U.S. patent application number 11/306876 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-01 for wet floor warning device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Robert Wilson Stokes. Invention is credited to Robert Wilson IV Stokes.
Application Number | 20070022939 11/306876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37692901 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070022939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stokes; Robert Wilson IV |
February 1, 2007 |
WET FLOOR WARNING DEVICE
Abstract
A warning device, comprising a top portion, and a plurality of
sides extending from the top portion that are joined to one another
to collectively form an interior void. A fan is positioned within
the device for diverting air through the interior void, and at
least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the
top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the
interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested
arrangement.
Inventors: |
Stokes; Robert Wilson IV;
(Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADAMS EVANS P.A.
301 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 2180
TWO WACHOVIA CENTER
CHARLOTTE
NC
28282-1991
US
|
Assignee: |
Stokes; Robert Wilson
7439 Denali Lane
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
37692901 |
Appl. No.: |
11/306876 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60702930 |
Jul 27, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
116/63P |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 19/22 20130101;
G09F 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
116/063.00P |
International
Class: |
E01F 9/00 20060101
E01F009/00 |
Claims
1. A warning device, comprising: (a) a top portion; (b) a plurality
of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another
to collectively form an interior void; (c) a fan positioned within
the device for diverting air through the interior void; and (d) at
least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the
top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the
interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested
arrangement.
2. A warning device according to claim 1, including warning
messages for alerting a passerby of a potentially dangerous
area.
3. A warning device according to claim 1, including a switch for
activating and deactivating the supply of power to the fan.
4. A warning device according to claim 1, including rechargeable
batteries to supply power to the fan.
5. A warning device according to claim 1, including a base that
engages the device for supplying power to recharge the batteries
contained therein.
6. A warning device according to claim 3, wherein the collar
depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for
deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
7. A warning device according to claim 4, including an electrical
interface on the top portion of the device for receiving a power
supply to recharge the batteries contained therein.
8. A warning device according to claim 7, wherein the electrical
interface is interconnected to adjacent electrical interfaces when
in the nested arrangement for facilitating the flow of current
therethrough for recharging the batteries contained therein.
9. A warning device, comprising: (a) a top portion; (b) a plurality
of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another
to collectively form an interior void; (c) a fan positioned within
the device for diverting air through the interior void; (d) a
rechargeable power source for supplying power to the fan; and (e)
an electrical interface positioned on the top portion adapted to
receive power for recharging the power source.
10. A warning device according to claim 9, including at least one
collar formed within the interior void for engaging the top portion
of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is
filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement.
11. A warning device according to claim 9, wherein the electrical
interface comprises a female portion and a male portion, wherein
the female portion is adapted to receive the male portion of a like
warning device for simultaneous charging in the nested
arrangement.
12. A warning device according to claim 9, including a base that
engages the device for supplying an electrical current to recharge
the batteries contained therein.
13. A warning device according to claim 9, including a switch for
activating and deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
14. A warning device according to claim 11, wherein the electrical
interface is interconnected to adjacent electrical interfaces, when
in the nested arrangement, for facilitating the flow of current
therethrough for recharging the batteries contained therein.
15. A warning device according to claims 10 and 13, wherein the
collar depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for
deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
16. A warning device, comprising: (a) a top portion; (b) a
plurality of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one
another to collectively form an interior void; (c) a fan positioned
within the device for diverting air through the interior void; (d)
at least one collar located within the interior void for engaging
the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the
interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested
arrangement; (e) a rechargeable power source for supplying power to
the fan; and (f) an electrical interface positioned on the top
portion adapted to receive a power input for recharging the power
source.
17. A warning device according to claim 16, wherein the electrical
interface comprises a female portion and a male portion, wherein
the female portion is adapted to receive the male portion of a like
warning device for simultaneous charging in the nested
arrangement.
18. A warning device according to claim 16, including a base that
engages the device for supplying an electrical current to the
rechargeable power source contained therein.
19. A warning device according to claim 16, including a switch for
activating and deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
20. A warning device according to claim 19, wherein the collar
depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for
deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a wet floor warning
device, and more particularly, to a nestable, rechargeable wet
floor sign and fan combination.
[0002] In many instances, such as in a restaurant or department
store, a drink is spilled, a roof leaks, or water is tracked into
the entranceway from a rainy environment by pedestrians which
causes moisture to accumulate in a concentrated area on the surface
of a heavily traveled floor. This wet area is potentially hazardous
to a passerby not aware of the moisture. Therefore, to warn a
passerby of this potentially dangerous area, a free standing floor
sign is placed over or near the area. However, this floor sign only
warns a passerby of the area and serves no additional function.
