Patent ID: 8100371
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: A61G,A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for carrying articles including a support stand and a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly including a clamp member adapted to be secured to a support structure which is adapted to be raised or lowered, the support stand including a pole having a longitudinal axis with a clamp mounting portion thereon and a mounting hub to which the pole is attached, an actuating member which is axially movable relative to the mounting hub along the pole above said mounting hub, a plurality of wheel assemblies each including a wheel support pivotally mounted at an inner end to the actuating member and at least one wheel operatively mounted to an outer end of the wheel support, and a control link wherein one end of the control link is pivotally connected intermediate said inner and outer ends of the wheel support and the opposite end of the control link is pivotally connected to the mounting hub, whereby axial movement of the actuating member away from said mounting hub follows movement of each wheel support between a position extending substantially radially of the actuating member where the wheels rest on a floor surface when the clamp member is released, and a retracted position where the pole is held by the clamp member and in which the wheel supports lay substantially adjacent the pole and mounting hub, the wheel supports when in the retracted position being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pole and mounting hub whereby when the wheels contact a floor surface when the wheel supports are in the retracted position, further movement of the support stand toward the floor surface causes the wheel supports to move into the extended position.