FR2775755A1 - Variable geometry folding support for flower pots, jars, lamps or aquarium etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

The support comprises a circular base (1) on the periphery of which are fixed, by means of a hinge and half way between the ends, three bars (3) which can tip in the vertical planes passing through the surface delimited by the base. Each bar has a part (3a) extending from the hinge under the base acting as a foot and a part (3b) also extending from the hinge above the base acting as a wedging leg for the pot (F).

Description

Folding stand with variable geometry, for decorative objects such as pots

  The present invention relates to a folding support with variable geometry intended to support pots of various shapes, generally executed in terracotta, such as flower pots, amphorae, jars or basins, which may contain, if necessary, flowers, shrubs , etc ... This support can also be used to support decorative objects

  various, such as lamps, aquarium, umbrella stand, etc.

  Wrought iron supports intended to support various decorative objects are commercially available. A disadvantage of these supports results from the fact that they consist of rigid structures configured so as to each receive a specific model of flowerpot or the like, of particular size and / or shape, so that they are practically unusable to support other models of pots, even when these are not very different from said particular model. We are therefore led to use a rigid support structure model, adapted to each size and / or shape of pot. In addition, these bulky rigid structures complicate the problems

  storage, handling and transport.

  The present invention aims in particular to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of pot supports, by proposing a support or pedestal remarkable for the fact that it is foldable and adaptable to pots or other decorative objects of sizes and

different shapes.

  According to the invention, this objective is achieved by means of a support comprising a preferably circular base, on the periphery of which are fixed, by means of an articulation and at an intermediate location of their length, at least from their two ends, at least three bars, so that the latter can tilt in vertical planes passing through the surface delimited by said base, each bar having a part extending from said articulation, below the base, to serve as a foot, and a part also extending from said articulation, above said base, to serve as a wedging branch for the decorative object, such as a flowerpot or the like,

positioned on the base.

  Thanks to the above arrangements, the support according to the invention can receive flowerpots or other objects having different diameters and / or various shapes, said support automatically adapting to the conformation of the object positioned on the base. . Indeed, when using the support according to the invention, the tilting assembly of the bars makes it possible to press the upper part of the latter against the lower part of the pot. Thanks to the pressure exerted by said upper part of the bars on the pot,

  this is held stably on the support.

  Another advantage of the support according to the invention is that it is reversible. Indeed, the lower parts (base) and upper parts (holding branches) of the bars can be defined with respect to the points of articulation of said bars, by considering a preferred direction of articulation. However, we understand that the support can be reversed and used upside down, the base then becoming the cradle holding the pot,

and vice versa.

  According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, the articulations of the tilting bars are arranged in a plane distant from the plane in which is included

pedestal.

  Thanks to this arrangement, the bars can be folded against the base, which

  allows the support to be folded up in a significantly smaller volume.

  The goals, features and advantages above and others will emerge

  better from the description which follows and from the appended drawings in which:

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the folding support with variable geometry according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a front view of this support shown in the position of use, the line drawn in fine lines illustrating a flowerpot in the form of a jar; - Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2, without the flowerpot; - Figure 4 is a detail view, on a larger scale, showing the articulation of a tilting bar on the base; - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the position of the bar when the support is folded;

  - Figure 6 is a top view showing the support in the folded state.

  Reference is made to said drawings to describe an advantageous embodiment, although in no way limiting on the support of flower pots or other decorative objects according to the invention. The support with variable geometry according to the invention comprises a base 1 on the periphery of which are fixed, by means of a joint 2 with horizontal axis and at an intermediate point or location of their length, at least three at their ends bars 3, so that the latter can tilt in vertical planes P passing through the surface S delimited by said base, each bar 3 having a part 3a extending, from the articulation 2, below the base 1 , to serve as a foot, and a part 3b also extending from said articulation, above said base, to serve as a wedging element for the lower part of the object

  decorative such as flowerpot F or other positioned on the base.

  The base 1 and the bars 3 can be made of any material having the

  necessary robustness such as, for example, wrought iron, wood, rigid plastic.

  The base 1 can advantageously have a circular shape, as illustrated in the drawings, but it can also have other shapes (oval, square, rectangular, etc.). It can be solid, perforated, or, preferably provided with a large central opening, of circular or other shape. Thus according to the example illustrated, the base 1 is constituted by a circular crown having, for example, a width of the order of 10 mm. The bars 3 preferably have a curved shape, the concavity 3c of their

  camber being oriented towards the outside.

  The point or location of the articulation 2 of the bars on the base, can be provided in the middle part of these demrniers, so as to obtain on either side of

  said joint, parts 3a and 3b of approximately identical length.

  According to the example illustrated, the point or location 2 for fixing the bars to the base, is located at an unequal distance from the ends of said bars; in this way, the parts 3a, 3b arranged on either side of said fixing point, have unequal lengths. Advantageously, the articulations 2 connecting the rocking bars 3 to the base 1, are arranged in a plane P 'distant from the plane P "in which said base is included. This arrangement makes it possible to fold the bars 3 against one of the faces of the base 1, in the folding position of the support, as shown in FIG. 5, which allows a

  significant reduction in the size of said support.

