AU746386B2

AU746386B2 - Weight bearer

Info

Publication number: AU746386B2
Application number: AU27050/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Egon Wehrle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-08
Filing date: 1999-05-07
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-07
Also published as: AU2705099A; DE19820750C1

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

oo oooe oeo oo oo o o g* Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: EGON WEHRLE EGON WEHRLE ADDRESS FOR SERVICE

ALTERED

SANDERCCK &CO, Eo 69 Robinso et, TrVic-NON VTC ,1 7 Invention Title: WEIGHT BEARER Details of Convention Application(s): No(s): German Patent Application No. P 98 193 H filed 8 th May, 19998 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 19995-5-06.A:\197wchrle.filing.wpd,l -la- TITLE: WEIGHT BEARER The invention relates to a weight bearer with at least one base piece and at least one side piece which, in use position are arranged angled with respect to each other. By a weight 5 bearer is meant a pylon, a stay, a strut or a similar long construction element.

A weight bearer of the type described above is known, the side piece being connected in one piece with the base piece. Weight bearers of this type can, for example, feature an T- or U-shaped cross section. In these weight bearers, the base piece and the side piece are arranged at angles to one another in a cross-section plane by means of which, despite a relatively light weight of the weight bearer, a relatively high rigidity is achieved *oo.* when the weight bearer is acted upon crosswise to its length by a load carrying capacity.

The previously known weight bearers have the disadvantage that, because of their long length in comparison to their cross-sectional measurements, they are relatively bulky and can consequently not be easily transported. A relatively large area is also required for the 990506.A:\197WEHRLECAP.wpd I -2storage of the weight bearer. It is already known to divide a weight bearer in many segments in the lengthwise direction and to connect these segments together by means of connectors such as rivets or screws at the site at which the weight bearer is to be used. The assembly of the individual part pieces at the site where they will be used has, however, proven to be awkward and time consuming in practice, particularly when the weight bearers are used in more than one location. Furthermore, an inconvenience lies in the fact that access to the weight bearer is often difficult, 0000 =resulting in further complicating the assembly of the segments.

Goes 0. From DE 43 04 602 Al, a supporting structure is also known which features the plate or strut shaped connecting elements which are connected together with connecting o joints. The connecting joints have a plate shaped central piece which is connected by S its edges to several plate pieces each by means of a hinge. The plate pieces alongside the central piece are linked by their edges opposite the central piece to further plate pieces. Between the neighbouring plate pieces of a chain then, connecting hinges are arranged by means of which the plate pieces of the chain can be swivelled against one Sanother. The connecting hinges feature connecting points on the central piece and the plate pieces which are connectable during the assembly of the supporting structure by 00'.0 means of appropriate assembly elements to a further connecting hinge or a plate or strut-shaped connecting element. The assembly of the individual pieces of the supporting structure at the site where they will be used is, however, relatively 0 complicated and time consuming.

The task which consequently exists is to create a weight bearer of the type named at the outset which is easily transportable and storable and enables simple construction at the site at which it will be used.

Thus the invention provides an elongate weight bearing assembly having a use configuration in which it is capable of bearing weight over a portion of the length of the assembly and having a rest configuration in which pieces of the assembly are -3swivelled to assume a more compact configuration than that assumed by the assembly when it is in the use configuration, comprising a plurality of substantially planar rigid main pieces connected to one another in the manner of a chain such that neighbouring main pieces are each connected swivelable to one another around a chain hinge axle, at least one rigid side piece for each main piece connected to the respective side piece via at least one hinge whereby the side piece may be swivelled from a supporting configuration where it forms an angle with respect to the side piece when **o :the assembly is in the use configuration to a folding configuration where it is arranged 10 in a plane parallel to the respective side piece from whence it may be swivelled to the rest configuration, and releasable connecting means extending between neighbouring side pieces at a *06 0 distance from a respective chain hinge axle, wherein the connecting means are adapted to rigidly space neighbouring side pieces from each other and to hold them against relative lateral movement when the assembly is in the use configuration and to detach and allow relative lateral movement between neighbouring side pieces and swivel movement between respective side •00. a pieces and main pieces when the assembly is reconfigured from a use configuration to a rest configuration.

