AU2012100564A4 - Table support post assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A lockable post assembly (10) includes a post member (12) having an inner passageway (14), a carriage (20) located within the passageway, a spring means (32) biased to resist downward movement of the carriage (20), a shaft (42) located longitudinally through the passageway and having an anchor portion (48) comprising an anchor head (50) and neck (52), an anchor socket (56) secured within the ground and having a male constriction (62) configured to allow the head (50) to pass downwardly into a lower cavity (66) when the anchor portion (48) is in a first orientation, but to disallow the head (50) to pass upwardly out of the lower cavity (66) when the anchor portion (48) is in a second orientation. In use, the anchor socket (56) lockably receives the anchor portion (48) by applying downward pressure on the shaft (42), with the anchor portion (48) in the first orientation, so that the anchor head (50) moves downwardly relative to the post member (12) and enters the lower cavity (66) against the bias of the spring means (32). The shaft (42) is then rotated, with the anchor head (50) in the lower cavity (66), so that the anchor portion (48) moves to the second orientation. Downward pressure on the shaft (42) is then released, with the anchor portion (48) in the second orientation, so that the anchor head (50) moves upwardly against a bottom surface of the male constriction (62) with the bias of the spring means (32). The carriage (20) can then be screwed relative to the shaft (42) so that the anchor head (50) is urged tightly against the bottom surface of the male constriction (62). As a result, the post member (12) is held upright and cannot be lifted from the anchor socket (56). 4-4 18& 9+0 32-4

Description

Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98 AUSTRALIA Patents Act, 1990 COMPLETE INNOVATION SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT Queue Safe Australia Pty Ltd ACN 142 917 780 ACTUAL INVENTOR ROACH, John William ADDRESS FOR SERVICE Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 60 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 INVENTION TITLE: TABLE SUPPORT POST ASSEMBLY DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO(S): 2011 901 816 - 13 May 2011 - AU The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: m:\docs\20121006\250287.doc 2 TABLE SUPPORT POST ASEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a lockable post assembly and, in particular, to a table support post assembly that is lockable to the ground, 5 although the invention may have wider application as a lockable post assembly in supporting other items or in crowd control barriers and the like. For ease of understanding, however, the background, objects and preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereinafter described by reference to a table support post assembly. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tables outside dining and drinking establishments, such as restaurants, cafes and bars, are often free-standing and may be relocated, knocked over, or otherwise destabilised in certain unwelcome circumstances. This may be particularly so if the table is supported only by a single central leg engaged 15 upon the ground by an outwardly extending base. Whilst having a single central leg may be desirable to allow more leg room and access generally for users of the table, it may nonetheless contribute to overall instability of the table and lead to items on the table top, such as drinks, falling over or spilling when the table is bumped. Worse still, free 20 standing tables, and especially those supported by a single central leg, may be used as weapons and cause serious injury or death. It is not uncommon for brawls to erupt outside some bars and for patrons or others to throw or wield outdoor items of furniture at other persons. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative.

3 According to the invention, there is provided a lockable post assembly comprising: (a) a post member having a vertical axis and an inner passageway extending longitudinally therealong which defines a lower opening of the 5 post member, (b) a carriage located within the passageway and including a screw head and a first threaded portion, the carriage being movable longitudinally through the passageway, (c) a spring means biased to resist downward movement of the 10 carriage from a starting position and to return the carriage to the starting position by upward movement from an extended position reached by downward movement, (d) a shaft located longitudinally through the passageway and including a press down portion, a second threaded portion screwably 15 engaged with the first threaded portion, and an anchor portion at a lower end of the shaft adapted to project from the lower opening of the post member, the anchor portion comprising an anchor head and neck, the neck defining a female constriction above the head, (e) an anchor socket secured within the ground, the anchor socket 20 being adapted to lockably receive the anchor portion of the shaft so as to hold the post member upright, the anchor socket comprising a keyed passageway having a male constriction above a lower cavity of the keyed passageway, the male constriction being so configured to allow the head to pass downwardly into the lower cavity when the anchor 25 portion is in a first orientation about the vertical axis, but to disallow the head to pass upwardly out of the lower cavity when the anchor portion is in a second orientation about the vertical axis, 4 wherein, in use, the anchor socket lockably receives the anchor portion by: (i) applying downward pressure on the shaft, with the anchor portion in the first orientation, so that the anchor head 5 moves downwardly relative to the post member and enters the lower cavity against the bias of the spring means, (ii) rotating the shaft, with the anchor head in the lower cavity, so that the anchor portion moves to the second orientation, (iii) releasing downward pressure on the shaft, with the anchor 10 portion in the second orientation, so that the anchor head moves upwardly against a bottom surface of the male constriction with the bias of the spring means, and (iv) screwing the carriage relative to the shaft so that the anchor head is urged tightly against the bottom surface of 15 the male constriction, whereby the post member is held upright and cannot be lifted from the anchor socket. Preferably, the inner passageway also defines an upper opening of the post member, and the screw head of the carriage is at a first end of the 20 carriage projecting from the upper opening. It is preferred that the first threaded portion of the carriage comprises a female thread, and the second threaded portion of the shaft comprises a male thread. Preferably, the spring means is a coil tension spring. 25 It is preferred that the coil tension spring has an upper end connected to the carriage and a lower end connected to the post member.

