U.S. patent application number 15/296455 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-19 for bridging apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is David R. Hall, Ben Jensen, Kelly Knight, Andrew Priddis, Max Tarver. Invention is credited to David R. Hall, Ben Jensen, Kelly Knight, Andrew Priddis, Max Tarver.
Application Number | 20180105356 15/296455 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61725017 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180105356 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; David R. ; et
al. |
April 19, 2018 |
Bridging Apparatus
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a bridging apparatus. The
apparatus may be used to span the gap between a vertically movable
storage container and a stationary floor structure when a landing
of the storage container is planar to a landing of the stationary
floor structure. In this invention, the bridging apparatus
comprises a bracket, an overlay plate, a hinge comprising a rod,
glides, and a switch, which interact with each other and with the
vertically movable storage container and the stationary floor
structure. As the storage container ascends, the glide of the
overlay plate slides angularly contacts a vertical wall of the
stationary floor structure and glides along the wall. When the
storage container landing is planar with the stationary floor
structure landing, the overlay plate rotates downward to a
90-degree angle, resting in a recess in the stationary floor
structure landing, engaging the switch to terminate power to the
vertically movable storage container.
Inventors: |
Hall; David R.; (Provo,
UT) ; Priddis; Andrew; (Mapleton, UT) ;
Jensen; Ben; (Orem, UT) ; Tarver; Max; (Provo,
UT) ; Knight; Kelly; (Orem, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hall; David R.
Priddis; Andrew
Jensen; Ben
Tarver; Max
Knight; Kelly |
Provo
Mapleton
Orem
Provo
Orem |
UT
UT
UT
UT
UT |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61725017 |
Appl. No.: |
15/296455 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 90/12 20130101;
B66B 17/18 20130101; H05K 999/99 20130101; B66B 13/301
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/12 20060101
B65D090/12 |
Claims
1. A bridging apparatus, comprising: a bracket attached to a base
of a vertical wall of a movable storage container disposed adjacent
a wall of a stationary floor structure; the bracket comprising a
hinge comprising a rod; the bracket further comprising a switch; an
overlay plate rotationally attached to the rod; the overlay plate
comprising a glide along an edge opposite the hinge, the overlay
plate and glide being in angular contact with the wall of the
stationary floor structure; wherein the overlay plate glides along
the wall of the stationary floor structure as the movable storage
container moves upward; and wherein the overlay plate rotates
downward into a recess in a landing of the stationary floor
structure; and wherein the switch stopping the upward motion of the
movable storage container as the overlay plate reaches a 90-degree
angle to the bracket.
2. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bracket further
comprises a first flat surface and a second flat surface.
3. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bracket is joined
on the first flat surface to the movable storage container by means
of chemical and mechanical attachments.
4. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises
metal selected from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel,
aluminum, zinc, and titanium.
5. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises
materials selected from the group consisting of nylon,
polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber.
6. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the overlay plate
further comprises a first surface, and a second surface.
7. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the overlay plate
comprises metal selected from the group consisting of steel,
stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, and titanium.
8. The bridging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the overlay plate
comprises materials selected from the group consisting of nylon,
polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention generally relates to systems for vertically
movable storage containers. More particularly, this invention
relates to vertically movable storage containers where the
container is stowed below floor grade and where an overlay plate is
required to bridge the gap that exists between a stationary floor
and the storage container floor when the storage container is
elevated and the storage container floor and stationary floor
become planar.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Necessarily, a gap exists between a stationary floor
structure and the floor of a vertically movable adjacent structure
such as an elevator or storage container. These gaps cause
instability and imbalance of carts and other rolled devices as they
cross the gap from one floor structure to the adjacent floor
structure. Additionally, the gap allows debris to fall between the
movable storage container and the stationary floor structure
potentially disabling the movable storage container or causing
damage to the movable storage container, its operating mechanisms,
or the movable storage container staging area. The need exists,
then, for a bridging apparatus that is self-actuating,
self-retracting, and easy to fit with the installation of a
vertically movable storage container, or to retrofit to an existing
vertically movable storage container.
SUMMARY
[0003] This invention has been developed in response to the present
state of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems
and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by
currently available bridging apparatuses and deployment methods.
Accordingly, a bridging apparatus has been invented that is
connected to a vertically movable storage container. Features and
advantages of different embodiments of the invention will become
more fully apparent from the following description and appended
claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as set forth
hereinafter.
