US20230180932A1

US20230180932A1 - Leveling Block Device

Info

Publication number: US20230180932A1
Application number: US18/062,145
Authority: US
Inventors: Kindel Callender
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-12-14
Filing date: 2022-12-06
Publication date: 2023-06-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a leveling block device for leveling uneven, legged furniture. The device is comprised of a base and a top member that may be comprised of flexible exterior walls or rigid exterior walls, comprised of at least one flexible interior wall. The flexible exterior walls and/or flexible interior wall conform to the leg of a legged structure such that the device is attached to the leg. The device may be of a plurality of different heights to allow for precise leveling to be achieved on any uneven ground surface. In a further embodiment, a first device can be stacked on at least one other device to achieve the desired height.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/289,256, which was filed on Dec. 14, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of stabilizing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a leveling block device comprised of a base and a top member that may be comprised of flexible exterior walls or rigid exterior walls comprised of at least one flexible interior wall. The flexible exterior walls and/or flexible interior wall conforms to the leg of a legged structure such that the device is attached to the leg. The device may be a plurality of different heights to allow for precise leveling to be achieved on any uneven ground surface. In a further embodiment, a first device can be stacked on at least one other device to achieve the desired height. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Legged furniture such as, but not limited to, chairs, tables, couches, etc., is often susceptible to uneven ground surfaces. As a result, said furniture is prone to wobbling. This creates an undesirable experience, especially if individuals are eating off a wobbling table or sitting on a wobbling chair. In addition, an unstable piece of a furniture can cause items on the furniture to fall and become broken.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a leveling device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a leveling block device that stabilizes uneven tables, chairs, and other legged structures. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a leveling block device that can be customized to the leveling height required to stabilize a legged structure on any surface.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a leveling block device. The device is comprised of a base and a top member that may be comprised of at least one interior wall. The top member may be comprised of flexible exterior walls or rigid exterior walls, comprised of at least one flexible interior wall. The flexible exterior walls and/or flexible interior wall conform to the leg of a legged structure such that the device is attached to the leg. The device may be of a plurality of different heights to allow for precise leveling to be achieved on any uneven ground surface. In another embodiment, a first device can be stacked on at least one other device to achieve the desired height. The device may also be comprised of at least one indicia that allows the device to blend in with the leg material of the legged structure.
In this manner, the leveling block device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a leveling device. The device can be used to stabilize uneven tables, chairs, and other legged structures. Due to the ability to stack multiple devices atop one another, the device can be customized to the leveling height required to stabilize a legged structure on any surface.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a leveling block device. The device is comprised of a base and a top member that may be comprised of at least one interior wall. The device is primarily comprised of a rigid plastic material. In one embodiment, the plastic material is flexible. More specifically, the interior wall may be flexible to conform to different leg shapes of furniture or other similar structures of the like.
In the preferred embodiment, the body is square in shape. However, the body may be a plurality of shapes in differing embodiments. The device may also be comprised of at least one indicia such as, but not limited to, a pattern, a logo, an emblem, an image, a symbol, a design, a letter, a word, a character, an animal, an advertisement, or a brand. The indicia may resemble wood grain or any exterior finish of the leg such that the device blends with the leg.
The base is preferably comprised of two sets of generally parallel side walls. The bottom edge of each side wall is preferably comprised of a non-slip rubber material. In this manner, the bottom edge does not slip on a ground surface during use.
The top member is fixedly attached atop the base and is preferably comprised of two sets of parallel exterior side walls. In one embodiment, the side walls are rigid. This embodiment has at least one flexible interior wall positioned within the border created by the side walls. However, the exterior walls may be flexible in one embodiment.
In an embodiment wherein the exterior side walls are flexible, the side walls contact the leg of a piece of furniture or other legged structure. The flexible side walls conform to the shape of the leg such that the device is secured to the leg. The device can be positioned under all, or each leg of the furniture as needed to level the furniture.
In an embodiment wherein the interior walls are flexible, the interior walls contact the leg of a piece of furniture or other legged structure. The flexible interior walls conform to the shape of the leg such that the device is secured to the leg. The device can be positioned under all, or each leg of the furniture as needed to level the furniture.
In one embodiment, the device can be stacked on at least one other device to achieve the desired height to level a piece of furniture. In this embodiment, the top member of a first device is inserted into a bottom opening of a second device. The non-slip bottom edge further ensures the second device remains secured to the first device. In this manner, a user can stack as many devices as needed to achieve the desired height.
Accordingly, the leveling block device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a leveling device that can be used to stabilize uneven tables, chairs, and other legged structures. Due to the ability to stack multiple devices atop one another, the device can be customized to the leveling height required to stabilize a legged structure on any surface. In this manner, the leveling block device provides a novel, universal solution to stabilizing uneven-legged structures.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device of the present invention while attached to a leg in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of two leveling block devices of the present invention while stacked in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of two embodiments of a bag of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a leveling device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a leveling block device that stabilizes uneven tables, chairs, and other legged structures. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a leveling block device that can be customized to the leveling height required to stabilize a legged structure on any surface.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a leveling block device comprised of a base and a top member that may be comprised of at least one interior wall. The device is primarily comprised of a rigid plastic material. However, in one embodiment, the plastic material is flexible. In one embodiment, the interior wall may be flexible to conform to different leg shapes of furniture or other similar structures of the like.
In the preferred embodiment the body is square in shape. However, the body may be a plurality of shapes in differing embodiments. The device may also be comprised of at least one indicia such as, but not limited to, a pattern, a logo, an emblem, an image, a symbol, a design, a letter, a word, a character, an animal, an advertisement, or a brand. In one embodiment, the indicia may resemble wood grain or any exterior finish of the leg such that the device blends with the leg.
