WO2016129989A1

WO2016129989A1 - Telescopic leg and support apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016129989A1
Application number: PCT/NL2015/050089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karolus Theodorus Wilhelmina Maria Bus
Original assignee: See U City B.V.
Priority date: 2015-02-10
Filing date: 2015-02-10
Publication date: 2016-08-18

Abstract

The invention relates to a telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) and a support apparatus (100, 200)comprising at least one such leg that comprising a first (2) and a second (3) leg member, and a coupling arrangement (4) arranged to releasably engage with the first leg member for adjusting a length of the telescopic leg. The first leg member is movable in a circumferential direction of the telescopic leg between a first position in which the coupling arrangement is in a locked state in which it is in a locking engagement with the first leg member for fixing the length of the telescopic leg, and a second position in which it is in a released state in which it is in a sliding engagement with the first leg member for adjusting the length of the telescopic leg.

Description

Telescopic leg and support apparatus

The invention relates to a telescopic leg and a support apparatus, such as a table or a tripod, comprising at least one such leg. The telescopic legs in the context of this invention are neither intended nor suitable for application in support apparatuses such as step ladders or scaffoldings, i.e. support apparatuses for supporting at least one person or very heavy loads.

In order to position a supporting surface of a support apparatus such as a table or a tripod level when the legs of the support apparatus are positioned on an uneven surface, a length of at least one of the legs should be adjustable. Preferably the lengths of all legs are adjustable. Telescopic legs are commonly applied to provide legs having adjustable lengths. The largest flexibility with respect to leveling the supporting surface can be achieved if all the legs of the support apparatus are telescopic legs.

However, in practice, leveling the supporting surface can be quite cumbersome as the length of known telescopic legs has to be adjusted individually and usually an iterative process is required to establish suitable lengths for each of the individual telescopic legs. Such a process is inconvenient because the support apparatus needs to be supported by a person while the lengths of each of the individual telescopic legs are being adjusted. Moreover, such a process is time consuming.

It is an object of the invention to provide a telescopic leg that pre-empts or at least reduces at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above. It is also an object of the invention to provide a support apparatus that comprises at least one telescopic leg according to the invention.

Aspects of this invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a telescopic leg for use in a support apparatus. The telescopic leg comprises at least a first leg member and at least a second leg member that is configured to at least partially receive said at least first leg member. Said at least second leg member comprises at least a first coupling arrangement that is arranged to releasably engage with said at least first leg member to enable adjustment of a length of the telescopic leg. Said at least first leg member is movable in a circumferential direction of the telescopic leg between at least a first position in which said at least first coupling arrangement is configured to be in a first, locked state in which said at least first coupling arrangement is in a locking

engagement with said at least first leg member for fixing the length of the telescopic leg, and at least a second position in which said at least first coupling arrangement is configured to be in a second, released state in which said at least first coupling arrangement is in a sliding engagement with said at least first leg member for adjusting the length of the telescopic leg. In this way, the length of the telescopic leg can easily be adjusted by only rotating the at least first leg member in a circumferential direction of the telescopic leg. This pre-empts or at least reduces the drawbacks mentioned above regarding telescopic legs known in the art.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first coupling arrangement comprises at least a first set of coupling elements that comprises at least first and second coupling elements. Said at least first leg member comprises at least a first set of contact regions comprising at least first and second contact regions and a second set of contact regions comprising at least third and fourth contact regions. Said at least first and second contact regions being configured to provide a first locking coupling between said at least first coupling element and said at least first contact region and a second locking coupling between said at least second coupling element and said at least second contact region when said at least first leg member is in said first position. Said at least third and fourth contact regions being configured to provide a first sliding coupling between said at least first coupling element and said at least third contact region and a second sliding coupling between said at least second coupling element and said at least fourth contact region when said at least first leg member is in said second position.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first and second contact regions of said at least first set of contact regions and said at least third and fourth contact regions of said at least second set of contact regions are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of said at least first leg member.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first and second contact regions are arranged opposite with respect to each other and said at least third and fourth contact regions are arranged opposite with respect to each other. In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, the first set of contact regions and the second set of contact regions could be arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the at least first leg member, i.e. instead of being arranged at opposite positions with respect to each other the at least first and second contact regions are arranged next to each other as well as the at least third and fourth contact regions are arranged next to each other in a circumferential direction of the first leg member.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first locking coupling having a first total interface surface area that comprises at least a first interface surface area of at least a first interface between said at least first coupling element and said at least first contact region, said at least second locking coupling having a second total interface surface area that comprises at least a second interface surface area of at least a second interface between said at least second coupling element and said at least second contact region, said at least first sliding coupling having a third total interface surface area that comprises at least a third interface surface area of at least a third interface between said at least first coupling element and said at least third contact region, said at least second sliding coupling having a fourth total interface surface area that comprises at least a fourth interface surface area of at least a fourth interface between said at least second coupling element and said at least fourth contact region, wherein said at least first and second total interface surface areas are larger than said at least third and fourth total interface surface areas. By rotating the at least first leg member from the at least first towards the at least second position, the first coupling arrangement can be brought from the first, locked state into the second, released state.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, at least one of said at least first and second contact regions of said first set of contact regions is at least partially provided with at least a first engagement adjusting arrangement that is configured to provide an adjustable locking engagement between at least one of said at least first and second coupling elements and at least one of said at least first and second contact regions to provide adjustable first and/or second locking couplings. The first engagement adjusting arrangement can be configured to improve the engagement between the at least first and second coupling elements and the at least first and second contact regions in order to provide improved respective first and second locking couplings that might be required when the telescopic leg according to the invention is to be applied in a support apparatus that needs to support heavy products, e.g. for application in a tripod for securely supporting a bulky camera or for application in a table having a large table top on which heavy products can be placed. This can be done by applying said at least first engagement adjusting arrangement to said at least first and second contact regions or to said at least first and second coupling elements. It will be appreciated that in the case that the at least first engagement adjusting arrangement is applied to both the at least first and second contact regions and the at least first and second coupling elements, the locking engagement between the at least first and second coupling elements and the at least first and second contact regions can be improved for example by choosing a suitable material and/or construction for the at least first engagement adjusting arrangement.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, at least one of said at least third and fourth contact regions of said second set of contact regions is at least partially provided with at least a second engagement adjusting arrangement that is configured to provide an adjustable sliding engagement between at least one of said at least first and second coupling elements and at least one of said at least third and fourth contact regions to provide adjustable first and/or second sliding couplings. The second engagement adjusting arrangement can be configured to further reduce the engagement between the at least first and second coupling elements and the at least third and fourth contact regions in order to provide improved respective first and second sliding couplings that might be required when the telescopic leg according to the invention is to be applied in a support apparatus for supporting light-weight objects. It will be appreciated that it is also conceivable that the second engagement adjusting

