Anti-tip device for containers in the event of lateral forces

Abstract

Device for securing upright containers against tipping over, characterized in that movable, firmly connected components are arranged on or in the container, the position of which can be changed relative to the center of gravity of the container.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for preventing the tipping of upright containers in the event of transverse forces, according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claims 1 and 2.

[0002] Standing containers, such as flowerpots with dense plant growth, have relatively low stability against tipping; this means that, especially with flowerpots outdoors, lateral wind pressure on the plants frequently causes them to tip over. To prevent this, there are several state-of-the-art solutions available.

[0003] From DE 1931728 U, a base is known that comprises a horizontal plinth with radial grooves into which vertical angle pieces are inserted. A base according to the invention consists mainly of a horizontal plinth with radial grooves whose narrowed end opens onto the top of the plinth and which serve to receive nuts that interact with screws to secure vertical angle pieces slidably arranged in the grooves. By pre-selecting a suitable position for each angle piece along its corresponding groove before its releasable fastening in the groove, the size of the inner space delimited by the angle pieces is adapted to the shape of the pot whose lower part is placed in the support thus formed.

[0004] A device for increasing the stability of plant containers, such as flower pots and the like, is proposed in DE 000019640881 A1; it consists of a concrete ring with a through-opening approximately adapted to the shape of the flower pot. The through-opening is dimensioned such that the flower pot cannot tip out of the opening in the concrete ring when subjected to a lateral force.

[0005] AT 507 881 B1 proposes a tipping prevention device in which the container is clamped at the base between the feet, and which are connected to each other via adjustable strip elements. This significantly reduces the risk of tipping over by increasing the radial footprint of pots or other upright containers, such as those used for storing umbrellas. This tipping prevention device can be specifically adapted to the respective situation. This applies to the adaptation to the circumference and shape of the container; furthermore, the number of feet used can vary, and their arrangement around the container can also deviate from the symmetrical arrangement that is practical in most applications.For example, if a pot is placed against a wall or in a corner, this anti-tip device can be adapted to this situation by attaching the feet asymmetrically to the container.

[0006] DE 20 2008 007 263 U1 describes a holder for flower pots with an upright stand which has a recess into which a flower pot can be hung with its upper collar.

[0007] For example, DE 20 2009 001 221 U1 shows a tilt protection device for flower pots in which weights are inserted into the flower pot, thereby lowering the center of gravity and reducing the acting moment.

[0008] DE20 2011 102347 U1 describes a stabilizing device for flower pots, flower tubs, plant containers and similar containers, wherein a fixing means is used to secure the container to the stabilizing device and at least one anchoring means is used to anchor the stabilizing device on and / or in the ground where the container is located.

[0009] A tilt prevention device for plant stakes of any kind, consisting of a vertical, hollow rod into which any vertical rod is inserted and which is attached to a base plate, is proposed in DE20 2015000870-U1. The tilt prevention is achieved by the flowerpot and the surrounding soil.

[0010] The anti-tip device for pots, flowerpots, and planters proposed in DE20 2015 006399 U1 consists of a ring or hoop with three or more supports. These supports are adjustable and attached to the ring or hoop. This allows for flexible adjustment to suit the specific characteristics of the pot, flowerpot, or planter. The supports can also be replaced with longer ones or ones of a different shape. The user also has the option of determining the length of the supports after the ring or hoop has been attached.

[0011] Patent DE20 2020 102060 U1 describes a flowerpot with a container that is open at the top when installed, for holding plants and / or soil, and a holder that can be detachably attached to the container. This holder has at least two different fastening elements. The container, in turn, has at least one receiving groove, and the holder has at least one guide projection, wherein the at least one receiving groove and the at least one guide projection are adapted to each other in such a way that the holder can be connected to the container in a positive-locking and / or force-locking manner. The holder serves, for example, to attach the container to a wall or a railing. The positive-locking connection provides particularly strong protection against falling or strong storms.

[0012] All of the aforementioned intellectual property rights have in common that the tilt protection is achieved by a second component that is easily detachable from the container and not permanently connected, and which must always be manually connected to the container with a certain amount of effort in use, possibly also using various tools.