The base is preferably comprised of two sets of generally parallel side walls. The bottom edge of each side wall is preferably comprised of a non-slip rubber material such that the bottom edge does not slip on a ground surface during use.
The top member is fixedly attached atop the base and is preferably comprised of two sets of parallel exterior side walls. In one embodiment, the side walls are rigid. This embodiment has at least one flexible interior wall positioned within the border created by the side walls. However, the exterior walls may be flexible in one embodiment.
In an embodiment with flexible exterior side walls, the side walls contact the leg of a piece of furniture or other legged structure. The flexible side walls conform to the shape of the leg such that the device is secured to the leg. The device can be positioned under all, or each leg of the furniture as needed to level the furniture.
In an embodiment wherein the interior walls are flexible, the interior walls contact the leg of a piece of furniture or other legged structure. The flexible interior walls conform to the shape of the leg such that the device is secured to the leg. The device can be positioned under all, or each leg of the furniture as needed to level the furniture.
The device can be stacked on at least one other device to achieve the desired height to level a piece of furniture in one embodiment. In this embodiment, the top member of a first device is inserted into a bottom opening of a second device. The non-slip bottom edge further ensures the second device remains secured to the first device. In this manner, a user can stack as many devices as needed to achieve the desired height.
Accordingly, the leveling block device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a leveling device that can be used to stabilize uneven tables, chairs, and other legged structures. Due to the ability to stack multiple devices atop one another, the device can be customized to the amount of leveling height required to stabilize a legged structure on any surface. In this manner, the leveling block device provides a novel, universal solution to stabilizing uneven-legged structures.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is comprised of a base 120 and a top member 170 that may be comprised of at least one interior wall 174. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a rigid plastic material such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc. However, in one embodiment, the plastic material is flexible. More specifically, the interior wall 174 may be flexible to conform to different leg 20 shapes of furniture or other similar structures of the like.
In the preferred embodiment, the body 110 is square in shape. However, the body 110 may be a plurality of shapes in differing embodiments. Said shapes include, but are not limited to, square, rectangular, triangular, circular, etc.
The device 100 may be any color known in the art. The device 100 may also be comprised of at least one indicia 180 such as, but not limited to, a pattern, a logo, an emblem, an image, a symbol, a design, a letter, a word, a character, an animal, an advertisement, or a brand. In one embodiment, the pattern resembles a wood grain or any exterior finish of the leg 20 such that the device 100 blends with the leg.
The base 120 is preferably comprised of two sets of generally parallel side walls 130. In one embodiment, each set of side walls 130 (or each sidewall) may be of different heights. In this manner, the device 100 can accommodate an unlevel floor surface.
FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The bottom edge 150 of each side wall 130 is preferably comprised of a rubber material. The material may be textured with a recessed or raised texture or may be non-textured. The material is preferably made from a non-slip material that improves grip such as, but not limited to, silicone, latex, neoprene, EPDM, PVC foam, polyethylene, sponge rubber, silicone foam, urethane, cork, ridged and/or recessed rubber, felt, acrylic, polyester & styrene-butadiene rubber, etc. In this manner, the bottom edge 150 does not slip on a ground surface during use. In addition, the bottom edge 150 does not slip when the device 100 is stacked on another device 100.
The top member 170 is fixedly attached atop the base 120. The top member 170 is preferably comprised of two sets of parallel exterior side walls 172. In one embodiment, the side walls 172 are rigid, wherein at least one interior wall 174 is positioned within the border created by the side walls 172 and is flexible. In another embodiment, the exterior side walls 172 are flexible.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device 100 of the present invention while attached to a leg 20 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In an embodiment wherein the exterior side walls 172 are flexible, the side walls 172 contact the leg 20 of a piece of furniture or other legged structure. The flexible side wall 172 conforms to the shape of the leg 20 such that the device 100 is secured to the leg 20. The device 100 can be positioned under all, or each leg 20 of the furniture as needed to level the furniture.
In an embodiment wherein the interior walls 174 are flexible, the interior walls 174 contact the leg 20 of a piece of furniture or other legged structure. The flexible interior walls 174 conform to the shape of the leg 20 such that the device 100 is secured to the leg 20. The device 100 can be positioned under all, or each leg 20 of the furniture as needed to level the furniture. This embodiment preferably has at least one interior wall 174. However, the device 100 may have any number of interior walls 174 that form any shape 190 such as, but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, a triangle, etc.
The device 100 may be any height. In this manner, different embodiments of the device 100 of different heights can be used as needed to level furniture. This is advantageous as not all floor surfaces are sloped to the same degree.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of two leveling block devices 100 of the present invention while stacked in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In another embodiment, one device 100 can be stacked on at least one other device 100 to achieve the desired height. In this embodiment, the top member 170 of a first device 100 is inserted into a bottom opening 160 of a second device 100. The non-slip bottom edge 150 further ensures the second device 100 remains secured to the first device 100. In this manner, a user can stack as many devices 100 as needed to achieve the desired height.
In one embodiment, any portion of the device 100 may be made from a magnetic, metal material. As a result, a first device 100 can magnetically attach to a second device 100. This embodiment may be comprised of flexible interior walls 174.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of two embodiments of a bag 200 of one potential embodiment of a leveling block device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 may also be comprised of a storage bag 200. The storage bag 200 may be in the form of a fabric bag or a rigid case. The bag 200 allows multiple devices 100 to be stored in a stacked fashion. The bag 200 may have at least one fixed or adjustable length handle 210 or strap. That allows the bag to be easily carried. The bag 200 may be comprised of at least one fastener 220 such as, but not limited to, a zipper, hook and loop, magnet, snap-button, etc., that allows the bag 200 to securely close.
In one embodiment, the bag 200 is instead a rigid case made from a rigid plastic material. The bag 200 may have at least one fixed or adjustable length handle 210 or strap. The bag 200 may also have a plurality of pull-out drawers 230 that allows a plurality of devices to be stored in each drawer 230 in a stacked fashion, as also shown in FIG. 5 .
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “leveling block device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the leveling block device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the leveling block device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the leveling block device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the leveling block device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the leveling block device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the leveling block device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A leveling block device comprising:

a base comprised having a bottom opening; and

a top member comprised of a first set of parallel exterior side walls and a second set of parallel exterior side walls.

2. The leveling block device of claim 1, wherein the top member is positioned on a top of the base.

3. The leveling block device of claim 1, wherein the first set of parallel exterior side walls is comprised of a flexible material.

4. The leveling block device of claim 1, wherein the second set of parallel exterior side walls is comprised of a flexible material.

5. The leveling block device of claim 1, wherein the first set of parallel exterior side walls and the second set of parallel exterior side walls form a shape.

6. The leveling block device of claim 5, wherein the shape is a square shape.

7. The leveling block device of claim 5, wherein the shape is a circle shape.

8. A leveling block device comprising:

a base having a bottom opening; and

a top member comprised of a first set of parallel exterior side walls, a second set of parallel exterior side walls, and an interior wall positioned within the first set of parallel exterior side walls and the second set of parallel exterior side walls.

9. The leveling block device of claim 8, wherein the interior wall is comprised of a flexible material.

10. The leveling block device of claim 8, wherein the interior wall forms a shape with the first set of parallel exterior side walls and the second set of parallel exterior side walls.

11. A leveling block device comprising:

a base having a bottom opening;

a top member comprised of a first set of parallel exterior side walls, a second set of parallel exterior side walls, and a set of four interior walls positioned within the first set of parallel exterior side walls and the second set of parallel exterior side walls; and

a storage bag.

12. The leveling block device of claim 11, wherein the set of four interior walls is comprised of a flexible material.

13. The leveling block device of claim 11, wherein the set of four interior walls form a shape.

14. The leveling block device of claim 13, wherein the shape is a square shape.

15. The leveling block device of claim 13, wherein the shape is a circle shape.

16. The leveling block device of claim 11, wherein the bag is comprised of a handle.

17. The leveling block device of claim 11, wherein the bag is comprised of a fastener.

18. The leveling block device of claim 17, wherein the fastener is comprised of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, a snap-button fastener, or a magnet fastener.

19. The leveling block device of claim 11, wherein a bottom edge of the base is comprised of a non-slip material.

20. The leveling block device of claim 19, wherein the non-slip material is comprised of a texture.