US2303978A - Collapsible supporting stand - Google Patents

Description

1942- L. s. BIBERMAN COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORTIIiG STAND Filed Nov. 30, 1940 (Ittorneg Patented Dec. 1, 1942 COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORTING STAND Louis S. Bibennan; Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Radio Corporationof America, a corporation of Delaware Application November 30, 1940, Serial No. 367,900

, 3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible supporting stands for microphones, lamps, music racks, map holders, and the like, and more particularly to the supporting structure therefor.

Collapsible stands of this type having a plurality of supporting legs which may be spread apart from or folded up against the conventional supporting standard have been known for some time. In certain cases, as where the stand is used for the support of a microphone, it is sometimes necessary to make a quick adjustment of the height of the stand. Structures of the prior art with which I am familiar have all employed some sort of locking device which must first be loosened or unlatched before the stand can be adjusted to the proper height, and which must subsequently be relocked or relatched to maintain the stand in the adjusted position. Where time is an important factor, this constitutes a serious disadvantage.

The primary object of my invention is toprovide an improved supporting stand of the character set forth which will be free from the aforementioned disadvantage.

More particularly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved supporting stand of the character set forth which employs no locking means and which is entirely self-locking.

Another object of my present invention is to provide an improved supporting stand as set forth above which can be quickly and easily adjusted to desired height.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved supporting stand as aforesaid which is simple in construction, firm and highly efli cient in use.

In accordance with my invention, the improved stand includes an upright standard to the lower end of which is fixed a collarand upon which is loosely slidable a sleeve, preferably in the form of an inverted funnel. A plurality of supporting legs are circumferentially distributed about and pivotally connected to the slidable sleeve, and a like number of connecting links, circumferentially distributed about the fixed collar, are pivotally mounted on the collar at one end, and at their other ends, each one of said links is pivotally connected to one of the legs at a point substantially midway between the ends of the associated leg. The arrangement is such that, when pressure is applied to the standard in a .downward direction, a force is produced on each of the links having a component which acts on the associated leg to swing the leg on its pivotal connection to the sleeve in a direction such that the legs tend to close in on the standard The pressure applied to the standard may result from the weight of the microphone, lamp, or such other device as may be supported thereon. To adjust the height of the standard (or, otherwise stated, the spread of the legs), it is merely necessary to'slide the slidable sleeve along the standard inthe desired direction. Once adjusted, the legs will remain in the adjusted position by reason of the aforementioned pressure which tends to close them back in on the standard, and no external locking means is required to lock the sleeve to the standard in the adjusted position.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing my improved stand,

Figure 2 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the appended arrows,

Figure 3 is a similar view taken on the line III-III of Fig. 1, and

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective of one of the bracket members coupling the legs to the slidable sleeve. 7

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a standard comprising a pair of telescoping tubes l and 3 adjustable relative to each other and adapted to be locked in adjusted position by a suitable friction coupling 5 in well known manner. The tube I may have mounted thereon a microphone I, a lamp, a music rack, a map or book holder, or any other similar device.

Loosely fitted on and slidable along the tube 3 is a sleeve 9 having the shape of an inverted funnel and provided with a plurality (for example, three) inwardly extending blocks II to each of which is secured a bracket l3 formed with an upwardly extending offset ear l5. To each of the ears I5 is pivotally connected at l6 one end of a supporting leg H, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the upper ends of the legs I! being con cealed within the bell of the funnel, as best shown in Fig. 1.

Secured to the lower end of the tube 3 is a collar l9 having the same number of substantially tangentially, outwardly extending projections 2| as .there are legs l1. and to each the proiections 3i is pivotally connected one end of a connecting link 23. The other end oi each link :3 is pivotally connected to one oi the legs I! at a point 33 substantially midway. between the ends of the leg. but in any case, the length of each link 23 from its pivotal connection with the projection 3! to the pivotal connection 35 with its associated leg I] should be equal to the length of the portion of the leg i1 between the pivot l3 and the pivot 33, so that lines connecting these three pivot points will term at all times an isosceles triangle regardless oi the position of the legs i'l relative to the tube 3.

When the stand is in collapsed condition, the sleeve 3 is in its most elevated position, and the legs i1 and links 33 lie substantialiv against the tube 3 in almost parallel relation. To set the stand up for operation, it is merely necessary to slide the sleeve 3 down along the tube 3 the desired extent, after which the stand remains firmly in position without requiring any locking means between the sleeve 3 and the tube 3, such as conventional stands of the prior art require. The explanation for this is as follows: The weight of the microphone or other similar device I and the tubes I and 3 and associated parts applies a force downwardly toward the floor or other support uponwhich the legs I! rest in the direction of the arrow A. This iorce is transferred along the connecting links 23 to the pivotal connections thereiore, that the legs ii are not spread apart -butwiliremaininthe adiustedposition.

From the ioregoing description it will be apparent to thoseskiiled inthe art, that I have provided an improved supporting stand which is simple to operate, which may be quickly and easily adjusted. and which is not subiect to' the disadvantages pointed out previously inconnection'with similar prior art stands. Although I have described but one embodiment oi my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations thereoi are possible. Hence, I desire-it to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself except insofar as is made necessary by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I'claim asmy invention:

1. In a supporting device oi the character described, the combination oi a standard, a sleeve slidably carried thereon, a collar iixed to one end of said standard, a plurality of supporting legs circumierentially distributed about and pivotally mounted on said sleeve whereby they are adapted to be moved to spread apart from and close in on said standard, anda like number oi connecting links pivotally mounted on and cir- 25 between the links 23 and the legs H where a I force is applied which also acts in a downward direction. as shown by the arrow B. The force B may be resolved into two components C and D, the former oi which acts in a direction normal to a line g through the pivots l3 and,

"and the latter of which acts along the line connecting the pivots l3 and 23. It will be obvious that the force D has no eiiect upon the legs l1 insoiar as their pivotal action on the pivots i3 is concerned. However, the force C tends to swingthe legs I! on their pivots II inwardly about the pivots It and toward closed relation with respect to the tube 3. It follows,

cumierentially distributed about said collar, one .each of said links being pivotally connected to one each of said legs at points on said legs such that the length of each oi said links between its pivotal connections to said collar and its associated leg is equal to the length of the portion oi. the leg between the pivotal connections oi said leg with said sleeve and with said link whereby lines connectingsaid three pivotal connections iorm an isoscelestriangle at all times regardless oi the position oi said legs relative to said standard.

I the bell oi the tunnel.

inverted tunnel, and characterized iurther in.

that said legs are pivoted to said sleeve within LOUIS s. Bmnawm.

Images