The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1993
Christopher P Cullen, Ipswich, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A bistable element enables control of an adjustable member, e.g. an adjustable leg, by selectively positioning an engaging element that can selectively prevent retraction. Preferably, the bistable element enables control in two regimes by positioning an engaging piece that can bear on the adjustable member. In one stable configuration, the bistable element enables a first regime, by positioning an engaging piece to frictionally bear upon the adjustable member to prevent retraction but enable free extension so that once the device is adjusted for a given support surface, the article is positively locked against tipping even if the load on the article is shifted. In another stable configuration, the bistable element enables a second regime by positioning the engaging piece such that the adjustable member is freely retractable and extendible so that the mechanism can be readjusted when the article is moved to a different surface.