[0003] Prior art inventions have sought to add an element to the
common floor sign to not only warn a passerby of the potentially
dangerous area, but serve in a clean-up capacity. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. D328,615 discloses an ornamental design for a portable
floor sign and fan unit.
[0004] United States Publication No. 2003/0115783 discloses a
combined floor drier and caution sign. The device is a portable,
free-standing floor sign comprising a frame covered with panels
attached to each other. The bottom portion of the frame includes a
fan unit that is powered by a rechargeable battery or an electrical
cord. When the device is placed over a wet area, the fan directs
air downward to dry the area. The device is also equipped with
warning messages such as "WARNING", "WET FLOOR", "SLIPPERY SURFACE"
or the like to warn a passerby of the potentially dangerous wet
area.
[0005] The prior art devices have several disadvantages. The
devices are not nestable, allowing for easy transport and storage,
and do not include an electrical interface which allows the devices
to recharge when nested together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved floor sign and fan unit combination.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a warning
to a passerby of a wet area while at the same time drying the
area.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a floor
sign and fan unit that is designed to be nested together for easy
transport and storage.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a floor
sign and fan unit with an electrical interface that allows for the
battery of the fan unit to be recharged while the invention is
nested together.
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing
a warning device, comprising a top portion, and a plurality of
sides extending from the top portion that are joined to one another
to collectively form an interior void. A fan is positioned within
the device for diverting air through the interior void, and at
least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the
top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the
interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested
arrangement.
[0011] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
warning device includes warning messages for alerting a passerby of
a potentially dangerous area.
[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
a switch activates and deactivates the supply of power to the
fan.
[0013] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, rechargeable batteries supply power to the fan.
[0014] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, a base engages the warning device for supplying power to
recharge the batteries contained therein.
[0015] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the collar depresses the switch while in the nested
arrangement for deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
[0016] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, an electrical interface on the top portion of the device
receives a power supply to recharge the batteries contained
therein.
[0017] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, a warning device, comprising a top portion, a plurality
of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another
to collectively form an interior void, and a fan positioned within
the device for diverting air through the interior void. A
rechargeable power source supplies power to the fan, and an
electrical interface positioned on the top portion is adapted to
receive power input for recharging the power source.
[0018] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, at least one collar is located within the interior void
that engages the top portion of a like device, wherein
substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like
device, forming a nested arrangement.
[0019] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the electrical interface comprises a female portion and
a male portion, wherein the female portion is adapted to receive
the male portion of a like warning device for simultaneous charging
in the nested arrangement.
[0020] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the electrical interface is interconnected to adjacent
electrical interfaces, when in the nested arrangement, for
facilitating the flow of current therethrough for recharging the
batteries contained therein.
[0021] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the
invention, a warning device, comprising a top portion, a plurality
of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another
to collectively form an interior void, and a fan positioned within
the device for diverting air through the interior void. At least
one collar is located within the interior void that engages the top
portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior
void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement. A
rechargeable power source supplies power to the fan, and an
electrical interface is positioned on the top portion and adapted
to receive a power input for recharging the power source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0022] The invention may be best understood by reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing figures in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wet floor warning
device;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the wet floor
warning device of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wet floor warning device
in a nested arrangement;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the line
4-4 of the wet floor warning device in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wet floor warning
device in the nested arrangement;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recharging base;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wet floor warning device
vertically aligned with the recharging base;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wet floor warning device
connected to a power cord;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the wet floor warning device
connected to a power cord;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of a device
vertically aligned with another device; and
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of a device
positioned on the top of another device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
[0034] Referring now specifically to the drawings, an exemplary wet
floor warning device is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is shown
generally at reference numeral 10. As illustrated, the device 10
has four sides 12 which are connected to a top 14 that houses a fan
unit 16. However, any suitable number of sides 12 can be used. The
sides 12 are in a spaced apart relationship forming an interior
void within. The fan unit 16 is positioned to direct air in between
the sides of the device 10, while having a low profile which is
substantially flush with the top 14 and extending into the interior
void. Each side 12 has slits 18 formed therethrough and warning
messages 20 disposed thereon between the slits 18.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fan unit 16 comprises fan
blades 22 connected to an arcuate member 24 that is rotatably
mounted to a housing 26. A protective grill 28 is located above the
housing 26 for prohibiting the intrusion of items into the fan
blades 22, such as a child's fingers. The housing 26 fits within a
centrally located bore 30 positioned in the top 14 of the device
10, having an outwardly extending flange 32 for engaging the top
lip of the housing 26. An electrical connector 34, having a female
and male end, and switch 36 are located adjacent the fan unit 16.
In the illustrated example, the electrical connector 34 contains
two prongs, and the switch 36 is a rocker switch of a known type.
However, any suitable number or shaped prongs can be used, as well
as any type of switch.
