevent the blower from rocking while in transit. A blower holder of this character is, for example, shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,358. That patent further discloses a locking mechanism for selectively locking and retaining the blower portions which are placed on the hooks. Although hanging and supporting blowers in this manner in general accomplishes the desired result, tie straps are quite often not used by employees or brake or are placed improperly thus still allowing the blowers to rock and potentially be damaged. The tie straps often still allow movement during transit resulting in damage to the blower. Further, the clips or other adapters required by some models for hanging on a hook get lost or stolen. Additionally, if the blower is hung by the back straps onto a single hook member, this concentrates the strain on the straps thereby damaging or otherwise deforming the blower straps.
Accordingly, a need exists for a backpack blower holder for easily and properly supporting and storing the blower on a trailer or other vehicles and which, further, is readily and easily usable and adaptable for supporting various sizes and types of backpack blowers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to overcome the above-discussed disadvantages associated with prior blower holding and storing devices and which fulfills the desired above-discussed needs.
The blower holder in accordance with the principles of the present invention, in general, includes a bracket member having first and second ends and which is attached in a horizontal position to a vertical post. The vertical post is attached to a trailer or other vehicle as may be desired. A shelf is also attached to the post vertically below the bracket. In general, the blower is adapted to rest on the shelf while the bracket member locks or otherwise retains the blower thereon. In this regard, a first hook member is provided on the bracket member first end and is adapted to receive one side of the blower back rest plate or frame. A second hook member is provided on the bracket member second end and is adapted to receive the opposite side of the blower back rest plate or frame. The second hook member is selectively movable adjacent the blower back rest plate or frame side for thereby selectively sandwiching the back rest plate or frame between the first and second hook members and thereby effectively retaining and holding the blower over the shelf. A loop member is also provided and is attached to an adjacent vertical post or some other support structure and is adapted to receive and support the blower air pipe.
Preferably, the second hook member is supported by a carrier arm which is itself supported on the bracket second end and is selectively movable for placing the second hook member adjacent the back rest plate or frame. The carrier arm is selectively slidable longitudinally along the bracket second end and is selectively affixed therealong at a position for sandwiching and retaining the back rest plate or frame between the first and second hook members. In one embodiment, the carrier arm is selectively affixed longitudinally along the bracket with a handle threadingly engaging a bolt and which thereby causes frictional engagement between the carrier arm and the bracket. In a second embodiment, the carrier arm is selectively affixed longitudinally along the bracket with a locking bar which is pivotable about a point or axis on the carrier arm and between a locked position wedged against the bracket and an unlocked position generally off of the bracket. In a third embodiment, rather than sliding longitudinally along the bracket, the carrier arm is rotated about an axis of rotation extending through the carrier arm and bracket for thereby selectively placing the second hook member adjacent the blower back rest plate or frame side. Preferably, both the first and second hook members are selectively adjustable for receiving and sandwiching different thickness blower back rest plates and frames.
In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a blower holder for supporting a backpack type blower having opposing sides. The blower holder includes a bracket member having first and second ends and attachable to a support structure. A first hook member is located on the bracket member first end and is adapted to receive one of the blower opposing sides. A second hook member is provided on the bracket member second end and is adapted to receive the other one of the opposing blower sides. The second hook member is selectively movable adjacent the other one of the opposing blower sides whereby the blower opposing sides are selectively sandwiched between the first and second hook members and the blower is supported on the support structure.
In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a blower holder for supporting a backpack type blower having opposing sides. The blower holder includes a bracket member having first and second ends and attachable to a support structure. A first hook member is located on the bracket member first end and is adapted to receive one of the blower opposing sides. A second hook member is provided on the bracket member second end and is adapted to receive the other one of the opposing blower sides. A mechanism is provided for selectively moving the second hook member adjacent the other one of the opposing blower sides whereby the blower opposing sides are selectively sandwiched between the first and second hook members and the blower is supported on the support structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 524451 (1894-08-01), Ward
patent: 3250584 (1966-05-01), Tassell
patent: 3268196 (1966-08-01), Anton
patent: 3847489 (1974-11-01), Van Riper
patent: 4467925 (1984-08-01), Ratzloff et al.
patent: 4473176 (1984-09-01), Harper
patent: 5645258 (1997-07-01), Flowers
patent: 5647489 (1997-07-01), Bellis
patent: 5819933 (1998-10-01), Hernandez
patent: 5964358 (1999-10-01), Hafendorfer
patent: 6053339 (2000-04-01),
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Novae Corp.
Pappas George
LandOfFree
Holder for backpack type blower does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Holder for backpack type blower, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Holder for backpack type blower will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595759