arrangement can be configured to improve the engagement between the at least first and second coupling elements and the at least third and fourth contact regions in order to render the respective first and second sliding couplings to be less slidable. This might be required when the telescopic leg according to the invention is to be applied in applications that require an improved controllability of the adjustment of the length of the telescopic leg.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, at least one of said at least first and second coupling elements of said at least first coupling arrangement is at least partially provided with at least a third engagement adjusting arrangement that is configured to provide an adjustable locking engagement between at least one of said at least first and second coupling elements and at least one of said at least first and second contact regions to provide adjustable first and/or second locking couplings. In this way, the locking engagement between at least one of the first and second coupling elements and at least one of the first and second contact regions can be improved if required. It will be appreciated that in this case, the first and third engagement adjusting arrangements need to be configured such that the engagement between them results in an improved locking engagement between the at least first and second coupling elements and the at least first and second contact regions.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first engagement adjusting arrangement comprises at least a first friction enhancing element that is configured to provide an enhanced locking engagement between at least one of said at least first and second coupling elements and at least one of said at least first and second contact regions to provide enhanced first and/or second locking couplings when said at least first leg member is in said first position. The friction enhancing arrangement can comprise a serrated surface or a resilient material such as rubber causing increased friction between at least one of said at least first and second coupling elements and at least one of said at least first and second contact regions.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least third engagement adjusting arrangement comprises at least a second friction enhancing element, said at least first and second friction enhancing elements being configured to provide further enhanced first and/or second locking couplings when said first and second friction enhancing elements are in an engaging contact with each other.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said first and second friction enhancing elements are provided with at least a first anti-slip material and/or an enlarged contact surface area. The first anti-slip material may comprise a resilient material such as rubber. The enlarged contact surface area may comprise at least a first section with a serrated surface.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first and third engagement adjusting arrangements comprise respective at least first and second structures that are configured to provide a form-closed coupling between said first and second structures when said at least first leg member is in said at least first position to provide form-closed first and second locking couplings. In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first and second contact regions of said at least first set of contact regions and said at least third and fourth contact regions of said at least second set of contact regions are arranged to extend in an axial direction of said at least first leg member. The at least first, second, third and fourth contact regions can be arranged as elongated strips extending parallel to an axially extending center line of the at least first leg member. It will be appreciated that other configurations can be conceived that fall within the scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, at least one of said at least first and second leg members has a non-circular cross-section. If the at least first leg member has a non-circular cross-section, the total interface surface areas of the first and second interfaces between the first and second coupling elements and the first and second contact regions in the first position of the first leg member can be larger than the total interface surface areas of the third and fourth interfaces between the first and second coupling elements and the third and fourth contact regions in the second position of the first leg member. In this way, the first, second, third and fourth contact regions can comprise the same material, e.g. aluminum or plastic, that is comprised by the first leg member.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, at least one of said at least first and second leg members comprises a tubular element. In this way the weight of the telescopic leg can be reduced.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first and second coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements are movable in a radial direction of said at least first leg member upon moving said at least first leg member from said at least first position towards said at least second position. In this way, the at least first and second coupling elements can be disengaged from said at least first and second contact regions and can be brought into said sliding

engagement with said at least third and fourth areas of said at least second set of contact regions.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first coupling arrangement further comprises at least a first set of resilient elements comprising at least a first resilient element that is arranged coaxially with said at least first leg member and configured to connect said at least first and second coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements with said at least first and second contact regions of said first set of contact regions when said at least first leg member is in said at least first position and said at least first coupling arrangement is in said first, locked state.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first resilient element further is arranged to displace said at least second leg member for increasing the length of the telescopic leg when said at least first leg member is in said at least second position and said at least first coupling arrangement is in said second, released state. In this way the at least first resilient member has a double function, i.e. biasing the at least first and second coupling elements such that the at least first coupling arrangement is in said first, locked state and displacing the second leg member when said at least first coupling arrangement is in said second, released state.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first coupling arrangement further comprises at least a first set of resilient elements comprising at least a first resilient element and a second resilient element that are arranged at opposite sides of the first leg member and configured to connect said at least first and second coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements with said at least first and second contact regions of said first set of contact regions when said at least first leg member is in said at least first position and said at least first coupling arrangement is in said first, locked state.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first and second resilient elements are arranged parallel with respect to each other.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first coupling arrangement is provided with at least a first set of recesses comprising at least a first recess and a second recess that are arranged for receiving said at least first and second coupling elements. By providing said at least first and second recesses for receiving said at least first and second coupling elements respectively it is not necessary to use axes for positioning said at least first and second coupling elements in said at least first coupling arrangement. As a result, the telescopic leg can be used to more reliably support heavier loads because said at least first coupling arrangement can withstand higher pressures. The skilled person will appreciate that axes are more fragile than recesses because axes are more prone to failure as a result of heavy loading.

Moreover, the use of recesses provides an opportunity to reduce fabrication costs of said at least first coupling arrangement and consequently said telescopic leg according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, the at least first and second coupling elements are provided with at least a third and a fourth recess that are arranged to receive said at least first and second resilient elements,

respectively. In this way, a more secure abutment is provided between said at least first and second resilient elements and said at least first and second coupling elements, respectively.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first resilient element of said at least first set of resilient elements is a compression spring.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, the telescopic leg comprises at least a first housing that is arranged to be connected with said at least second leg member, said at least first housing further being arranged to accommodate said at least first leg member, said at least first and second coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements and said at least first resilient element of said at least first set of resilient elements, wherein said at least first and second coupling elements are in a locking engagement with said at least first and second contact regions of said at least first leg member when said at least first leg member is in said at least first position, and wherein said at least first and second coupling elements are in a sliding engagement with said at least third and fourth contact regions of said at least first leg member when said at least first leg member is in said at least second position.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least second leg member is provided with at least a first set of guiding elements comprising at least a first guiding element, said at least first guiding element being provided with at least a first set of through holes comprising at least a first through hole, said at least first through hole being arranged to enable passage of said at least second leg member for adjusting the length of said telescopic leg and to prevent passage of at least a first part of said at least first housing for limiting axial displacement of said at least second leg member.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, the telescopic leg comprises at least a first end part that is arranged to be connected with said at least second leg member, said at least first end part being provided with at least a second set of through holes comprising at least a second through hole that is arranged to enable passage of said at least first leg member.

