US3167290A - Collapsible self-leveling support structure - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 26, 1965 G. F. BECKWELL 3,167,290

COLLAPSIBLE SELF-LEVELING SUPPORT STRUCTURE Filed July 24, 1963 INVENTOR.

Gem ge F Blackwell, BY

United States Patent 015 3,167,290 Patented Jan. 26, 1965- ice 3,167,290 COLLAPSIBLE SELF-LEVELING SUPPORT STRUCTURE George F. Beckwell, RR. 1, Sugar Grove, Ill. Filed July 24, 1963', Ser. No. 297,365 6 Claims. (Cl. 248-163) The present invention relates to improvements in supports and is more particularly concerned with the novel construction and assembly of a collapsible self-leveling leg structure for supporting a table top or the like.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the novel construction and assembly of a leg structure embodying novel structural characteristics that permit it to be adjusted readily as to height and which will be self-leveling irrespective of any irregularities in the level of the floor surface upon which it is rested. In the exemplary embodiment herein disclosed, the various components of the structure are interconnected in a manner to permit relative shifting or twisting of selected components so as to cause re-adjustment automatically.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a vertically adjustable support structure.

Another object is to provide a novel assembly that readily adjusts itself to support surface irregularities.

Another object is to provide a structure of the character referred to which is not expensive or diflicult to manufacture, is easy to adjust and is self-leveling.

With the foregoing and such other objects and advantages in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in form,

proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to identify corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a leg structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view thereof, showing the structure adjusted, in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional vew of the lateral brace and leg connection;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the brace mounting; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the ridge bar.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the improved support structure includes a hollow ridge bar 11 that is substantially square in section and upon which is secured, as by bolts 12, a table top 13 or the like. Two pairs of legs 14 are secured, one pair at each end, to the ridge bar 11. The legs of each pair diverge outwardly downwardly and each leg comprises a length of tubular or rod stock which may have a soft cushion or cap 15 on its lower end. The upper end of each tubular leg is flattened, as at 16, and the legs of each pair are secured to the ridge bar by bolts 17.

Each leg 14 has an area of reduced diameter, as at 18, over each of which is fitted, loosely, one end of a transverse tie bar 19, said bar ends being flattened and apertured as shown at 20. This manner of connection aifords sufiicient flexibility in the tie bar-leg connection to enable the legs to adjust themselves to any irregularity in the support surface, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

A brace 21 is connected to each transverse tie bar 19. As shown, this brace is comprised of a rod having a head 22 at one end. As best shown in FIG. 5, a split collar 23 is fitted over the tie bar 19 and the head 22 of the brace rod is engaged therein, as shown, whereupon securing screws 24- are tightened. The collar 23 has a cordal dimple 25 therein which is seated in an annular recess 26 in the tie bar so as to permit the brace rod assembly to rotate relative to the tie bar but be held against longitudinal shifting therealong. The other end of said brace rod 21 is bent and seated beneath a clamp plate 27 (FIG. 3) that is secured to the under surface of the ridge bar by a bolt-nut assembly 28. The seated portion terminates in an upwardly extending peg 30 which seats in an opening in the underside of the ridge bar 11. By providing a series of holes the brace rods are adjustable in the clamp plate so as to permit angular adjustment of the legs for height adjustment.

It should be evident from the foregoing detail description that the support structure may be adjusted as to height by the simple expedient of adjusting the brace rods 21 relative to and along the ridge bar 11 and that any variation in the height of the surface upon which the legs rest is compensated for by the fact that the various connections, except the pegs, between the brace rods, the tie bars and the legs are loose. This looseness permits the legs to adjust their positions relative to the support surface, such position variations being absorbed by the inherent ability of the ridge bar to twist the amount necessary to insure that all four leg will rest upon said surface.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters hereinbefore set forth or shown in the ac companying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A support structure comprising, in combination, a ridge bar, a pair of legs pivotally connected to said ridge bar, a tie bar loosely connected to and bridging the legs of each pair of legs, a collar slidable on each tie bar, an annular recess in said tie bar over which the collar rests, means in said collar engageable in the annular recess, and brace rods one connected to each collar and to the ridge bar.

2. In a support structure, a leg assembly comprising a pair of legs, an annular recess in each of said legs between their ends, and a tie bar connecting said legs, said tie bar having apertured end portions embracing the respective legs in the area of the annular recesses and having binding engagement therewith.

3. In a support structure, a leg brace assembly comprising a pair of legs, a tie bar bridging said legs, an annular recess in saidtie bar, a brace rod, a bracket connecting one end of the brace rod to said tie bar, and means in said bracket engageable in said recess to prevent longitudinal shifting of the bracket along said tie bar.

4. A support structure comprising, in combination, a ridge bar having a series of openings in one face thereof, a pair of legs pivotally connected to said ridge bar, a tie bar loosely connected to and bridging the legs of each pair of legs, a collar slidable on each tie bar, an annular" recess in said tie bar over which the collarrests, means" 5. A support structure comprising, in combination, a

ridge bar, a pair of legspivotally connected to each end of said ridge bar, an annular recess in each leg, a tiebar bridging the legs of eachpair of legs and loosely engaged I at their ends in sa'idiannular recesses, and brace rods ad- I 5 CLAUDEA.YLE ROY, Primary Examiner. 7

justably connected one to each tie bar and to the ridge bar. 7

6. Therstructure recited in claim '5, in which the. brace rods are detachably connected to the related tie barJ References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7511,466 Selden 108116 1 7/93 1,318,195 10/19 Alexander 1081l7 2,374,670 5/45 Duke 248+192 2,546,097 3/51 Hild -1081 16 2,814,541 11/57 Derman 108144 7 2,974,431 3/61 Ribaudo 108117 3,008,535 11/61 De Vries 182181

Claims (1)

1. A SUPPORT STRUCTURE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RIDGE BAR, A PAIR OF LEGS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID RIDGE BAR, A TIE BAR LOOSELY CONNECTED TO AND BRIDGING THE LEGS OF EACH PAIR OF LEGS, A COLLAR SLIDABLE ON EACH TIE BAR, AN ANNULAR RECESS IN SAID TIE BAR OVER WHICH THE COLLAR RESTS, MEANS IN SAID COLLAR ENGAGEABLE IN THE ANNULAR RECESS, AND BRACE RODS ONE CONNECTED TO EACH COLLAR AND TO THE RIDGE BAR.

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