[0004] Consistent with the foregoing, a bridging apparatus is
disclosed. An overlay plate is disclosed. A bracket to support the
overlay plate is disclosed. A hinge to rotatably couple the overlay
plate to the bracket is disclosed. A plurality of glide
configurations is disclosed.
[0005] Overlay is defined as bridging a gap that exists between two
structures. Specific to this invention, an overlay plate is a
device used to bridge the gap between a stationary floor and a
movable storage container floor.
[0006] For the purposes of this invention, a movable storage
container is defined as a modular unit used to stow items below the
level of a stationary floor. The movable storage container may vary
in size, and when called, the movable storage container rises from
a staging area until the movable storage container floor becomes
planar with the stationary floor. When no longer required, the
movable storage container retracts downward to the staging area.
While the movable storage container is depicted in this invention
for the purpose of demonstrating application of the bridging
apparatus, the use of the apparatus is not limited to this
application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0007] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
Figures herein, may be designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of
the embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the scope
of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of
certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in
accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments
will be best understood by reference to the claims and
drawings.
[0008] Although any number of embodiments may be considered, the
following suggests one example: a bridging apparatus comprising a
bracket attached to a movable storage container, an overlay plate
attached to the bracket by means of a rod, a glide, and a switch.
As the storage container retracts into its staging area, the glide
causes the overlay plate to rotate upwardly on the rod to a
semi-vertical position and rest angularly against a wall of a
stationary floor substructure. As the movable storage container
moves upwardly, the glide slides along a wall of the stationary
floor substructure and as the movable storage container floor
becomes planar with a landing of the stationary floor the overlay
plate rotates downwardly, engaging the switch when the overlay
plate is 90-degrees to the bracket, stopping the movable storage
container from further ascending. Features and advantages of
additional embodiments of the invention may become more fully
apparent or may be learned by practice of the invention as set
forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding
that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the
invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its
scope, the invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bridging apparatus
comprising a bracket attached to a base of a vertical wall of a
movable storage container adjacent a wall of a stationary floor
structure, an overlay plate spanning the space between the movable
storage container and the stationary floor structure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a profile view depicting the bridging apparatus
comprising a bracket, an overlay plate, a rod, a glide, and a
switch, with the overlay plate in angular contact with a wall of a
stationary floor structure opposite a vertical wall of a movable
storage container.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a profile view depicting the bridging apparatus
comprising a bracket, an overlay plate, a rod, a glide, and a
switch, with the overlay plate in a prone position planar to a
landing of the stationary floor structure and the movable storage
container wherein the overlap plate bridges the space between the
stationary floor structure and the movable storage container.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the bridging apparatus
comprising the bracket comprised of a hinge comprising a rod, the
overlay plate, and a switch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in
the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention,
as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of
presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the
invention. The presently described embodiments will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are
designated by like numerals throughout.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bridging apparatus 300
comprising a bracket 301 attached to a base of a vertical wall 201
of a movable storage container 200 adjacent a wall 101 of a
stationary floor structure 100. The bracket 301 comprises a hinge
302 comprising a rod 303 which rotationally attaches an overlay
plate 304 to the bracket 301. The overlay plate 304 comprises a
glide 305 along an edge opposite the hinge 302.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a profile view depicting the bridging apparatus
300 comprising a bracket 301, an overlay plate 304, a hinge 302
comprising a rod 303, a glide 305, and a switch 306. The bracket
301 comprises a first flat surface 301a, a second flat surface
301b, and a hinge 302 comprising a rod 303. In one embodiment, the
bracket 301 comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the bracket
301 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium, nylon,
polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. In one embodiment, the rod 303
comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the rod 303 comprises
steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium, nylon, polyoxymethylene,
and carbon fiber. The first flat surface 301a of the bracket 301 is
joined to a vertical wall 201 by means of chemical and mechanical
attachments. The overlay plate 304 comprises a first flat surface
304a and a second flat surface 304b. In one embodiment, the overlay
plate 304 comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the overlay
plate 304 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium, nylon,
polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. The glide 305 comprises a flat
first surface 305a and a convex second surface 305b. The flat first
surface 305a is joined to the first flat surface 304a of the
overlay plate 304 by means of chemical and mechanical attachments.
