# US 10,768,640 B2 · Self-actuating device for facilitating preventing product tip over > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,640 B2 - Document ID: US10768640B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/456,008 - Filed: 2019-06-28 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-21 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Marc H. Coq; Michael D. O'Connell; Sharon T. Spaulding; William J. Green - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768640B2 ## CPC - G05D 3/20: using a digital comparing device - A47B 97/00: Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass - B65D 19/38: Details or accessories - F16M 7/00: Details of attaching or adjusting engine beds, frames, or supporting-legs on foundation or base; Attaching non-moving engine parts, e.g. cylinder blocks (elastic or equivalent mounting for absorbing vibrations F16F, especially F16F15/04) - F16M 11/22: with approximately constant height, e.g. with constant length of column or of legs (F16M11/42 takes precedence) - H05K 5/0234: {Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor} - H05K 7/1488: {Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures} - A47B 2097/008: {Anti-tip devices} - B65D 2519/00776: Accessories for manipulating the pallet - F16M 2200/044: for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage - F16M 2200/08: Foot or support base - H05K 7/1495: {providing data protection in case of earthquakes, floods, storms, nuclear explosions, intrusions, fire} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract A self-actuating device and method for facilitating preventing product tip over are provided. The self-actuating device includes an anti-tip mechanism associated with a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product when in an extended state. Further, the self-actuating device includes an actuator associated with the product. The actuator is configured and operatively coupled to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from a retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of facilitating preventing product tip over, the method comprising: coupling an anti-tip mechanism to a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product, the anti-tip mechanism having a retracted state and an extended state, and the anti-tip mechanism including a first outrigger and a second outrigger, the first outrigger extending outward relative to the product in a first direction when extended, and the second outrigger extending outward relative to the product in a second direction when extended, where the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions; and associating an actuator with the product and operatively coupling the actuator to the anti-tip mechanism, the actuator being configured to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from the retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle; wherein: the actuator comprises a weighted cylinder rotatable about an axis in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, and an activation element associated with the weighted cylinder, the weighted cylinder being weighted in a lower portion thereof; and the actuator switches the anti-tip mechanism to extend the first outrigger the extended state based on the weighted cylinder rotating about the axis in the first direction of rotation due to the product tilting in the first direction by the specified tilt angle, and switches the anti-tip mechanism to extend the second outrigger the extended state based on the weighted cylinder rotating about the axis in the second direction of rotation due to the product tilting in the second direction by the specified tilt angle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the activation element is a releasable element relative to the weighted cylinder, the releasable element releasing to initiate transitioning of the anti-tip mechanism to the extended state based on the weighted cylinder rotating by the specified tilt angle from level about the axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the weighted cylinder comprises a slot, and the activation element resides within the slot in the weighted cylinder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first outrigger and the second outrigger each comprise a telescoping arm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the product comprises at least one of a computer rack, a machine, a shipping crate, or a shipping pallet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first outrigger and the second outrigger each comprise an outwardly-biased outrigger, the outwardly-biased outrigger being released to rotate outward when the actuator automatically switches the anti-tip mechanism from the retracted state to the extended state. ### Claim 7 A method of facilitating preventing product tip over, the method comprising: coupling an anti-tip mechanism to a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product, the anti-tip mechanism having a retracted state and an extended state; and associating an actuator with the product and operatively coupling the actuator to the anti-tip mechanism, the actuator being configured to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from the retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle; wherein: the actuator comprises a weighted cylinder rotatable about an axis and an activation element associated with the weighted cylinder, the weighted cylinder being weighted in a lower portion thereof; the activation element is a releasable element relative to the weighted cylinder, the releasable element releasing to initiate transitioning of the anti-tip mechanism to the extended state based on the weighted cylinder rotating by the specified tilt angle from level about the axis; and the releasable element transitions to engage a hinged latch of the anti-tip mechanism when the weighted cylinder rotates by the specified tilt angle, and based thereon, the hinged latch releases an outwardly-biased outrigger of the anti-tip mechanism in a direction of a tilting, transitioning the anti-tip mechanism to the extended state. ### Claim 8 A method of facilitating product tip over, the method comprising: coupling an anti-tip mechanism to a product to facilitate preventing tip over of the product, the anti-tip mechanism having a retracted state and an extended state; and associating an actuator with the product, and operatively coupling the actuator to the anti-tip mechanism, the actuator being configured to automatically switch the anti-tip mechanism from the retracted state to the extended state based on the actuator detecting a tilt of a specified tilt angle; wherein: the actuator comprises a weighted cylinder rotatable about an axis and an activation element associated with the weighted cylinder, the weighted cylinder being weighted in a lower portion thereon, and wherein the weighted cylinder comprises a slot, and the activation element resides within the slot of the weighted cylinder; and providing at least one sensor for sensing rotation of the activation element disposed within the weighted cylinder by the specified tilt angle, and thereby, tilting of the product by the specified tilt angle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor or a capacitive sensor.