SUPPORTING APPARATUS

A supporting apparatus for a vending machine is provided. The supporting apparatus includes a supporting frame, four supporting pillars and four reinforcing members. The supporting frame defines a supporting plane for supporting the vending machine. The four supporting pillars extend downwards from four corners of the supporting frame. The four reinforcing members are located at the corner of the supporting frame to stiffen the supporting frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3show an embodiment of a supporting apparatus for a vending machine. The supporting apparatus includes a supporting frame10, a connecting bar20, four supporting pillars30, and four reinforcing members40.

The supporting frame10includes four supporting bars12. The four supporting bars12are connected end to end in sequence and form a rectangle. Each of the four supporting bars12includes a sidewall121, a top wall123, and a bottom wall125. The top wall123and the bottom wall125extend perpendicularly from two opposite edges of the sidewall121. The top wall123and the bottom wall125are parallel to each other. The sidewall121, the top wall123, and the bottom wall125together define an opening129towards the center of the supporting frame10.

The connecting bar20interconnects two opposite supporting bars12of the supporting frame10. The connecting bar20includes two ends, each of which is connected to a central portion of one of the two opposite supporting bars12. The supporting frame10together with the connecting bar20defines a supporting plane, on which a vending machine (not shown) can be placed.

The connecting bar20includes a top plate201and two side plates203. The two side plates203extend downwards from two opposite edges of the top plate201. The top plate201and the two side plates203together define an opening205. The opening205faces down.

The supporting pillars30extend downwards from four corners of the supporting frame10. Each of the four supporting pillars30includes a threaded post302. The threaded post302is inserted into a thread hole127of the supporting frame10thereby mounting the supporting pillars30to the corner of the supporting frame10.

The four reinforcing members40are located at the four corners of the supporting frame10. Each of the four reinforcing members40interconnects adjacent two of the supporting bars12of the supporting frame10and is inserted into the openings129of the two contiguous supporting bars12.

In one embodiment, the reinforcing member40is a right-angle triangular prism. The reinforcing member40includes a top surface401, a bottom surface402, and two side surfaces405.

The two side surfaces405are perpendicular to each other. Each of the two side surfaces405contacts the side wall121of one of the two contiguous supporting bars12.

A protrusion403protrudes from each of the top surface401and the bottom surface403. Each of the top wall123and the bottom wall125of the supporting bar12defines a mounting hole128. The protrusion403is received in the mounting hole128. Thus, the reinforcing member40is mounted to the two contiguous supporting bars12and thereby the two contiguous supporting bars12are connected to each other. In the same way, the four supporting bars12are assembled to the supporting frame10via the four reinforcing members40.