Anti-Tipover and Seismic Securement System

Abstract

A tipover prevention and seismic securement system for securing furniture and appliances from tipping over. The system employs mounts which are engaged to a surface of an article to be secured. A planar belt having apertures therein provides a tether between the mount through an engagement with projections on the mount and apertures in the belt at a first end and a securement position at a second end. Translating members secure the belt in its engagement to the mount. The translating members once engaged must be unlocked to allow removal thereof and subsequent removal of the belt.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation in part and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 176,388 filed on Jul. 5, 2011 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 361,298, filed on Jul. 2, 2010, both of which are incorporated in their entirety by this reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the stabilization of objects such as furniture, electronics and appliances. More particularly it relates to a securement system for preventing the toppling and / or migrating of objects such as file cabinets, furniture, electronic equipment and the like, should they become top heavy or unbalanced during use, climbed upon by children, or should they be subjected to the forces of a seismic event such as an earthquake.[0004]2. Background of the Invention[0005]Securing objects from toppling and from position-migration has, in recent years, become the subject of much attention and recommend...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a device and method for securing objects to walls and ceilings to prevent them from toppling or moving around during use or an earthquake. The device is easy to install and looks attractive once installed. Its widespread use is encouraged to prevent accidents and improve safety.

Problems solved by technology

Studies have shown that people, especially children, can be severely injured by common household objects should they topple over.

While residents of earthquake prone areas are aware of this and generally take steps to prevent toppling of large objects such as file cabinets, big screen televisions, dressers, and the like, this is not the case in areas of the country not prone to seismic events.

However, such large and top heavy objects are just as easily toppled by mis-loading or mis-use as by an earthquake.

A large bookcase or top heavy dresser falling on a child can cause significant injury or death.

In the case of earthquakes, the threat of toppling of furniture and expensive electronics is increased due to movement of floors in homes and offices.

Should the furniture or appliance or other large object be top heavy from loading or from its basic design, seismic movements generated by an earthquake increase the risk of the object tipping over resulting in possible injury to occupants of the building.

Further, even if large or expensive items and equipment do not topple during an earthquake, they are still prone to position-migration due to the floor surface movement during a seismic event.

Such movement can cause other damage or cause items supported by a migrating piece of furniture to topple.

It is the realization that injury and death can result from tip-overs during use, and toppling and object migration during earthquakes, which have caused concerned people and businesses to undergo retrofits of property to secure objects and expensive items inside a building to enhance household and business seismic safety.

All such systems can be hard to install and are easily installed backwards where they may not function correctly.

However, this patent is subject to the correct sizing of the length of the cable by the user and resulting problems should it be cut too long.

Further, it is not particularly aesthetic and therefor is less likely to be employed by some home or business users.

However, Konkle by employing such a zip-tie, limits the engagement there to a single use whereafter another tie must be employed.

Further, the mounts have edges that could be prone to cut the plastic tie during a sharp movement of the object and the plastic in the tie itself can be affected by sunlight over time.

Bennett, however, employs a plastic strap which can be severely weakened by UV sunlight.

Such a device should be easily understood and employed during installation by professional and household users alike, such that it cannot be installed backwards or improperly.

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