US3866548A

US3866548A - Variably positionable article and support assembly therefor

Info

Publication number: US3866548A
Application number: US329683A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond S Skonieczny
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-05
Filing date: 1973-02-05
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18

Abstract

A positionable article structure includes a convertible article, an associated support, means securing the article to the associated support so that the article is adjustable to either of at least two distinct positions with respect to the associated support, a leg-like support member spaced from the associated support and providing a fulcrum or pivot about which the article may be manipulated and translational-pivotal movement means connecting the leg support to the article, including latching means for the leg.

Description

United States Patent Skonieczny 3,866,548 1 Feb. 18, 1975 VARIABLY POSITIONABLE ARTICLE AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLY THEREFOR Inventor: Raymond S. Skonieczny, 28129 Los Olas, Warren, Mich. 48093 Filed: Feb. 5, 1973 Appli No.: 329,683

US. Cl 108/79, 5/3, 108/48 .lnt. CL... A470 19/00, A47b 1/04, A47b 83/00 Field of Search 108/48, 79. 112, 117, 78; 5/3, 11

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams 108/48 Frank et al. 108/117 X 3,636,892 1/1972 Linton 108/48 Primary E.\'amirzerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmLon H. Romanski [57] ABSTRACT A positionable article structure includes a convertible article, an associated support, means securing the article to the associated support so that the article is adjustable to either of at least two distinct positions with respect to the associated support. a leg-like support member spaced from the associated support and providing a fulcrum or pivot about which the article may be manipulated and translational-pivotal movement means connecting the leg support to the article. including latching means for the leg.

17 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PATENTEQ FEB I 81975 SHEET U UF 6 PATENTEDFEBWWB 3.866548 SHEET SM 6 22 I a d VARIABLY POSITIONABLE ARTICLE AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLY THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In small apartments and house trailers, self-propelled mobile homes, boats and other similar structures, living space is at a premium so that multi-purpose furniture providing double-utilization of floor space is necessary or highly desirable.

A well known example of such multi-purpose furniture is the combination table-bed for camping trailers and the like, wherein a table top is suitably hinged to an associated support, such as the trailer wall, in a manner so that it can be raised to a higher table position and lowered to a lower bed position, usually between and at the level of spaced padded bench-type seats, the removable padded bench being sized for placement on the lowered table top to provide a fully padded bed of suitable dimension. I

There are, of course, various other convertible tablebed structures in use, some of which are supported in cantilever fashion and others of which are provided with a foliding leg to provide support for the outer end of the table top. Still others require separate table and bed structural components, some of which must be physically removed and stored when not in use.

Whatever the particular structure involved, the table U top must be of sufficient size and strength to serve its purposes, the result being that it is sufficiently heavy so that the average person, not to mention elderly or physically handicapped persons, who make up a substantial portion of those people making use of mobile homes, camp trailers and other similar facilities wherein such convertible furniture structures are employed, may find it difficult or impossible to make the conversion.

While the prior art structures have generally served their intended purposes, a considerable degree of physical strength and coordination is required to change the position of such prior art structures from one preselected position to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates, as a portion of a simple and inexpensive convertible structure, such as the table-bed prior art structure referred to above or any other similar arrangement, a support assembly that facilitates the adjustment from one position to another.

Accordingly, a main object of the invention is to provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive variably positionable article and/or a support assembly therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a structure wherein the positionable article is supported duing the respositioning thereof so as to facilitate such manipulation.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a structure having a leg-like support for the position able article.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a structure wherein the leg-like support includes translationally movable pivot means for connecting one end thereof to the positionable article.

Another object of the invention is to provide such structure wherein the support connecting means includes means providing a selected latch position for the support.