5 The upper end of the coil tension spring is preferably adapted to contact against an outer surface of the carriage, and the lower end of the coil tension spring is preferably adapted to contact against an inner surface of the post member. 5 Preferably, the press down portion of the shaft is at an upper end thereof projecting from the upper opening of the post member, and defines a handle. In a preferred form, the carriage is located longitudinally through the inner passageway of the post member and has an inner cavity through which the shaft is located longitudinally. 10 The inner cavity preferably defines an upper and a lower opening of the carriage, and the press down portion of the shaft projects from the upper opening of the carriage, and the anchor portion of the shaft projects from the lower opening of the carriage. The anchor portion preferably further comprises a shoulder above the 15 neck, wherein the neck defines the female constriction between the head and the shoulder, so that when the head enters the lower cavity, a lower surface of the shoulder is above or abuts a top surface of the male constriction. The keyed passageway of the anchor socket preferably further comprises an upper cavity above the lower cavity, wherein the male 20 constriction is between the upper and lower cavities. In a preferred form, the lower cavity includes a stop pin for preventing further rotating of the anchor portion beyond the second orientation. The degree of rotation is preferably 900. In a further preferred form, the male constriction is defined by a pair of 25 inwardly opposed guide pins. The head of the anchor portion is preferably spear-head shaped.

