Back to results
US 4,232,917 AGranted
Collapsible column with covered tray
OwnerJohn H. Reinhardtinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tray for holding articles is attached to a collapsible column such that the tray may be suspended such as from a ceiling or other surface. The column may be provided with a plurality of detent positions for suspending the tray at various heights above the floor. The tray may be raised to an out-of-the-way position by fully collapsing the column. A cover may be provided to cover the tray when the column is fully collapsed. A positive-acting latch is conveniently operated from the underside of the tray to lower the tray when desired.
Claims8
Apparatus for holding articles comprising
- means for mounting said apparatus on a supporting surface,
- a collapsible column connected to said mounting means and comprising a fixed hollow column portion and a plurality of movable hollow column portions adapted to be telescopically received therein,
- a tray connected to said collapsible column and adapted to be adjustable in position with respect to said supporting surface by the telescoping action of said collapsible column, and
- locking means for adjusting the length of said collapsible column at a plurality of predetermined distances, said locking means comprising a first spring-loaded latch housed within said collapsible column and being adapted for engagement with a first plurality of aligned apertures in the hollow column portions of said collapsible column, and a second spring-loaded latch housed within said collapsible column and being adapted for engagement with a second plurality of aligned apertures in the hollow column portions of said collapsible column.
1 more element
Apparatus for holding articles comprising
- a support bracket adapted for mounting said apparatus on a ceiling,
- a collapsible column connected to said support bracket and having telescoping portions,
- a tray connected to said collapsible column and adapted to be adjustable in height by the telescoping action of said collapsible column, and
- means for locking the position of said tray at one of a plurality of predetermined distances from the ceiling, comprising a spring-loaded latch mechanism housed within said collapsible column and having a first latch adapted for engagement with a first plurality of aligned apertures in at least some of the telescoping portions of said collapsible column, and a spring-biased bar housed within said collapsible column upon an axis shaft and having a second latch at one end thereof adapted to engage a second plurality of aligned apertures in at least some of the telescoping portions of said collapsible column, the other end of said spring-biased bar protruding from the underside of said tray and adapted to be rotated about said axis shaft for disengagement of said latch from said second plurality of aligned apertures.
1 more element
Apparatus for holding articles comprising
- a support bracket adapted to be mounted to a ceiling,
- a collapsible column connected to said support bracket and having telescoping portions,
- a tray connected to said collapsible column, and
- means for adjusting the height of said tray in discrete increments, comprising a first latch mechanism housed within the collapsible column and operable from the underside of said tray, said first latch mechanism including a spring-biased pivoted bar having a latch at one end thereof adapted for engagement with a first plurality of aligned apertures in at least some of said telescoping portions of said collapsible column, and
- means for locking said collapsible column in a fully extended configuration, comprising a second latch mechanism housed within said collapsible column and including a spring-loaded latch adapted for engagement with a second plurality of aligned apertures in at least some of said telescoping portions of said collapsible column when said collapsible column is fully extended.
2 more elements
A ceiling mounted adjustable height tray comprising
- a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to a ceiling,
- a fixed hollow column portion connected to said mounting bracket and having an aperture in one side thereof,
- a first movable hollow column portion adapted to be slidably received within said fixed hollow column portion and having a pair of longitudinally separated apertures in one side thereof and a spring biased latch engaging the upper of said apertures,
- a second movable hollow column portion adapted to be slidably received within said first movable hollow column portion and having a pair of longitudinally separated apertures in one side thereof and a spring biased latch engaging the upper of said apertures,
- a tray connected to said second movable hollow column portion, and
- a latch mechanism housed within said second movable hollow column portion and comprising a spring biased, pivoted bar having one end protruding from the underside of said tray and having a latch on the other end adapted to engage the lower of said apertures in said second movable hollow column portion,
- the respective apertures in said hollow column portions being located so that at least some of said apertures are coincident in preselected positions of said hollow column portions for engagement of a preselected one of said latches with said coincident apertures.
4 more elements
A ceiling mounted adjustable height tray comprising
- a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to a a ceiling,
- a collapsible column comprising a fixed hollow column portion and first and second movable hollow column portions, said fixed hollow column portion being connected to said mounting bracket and having an aperture in one side thereof, said first movable hollow column portion being adapted to be slidably received within said fixed hollow column portion and having a pair of longitudinally separated apertures in one side thereof and a first spring biased latch engaging the upper of said apertures, and said second movable hollow column portion being adapted to be slidably received within said first movable hollow column portion and having a pair of longitudinally separatered apertures in one side thereof and a second spring biased latch engaging the upper of said apertures,
- a tray connected to said second movable hollow column portion and being divided into a plurality of compartments for holding articles separately,
- a cover supported by said fixed hollow column portion and adapted to cover said tray when said collapsible column is fully collapsed, and
- a latch mechanism housed within said second movable hollow column portion and comprising a spring biased, pivoted bar having one end protruding from the underside of said tray and having a third latch on the other end adapted to engage the lower of said apertures in said second movable hollow column portion and to disengage therefrom when said bar is pivoted,
- the respective apertures in said hollow column portions being located such that said collapsible column may be maintained in a fully collapsed configuration by the engagement of said third latch with said aperture in said fixed hollow column portion and the lower of said apertures in said first and second movable hollow column portions, may be maintained in a partially extended configuration by the simultaneous engagement of said first latch with said aperture in said fixed hollow column portion and the upper of said apertures in said first movable hollow column portion and said third latch with the lower of said apertures in said first and second movable hollow column portions, and may be maintained in a fully extended configuration by the simultaneous engagement of said first latch with said aperture in said fixed hollow column portion and the upper of said apertures in said first movable hollow column portion and said second latch with the lower of said apertures in said first movable hollow column portion and the upper of said apertures in said second movable hollow column portion.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.