Another important object of the invention is to provide such a structure wherein the support provides a latched, single-point fulcrum or pivot upon which the positionable article is supported during the adjustment thereof from one position to another.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a structure wherein the leg-like support is pivotally anchored at the end thereof opposite the end operatively connected to the positionable article.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings wherein for purposes of clarity certain elements or details may be omitted from one or more views:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a. positionable article, specifically a convertible table-bed structure, embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the plane ofline 2-2 of FIG. I, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views, taken in the planes of lines 33 and 4-4, respectively. of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 58 are side elevational views. illustrating the sequence of operation in raising the positionable article from the solid line (bed) to the broken line (table) position of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an element shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 58;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are fragmentary elevational views illustrating operational modes of a. second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged fragmentary crosssectional views taken on the planes of lines l2-I2 and l3-l3, respectively, of FIG. 10, looking in the directin of the arrows; FIGS. 14 and 15 are fragmentary elevational views, similar to FIGS. I0 and II, illustrating operational modes of a third embodiment of the invention; I

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the plane of line l6l6 of FIG. 15, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are similar to FIGS. 10 and I1, illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the plane of line ll9l9 of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 10 and 21 aresimilar to FIGS. 10 and 1l,illustrating a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the plane of line 22-22 of FIG. 20, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 are views similar to FIGS. 17, I8 and 19 but illustrating a further modified structure; and

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary view of, for example, FIG. 2 illustrating a preferred form of one of the elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to ing bases 18, which may be hollow for use as storage, padded seat and

back cushion

20 and 22 respectively, and a table top-bed insert panel 24, which is shown in the bed position and the inner or wall end 26 of which is hinged to the wall 12 by means 28 such as a generally U-shaped link 30.

The link 30 shown comprises an intermediate portion 32. pivotally mounted on the associated support wall 12 by spaced suitable brackets 34, leg portions outwardly extending portions 38 to provide clearance for the free end 26 of the panel 24 and sidewardly extending free end portions 40, each pivotally secured to the bottom of panel end 26 by a suitable bracket 42 having a hook portion 44 adapted to engage with a wallmounted mating socket 46, which may have a spring clip, hook-retaining feature.

The leg portions 36 are dimensioned, and the wall brackets 34 are positioned, such that the portions 36 act as suspension members when the panel 24 is in the solid line (FIG. 2 bed position, aligned with the tops of spaced bases 18, and as compression strut members when the panel 24 is in the broken-line, raised, comfortable-height table position. The outer side edges of the panel 24 may be supported by means such as a pair of suitable brackets 48 (see FIG. 9), each having a support flange 50 and being secured to one base 18 by screws 52. The padded seats 20 are spaced such that the padded backs 22 fit on the panel 24 therebetween to provide the padded bed mattress.

The above described structure, together with a simple folding leg is generally known in the art. No further description thereof need be given, it being apparent, from the further description below, wherein elements common to the various embodiments of the invention are identified with identical, differently-suffixed reference numerals, that the specific details of construction of the hinge means 28, the brackets 48 or other means (such as ledges on bases 18) of supporting panel 24 in the bed position, etc., are not critical for purposes of the invention.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 2-8, one embodiment of the invention comprises a leg-like support assembly means 54, the bed mode thereof being shown (FIG. 2) in solid lines, the table mode being shown in phantom lines and the operation thereof during adjustment from the bed position to the table position being shown in FIGS. -8. Obviously, operation in adjustment from the table to the bed position would be the reverse of that shown in FIGS. 5-8.

In the preferred form of the first embodiment, assembly 54 is shown as comprising a channel member 56 suitably secured to the underside of the panel or top 24 with downwardly depending channel legs or walls 58 which in turn are formed with slots 60, the inner ends of each of the slots terminating in an upwardly turned latching portion or notch 62.

The leg-like support member 64 may comprise an aluminum tube, or other hollow or solid elongated element, having aligned openings 66 sized and positioned from the upper end 68 thereof so as to receive, with operating clearances, a pivot bolt or pin 70. The pin 70 also extends through the slots 60, as shown in FIG. 3, but for purposes of simplification of the drawings, not shown completely in FIGS. 2 and 5-8.

While not necessary for purposes of the broader aspects of the invention, the lower end 72 of the leg 64 is shown as conveniently pivotally anchored to the floor 14 (another associated support) by means of a pin 74 extending, with operating clearance, through aligned openings 76 formed in the

leg

72 and 78 formed in the legs 80 of an upwardly open channel bracket 82 secured by any suitable means to the floor 14.