6 In a further preferred form of the invention, the lockable post assembly includes a plug member for fitting into at least the upper cavity of the anchor socket and forming a top surface that is substantially level with the surrounding ground. 5 In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lockable post assembly is used as a table support post assembly. In that embodiment, the lockable post assembly further includes means for pivotally mounting a table top thereto. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention provides a lockable table 10 assembly comprising the above described lockable post assembly to which is pivotally mounted a table top. Preferably, the table top is pivotally mounted to the lockable post assembly about a horizontal pivot axis. It is preferred that the horizontal pivot axis is defined by a pivot pin and 15 socket assembly interconnecting a lower middle portion of the table top and an upper side wall portion of the post member, whereby the table top may be pivoted between a horizontal table use position and a space saving position generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the post member. Preferably, the lockable table assembly includes upright support means 20 extending from an upper end of the post member for supporting the table top in the horizontal table use position and providing a clearance between a lower surface of the table top and the upper end of the post member. In a preferred form, the lockable table assembly includes levelling screw means for adjusting the plane of the table top to horizontal. 25 Preferably, the levelling screw means comprises a first portion screwably mounted to the post member and a second portion adapted to press against the lower surface of the table top, whereby the table top may be adjusted to a 7 horizontal plane by screwing the levelling screw means upwardly or downwardly. In a further preferred form, the lockable table assembly includes tapered latch means for locking the table top to the post member when the table top is 5 in the horizontal table use position. Preferably, the tapered latch means comprises a spring loaded lock pin mounted to the lower surface of the table top and a lock catch mounted to the post member, whereby the table top is locked to the post member by latching of the lock pin to the lock catch. 10 SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front vertical section view of a lockable table assembly (table 15 top shown partially) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a lockable post assembly to which is pivotally mounted a table top, the table top being inclined, and the anchor portion of the shaft being in the first orientation and about to be inserted into the anchor socket, Fig. 2 is a top view of the lockable post assembly shown in Fig. 1 (from 20 A-A), Fig. 3 is a side vertical section view through B-B of the lockable post assembly shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a vertical, part section, view of the lower part of the shaft shown in Fig. 3 having been inserted in the first orientation into the anchor socket, 25 Fig. 5 is a horizontal section view of the shaft and anchor socket shown in Fig. 4, the anchor portion of the shaft being in the second orientation in the anchor socket, 8 Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4 but in which the anchor portion of the shaft is in the second orientation, Fig. 7 is a front view of a latch means used in the lockable table assembly of Fig. 1, and 5 Fig. 8 is a top view of a key tool engaging a lock boss of a screw head of a carriage used in the lockable table assembly of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The table support post assembly 10 shown in Figs. 1 to 8 includes a post member 12 having a vertical axis and an inner passageway 14 extending 10 longitudinally therealong which defines an upper opening 16 and a lower opening 18 of the post member 12. At the lower end of the post member 12 is an outer annular flange 19. A carriage 20 is located longitudinally within the passageway 14 of the post member 12, and has a screw head 22 at an upper or first end of the 15 carriage 20 projecting from the upper opening 16. The carriage 20 also has a first threaded portion comprising an inward or female thread 24 at a lower or second end of the carriage, and is movable longitudinally through the passageway 14. The carriage 20 has an inner cavity 26 which defines an upper opening 28 and a lower opening 30. At the lower end of the carriage 20 20 is an outer annular flange 31. A spring means in the form of a coil tension spring 32 has an upper end adapted to contact against an outer surface 34 of the carriage 20 and a lower end adapted to contact against an inner surface 36 of the post member 12. The outer and inner surfaces 34, 36 are perpendicular to the vertical axis of the 25 post member 12. The outer surface 34 is part of a circumferential projecting rib 38 of the carriage, and the inner surface 36 is part of an annular internal bracket 40 of the post member 12. As a result, the coil tension spring 32 is 9 biased to resist downward movement of the carriage 20 from a starting position and to return the carriage 20 to the starting position by upward movement from an extended position reached by downward movement. A shaft 42 is located longitudinally through the inner cavity 26 of the 5 carriage 20, and has a press down portion 44 at an upper end of the shaft 42 projecting from the upper opening 28 of the carriage 20. The press down portion 44 defines a handle. The shaft 42 also has a second threaded portion comprising an outward male thread 46 which is screwably engaged with the inward female thread 24 of the carriage 20. There is an anchor portion 48 at a 10 lower end of the shaft 42 which is beneath the lower opening 30 of the carriage 20 and projects from the lower opening 18 of the post member 12. The anchor portion 48 has an anchor head 50, a neck 52 above the head 50, and a shoulder 54 above the neck 52. The neck 52 defines a female constriction between the head 50 and shoulder 54. The head 50 is spear-head 15 shaped. An anchor socket 56 is secured within the ground 58 and is adapted to lockably receive the anchor portion 48 of the shaft 42 so as to hold the post member 12 upright. The anchor socket 56 has a keyed passageway 60 (as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5) in the form of a male constriction 62 between an 20 upper cavity 64 and a lower cavity 66 of the socket 56. The male constriction 62 is defined by a pair of inwardly opposed guide pins which are so configured to allow the anchor head 50 to pass downwardly into the lower cavity 66 when the anchor portion 48 is in a first orientation (as best shown in Fig. 4) about the vertical axis, but to disallow the anchor head 50 to pass upwardly out of the 25 lower cavity 66 when the anchor portion 48 is in a second orientation (as best shown in Fig. 4) about the vertical axis. When the head 50 enters the lower cavity 66, a lower surface of the shoulder 54 is above or abuts the top surfaces 10 of the guide pins 62. Movement between the first and second orientations is by rotating the shaft 42, and hence the anchor portion 48, about the vertical axis by 900. There is a stop pin 68 in the lower cavity 66 for preventing further rotating of the anchor portion 48 beyond the second orientation. 5 In use, the anchor socket 56 lockably receives the anchor portion 48 by the following steps. With the post member 12 positioned vertically over the anchor socket 56, and with the anchor portion 48 of the shaft 42 in the first orientation relative to the anchor socket 56, downward pressure is applied on the shaft by pressing 10 down on the handle 44, causing the shaft 42, and particularly the anchor head 50, to move downwardly relative to the post member 12 and against the bias of the coil tension spring 32, taking the screwably engaged carriage 20 with it, until the anchor head 50 enters the lower cavity 66 of the socket 56 (see Fig. 4). 15 With downward pressure maintained on the shaft 42, the shaft is then rotated about the vertical axis by 900 so that the anchor portion 48 of the shaft moves to the second orientation relative to the anchor socket 56 (see Figs. 5 and 6). With the anchor portion 48 of the shaft 42 in the second orientation, 20 downward pressure of the shaft 42 is then released, causing the anchor head 50 to move upwardly relative to the post member 12 against the bottom surfaces of the guide pins 62, and with the bias of the coil tension spring 32. The anchor head 50 is then urged tightly against the bottom surfaces of the guide pins 62 by screwing the carriage 20 relative to the shaft 42. This may 25 be achieved by using a key tool 70 to engage a lock boss 72 of the screw head 22 (as best shown in Fig. 8) at the upper end of the carriage 20, and to then screw the screw head 22 in the required direction, during which screwing 11 operation the lower surface of the annular flange 31 at the lower end of the carriage 20 is urged tightly against the upper surface of an annular shoulder 74 at the lower end of the post member 12. In this way, the post member 12 is held upright and cannot be lifted from 5 the anchor socket 56, without reversing the above steps. In an alternative embodiment that may be apparent to persons skilled in the art, the post assembly may be configured such that the shaft has an inner cavity through which the carriage is located longitudinally. When an anchor socket 56 is not supporting a post member 12, the 10 empty anchor socket 56 may present an injury risk, and so a removable plug member may be fitted into at least the upper cavity 64 of the anchor socket 56 so as to form a top surface that is substantially level with the surrounding ground, thereby temporarily plugging-off the anchor socket. Pivotally mounted to the above described table support post assembly 15 10 about a horizontal pivot axis 78 is a table top 80 to form a lockable table assembly 82. The horizontal pivot axis 78 is defined by a pivot pin and socket assembly 84 interconnecting a lower middle portion of the table top 80 and a side wall portion 86 of an upper panel 87 of the post member 12. In use, the 20 table top 80 can be pivoted between a horizontal table use position and a space saving position generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the post member 12. The lockable table assembly 82 has an upright support stand member 88 extending from an upper panel end of the post member 12 for preferably 25 supporting the table top 80 in a horizontal table use position and providing clearance between a lower surface of the table top 80 and the upper panel end of the post member 12.

