US 11,725,847 B2
Devices for supporting equipment outdoors and methods of manufacture and use thereof
Jonathan M. Sada, Lawrenceville, GA (US); and David J. Oriatti, Sugar Hill, GA (US)
Assigned to DiversiTech Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Filed by DiversiTech Corporation, Duluth, GA (US)
Filed on Mar. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/196,605.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/987,300, filed on Mar. 9, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0057108 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. F24F 1/60 (2011.01); F24F 13/32 (2006.01); F16M 11/20 (2006.01); F16M 11/22 (2006.01)
CPC F24F 13/32 (2013.01) 45 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device comprising:
a plurality of tubular members;
a plurality of nodes configured to be assembled with the tubular members and thereby form a frame configured to support an outdoor equipment item; and
a plurality of augers configured to be driven through the nodes into a ground such that the frame is secured to the ground when the frame supports the outdoor equipment item, wherein the tubular members include a first tubular member and a second tubular member, wherein at least one of the nodes includes a housing that has (i) the first tubular member extending therefrom along a first direction, (ii) the second tubular member extending therefrom along a second direction different from the first direction, and (iii) at least one of the augers extending through the housing along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.
 
16. A method comprising:
causing a user to assemble a plurality of tubular members and a plurality of nodes into a frame;
causing the user to drive a plurality of augers through the nodes into a ground as the frame rests on the ground such that the frame is secured to the ground; and
causing the user to position an outdoor equipment item on the frame after the frame is secured to the ground such that the frame extends between the outdoor equipment item and the ground, wherein the tubular members include a first tubular member and a second tubular member, wherein at least one of the nodes includes a housing that (i) has the first tubular member extending therefrom along a first direction, (ii) the second tubular member extending therefrom along a second direction different from the first direction, and (iii) at least one of the augers extending through the housing along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.
 
25. A kit comprising:
a container;
a plurality of tubular members contained in the container;
a plurality of nodes contained in the container, wherein the nodes are configured to be assembled with the tubular members and thereby form a frame configured to support an outdoor equipment item thereon;
a plurality of augers contained in the container, wherein the augers are configured to be driven through the nodes into a ground such that the frame is secured to the ground when the frame (a) supports the outdoor equipment item and (b) extends between the outdoor equipment item and the ground, wherein the tubular members include a first tubular member and a second tubular member, wherein at least one of the nodes includes a housing that has (i) the first tubular member extending therefrom along a first direction, (ii) the second tubular member extending therefrom along a second direction different from the first direction, and (iii) at least one of the augers extending through the housing along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction; and
a plurality of brackets contained in the container, wherein the brackets are configured to grasp the frame and to be secured to the outdoor equipment item above the frame when the frame (a) supports the outdoor equipment item and (b) extends between the outdoor equipment item and the ground.
 
32. A method comprising:
causing a user to drive a first auger through a first housing of a frame into a ground such that the frame (a) rests on the ground and (b) is secured to the ground via the first auger;
causing the user to drive a second auger through a second housing of the frame into the ground such that the frame (a) is raised over the ground thereby forming an air gap between the frame and the ground and (b) is secured to the ground via the second auger, wherein the ground is inclined or not generally level between the first auger and the second auger such that the second auger is more exposed to the air gap than the first auger, wherein frame includes a tubular member spanning between the first housing and the second housing; and
causing the user to position an equipment item on the frame while the ground is inclined or not generally level between the first auger and the second auger and the second auger is more exposed to the air gap than the first auger such that the frame extends (a) between the equipment item and the ground and (b) between the equipment item and the air gap.
 
36. A method comprising:
causing a user to position an outdoor equipment item on a frame (1) assembled from a plurality of tubular members and a plurality of nodes and (2) having a plurality of augers extending through the nodes into a ground as the frame rests on the ground such that the frame is secured to the ground and the frame extends between the outdoor equipment item and the ground, wherein the tubular members include a first tubular member and a second tubular member, wherein at least one of the nodes includes a housing that has (i) the first tubular member extending therefrom along a first direction, (ii) the second tubular member extending therefrom along a second direction different from the first direction, and (iii) at least one of the augers extending through the housing along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction; and
causing the user to allow the outdoor equipment item to be operative while the outdoor equipment item rests on the frame.