From the above description, which is intended for purposes of illustration only, and not of limitation, it will be apparent that the upper end 68 of leg 64 of the support assembly 54, whether or not pivotally anchored at the lower end 72, is capable of guided translational freedom of motion, pivotally on pin 70, along the entire length of the slots 60, which are preferably, but not necessarily, of a length, with, relation to the length of the leg 64 and the bed and table heights of panel 24 above the floor 16, such that the pin is at the extreme left hand end of the slots 60 at the bed position and in the right hand end, upturned latching portions 62 at the table position of panel 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, in order to illustrate and describe, in respect to the first embodiment of the invention, the operation for adjusting the positionable article, the panel 24, from the lower bed to the higher table positions, or vice versa, which operation is essentially common to all embodiments of the invention to be shown and described so that such operation need not be repeated with relation to each embodiment.

Starting with the bed position of FIG. 5, the outer end of the panel 24 is raised, as shown in FIG. 6, at which ,,time the pin 70 is progressively positioned, by camming 30' of the pin 70 on the lower slot edges 84, and due to the fact that the lower end 72 of leg 64 is pivotally anchored, toward the right hand ends of the slots '60, by translation of the upper leg end 68 in a plane normal to the axis of intermediate link portion 32. 1

As shown in FIG. 7 and the non-vertical position of leg 64, the next step in the operation is to generally simultaneously pull slightly out and push down (see arrows) on the outer end of the panel 24 thereby causing the hinged end of the panel 24 to move upwardly generally about the lower arm of the hinge means 28 while simultaneously generally rocking the panel 24 and latched support leg about the lower pivot of such leg.

The final manipulation is to push in and further down on the outer end of panel 24, correspondingly raising the inner hinged end 26 thereof, with pin 70 as a pivot or fulcrum, until the hooks 44 are lodged in the spaced wall sockets 46, at which time the panel 24 is in a level horizontal position and supported, at a point spaced from the support wall or the hinged end 26 thereof, by the locked vertical leg 64.

Of course, lowering panel 24 to its bed position requires manipulation reverse of that just described above.

It will be noted that, except for the initial lifting and pulling operation in manipulating the positionable article embodying the invention, at which time the article is supported to a degree, or at least not completely without support, and during which a maximum of only appproximately half the weight of the panel 24 is lifted by the operator, at all other times the panel 24 is supported by the leg, with the pin 70 acting as the fulcrum of a simple lever system. 7

If the fulcrum 70 were at the center of panel 24, for example, then the average lever arms 86 and 88 (FIG. 6) would be equal, and the force, in pounds, required to push the free outer end of the panel 24 downwardly would be only that negligible force required to overcome friction plus the excess in weight, if any, of the panel and link assembly to the right of the fulcrum 68, as compared to that to the left of the fulcrum. This is comparable to the negligible force required to push down one end of an on-center-fulcrum playground teeter-totter when the persons participating are of exactly equal weight.

The advantage of the invention, as an improvement over the prior at, is demonstrated by contrasting the above described automatically-positioned fulcrum effect, with the operator in a comfortable, substantially upright position, with the typical prior art method of operation, wherein essentially the entire unsupported weight of the positionable table-bed panel must be lifted from the outer end thereof, while the operator is in an awkward, bent-over position.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. -13, wherein the support assembly means 540 for the panel 240 also includes a leg-like support 64a connected for translational pivotal movement at its upper end 68a relative to the panel.

A main distinguishing feature of the FIGS. 10-13 modifcation, as compared to that of FIGS. 1-9, is that the leg attaching means provides a latched position, conventiently controlled by the operator from the outer end of the panel 24a.

A rod or other suitable elongated member 90 having a main, off-set slide portion 92, pivot portions 94 and 96 and a handle portion 98 is secured tothe underside of panel 24a by means such as the

brackets

100 and 102, in a manner so that the slide portion 92 is parallel to but spaced a maximum distance, as determined by the portions 104 and 106, from panel 24a when handle portion 98 is positioned vertically, as shown in FIG. 10.

Bracket 100, as shown in FIG. 13, comprises portions 108 for attachment to panel 24a by means such as screws 110 and a grooved portion 112 to receive pivot portion 94 of the rod 90.

Bracket 102 is a right angle bracket, the horizontal leg having portions 114 for attachment to panel 24a by screws 110 and the grooved portion 112 to receive pivot portion 96 of rod 90, and the vertical leg having grooved

portions

116 and 118 providing detent retaining means for rod portion 106, whereby the rod 90 may be locked in the vertical position of FIGS. 10 and 13 or the slanted position of FIG. 11.