In an embodiment of the telescopic leg according to the invention, said at least first set of guiding elements comprises at least a second guiding element that is provided with at least a third set of through holes comprising at least a third through hole that is arranged to enable passage of said at least second leg member and said at least first end part.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a support apparatus comprising at least a first set of legs comprising at least a first telescopic leg according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the support apparatus further comprises a central operating mechanism that is arranged to be connected with said at least first leg member of said at least first telescopic leg of said at least first set of legs for moving said at least first leg member between said at least first position in which said at least first coupling arrangement is configured to be in a first, locked state, and said at least second position in which said at least first coupling arrangement is configured to be in a second, released state.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said central operating mechanism comprises at least a first set of transmission elements comprising at least a first transmission element that is arranged to be connected with said at least first leg member of said at least first telescopic leg, said central operating mechanism further comprising at least a first actuation mechanism that is arranged to be connected with said at least first transmission element for moving said at least first leg member between said at least first position and said at least second position.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said central operating mechanism further comprises at least a first operating element and at least a first pulling element that is arranged to interconnect said at least first operating element and said at least first actuation mechanism, wherein upon actuating said at least first operating element said at least first pulling element is arranged to activate said at least first actuating mechanism for moving said at least first leg member between said at least first position and said at least second position. The pulling element can be a cable or chain. The operating element can be a slide or a lever that is connected to the pulling element. The actuation mechanism comprises at least one of a pulley and a sheave with which the operating element is connected via the pulling element.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the support apparatus further comprises at least a first biasing element that is arranged to bias said at least first operating element towards a first position in which said at least first leg member is in said at least first position in which said at least first and second coupling elements are in a locking engagement with said at least first and second contact regions of said at least first leg member. Said at least first biasing element, which preferably is a resilient element such as a spring, achieves that the lengths of the legs are fixed as long as said at least first operating element is biased towards said first position. Said first biasing element can be a compression spring that is integrated with said at least first operating element.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said central operating mechanism further comprises at least a first set of gear wheels, said at least first actuation mechanism comprising at least a first gear wheel of said at least first set of gear wheels, each transmission element of said at least first set of transmission elements comprising at least a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth gear wheel of said at least first set of gear wheels, said at least first gear wheel and said at least second, third, fourth, and fifth gear wheels being arranged in cooperative communication with each other. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of components of said central operating mechanism as it is possible to omit the use of a pulling element. In this way the reliability of said central operating mechanism can be improved.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said at least first gear wheel is arranged in connection with each one of the second, third, fourth, and fifth gear wheels of said first set of gear wheels.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the first actuation mechanism comprises at least a first engagement element comprising at least a first toothed rim that is arranged in cooperative communication with at least said second gear wheel of said first set of gear wheels. Such a configuration of said central operating mechanism can be particularly beneficial for application in a tripod.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the support apparatus further comprises at least a first extension element that is arranged in connection with said at least first operating element. In this way, operating said central operating mechanism can be easier as said at least first extension element can be positioned in such a way that a user can more easily take hold of it when he/she wants to adjust the lengths of the legs of the support apparatus.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the support apparatus further comprises at least a first supporting element that is provided with at least a first leveling device that is arranged to position said at least first supporting element level. In this way, the support apparatus can be leveled even more easily and therefore faster. In addition, the support apparatus can be leveled more accurately.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the support apparatus further comprises at least a fixing arrangement that is arranged to releasably fix said at least first supporting element in a first, locked position in which said at least first supporting element is level, and in a second, released position in which said at least first supporting element is in a non-level position. By being able to bring said at least first supporting element, which for example is a table top, in a non- level position, it may be easier to store the support apparatus. With said at least first supporting element in a non-level position, less space is required for storing the support apparatus. Consequently, it is possible to store a higher number of support apparatuses in the same amount of storing space.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said at least first fixing arrangement comprises a snaplock.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said at least first set of legs comprises at least three telescopic legs according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, said central operating mechanism is arranged to be connected with said at least three telescopic legs for simultaneously moving said respective at least first leg members of said respective at least three telescopic legs between said at least first positions in which said respective at least first coupling arrangements are configured to be in a first, locked state, and said at least second positions in which said respective at least first coupling arrangements are configured to be in a second, released state. In this way, the lengths of the at least three telescopic legs can conveniently be adjusted by simply operating the operating element such that the respective first leg members of the at least three telescopic legs are simultaneously rotated between their first positions in which the respective coupling arrangements of the at least three telescopic legs are in the first, locked positions and their second positions in which the respective coupling

arrangements of the at least three telescopic legs are in the second, released positions.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus according to the invention, the support apparatus is one of a table and a tripod.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are schematic in nature and therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, like reference signs in the drawings relate to like elements. On the attached drawing sheets,

figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a set of telescopic legs according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention that are connected with a central operating mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. For one of the telescopic legs, only the contours of a part of a second leg member have schematically been indicated. Furthermore, a part of a first housing of this telescopic leg has been removed to schematically illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a coupling arrangement according to the present invention;

figure 2a shows a detailed view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement as shown in figure 1, wherein the coupling arrangement is in a first, locked state;

figure 2b shows a detailed view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement as shown in figure 1, wherein the coupling arrangement is in a second, released state;

figure 2c shows a detailed view of another exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement, wherein the coupling arrangement is in a first, locked state;

figure 2d shows a detailed view of another exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement, wherein the coupling arrangement is in a first, locked state;

figure 3a shows a schematic partly exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of at least one telescopic leg of a set of telescopic legs according to the invention and of an exemplary embodiment of a central operating mechanism according to the invention; figure 3b shows a detailed view of another embodiment of the actuation mechanism and the transmission elements of the first set of transmission elements of the central operating mechanism according to the invention;

figure 3 c shows a detailed view of yet another embodiment of the actuation mechanism and the transmission elements of the first set of transmission elements of the central operating mechanism according to the invention;

figure 3d shows an embodiment of a coupling between an operating element and an extension element according to the invention;

figure 4a shows a schematic perspective view of a table in a use position as an exemplary embodiment of a support apparatus according to the invention

comprising four telescopic legs according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

figure 4b shows a schematic perspective view of the table as shown in figure 4a, wherein the table top is in a storage position; and

