TILE RELOCATION ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

An tile relocation assistive device comprises of a cuboidal housing 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102, a handle 103 crafted with housing 101 to translate housing 101, microphone 104 installed over housing 101 to receive voice command of user, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over housing 101 for capturing and processing images of tiles, an opening crafted over apex portion of housing 101 to position tiles within housing 101, plurality of motorized sliding units 106 installed over inner periphery of lateral sides of housing 101 to provide translation to multiple motorized expandable grippers 107, an accelerometer 108 installed over housing 101 to monitor shocks experienced, a motorized roller 109 wrapped with shock absorbing sheet installed over housing 101 to unwrap sheet, inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 installed over periphery of opening to extend and position a flap 112.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a tile relocation assistive device that monitors the dimensions of the tiles in order to restrict the movement of the tile while being moved and absorbs shocks of the positioned tiles to prevent any damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tiles are thin, flat pieces of baked clay, ceramic, stone, or other materials, typically square or rectangular in shape, used for covering surfaces such as floors, walls, roofs, and countertops. Tiles are commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas due to their durability, ease of maintenance, and resistance to moisture and stains. When renovating a space, especially in areas like bathrooms or kitchens, individuals may choose to relocate tiles to accommodate changes in layout or design. Traditionally tools are designed to help lift tiles off the surface without damaging them. They typically have a flat, angled blade that are inserted under the edge of the tile to lift it away from the adhesive or mortar.

[0003] Conventionally, traditional methods are useful but they have their own limitations. Many traditional tile relocation tools require physical exertion, which are be tiring and time-consuming, especially for larger projects or when working in awkward positions. Some tools may not be as efficient at removing tiles quickly or may require multiple passes to achieve the desired result, leading to increased labor time. Traditional tools may lack the precision needed for intricate tile removal tasks, such as cutting tiles to fit around obstacles or achieving uniform grout removal. Therefore there is need to develop a device that is capable of monitoring the dimension of the tiles to restrict the movement along with absorbing shocks to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles.

[0004] US20140033640A1 discloses about a tile levelling device includes a base portion having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, one or more recesses being formed in the upper surface. The tile levelling device also includes a stem frangible connected to the base portion at or near a low point of the recess, the stem including a hole adapted to receive a wedge. US'640 is able to level and space the tiles during installation. However the device lacks in to restrict the movement of the tile while being moved from one place to another and to prevent from getting damaged.

[0005] US20140116001A1 discloses about a leveling and aligning device for installing tiles and which comprises a wedge for leveling the tiles and a main body; more specifically, the main body has a supporting base and at least one vertical member extending along an axis substantially perpendicular to the base and connected to the supporting base along a preferential fracturing line; the first vertical member has an opening extending from the supporting base, designed to receive the leveling wedge, and a contact portion designed to engage with the leveling wedge; the first vertical member comprises at least one pair of first side tabs having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first vertical member. US'001 is capable to leveling and aligning device for installing tiles. But however lacks in absorbing shocks to prevent chances of any damage.

[0006] Conventionally, many tile relocation assistive device have been developed that are capable of leveling and spacing the tiles along with aligning the tiles during the installation, but however lacks in monitoring the dimensions of the tiles in order to restrict the movement of the tile and to prevent from getting damaged as well as lacks in absorbing shocks to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of in monitoring the dimensions of the tiles in order to restrict the movement of the tile and to prevent from getting damaged and absorbs shocks to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of monitoring the dimensions of the tiles in order to restrict the movement of the tile while being moved and to prevent from getting damaged.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of absorbing shocks of the positioned tiles to prevent any damage.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a tile relocation assistive device that monitors the dimension of the tiles to restrict the movement along with absorbing shocks to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tile relocation assistive device comprises of a cuboidal housing positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized Omni-directional wheels arranged beneath the housing, a handle is crafted with the housing to translate the housing over the surface via the wheels, a microphone installed over the housing to receive voice command of the user regrading relocation of tiles, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the housing and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of the tiles positioned in proximity by the user, an opening crafted over apex portion of the housing to position the tiles within the housing, a laser measurement sensor is installed within the housing and synced with the imaging unit to monitor dimensions of the tiles, plurality of motorized sliding units installed over inner periphery of lateral sides of the housing to provide translation to multiple motorized expandable grippers configured with each of the sliding units to grip sides of the positioned tiles, a GPS module integrated with the microcontroller to evaluate a path to be followed to reach up-to the user-specified location.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device comprises of a motorized roller wrapped with a shock absorbing sheet installed over the housing actuated by the microcontroller in case the monitored shock intensity to be exceeding a threshold value to unwrap the sheet and deploy over the tiles, plurality of inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods installed over periphery of the opening to extend and position a flap configured with each of the rod over the sheet to prevent movement of the tiles and absorb the shocks, bottom portion of the housing is layered with a shock absorbing plates to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles, a particular side of the housing is connected with the bottom portion by means of a motorized hinge in case the user by means of the microphone provide command regrading unloading of the tiles, a motorized conveyor installed over the particular side actuated by the microcontroller to aid the user in unloading the tiles from the housing, a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a tile relocation assistive device; and

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a motorized conveyor associated with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a tile relocation assistive device that is capable of monitoring the dimension of the tiles to restrict the movement along with absorbing shocks to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 and 2, an isometric view of a tile relocation assistive device and an isometric view of a motorized conveyor associated with the proposed device is illustrated, comprising a cuboidal housing 101 positioned over a ground surface, plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102 arranged beneath the housing 101, a handle 103 is crafted with the housing 101, a microphone 104 installed over the housing 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over the housing 101, plurality of motorized sliding units 106 installed over inner periphery of lateral sides of the housing 101, multiple motorized expandable grippers 107 configured with each of the sliding units 106, a accelerometer 108 is installed over the housing 101, a motorized roller 109 wrapped with a shock absorbing sheet installed over the housing 101, plurality of inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 installed over periphery of the opening, a flap 112 configured with each of the rod, bottom portion of the housing 101 is layered with a shock absorbing plates 110, a motorized conveyor 201 installed over the particular side.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of a cuboidal housing 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102 arranged underneath the housing 101. Plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102 ranges in between four to six in numbers. The Omni-directional wheel comprises a wheel coupled with a motor via a shaft that is designed to move the housing 101 in any direction without changing the orientation of the housing 101 offering exceptional maneuverability to the housing 101. Upon actuation of the wheel by the microcontroller, the motor starts to rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction in order to provide movement to the wheel via the shaft. The wheel thus enable the platform to move seamlessly in any direction, making it valuable for moving and positioning the housing 101. Further, a handle 103 crafted with the housing 101 is gripped by a user to translate the housing 101 over the surface via the wheels 102, as per requirement.

[0024] Further, a microphone 104 installed over the housing 101 receive voice command of the user regrading relocation of tiles along with a location at which the tiles are to be relocated. The microphone 104 contains a small diaphragm connected to a moving coil. When sound waves of the user hit the diaphragm, the coil vibrates. This causes the coil to move back and forth in the magnet's field, generating an electrical current. The signal of which are sent to the microcontroller.

[0025] Upon receiving the input command, a microcontroller linked with the microphone 104 actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over the housing 101 and integrated with a processor, captures and processes images of the tiles positioned in proximity by the user, based on which the microcontroller determines positioning of the tiles. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 comprises of a camera lens and a processor, wherein the 360 degree rotatable camera captures multiple images of the tiles and then the processor carries out a sequence of steps including pre-processing, feature extraction and segmentation. In pre-processing, the unwanted data like noise, background is removed out and the image is converted into a format recommended for feature extraction. The features like pixel intensities of the foreground image are extracted and are sent for classification to determine positioning of the tiles.

[0026] Upon determining the positioning of the tiles, an opening crafted over apex portion of the housing 101 is accessed by the user to position the tiles within the housing 101. Further, a laser measurement sensor installed within the housing 101 and synced with the imaging unit 105 monitor dimensions of the tiles. The laser sensor consists of an emitter and receiver, and works on the principle of measuring the time delay between the laser beam to travel to the tiles and back. The laser sensor emits a light towards the surface of tiles and when the laser beam hits the surface of the tiles, the beam reflects back towards the receiver of the sensor. Upon detection of reflected beam by the sensor, the sensor precisely measures the time taken for the laser beam to travel to and back from the surface of the tiles. The sensor then calculates the dimensions of the tiles and the calculated dimensions of the tiles is then converted into electrical signal, in the form of current, and send to a microcontroller.

[0027] Upon receiving the signals, the microcontroller actuates plurality of motorized sliding units 106 installed over inner periphery of lateral sides of the housing 101 to provide translation to multiple motorized expandable grippers 107 configured with each of the sliding units 106 to grip sides of the positioned tiles in accordance with the detected dimensions to restrict movement of the tiles. Plurality of sliding units 106 ranges in between four to six in numbers. The motorized sliding unit incorporates an electric motor to drive a linear movement of the container along a track or guide. Upon actuation of the sliding unit by the microcontroller, the motor's power is harnessed to move the slider in an automated and precise way for a smooth and controlled transitional motion of the motorized expandable grippers 107.

[0028] The motorized gripper operates as a robotic hand that is designed to grasp the corn effectively. The gripper typically incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the gripper. The motor generates the necessary force to move the gripper's fingers for the opening and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is often controlled by the microcontroller for the smooth and precise gripping of the positioned tiles in accordance with the detected dimensions to restrict movement of the tiles.

[0029] Upon restricting the movement of the tiles, a GPS module integrated with the microcontroller evaluate a path to be followed to reach up-to the user-specified location and accordingly actuates the wheels 102 to follow the evaluated path. The GPS (Global Positioning System) module is a satellite-based navigation system. The satellites present in space moving in fixed orbits transmits information about the real-time user-specified location. The signals travel at the speed of light and are intercepted by the GPS module such that the GPS module calculates the distance of each satellite and based on the time taken by the information to arrive at the receiver. The GPS module locates four or more satellites and calculates the distance between each of them. Using this information, the GPS module finds out the current location of the user-specified location. Once the distance is determined, the GPS module uses a trilateration method to determine the exact position of the user-specified location and thus fetching the real-time location coordinates to actuate the wheels 102 to follow the evaluated path.

[0030] Further, an accelerometer 108 installed over the housing 101 monitor shocks experienced by the housing 101 while translating over the surface. The accelerometer 108 works using an electromechanical sensor that is designed to measure either static or dynamic acceleration. Static acceleration is the constant force acting on a body, like gravity or friction. These forces are predictable and uniform to a large extend. The accelerometer 108 monitors the shocks experienced by the housing 101 while translating over the surface.

[0031] A motorized roller 109 wrapped with a shock absorbing sheet installed over the housing 101 is actuated by the microcontroller in case the monitored shock intensity be exceeding a threshold value to unwrap the sheet and deploy over the tiles. The motorized roller 109 comprises a disc coupled with a motor via a shaft wherein upon receiving the command from the microcontroller by the motor, the motor starts to rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction in order to provide movement to the disc via the shaft. The disc thus provides a maximum level of assistance to the user and also allow the user to maintain a steady speed while moving the body. Further this is actuated by the microcontroller to unwrap the sheet and deploy over the tiles.

[0032] Upon deploying the sheet, the microcontroller actuates plurality of inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 installed over periphery of the opening to extend and position a flap 112 configured with each of the rod over the sheet to prevent movement of the tiles and absorb the shock. Plurality of inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 ranges two to four in numbers. The L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 is powered by a hydraulic unit consisting of a hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic compressor, hydraulic valve and piston that work in collaboration for providing the required extension/retraction to the rod. The microcontroller actuates the valve to allow passage of hydraulic fluid from the compressor within the cylinder, the hydraulic fluid further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston. The piston is connected with the flap 112 and due to applied pressure the flap 112 extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the flap 112 by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. The microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the flap 112 to prevent movement of the tiles and absorb the shocks. Further, bottom portion of the housing 101 is layered with a shock absorbing plates 110 to prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles.

[0033] Further, a particular side of the housing 101 connected with the bottom portion by means of a motorized hinge joint is actuated by the microcontroller in case the user by means of the microphone 104 provide command regrading unloading of the tiles upon reaching the user-specified location, to rotate and position the particular side over the surface at an angle. The motorized hinge joint comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the bottom portion. The leaf are connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anti-clockwise aids in opening and closing of the hinge respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge that in turn provides movement to the bottom portion to rotate and position the particular side over the surface at an angle.

[0034] Further, a motorized conveyor 201 installed over the particular side is actuated by the microcontroller to aid the user in unloading the tiles from the housing 101. The conveyer belt consists of a belt stretched across two or more pulleys in close loop and one of the pulley is attached with a driven motor that is interlinked with the microcontroller. On actuation, the driven motor rotates the pulley which in turn results that the conveyer belt also rotates that aid the user in unloading the tiles from the housing 101.

