US20040104189A1

US20040104189A1 - Supporting rack structure

Info

Publication number: US20040104189A1
Application number: US10/308,087
Authority: US
Inventors: James Yu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2002-12-03
Publication date: 2004-06-03
Also published as: CA2413196A1

Abstract

An improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced, the structure is comprised of: a plurality of link sets with their links in pairs pivotally cross-linking with each another; a plurality of connecting seats connected each with more than one link, thereby the link sets connecting with the connecting seats form a supporting rack; the structure is characterized by that: the structure is provided further with at least a post set; each post set includes at least two mutually parallel posts respectively located at the two lateral sides of a link set, the post has on each of the two ends thereof a linking block; the linking block includes a post seat fixed onto the post and a slide block slipped over a neighboring link. When the supporting rack is stretched out, the posts are moved by sliding of the slide blocks on the links, and are engaged in corresponding ones of the upper and lower connecting seats and supported by them, thereby the capability of loading of it can be increased.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to an improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced; and especially to an improved supporting rack structure with its bearing capability and the firmness of the whole structure thereof increased.

It is suitable for use on a chair, a desk, a bed, a storage shelf, a tent or a wardrobe etc. as a supporting rack.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As shown in FIG. 1 which shows a conventional structure of a foldable chair, the structure includes a

chair top surface

1 and a collapsible supporting rack 2; wherein the supporting rack 2 is composed of a plurality of link rods 21 cross-linking with one another, the chair top surface 1 is mounted on the supporting rack 2 to form therewith the structure of a foldable chair.

The foldable chair meets the popularized market requirement, but by the fact that the cross-linking function of the

link rods

21 results in most of the forces acting externally, causing a weak bearing strength compared to the downward loading force. Therefore, when in use by a heavy user or even if lighter people “drop” into the chair, the foldable chair is subject to damage due to it's inability to withstand an overly large loading pressure. This results in chair breakage and in several cases personal injury. The main problem is that the supporting structure was not well designed for bearing strength; once the load on the supporting rack is increased, accidents may occur. The products that the supporting rack is designed for can include, in addition to the above mentioned foldable chair, the widely used ordinary appliances or daily necessities such as a desk, a bed, a storage shelf etc. (as shown in FIGS. 2-4), therefore, such supporting racks are widely applied in our ordinary lives, the safety as well as firmness of them surely needs to be improved. In view that the defects stated above need to be improved to make the structures of supporting racks safer and firmer, the present invention is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced; the structure has its bearing capability and firmness increased.

In order to achieve the objective of an improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength improved, the present invention includes: a plurality of link sets with their links in pairs pivotally cross-linking with each another, a plurality of connecting seats including upper and lower connecting seats to be connected with the ends of the links. The upper connecting seats are respectively located right above the corresponding lower connecting seats; each connecting seat can be connected with more than one link, thereby the link sets connecting with the connecting seats form a supporting rack. The present invention is characterized by that: it is provided further with at least one post set; each post set includes at least two mutually parallel posts respectively located at the two lateral sides of a link set, the post has on each of the two ends thereof a linking block. The linking block includes two parts, one is a post seat fixed onto the post; the other is a slide block slipped over a neighboring link. The connecting area between the post seat and the slide block displaces in pursuance of stretching out and collapsing of the supporting rack. When the supporting rack is stretched out, the posts are moved by sliding of the slide blocks on the links, and are engaged in corresponding ones of the upper and lower connecting seats and supported by them, thereby the capability of bearing of it can be increased.

