GB2240709A

GB2240709A - Television stand

Info

Publication number: GB2240709A
Application number: GB9002597A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Hepworth
Original assignee: ACRE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: ACRE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1990-02-06
Filing date: 1990-02-06
Publication date: 1991-08-14
Also published as: GB9002597D0

Abstract

A television stand comprises a framework 12 and a base portion 18 carrying castors 23. The base portion 18 is a plastics material moulding having strengthening ribs 24 and the castors are supported directly on the base portion. In an alternative embodiment members 16 are omitted, the base portion being directly attached to the television support. <IMAGE>

Description

STAND This invention relates to a stand, such as a television stand, and in particular relates to an improved method of manufacturing such a stand.

Television stands normally comprise of frame work with a top portion for receiving a television and a base provided with castors for easy movement. The castors are mounted directly onto the bottom of the frame work in a manner known per se. With the advent of new styles of television, new styles of television stands have been designed, in particular one kind in which the framework between the top portion for supporting the television is narrow and the base carrying the castors provides sufficient space for carrying such items as video cassette recorders, sattelite receivers or the like, while still retaining a minimum height from the floor possible for aesthetic reasons. in order to give the stand necessary stability, it is desirable to fit the castors as far apart as possible.One way of doing this would be to place bars across the framework members of the base thereof and fit the castors to the extremity of the crossbars. However this is both relatively expensive and increases the height of the base to an aesthetically undesirable degree. In some cases it is aesthetically desirable to completely conceal the castors beneath the base.

The invention seeks to reduce or overcome the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a television stand comprising a framework and base portion, the base portion carrying castors, characterised in that the base portion is a plastics material moulding having strengthening ribs.

Hitherto, the base portion of a television stand has included a bottom portion of the framework since only this would have the necessary strength for mounting the castors.

Any cover, either pressed steel or moulded plastics material, was provided for aesthetic reasons and was not load bearing. We have now found that using certain kinds of plastics material, and providing strengthening ribs, it is possible to mould a base portion from plastics material having sufficient strength to support the castors directly.

Preferably, in addition to ribs, bosses are provided on the plastics material moulded base portion, the bosses being capable of receiving screws or bolts and being aligned with the positions required to accept castors and/or connections to the stand framework.

The use of plastics material moulding for the base is not only cheaper, but provides a better aesthetic finish to the product.

The plastics material employed can be any suitable plastics material which can be moulded and produce a strong rigid product, and is particularly of polyester resin material.

A particularly advantageous product is that supplied by Pheonix Moulding Limited under the designation V6012 Polyester Moulding Compound.

The invention further includes a method of manufacturing a television stand which comprises moulding a base from plastics material having strengthening ribs, attaching the base to a framework, and attaching castors directly to the base.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a television stand in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 of a second embodiment; Figure 3 is a view of the upper surface of a base portion; and Figure 4 is a view of the lower surface of the base portion of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly Figure 1, a television stand generally designated 10 comprises a framework 12 supporting an upper platform 14 for receiving a television set. In the embodiment of Figure 1 the frame 12 includes bottom framework members 16 to which, in conventional television stands, castors would have been attached. However, for aesthetic reasons, the framework members 16 are relatively close together and castors directly attached thereto would result in a stand having insufficient stability. In accordance with the invention a base portion generally designated 18 is moulded from a plastics material and has bosses 20 to receive bolts 21, bosses 22 to receive castors 23, and strengthening ribs 24 moulded integrally therewith.

As can be seen from Figure 1 assembly of the stand is simple. Bolts 21 are passed through predrilled holes 26 in the bottom framework members 16 and engaged their respective bosses 20 thus fixedly attaching the base portion 18 to the framework. Castors 23 are then attached to bosses 22, which are spaced widely to give the stand the necessary stability. The strengthening ribs 24 provide the moulded base portion 18 with sufficient structural strength for the forces involved in mounting a television receiver on the stand and pushing it about a carpeted floor.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the base portion in greater detail. It will be appreciated that the shape of the base portion may be varied widely for aesthetic considerations provided only that the necessary strengthening ribs and bosses are provided in the requisite places.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative construction to Figure 1 and like numerals are employed for like parts. In this the framework 12 having bottom framework members 16 is replaced by a framework member 28 which is bolted directly to the base portion 18 by means of bolts 21 via bosses 20.

The framework member 28 may itself be a moulded plastics material product. In this case the entire stand may be made from plastics material avoiding tubular metal framework 12 completely.

Various other configurations may be employed within the scope of the invention.

The stand and method of the invention provide a simple and low cost and aesthetically pleasing stand which nevertheless has the necessary strength for its purpose.

Claims

1. A television stand comprising a network and base portion, the base portion carrying castors, characterised in that the base portion is plastics material moulding having strengthening ribs.

2. A stand as claimed in claim 1 which bosses are provided on the plastics material moulded base portion, the bosses being capable of receiving screws or bolts and being aligned with the positions required to accept castors and/or connections to the stand framework.

3. A stand as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the plastics material is a polyester resin.

4. A method of manufacturing a television stand which comprises moulding a base from plastics material, the moulding including strengthening ribs, attaching the base to a framework and attaching castors directly to the base.

5. A television stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6. A method of manufacturing a television stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.