GB2186008A - Support for post leg, bed leg or chair leg etc - Google Patents

Abstract

A support comprises a corner piece with a base member 1, an upright 4 and supporting sides 2, 3 for the upright. In a particular embodiment the upright is a post of a four poster bed and the base member is adapted for retention under the leg of the bed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Base support This invention relates to base suports and especially to supports for elongate upright members such as poles or stanchions.

It is known for poles such as for lamp standardsto beheld in an uprightposition by means of a weighted base. Domestic standard lamps four example are often provided with a heavy base part of significant plan area. A problem can arise due to the floor space that is necessarily occupied by such a base; thefloorspace may not be readily available and the base may cause obstruction.

The present invention is directed towards providing a stable base support that may be used at floor level without causing obstruction. The base support may also be adapted for underground use.

Accordingly the invention provides a support comprising a cornerpiece including a base member and upright side members defining a cornerpiece and carrying or adapted to carry pole or post extending upwardly from the corner. Preferably the cornerpiece includes a right tetrahedron.

The invention is now described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa schematic view of an embodiment of the invention, and Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views of alternative embodiments of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 the base structure of the base support comprises three plates or laminae, viz. base lamina 1, side laminae 2 and 3; each lamina is shown as a right-angled triangle with the sides adjacentthe right angles joined so thatthe laminae are disposed mutually at right angles in a tetrahedral configuration. I n th is config uration the lam inae form a cornerpiece. Along the mutually joined margins of the side laminae 2 and 3, as shown at 4, a tubular mount or ring mount is providedforthe accomodation of a pole member 5. As an alternative to a tubular or ring mount which enables the poleto be removeable, the pole may be permanently connected to the marginal edge4.

In use,thebaselamina maybeslid undera weighty item such as a bed or chair, at leastpartof the weight of the item bearing down on the base lamina. The side pieces may be closely adjacent the side surfaces of the item and so hardly any additional floor space is occupied. The pole mayforexample support a lamp or may be part of a structure including several uprights secured by cornerpiece supports at each coner of the weighty item.

Various modifications to the shape of the laminae are possible, it being in general neceesary only for the cornerpiece to define or include a right tetrahedron. Forexamplethe side pieces may be shaped to match the style ofthefurniture in the room. For rigidity and versatility the laminar construction is preferred but the cornerpiece could comprise an open framework.

Figures 2 and 3 show alternative constructions for the framework.

In one embodiment four base supports are used as part of a kit of parts for a four poster bed. The base of the bed is provided with a leg at each corner and each leg has an associated supportcornerpieceto which a post is attached. A clamp or other means of securing the cornerpieces to the legs may be provided to facilitate movement of the complete assembled bed.

The cornerpiece support may be used underground,forexampletosupportpolesfor rotary clothes lines or for lamp posts, especially those for domestic use on terraces. Presently such posts are frequently provided with a spike for insertion into the soil, in some instances the spike may have a circularflange. When the soil is soft it is common for the post to be blown over and therefore it is customary forthe spike to be embedded ion a concrete base. The problem that arises with washing lines, childrens' swings and other domestic items is that it is sometimes desirableto move them and this results in a concrete base having to be lifted from the soil, or left thugs presenting an inconvenience.

The cornerpiece ofthe present invention may be placed below the soil surface, the soil replaced and theweightofthesoil actsto hold the post in position.

The structure is more firmly held by the soil than a mere spike, and by virtue of the configuration the moment resisting movement of the pole is greater than that provided by a circumferential flange. For permanent installations the cornerpiece may also be concreted in position, but it should be noted thatfor a given stability a shallower hole can be used than with the abovementioned prior artstructures.

1. Asupportcomprising acornerpieceincluding a base member and upright side members defining a cornerpiece and carrying or adapted to carry pole or post extending upwardlyfrom the corner.

2. A support according to claim 1 in which the cornerpiece includes a righttetrahedron.

3. A support according to claim 1 or claim 2in which the support comprises a base lamina having a rightangleatthecorner.

4. A support according to any preceding claim comprising a pairofside laminae having rightangles at the corner.

5. A support according to any preceding claim in which the cornerpiece is at least partly constructed as a framework.

6. A kit of parts comprising at least one support according to any preceding claim.

7. Afour poster bed including a plurality of supports according to any preceding claim associated with respective posts, the supports being adapted for positioning beneath corners of the bed.