In one aspect of the invention the side pieces are, then, connected swivelable to the main piece to which they are allocated and can be brought into a rest position in which they are, for the most part, on one plane alongside one another or parallel to one another, one above the other. The weight bearer largely features in the rest position the form of a flat chain, the main and side pieces forming the links of the chain. By this means, the weight bearer can simply similar to a carpet or a belt be rolled up or rolled out lengthwise. The weight bearer then needs only a small amount of space and can be easily transported. At the site at which it will be used, the weight bearer in rolled up position can be brought, by means of unrolling, for example from a roll, into the rest position and then by means of the swivelling of the side pieces relative to the main pieces allocated to them into the use position. Here, the side Spieces in use position are arranged, with their respective planes, at an angle to the

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-3Amain pieces allocated to them. Neighbouring side pieces in the lengthwise direction of the weight bearer can be connected together at their connection points so that, when a carrying force or a supporting force is brought to bear at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer, a rigid weight bearer results.

It is advantageous when the chain linkage axles of the individual links are arranged parallel to one another. The weight bearer then has, in use position, a greater antitorsion rigidity. Furthermore, in the rest position in which the main and side pieces allocated to one another are arranged in a plane alongside one another or in G•o o10 planes running parallel to one another are arranged one above the other, the weight

S.S.•

0 bearer can be better rolled up.

00 0 A practical aspect of one aspect of the invention exists in the fact that the hinge axles 0 o of the individual links are arranged at right angles to the chain hinge axles arranged parallel to one another or to an axle running parallel to it. The weight bearer features in use position, then, a high rigidity when a load with a carrying force at right angles to its length direction is applied.

@000 0 0 00 0.

00 00 oo •too 0 0 00 I~-i31.' ~,A It is advantageous when, at right angles to the direction in which the weight bearer extends, on both side of each main piece a hinge is arranged respectively, to which each swivel piece, swivelable out of the use position into the rest position, is connected. In the use position, then, the weight bearer has a largely symmetrical, eg. a U-shaped cross section which makes possible high rigidity and antitorsion rigidity. If necessary, the side pieces arranged on both sides of a main piece can be fixed at right angles to the length of the weight bearer or braced against one another. The weight bearer can be used as a bridge which can be rolled up, the main piece in the use position forming a carriageway or track which is limited on each side of the side pieces arranged on both sides of these main pieces.

A particularly advantageous extension of the invention provides several side pieces in a row running at right angles to the length of the weight bearer to be allocated to each base piece, that the first and the last side piece is connected, swivelable, to the main piece around a hinge axle arranged substantially in the plane in which the chain extends, that these hinges axles are arranged parallel to one another, that the side pieces, arranged alongside one another, are respectively connected, swivelable to each other by means of a connecting hinge around a connecting hinge axle parallel to the hinge axles in such a way that the main piece forms a closed chain with the side pieces arranged in the row and that at least one of the side pieces in the chain row has at least one of the connecting S .points separate from the hinge axle for the connection to a side piece in the longitudinal .direction to this side piece. The main and side pieces in the chain row running at right angles to the length of the weight bearer can be brought into a use position by forming a hollow or box profile by means of which they can support, if necessary, one or more of the side pieces between the first and last side piece in the chain row above or beneath the main piece. The weight bearer features, by this means, a particularly high rigidity and antitorsion rigidity.

It is particularly advantageous when, in the direction in which the weight bearer extends, neighbouring side pieces are detachably connectable to one another. In the case of connecting points detachable from one another, side pieces offset to one another can be brought into various swivel positions with respect to the hinge or connection axle assigned to it so that some of these side pieces can be in use position while the other side 990506,A:\I 97WEHRLE.CAP.wpd,4 i i S pieces can be in rest position and, if necessary, be rolled up. The length measurements of the weight bearer in use position can, for this reason, easily vary.

It is advantageous when, in the area of at least one connecting point, a length-adjustable spacer is arranged in the longitudinal direction for the changing of the space to a neighbouring side piece in the area of the connecting point. The length measurements of the individual side pieces can be changed in the vicinity of the connection points. By this means, the swivel positions of the individual neighbouring swivel or main pieces can be changed with respect to the chain hinge axle assigned to them, the weight bearer being in the use position and perhaps acted upon by a load. By this means the geometry of the weight bearer can be changed in a longitudinal median plane running at right angles to the plane in which the chain extends. In this way, a bow-shaped, a wave-shaped or another form of weight bearer can be arranged.

The spacers allocated to the individual side pieces can be designed as hydraulic cylinders which are connected via hydraulic supply lines to a hydraulic power pack. It is even possible to lead the hydraulic lines along the main piece or to arrange them inside them.

If necessary, several hydraulic lines can be provided with which the individual hydraulic adjusting devices can be controlled individually or in groups and/or be set in various directions.

