Furniture and appliance stabilizing apparatus and system to prevent tip-overs

Abstract

A furniture and appliance stabilizing apparatus has a foot portion and a front portion disposed along a back portion of the foot portion. It also has an elevation portion disposed behind the front portion; and an adjustment means for securing a unit within the elevation portion. When the unit is secured between an inside portion of the front portion and the adjustment means, the unit is elevated along a front part of the unit thereby moving the center of gravity further back from the front part thus stabilizing the unit. The elevation portion and the adjustment means are all angled downward at a selected negative angle forming an angled surface wherein the unit will fit snugly therein when the unit is placed on the elevation portion. The system works in conjunction with drawer extension limiters to prevent tip-overs even when a downward force is applied.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A furniture and appliance stabilizing apparatus comprising:
 a foot portion;   a front portion disposed along a back portion of said foot portion;   an elevation portion disposed behind said front portion; and   an adjustment means for securing a unit within said elevation portion;   wherein said unit is secured between an inside portion of said front portion and said adjustment means wherein said unit is elevated along a front part of said unit thereby moving the center of gravity further back from said front part thus stabilizing said unit.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said front portion, said elevation portion and said adjustment means are all angled downward at a selected negative angle forming an angled surface wherein said unit will fit snugly therein when said unit is placed on said elevation portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said adjustment means comprises;
 a plurality of adjustment hole pairs disposed within said elevation portion; and 
 an adjustment pin configured to removably fit within a selected set of said plurality of adjustment hole pairs wherein a selected unit is secured between an inside portion of said front portion and said adjustment pin. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said adjustment means comprises:
 a rear portion that removably fits within said elevation portion; 
 said elevation portion having an interlocking portion; 
 said rear portion having a plurality of corresponding locking teeth that selectively lock into place with said interlocking portion of said elevation portion wherein said unit is secured when placed between said front portion and said rear portion. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said interlocking portion and said locking teeth portion are rectangular. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said interlocking portion and said locking teeth portion are triangular. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said adjustment means comprises:
 a rear portion having an adjustment screw disposed within an upper portion therein; wherein said adjustment screw has an adjustment plate disposed on an inner side and an adjustment knob on an outer side of said adjustment screw whereby when said adjustment screw is rotated said unit is releasably secured within said front portion and said rear portion. 
 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said elevation portion is a wedge and said securing means is an adhesive strip disposed on a top portion of said elevation portion whereby when said unit is placed on said elevation portion, said adhesive strip removably secures said unit to said elevation portion. 
     
     
         9 . A system for stabilizing a unit having at least one drawer to prevent tip-overs comprising:
 a pair of furniture and appliance stabilizing apparatuses placed under a front portion of a said unit;   at least one drawer extension limiter mounted on each of said at least one drawer; wherein said at least one drawer extension limiter comprises a straight portion and a hook portion whereby said at least one drawer extension limiter restricts how far said at least one drawer can move where said hook portion interacts with a structural support of said unit;   whereby said unit will remain stabilized even when a downward force is applied to said at least one drawer.   
     
     
         10 . The system for stabilizing a unit having at least one drawer to prevent tip-overs according to  claim 9  further comprising at least one decal for decorating said unit whereby said at least one decal is applied to said unit to enhance the aesthetics and usability of said system. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising an resilient pad disposed on an inner surface of said front portion, a top portion of said elevation portion whereby said unit is protected by resting on said resilient pad. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising an resilient pad disposed on an inner surface of said front portion, a top portion of said elevation portion and an inner portion of said rear portion whereby said unit is protected by resting on said resilient pad. 
     
     
         13 . The system for stabilizing a unit having at least one drawer to prevent tip-overs according to  claim 9  further comprising an adhesive strip applied to a surface of said at least one drawer extension limiter whereby said at least one drawer extension limiter is secured to a selected surface of said at least one drawer. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a foam covering disposed on said foot portion. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said foot is oval shaped and protrudes at least 5 inches from said front portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said selected negative angle is between 5 and 10 degrees.