U.S. patent application number 10/369410 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for sliding device.
Invention is credited to Marsh, Steve.
Application Number | 20030221931 10/369410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27766173 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030221931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marsh, Steve |
December 4, 2003 |
Sliding device
Abstract
The device of the present invention comprises a frame for
supporting the device comprised of substantially horizontal and
vertical support members; and a trough attached to the frame and
sloped to allow for gravity feeding the items from an entrance end
to an exit end of the device. The device is particularly well
suited for use in conjunction with a security checkpoint.
Inventors: |
Marsh, Steve; (Madrid,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C.
The Financial Center, Suite 2500
666 Walnut Street
Des Moines
IA
50309-3993
US
|
Family ID: |
27766173 |
Appl. No.: |
10/369410 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60359995 |
Feb 28, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
193/22 ;
193/32 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 17/06 20180101;
A61K 38/10 20130101; A61P 37/08 20180101; C07K 7/08 20130101; A61P
3/10 20180101; A61P 19/02 20180101; A61P 29/00 20180101; B65G
11/023 20130101; A61P 9/12 20180101; A61P 37/06 20180101; A61K
38/08 20130101; A61P 9/10 20180101; B65G 11/163 20130101; A61K
39/00 20130101; A61K 38/00 20130101; A61P 31/04 20180101; A61P
35/00 20180101; C07K 7/64 20130101; A61P 31/12 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
193/22 ;
193/32 |
International
Class: |
B65G 011/12; B65G
011/16 |
Claims
1. A sliding device for use in moving items from an entrance end to
an exit end of said device, comprising: a frame for supporting said
device comprised of substantially horizontal and vertical support
members; and a trough attached to said frame and sloped to allow
for gravity feeding the items from an entrance end to an exit end
of said device.
2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a
tray for retaining the items.
3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said trough is
a first trough, and further comprising a second trough attached to
said frame and sloped to allow for gravity feeding said tray from
said exit end to said entrance end of said device.
4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first and
said second trough form an acute angle.
5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said device is
used in conjunction with a security checkpoint.
6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a
cushion secured to an end of said trough nearest said exit end of
said device for cushioning the impact of the items.
7. The invention in accordance with claim 6 further comprising side
guards attached to said end of said trough nearest said exit end of
said device for further retaining the items within said trough.
8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said frame
further comprises trough supports for supporting an underside of
said trough
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/359,995, filed Feb. 27, 2002, and which
is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sliding device to be used
preferably with a security checkpoint. In particular, to a security
sliding device comprised of two troughs aligned at acute angles
attached to a support frame to allow for gravity feeding a tray
between ends of the device.
[0003] Security checkpoints of the type located in airports, public
buildings, sports facilities, schools, and other locations have
become commonplace. The checkpoints often consist of a magnetometer
and an x-ray machine. The normal procedure is to place any bags or
lose clothing on the conveyor that leads into the x-ray machine for
scanning. Personal items like coins, cell phones, or other objects
are placed in a tray for personal inspection by a security
official. Then the individual passes through the magnetometer that
can detect if the individual is concealing any items of
concern.
[0004] This procedure can be awkward, which can lead to frustration
as people try to move through the checkpoint as quickly as
possible. One problem that can occur is passing the personal items
back and forth between the entrance and the exit of the security
checkpoint. Often this requires the security officials to move
between or through the individuals passing through the checkpoint.
Further confusion results when the individuals stop just through
the entrance to return the personal items to their pockets. This
can create a backup and often prevents others from moving through
the checkpoint due to the fact they must wait for the individual to
gain control over the personal items and for the security officials
to return the tray to the entrance of the station for reuse.
[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for an improved method and
apparatus for moving individuals through security checkpoints and
in other situations where individuals wait in line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] On object of the present invention comprises providing a
sliding device for use in moving items from an entrance end to an
exit end of said device.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the
following specification, drawings, and claims.
[0008] The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties
encountered heretofore. To that end, a sliding device is provided
for use in moving items from an entrance end to an exit end of said
device. The device comprises a frame for supporting the device
comprised of substantially horizontal and vertical support members;
and a trough attached to the frame and sloped to allow for gravity
feeding the items from an entrance end to an exit end of the
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exit end of a security
sliding device.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exit end of the security
sliding device.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an entry end of the security
sliding device.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exit end of the security
sliding device.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the security sliding
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In the Figures, is shown a security sliding device 10 for
use in conjunction with a security station 32 that is typically
comprised of an x-ray machine and a magnetometer. The device 10
comprises of a first tough 12 and a second trough 14 supported on a
frame 16. The first and second troughs 12, 14 are configured and an
acute angle relative to each other, such that the slope of the
troughs 12, 14 is sufficient to gravity feed a tray 28 from an
upper end to a lower end of the troughs 12, 14.