In accordance with a particularly advantageous form of the invention, it is planned that S.i at least one chain hinge be constructed as a double link with swivel axles parallel to one another, that on these swivel axles one of the neighbouring main pieces in the lengthwise direction of the weight bearer is swivelable and that these main pieces are in swivel transfer connection through a movement transmission mechanism. The neighbouring main pieces can, in the rest position of the side pieces, be so swivelled around the double hinge allocated to it that the main piece is arranged in planes running fundamentally parallel to each other one on top of another. By this means, it is possible to stack all the main and side pieces of the weight bearer one above another so that the weight bearer needs only very little place. By means of the movement transfer mechanism, the swivel movements of the main pieces allocated to the individual double hinges are coupled together. The weight bearer features, by this means, a greater stability in use position.

990506,A:\197WEHRLE.CAP.wpd,5 -6- In particular, an offset between neighbouring main pieces is avoided when the double hinge allocated to it or them is acted upon with a support force or holding force. The movement transmission mechanism can, for example, feature interlocking gear wheels and/or a belt and/or a transmission lever.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, weight bearer segments are formed from at least one main piece and at least one side piece allocated to it. The chain hinge axles of the chain hinges allocated to the respective weight bearer segment extend over a plane.

The weight bearer segments have a support point or contact point at a distance from the plane or for a drawing cord or similar drawing element. The drawing cord or the drawing element run in the direction in which the weight bearer extends. The drawing cord or the drawing element can be braced, by means of a bracing device, against weight bearer segments which are separate from one anther in the direction in which the weight bearer extends. These weight bearer segments also have an abutment. The drawing cord or drawing element is situated between the abutments. The individual segments of the weight bearer can, then, be braced apart, resulting in a weight bearer which is rigid in all directions, even when, in use position, its shape departs from the straight line. The weight bearer can, in its medial plane, support lateral forces operating in opposing directions. It is furthermore easier to handle in the use position.

In a practical aspect of the invention, the side pieces are swivelable against the elastic .force from the use position to the rest position. When unrolling the weight bearer in the rolled up position, the side pieces swivel automatically into the use position. By this means, the weight bearer is more easily assembled on the site on which it is to be used.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with the aid of the diagram. Shown are: Figure 1 is a three dimensional partial depiction of a weight bearer with several chainlike main pieces in a row, to which two side pieces are connected, swivelable, the individual main pieces allocated to the respective side pieces being depicted in various swivel positions, from a use position to a rest position, 990506A:\197WEHRLE.CAP.wpd.6 -7- Figure 2 is a plan view of three segments of the weight bearer shown in Figure 1 in rest position, Figure 3 is a side view of the weight bearer shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a side view of the weight bearer according to Figure 1, in which the side pieces are shown in use position, Figure 5 is a side view of a weight bearer similar to Figure 1, which is positioned to change its length on the holding roll moveable in the lengthwise direction, Figure 6 is a view of the plane indicated with VI in Figure Figure 7 a side view of a chain hinge constructed as a double hinge of the weight, and Figure 8 is a bearer in accordance with Figure 5, the main pieces on the chain hinge being represented in various swivel positions, Figure 9 is a side view of the weight bearer in accordance with Figure 5, in which the 20 main pieces connected to the chain hinges and the side pieces joined to them are stacked .one on top of another, Figure 10 is a weight bearer similar to that in Figure 5, in which the distances between the neighbouring side pieces in the lengthwise direction of the weight bearer are adjustable by means of a hydraulically adjustable spacer,

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Figure 11 is a cross section through a weight bearer in use position whose side pieces feature contact points for a drawing cord with which to draw the weight bearer in a lengthwise direction, Figure 12 is a side view to two segments of the weight bearer shown in Figure 11, Figure 13 is the weight bearer in accordance with Figure 11 in use position braced to 990506,A:\I 97WEHRLE.CAP.wpd,7 c. i i -8form a bow, Figure 14 is a partial view of a weight bearer constructed as a floating jetty, having, in use position the form of a box, Figure 15 is the weight bearer shown in Figure 15 in the rest position and Figure 16 a cross section through the weight bearer as in Figure 14, in which the inflatable air bags arranged beneath the main piece are particularly easily recognisable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS A weight bearer indicated with 1 features a multiplicity of chain-shaped main pieces 2 in a row in the plane in which the chain extends. The individual main pieces 2 are plateshaped and are arranged with the plane in which they extend, for the most part in the plane in which the chain extends. In the plane in which the chain extends, neighbouring main pieces 2 are combined, swivelable, by means of chain hinge 3 around a chain hinge axle arranged, for the most part, in the plane in which the chain extends. In the embodiments in accordance with Figures 2 to 13, two side pieces are allocated to the individual main pieces 2 respectively which, via a hinge 6 around a hinge axle 7 in the 20 plane in which the chain extends from a use position in which the respective side piece 5 is arranged at right angles to the main piece 2 allocated it, is connected, swivelable, the .main piece 2 and the side piece 5 allocated to it being arranged in a plane alongside one another (Figures 2 and 3) or in planes running, for the most part, parallel to one another one on top of the other (Figure 15). The weight bearer 1 in the rest position can, by this •25 means, be rolled up into a roll. The measurement of the weight bearer can, by this means, be reduced thereby saving space and facilitating transportation.

