US20070022939A1

US20070022939A1 - Wet floor warning device

Info

Publication number: US20070022939A1
Application number: US11/306,876
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Stokes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-27
Filing date: 2006-01-13
Publication date: 2007-02-01

Abstract

A warning device, comprising a top portion, and a plurality of sides extending from the top portion that are joined to one another to collectively form an interior void. A fan is positioned within the device for diverting air through the interior void, and at least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a wet floor warning device, and more particularly, to a nestable, rechargeable wet floor sign and fan combination.
In many instances, such as in a restaurant or department store, a drink is spilled, a roof leaks, or water is tracked into the entranceway from a rainy environment by pedestrians which causes moisture to accumulate in a concentrated area on the surface of a heavily traveled floor. This wet area is potentially hazardous to a passerby not aware of the moisture. Therefore, to warn a passerby of this potentially dangerous area, a free standing floor sign is placed over or near the area. However, this floor sign only warns a passerby of the area and serves no additional function.
Prior art inventions have sought to add an element to the common floor sign to not only warn a passerby of the potentially dangerous area, but serve in a clean-up capacity. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D328,615 discloses an ornamental design for a portable floor sign and fan unit.
United States Publication No. 2003/0115783 discloses a combined floor drier and caution sign. The device is a portable, free-standing floor sign comprising a frame covered with panels attached to each other. The bottom portion of the frame includes a fan unit that is powered by a rechargeable battery or an electrical cord. When the device is placed over a wet area, the fan directs air downward to dry the area. The device is also equipped with warning messages such as “WARNING”, “WET FLOOR”, “SLIPPERY SURFACE” or the like to warn a passerby of the potentially dangerous wet area.
The prior art devices have several disadvantages. The devices are not nestable, allowing for easy transport and storage, and do not include an electrical interface which allows the devices to recharge when nested together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved floor sign and fan unit combination.
It is another object of the invention to provide a warning to a passerby of a wet area while at the same time drying the area.
It is another object of the invention to provide a floor sign and fan unit that is designed to be nested together for easy transport and storage.
It is another object of the invention to provide a floor sign and fan unit with an electrical interface that allows for the battery of the fan unit to be recharged while the invention is nested together.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a warning device, comprising a top portion, and a plurality of sides extending from the top portion that are joined to one another to collectively form an interior void. A fan is positioned within the device for diverting air through the interior void, and at least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the warning device includes warning messages for alerting a passerby of a potentially dangerous area.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a switch activates and deactivates the supply of power to the fan.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, rechargeable batteries supply power to the fan.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a base engages the warning device for supplying power to recharge the batteries contained therein.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the collar depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for deactivating the supply of current to the fan.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, an electrical interface on the top portion of the device receives a power supply to recharge the batteries contained therein.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a warning device, comprising a top portion, a plurality of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another to collectively form an interior void, and a fan positioned within the device for diverting air through the interior void. A rechargeable power source supplies power to the fan, and an electrical interface positioned on the top portion is adapted to receive power input for recharging the power source.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one collar is located within the interior void that engages the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical interface comprises a female portion and a male portion, wherein the female portion is adapted to receive the male portion of a like warning device for simultaneous charging in the nested arrangement.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical interface is interconnected to adjacent electrical interfaces, when in the nested arrangement, for facilitating the flow of current therethrough for recharging the batteries contained therein.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a warning device, comprising a top portion, a plurality of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another to collectively form an interior void, and a fan positioned within the device for diverting air through the interior void. At least one collar is located within the interior void that engages the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement. A rechargeable power source supplies power to the fan, and an electrical interface is positioned on the top portion and adapted to receive a power input for recharging the power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wet floor warning device;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the wet floor warning device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wet floor warning device in a nested arrangement;
FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of the wet floor warning device in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wet floor warning device in the nested arrangement;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a recharging base;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wet floor warning device vertically aligned with the recharging base;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wet floor warning device connected to a power cord;
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the wet floor warning device connected to a power cord;
FIG. 10 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of a device vertically aligned with another device; and