The upper end 68a of leg 64a is slidably and pivotally attached to the rod slide portion 92 by means of a spider type yoke 122 having an upper portion 124 and oppositely disposed pairs of depending

legs

126 and 128. The shorter legs 126 are formed with aligned openings 130, which together comprise a slot means receiving with sliding clearance rod portion 92, and the longer legs 128 and end 68a of leg support 64a are formed with aligned openings or slot means 132 and 134, respectively, receiving the fulcrum pivot pin 70a.

With the above structure, and with handle 98 and rod portion 92 in the FIG. 10 position, yoke 122, and thus leg 64a, may be moved, manually or by raising the outer end of panel 24a, to any desired selected latch position and locked therein by rotating handle 98 until portion 106 snaps into detent groove 118, at which time slide portion 92 raises yoke portion 124 into frictional engagement with the underside of panel 24a.

Once the fulcrum position is selected, which may be done any time that a change in support leg 64a position is desired, the operation in changing panel 240 position is generally the same as that for FIGS. 1-9.

The modification of FIGS. 14-16 is generally the same as that of FIGS. 10-13, the main difference being the means of providing the translational-pivotal connection of the upper end 68b of the leg support 64b to the slide portion 92b of the rod b, which is connected for rotation with respect to panel 24b.

In this embodiment, the end 68b of the leg is formed with elongated aligned slots 136, rather than slot means openings 134, so that leg 64b may be repositioned on and tilted, within limitations set by the rod and slot dimensions, with respect to rod portion 92b. The rod portion 92b may be formed with a downwardly curved portion 138 permitting a greater slope of leg 64b as the slotted end 68b approaches the outer end of panel 24b and facilitating movement of the leg end 68b, whether the lower end thereof is anchored as in FIGS. 5-8. If desired, a movable setscrew stop member 140 may be provided to select an intermediate latch position.

It will be noted that the upper end 68b is provided with a resilient, rubber-like non-slip member 146, which serves the dual purpose of preventing further translational movement of leg 64b and serving the fulcrum function when handle 98b is rotated to the FIG. 15 position. It will also be noted that the resilient member 146 may permit a limited degree of tilting of leg 64b, even when it is locked in a selected position, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 15..

In the modification of FIGS. 17-19, the leg 64c and yoke 122C connection are substantially identical to leg 64a and yoke 122a of FIGS. 10-13, and a single fixed latch position is provided.

A straight, relatively flexible rod 142 is secured to the underside of panel 24c by means of spaced

L brackets

144 and 147 each having an opening (not shown) to receive the rod 142, but bracket 147 having a depending detent retainer projection 148. Although not necessary, the legs 126c of yoke 1220 are preferably formed with aligned slots 150, rather than round openings, receiving the rod 142.

The selection of the fixed position of fulcrum pin 70c is made by sliding yoke 122C to retainer 148, the impact of which flexes the rod 142 downwardly, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 17, allowing the yoke to slide behind the retainer 148, thereafter releasing the rod 142, as shown in FIG. 18. Downward flexing of the rod and latching is facilitated by the elongated slots 150.

The fifth modification shown by FIGS. 20-22 is also similar to the FIGS. 1-9 embodiment.

Spaced L brackets

152 and 154 are secured to the underside of panel 24d, bracket 154 having a horizontal slot 156 terminating in an upturned notch 158. A curtain-rod-like channel member 160 is welded or otherwise secured, by lapping to bracket 152 but butting to bracket 154 so that slot 162 of member 160 iss aligned with slot 156 of bracket 154.

The upper end 68d of leg 6411 is formed with aligned openings 158 receiving pin or bolt 168 having a roller or wheel head 164, which is guidingly rollable in the track 166 of the member 160.

As in the FIGS. 1-9embodiment, when the outer end of panel 24d is lifted, the leg 64d rolls or is pulled to the right end of the slot 162-156, on roller 164, so that pin 168 becomes latched or locked in the notch 156 when the outer end of panel 24d is again pushed downwardly.

The structure of FIGS. 23, 24 and is much like that of FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 with the following noted exceptions. (All elements in FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 which are the same as those in FIGS. l7, l8 and 19 are identified with identical reference numerals).