The individual side pieces 5 have along their edges at those of the length of the weight bearer 1 a connecting point separate from the hinge axle with which, in the lengthwise 555 direction of the weight bearer 1, neighbouring side pieces 5 are connected or can be connected together. The weight bearer 1 has, by this means, in use position a high rigidity when acted upon by a weight or holding force.

990506,A:\197WEHRLE.CAP.wpd,8 -9- As can be see especially well from Figure 2, the chain hinge axles 4 of the individual chain hinges 3 are arranged parallel to one another. The hinge axles 7 of the hinges 6 are oriented at right angles to the chain hinge axles 4 and run in the same plane as them. By this means, a distortion of the weight bearer 1 when acted upon by a weight at right angles to the plane in which the chain extends loaded by the main piece 2 is avoided.

Through the chain and linkage hinges in the plane the weight bearer 1 has, in rest position, only a slight thickness, corresponding approximately to that of the main piece 2 or the side piece 5. As can be seen especially easily in Figures 1 and 2, a side piece is arranged at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer 1 on both sides of each main piece 2 which is connected, swivelable, by its edge facing the main piece 2 by means of a hinge 6 to an edge of the main piece 2 in the direction in which the weight bearer 1 extends. In use position, the extension planes of the main and side pieces 2, 5 connected, swivelable, by a hinge 6 respectively include an obtuse angle between them. By this means, the following is achieved. In a weight bearer 1, the longitudinal direction of which, in use position, departs from a straight line, when the weight bearer 1 is acted upon by a weight at right angles to the direction in which the chain extends, the side pieces 5 are acted upon by a force component of the weight which holds it in use position.

0 oooo 20 In the embodiment of Figures 14 to 16 which can be used as a floating side or as a raft, several side pieces 5 arranged alongside one another in a row running at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer 1 are allocated to each main piece 2 respectively. The first and last side piece in the row is connected, swivelable, by means 0of a hinge 6 respectively around a hinge axle 7 in, for the most part, the plane in which the chain extends, to the main piece 2 to the main piece 2 allocated to it. As a result, the hinges 6 allocated to one main piece 2 respectively on edge or end areas 9 of the main piece 2 opposite one another are arranged, with their hinge axles 7 parallel to one another.

Side pieces arranged together one behind another in the chain row are connected, swivelable, around connecting hinge axles 10 running parallel to the linkage hinge axles 7. The swivelable pieces 5 and the main piece 2 allocated to them form, then, a closed chain. The individual main pieces 2 and the side pieces 5 assigned to them can, by means of the linkage hinges 6 and the connecting hinges 10, be brought into a use position, in which the weight bearer 1 has the profile of a box. By this means, some of the side pieces 990506,A:\97WEHRLE.CAP.wpd,9 support themselves from below on the main piece 2 allocated to them. The individual side pieces 5 feature connection points for connection to a neighbouring side piece 5 in the longitudinal direction. By this means a rigid, true to form weight bearer 1 in use position results.

As is recognisable through Figure 15, main and side pieces 2, 5 in the chain-row can be brought into the rest position in which they are arranged to lie one on top of another in two planes parallel to one another. As can be seen in Figure 15, the side pieces 5 in the chain row arranged near the main piece 2 also feature a shoulder 2 on the end area opposite the main piece 2 on which the connecting hinge 10 is arranged. In the rest position shown in Figure 15, the weight bearer can be rolled out in the direction in which it extends.

As can be seen from Figure 14, the side pieces 5 can be constructed of several pieces and have, for example, two swivelling arms running parallel to each other articulated to an axial end of the main piece 2. If necessary, in a weight bearer 1 whose main pieces 2 form a carriageway, a track or a platform, confining elements 12 can be provided on the edge areas of the main pieces which extend beyond the surface of the main pieces and o*o.

