GB2222516A - Supporting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A supporting structure for supporting, for example, tables, chairs, etc., comprises a number of legs (21) pivotally mounted on the inside of a frame (11 to 14). The legs may be pivoted between a non-operative position in which they are generally parallel, (FIG.3), and a splayed condition for supporting an article, (FIG.4). <IMAGE>

Description

"Supporting Structure" The present invention relates to a supporting structure which my be used to support a wide range of articles, e.g. tables, chairs or barbecues.

Many types of such supporting structures are of course known. Very generally speaking supporting structures may be divided into two categories; those which remain fixed in a supporting condition, and those which may be "collapsed" in some way, or folded up when not in use. Supporting structures of the first type are inconvenient when not in use as a result of their size, while structures of the second type tend to be not as strong as the first type.

Viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a supporting structure comprising a frame and at least three legs, each said leg being mounted to the inside of said frame for pivotal movement, the arrangement being such that said legs may be moved between a splayed condition for supporting an article in use, and a non-operative condition in which said legs are substantially parallel to one another.

By means of this arrangement there is provided a supporting structure that is lightweight and occupies little space when not in use. The structure is nevertheless strong and able to bear a relatively large load since the frame acts to evenly bear and distribute the load between the legs.

Preferably the legs may pivot in respective planes parallel to the sides of the frame where the legs are mounted.

In a preferred embodiment resilient means is provided, such as a spring, extending across the frame to divide the legs into two groups.

Such resilient means enable the legs to be easily pulled apart into the splayed condition. In particular it may be possible to pull all the legs apart simply by a user pivoting one leg and allowing the interengagement of the legs and resilient means to do the rest.

Preferably the frame may be rectangular with four legs, each mounted to a respective side of the frame. The frame may be other shapes however, e.g. circular and triangular, and a different number of legs may be provided. It will be appreciated however that there must be at least three legs to provide a stable supporting structure.

The legs may be mounted to the frame by any suitable manner. Preferably however rivets may be provided extending through the frame and legs, with the legs pivoting about the rivets.

The supporting structure may be used to support a wide range of articles, for example tables, barbecues, canvas chairs, deck-chairs and stools.

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a supporting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 shows the structure of Fig. 1 assembled and in a inoperative condition, Fig. 3 shows the structure of Fig. 2 with more detail of the mounting of the legs to the frame, Fig. 4 shows the structure of Figs. 1 to 3 with the legs splayed for supporting an article, Fig. 5 shows the support structure of Figs. 1 to 4 used to support a stool, Fig. 6 shows the structure of Figs. 1 to 4 supporting a table, Fig. 7 shows the structure of Figs. 1 to 4 supporting a barbecue, Fig. 8 shows the structure of Figs. 1 to 4 supporting a deck-chair, and Figs. 9(a) and (b) show a support structure according to a second embodiment used to support a chair.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2 a support structure comprises a square frame 1 having four sides 11, 12, 13 and 14. Within the frame 1 are provided four legs 21, 23, 23 and 24. The legs are pivotally mounted to respective sides of the frame by rivets 41, 42, 43, 44. The rivets extend through holes 111, 121, 131, 141 on the sides of the frame and corresponding holes 211, 221, etc.

in the legs. The legs are mounted so that they can pivot about the rivets in planes parallel to the sides of the frame.

A spring 3 is mounted to the frames by hooks engaging holes 112, 132, on opposite sides of the frame so as to extend across the frame. The spring divides the four legs into two pairs.

Figs. 1 to 3 show the support structure in an inoperative condition with the legs generally parallel to each other so that the support structure occupies the minimum possible space. In use the legs are pivoted about their respective rivets so that they take up the splayed condition shown in Fig. 4 in which the upper parts 212, 222, 232, 242 of the legs can support an article. The lower ends of the legs may be provided with rubber feet for additional stability.

The arrangement of the legs and spring is such that only one leg need be pivoted by a user.

When one leg is moved by a user the remaining legs take up their splayed condition automatically.

The structure may be used to support a wide range of different articles. Fig. 5 shows the structure forming the base of a canvas stool.

The underside of the canvas seat may be provided with triangular pockets at the corners for receiving the upper ends of the supporting legs. Fig. 6 shows the support of a table, and Fig. 7 the support of a barbecue. In each case the underside of the article is provided with means in each corner for receiving the legs. Fig. 8 similarly shows the support of a deck-chair.

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a supporting structure used to support a canvas chair. In this embodiment the frame is circular rather than square.

It will be appreciated that there are other possible shapes for the frame, e.g. it may be triangular with three legs attached to it. A square frame with four legs is particularly advantageous of course when the article is to be supported is itself generally rectangular.

Fig. 9 also illustrates another preferred feature of the present invention in that the article to be supported may be formed integrally, but collapsibly, with the upper parts of the legs. In the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 9 four frame members forming a chair are formed hingedly attached to the upper ends of the legs. When the legs are moved apart into a splayed condition the frame members may be interconnected to form a frame of a chair. Canvas webbing may be attached to at least some of the frame members to form the seat and back of the chair.

It is to be clearly understood that there are no particular features of the foregoing specification, or of any claims appended hereto, which are at present regarded as being essential to the performance of the present invention, and that any one or more of such features or combinations thereof may therefore be included in, added to, omitted from or deleted from any of such claims if and when amended during the prosecution of this application or in the filing or prosecution of any divisional application based thereon. Furthermore the manner in which any of such features of the specification or claims are described or defined may be amended, broadened or otherwise modified in any manner which falls within the knowledge of a person skilled in the relevant art, for example so as to encompass, either implicitly or explicitly, equivalents or generalisations thereof.

Claims (7)

Claims

1. A supporting structure comprising a frame and at leas-t three legs, each said leg being mounted to the inside of said frame for pivotal movement, the arrangement being such that said legs may be moved between a splayed condition for supporting an article in use, and a non-operative condition in which said legs are substantially parallel to one another.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein each said leg can pivot in a plane parallel to the side of said frame to which such leg is mounted.

3. A structure according to claim 1 or 2 wherein resilient means is provided extending across said frame to divide the legs into two groups.

4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring.

5. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said legs are mounted to the frame by rivets, said legs being able to pivot about said rivets.

6. A structure according to any preceding claim wherein said frame is rectangular and one leg is mounted to each side of the frame.

7. A supporting structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.