8. Asupport substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Base support This invention relates to base suports and especially to supports for elongate upright members such as poles or stanchions. It is known for poles such as for lamp standardsto beheld in an uprightposition by means of a weighted base. Domestic standard lamps four example are often provided with a heavy base part of significant plan area. A problem can arise due to the floor space that is necessarily occupied by such a base; thefloorspace may not be readily available and the base may cause obstruction. The present invention is directed towards providing a stable base support that may be used at floor level without causing obstruction. The base support may also be adapted for underground use. Accordingly the invention provides a support comprising a cornerpiece including a base member and upright side members defining a cornerpiece and carrying or adapted to carry pole or post extending upwardly from the corner. Preferably the cornerpiece includes a right tetrahedron. The invention is now described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa schematic view of an embodiment of the invention, and Figures 2 and 3 are schematic views of alternative embodiments of the invention. Referring to Figure 1 the base structure of the base support comprises three plates or laminae, viz. base lamina 1, side laminae 2 and 3; each lamina is shown as a right-angled triangle with the sides adjacentthe right angles joined so thatthe laminae are disposed mutually at right angles in a tetrahedral configuration. I n th is config uration the lam inae form a cornerpiece. Along the mutually joined margins of the side laminae 2 and 3, as shown at 4, a tubular mount or ring mount is providedforthe accomodation of a pole member 5. As an alternative to a tubular or ring mount which enables the poleto be removeable, the pole may be permanently connected to the marginal edge4. In use,thebaselamina maybeslid undera weighty item such as a bed or chair, at leastpartof the weight of the item bearing down on the base lamina. The side pieces may be closely adjacent the side surfaces of the item and so hardly any additional floor space is occupied. The pole mayforexample support a lamp or may be part of a structure including several uprights secured by cornerpiece supports at each coner of the weighty item. Various modifications to the shape of the laminae are possible, it being in general neceesary only for the cornerpiece to define or include a right tetrahedron. Forexamplethe side pieces may be shaped to match the style ofthefurniture in the room. For rigidity and versatility the laminar construction is preferred but the cornerpiece could comprise an open framework. Figures 2 and 3 show alternative constructions for the framework. In one embodiment four base supports are used as part of a kit of parts for a four poster bed. The base of the bed is provided with a leg at each corner and each leg has an associated supportcornerpieceto which a post is attached. A clamp or other means of securing the cornerpieces to the legs may be provided to facilitate movement of the complete assembled bed. The cornerpiece support may be used underground,forexampletosupportpolesfor rotary clothes lines or for lamp posts, especially those for domestic use on terraces. Presently such posts are frequently provided with a spike for insertion into the soil, in some instances the spike may have a circularflange. When the soil is soft it is common for the post to be blown over and therefore it is customary forthe spike to be embedded ion a concrete base. The problem that arises with washing lines, childrens' swings and other domestic items is that it is sometimes desirableto move them and this results in a concrete base having to be lifted from the soil, or left thugs presenting an inconvenience. The cornerpiece ofthe present invention may be placed below the soil surface, the soil replaced and theweightofthesoil actsto hold the post in position. The structure is more firmly held by the soil than a mere spike, and by virtue of the configuration the moment resisting movement of the pole is greater than that provided by a circumferential flange. For permanent installations the cornerpiece may also be concreted in position, but it should be noted thatfor a given stability a shallower hole can be used than with the abovementioned prior artstructures. CLAIMS

1. Asupportcomprising acornerpieceincluding a base member and upright side members defining a cornerpiece and carrying or adapted to carry pole or post extending upwardlyfrom the corner.

2. A support according to claim 1 in which the cornerpiece includes a righttetrahedron.

3. A support according to claim 1 or claim 2in which the support comprises a base lamina having a rightangleatthecorner.

4. A support according to any preceding claim comprising a pairofside laminae having rightangles at the corner.

5. A support according to any preceding claim in which the cornerpiece is at least partly constructed as a framework.

6. A kit of parts comprising at least one support according to any preceding claim.

7. Afour poster bed including a plurality of supports according to any preceding claim associated with respective posts, the supports being adapted for positioning beneath corners of the bed.

8. Asupport substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.