GB2292681A - Stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A stand, especially for tapestry, needlework or the like, comprises a base 1, 2, 3, a vertical support which is vertically adjustable by means of a pair of mutually telescoping parts 5', 5", and an upper support for an item. The upper support comprises a member 9 with a pair of projecting arms 10 to which the item to be supported can be attached. The arrangement allows for access to opposing surfaces of the supported item, by virtue of the cantilevered arrangement of the arms 10. <IMAGE>

Description

STAND The invention relates to stands, and in particular, stands for supporting tapestry or needlework frames, or the like.

According to the present invention, there is provided a stand comprising a base, a vertical support of adjustable length, and an upper support adapted to support an item such that opposing surfaces of the item are accessible.

It is thus possible to provide a stand comprising a base, a vertical support of adjustable length, and an upper support adapted to support tapestry or needlework frames of the type well known in the art.

Preferably, the vertical support is telescopically extendable.

Preferably, the upper support is hinged to the top of the vertical support towards one edge of the upper support so that the inclination of the upper support can be adjusted to provide the best working angle for the tapestry or needlework frame.

Preferably. adjustable strut means is provided to act between the vertical support and upper support to determine the inclination of the upper support. This comprises a strut which is hinged to the upper support and which releasably engages one of a number of slots in the vertical support. Preferably, the slots and the end of the strut that engages them are tapered to give secure wedging engagement. The use of strut means has the advantage that the upper support does not rely on the tightening of a nut and bolt to maintain the required inclination of the upper support. Thus, the inclination of the upper support is easily adjustable by people who find it difficult to tighten and unfasten nuts and bolts, such as arthritis sufferers.

Preferably, the vertical support comprises a first upright member which is slidable longitudinally between two outer stationary upright members. The first upright member is held in place between the two stationary upright members by a pair of bolts which pass between the two stationary upright members and through a longitudinal slot in the inner upright member. A nut on one of the bolts is tightened to clamp the two outer stationary upright members against the inner upright member, thus locking the support at a fixed length.

Preferably, the upper support comprises a cross member onto which are pivotally attached two arms which are adjustable to enable different sized frames to be used with the stand.

Preferably, the arms are attached to the cross member by fixings, such as bolts, extending through holes formed in the vicinity of a first end of each arm. A plurality of holes may be provided such that the position of the pivot point along the arm may be adjusted. Thus, the effective length of each arm is adjustable.

Preferably. each arm carries at least one peg in the vicinity of a second end of the arm. The peg may be removably held in a hole or depression formed in the arm. Advantageously, the position of the peg may be adjustable and/or further pegs maybe added such that the arms can De arranged to hold relatively small objects such as embroidery hoops.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the components of the stand; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the stand; and Figure 3 illustrates the adjustable upper support.

The base of the stand comprises two splayed feet 1 attached to a cross member 2. The base is attached to the lower end of a telescopic vertical support 5 by means of a central lug 3 on cross member 2 and a bolt 4.

The vertical support 5 comprises a pair of outer uprights 5' and a central upright 5" with a longitudinal slot 7 engaged by a pair of bolts 6 extending between the outer uprights 5'.

The upper support comprises two members ) which are attached at first ends thereof beneath a cross member 9. The upper support is attached to the top of the upright 5" by means of a nut and bolt 11 which passes through a second end of the members, the members 8 being located either side of the upright 5". Two arms 10 for supporting a frame are pivotally attached at first ends thereof beneath the cross member 9. The arms have holes lOa extending therethrough for accepting bolts for securing the arms to the cross member 9. The bolt may pass through any of the holes lOa and the length of the arm 10 that projects from the cross member 9 may be varied by appropriate selection of which of the holes lOa is used to accept to bolt.

A strut 12 is pivotally connected by a pin 17 between the two members 8 of the upper support, and extends downwards to engage any one of a plurality of slots 13 in the edge of the upright 5" so as to hold the upper support at the desired angle.

The cross member 9 has a slot 14 which is used to support a clipboard for holding a tapestry work plan. The arms 10 carry generally upwardly projecting pegs 15 at positions remote from the first ends of the arms. The arms can be swung in use to provide a support of adjustable size such that various sizes of tapestry or needlework frames can be accommodated. The pegs 15 on the arms 10 are used to hold the frame in place. The pegs 15 may be moveable along the arms 10. Each peg may be removably located within a recess in each arm. Additional pegs (not shown) may be provided such that items an be supported on the arms in a space between the pegs.

A hook (16) is also provided for storing spare thread and/or scissors in an accessible position.

In use, the tapestry/needlework frame can be loosely supported on the arms 10. This enables the frame to be easily removed, inverted and repositioned on the stand. This is particularly important if a user has impaired use of their hands or arms. Thus, the stand provides a firm support for the tapestry frame but also allows the frame to be easily repositioned. The frame can also be used for other crafts and can hold items such as lace making pillows, embroidery loops, quilting hoops and so on. The base of the stand is shaped to enable wheelchair users to get sufficiently close to the stand to use it.

Claims (13)

1. A stand comprising a base, a vertical support of adjustable length, and an upper support adapted to support an item such that opposing surfaces of the item are accessible.

2. A stand as claimed in claim 1, in which the upper support has at least one member extending therefrom so as to define a frame for supporting the item.

3. A stand as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the upper support has first and second arms pivotally attached thereto.

4. A stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising locating means for engaging an item to inhibit movement thereof.

5. A stand as claimed in claim 3, in which the first and second arms have pegs extending therefrom so as to engage an item supported on the arms and thereby to inhibit its movement.

6. A stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper support comprises a cross member and the first and second arms are attached at laterally spaced positions to the cross member.

7. A stand as claimed in claim 6, in which the cross member further includes means for supporting written or printed pages.

8. A stand as claimed in claim 7, in which the stand includes a slot for engaging a clip board.

9. A stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the upper support is pivotally attached to the vertical support such that the inclination of the upper support is adjustable.

10. A stand as claimed in claim 9, in which the upper support has a strut pivotally attached thereto, and the strut is arranged to releasably engage one of the plurality of recesses formed in the vertical support such that the inclination of the upper support can be set to one of a plurality of inclinations.

11. A stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the vertical support comprises a pair of upright members defining a channel therebetween into which a further upright member extends, the further member having a groove therein through which spaced apart fixers extend so as to prevent rotation of the further upright member with respect to the pair of upright members.

12. A tapestry and/or needlework stand as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A stand substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.