Collapsible rolling support stand having a support leg

A collapsible rolling stand for use with an elongated normally horizontally oriented heavy object attached thereto, said stand being supported by a ground surface and having a front end portion and a rear end portion, and being capable of being manipulated between open and closed positions, wherein the object is generally vertically oriented when the stand is closed, and wherein the object is generally horizontally oriented when the stand is in its open position, said stand comprising:

• a top frame having a generally planar portion being configured to have the object secured thereto, said top frame planar portion being oriented in a generally horizontal position when said stand is in its open position and a generally vertical position when said stand is moved to its closed position;
• a folding mechanism supporting said top frame, including at least one handle operatively connected to one end portion of a pair of spaced apart elongated first members that have opposite end portions that include points that contact the ground surface and a pair of spaced apart second members each having wheels for enabling a user to roll said stand on the ground surface, said first and second members being pivotally connected to one another and configured so that the weight of the object provides a substantial portion of the necessary force needed to pivot said first and second pairs of members to further separate said forward contact point from said rear wheels and move said stand from said closed position to said open position wherein said top frame planar portion is substantially horizontal;
• said folding mechanism further comprises:
• said first members are located on each side of said stand and are operatively connected to and pivotable relative to a rear portion of said top frame planar portion;
• each of said second members having a pivot connection to one of said first members at a point intermediate the ends of said first member, each second member having one of said wheels connected to a rearward end portion thereof and an extension located forwardly of said pivot connection at a predetermined angle relative to the lengthwise direction of said second member;
• a link member pivotally attached to the distal end of said extension and to said top frame planar portion;
• at least one handle connected to one of said top frame planar portion or said first members;
• a locking mechanism for releasably holding said stand in at least the closed position;
• said first members have a generally transverse extensions at said ground engaging opposite ends and at least one front end bridge interconnecting said opposite ends;
• wherein a cross brace interconnects said first members adjacent the junction of said first members and said transverse extensions, said transverse extensions, front end bridge and cross brace defining a carrying shelf;
• a support leg having a first end portion and a first connection to one of said first members and a second end portion with a second connection to said top frame, said support leg being adjustable to permit said stand to be manipulated between the open and closed positions without said support leg being disconnected from either said top frame or said first member;
• wherein when said stand is in its closed position, actuating said locking mechanism enables said second member to pivot about said pivot connection causing the weight of the object to move said wheels a short distance away from said top frame planar portion, further movement of said stand in the rearward direction causing said second members and wheel to rotate toward the rear of said stand to the open position where the top frame planar portion is oriented in said substantially horizontal position.