Patent ID: 6012591
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A47B,A47F,F16M

Abstract:
An apparatus for supporting modular and cooperating components having a mass, comprising:a base member including a plurality of discrete and orthogonally positioned leg members for engaging a flooring surface;a substantially vertical support pole extending upward from said base member and releasably coupled thereto;at least one bushing, concentrically engaging said substantially vertical support pole at a particular axial location;at least one support arm, extending radially outward from said at least one bushing at a particular orientation;at least one support surface, secured to said at least one support arm, said at least one support surface being positioned substantially orthogonal to said substantially vertical support pole and adapted for receiving and supporting said modular and cooperating components at particular axial and angular positions relative to said base member and said substantially vertical support pole;locator means for (a) substantially fixing automatically during assembly through gravity bias said substantially vertical support pole in position relative to said base member in five out of six degrees of freedom, and (b) allowing movement automatically after assembly of said at least one support arm and associated at least one support surface to a predefined range of movement relative to said at least one bushing in order to locate said mass of said modular and cooperating components to a particular range of stable positions defined by said discrete and orthogonally positioned plurality of leg members of said base member;wherein said base member includes (a) a sleeve member, and (b) a plurality of leg members secured to said sleeve member for engaging said flooring surface and maintaining said sleeve member in a vertical position;wherein said substantially vertical support pole includes at least one latching cavity therein;wherein said sleeve member of said base member includes at least one key-feed port extending therethrough;said apparatus for supporting modular and cooperating components further comprising:a locking key which passes through said at least one key-feed port and engages said at least one latching cavity, when said at least one key-feed port and said at least one latching cavity are aligned.