· figure 4c shows a schematic perspective view of a tripod as an exemplary embodiment of a support apparatus according to the invention comprising three telescopic legs according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a set of four telescopic legs 1, 10,

20, 30 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention that are connected with a central operating mechanism 60 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 1, each of the four telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 comprises a first tubular leg member 2 and a second tubular leg member 3. For telescopic leg 1, only the contours of a part of the second leg member 3 have been schematically indicated in order to provide a view of a first coupling arrangement 4. In order to provide a schematic view of a first coupling arrangement 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a part of a first housing 7 of telescopic leg 1 has been removed. In relation to figures 1, 2a, 2b, , 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b and 4c, only the construction of telescopic leg 1 will be described in detail. It will be appreciated that this description is also applicable to the other telescopic legs 10, 20, 30 as they are identical to telescopic leg 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown in the aforementioned figures.

The second leg member 3 is configured to at least partially receive the first leg member 2. The second leg member 3 comprises a first coupling arrangement 4 that is arranged to releasably engage with the first leg member 2 in order to enable adjustment of a length of the telescopic leg 1. In the exemplary embodiment of the telescopic legs shown in the appended figures, the first leg member 2 is movable in a circumferential direction of the telescopic leg 1 between a first position, shown in figure 1, figure 2a and figure 2c, in which the first coupling arrangement 4 is configured to be in a first, locked state in which the first coupling arrangement 4 is in a locking engagement with the first leg member 2 for fixing the length of the telescopic leg 1, and a second position in which the first coupling arrangement 4 is configured to be in a second, released state in which the first coupling arrangement 4 is in a sliding engagement with the first leg member 2 for adjusting the length of the telescopic leg 1. In this way, the length of the telescopic leg 1 can easily be adjusted by only rotating the first leg member 2 in a circumferential direction of the telescopic leg 1 between at least a first and a second position. The telescopic leg 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in figure 1, pre-empts or at least reduces the drawbacks telescopic legs known in the art.

Furthermore, figure 1 schematically shows that the first coupling arrangement 4 comprises a first set of four coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. In another exemplary embodiment of the telescopic leg 1 the first coupling arrangement 4 could comprise only first coupling element 5a and second coupling element 5b. The application of the additional two coupling elements 6a and 6b can be considered if a tighter locking coupling with the first leg member 2 is required. This can be the case if heavier equipment needs to be supported securely by the support apparatus comprising a telescopic leg according to the invention.

Figure 1 furthermore shows that the first leg member 2 comprises a first set of two axially extending contact regions comprising a first contact region 11a and a second contact region 1 lb and a second set of two axially extending contact regions comprising a third contact region 11c and fourth contact region l id. The first 11a and second 1 lb contact regions of the first leg member 2 are configured to provide respective first and second locking couplings between the coupling elements 5a and 6a and the first contact region 11a and respective third and fourth locking couplings between the coupling elements 5b and 6b and the second contact region 1 lb when the first leg member 2 is in the first position. This situation in which the coupling arrangement 4 is in a first, locked state is schematically shown in figures 1, 2a and 2c.

When the first leg member 2 is in the second position, the third 11c and fourth l id contact regions are configured to provide respective first and second sliding couplings between the coupling elements 5a and 6a and the third contact region 11c and respective third and fourth sliding couplings between the coupling elements 5b and 6b and the fourth contact region l id. This situation in which the coupling arrangement 4 is in a second, released state is schematically shown in figure 2b.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the telescopic leg 1 shown in for example figures 1, 2a and 2b, the first 11a and second 1 lb contact regions of the first set of contact regions and the third 11c and fourth l id contact regions of the second set of contact regions are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the first leg member 2. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in for example figures 1, 2a, 2b and 2c, the first 11a and second 1 lb contact regions are arranged opposite with respect to each other and the third 11c and fourth l id contact regions are arranged opposite with respect to each other. In this way, the length of the telescopic leg according to the invention can be adjusted by simply rotating the first leg member 2 between the first position in which the coupling arrangement 4 is in the first, locked state, and the second position in which the coupling arrangement 4 is in the second, released state.

In the embodiment of the telescopic leg 1 shown in for example figures 1, 2a, 2b and 2c, the total interface surface areas between respectively the coupling elements 5a and 6a and the first contact region 11a, and between the coupling elements 5b and 6d and the second 1 lb contact region are the same as the total interface surface areas between respectively the coupling elements 5a and 6a and the third contact region 11c, and between the coupling elements 5b and 6d and the fourth contact region 1 Id. In this case the first 11a and second 1 lb contact regions have to be configured differently than the third 11c and fourth l id contact regions in order to provide the locking couplings when the first leg member 2 is in the first position and the sliding couplings when the first leg member 2 is in the second position. Figure 2a shows a detailed view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement 4 as shown in figure 1. The coupling arrangement 4 comprises a housing 7 that is arranged in connection with the tubular second leg member 3. The housing 7 is further arranged to accommodate the first leg member 2, the coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b and first and second resilient elements 8a and 8b. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement 4 in figure 2a, the first and second resilient elements 8a and 8b can be compression springs that are arranged coaxially with the first leg member 2. It will be appreciated that other suitable resilient elements can be used for the same purpose. In the first, locked state of the coupling arrangement 4 as shown in detail in figure 2a , the coupling elements 5a and 6a are arranged in a locking engagement with the first contact region 1 la by the first resilient element 8a and that the coupling elements 5b and 6b are arranged in a locking arrangement with the second contact region 1 lb by the second resilient element 8b. As shown in figures 2c and 2d, according to another exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement 4, the first and second resilient elements 8a and 8b are arranged at opposite sides of the first leg member 2 in the housing 7. In this way, the coupling elements 5a and 6a are arranged in a locking engagement with the first contact region 1 la by the first resilient element 8a and the coupling elements 5b and 6b are arranged in a locking arrangement with the second contact region 1 lb by the second resilient element 8b. Moreover, figures 2c and 2d show that the first and second resilient elements 8a and 8b are arranged parallel with respect to each other.