[0013] It is therefore proposed according to the invention that the anti-tip device for the upright container consists of at least one second, movable component permanently connected to the container and only detachable with considerable effort, and that this anti-tip device is activated by a simple and quick change in the position of this component, requiring no tools and only minimal manual effort. This problem is solved by a device according to claims 1 and 2. Further developments of the device are the subject of the respective dependent claims. The second, movable component is, for example, a support made of tubes or flat profiles or similar material that can be pulled out of the container, which can be arranged at different heights in the container and which includes a handle and / or engagement at its outer end.Alternatively, these components can be pushed out of the container by springs, with the components then being held in place after being pushed in by, for example, a snap or magnetic connection. Another embodiment involves manually folding out at least one extendable support from the container wall, where it is held in place by, for example, a snap mechanism. The extension is achieved by pushing out a pipe section or flat profile from a hollow profile using a spring or by manual pulling. Before folding back in, this pipe section or flat profile is manually pushed back into the hollow profile against the spring force or manually. A further embodiment involves flaps that can be manually folded out of the container wall at the bottom of the container using a rotary device, typically by 90 degrees. These flaps have a corresponding engagement mechanism.When unfolded, the flaps are flush with the bottom of the container. If these flaps are located on the side wall of a container that, for example, has an upwardly widened cross-section or a sloping container wall, only the tips of the flaps are flush with the bottom. Furthermore, the container wall can be double-walled, with the outer wall hinged outwards via a rotating mechanism connected to the inner container wall.

[0014] The invention is described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1: Container tilt protection with pull-out components, side view Fig. 2: Container tilt protection with pull-out components, top view Fig. 3: Container tilt protection with components that can be pulled out at different levels, side view Fig. 4: Container tilt protection with components that can be pulled out at different levels, top view Fig. 5: Container tilt protection using spring-loaded, extendable components, side view Fig. 6: Container tipping protection with fold-out and extendable supports Fig. 7: Container tipping protection with movable flaps on the container bottom, side view Fig. 8: Container tilt protection with movable flaps on the container bottom, top view Fig. 9: Container tilt protection with movable flaps on the container bottom, top view Fig. 10: Container tilt protection with movable flaps in a sloping container wall, side view Fig. 11: Container tilt protection with movable flaps in a sloping container wall, top view

[0015] Fig. Figure 1 shows a container 1 with a container wall 10 and a bottom opening 5 in a side view. The container 1 has at least one guide groove 4 in its bottom, which is adapted to the cross-section of at least one extendable support 3. The support 3 is movably arranged back and forth in the guide groove 4; at its end, it includes a handle 2 with an engagement 7. A locking device, not shown here, is provided at the opposite end of the support 3, such as a catch on a door, which prevents the support from being fully extended. A recess for receiving the catch is provided in the container wall, also not shown here. Fig. 2 shows container 1 of the Fig. 1 in the top view, with the intervention 7 not shown.

[0016] To allow for extended extension of the supports, the guide grooves are arranged at different heights, see Fig. 3. The guide grooves 4 with the support 3 are still located near the bottom of the container 23; in the plane above, the guide grooves 6 with the supports 22 are arranged. The supports 22 have a handle 24 with an engagement 7, the handle 24 extending to the bottom of the container 23. Fig. Figure 4 shows container 1 in the Fig. 3 in the top view. Here too, a locking device (not shown) is provided which prevents complete removal.

[0017] To facilitate the removal of the supports 3, 22, they are pushed out by at least one spring 9, which is compressed beforehand by manual force when the supports are inserted. The tensioned state of the spring 4 is maintained by a locking device, such as a catch 8, which is released manually. Here, too, a locking device (not shown) is provided that prevents complete removal.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a container 1 with a container wall 10, which has at least one recess 18 for receiving an extendable, fold-out support 25. This support 25 consists of a hollow body 13 in which a pipe section 14 is longitudinally movably arranged. This pipe section 14 is pushed out of the hollow body 13 by a spring 9, so that the total support length is greater than the container height. The pipe section has a locking device (not shown) at the end located in the hollow body, which prevents the pipe section from sliding completely out of the hollow body and holds it in a specific end position. At the opposite end, the pipe section 14 also has a locking device, such as a catch 8.With this catch 8, the support 25 is held in the recess 18 of the container wall 10 after it has been folded into it. The recess 18 has corresponding indentations 15 into which the catch 8 can engage. Before the support is folded into the recess, the pipe section 14 is inserted into the hollow body against the spring force, with an engagement 7 provided for this purpose in the pipe section 14. The support 25 is held in the container wall of the recess by a rotatable bolt 11 with two small pins on its end faces. A retaining device 12 is provided in the upper part of the recess 18, in the simplest case a small horizontal crossbar, which prevents the support from folding out too far or holds the support in a specific end position when unfolded.