**confine them on the sides. In the embodiment shown in Figure 14, the confining .20 elements 12 can be swivelled around a hinge axle 7 allocated to the main piece out of a V" use position in which the confining elements 12 are arranged with the direction inwhich S they extend at right angles to the extension plane of the main piece 2 into a rest position, the confining elements 12 being arranged parallel to the extension plane of the main pieces 2 and lie on them.

:It should be mentioned that in the embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 16, inflatable airbags 13 are positioned underneath the main piece 2, providing the necessary buoyancy for the weight bearer 1 designed as floating jetty or floating bridge in water.

As can be seen particularly clearly in Figure 12, the connection points 8 can be designed as a stop position for a support stop. It is practical, in this respect, if one of the support stops allocated to each other has a coupling projection and the other has a reception indentation into which the coupling projection connects in the use position of the weight 990506,A:\A197WEHRLE.CAP.wpd, -11bearer 1. The individual side pieces 5 offset to each other in the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer 1 are, then, in use position connected securely together so that they cannot swivel against each other. If necessary, side pieces next to each other in the longitudinal direction can be screwed to their allocated support stops, for example with a sleeve nut or by other means so that both pressure and drawing forces can be transferred.

In the embodiments of Figures 2, 4, 5 and 12, length adjustable spacers 15 are arranged in the vicinity of the connection points 8 in the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer 1 with which the distance to a neighbouring side piece in the longitudinal direction can be altered. The spacers 15 have a thread section which can be screwed into the tapped hole in the side pieces 5. By this means, the length measurements of the side pieces 5 and therefore the geometry of the weight bearer 1 in use position can be altered. In this way, for example, a weight bearer 1 can be adjusted with a bow shaped (Figure 13) or wave shaped (Figure 10) longitudinal geometry.

In the embodiment according to Figure 10, the spacers 15 are designed as hydraulically adjustable pistons in a cylinder. The hydraulic cylinders are connected to supply lines which run through the inside of the main pieces 2 to a hydraulic adjustment device. The 20 weight bearer shown in Figure 10 can, for example, be part of a robot arm or of a •manipulator.

In the embodiments according to Figure 5 to 12, the chain linkages 3 are designed as double linkages with parallel axles 16 on which one of the neighbouring main pieces in the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer 1 is located. The main pieces 2 are motion coupled with respect to their rotational axles 16 by means of a movement transferral mechanism. The movement transfer mechanism 17 features two meshing gears which are each constructed in one piece with the end areas of the main pieces 2 facing each other. In the use position of the weight bearer 1, the main pieces 2 remain, by this means, in position when the weight bearer 1 is acted upon with a weight or holding force represented in Figure 7 by an arrow Pf.

The distance of both swivel axles 16 of each double linkage corresponds to 990506,A:\197WEHRLE.CAP.wpd, II -12approximately half of the sum of the thickness of the two main pieces 2 alongside one another in the longitudinal direction. By this means the main pieces can be swivelled to a total of 3 6 0 i against one another so that they can be swivelled out of the use position in which they are arranged in one plane alongside one another into a rest position in which they lie, one on top of another, in two planes running parallel to one another. By this means, it is possible to swivel all the main pieces 2 and the side pieces connected to them so that they are arranged in a stack one on top of another (Figure 9).

In the embodiment of Figure 5 the weight bearer is placed, shiftable, on support rolls 18 in its longitudinal direction. Each of the support rolls 18 are placed, turnable, on an abutment 19. As can be seen from Figure 6, one of the support rolls grips a main piece 2 at its underside in the height of the longitudinal medial plane of the weight bearer 1.

In the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer 1 and at a distance from it is a further main piece 2 supported on the upper side on both sides of the longitudinal medial plane of the weight bearer. As can be seen from Figure 5, the side pieces 5 in use position, extending from the main piece 1 allocated to them point downwards and are supported below their chain linkage 3 at linkage points 8 on a neighbouring side piece 5 in the longitudinal direction. By this means, a rigid weight bearer 1 results which can support the holding power in the direction of the arrow Pf on its axial end against the abutment 19.

On its free end which can be acted upon by the holding power, the end area opposite and behind the support rolls 18, the main and side pieces 2,5 situated there can be brought into the rest position and be, for example, rolled up in a roll or folded into a stack. To this end, a guide can be arranged at the back of the support rolls 18 for the side pieces So": situated there which swivels it when the weight bearer 1 is drawn out of the retaining ring formed by means of the support rolls 18 and the abutment 19 out of the rest position and into the use position. Correspondingly, when the weight bearer is pushed into the holder, tSc the side pieces 5 can be swivelled out of the use position into the rest position. The length of the weight bearer shown in Figure 5 can, in this way, easily be altered.

