US3836162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-levelling support for refrigerator or the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-12
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An automatic self-levelling device for supporting an appliance on a motor vehicle, where the appliance must be kept level for optimum performance, comprising a base, a first platform, and a second platform; said first platform being supported on the base for tilting about a first axis, and the second platform being supported on the first for tilting about a second axis at right angles to the first axis. Each of the platforms has a tilting mechanism including a reversible electric motor, and mercury switches on the platforms, which respond to any tilting of the platforms with respect to the horizontal about either axis, to energize the respective electric motor, thereby driving the tilting means in the direction to level the platforms. The levelling switches and electric motors are connected in a circuit to the battery and ignition switch of the car, so that the system is energized when the ignition switch is turned off, and deenergized when the ignition switch is turned on.
Inventors
- 👤 F Felkner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/32; B60P3/36; F; F25; F25D; F25D23/00; F25D2323/00; F25D2323/0011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
313 words
A self-levelling device for supporting a refrigerator or the like on an automotive vehicle having a battery and an ignition switch, so that the refrigerator will be automatically levelled for maximum operating efficiency whenever the vehicle is parked in a tilted condition and the ignition switch is turned off, said device comprising: a base mounted on said vehicle; a first platform pivotally mounted on said base for rocking movement about a first horizontal axis; a second platform pivotally mounted on said first platform for rocking movement about a second horizontal axis at right angles to said first axis, said refrigerator being mounted on said second platform; first tilting means connected to said first platform and operable, when energized, to tilt the first platform about said first axis, said first tilting means including a first reversible electric motor; second tilting means connected to said second platform and operable, when energized, to tilt the second platform about said second axis, said second tilting means including a second reversible electric motor; first switch means responsive to tilting of said second platform with respect to the horizontal plane in one direction, for energizing said first electric motor to drive said first tilting means in the direction to level said first platform about said first axis; second switch means responsive to tilting of said second platform with respect to the horizontal plane in the direction at right angles to said one direction, for energizing said second electric motor to drive said second tilting means in the direction to level said second platform about said second axis; and circuit means connecting said switch means and said electric motors to the battery and ignition switch of said vehicle, said circuit means including means actuated by the ignition switch to open the circuit when the ignition switch is turned on, and to close the circuit when the switch is turned off.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
313 words
A self-levelling device for supporting a refrigerator or the like on an automotive vehicle having a battery and an ignition switch, so that the refrigerator will be automatically levelled for maximum operating efficiency whenever the vehicle is parked in a tilted condition and the ignition switch is turned off, said device comprising: a base mounted on said vehicle; a first platform pivotally mounted on said base for rocking movement about a first horizontal axis; a second platform pivotally mounted on said first platform for rocking movement about a second horizontal axis at right angles to said first axis, said refrigerator being mounted on said second platform; first tilting means connected to said first platform and operable, when energized, to tilt the first platform about said first axis, said first tilting means including a first reversible electric motor; second tilting means connected to said second platform and operable, when energized, to tilt the second platform about said second axis, said second tilting means including a second reversible electric motor; first switch means responsive to tilting of said second platform with respect to the horizontal plane in one direction, for energizing said first electric motor to drive said first tilting means in the direction to level said first platform about said first axis; second switch means responsive to tilting of said second platform with respect to the horizontal plane in the direction at right angles to said one direction, for energizing said second electric motor to drive said second tilting means in the direction to level said second platform about said second axis; and circuit means connecting said switch means and said electric motors to the battery and ignition switch of said vehicle, said circuit means including means actuated by the ignition switch to open the circuit when the ignition switch is turned on, and to close the circuit when the switch is turned off.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first tilting means includes a first worm gear driven by said first motor and meshing with a first gear fixed to said first platform; and said second tilting means includes a second worm gear driven by said second motor and meshing with a second gear fixed to said second platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first tilting means includes a first jack driven by said first motor and connected to one side of said first platform at a distance from said first axis; and said second tilting means includes a second jack driven by said second motor and connected to one side of said second platform at a distance from said second axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second switch means are mounted on said second platform so that they tilt with the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second switch means comprises at least two mercury switches disposed at right angLes to one another, each of which is operable, when tilted in one direction, to drive its respective electric motor in one direction, and when tilted in the other direction, to drive its respective motor in the opposite direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second switch means comprise at least two mercury switches mounted on said second platform, each of said mercury switches comprising a generally horizontally extending, arcuate tube, the midpoint of which is lower than the ends, with a mercury pool contained within said tube, and electrical contacts at opposite ends of the tube that are immersed in said mercury when the tube is tilted one way or the other, thereby causing current to be sent to the associated electric motor to drive the same in one direction or the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said first and second switch means comprise mercury switches mounted on said second platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said first and second jacks have their bases solidly mounted on said vehicle, whereby any shock loads transmitted to said jacks are transferred directly to the vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said first and second switch means comprise at least two mercury switches mounted on said second platform at right angles to one another, each of said mercury switches comprising a generally horizontally extending tube having a globule of mercury contained therein, and electrical contacts that are immersed in said mercury when the tube is tilted one way or the other; one of said tubes being disposed perpendicular to one of said axes, and the other tube being disposed perpendicular to the other axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |