Adjustable support apparatus
AssigneeUltimate Support Systems, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey M. Johnson, Jon L. Lindskog, Darrell A. Schoenig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Portable, collapsible, adjustable support apparatus is described comprising first and second tubular members which are telescopically connected. A base member including pivoting legs is preferably attached to the lower end of the first tubular member. The second tubular member includes engagement means which is adapted to releasably engage the interior surface of the first tubular member. Release means carried by the second tubular member may be actuated by one hand to raise or lower the second tubular member with respect to the first tubular member. A locking system is also described which is adapted to releasably lock pivotable leg members to a base member. The leg members may be locked in either an upward or downward position.
Claims19
Portable, collapsible, vertically adjustable support apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first elongated tubular member having upper and lower ends;
- (b) a base member secured to said lower end of said first tubular member;
- (c) a second elongated tubular member slidably received within said upper end of said first tubular member;
- (d) engagement means carried by said second tubular member;
- said engagement means being adapted to releasably engage the interior surface of said first tubular member;
- (e) release means carried by said second tubular member;
- (f) elongated connection means which is connected between said engagement means and said release means;
- (g) a plurality of leg members pivotably attached to said base member;
- (h) locking means carried by said base member which is movable between first and second positions;
- wherein said locking means is adapted to lock said leg members in an outward position when said locking means is in said first position and is adapted to unlock said leg members when in said second position;
- wherein said second tubular member is adapted to move longitudinally within said first tubular member when said release means is actuated to disengage said engagement means from said interior surface of said first tubular member.
Portable, adjustable support apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first elongated tubular member having upper and lower ends;
- (b) support means secured to said lower end of said first tubular member;
- (c) a second elongated tubular member slidably received within said upper end of said first tubular member;
- (d) engagement means carried by said second tubular member;
- said engagement means being adapted to releasably engage the interior surface of said first tubular member;
- wherein said engagement means comprises a plurality of wing members and an elongated wedge member which is movable between first and second positions;
- wherein the portions of said wing members which are adapted to releasably engage said interior surface of said first tubular member comprise a pliable rubber having a Shore A hardness not exceeding about 100;
- wherein said wedge member is biased to said second position in a manner such that said wing members are urged against said interior surface of said first tubular member;
- (e) release means carried by said second tubular member;
- (f) elongated connection means which is connected between said wedge member and said release means;
- wherein said second tubular member is adapted to move longitudinally within said first tubular member when said release means is actuated to move said wedge member from said second position to said first position.
A locking system in combination with a base member having a plurality of legs pivotably attached thereto, said locking system adapted to releasably lock said pivotable leg members to said base member, wherein said leg members have inner and outer ends, and wherein each said leg member is pivotably attached to said base member at a point near said inner end, wherein said locking system comprises a plate member rotatably attached to said base member, said plate member including a plurality of slots therethrough, and said plate member being rotatable between first and second positions, wherein when said plate member is in said first position means are provided to permit said inner ends of said leg members to pass through said slots in said plate member when said leg members are pivoted with respect to said base member, and when said plate member is rotated to its said second position addition means cause said inner ends of said leg members to be captured in said base member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.