AU2013231141B2

AU2013231141B2 - Collapsible Stool

Info

Publication number: AU2013231141B2
Application number: AU2013231141A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Allan Spaans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-23
Filing date: 2013-09-23
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-23
Also published as: AU2013231141A1

Abstract

A collapsible stool comprising: a deck; a base having coupling means; legs which are able to releasably engage with the coupling means; and an elastic thread; the stool formed such that for a normal assembled disposition the legs can be engaged with the 5 coupling means such that the thread inherently stretches to create tension to assist in maintaining engagement between the coupling means and the legs. Figure 3

Description

TITLE

Collapsible stool.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a collapsible stool. A preferred form of the invention relates to a collapsible saw stool.

BACKGROUND

Stools are well known. One disadvantage of some stools is that they are inconvenient to transport. It is accordingly an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing this problem, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a collapsible stool comprising: • a deck; • a base having coupling means; • legs which are able to releasably engage with the coupling means; and • an elastic thread; the stool formed such that for a normal assembled disposition the legs can be engaged with the coupling means such that the thread inherently stretches to create tension to assist in maintaining engagement between the coupling means and the legs.

Preferably the deck can be released from the base (eg by unscrewing it) and replaced.

Preferably the thread comprises a length of shock cord (e.g. a bungee cord).

Preferably the thread extends between the base and the legs.

Preferably the thread extends from each leg via an aperture in a medial part of the leg.

Preferably the thread comprises a single piece connecting the legs to the base so as to cause the base to be attached to the legs so that the legs, when removed from the coupling means, remain associated with the base.

Preferably the legs are adapted to engage the coupling means in a male/female fit.

Preferably the coupling means comprises outwardly angled sleeves which are adapted to receive the legs.

Preferably the base has at least one cross piece extending between the sleeves so that a pair of the legs can be stowed between the sleeves and the cross piece, characterised in that such stowing inherently places the legs under tension from the cord (at least if they are moved to free them from the stowed disposition) to assist in retaining the legs in the stowed disposition.

Preferably the stool is formed such that the legs can be stowed between a plate of the coupling means and the cross piece.

Preferably the base has at least one outwardly extending part adapted to contact the legs in a butting disposition to help retain them when stowed.

Preferably when the legs are stowed a free end of one of the legs can be grasped and used as a handle to carry the stool while the other end of the leg remains firmly in contact with the base.

Preferably the stool has two bases and two threads at each end and 2 pairs of legs, each pair suitable for use at a different end of the stool.

Preferably the stool is in the form of a saw horse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a collapsible stool in the form of a saw horse when in an assembled working disposition;

Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the assembled stool;

Figure 3 is partial side view illustrating the stool when its legs are in a stowed disposition; and

Figure 4 is a front view illustrating the stool when the legs are stowed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to figure 1, the stool 1, which is generally in the form of a saw horse, has a base 2 at each end. Each base 2 comprises a plate 3 and a pair of outwardly angled coupling sleeves 4. The stool has four legs 5 and is assembled by releasably inserting each leg 5 into a respective one of the sleeves 4. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the legs have slip resistant, non-marking tips or feet (not visible) on the end of each leg 5 made from rubber or any other suitable material. Each base 2 incorporates diagonal bracing struts 6 to enhance strength and rigidity. As shown, both bases are screwed onto a wooden deck 7. When the deck 7 is worn out it can be unscrewed and replaced.

Referring to figure 2, each base has a cross piece 8 extending between the sleeves 5. This creates a stowing space 9 between the sleeves 5 and between the cross piece 8 and the plate 3.

At each base 2 a length of shock cord 10 (eg a bungy cord) extends from an aperture about half way along each leg and extends to and loops through apertures in the cross piece 8. A knot at each end of the cord stops it pulling free through the leg apertures. The cord 10 is therefore a single piece, although in other embodiments it may comprise two pieces each separately joined to the base 2. When the stool is assembled the cord 10 is naturally under tension, due to the limitations of its length, to help retain the legs 5 in the sleeves 4. The legs therefore are inhibited from dropping out when the stool is lifted and carried. The cord 10 also prevents the legs 5 from becoming separated and lost from the rest of the stool when it is disassembled.

Referring to figures 3 and 4, when the stool is disassembled the legs 5 can be stowed in the spaces 9. For example, a pair of the legs 5 is taken and an end of each leg is pushed through the stowing space 8 between the cross piece 8 and the piate 3. The other pair of legs is stowed similarly at the opposite end of the stool. The most outer end of each plate has an outwardly extending ledge 11 and the end of each leg 5 buts against this. When the legs 5 are arranged in this way the cords 10, due to the limitations of their length, are inherently under tension to help retain the legs in their stowed disposition. When stowed, the free end 12 of each leg 5 lays against the underside of the deck 7. The free end 12 of one of the legs 5 can be grasped and used as a handle for carrying the disassembled stool. This is possible as there is relatively little margin for the leg to move in the stowing space 9, although it can lever up just enough to enable a workman to wrap his hand between the free end of the leg and the underside of the deck 7.

In some embodiments of the invention the stool may have an alternative elastic thread to a shock cord. For example the elastic thread may comprise a length of chain under spring tension, or a spring per se.

While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A collapsible sawhorse stool comprising: • a solid elongate deck; • a base having downwardly angled coupling sleeves; • a cross-piece extending laterally between the sleeves; • legs which releasably engage with the sleeves; and • elastic thread; the stool formed such that when in a normal assembled disposition the legs engage with the sleeves such that the thread inherently stretches outside the legs to create tension to assist in maintaining engagement between the sleeves and the legs, the thread being such that it is secured to at least one of the legs and extends upwards to the cross piece.
2. A stool according to claim 1, wherein the deck can be released from the base and replaced.
3. A stool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thread comprises a length of shock cord.
4. A stool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thread extends from each leg via an aperture in a medial part of the leg.
5. A stool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thread comprises a single piece connecting the legs to the base so as to cause the legs to be attached to the base so that the legs, when removed from the sleeves, remain associated with the base.
6. A stool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the legs are adapted to engage the sleeves in a male/female fit.
7. A stool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a pair of legs can be stowed between the sleeves and the cross piece, characterised in that such stowing inherently places the legs under tension from the cord (at least if they are moved to free them from the stowed disposition) to assist in retaining the legs in the stowed disposition.
8. A stool according to claim 7, wherein the stool is formed such that the legs can be stowed between a plate of the sleeves and the cross piece.
9. A stool according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base has at least one outwardly extending part adapted to contact the legs in a butting disposition to help retain them when stowed.
10. A stool according to any one of the preceding claims, formed so that when the legs are stowed a free end of one of the legs can be grasped and used as a handle to carry the stool while the other end of the legs remains firmly in contact with the base.
11. A stool according to any one of the preceding claims, having two bases and two threads at each end, and 2 pairs of legs, each pair suitable for use at a different end of the stool.