초록

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a user height adjustable container support system having an elevated upper base, where the upper base is designed to receive and hingedly couple to a container so that a user may tilt the container while the upper base supports the container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lift-and-rotate assistance apparatus for use while transferring liquid fuel from a fuel container to a vehicle fuel tank, the apparatus comprising: a container platform configured to support a substantially planar bottom surface of a fluid-filled container at a user-selected elevation above a g

1. A lift-and-rotate assistance apparatus for use while transferring liquid fuel from a fuel container to a vehicle fuel tank, the apparatus comprising: a container platform configured to support a substantially planar bottom surface of a fluid-filled container at a user-selected elevation above a ground surface;a cradle hingedly coupled to the container platform to pivot about a hinge axis, and configured to support the container platform such that, when the container is placed on a top surface of the container platform, the container platform supports the container in a substantially horizontal position in a support mode at one extreme of a range of motion about the hinge axis, and wherein the cradle maintains its orientation as a user causes the container platform to pivot about the hinge axis in a pour mode to pour fuel from the container;a lower support base to make contact with a ground surface;a vertical support module coupled to and extending upward from the base and configured to attach to and support the cradle at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface, wherein the vertical support module comprises a ratcheting scissor-style lift comprising a plurality of interconnected scissors stages extending between a base end coupled to the lower base and a user-height adjustable end coupled to the cradle, and wherein the base end of the interconnected scissors stages comprises a first member hingedly coupled to the base; and,means for selectively locking the cradle at the user-selected elevation. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base end of the interconnected scissors stages comprises a second member that intersects the first member, wherein the second member selectively fixes to a position on the base corresponding to the container platform at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface by operation of the selective locking means. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the selective locking means comprises a foot pedal operable by the user to lock in the container platform at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the selective locking means comprises a caliper-style brake that locks the second member relative to the base when the user releases the actuator to lock the elevation of the container platform above the ground surface, and that releases the second member to move relative to the base when the user engages the actuator to adjust the elevation of the container platform above the ground surface. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachment wherein the container releasably couples to the container platform by at least one of a member of the group consisting of: strap, buckle, hook and loop fastener, magnet, or adhesive. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a foot pedal operably connected to the selective locking means and operable by the user to lock the container platform at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface. 7. A lift-and-rotate assistance apparatus for use while transferring liquid fuel from a fuel container to a vehicle fuel tank, the apparatus comprising: a container platform configured to support a substantially planar bottom surface of a fluid-filled container at a user-selected elevation above a ground surface;a cradle hingedly coupled to the container platform to pivot about a hinge axis, and configured to support the container platform such that, when the container is placed on a top surface of the container platform, the container platform supports the container in a substantially horizontal position in a support mode at one extreme of a range of motion about the hinge axis, and wherein the cradle maintains its orientation as a user causes the container platform to pivot about the hinge axis in a pour mode to pour fuel from the container;a lower support base to make contact with a ground surface;a vertical support module coupled to and extending upward from the base and configured to attach to and support the cradle at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface; and,means for selectively locking the cradle at the user-selected elevation. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vertical support module comprises a pair of elongate rigid vertical support members, wherein the cradle attaches to the vertical support members at a user-selected elevation. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the vertical support members comprises a series of apertures, each of the apertures disposed at a different elevation above the base. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the selective locking means further comprises a spring lock attached to the cradle, the spring lock comprising a stopper and biased to maintain the stopper in a user-selected one of the apertures corresponding to the container platform at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pair of vertical support members releasably couple to and decouple from the base without the use of tools. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each one of the pair of vertical support members each comprises at least two segments that releasably couple end-to-end to form each of the elongate rigid vertical support members. 13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an attachment wherein the container releasably couples to the container platform by at least one of a member of the group consisting of: strap, buckle, hook and loop fastener, magnet, or adhesive. 14. A lift-and-rotate assistance apparatus for use while transferring liquid fuel from a fuel container to a vehicle fuel tank, the apparatus comprising: a container platform configured to support a substantially planar bottom surface of a fluid-filled container at a user-selected elevation above a ground surface;a cradle hingedly coupled to the container platform to pivot about a hinge axis, and configured to support the container platform such that, when the container is placed on a top surface of the container platform, the container platform supports the container in a substantially horizontal position in a support mode at one extreme of a range of motion about the hinge axis, and wherein the cradle maintains its orientation as a user causes the container platform to pivot about the hinge axis in a pour mode to pour fuel from the container;a lower support base to make contact with a ground surface;means for vertically supporting the cradle at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface;means for selectively locking the cradle at the user-selected elevation. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vertical support means comprises a pair of elongate rigid vertical support members, wherein the cradle attaches to the vertical support members at a user-selected elevation. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of the vertical support members comprises a series of apertures, each of the apertures disposed at a different elevation above the base. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the selective locking means further comprises a spring lock attached to the cradle, the spring lock comprising a stopper and biased to maintain the stopper in a user-selected one of the apertures corresponding to the container platform at the user-selected elevation above the ground surface. 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vertical support means comprises a ratcheting scissor-style lift.