In FIG. 23, it is contemplated that guide rod 142 would be substantially rigid and that the axial movement therealong of yoke-like member 1220 would not be dependent upon the flexible deflection of rod 142 as in FIG. 17. That is, slots 150 formed in each of portions 126C would be of such a length as to permit yoke 122c to slide along rod or bar 142 and beyond the catch or lip 148. This is accomplished as by having the upper end 151 of slot 150 extend upwardly a distance sufficient to result in the distance X (as measured from the top of slot 150 to the top surface of 124C) being less than the distance Y" (as measured from the top of rod 142 to the bottom of lip catch 148). The lower end 153 of slot 150 is spaced downwardly a distance sufficient to enable engagement between the lower surface of table member 24c and the effective upper surface of 1240 when the elements are in positions shown by either FIGS. 23 or 24.

Obviously, in view of the relative sizes of dimensions X and Y, whenever the table 240 is being lifted to a second higher elevation, yoke member 122c will slide along rod 142 and under lip 148. When the table is then again set down the length of slot 150 permits sufficient relative vertical movement of rod 142 enabling the yoke 122a to be abutably received within latch bracket 147 and contained therein by lip or catch 148.

FIG. 26 illustrates, typically, a modified embodiment of the support leg assembly as applied, for example, to the structure of FIG. 2. All elements in FIG. 26 which are identical to those of FIG. 2 are identified with identical reference numerals.

As can be seen, the leg 54e is of a telescoping configuration having its lower end 72e pivotally secured as at 74 and its upper end 68e pivotally connected to slot 84. The lower portion 72e may be provided with an extension 64s, of reduced cross-section, slideably received within the upper portion 68 e. A shoulder, or other functionally equivalent abutment means, 69 on portion 72e is effective to abutingly engage, for example, the lower end 71 of upper portion 68e when the table 24 is raised to its upper elevation and thereby provide vertical support therefor.

Although the practice of the invention is not limited to the use of telescoping leg means, nevertheless, it has been found that in each of the embodiments of the invention disclosed, the use of a telescoping leg assembly is preferred especially when brackets such as at 46 are employed.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention provides a positionable member construction and a support assembly means therefor including a free or anchored but translationally and pivotally movable leg-like member having fixed or variably selectable latching means, meeting the objects and resulting in the advantages stated above.

Although only a select number of preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described, it is apparent that other embodiments and modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A support assembly for supporting an article of furniture, or the like, wherein said article is hingedly secured at a first end portion by hinge means to a first associated support in a manner enabling said article to be vertically positionable in any one of a plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions with respect to said first associated support with said hinge means experiencing both pivotal and translational motion with respect to said first associated support and said article as said article is undergoing a change of positions from a first of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions to a second of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said support assembly comprising generally upwardly extending leglike support means having an upper end thereof adapted to be continuously operatively connected to an undersurface of said article by pivot means translationally movable with respect to said article, said pivot means being translationally movable from a first translational position to at least a second translational position for enabling the easy change in position of said article from any one of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions to any other of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said leglike support means having a lower end adapted to be operatively connected to second associated support structure laterally spaced from said first support structure in a manner permitting said lower end to only experience a generally pivotal motion with respect to said second associated support structure, said leg-like support being inclined with respect to the vertical as to have said upper end thereof disposed more nearly an other end portion of said article opposite to said first end portion when said article is in an elevationally lowermost position of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said translationally movable pivot means enabling said other end portion of said article to be manually raised generally upwardly as to thereby cause said first end portion to be supported by and pivotally rotate on said hinge means and cause said upper end of said leg-like support and said pivot means to translationally move with respect to said article as to move to a selected point more nearly closer to said first end portion generally midway between said first end portion and said other end portion and thereby result in said leg-like support assuming a position more nearly vertically disposed, said upper end of said leg-like support being effective when moved to said selected point to enable said article to be manually moved in a first direction generally away from said hinge means causing said hinge means to experience translational motion while also pivotally rotating with respect to said article thereby causing said article to undergo pivotal rotation in one direction about said pivot means whereby said other end portion of said article starts to move downwardly while said first end portion of said article starts to move upwardly, said upper end of said leg-like support also being effective when said article has been moved a sufficient distance in said first direction to enable said article to be manually moved in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction toward said hinge means causing said hinge means to continue experiencing translational motion while also continuing to experience pivotal rotation with respect to said article thereby causing said article to continue to undergo pivotal rotation in said one direction about said pivot means whereby said other end portion of said article continues to move downwardly while said first end portion of saidarticle continues to move upwardly until said article attains an elevationally distinct functional position elevationally above said elevationally lowermost position of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said leg-like support being effective to generally pivotally rotate in a first angular direction generally about said lower end while said article is being moved in said first direction and to generally pivotally rotate in a second angular direction generally about said lower end while said article is being moved in said second direction.