[0019] Fig. Figure 7 shows the container 1 with flaps 19, for example made of flat profiles, on the container bottom 23, which have engagements 7. By means of these engagements, they can be rotated outwards from the recesses provided in the container (not shown here) via a hinge, the hinge having eyelets 20 with a pivot pin 17. Fig. Figure 8 shows the corresponding top view. Fig. Figure 9 shows container 1 in a top view in a round design of the container.

[0020] Fig. Figure 10 shows the container 1 with large flaps 21 integrated into recesses 18 in the container wall 10. The outward rotation of these flaps is ensured by a hinge 20, 17, whereby in this design the engagement 7 for folding out is located in the container wall. Fig.Figure 11 shows the corresponding top view. It is immediately apparent to those skilled in the art that, with a vertical container wall, the flaps 21 can cover the entire container wall, with the hinges for the flaps being located at the container edges in the case of a rectangular container cross-section; in the case of a round container cross-section, they can be arranged arbitrarily. This then constitutes a type of double-walled construction of the container, with the outer wall being hinged. Reference symbol: 1 container 2 handles 3 supports 4 guide grooves 5 Container bottom opening 6 guide groove 7 Procedure 8 snappers 9 spring 10 Container wall 11 bolts 12 Holding device 13 hollow bodies 14 pieces of pipe, including square pipe, hollow profile 15 In-depth study 16 pivot pins 17 bolts 18 recess 19 flaps 20 eyelets 21 flaps 22 support 23 Container bottom 24 handle 25 support QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 1931728 U

[0003] DE 000019640881 A1

[0004] AT 507 881 B1

[0005] DE 20 2008 007 263 U1

[0006] DE 20 2009 001 221 U1

[0007] DE 20 2011 102347 U1

[0008] DE 20 2015000870-U1

[0009] DE 20 2015 006399 U1

[0010] DE 20 2020 102060 U1

[0011]

Claims

[1] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over, characterized by , that movable, firmly connected components are arranged on or in the container, the position of which can be changed relative to the container's center of gravity. [2] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claim 1, characterized by that laterally extendable components, preferably with a round or square cross-section, are arranged in the bottom of the container and that these components, which may also be arranged at different heights in the container, have a handle with engagement at the outer end and that complete extension and retention in the bottom of the container is prevented by at least one locking device. [3] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by that the lower ends of the handles are on a level with the bottom of the container. [4] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the laterally extendable components additionally have a locking mechanism in the container wall at the head end and that these components are pushed out by spring force after manual release of the locked connection. [5] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claim 1, characterized by that components which can be folded out laterally from the bottom of the container, preferably flat or curved depending on the container design, are arranged and these components have an engagement at the outer head end and are connected to the container wall at the opposite end via a rotary mechanism. [6] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claims 1 and 5, characterized by, that the components which can be folded out laterally from the bottom of the container also have a locking mechanism in the container wall at the head end and are folded out by spring force after the locked connection is released by means of a spring which is connected to the rotary mechanism. [7] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claim 1, characterized by that telescopic components are integrated into a recess in the container wall, which are connected to the container wall via a rotary mechanism, and which can be folded out and extended by means of an intervention, wherein the ends of these components are on a plane with the bottom of the container when folded out and extended, and wherein the telescopic components can be extended by spring force or manually, and excessive unfolding is prevented by a stop in the container wall. [8] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claims 1 and 7, characterized by that the components have at least one locking option in the recess of the container wall and that the rotary mechanism has a spring which opens the flaps after: releasing the locked connection. [9] Device for securing upright containers against tipping over according to claim 1, characterized by that the components are integrated and fastened in a recess in the container wall with a rotary mechanism, wherein the container wall has an engagement so that these components can be folded out and the tips of the components are on a plane with the container bottom when folded out, or wherein the recess can encompass the entire container wall, and the end face of the components allows engagement for folding out.

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