In one embodiment, the glide 305 comprises aluminum. In other
embodiments, the glide 305 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc,
titanium, nylon, carbon fiber, and polyoxymethylene. In another
embodiment, the glide 305 comprises a plurality of separate glides
intermittently disposed along the first flat surface 304a of the
overlay plate 304. The overlay plate 304 is rotationally attached
to the bracket 301 at the hinge 302 through which the rod 303 is
passed. In this Figure, the overlay plate 304 is in angular contact
with the wall 101 of the stationary floor structure 100. As the
movable storage container 200 moves upward 400 the glide 305 of the
overlay plate 304 glides along the wall 101 of the stationary floor
structure 100. The switch 306 is joined to the second flat surface
301b of the bracket 301 such that when the overlay plate 304 is at
less than a 90-degree angle to the bracket 301, the switch 306 is
disengaged allowing power to the movable storage container 200 such
that a landing 202 of the movable storage container 200 may ascend
to a planar position with a landing floor 102 of the stationary
floor structure 100. In one embodiment, the switch 306 comprises a
mechanical limiting switch. In other embodiments, the switch 306
comprises optical and laser limiting switches.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a profile view depicting the bridging apparatus
300 comprising a bracket 301, an overlay plate 304, a hinge 302
comprising a rod 303, a glide 305, and a switch 306. The bracket
301 comprises a first flat surface 301a, a second flat surface
301b, and a hinge 302 comprising a rod 303. In one embodiment, the
bracket 301 comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the bracket
301 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium, nylon,
polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. In one embodiment, the rod 303
comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the rod 303 comprises
steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium, nylon, polyoxymethylene,
and carbon fiber. The first flat surface 301a of the bracket 301 is
joined to a vertical wall 201 by means of chemical and mechanical
attachments. The overlay plate 304 comprises a first flat surface
304a and a second flat surface 304b. In one embodiment, the overlay
plate 304 comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the overlay
plate 304 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium, nylon,
polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. The glide 305 comprises a flat
first surface 305a and a convex second surface 305b. The flat first
surface 305a is joined to the first flat surface 304a of the
overlay plate 304 by means of chemical and mechanical attachments.
In one embodiment, the glide 305 comprises aluminum. In other
embodiments, the glide 305 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc,
titanium, nylon, carbon fiber, and polyoxymethylene. In another
embodiment, the glide 305 comprises a plurality of separate glides
intermittently disposed along the first flat surface 304a of the
overlay plate. The overlay plate 304 is rotationally attached to
the bracket 301 at the hinge 302 through which the rod 303 is
passed. In this Figure, the overlay plate 304 is in a prone
position with an edge of the overlay plate 304 opposite the hinge
resting in a recess 103 of the stationary floor structure 100. The
recess 103 is disposed longitudinally along a side of a landing 102
of the stationary floor structure 100 parallel to the landing floor
202 of the movable storage container 200. The switch 306 is joined
to the second flat surface 301b of the bracket 301 by means of
chemical and mechanical attachments such that when the overlay
plate 304 is at a 90-degree angle to the bracket 301, the switch
306 engages, terminating power to the movable storage container 200
such that the landing floor 202 of the movable storage container
200 may not ascend beyond a planar position with the landing floor
102 of the stationary floor structure 100. In one embodiment, the
switch 306 comprises a mechanical limiting switch. In other
embodiments, the switch 306 comprises optical and laser limiting
switches.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the bridging apparatus
comprising the bracket 301, the overlay plate 304, and the switch
306. The bracket 301 comprises a first flat surface 301a, a second
flat surface 301b, and a hinge 302 comprising a rod 303. In one
embodiment, the bracket 301 comprises aluminum. In other
embodiments, the bracket 301 comprises steel, stainless steel,
zinc, titanium, nylon, polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. In one
embodiment, the rod 303 comprises aluminum. In other embodiments,
the rod 303 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium,
nylon, polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. The overlay plate 304
comprises a first flat surface 304a and a second flat surface 304b.
The overlay plate 304 is rotatably attached to the bracket 301 by
means of the hinge 302 comprising a rod 303. In one embodiment, the
overlay plate 304 comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the
overlay plate 304 comprises steel, stainless steel, zinc, titanium,
nylon, polyoxymethylene, and carbon fiber. In this embodiment, the
overlay plate 304 comprises an integrated glide 307 wherein the
glide 307 comprises a curvilinear surface beginning at the edge of
the second flat surface 304b of the overlay plate 304 opposite the
hinge side and rounding to the first flat surface 304a of the
overlay plate 304. The switch 306 is joined to the second flat
surface 301b of the bracket 301 by means of chemical and mechanical
attachments. In one embodiment, the switch 306 comprises a
mechanical limiting switch. In other embodiments, the switch 306
comprises optical and laser limiting switches.
* * * * *