Figure 2d also shows that the coupling arrangement 4 according to another embodiment of the invention is provided with at least a first set of recesses that are arranged for receiving the coupling elements. In figure 2d two recesses 104a and 104b can be seen that contain the coupling elements 5a and 5b. The skilled person will appreciate that by applying recesses for receiving coupling elements, it is not necessary to use for example axes for positioning the coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b respectively in the housing 7 of the coupling arrangement 4. As a result, the telescopic leg 1 can be used to more reliably support heavier loads because the embodiments of the coupling arrangement 4 as shown in figures 2c and 2d can withstand higher pressures. The skilled person will appreciate that axes are more fragile than recesses because axes are more prone to failure as a result of heavy loading. Moreover, the use of recesses provides an opportunity to reduce fabrication costs of the coupling arrangement 4 and consequently said telescopic leg 1 according to the invention.

Figure 2d shows that coupling element 5a is provided with one recess 105b in which a first end part of the first resilient element 8a is received. The skilled person will appreciate that the coupling element 5a preferably also is provided with such a recess for receiving a second end part of the first resilient element 8a. Moreover, the coupling elements 5b and 6b are preferably provided with recesses for receiving a first end part and a second end part respectively of the second resilient element 8b. The skilled person will appreciate that by applying these recesses, a more secure abutment is provided between the first resilient element 8a and the coupling elements 5a and 6a and between the second resilient element 8b and the coupling elements 5b and 6b.

The first 11a and second 1 lb contact regions are provided with a first engagement adjusting arrangement 12 that in the exemplary embodiment shown in figures 1, 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d comprises a friction enhancing arrangement. The friction enhancing arrangement can comprise at least one of an anodized metal, e.g. anodized aluminum, a coated metal, e.g. coated aluminum, a resilient material, e.g. rubber, and a serrated surface area. In the exemplary embodiment shown in figures 1, 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d the third 11c and fourth l id contact regions are not provided with an engagement adjusting arrangement but comprise the material that is used to fabricate the first leg member 2 of the telescopic leg 1. The first leg member 2 can be fabricated using at least one of a metal, preferably stainless steel or anodized aluminum, a composite material, and a plastic e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b can be fabricated using for example polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, polyacetal and polyformaldehyde.

Figure 2d also shows that the first engagement adjusting arrangement 12 comprises a first structure comprising first indentations and that the coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b comprise a second structure comprising second indentations wherein the first and second indentations are configured to provide a form-closed coupling between said first and second structures when the first leg member 2 is in the first position. In this way, form-closed first and second locking couplings can be provided.

The coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b are movable in a radial direction of the first leg member 2 upon rotating the first leg member 2 from the first position towards the second position. In this way, the coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b can be disengaged from the first 11a and second 1 lb contact regions and can be brought into sliding engagement with for example the third 11c and fourth l id contact areas. It is also possible to position the coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b on corners of the first leg member 2, i.e. on areas between the first 11a, second 1 lb, third 11c and fourth l id contact regions, as shown in figure 2b. The coupling arrangement 4 can be brought form the first, locked state as shown in figures 2a, 2c and 2d into the second, released state as shown in figure 2b, by rotating the first leg member 2 over 45 degrees. It will be appreciated that the angle about which the first leg member 2 can be rotated can be in a range from 15-135 degrees, preferably in a range from 30-105 degrees, most preferably in a range from 45-90 degrees. It will be appreciated that the angle among others depends on the arrangement of the contact regions 11a, 1 lb of the first set of contact regions and the contact regions 11c, 1 Id of the second set of contact regions with respect to each other.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the coupling arrangement 4, the coupling elements 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b can be provided with recesses that are arranged to at least partially receive the third and fourth contact regions for guiding the first leg member 2 when adjusting the length of the telescopic leg 1.

As shown in figures 1, 2a, 2b and 2c the second leg member 3 is provided with two guiding elements 40, 50. The first guiding element 40 is provided with a first set of through holes, these through holes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d being arranged to enable passage and guidance of the second leg members 3 of the respective telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 when adjusting the lengths of these telescopic legs. Furthermore, the through holes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of the first set of through holes are arranged to prevent passage of at least a first part of the housing 7 of the coupling arrangement 4. In this way, at least a part of the housing 7 acts as a stop for limiting the axial displacement of the second leg member 3 and determining the maximum length of the telescopic leg 1.

Figures 1, 2a, 2b and 2c show that the telescopic leg 1 comprises an end part 14 that is arranged to be connected with the second leg member 3. The end part 14 is provided with a second set of through holes comprising at least a second through hole 15 that is arranged to enable passage of the first leg member 2. The second guiding element 50 is provided with a third set of through holes 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d that are arranged to enable passage of the second leg member 3 and the end part 14. Figure 3a shows a schematic partly exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of telescopic leg 1 and an exemplary embodiment of a central operating mechanism 60 according to the invention. The central operating mechanism 60 is arranged to be connected with the first leg members 2 of the telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 for rotating the first leg members 2 between their respective first positions in which the respective coupling arrangements 4 of each of the telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 are configured to be in the first, locked state, and their respective second positions in which the respective coupling arrangements 4 are configured to be in the second, released state.

Figure 3a shows that the central operating mechanism 60 comprises a first set of transmission elements 61a, 61b, 61c, 6 Id, each having a so-called finger shape. In use, each one of these transmission elements is arranged in connection with one of the first leg members 2 of the telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30. The central operating mechanism 60 further comprises an actuation mechanism 62 that, in use, is arranged in connection with each one of the transmission elements 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d for rotating the first leg members 2 of each one of the telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 between their respective first and second positions.

