Patent ID: 7222832
Filing Date: 2007-05-29
Classification: A47C,B63B

Abstract:
1. A support mechanism, the support mechanism comprising: a base member adapted for supporting the support mechanism from a support surface; a first support arm having a distal end pivotally connected to a pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the base member in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the first support arm relative to the support surface between a stowed position and a deployed position, the distal end of the first support arm being generally adjacent the support surface when the first support arm is in its stowed position and spaced from the support surface when the first support arm is in its deployed position, the distal end of the first support arm including a first geared portion; a first synchronizing arm generally adjacent to the first support arm, the first synchronizing arm having a distal end pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the base member in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the first synchronizing arm relative to the support surface, the first synchronizing arm and first support arm being operatively connected to the pivot bracket and base member in a manner so that the first synchronizing arm and first support arm maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the first support arm between its stowed and deployed positions; a second support arm having a distal end pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to a load-supporting platform in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the second support arm relative to the load-supporting platform between a stowed position and a deployed position, the distal end of the second support arm including a second geared portion; and a second synchronizing arm generally adjacent to the second support arm, the second synchronizing arm having a distal end pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the load-supporting platform in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the second synchronizing arm relative to the load-supporting platform, the second synchronizing arm and second support arm being operatively connected to the pivot bracket and load-supporting platform in a manner so that the second synchronizing arm and second support arm maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the second support arm between its stowed and deployed positions; the first and second support arms and first and second synchronizing arms being operatively connected with one another in a manner so that the load-supporting platform moves substantially along a fixed vertical axis as the first and second support arms move between their respective stowed and deployed positions, the first and second geared portions being in meshed engagement with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the first and second support arms between their respective stowed and deployed positions in manner such that movement of one of the first and second support arms between its stowed and deployed positions requires corresponding movement of the other of the first and second support arms between its stowed and deployed positions.