FIG. 11 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of a device positioned on the top of another device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an exemplary wet floor warning device is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is shown generally at reference numeral 10. As illustrated, the device 10 has four sides 12 which are connected to a top 14 that houses a fan unit 16. However, any suitable number of sides 12 can be used. The sides 12 are in a spaced apart relationship forming an interior void within. The fan unit 16 is positioned to direct air in between the sides of the device 10, while having a low profile which is substantially flush with the top 14 and extending into the interior void. Each side 12 has slits 18 formed therethrough and warning messages 20 disposed thereon between the slits 18.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fan unit 16 comprises fan blades 22 connected to an arcuate member 24 that is rotatably mounted to a housing 26. A protective grill 28 is located above the housing 26 for prohibiting the intrusion of items into the fan blades 22, such as a child's fingers. The housing 26 fits within a centrally located bore 30 positioned in the top 14 of the device 10, having an outwardly extending flange 32 for engaging the top lip of the housing 26. An electrical connector 34, having a female and male end, and switch 36 are located adjacent the fan unit 16. In the illustrated example, the electrical connector 34 contains two prongs, and the switch 36 is a rocker switch of a known type. However, any suitable number or shaped prongs can be used, as well as any type of switch.
Each device 10 is equipped with at least one rechargeable battery 38 providing power to the fan unit 16. In the illustrated example, two 12 Volt rechargeable batteries 38, arranged in series, supply the necessary power to the fan unit 16. The batteries 38 are recharged via an electrical connector 34 that receives power from an external power source, and can either recharge the batteries 38 or power the fan unit 16. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the female end of the electrical connector 34 is located on the top 14 of the device 10, while the male end is located underneath the top 14 facing downward into the interior void. As mentioned previously, the sides 12 of the device 10 contain slits 18, wherein the upper portion of the slit 18 contains a fin 40 that extends angularly downward for directing air towards a wet area under or near the device 10. On the inner portion of the sides 12, ribs 42 extend from the sides 12 to the inner portion of the slits 18. During stacking, the ribs 42 serve as a guide to expeditiously and effectively mate the male end with the female end of adjacent electrical connectors.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of devices 10 are able to be stacked one-upon-the-other in a nested arrangement for easy transport and storage. The interior void of the device 10 is designed to accept a second device 10′ to substantially fill the entire void, as shown in FIG. 5. While in the nested arrangement, the male portion of the electrical connector 34 on the uppermost device 10 is mated to the female portion of the electrical connector 34′ on the second device 10′. The dimensions of the devices 10 and interior void are designed to allow a second device 10′ to fill substantially all of the interior void, thus providing a solid stacking arrangement that is not susceptible to bending moments. In addition, the fan unit 16, batteries 38, electrical connector 34, and switch 36, as shown in FIG. 2, are as low profile as possible to not unduly burden the stacking arrangement.
In one embodiment, a recharging base 44, as shown in FIG. 6, is used to supply the appropriate amount of power to recharge the batteries (not shown). In the illustrated example, the base 44 has four sides 46, including optional slits 48 and optional fins 50, that are connected to a top 52 having a spring-loaded rocker switch 54 and an electrical connector 56. A cord 58 is connected to the male end of the electrical connector 56 located underneath the top 52, which can be inserted into any standard electrical outlet. As shown in FIG. 7, the device 10 is placed on the base 44, with the base 44 filling substantially all of the interior void of the device 10. The male end of the of the electrical connector (not shown) of the device 10 mates with the female end of the electrical connector (not shown) of the base 44, forming a circuit therebetween for the passage of current. This circuit is expanded as additional devices 10 are stacked upon the base 44. Preferably, the base 44 includes the same configuration and similar dimensions as the device 10 it is intended to engage.
Alternatively, an electrical cord 58 may be connected directly to the electrical connector 34 of the device 10 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for recharging. Depending upon the configuration of the cord 58, one end is inserted into either the female or male end of the electrical connector 34, while the opposite end is inserted into an external power source, such as a standard electrical outlet. This arrangement allows the battery to be recharged without the use of the recharging base 44, or, in the alternative, the fan unit 16 can be operated by power supplied by the outlet. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 8, the device may be stacked upon at least one more device (not shown) to recharge a plurality of devices simultaneously. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 9, at least one more device (not shown) can be stacked upon the device 10 allowing a plurality of devices to recharge.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, when a device 10 is “over top” a second device 10′ during stacking, a collar 60 of the device 10 is vertically aligned with the switch 36′ of the second device 10′. As the device 10 is placed upon the second device 10′, the collar 60 depresses the below located switch 36′ to the “off” position, as shown in FIG. 11. The collar 60 engages the second device 10′, preventing further vertical movement, while providing a solid nested arrangement. This prevents the fan units 16 from operating while the batteries 38 are being recharged while in the nested arrangement, thereby allowing the batteries 38 to fully and properly recharge. The same concept is employed with respect to the base 44, except the collar 60 depresses the switch 54 to the “on” position, closing the charging circuit to start the charging cycle.
When needed, the device 10 is placed on or near a wet area on a surface. The switch 36 is turned to the “on” position, which supplies power to the fan unit 16. The fan blades 22 of the fan unit 16 rotate to direct air 62 through the fan unit 16, in-between the sides 12. The air 62 is pushed through the slits 18 and notches 64 of the device 10, and ultimately, sheets out over the wet area, as shown in FIG. 1. The fan unit 16 operates continuously to direct air 62 over the surface of the wet area, while the device 10 and warning messages 20 alert passerbys of the potential hazard.
A wet floor warning device is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A warning device, comprising:

(a) a top portion;

(b) a plurality of sides extending from the top portion and joined to one another to collectively form an interior void;

(c) a fan positioned within the device for diverting air through the interior void; and

(d) at least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement.

2. A warning device according to claim 1, including warning messages for alerting a passerby of a potentially dangerous area.

3. A warning device according to claim 1, including a switch for activating and deactivating the supply of power to the fan.

4. A warning device according to claim 1, including rechargeable batteries to supply power to the fan.

5. A warning device according to claim 1, including a base that engages the device for supplying power to recharge the batteries contained therein.

6. A warning device according to claim 3, wherein the collar depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for deactivating the supply of current to the fan.

7. A warning device according to claim 4, including an electrical interface on the top portion of the device for receiving a power supply to recharge the batteries contained therein.

8. A warning device according to claim 7, wherein the electrical interface is interconnected to adjacent electrical interfaces when in the nested arrangement for facilitating the flow of current therethrough for recharging the batteries contained therein.

9. A warning device, comprising:

(a) a top portion;

(c) a fan positioned within the device for diverting air through the interior void;

(d) a rechargeable power source for supplying power to the fan; and

(e) an electrical interface positioned on the top portion adapted to receive power for recharging the power source.

10. A warning device according to claim 9, including at least one collar formed within the interior void for engaging the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement.

11. A warning device according to claim 9, wherein the electrical interface comprises a female portion and a male portion, wherein the female portion is adapted to receive the male portion of a like warning device for simultaneous charging in the nested arrangement.

12. A warning device according to claim 9, including a base that engages the device for supplying an electrical current to recharge the batteries contained therein.

13. A warning device according to claim 9, including a switch for activating and deactivating the supply of current to the fan.

14. A warning device according to claim 11, wherein the electrical interface is interconnected to adjacent electrical interfaces, when in the nested arrangement, for facilitating the flow of current therethrough for recharging the batteries contained therein.

15. A warning device according to claims 10 and 13, wherein the collar depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for deactivating the supply of current to the fan.

16. A warning device, comprising:

(a) a top portion;

(d) at least one collar located within the interior void for engaging the top portion of a like device, wherein substantially all of the interior void is filled by the like device, forming a nested arrangement;

(e) a rechargeable power source for supplying power to the fan; and

(f) an electrical interface positioned on the top portion adapted to receive a power input for recharging the power source.

17. A warning device according to claim 16, wherein the electrical interface comprises a female portion and a male portion, wherein the female portion is adapted to receive the male portion of a like warning device for simultaneous charging in the nested arrangement.

18. A warning device according to claim 16, including a base that engages the device for supplying an electrical current to the rechargeable power source contained therein.

19. A warning device according to claim 16, including a switch for activating and deactivating the supply of current to the fan.

20. A warning device according to claim 19, wherein the collar depresses the switch while in the nested arrangement for deactivating the supply of current to the fan.