12 Levelling screws 90 comprising a first portion screwably mounted to the upper panel end of the post member 12 and a second portion adapted to press against the lower surface of the table top 80, are used for adjusting the plane of the table top to horizontal, by screwing them upwardly or downwardly. 5 A tapered latch assembly 92 is mounted to the underside of a plate 94 which is, in turn, mounted to the underside of the table top 80 at a location where the latch assembly 92 is able to lock the table top 80 to the post member 12 when the table top 80 is in the horizontal table use position. The latch assembly 92 has a spring loaded lock pin 96 with a handle end and an 10 opposed tapered end. There is a lock catch mounted to, or formed on, the upper panel end of the post member 12. In this embodiment, the lock catch is provided by a horizontal bend in the upright support stand member 88. As a result of latching of the lock pin 96 to the lock catch 88, the table top 80 is locked to the post 15 member 12. A large number of anchor sockets 56 may typically be arranged in a predetermined grid pattern across a floor area of, say, a restaurant, caf6, bar or wherever variation in table locations may be required. With this arrangement, the tables can be organised into a variety of desired patterns. Those anchor 20 sockets not being used would be plugged off for possible later use.

13 It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design and construction of the lockable post assembly described above without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A lockable post assembly comprising: (a) a post member having a vertical axis and an inner passageway extending longitudinally therealong which defines a lower opening of the post member, (b) a carriage located within the passageway and including a screw head and a first threaded portion, the carriage being movable longitudinally through the passageway, (c) a spring means biased to resist downward movement of the carriage from a starting position and to return the carriage to the starting position by upward movement from an extended position reached by downward movement, (d) a shaft located longitudinally through the passageway and including a press down portion, a second threaded portion screwably engaged with the first threaded portion, and an anchor portion at a lower end of the shaft adapted to project from the lower opening of the post member, the anchor portion comprising an anchor head and neck, the neck defining a female constriction above the head, (e) an anchor socket secured within the ground, the anchor socket being adapted to lockably receive the anchor portion of the shaft so as to hold the post member upright, the anchor socket comprising a keyed passageway having a male constriction above a lower cavity of the keyed passageway, the male constriction being so configured to allow the head to pass downwardly into the lower cavity when the anchor portion is in a first orientation about the vertical axis, but to disallow the 15 head to pass upwardly out of the lower cavity when the anchor portion is in a second orientation about the vertical axis, wherein, in use, the anchor socket lockably receives the anchor portion by: (i) applying downward pressure on the shaft, with the anchor portion in the first orientation, so that the anchor head moves downwardly relative to the post member and enters the lower cavity against the bias of the spring means, (ii) rotating the shaft, with the anchor head in the lower cavity, so that the anchor portion moves to the second orientation, (iii) releasing downward pressure on the shaft, with the anchor portion in the second orientation, so that the anchor head moves upwardly against a bottom surface of the male constriction with the bias of the spring means, and (iv) screwing the carriage relative to the shaft so that the anchor head is urged tightly against the bottom surface of the male constriction, whereby the post member is held upright and cannot be lifted from the anchor socket.

2. The lockable post assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner passageway also defines an upper opening of the post member, and the screw head of the carriage is at a first end of the carriage projecting from the upper opening.

3. The lockable post assembly of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the spring means is a coil tension spring which has an upper end connected to the carriage and a lower end connected to the post member. 16

4. The lockable post assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the carriage is located longitudinally through the inner passageway of the post member and has an inner cavity through which the shaft is located longitudinally.

5. A lockable table assembly comprising the lockable post assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4 to which is pivotally mounted a table top. Dated this 7 th day of May 2012 Queue Safe Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL AND ASSOCIATES