2. A support assembly according to claim 1, and further comprising means for latching said upper end of said leg-like support means in said selected position with respect to said article.

3. The combination of an article of furniture or the like, an associated support, translationally movable hinging means pivotally securing a first end of said article to said associated support so that the entire said article is uniformly adjustable to any one of at least two distinct elevational positions with respect to said associated support, a leg-like support member, and translationally movable pivot means carried by an upper end of said leg-like support member operatively interconnecting an undersurface of said article to said leg-like support member, said leglike support being effective to serve as a swingable fulcrum against said undersurface to enable the manual lifting of said article from a first lowermost position of said at least two distinct elevational positions to a second elevated position of said at least two distinct elevational positions by enabling the manual lifting of a second end of said article opposite to said first end in order to position said movable pivot means more nearly equally between said first and second ends to act as a fulcrum and to thereafter apply a downward force against said second end to thereby raise said firsst end upwardly to said second elevated position.

4. The assembly of claim 1, and further comprising elongated slot-like guide means carried by said undersurface of said article, and wherein said pivot means is in both sliding and pivotal engagement with said slotlike guide means.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said pivot means comprises a pin on which said leg-like support is pivotable, and wherein said pin is received in said slot-like guide means.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said leg-like support is pivotally anchored to said second associated support at a point generally between said first and other end portions but vertically downwardly displaced therefrom.

7. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said slot-like guide means comprises a continuous U-shaped channel member adapted to be secured to said undersurface of said article and having continuous parallel slots formed therein, one in each leg of said channel, one pair of adjacent ends of said slots each having an upwardly extending notch, wherein said pivot means comprises a pin extending with clearance through said upper end of said leg-like support and slidably received through each of said slots for slidable movement within and along the length of said slots whereby said leg-like support is slidably movable on said pin along said channel member as well as pivotable on said pin, said pin being engageable in said notches to thereby provide a latching means.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said pivot means comprises an opening associated with said upper end of said leg-like support, and further comprising an elongated member adapted to be secured to said undersurface of said article and received in said opening with clearance so that waid leg-like support may be moved in translation along said elongated member with respect to said article.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said elongated member is rotationally secured and formed with an offset portion, whereby, upon rotation thereof in one direction, said leg-like support is moved toward and selectively latched to said article at any position along said elongated member.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said elongated member is to a degree capable of transverse deflection and a latching retainer is disposed adjacent thereto, and wherein said upper end of said leg-like support is formed with means positionable behind said retainer when said elongated member is transversely deflected so as to latch said support member.

11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said slot-like guide means comprises a curtain-rod-type track member for connection to said article, and wherein said pivot means comprises a roller connected to said leg like support and rollingly disposed in said track.

12. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said latch means comprises a high friction member associated with said upper end of said leg-like support means and capable of engagement with a downwardly directed surface carried by said article in a manner to thereby effectively prevent translational movement of said upper end of said leg-like support with respect to the article.

13. The combination of claim 3, and further comprising rod and sliding yoke means carried on said undersurface of said article, wherein said pivot means comprises a pivot pin, and wherein said leg-like support is connected to said yoke by said pivot pin.

14. The combination of claim 12, wherein said rod has off-set pivot mounting means, whereby rotation of said rod about said pivot mounting means frictionally latches said yoke by engagement with said article.

15. The combination of claim 3, and further comprising cooperating track and roller means, wherein said track means is carried by said undersurface, wherein said roller includes an axial pin, wherein said pivot means comprises said axial pin, and wherein said leglike support is pivotally mounted on said axial pin.

16. The combination of claim 13, wherein said rod is formed with a handle for rotation thereof, said handle being disposed near said second end of said article.

