Adjuster Foot

10 Inventor: Jimmy-Quang Viet-Doan

15

20

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved adjustment device which is particularly useful in adjusting the height of a vertical stud. While this invention will be discussed in connection with the construction industry, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited in this way. This invention may have broader applications such as in furniture assembly, leveling tables, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often times desirable to allow for adjustment of certain vertical studs to achieve a height for a frame for example. As such, it is the aim of this invention to provide for a device that permits for adjustment of possibly heavy loads that is easy to achieve with minimal struggle and manpower.

This invention represents an advancement on the invention disclosed in WO 02/099214 (National Phase in US 10/727,987). The invention disclosed in WO 02/099214 (hereinafter referred to as '214) also discusses an adjustment device to aid in adjusting vertical heights. However, the '214 invention anticipates a more manual adjustment by a user and does not include the easy access for use with a tool to aid in adjustment. Accessibility for a tool can be a desirable addition especially in the cases of a heavy load.

As such this invention discloses an adjuster foot that provides for use of a bolt to provide for the mechanical function of raising or lowering an item. The use of such bolt will allow for higher loads to be adjusted in an easier fashion. It also allows for continuous, as opposed to incremental, adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides for an adjuster device comprising: a base including a sleeve; an adjustable nut and bolt housed inside said sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve will fit into the base in a rigidly fixed manner. The sleeve may be a permanent fixture on the base or may be removable depending on a user's needs. The sleeve may further include a plurality of grooves which are parallel to each other. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that grooves may be dependant on the item using this invention. The bolt runs through the sleeve and fits into the nut in an adjustable manner.

While within the sleeve, one set of grooves are on one side of the bolt and another set of grooves are on the other side of the bolt.

The item to be adjusted, in most situations likely a frame for construction purposes, further comprises an element adapted to engage the sleeve and run along the grooves as the item is raised or lowered in a desired fashion.

When the bolt turns the nut, they are able to move freely through the sleeve and cither raise or lower the item needing adjustment. The item to be adjusted moves freely along the grooves by way of an element adapted to engage the grooves while the bolt is turned from the nut. The rotating of the nut and bolt may be done through the use of a tool such as an alien wrench or a drill for example. One skilled in the art will recognize that manual loosening can also be anticipated. The bolt is to be in a position that allows for accessibility by any such tool. The nut and bolt simply provide for the mechanical

means of raising or lowering the item to be adjusted. Each time the bolt is turned, the nut is forcibly raised or lowered.

One skilled in the art will recognize that it is also desirable for this adjuster foot to be able to provide tension as well as or as an alternative to compression. In other words, it is desirable that the device be able to "pull" as well as "push".

Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of the drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts the frame with the vertical stud.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjuster foot. FIG. 3 is a view of the adjuster foot in the raised position. FIG. 4 is a view of the adjuster foot in the lowered position. FIG. 5 is a view depicting the use of a tool to raise or lower the adjuster foot, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In its preferred embodiment, this adjuster foot 2 for adjusting the vertical height of an item comprises a base 6 including a sleeve 8 further comprising a plurality of grooves 10 and an adjustable nut 12 and bolt 14 housed inside said sleeve 8. Referring to Figs. I, 3-5, the item to be adjusted is a frame 4. Turning to Fig. 2 details a view of the adjuster foot components. The base 6 rigidly mounts the sleeve 8 into an upright position. The sleeve 8 comprises a plurality of grooves 10 that are parallel to each other. The bolt 14 runs through a washer 20 and through the sleeve 8 where it is joined with the nut 12 at the bottom of the sleeve 8. The

plurality of grooves 10 run on either side of the bolt 14 with one set on one side of the bolt 14 and another set on the other side.

When a user desires to raise or lower the frame 4 the bolt 14 can be turned with the aid of a tool as seen in Fig. 5. This turning of the bolt 14 in turn causes the nut 12 to forcibly raise or lower the frame 4 within the plurality of grooves 10 on the sleeve 8 by way of an element 18 adapted to engage the sleeve 8. The nut 12 provides the necessary support for the frame 4.

The invention may be described in terms of claims that can assist the skilled reader in understanding the various aspects and preferments of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

λs will be appreciated by those skilled in the various arts, this invention disclosed herein is not limited to the examples set our above and has wide application m many areas. This invention represents a significant advance in the art of adjustment devices.