Figure 3a also shows that the central operating mechanism 60 comprises an operating element 63 that, in use, is connected with the actuation mechanism 62 via a pulling element (not shown). The pulling element can be a cable or a chain. The actuation mechanism 62 comprises at least one of a pulley and a sheave that, in use, is rotatable upon actuation of the operating element 63. The operating element shown in figure 3a is a slide. It will be appreciated that the operating element 63 in another embodiment can be a lever. Figure 3a also shows a tube 160 that can be arranged in contact with the two guiding elements 40, 50 for covering at least the first leg members 2. In this way, it is possible to at least reduce and preferably prevent damaging of at least the first leg members 2 and the coupling arrangements 4. In addition, it is possible to at least reduce and preferably prevent that the aforementioned elements get polluted by at least one of dust, dirt and vapors for the environment. Moreover, application of the tube 160 enables to adapt the appearance of a support apparatus such as a table 100 as shown in figures 4a and 4b or a tripod 200 as schematically shown in figure 4c in which the telescopic legs according to the invention are used.

Figure 3b shows a detailed view of another embodiment of the actuation mechanism 62 and the transmission elements 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d of the first set of transmission elements of the central operating mechanism 60 as shown in figure 3a. As shown in figure 3b, the central operating mechanism 60 comprises a first set of gear wheels 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and 102e. The first actuation mechanism is

implemented as a first gear wheel 102a of said first set of gear wheels, whereas each transmission element of the first set of transmission elements is implemented as a second 102b, a third 102c, a fourth 102d, and a fifth 102e gear wheel of said first set of gear wheels. Figure 3b shows that the first gear wheel 102a and the second 102b, third 102c, fourth 102d, and fifth 102e gear wheels are arranged in cooperative

communication with each other. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the central operating mechanism 60 as it is possible to omit the use of a pulling element (not shown). It will be appreciated that the reliability of the central operating mechanism 60 can be improved in this way.

The operating element 63 is arranged in connection with the first actuation mechanism 102a for moving the first leg members 2 between the abovementioned first and second positions. The operating element 63 shown in figure 3b is a slide. It will be appreciated that according to another embodiment, the operating element can be a lever.

Figure 3b also schematically shows a compression spring 140 that is arranged between the third gear wheel 102c and the housing 7 of one of the first leg members 2. Upon moving the first leg member 2 from the first position in which the coupling arrangement 4 is in the first, locked state to the second position in which the coupling arrangement 4 is in the second, released state, the compression spring 140 pushes the housing 7 in a direction away from the central operating mechanism 60 in order to extend the length of the telescopic leg. The skilled person will appreciate that the other three first leg members 2 shown in figure 3b preferably are also provided with compression springs in the same way in order to extend the lengths of the other three telescopic legs.

The skilled person will appreciate that the operating element 63 can be biased by a first biasing element (not shown) that is arranged to bias the operating element 63 towards a first position in which the first leg member 2 is in the first position in which the coupling elements are in a locking engagement with the first and second contact regions of the first leg member 2. The first biasing element, which preferably is a resilient element such as a spring, achieves that the lengths of the legs are fixed as long as the operating element 63 is biased towards the first position. The first biasing element can be a compression spring that is integrated with the operating element 63.

Figure 3 c shows a detailed view of yet another embodiment of the actuation mechanism 62 and the transmission elements 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d of the first set of transmission elements of the central operating mechanism 60 as shown in figure 3a. As shown in figure 3c, the first actuation mechanism is implemented as an engagement element comprising at least a first toothed rim 106 that is arranged in cooperative communication with the second 102b, third 102c, fourth 102d, and fifth 102e gear wheels of said first set of gear wheels. Such a configuration of the central operating mechanism 60 can be particularly beneficial for application in a tripod 200 as schematically shown in figure 4c.

In an embodiment of the support apparatus 100, 200 according to the invention, the support apparatus further comprises an extension element 110 that is arranged in connection with the first operating element 63. By arranging the extension element 110 near an edge of a supporting element such as a table top 80, operating the central operating mechanism 60 can be easier as a user can more easily take hold of the extension element 110 when he/she wants to adjust the lengths of the legs of the support apparatus. Figure 3d shows an embodiment of a coupling between the extension element 110 and the first operating element 63. In this exemplary

embodiment, the extension element 110 comprises a protrusion 130 that is arranged in an opening 131 of the operating element 63. The skilled person will appreciate that many different ways of coupling the extension element 110 and the operating element 63 can be envisaged.

Figure 3d shows an exemplary embodiment of a fixing arrangement 120 that is arranged to releasably fix a supporting element such as a table top 80 in a first, locked position in which the table top 80 is level. This situation is shown in figure 4a. When the fixing arrangement 120 is in a second, released position, the table top 80 is in a non- level position. This is shown in figure 4b.

Figure 4a shows a schematic perspective view of a table 100 as an exemplary embodiment of a support apparatus according to the invention comprising four telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, whereas figure 4c shows a schematic perspective view of a tripod 200 as an exemplary embodiment of a support apparatus according to the invention comprising three telescopic legs 1, 10, 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The table 100 shown in figure 4a comprises a table top 80 in a level position, wherein the table top 80 is connected with the central operating mechanism 60 that is connected with four telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 according to the invention. The central operating mechanism 60 is arranged to cause simultaneous rotation of the respective first leg members 2 of the respective four telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 between their respective first positions in which each of the coupling arrangements 4 of the respective telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 is in the first, locked state, and their respective second positions in which each of the coupling arrangements 4 of the respective telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 is in the second, released state. In this way, the lengths of the four telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30 of the table 100 can simultaneously and individually be adjusted by simply operating the operating element 63.

Figure 4b shows a schematic perspective view of the table 100 as shown in figure 4a, wherein the table top 80 is in a non-level, storage position. Moreover, it can be seen that the fixing arrangement 120 is in the second, released position. By being able to bring the table top 80, in a non-level position, it may be easier to store the table 100. With the table top 80 in a non-level position, less space is required for storing the table 100. Consequently, it is possible to store a higher number of table 100 in the same amount of storing space. The fixing arrangement 120 may comprise a snaplock as is shown in figures 4a and 4b. The skilled person will appreciat that many different embodiments of the fixing arrangement 120 can be envisaged.

Figure 4b also shows the tubular element 160 that can be arranged in connection with the first 40 and second 50 guiding elements for covering at least the first leg members 2 of the four telescopic legs 1, 10, 20, 30.

