Patent ID: 6264161
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: A47B

Abstract:
A portable stand including:a panel assembly including a plurality of elongate panels, each panel having a longitudinal panel length and a lateral panel width, the panels being arranged in side-by-side relation an d rotatably coupled to provide for a pivoting of adjacent panels relative to one another about longitudinal axes;an elongate first wall extending lengthwise in the longitudinal direction along a selected one of the panels and extending lengthwise in the longitudinal direction along a direction of its width;at least one substantially laterally disposed end closure member integral with the selected panel and the first wall, said end closure member having a lateral profile;wherein said pivoting of adjacent panels allows alternative placement of the panel assembly in an open setting in which the panels are substantially co-planar and provide a platform, and a closed setting in which the panels, the first wall, and the at least one end closure member cooperate to form an elongate container that extends longitudinally and is polygonal in lateral cross section; wherein the panels, when in the closed setting, substantially conform to the lateral profile of the end closure members, anda mounting structure adapted to support the panel assembly in the open setting with the platform inclined from the horizontal such that the selected panel forms a lower end region of the platform, with the first wall extended laterally and upwardly away from the selected panel.