It should also be mentioned that each of the individual side pieces 5 can be swivelled against the elastic force of a side spring on its hinge from the use position into the rest 990506,A:\197WEHRLE.CAP.wpd, 12 'P 13 position. If necessary, the main piece 2 can feature side stops 20 (Figure 6) to which the side pieces 5 are adjacent in use position.

In the embodiment according to Figures 11 to 13, the side pieces arranged on either side of each main piece 2 are connectable to each other by means of a holding screw 21 opposite the hinge 6 allocated to them. One of the side pieces allocated to each main piece 2 has a coupling projection 22 on its edge opposite the hinge 6 which, in Sees use position, engages into a hole in the other side piece. By this means, a stable, in 1. 0 cross section approximately triangular shaped weight bearer 1 results.

0 g On the edges opposite the hinges 6, the side pieces in use position have, on the inner side, a support point for a wire cable 23. In Figure' 11 it can be easily seen that the cable 23 extends through a free area limited by the holding screw 21 and the inner surfaces of both the side pieces 5 and by this means is spaced from the hinges 6. An abutment is arranged at the two axial ends of the weight bearer 1 between which the S cable 23 can be tightened by a tightening device inner part of the weight bearer 1. By 0 06. this means, the weight bearer segments, each formed by means of the individual main pieces 2 and the side pieces 2 connected, swivelable, to them can be tightened against each other so that a rigid weight bearer results. This can have, if necessary, a bow configuration, as shown in Figure 13. A weight bearer of this kind can, for example, be used for the supporting of the roof of a tent.

It is to be understood that the word comprising as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form ie. use of the word comprising does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An elongate weight bearing assembly having a use configuration in which it is capable of bearing weight over a portion of the length of the assembly and having a rest configuration in which pieces of the assembly are swivelled to assume a more compact configuration than that assumed by the assembly when it is in the use configuration, comprising sees o a plurality of substantially planar rigid main pieces connected to one another 0: 10 in the manner of a chain such that neighbouring main pieces are each connected swivelable to one another around a chain hinge axle, at least one rigid side piece for each main piece connected to the respective *°0 °side piece via at least one hinge whereby the side piece may be swivelled from a supporting configuration where it forms an angle with respect to the side piece when the assembly is in the use configuration to a folding configuration where it is arranged in a plane parallel to the respective side piece from whence it may be swivelled to the S-rest configuration, and releasable connecting means extending between neighbouring side pieces at a distance from a respective chain hinge axle, wherein the connecting means are adapted to rigidly space neighbouring side pieces from each other and to hold them against relative lateral movement when the "°assembly is in the use configuration and to detach and allow relative lateral movement between neighbouring side pieces and swivel movement between respective side pieces and main pieces when the assembly is reconfigured from a use configuration to a rest configuration.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means have variable length in order to allow adjustment of the spacing between side pieces.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connecting means comprise a support stop for each side piece projecting to abut a corresponding support stop on a neighbouring side piece, one of the support stops including an indentation for receiving a coupling projection provided on the other of the support stops.

4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the chain hinge axles are arranged parallel to one another. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinges have hinge axles which are arranged at right angles to the chain hinge axles.

COOS 10

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein right angles to the longitudinal direction of the weight bearer on both sides of each main Spiece a side piece is connected to a main piece by a hinge, each side piece being •swivelable from the use configuration into the rest configuration. OS S

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least two neighbouring side pieces in the longitudinal direction of the assembly are joined together at the connecting means by a flexible tensioning element.

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connecting means allocated to each other of neighbouring side pieces in the direction in which the assembly extends are each designed as a stop point of a stay.

9. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the connecting means is length-adjusted by means of a hydraulic adjustment device.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one chain joint is designed as a double pivoting join with pivoting axles parallel to one another.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the pivoting axles of the double pivoting joint are arranged so that neighbouring main pieces are in swivel -16- transmission connection by means of a movement transmission mechanism comprising meshing gears.

12. An assembly according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. 000. 000 Dated this 25th day of February 2002 10 Egon Wehrle by his patent attorneys Morcom. Pernat S. 0 C C @6 e.g. 0 0000 0e 6 SO 00 0 S.. @5 S S C C SC