The tripod 200 that is schematically shown in figure 4c, comprises a supporting platform 90 for mounting equipment such as a camera. The supporting platform 90 is connected with the central operating mechanism that is connected with three telescopic legs 1, 10, 20 according to the invention. Also in this case the lengths of the three telescopic legs 1, 10, 20 of the tripod 200 can simultaneously and individually be adjusted, as is schematically indicated by the double arrows 150, by simply operating the operating element. Also in this case an extension element can be used for more convenient operation of the central operating mechanism. In the foregoing description of the drawings, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications/additions and/or changes/substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as summarized in the attached claims.

In particular, combinations of specific features of various aspects of the invention may be made. An aspect of the invention may be further advantageously enhanced by adding a feature that was described in relation to another aspect of the invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is limited by the annexed claims and its technical equivalents only. In this document and in its claims, the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations are used in their non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, without excluding items not specifically mentioned. In addition, reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article "a" or "an" thus usually means "at least one".

Claims

1. A telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) for use in a support apparatus, the telescopic leg comprising at least a first leg member (2) and at least a second leg member (3) that is configured to at least partially receive said at least first leg member, said at least second leg member (3) comprising at least a first coupling arrangement (4) that is arranged to releasably engage with said at least first leg member (2) to enable adjustment of a length of the telescopic leg, wherein said at least first leg member is movable in a circumferential direction of the telescopic leg between at least a first position in which said at least first coupling arrangement is configured to be in a first, locked state in which said at least first coupling arrangement is in a locking

engagement with said at least first leg member for fixing the length of the telescopic leg, and at least a second position in which said at least first coupling arrangement is configured to be in a second, released state in which said at least first coupling arrangement is in a sliding engagement with said at least first leg member for adjusting the length of the telescopic leg.

2. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 1, wherein said at least first coupling arrangement (4) comprises at least a first set of coupling elements that comprises at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements, said at least first leg member comprising at least a first set of contact regions that comprises at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions and a second set of contact regions comprising at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions, said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions being configured to provide a first locking coupling between said at least first coupling element (5a) and said at least first contact region (11a) and a second locking coupling between said at least second coupling element (5b) and said at least second contact region (1 lb) when said at least first leg member (2) is in said first position, and said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions being configured to provide a first sliding coupling between said at least first coupling element (5a) and said at least third contact region (11c) and a second sliding coupling between said at least second coupling element (5b) and said at least fourth contact region (l id) when said at least first leg member (2) is in said second position.

3. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 2, wherein said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said at least first set of contact regions and said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions of said at least second set of contact regions are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of said at least first leg member (2).

4. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 3, wherein said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions are arranged opposite with respect to each other and said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions are arranged opposite with respect to each other.

5. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-4, wherein said at least first locking coupling has a first total interface surface area that comprises at least a first interface surface area of at least a first interface between said at least first coupling element (5a) and said at least first contact region (11a), said at least second locking coupling having a second total interface surface area that comprises at least a second interface surface area of at least a second interface between said at least second coupling element (5b) and said at least second contact region (1 lb), said at least first sliding coupling having a third total interface surface area that comprises at least a third interface surface area of at least a third interface between said at least first coupling element (5a) and said at least third contact region (11c), said at least second sliding coupling having a fourth total interface surface area that comprises at least a fourth interface surface area of at least a fourth interface between said at least second coupling element (5b) and said at least fourth contact region (l id), wherein said at least first and second total interface surface areas are larger than said at least third and fourth total interface surface areas.

6. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-5, wherein at least one of said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said first set of contact regions is at least partially provided with at least a first engagement adjusting arrangement (12) that is configured to provide an adjustable locking engagement between at least one of said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements and at least one of said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions to provide adjustable first and/or second locking couplings.

7. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein at least one of said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions of said second set of contact regions is at least partially provided with at least a second engagement adjusting arrangement that is configured to provide an adjustable sliding engagement between at least one of said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements and at least one of said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions to provide adjustable first and/or second sliding couplings.

8. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-7, wherein at least one of said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements of said at least first coupling arrangement (4) is at least partially provided with at least a third engagement adjusting arrangement that is configured to provide an adjustable locking engagement between at least one of said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements and at least one of said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions to provide adjustable first and/or second locking couplings.

9. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 6-8, wherein said at least first engagement adjusting arrangement (12) comprises at least a first friction enhancing element that is configured to provide an enhanced locking engagement between at least one of said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements and at least one of said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions to provide enhanced first and/or second locking couplings when said at least first leg member (2) is in said first position.

10. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 9, wherein said at least third engagement adjusting arrangement comprises at least a second friction enhancing element, said at least first and second friction enhancing elements being configured to provide further enhanced first and/or second locking couplings when said first and second friction enhancing elements are in an engaging contact with each other.

11. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 10, wherein said first and second friction enhancing elements are provided with at least a first antislip material and/or an enlarged contact surface area.

12. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 8-11, wherein said at least first and third engagement adjusting arrangements comprise respective at least first and second structures that are configured to provide a form- closed coupling between said first and second structures when said at least first leg member (2) is in said at least first position to provide form-closed first and second locking couplings.

13. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-12, wherein said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said at least first set of contact regions and said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions of said at least second set of contact regions are arranged to extend in an axial direction of said at least first leg member (2).

14. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 1-13, wherein at least one of said at least first (2) and second (3) leg members has a non- circular cross-section.

15. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 1-14, wherein at least one of said at least first (2) and second (3) leg members comprises a tubular element.

16. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 1-15, wherein said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements are movable in a radial direction of said at least first leg member (2) upon moving said at least first leg member from said at least first position towards said at least second position.

17. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-16, wherein said at least first coupling arrangement (4) further comprises at least a first set of resilient elements (8a, 8b) comprising at least a first resilient element (8a) that is arranged coaxially with said at least first leg member (2) and configured to connect said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements with said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said first set of contact regions when said at least first leg member (2) is in said at least first position and said at least first coupling arrangement (4) is in said first, locked state.

18. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 17, wherein said at least first resilient element (8a) further is arranged to displace said at least second leg member (3) for increasing the length of the telescopic leg when said at least first leg member (2) is in said at least second position and said at least first coupling

arrangement (4) is in said second, released state.

19. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-16, wherein said at least first coupling arrangement (4) further comprises at least a first set of resilient elements (8a, 8b) comprising at least a first resilient element (8a) and a second resilient element (8b) that are arranged at opposite sides of the first leg member (2) and configured to connect said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements with said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said first set of contact regions when said at least first leg member (2) is in said at least first position and said at least first coupling arrangement (4) is in said first, locked state.

20. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 19, wherein said at least first (8a) and second (8b) resilient elements are arranged parallel with respect to each other.

21. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-20, wherein said at least first coupling arrangement (4) is provided with at least a first set of recesses comprising at least a first recess (104a) and a second recess (104b) that are arranged for receiving said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements.

22. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 2-21, wherein the at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements are provided with at least a third (105a) and a fourth (105b) recess that are arranged to receive said at least first (8a) and second (8b) resilient elements, respectively.

23. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 17-22, wherein said at least first resilient element (8a) of said at least first set of resilient elements is a compression spring.

24. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 17-23, comprising at least a first housing (7) that is arranged to be connected with said at least second leg member (3), said at least first housing (7) further being arranged to accommodate said at least first leg member (2), said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements of said at least first set of coupling elements and said at least first resilient element (8a) of said at least first set of resilient elements, wherein said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements are in a locking engagement with said at least first (11a) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said at least first leg member (2) when said at least first leg member is in said at least first position, and wherein said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements are in a sliding engagement with said at least third (11c) and fourth (l id) contact regions of said at least first leg member (2) when said at least first leg member is in said at least second position.

25. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 24, wherein said at least second leg member (3) is provided with at least a first set of guiding elements (40, 50) comprising at least a first guiding element (40), said at least first guiding element being provided with at least a first set of through holes (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) comprising at least a first through hole (13a), said at least first through hole being arranged to enable passage of said at least second leg member (3) for adjusting the length of said telescopic leg and to prevent passage of at least a first part of said at least first housing (7) for limiting axial displacement of said at least second leg member (3).

26. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 1-25, comprising at least a first end part (14) that is arranged to be connected with said at least second leg member (3), said at least first end part being provided with at least a second set of through holes comprising at least a second through hole that is arranged to enable passage of said at least first leg member (2).

27. The telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to claim 26, wherein said at least first set of guiding elements comprises at least a second guiding element (50) that is provided with at least a third set of through holes (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) comprising at least a third through hole (16a) that is arranged to enable passage of said at least second leg member (3) and said at least first end part (14).

28. A support apparatus (100, 200) comprising at least a first set of legs comprising at least a first telescopic leg (1, 10, 20, 30) according to any one of the claims 1-27.

29. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 28, wherein the support apparatus further comprises a central operating mechanism (60) that is arranged to be connected with said at least first leg member (2) of said at least first telescopic leg of said at least first set of legs for moving said at least first leg member (2) between said at least first position in which said at least first coupling arrangement (4) is configured to be in a first, locked state, and said at least second position in which said at least first coupling arrangement (4) is configured to be in a second, released state.

30. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 29, wherein said central operating mechanism (60) comprises at least a first set of transmission elements (61a, 61b, 61c, 61d) comprising at least a first transmission element (61a) that is arranged to be connected with said at least first leg member (2) of said at least first telescopic leg, said central operating mechanism (60) further comprising at least a first actuation mechanism (62) that is arranged to be connected with said at least first transmission element (61a) for moving said at least first leg member (2) between said at least first position and said at least second position.

31. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 30, wherein said central operating mechanism (60) further comprises at least a first operating element (63) and at least a first pulling element that is arranged to interconnect said at least first operating element (63) and said at least first actuation mechanism (62), wherein upon actuating said at least first operating element (63) said at least first pulling element is arranged to activate said at least first actuating mechanism (62) for moving said at least first leg member (2) between said at least first position and said at least second position.

32. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 31, further comprising at least a first biasing element that is arranged to bias said at least first operating element (63) towards a first position in which said at least first leg member (2) is in said at least first position in which said at least first (5a) and second (5b) coupling elements are in a locking engagement with said at least first (1 la) and second (1 lb) contact regions of said at least first leg member (2).

33. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to any one of the claims 30-32, wherein said central operating mechanism (60) further comprises at least a first set of gear wheels (102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e), said at least first actuation mechanism (62) comprising at least a first gear wheel (102a) of said at least first set of gear wheels, each transmission element (61a, 61b, 61c, 6 Id) of said at least first set of transmission elements comprising at least a second (102b), a third (102c), a fourth (102d), and a fifth (102e) gear wheel of said at least first set of gear wheels, said at least first gear wheel (102a) and said at least second (102b), third (102c), fourth (102d), and fifth (102e) gear wheels being arranged in cooperative communication with each other.

34. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 33, wherein said at least first gear wheel (102a) is arranged in connection with each one of the second (102b), third (102c), fourth (102d), and fifth (102e) gear wheels of said first set of gear wheels.

35. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the first actuation mechanism (62) comprises at least a first engagement element comprising at least a first toothed rim (106) that is arranged in cooperative communication with at least said second (102b) gear wheel of said first set of gear wheels.

36. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to any one of the claims 31-35, further comprising at least a first extension element (110) that is arranged in connection with said at least first operating element (63).

37. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to any one of the claims 28-36, further comprising at least a first supporting element that is provided with at least a first leveling device that is arranged to position said at least first supporting element level.

38. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to any one of the claims 28-37, further comprising at least a fixing arrangement (120) that is arranged to releasably fix said at least first supporting element in a first, locked position in which said at least first supporting element is level, and in a second, released position in which said at least first supporting element is in a non-level position.

39. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 38, wherein said at least first fixing arrangement (120) comprises a snaplock.

40. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to any one of the claims 28-39, wherein said at least first set of legs comprises at least three telescopic legs (1, 10, 20) according to any one of the claims 1-27.

41. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to claim 40, wherein said central operating mechanism (60) is arranged to be connected with said at least three telescopic legs (1, 10, 20) for simultaneously moving said respective at least first leg members (2) of said respective at least three telescopic legs between said at least first positions in which said respective at least first coupling arrangements (4) are configured to be in a first, locked state, and said at least second positions in which said respective at least first coupling arrangements (4) are configured to be in a second, released state.

42. The support apparatus (100, 200) according to any one of the claims wherein the support apparatus is one of a table (100) and a tripod (200).