17. The combination of claim 3, wherein said leg-like support is pivotally fixedly anchored at the end thereof opposite to said upper end.

Claims

1. A support assembly for supporting an article of furniture, or the like, wherein said article is hingedly secured at a first end portion by hinge means to a first associated support in a manner enabling said article to be vertically positionable in any one of a plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions with respect to said first associated support with said hinge means experiencing both pivotal and translational motion with respect to said first associated support and said article as said article is undergoing a change of positions from a first of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions to a second of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said support assembly comprising generally upwardly extending leg-like support means having an upper end thereof adapted to be continuously operatively connected to an undersurface of said article by pivot means translationally movable with respect to said article, said pivot means being translationally movable from a first translational position to at least a second translational position for enabling the easy change in position of said article from any one of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions to any other of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said leg-like support means having a lower end adapted to be operatively connected to second associated support structure laterally spaced from said first support structure in a manner permitting said lower end to only experience a generally pivotal motion with respect to said second associated support structure, said leg-like support being inclined with respect to the vertical as to have said upper end thereof disposed more nearly an other end portion of said article opposite to said first end portion when said article is in an elevationally lowermost position of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said translationally movable pivot means enabling said other end portion of said article to be manually raised generally upwardly as to thereby cause said first end portion to be supported by and pivotally rotate on said hinge means and cause said upper end of said leg-like support and said pivot means to translationally move with respect to said article as to move to a selected point more nearly closer to said first end portion generally midway between said first end portion and said other end portion and thereby result in said leg-like support assuming a position more nearly vertically disposed, said upper end of said leg-like support being effective when moved to said selected point to enable said article to be manually moved in a first direction generally away from said hinge means causing said hinge means to experience translational motion while also pivotally rotating with respect to said article thereby causing said article to undergo pivotal rotation in one direction about said pivot means whereby said other end portion of said article starts to move downwardly while said first end portion of said article starts to move upwardly, said upper end of said leg-like support also being effective whEn said article has been moved a sufficient distance in said first direction to enable said article to be manually moved in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction toward said hinge means causing said hinge means to continue experiencing translational motion while also continuing to experience pivotal rotation with respect to said article thereby causing said article to continue to undergo pivotal rotation in said one direction about said pivot means whereby said other end portion of said article continues to move downwardly while said ffirst end portion of said article continues to move upwardly until said article attains an elevationally distinct functional position elevationally above said elevationally lowermost position of said plurality of elevationally distinct functional positions, said leg-like support being effective to generally pivotally rotate in a first angular direction generally about said lower end while said article is being moved in said first direction and to generally pivotally rotate in a second angular direction generally about said lower end while said article is being moved in said second direction.

3. The combination of an article of furniture or the like, an associated support, translationally movable hinging means pivotally securing a first end of said article to said associated support so that the entire said article is uniformly adjustable to any one of at least two distinct elevational positions with respect to said associated support, a leg-like support member, and translationally movable pivot means carried by an upper end of said leg-like support member operatively interconnecting an undersurface of said article to said leg-like support member, said leg-like support being effective to serve as a swingable fulcrum against said undersurface to enable the manual lifting of said article from a first lowermost position of said at least two distinct elevational positions to a second elevated position of said at least two distinct elevational positions by enabling the manual lifting of a second end of said article opposite to said first end in order to position said movable pivot means more nearly equally between said first and second ends to act as a fulcrum and to thereafter apply a downward force against said second end to thereby raise said firsst end upwardly to said second elevated position.

4. The assembly of claim 1, and further comprising elongated slot-like guide means carried by said undersurface of said article, and wherein said pivot means is in both sliding and pivotal engagement with said slot-like guide means.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said elongated member is rotationally secured and formed with an off-set portion, whereby, upon rotation thereof in one direction, said leg-like support is moved toward and selectively latched to said article at any position along said elongated member.

11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said slot-like guide means comprises a curtain-rod-type track member for connection to said article, and wherein said pivot means comprises a roller connected to said leg-like support and rollingly disposed in said track.

15. The combination of claim 3, and further comprising cooperating track and roller means, wherein said track means is carried by said undersurface, wherein said roller includes an axial pin, wherein said pivot means comprises said axial pin, and wherein said leg-like support is pivotally mounted on said axial pin.