US20160023050A1

US20160023050A1 - Lift lid

Info

Publication number: US20160023050A1
Application number: US14/339,365
Authority: US
Inventors: Javier Perez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-23
Filing date: 2014-07-23
Publication date: 2016-01-28

Abstract

A device for elevating height of a user comprising a pair of lids having a flat platform for receiving a footwear of the user, a pair of lifts attached to the pair of lids for elevating the pair of lids above a surface, an ankle strap attached to each of the pair of lids for securing ankle and heel of the footwear to the flat platform, the ankle strap having a y-shaped plastic structure, a first Velcro strip and a first adjustable strap, and a toe strap attached to each of the pair of lids for securing toe of the footwear to the flat platform, the toe strap having a pair of plastic strips, a second Velcro strip and a second adjustable strap. The pair of lifts may be replaced to adjust height of the device while allowing for mobility and continuity of task.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/857,611, filed Jul. 23, 2013 which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Technical Field of the Disclosure
The present embodiment is related in general to devices used to elevate the height of a user, and in particular to a device designed to facilitate the ease with which the user tackles projects beyond the vertical reach thereof, while allowing the user to walk freely in a safe manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
The average one-story residential or commercial building is approximately ten to twelve feet tall, and multi-story structures average about ten feet per story. In order to reach the heights of these buildings, whether for construction or maintenance purposes, homeowners and construction workers employ various solutions to increase their height and/or to extend the length of tools being used. Some of the most common solutions on the market for reaching hard to reach areas are stools, utility ladders, step ladders, extension ladders, scaffolding, and stilts.
Stools and utility ladders are commonly used in low reaching areas, such as for turning on/off a ceiling fan, reaching an item in a kitchen cabinet, or reaching a tall bookshelf. These uses can be classified as one-time uses in that the user will more than likely not be ascending and descending repeatedly in one setting. Thus the uses for stools and utility ladders are limited. Step ladders and extension ladders are also widely used however they are bulky, and are sold in predetermined sizes. Whether installing a curtain, hanging drywall, painting, trimming, or any such other installation, maintenance, or construction task, a user would necessarily have to repeatedly descend, fold, carry and reposition the ladder, and ascend to complete such a task. Thus although commonly used, step ladders and extension ladders are not the most efficient solution.
Scaffolding and platforms are other solutions however they require construction, take up a lot of space, and can present a danger both to the user and to pedestrians in the surrounding area. Thus the use of scaffolding and/or platforms is usually limited to larger construction or maintenance projects involving structures more than two-stories in height. Another preferred solution is drywall stilts made from aluminum but they are not a cost-effective solution for homeowners and small size construction firms.
Recent advancements in the art disclose a coupling assembly adapted to removably couple an associated bucket to an associated foot of a user. The coupling assembly includes a lower component. The lower component is adapted to encompass an associated bucket. The coupling assembly also includes an upper component. The upper component is formed as a strap. The upper component is adapted to couple with respect to a foot of a user. The coupling assembly also includes an intermediate component. The intermediate component is formed as a plurality of vertical straps. The straps couple the upper and lower components. However, the device uses an additional component that attaches around the bucket and not attached to the lid of the bucket. Further, the coupling assembly has a strapping feature that has no lid and therefore is less stable or functional.
One of the existing devices includes an economical foot connected stilt assembly comprising a pair of foot support base assemblies which are readily and releasably attached to a support structure being an elevating object such as an empty bucket. Each foot support base assembly includes a support base member of a generally circular shape having an outer base inner ridge adapted to fit within a cooperating ridge or rim adjacent a bottom wall of the elevating object which will preferably be an inverted bucket member. The foot support base assembly is further provided with cooperating base attachment strap slots; toe strap slots; and heel strap slots, each operable to receive an attachment strap connected thereto, such as respectively attachment straps, a toe strap, and a heel strap. The attachment straps are for connection to the elevating object. Each support base member is operable to be readily connected through strap attachment hooks secured to respective outer ends of the attachment straps to an outer rim about an entrance opening of the elevating object. However, the attachment straps are attached around the entire bucket, which is not stable and causes the bucket to flip. Further, the device does not have enough ankle support.
Another existing device provides a hand-held walking stilt comprising a base that contacts a walking surface, where the base has a foot stand to support a user's foot a set distance above the walking surface, where the foot stand defines an opening for a pole. The base also has at least one base flange extending into the opening. There is also a pole adapted to extend through the opening in the foot stand, and to extend above the base away from the walking surface, with the pole having at least one pole flange that interconnects with the base flange to hold the base and the pole together. However, the device requires the use of hands to operate.
Various other devices exist that are used for elevating the height of a user requiring extended access to overhead or elevated surfaces. One such device includes a safety stilt that has two slidably mated shells able to be adjusted to a variety of heights. Foot attachment means are attached to a top surface on the upper shell and a base defines a greater surface area than the surface area defined by the top surface. Another device includes two blocks of structural foam that are fitted with shoe buckles. The blocks have ground contacting areas larger than the user's shoes for stability, and to reduce the toss-over effects of stepping on construction junk on the floor. Small objects embed in the resilient surface of the foot so their effect on walking and stability are nullified. However, such devices are big and cumbersome thereby decreases the ease with which a user can move while wearing the device.
