Devices and methods for passing an item through an opening

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11084164-B2
Application number	US-201916281017-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2019
Priority date	Feb 20, 2019
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device to assist in confined space entry. The device includes a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first end positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second end opposite the first end and positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface. The device also includes a channel in the housing extending from the bottom surface in a direction towards the top surface, wherein the channel is between the first end and the second end. The device also includes a first roller rotatably coupled to the first end of the housing via a first pin, and a second roller rotatably coupled to the second end of the housing via a second pin.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first end positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second end opposite the first end and positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface;
a channel in the housing extending from the bottom surface in a direction towards the top surface, wherein the channel is between the first end and the second end;
a first roller rotatably coupled to the first end of the housing via a first pin, wherein a width of the first roller extends past the first end of the housing; and
a second roller rotatably coupled to the second end of the housing via a second pin, wherein a width of the second roller extends past the second end of the housing.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the channel includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, and a contact surface positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein at least a portion of the contact surface is parallel to the top surface of the housing, and wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are both perpendicular to the top surface of the housing.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the top surface of the housing is substantially flat, and wherein the bottom surface of the housing is angled from the first sidewall of the channel towards the first end of the housing and from the second sidewall of the channel towards the second end of the housing.

4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the bottom surface includes a first radius of curvature between the first sidewall and the bottom surface, and wherein the bottom surface includes a second radius of curvature between the second sidewall and the bottom surface.

5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the contact surface in the channel is substantially flat along its length.

6. The device of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the contact surface in the channel includes a radius of curvature.

7. The device of claim 2 , further comprising:
a foam material positioned in the channel on one or more of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the contact surface.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein a height of the first roller and a height of the second roller extends above the top surface of the housing.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein a height of the first roller is equal to a height of the second roller.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein a height of the first roller is different than a height of the second roller.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first roller is removably coupled to the first end of the housing, and wherein the second roller is removably coupled to the second end of the housing.

12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third roller rotatably coupled to the second end of the housing via a third pin, wherein the second roller is positioned between the first roller and the third roller.

13. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first cutout in the top surface of the housing, wherein the first cutout extends inward from a first edge of the housing, and wherein the first cutout is connected to the channel; and
a second cutout in the top surface of the housing, wherein the second cutout extends inward from a second edge of the housing, and wherein the second cutout is connected to the channel.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein a width of the channel is adjustable.

15. The device of claim 14 , further comprising:
one or more inserts removably positioned within the channel to thereby adjust the width of the channel.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first roller is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second roller, and wherein the channel is parallel to both the longitudinal axis of the first roller and the longitudinal axis of the second roller.

17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the channel is positioned at a midpoint between the first end and the second end of the housing.

18. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first pin and the second pin are recessed with respect to the housing.

19. A device comprising:
a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first end positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second end opposite the first end and positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface;
a channel in the housing extending from the bottom surface in a direction towards the top surface, wherein the channel is between the first end and the second end, wherein the channel includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, and a contact surface positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein at least a portion of the contact surface is parallel to the top surface of the housing, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are both perpendicular to the top surface of the housing, wherein the bottom surface includes a first radius of curvature between the first sidewall and the bottom surface, and wherein the bottom surface includes a second radius of curvature between the second sidewall and the bottom surface;
a first roller rotatably coupled to the first end of the housing via a first pin; and
a second roller rotatably coupled to the second end of the housing via a second pin.

20. A device comprising:
a housing including a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first end positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a second end opposite the first end and positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface;
a channel in the housing extending from the bottom surface in a direction towards the top surface, wherein the channel is between the first end and the second end, and wherein a width of the channel is adjustable;
a first roller rotatably coupled to the first end of the housing via a first pin; and
a second roller rotatably coupled to the second end of the housing via a second pin.

Assignees

• The Boeing Compnay
• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Cook Rebecca

Classifications

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B64D1/08

  the articles being load-carrying devices · CPC title

• B29C64/393

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title

• B25H5/00 Primary

  Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers {(collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F)} · CPC title

• B33Y50/02

  for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes · CPC title