[0015] The frame 16 is comprised of a plurality of vertical
supports 18, and horizontal supports 20, and trough supports 22. In
particular, the frame 16 includes three vertical supports 18 at an
entrance end 34, and three vertical supports 18 at an exit end 36.
The horizontal supports 20 form a perimeter around the bottom of
the vertical supports 18. The trough supports 22 span the gaps
between the vertical supports 18 toward the top of the supports 18,
and support the bottom of the troughs 12, 14. The vertical supports
18 vary in height based on the position of troughs 12, 14. The
various members of the frame 16 are secured with conventional
fasteners like screws, nut and bolt combinations, and the like.
Furthermore, the troughs 12, 14 are similarly secured to the frame
16. In addition, the troughs 12, 14 are secured to each other at a
midpoint with a pin 24.
[0016] The tray 28 is gravity fed from the top of one trough 12, 14
to the bottom, and then back again. A cushion 30 can be placed at
the lower end of the first trough 12 to mitigate the force of the
tray 28 striking the lower end of one of the first trough 12 in
order to avoid the items in the tray 28 from being dislodged.
Additionally, side guards 26 are attached to the lower end of the
first trough 12 to further provide for retaining the items in the
tray 28 within the trough 12.
[0017] The device 10 can be constructed of a number of different
types of material such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, metal, and the
like. However, the sliding surface of the troughs 12, 14 and the
bottom surface of the tray 28 should be sufficiently low friction
to allow the tray 28 to freely slide from the top of one trough 12,
14 to the bottom.
[0018] In operation, the device 10 is placed near security
checkpoint 32 such that the entrance end 34 of the device 10 is
positioned adjacent to the point where individuals enter the
security checkpoint 32. For reference, the entrance end 34 is the
end of the device 10 closest to the upper end of the first trough
12, and the exit end 36 is the end located opposite thereto.
Typically, as individuals enter the security checkpoint 32 they
place luggage, purses, brief cases, coats, and other items of this
nature on the conveyer of the x-ray machine, and at the same time
they are asked to remove any metal objects from their pockets which
are then placed in the tray 28. The tray 28 is then placed in the
upper end of the first trough 12, where it slides to the exit end
36 of the security checkpoint 32. This naturally leads the
individual through the magnetometer and away from the entrance end
34 and toward the exit end 36 where they can retrieve their
personal items in the tray 28 and the items they placed on the
conveyer without interfering with others at the checkpoint 32. The
tray 28 is then placed on the upper end of the second trough 14
where it returns to the entrance end 34 of the security checkpoint
32 for use by the next individual passing through the security
checkpoint 32.
[0019] In this manner, the device 10 naturally moves people through
the security checkpoint 32 and imposes an order and flow to the
security checkpoint process. Also, the device 10 provides the
security officers with a very convenient method of moving the tray
28 back and forth between the entrance and exit ends 34, 36 of the
security checkpoint 32. The device 10 is simple to construct, has
no moving parts (other than the tray 28), and requires very little
if any instruction on how to operate. Additionally, the device 10
is compact and sized to fit into the space between the magnetometer
and the x-ray machine, and is of a length that will allow the tray
to move the end of the x-ray conveyor where the individual would
normally top to pick up items sent through the x-ray machine
without inconvenience to others.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the invention the device 10
is 8 feet in total length. The frame 16 is 4 feet in length. The
slope of the troughs 12, 14 can and will vary depending on the
nature of the material selected to achieve the desired amount of
friction between the troughs 12, 14 and the tray 28. Preferably,
the top end of the troughs 12, 14 are 40 and 1/4 inches in height,
and the lower ends are 24 inches in height. Those of ordinary skill
in the art will understand that the exact dimensions and type of
materials used can and will vary depending without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0021] This invention may be adapted to accommodate the movement of
people in other line forming situations. Examples of include, but
are not limited to, lines at cash registers and fast food
restaurants, and the like. Furthermore, while the preferred
embodiment of the invention includes troughs 12, 14 to allow for
movement of the tray 28 in both directions, the invention is not so
limited. The invention could include a single trough 12 or 14 for
moving the tray 28 or items in one direction if desired.
[0022] The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative
embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments
and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability,
experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely
listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not
constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method.
The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and
illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto,
except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the
art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make
modifications and variations therein without departing from the
scope of the invention.
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