# US 2022/0034447 A1 · Frame, more particularly in the form of a tripod > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0034447 A1 - Document ID: US20220034447A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/278,836 - Filed: 2019-10-06 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-06 - Inventors: Thomas KAISER; Christian Wassermann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220034447A1 ## CPC - A47C 4/286: {foldable side to side and front to back, e.g. umbrella type} - F16M 11/242: {by spreading of the legs (F16M11/32 takes precedence)} - A47C 9/105: {having several foldable or detachable legs converging in one point} - F16M 11/32: Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs - A47B 13/02: Underframes - A47B 2013/026: {having three or four legs connected in a central knot} - A47C 7/002: {Chair or stool bases (A47C3/20 takes precedence)} - A47G 7/04: Flower tables; Stands or hangers, e.g. baskets, for flowers (stands for use during growing of flowers A01G; flower holders worn on garments A45F5/08) - F21V 21/06: Bases for movable standing lamps; Fixing standards to the bases (F21V21/08 takes precedence) - F24C 15/08: Foundations or supports plates; Legs or pillars; Casings; Wheels (tops, e.g. hot plates F24C15/10) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F24C: DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES (exclusively for solid fuels F24B); DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION ## Abstract To create a stable and safe frame, more particularly in the form of a tripod, having a plurality of rod-like legs (2), which are fastened centrally to a connection part (3), wherein the frame (1) can be folded up into a space-saving transportation position, in which the legs are oriented substantially in parallel, and the frame can be folded out into a usage position, in which the legs are crossed, the invention proposes that at least one concavely rounded support surface (5) for providing support over an area of the leg surface is arranged between the legs (2), more particularly that two support surfaces (5, 5′) of this type are provided, which in the usage position are in contact with an area of the respective leg surface opposite one another. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Frame, in particular in the form of a tripod, having a plurality of rod-like legs which are fastened centrally to a connection part, wherein the frame can be folded into a space-saving transport position in which the legs are aligned largely parallel, and the frame can be unfolded into a usage position in which the legs are aligned in a crossed manner, characterized in that at least one concavely rounded support surface is arranged between the legs for providing surface support of the leg surface, in particular two such support surfaces are provided, which in the usage position are in surface contact with the respective leg surface opposite one another. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surfaces is are each formed on the connection part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surfaces is are each formed on the legs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surfaces adjoin one another. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that between the support surfaces is arranged in each case a pin, which is preferably radially aligned. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that several tubular legs, in particular made of light metal, are arranged on the connection part. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs are stiffened in the region of the connection part, in particular with a metal insert, a bushing or an intermediate piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that screw bolts can be screwed into the legs from the outside, in particular with a flat head in a largely flush arrangement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Frame according to claim 8, characterized in that a spring, in particular a disk spring, is arranged on the screw bolt. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection part is formed as a metal casting. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that a grill bowl or fire bowl can be inserted in the upper part above the connection part, or a seating surface or table surface or a tub, in particular a plant tub or a beverage-cooling tub, or a light, in particular a light sphere, is arranged in the upper part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that between the support surfaces and a bearing surface a latching lug is formed, which is preferably shaped like a gusset or is aligned in each case parallel to the legs in transport position or in each case parallel to the legs in usage position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs are designed in multipart form, in particular can be extended with quick or screw connections. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg surface has different compressive strength, in particular is designed to be more compliant towards the center of the connection part. ### Claim 15 A tripod frame assembly for supporting an article in an elevated condition, said assembly comprising: first and second and third legs, each of the first and second and third legs being of an elongated cylindrical construction and extending between opposite ends, each of the first and second and third legs having a generally equal length, a connection part pivotally attached to each of the first and second and third legs generally centrally along the respective lengths thereof, the connection part configured to enable articulating movement of each leg between a space-saving transport position in which the first and second and third legs are aligned largely parallel and a usage position in which the first and second and third legs are splayed in a crossed manner with the respective ends thereof spread apart, the connection part including at least two concavely rounded support surfaces, each support surface being associated with a respective one of the legs, the at least two concavely rounded support surfaces arranged to provide surface support for the associated leg in the usage position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The frame of claim 15 wherein each leg is a hollow tubular member, further including a stiffening insert disposed inside each of the first and second and third legs, each stiffening member traversing the connection part to reinforce the central region of the respective leg directly adjacent the connection part. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The frame of claim 15 wherein each concavely rounded support surfaces includes a latching lug, each latching lug being aligned parallel to its associated leg in either the transport position or the usage position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The frame of claim 15 wherein the connection part includes three circumferentially spaced pins, each pin pivotally joining the connection part to a respective leg, a fastener interacting with each pin to secure the associated leg thereto, and a biasing element operatively disposed between each fastener and the respective pin. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The frame of claim 15 further including an article supported in the splayed ends of the legs configured in the usage position, the article selected from the group consisting essentially of: a grill bowl, a fire bowl, a seating surface, a table surface, a plant tub, a beverage-cooling tub, and a light sphere. ### Claim 20 A tripod frame assembly for supporting an article in an elevated condition, said assembly comprising: first and second and third legs, each of the first and second and third legs being of an elongated cylindrical construction and extending between opposite ends, each of the first and second and third legs having a generally equal length, a connection part pivotally attached to each of the first and second and third legs generally centrally along the respective lengths thereof, the connection part configured to enable articulating movement of each leg between a space-saving transport position in which the first and second and third legs are aligned largely parallel and a usage position in which the first and second and third legs are splayed in a crossed manner with the respective ends thereof spread apart, the connection part including at least two concavely rounded support surfaces, each support surface being associated with a respective one of the first and second and third legs, the at least two concavely rounded support surfaces arranged to provide surface support for the associated leg in the usage position, each concavely rounded support surfaces including a gusset-shaped latching lug, each latching lug being aligned parallel to its associated leg in either the transport position or the usage position, the connection part including three circumferentially spaced pins, each pin pivotally joining the connection part to a respective leg, a fastener interacting with each pin to secure the associated leg thereto, a biasing element operatively disposed between each fastener and the respective pin.