The present invention will be apparent after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional foldable chair; [0010]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional foldable desk; [0011]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional foldable bed; [0012]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional foldable storage shelf; [0013]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the present invention when in stretching out; [0014]
FIGS. [0015] 6-6 c are schematic views of the supporting rack of the present invention when in use;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the present invention when it is applied to a chair in a stretching out state; [0016]
FIG. 7[0017] a is a perspective view showing the appearance of the present invention when it is applied to a chair in a collapsing state;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the present invention when it is applied to a desk; [0018]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the present invention when it is applied to a bed; [0019]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the present invention when it is applied to a storage shelf; [0020]
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the contact face of the present invention when the slide block and the link are contacting.[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 5 showing an improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced of the present invention when it is stretched out, it is comprised of: a plurality of [0022] link sets 3, a plurality of connecting seats 4 and at least a post set 5. Wherein each link set 3 is composed of two links 31 pivotally cross-linking with each another; the connecting seats 4 include upper and lower connecting seats 41, 42 to be connected with the two ends of every of the links 31. The upper connecting seats 41 are respectively located right above the corresponding lower connecting seats 42; each connecting seat 4 can be connected with more than one link 31, thereby the link sets 3 connecting with the connecting seats 4 form a supporting rack 6. Each post set 5 includes two mutually parallel posts 51 respectively located at the two lateral sides of a link set 3, each post 51 has on each of the two ends thereof a linking block 52. The linking block 52 includes two parts, one is a post seat 521 fixed onto the post 51; the other is a slide block 522 slipped over a neighboring link 31, while the inner wall 523 of the slide block 522 is formed outwardly as an arch shape (see FIG. 11). And each link 31 is provided at the lateral sides of a central pivot joint thereof respectively with a stop member 32, in order that when the supporting rack 6 is collapsed, the two posts 51 of a post set 5 are located at mutually symmetric positions.
Referring to FIGS. [0023] 6-6 c, when the supporting rack 6 is stretched out, the connecting area between the post seat 521 and the slide block 522 displaces in pursuance of stretching out of the supporting rack 6. The post 51 is moved outwardly by sliding of the slide block 522 on the link 31, and is engaged in an upper and a lower connecting seat 41, 42 and supported by them. And the inner wall 523 of the slide block is formed outwardly as an arc shape which is to help, when the inner wall 523 and the link 31 are contacting to slide and move, the contact face of the inner wall 523 and the link 33 to become the minimum extent. Thus, the resistance therebetween will become relatively small to help the slide block slide even more easier. When the supporting rack 6 is collapsed, the connecting area between the post seat 521 and the slide block 522 displaces in pursuance of collapsing of the supporting rack 6. The post 51 is moved inwardly by sliding of the slide block 522 on the link 31 until it reaches a stop member 32 to get the collapsing state.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 7[0024] a that show an embodiment of the present invention applied to a chair in a stretching out and a collapsing state, it is different from the structure of a conventional foldable chair (referring to FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the structure of the supporting rack 6 is added with post sets 5 and linking blocks 52 in order that in addition to collapsibility of the chair, the chair can bear heavier weight when in use and has increased firmness. And the present invention can likely be used on ordinary appliances in daily lives such as a desk, a bed, a storage shelf, a tent or a wardrobe etc. (as shown in FIGS. 8-10), the above stated effects can be obtained by using the structure of the present invention.
Therefore, the present invention is likely structurally collapsible, and it is characterized by that, when the supporting rack is stretched out, slide blocks slide on links to move posts, so that the posts are engaged in corresponding upper and lower connecting seats and supported by them; and thereby the supporting rack can bear heavier weight and has improved firmness on the whole. [0025]
As is disclosed above, the present invention meets it's objective to provide an improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced. The structure has many practical applications. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured are: [0026]

Claims

1. An improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced, said structure is comprised of: a plurality of link sets with their links in pairs pivotally cross-linking with each another; a plurality of connecting seats including upper and lower connecting seats to be connected with the ends of said links, said upper connecting seats are respectively located right above the corresponding ones of said lower connecting seats; each of said connecting seats is connected with more than one of said links, thereby said link sets connecting with said connecting seats form a supporting rack; said structure is characterized by that: said structure is provided further with at least a post set; each of said post sets includes at least two mutually parallel posts respectively located at the two lateral sides of said link set, each of said posts has on each of the two ends thereof a linking block, said linking block includes two parts, one is the corresponding one of said post seats fixed onto said post, the other is a slide block slipped over a neighboring one of said links, the connecting area between said post seat and said slide block displaces in pursuance of stretching out and collapsing of said supporting rack; when said supporting rack is stretched out, said posts are moved by sliding of said slide blocks on said links, and are engaged in corresponding ones of said upper and lower connecting seats and supported by them, thereby the capability of bearing of said supporting rack is increased.

2. An improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the slide block is formed outwardly as an arc shape to help the contact face with the link to become the minimum extent, thereby, the resistance therebetween will become relatively small and the slide block can slide even more easier.

3. An improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each of said link sets is provided at the lateral sides of a central pivot joint thereof respectively with a stop member, in order that when said supporting rack is collapsed, two of said posts of said post set are located at mutually symmetric positions.

4. An improved collapsible supporting rack structure with its bearing strength reinforced as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said supporting rack is a supporting rack for a chair, a desk, a bed, a storage shelf, a tent or a wardrobe.