US2541722A - Collapsible frame - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 13, 1951 M. P. SHACKELFORD COLLAPSIBLE FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1945 i m, f. w w

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MARSHAL E SHACKEL FORD INVENTOR. OIL/w a M A TTORNE Y5 Patented Feb. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE FRAME Marshal P. Shackelford, Livingston, Tex.

Application October 22, 1945, Serial No. 623,838

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible frames or stands and is primarily concerned with a device of the class described that is of special utility in supporting material to be sunned and/or aired as for example, mattresses or other bedding.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a frame of the class described that is simple and inexpensive to construct and that is so constructed that it will serve its intended purpose throughout a long period of use.

Another object is to provide a frame comprising hinged sections or assemblies, each of which carries retractible legs, the assemblies in turn being adapted to closely overlie each other when folded about the hinges.

Still another object is to provide a frame having retractible legs which are pivoted to move closely adjacent and overlie one face of certain of the principal frame members when retracted and to move and extend outwardly therefrom when in extended and supporting position.

It is also an object to provide simple and effective means for securing the legs in either extended or retracted position.

A still further object is to provide a collapsible frame having leg receiving sockets which include substantially vertical surfaces to be engaged by the respective legs when extended whereby a rigid support is provided.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and its advantages will be more fully apparent from the following description which refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a detail view partly in section showing the construction of the leg socket and is taken on line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame when collapsed for transportation or storage.

The frame embodying the invention as herein described may removably receive a flat top so that a table-like structure is provided. However, the invention is primarily concerned with a structure that may receive and support bedding, mattresses and the like so that the same may be exposed to sunlight and air at an elevation from the ground or other supporting surface, and in this manner the air can contact and permeate the article so supported. To this end the invention provides a pair of frame assemblies I and 2, each of which comprises at least an inner longitudinal beam 3 and an outer longitudinal beam 4 in which are recessed the end transverse members 5 and intermediate transverse member 6, these parts being secured together by any suitable fasteners such as nails or screws.

At the inner ends of at least the end transverse members there are provided reinforcing strips I which are secured to the adjacent beam and transverse members whereby such strips rigidify the structure and provide end surfaces 8 which interengage when the frame is fully extended. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, latch means such as hook 9 and fastener 9 are provided on adjacent members I, it being intended that these elements may be interconnected to prevent unintentional movement about the hinges of the assemblies I and 2 when the frame is in extended position.

The upper edges of the strips I also lie in a common plane with the upper edges of the beam members 3 and 4 and hence form a portion of the supporting surface of the frame. The hinges ID are secured to the nether side of the respective pairs of transverse members so that the assemblies I and 2 may be folded one upon the other as illustrated in Fig. 5. When in such folded position a hook I2 on one of the frame members 4 is engageable with an eye or other fastener I3 to hold the assemblies in folded relation.

An important feature of the invention resides in the manner in which the retractible legs I5 are mounted upon the respective assemblies I and 2 so that these legs serve as rigid supports when extended, but lie closely along the face of the respective beams 4 when the legs are retracted. Spaced from the beams 4 and at each corner of the device is a leg guiding member I6 which is recessed to fit over the underlying transverse bar 5. A spacer H of substantially the same thickness as the leg I5 is interposed between the guide member I6 and the beam 4, and these members are secured together as by means of nails or screws.

A bolt or other suitable pivot means I8 passes through aligned openings in the beam 4, the leg l5 and the guide member I 6, and desired tightening thereof maintains a close fitting relation with the sides of the legs I5 whereby rigidity against sideward thrusts is provided.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the inner face or end 20 of the spacer (Fig. 3) is slightly inclined and lies in a common plane with the face 2| of a recess 22 in the member 5, and into which the leg enters when in extended position. The surfaces 20 and 2| are so oriented relative to the pivot I8 that intimate engagement of the leg with such surfaces is effected as the leg moves to terminal position which is pref erably slightly inclined to the vertical so that the legs I5 extend slightly outwardly as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

When the leg is in terminal extended position or is fully retracted, an opening 23 therein is in alignment with the opening 24 or 25 in the beam 4 so that a locking pin 26 may be inserted to hold the leg in desired position.

In describing the operation of the device it will be assumed that it is folded as illustrated in Fig. 5. The fastener or hook I2 is released whereupon the assemblies l and 2 are swung upon the hinges l0 into a common plane and secured in such extended position by means of the hooks 9. The pins 26 are withdrawn so that the legs [5 can be moved to extended position. As they are moved to such extended position individually, the pins 26 are again inserted through the openings 23 which are brought into alignment with the openings 24 in the beams 4. The device is then in condition for intended use and it seems apparent that the frame as thus extended provides a support that is especially adaptable for use for the airing of material that may be placed thereon.

While the foregoing description is directed to structural details of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is not intended that the invention shall be confined to such details since it broadly comprehends a supporting frame of simple construction which may be readily folded for transportation or storing thereof. I

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible frame of the class described comprising, a plurality of spaced beams, a plurality of spaced transverse bars to which said beams are secured; said bars being paired and hingedly connected together so that the frame may be swung open with said bars having their uppermost edges lying in a common horizontal plane, spacer blocks attached to said beams at spaced points about the frame, and a retractible leg pivoted on the beam proximate each of said blocks, guide members on said bars to contact said legs and spacer blocks on sides opposite said beams, said bars being notched adjacent said spacer blocks so that a notched bar surface 4 aligns with each inside spacer block end surface, said legs bein transversely of substantially rectangular cross-section so that when in extended position the leg width surfaces are confined between beams and guide members while the leg depth surfaces are in contact with the aligned bar and spacer block surfaces.

2. A collapsible frame of the class described comprising, a plurality of spaced beams, a plurality of spaced transverse bars to which said beams are secured, said bars being paired and hingedly connected together so that the frame may be swung open with said bars having their uppermost edges lying in a common horizontal plane, spacer blocks attached to said beams at spaced points about the frame, a retractible leg pivoted on the beam proximate each of said blocks, guide members on said bars to contact said legs and spacer blocks on sides opposite said beams, said bars being notched adjacent said spacer blocks so that a notched bar surface aligns with each inside spacer block end surface, said legs being transversely of substantially rectangular cross-section so that when in extended position the leg width surfaces are confined between beams and guide members while the leg depth surfaces are in contact with the aligned bar and. spacer block surfaces, and means on said frame for locking each of the legs in extended position.

MARSHAL P. SHACKELFO-RD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 149,569 Brown Apr. 14, 1874 270,031 Duncan Jan. 2, 1883 716,393 Downing Dec. 23, 1902 375,195 Loftin Dec. 31, 1907 892,422 Hearn July 7, 1908 1,042,020 McCarty Oct. 22, 1912 1,351,013 Stine Aug. 24, 1920 1,646,175 Thiede Oct. 18, 1924 1,894,176 Hirsch Jan. 10, 1933 2,338,789 Wasiewicz et a1. Jan. 11, 1944

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