Folding cantilever support and method
OwnerLeonard Arnold Duffy, Robert Brennan Duffyinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable device and method for supporting a load in a cantilevered disposition relative to a shelf, cabinet, or other extant structure is provided, which device is foldable into a relatively compact entity when not in use. The device includes at least a platform portion 01, a bracing portion 02, and a pivotably attached hanging bracket 03, and can be configured to support such a load in a horizontal or inclined position at a near or relatively distant horizontal or vertical relationship to the extant structure. The device may be independent, attached to, or integrally manufactured with the load.
Claims20
A portable device for supporting a load in a cantilevered disposition extending from a generally horizontal extant structure, said extant horizontal structure having an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface, said device comprising:
- a platform portion extending in a first direction, said platform portion for holding said load in a cantilevered disposition;
- a bracing portion extending in a second direction generally opposite said first direction, said bracing portion having a first bearing segment at its distal end for transferring an upward vertical component of a moment couple, caused by supporting said load in a cantilevered disposition, to said bottom surface at a location remote from said edge;
- and
- at least one hanging bracket pivotably attached at a first axis interjacent said platform portion and said bracing portion,
- said hanging bracket having a second bearing segment at its distal end for transferring a downward vertical component of said moment couple to said top surface of said extant structure at a location adjacent to said edge,
- said hanging bracket pivoting into a generally compact disposition relative to said platform and bracing portions when said device is not in use;
- wherein mounting said second bearing segment of said hanging bracket on said top surface adjacent to said edge and applying said load to said platform portion causes said first bearing segment of said bracing portion to engage with said bottom surface at said location remote from said edge, thereby supporting said load in said cantilevered disposition extending from said extant structure and accommodating a diversity of variable thicknesses between said top surface and said bottom surface of diverse ones of said extant structure.
A method of supporting a load in a cantilevered disposition from an extant horizontal structure comprising:
- a. providing said extant horizontal structure with an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface wherein the thickness as measured between said top surface and said bottom surface varies between diverse ones of said structure;
- b. providing an interconnected platform portion, bracing portion, and hanging bracket with bearing segment at its distal end, said hanging bracket pivotably attached at a first axis interjacent said platform portion and said bracing portion, said hanging bracket pivoted into a generally compact relationship with said platform portion and said bracing portion;
- c. pivoting said distal end of said hanging bracket away from said platform portion and said bracing portion;
- d. hanging said bearing segment of said distal end of said hanging bracket from said top surface at a first location adjacent to said edge of said extant structure;
- e. pivoting said bracing portion to engage with said bottom surface of said extant horizontal structure at a second location remote from said edge;
- and
- f. applying said load to said platform portion so as to cause a moment couple resultant from said load in said cantilevered disposition to react against said extant structure in a downward direction at said first location and in an upward direction at said second location;
- thereby supporting said load in said cantilevered disposition from said extant horizontal structure and accommodating said thickness which varies between diverse ones of said structure.
A device for supporting a load in an cantilevered position extending from an extant horizontal shelf which comprises:
- a structure for receiving said load in said cantilevered disposition, said structure including at least a platform portion extending in a first direction, a bracing portion extending in a second direction generally opposite said first direction, and
- an axis interjacent said platform and said bracing portions;
- and at least one hanging bracket pivotably attached to said structure at said axis and having a generally horizontal bearing segment at its distal end;
- so that, when said bearing segment is placed on a top surface of said shelf adjacent to an edge of said shelf and said bracing portion is engaged with a bottom surface of said shelf at a location remote from said edge, said load applied to said platform portion is supported in said cantilevered position and, when said hanging bracket is removed and pivoted toward said structure, said device provides a relatively compact entity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.