Based on the foregoing there is a demonstrable need for a device that would easily attach to footwear of a user via secure, adjustable bindings or harnesses for tasks requiring additional height. Such a needed device would comprise a pair of lids that would attach to lifts ranging in height such as a bucket. The device would secure the ankles, heels, and toes of the user's footwear to a flat platform. The device would be integrated with an actual lid of a bucket and would not require additional assembly to secure the bucket. Further, the device would provide easy mobility and continuity of tasks without the need to descend, reposition, and re-ascend a ladder. Finally, the device would provide a cost effective, energy saving, space saving, efficient solution for vertical reach when performing construction and/or maintenance tasks in a residential or commercial environment. The present invention overcomes prior art shortcomings by accomplishing these critical objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of the specifications, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a device used for elevating the height of a user for tasks requiring additional height, including, but not limited to construction and/or maintenance tasks in a residential or commercial environment.
The preferred embodiment of the device comprises a pair of lids having a flat platform for receiving a footwear of a user and a pair of lifts attached to a pair of lids for elevating the pair of lids above a surface. The device further comprises a pair of adjustable binding assemblies attached to the pair of lids for securing the footwear to the flat platform. The pair of adjustable binding assemblies includes an ankle strap and a toe strap attached to each of the pair of lids on opposing sides thereof.
The ankle strap comprises a y-shaped plastic structure having a tail end and a pair of opposing head ends. The tail end is attached to each of the pair of lids by an attachment means. The ankle strap further comprises a first Velcro strip and a first adjustable strap attached to the pair of opposing head ends thereof, one on each side of the device. The toe strap comprises a pair of plastic strips attached to each of the pair of lids by the attachment means on opposing sides thereof. The toe strap further comprises a second Velcro strip and a second adjustable strap attached to the pair of plastic strips, one on each opposing side of the device. The ankle strap secures the ankle and heel of the footwear to the flat platform while the toe strap secures the toe of the footwear to the flat platform.
A first objective of the present invention is to provide a cost effective, energy saving, space saving, efficient solution for vertical reach when performing construction and/or maintenance tasks in a residential or commercial environment.
A second objective of the present invention is to provide a device that is integrated with an actual lid of a bucket and would not require additional assembly to secure the bucket.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a device that will allow easy mobility and continuity of tasks without the need to descend, reposition, and re-ascend a ladder.
A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a device that is adjustable and stable.
These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device for elevating height of a user;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the device;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the device;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the device showing a footwear attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a device 10 for elevating the height of a user. The device 10 comprises a pair of lids 12 having a flat platform 14 for receiving a footwear 16 (See FIG. 5) of the user and a pair of lifts 18 attached to the pair of lids 12 for elevating the pair of lids 12 above a surface. For the purpose of illustration, only one of the pair of the device 10 is shown in the figures. The device 10 further comprises a pair of adjustable binding assemblies 20 attached to the pair of lids 12 for securing the footwear 16 (See FIG. 5) to the flat platform 14. The device 10 is adapted to adjust the vertical height of the user while allowing for mobility and continuity of task. The device 10 provides an alternative to current solutions for tasks requiring additional height, including, but not limited to construction and/or maintenance tasks in a residential or commercial environment.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the device 10. The device 10 comprises the pair of adjustable binding assemblies 20 designed to fasten to a user's footwear 16 (See FIG. 5). The pair of adjustable binding assemblies 20 attached to each of the pair of lids 12 secure the ankles, heels, and toes of the user's footwear 16 (See FIG. 5) to the flat platform 14. The pair of adjustable binding assemblies 20 includes an ankle strap 22 and a toe strap 24. The ankle strap 22 and the toe strap 24 are attached to each of the pair of lids 12 on opposing sides 26, 28 thereof. The toe strap 24 further comprises a pair of plastic strips 30 attached to each of the pair of lids 12 by an attachment means 32 on opposing sides 34, 36 thereof. The toe strap 24 further comprises a second Velcro strip 38 and a second adjustable strap 40 attached to the pair of plastic strips 30, one on each opposing side 34, 36 of the device 10.
Referring to FIG. 3, a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the device 10 is illustrated. The ankle strap 22 further comprises a y-shaped plastic structure 42 having a tail end 44 and a pair of opposing head ends 46. The tail end 44 is attached to each of the pair of lids 12 by the attachment means 32. The ankle strap 22 further comprises a first Velcro strip 48 and a first adjustable strap 50 attached to the pair of opposing head ends 46 thereof, one on each side of the device 10. The ankle strap 22 secures the ankle and heel of the footwear 16 (See FIG. 5) to the flat platform 14 while the toe strap 24 secures the toe of the footwear 16 (See FIG. 5) to the flat platform 14. The attachment means 32 may be screws which are fused to the pair of lids 12 and does not obstruct the pair of lids 12 from fitting onto the pair of lifts 18.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the device 10. In the preferred embodiment, the device 10 is a bucket with a lid. The lid of the bucket is configured into the lid 12 of the device 10 and the bucket acts as the lift 18 of the device 10. The lift 18 averages 15 inches in height and provides the desired height to the user. The lid 12 may be of any shape (i.e. circular, rectangular, etc.), and will attach to the lift 18 ranging in height from up to 24 inches or more. The lift 18 may be replaced to adjust the height of the device 10.
Turning to FIG. 5, a side view of the preferred embodiment of the device 10 showing the footwear 16 attached is illustrated. The adjustable binding assemblies 20 attached to the pair of lids 12 secure the ankles, heels, and toes of the user's footwear 16 to the flat platform 14. The ankle strap 22 secures the ankle and heel of the footwear 16 while the toe strap 24 secures the toe of the footwear 16. The device 10 serves as an extension of the user. Thus when in use, the user will have easy mobility and continuity of tasks without the need to descend, reposition, and re-ascend a ladder.
The presently disclosed device 10 is advantageous because it assists a user in standing and walking about at an elevated height in a safe, convenient and economical manner. There is no need to constantly fold, carry, reposition or erect a step-ladder. Further, the device 10 is integrated with the actual lid of the bucket and does not require additional assembly to secure the bucket. Further, the device 10 is more efficient saving time and money.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for elevating height of a user, the device comprising:

a pair of lids having a flat platform for receiving a footwear of the user;

a pair of lifts attached to the pair of lids for elevating the pair of lids above a surface; and

a pair of adjustable binding assemblies attached to each of the pair of lids for securing the footwear to the flat platform;

whereby the device being adaptable to adjust vertical height of the user while allowing for mobility and continuity of task.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the pair of adjustable binding assemblies includes an ankle strap and a toe strap, the ankle strap and the toe strap attached to each of the pair of lids on opposing sides thereof.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the ankle strap further comprises:

a y-shaped plastic structure having a tail end and a pair of opposing head ends, the tail end being attached to each of the pair of lids by an attachment means;

a first Velcro strip attached to at least one of the pair of opposing head ends; and

a first adjustable strap attached to at least one of the pair of opposing head ends.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the toe strap further comprises:

a pair of plastic strips attached to each of the pair of lids by the attachment means on opposing sides thereof;

a second Velcro strip attached to at least one of the pair of plastic strips; and

a second adjustable strap attached to at least one of the pair of plastic strips.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the pair of lifts may be replaced to adjust height of the device.

6. A device for elevating height of a user, the device comprising:

a pair of lids having a flat platform for receiving a footwear of the user;

a pair of lifts attached to the pair of lids for elevating the pair of lids above a surface;

an ankle strap attached to each of the pair of lids for securing ankle and heel of the footwear to the flat platform; and

a toe strap attached to each of the pair of lids for securing toe of the footwear to the flat platform, the toe strap and the ankle strap attached to each of the pair of lids on opposing sides thereof;

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the ankle strap includes a y-shaped plastic structure having a tail end and a pair of opposing head ends, the tail end being attached to each of the pair of lids by an attachment means.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the y-shaped structure comprises a first Velcro strip and a first adjustable strap attached to the pair of opposing head ends.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the toe strap includes a pair of plastic strips attached to each of the pair of lids by the attachment means on opposing sides thereof.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the pair of plastic strips comprises a second Velcro strip and a second adjustable strap attached on opposing sides thereof.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein the pair of lifts may be replaced to adjust height of the device.

12. A device for elevating height of a user, the device comprising:

a pair of lids having a flat platform for receiving a footwear of the user;

an ankle strap attached to each of the pair of lids for securing ankle and heel of the footwear to the flat platform, the ankle strap having a y-shaped plastic structure, a first Velcro strip and a first adjustable strap; and

a toe strap attached to each of the pair of lids for securing toe of the footwear to the flat platform, the toe strap having a pair of plastic strips, a second Velcro strip and a second adjustable strap;

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the y-shaped plastic structure has a tail end and a pair of opposing head ends, the tail end being attached to each of the pair of lids by an attachment means.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the first Velcro strip and the first adjustable strap are attached to the pair of opposing head ends of the y-shaped plastic structure.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein the pair of plastic strips is attached to each of the pair of lids by the attachment means on opposing sides thereof.

16. The device of claim 12 wherein the second Velcro strip and the second adjustable strap are attached to the pair of plastic strips on opposing sides thereof.

17. The device of claim 12 wherein the pair of lifts may be replaced to adjust height of the device.