[0035] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0036] The present invention works best in the following manner, comprising of the handle 103 with the housing 101 is gripped by the user to translate the housing 101 over the surface via the wheels 102. Further, the microphone 104 receive voice command of the user regrading relocation of tiles along with the location at which the tiles are to be relocated. Based on user input voice command, the microcontroller actuates the artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed for capturing and processing images of the tiles positioned in proximity by the user, based on which the microcontroller determines positioning of the tiles. Upon determining the positioning of the tiles, the opening is accessed by the user to position the tiles within the housing 101, the laser measurement sensor monitor dimensions of the tiles. Upon monitor dimensions of the tiles, plurality of motorized sliding units 106 are actuated by the microcontroller to provide translation to multiple motorized expandable grippers 107 to grip sides of the positioned tiles in accordance with the detected dimensions to restrict movement of the tiles. Upon restricting the movement of the tiles, the GPS module evaluate the path to be followed to reach up-to the user-specified location and accordingly actuates the wheels 102 to follow the evaluated path. Further the accelerometer 108 monitor shocks experienced by the housing 101 while translating over the surface. Upon while translating over the surface, motorized roller 109 is actuated by the microcontroller in case the monitored shock intensity to be exceeding the threshold value to unwrap the sheet and deploy over the tiles. Upon deploying of the sheet, the microcontroller actuates plurality of inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 to extend and position the flap 112 to prevent movement of the tiles and absorb the shocks. Further, bottom portion of the housing 101 layered with the shock absorbing plates 110 prevent chances of any damage to the positioned tiles. Upon, preventing chances of any damage to the positioned tiles, the motorized hinge joint is actuated by the microcontroller in case the user by means of the microphone 104 provide command regrading unloading of the tiles upon reaching the user-specified location, to rotate and position the particular side over the surface at an angle. Further, the motorized conveyor 201 is actuated by the microcontroller to aid the user in unloading the tiles from the housing 101.

[0037] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a touch interactive display may be installed with the housing 101 in order to provide input command.

[0038] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A tile relocation assistive device, comprising:

i) a cuboidal housing 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omni-directional wheels 102 arranged underneath said housing 101, wherein a handle 103 is crafted with said housing 101 that is gripped by a user to translate said housing 101 over said surface via said wheels 102, as per requirement;

ii) a microphone 104 installed over said housing 101 to receive voice command of said user regrading relocation of tiles along with a location at which said tiles are to be relocated, wherein based on user input voice command, a microcontroller linked with said microphone 104 actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 105 installed over said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said tiles positioned in proximity by said user, based on which said microcontroller determines positioning of said tiles;

iii) an opening crafted over apex portion of said housing 101 that is accessed by said user to position said tiles within said housing 101, wherein a laser measurement sensor is installed within said housing 101 and synced with said imaging unit 105 to monitor dimensions of said tiles;

iv) plurality of motorized sliding units 106 installed over inner periphery of lateral sides of said housing 101 and actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to multiple motorized expandable grippers 107 configured with each of said sliding units 106 to grip sides of said positioned tiles in accordance with said detected dimensions to restrict movement of said tiles;

v) a GPS module integrated with said microcontroller to evaluate a path to be followed to reach up-to said user-specified location and accordingly actuates said wheels 102 to follow said evaluated path, wherein a accelerometer 108 is installed over said housing 101 to monitor shocks experienced by said housing 101 while translating over said surface;

vi) a motorized roller 109 wrapped with a shock absorbing sheet installed over said housing 101 and actuated by said microcontroller only in case said monitored shock intensity to be exceeding a threshold value to unwrap said sheet and deploy over said tiles, wherein upon deploying of said sheet, said microcontroller actuates plurality of inverted L-shaped hydraulic rods 111 installed over periphery of said opening to extend and position a flap 112 configured with each of said rod over said sheet to prevent movement of said tiles and absorb said shocks.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein bottom portion of said housing 101 is layered with a shock absorbing plates 110 to prevent chances of any damage to said positioned tiles.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein a particular side of said housing 101 is connected with said bottom portion by means of a motorized hinge joint that is actuated by said microcontroller only in case said user by means of said microphone 104 provide command regrading unloading of said tiles upon reaching said user-specified location, to rotate and position said particular side over said surface at an angle.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein a motorized conveyor 201 installed over said particular side that is actuated by said microcontroller to aid said user in unloading said tiles from said housing 101.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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