  The bars 3 are articulated on the base 1 by means of pins 4 carried by yokes 5 rigidly secured to the periphery of said base and between the branches -5- of which said bars are mounted. Preferably, these axes 4 are each constituted by the rod of a bolt (screw + nut), these bolts make it possible to block the bars 3 in their position of use appropriate to the size of the flower pot, which guarantees the rigidity of the support in this position and therefore offers greater security. An advantage of the support according to the invention is that it can be reversible, that is to say that the parts 3a and 3b of the bars can be used either as a base or as a support cradle for the flowerpot or the like. It can therefore be shaped for this purpose, to

  so as to present a certain character of "universality".

  In this case, the two ends of the bars can be shaped at the same time

  to allow a good support on the ground, while presenting a decorative aspect.

  The support can also be shaped so that a part of the bars is mainly intended to constitute the base of the support, while their other part is essentially called upon to fulfill a function of wedging the objects presented on

said support.

  In this case, the parts intended to serve as cradles for wedging can be shaped as a function of a particular type of flowerpot such as frustoconical pots,

jars, basins or other objects.

  The ends of the bars which are intended to rest on the ground are

  shaped, as indicated above, to allow stable support for the support.

  Advantageously, these ends are curved outwards, for example in the form of a volute 3d, 3d ', so as to present a curved bearing surface, which

  provides several stable support points, regardless of the distance between the feet of the support.

  The upper ends 3d of the bars 3 are also, interestingly, made in the form of a scroll. These upper scrolls allow the hanging or the passage of various decorative accessories such as: rings, 8-shaped hooks,

  chain surrounding the flower pot, etc ...

  On the other hand, the articulations 2 of the bars are arranged above the plane P "in which the base 1 is included, at a distance and outside the surface S delimited by

said base.

  We understand that according to the support which has just been described, the more we bring the

  feet from the vertical axis of the support, the further the wedging branches are removed from said axis.

  In the closest position of the feet, the lower part 3a of the bars abuts against a lower surface of the periphery of the base, which stops the tilting of said bars and maintains the wedging branches 3b in their largest position.

1 5 opening.

  In this situation, a flowerpot F or other object can be placed on the base 1, by inserting, if necessary, its lower part into the central opening la of said base. It then suffices to tilt the wedging branches 3b by bringing them closer to the vertical axis of the support, until they come into contact with the lateral surface of the pot F. During this movement of approach, the feet perform a movement of

  tilting in the opposite direction, moving them away from said axis.

  It is observed that when the feet 3a have pivoted outwards, beyond a vertical plane passing through their articulation 2, they naturally tend to move away from the vertical axis of the support, under the weight of the object installed on the base 1. It follows that the wedging branches 3b tend to approach the center of the support, by exerting

  thus a self-tightening action on the lateral surface of the object placed on said support.

-7-

Claims (8)

  1-. Support with variable geometry for decorative objects such as flower pots, characterized in that it comprises a base (1) preferably circular, on the periphery of which are fixed, by means of a joint (2) and in an intermediate location of their length distant from their two ends, at least three bars (3), so that the latter can tilt in vertical planes (P) passing through the surface (S) delimited by said base, each bar having a part (3a ) extending from said articulation, below the base (1), to serve as a foot, and a part (3b) also extending from said articulation (2), above said base (1 ) to serve as a wedge for the object   decorative (F) positioned on the base.   2-. Support with variable geometry according to claim 1 characterized in that the articulations (2) of the tilting bars (3) are arranged in a distant plane (P ')   of the plane (P ") in which the base (1) is included.   3-. Support with variable geometry according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in   that at least one of the ends (3d, 3d ') of the bars (3) is bent towards   the exterior so as to present a curved bearing surface.   4-. Support with variable geometry according to one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in   that the two ends (3d, 3d ') of the bars (3) are bent towards   the exterior so as to present curved bearing surfaces.   -. Support with variable geometry according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in   that one end or both ends (3d, 3d ') of the bars (3) are in the shape of a scroll. -8-   6-. Support with variable geometry according to any one of Claims 2 to 5,   configured so that one of the parts of the bars (3) only serves as feet (3a) while their other part exclusively constitutes a wedging branch (3b), characterized in that the plane (P ') in which are located arranged the joints (2) is above the plane (P ") in which is included the base (1).   7-. Support with variable geometry according to any one of Claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the articulations (2) of the bars (3) are arranged at   distance and outside the surface (S) delimited by the base (1).   8-. Support with variable geometry according to any one of Claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the bars (3) have an arched shape, the concavity (3c) of   their camber being oriented towards the outside.   9-. Support with variable geometry according to any one of Claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that the base (1) has a large central opening (la), of circular or other shape, allowing the engagement of the lower part of the object   decorative such as a flowerpot (F).   -. Support with variable geometry according to any one of Claims 1 to 9,   characterized in that the bars (3) are articulated on the base (1) by means of bolts (4).