초록

A collapsible support structure has pairs of leg members (17) pivotally joined intermediate their length in crossed fashion by a connection member (18) that is capable of sliding longitudinally with the pivotal joint as the leg members extend in a scissors--like manner to support an object.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A collapsible support structure comprising an upper frame and a lower frame spaced below the upper frame in substantially underlying relationship, the upper frame adapted to be collapsed onto the lower frame from a predetermined height above the lower frame, first and second pairs of l

We claim: 1. A collapsible support structure comprising an upper frame and a lower frame spaced below the upper frame in substantially underlying relationship, the upper frame adapted to be collapsed onto the lower frame from a predetermined height above the lower frame, first and second pairs of leg members, each having inner and outer telescoping barrels with opposed ends that can be extended or contracted, said pairs of leg members spaced laterally apart and the opposed ends of each barrel being pivotally connected between the upper and lower frames in diagonally crossing relationship, and a connection member extending transversely between said pairs of leg members including means for pivotally joining each leg member intermediate its ends in said crossing relationship including means for sliding along the outer barrels during pivoting of the leg members, said sliding means extending a substantial longitudinal distance to provide support for the telescoping action of the barrels, and means for locking the sliding means and outer barrels, and the inner barrels to the outer barrels at the predetermined height of the upper frame, including means for releasing the locking means simultaneously from each pair of leg member rendering the sliding means, and inner and outer barrels unlocked relative to each other in unison so that each pair of laterally spaced leg members collapses in a congruent coordinated manner. 2. A collapsible support structure according to claim 1 where said means for locking the inner and outer barrels of each pair of leg members comprises: a ball and plunger arrangement cooperating between the inner and outer barrels of each leg member comprising, an element having adjacent circumferential groove and land portions slidable within each inner barrel, a pair of holes, one in each barrel, adapted to be aligned in the fully extended position of the leg members, a ball positionable within each hole by said land portion preventing relative movement of the barrels, a spring biasing the element so the land portion positions the balls within the holes of both barrels in the locking position, and means for compressing the spring to cause the holes and groove portion to become aligned allowing the balls to release from the holes in the outer barrels into the groove portion. 3. A collapsible support structure according to claim 1 wherein the means for pivotally joining each leg member and for sliding along the outer barrels during pivoting of the leg members comprises: first and second pairs of elements carried on said first and second pairs of leg members in said diagonally crossing relationship, each pair of elements pivotally connecting said outer barrels of the respective first and second pairs of leg members and being slidable in relation thereto as the leg members are extended or contracted and said pairs of elements carrying said means for locking them and the outer barrels against relative sliding and pivotal movement at the full height of the upper frame. 4. A collapsible support structure according to claim 3 wherein said first and second pairs of elements comprises: first and second pairs of sleeve members pivotally connected together and through which said outer barrels extend in slidable relationship, a cross member having opposed ends on which said first and second pairs of sleeve members are mounted laterally bracing the scissors-like telescoping action of the leg members as they are extended and contracted, and when fully extended and locked, forming with the leg members a structural triangular geometry of support beneath the upper frame at the working height, said means for locking the inner and outer barrels operable to lock the leg members when extended and said means for locking the pairs of sleeve members and outer barrels comprising a pair of leaf springs, one carried on each sleeve member having a locking pin thereon, an aperture in each sleeve member, said locking pin biased toward the aperture in each sleeve member, each outer barrel having an aperture, which in the fully extended position of the leg members, becomes aligned with said apertures in the sleeve members allowing the locking pins to enter said apertures of the barrels and lock the outer barrels and sleeve members against relative sliding movement. 5. A collapsible support structure according to claim 4 wherein said means for locking the sleeve members and outer barrels comprises: a pair of cam members, one associated with each leaf spring, rotatable into caming engagement with each leaf spring to lift each locking pin out of the apertures of the outer barrels unlocking the sleeve members and outer barrels to permit relative sliding and pivotal movement. 6. A collapsible support structure according to claim 5 wherein said means for locking said sleeve members and outer barrels comprises: a pair of handles associated with each pair of cam members rotatable to cause said cam members to lift said leaf springs in unison. 7. A method of providing a compact, portable work platform in which there is an upper frame capable of being raised above a lower frame, locked in the raised position, unlocked, and returned to the lowered position utilizing the collapsible support structure according to claim 6. 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said lower frame has spaced ground engaging wheels for negotiating uneven surfaces. 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the compact, portable work platform is a carrying case having upper and lower compartments and said collapsible support structure is removably secured within said lower compartment. 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the upper compartment is designed to removably contain a laptop computer. 11. A collapsible support structure having a pair of elongated leg members in a crossed relationship to each other, each having inner and outer telescoping barrel sections with opposed ends, the leg members pivoting and extending between a collapsed and extended state in a scissors supporting action, the combination comprising, a frame member to which one opposed end of each barrel section is pivotally connected space a distance apart as determined by the crossed relationship of the leg members in the collapsed state, a pair of sleeve members pivoting adjacent each other, one slidable on each leg member in crossed relationship with the crossed leg members providing the pivotal location for the scissors supporting action of each leg member, each sleeve member having a relatively long body portion extending a sufficient length of the leg member to provide longitudinal tubular support during the telescoping action of the barrel sections, said scissors supporting and telescoping action occurring in a congruent manner coordinated so the pair of leg members act as a single operational unit with stability and strength, and a locking mechanism adapted to be engaged automatically between each sleeve member, and the inner and outer barrel sections, to prevent relative sliding and pivotal motion when extended, including a release mechanism actuated simultaneously unlocking each sleeve member and the barrel sections in a coordinated manner to permit collapsing the leg members in unison. 12. A mobile conveyance in combination with a collapsible support structure according to claim 11 providing the support and mobility, and in addition comprising, a plurality of pairs of leg members, each pair in laterally spaced relationship to the other, and a cross member having opposed ends on which said pairs of sleeve members are attached in pivotal relationship, the cross member extending transversely near the middle of the pairs of leg members.