[0036] Each device 10 is equipped with at least one rechargeable
battery 38 providing power to the fan unit 16. In the illustrated
example, two 12 Volt rechargeable batteries 38, arranged in series,
supply the necessary power to the fan unit 16. The batteries 38 are
recharged via an electrical connector 34 that receives power from
an external power source, and can either recharge the batteries 38
or power the fan unit 16. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the female
end of the electrical connector 34 is located on the top 14 of the
device 10, while the male end is located underneath the top 14
facing downward into the interior void. As mentioned previously,
the sides 12 of the device 10 contain slits 18, wherein the upper
portion of the slit 18 contains a fin 40 that extends angularly
downward for directing air towards a wet area under or near the
device 10. On the inner portion of the sides 12, ribs 42 extend
from the sides 12 to the inner portion of the slits 18. During
stacking, the ribs 42 serve as a guide to expeditiously and
effectively mate the male end with the female end of adjacent
electrical connectors.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of devices 10 are able to be
stacked one-upon-the-other in a nested arrangement for easy
transport and storage. The interior void of the device 10 is
designed to accept a second device 10' to substantially fill the
entire void, as shown in FIG. 5. While in the nested arrangement,
the male portion of the electrical connector 34 on the uppermost
device 10 is mated to the female portion of the electrical
connector 34' on the second device 10'. The dimensions of the
devices 10 and interior void are designed to allow a second device
10' to fill substantially all of the interior void, thus providing
a solid stacking arrangement that is not susceptible to bending
moments. In addition, the fan unit 16, batteries 38, electrical
connector 34, and switch 36, as shown in FIG. 2, are as low profile
as possible to not unduly burden the stacking arrangement.
[0038] In one embodiment, a recharging base 44, as shown in FIG. 6,
is used to supply the appropriate amount of power to recharge the
batteries (not shown). In the illustrated example, the base 44 has
four sides 46, including optional slits 48 and optional fins 50,
that are connected to a top 52 having a spring-loaded rocker switch
54 and an electrical connector 56. A cord 58 is connected to the
male end of the electrical connector 56 located underneath the top
52, which can be inserted into any standard electrical outlet. As
shown in FIG. 7, the device 10 is placed on the base 44, with the
base 44 filling substantially all of the interior void of the
device 10. The male end of the of the electrical connector (not
shown) of the device 10 mates with the female end of the electrical
connector (not shown) of the base 44, forming a circuit
therebetween for the passage of current. This circuit is expanded
as additional devices 10 are stacked upon the base 44. Preferably,
the base 44 includes the same configuration and similar dimensions
as the device 10 it is intended to engage.
[0039] Alternatively, an electrical cord 58 may be connected
directly to the electrical connector 34 of the device 10 as shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9, for recharging. Depending upon the configuration
of the cord 58, one end is inserted into either the female or male
end of the electrical connector 34, while the opposite end is
inserted into an external power source, such as a standard
electrical outlet. This arrangement allows the battery to be
recharged without the use of the recharging base 44, or, in the
alternative, the fan unit 16 can be operated by power supplied by
the outlet. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 8, the device
may be stacked upon at least one more device (not shown) to
recharge a plurality of devices simultaneously. On the other hand,
as illustrated in FIG. 9, at least one more device (not shown) can
be stacked upon the device 10 allowing a plurality of devices to
recharge.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when a device 10 is "over top" a
second device 10' during stacking, a collar 60 of the device 10 is
vertically aligned with the switch 36' of the second device 10'. As
the device 10 is placed upon the second device 10', the collar 60
depresses the below located switch 36' to the "off" position, as
shown in FIG. 11. The collar 60 engages the second device 10',
preventing further vertical movement, while providing a solid
nested arrangement. This prevents the fan units 16 from operating
while the batteries 38 are being recharged while in the nested
arrangement, thereby allowing the batteries 38 to fully and
properly recharge. The same concept is employed with respect to the
base 44, except the collar 60 depresses the switch 54 to the "on"
position, closing the charging circuit to start the charging
cycle.
[0041] When needed, the device 10 is placed on or near a wet area
on a surface. The switch 36 is turned to the "on" position, which
supplies power to the fan unit 16. The fan blades 22 of the fan
unit 16 rotate to direct air 62 through the fan unit 16, in-between
the sides 12. The air 62 is pushed through the slits 18 and notches
64 of the device 10, and ultimately, sheets out over the wet area,
as shown in FIG. 1. The fan unit 16 operates continuously to direct
air 62 over the surface of the wet area, while the device 10 and
warning messages 20 alert passerbys of the potential hazard.
[0042] A wet floor warning device is described above. Various
details of the invention may be changed without departing from its
scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the
invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not
for the purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *