Support stand

The present invention is directed to a support stand which is economical to manufacture. The support stand comprises at least two support legs for the support stand. Each of the support legs comprises a generally vertical central portion with top member supporting extensions extending from either side of a first end of the generally vertical central portion. The support legs are provided with surface engaging means, extending either side of the second end of the generally vertical central portion. The support stand also includes a top member which provides the support surface of the support stand. The top member has a first section having engaging means at or adjacent either end thereof for engaging with the top member supporting extensions of the support leg. The top member is also provided with a second section attached along an edge to the first section. The second section is orientated to lie in a plane with the generally vertical central portion when the engaging means are engaged with the laterally extending extensions of the support legs. Two such top members are utilized, one of the top members engaging the top member supporting extension on one side of each of the support legs. The other top member engages the top member supporting extensions of the second side of each of the support legs. When the top members are engaged with the support legs, the two second sections abut one another along their surfaces, and may be releasably connected to one another to provide for lateral support for the support stand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a novel, easy to construct support stand.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 There are many different types of support stands in common use, such as
 tables, benches, display rack, or support stands for holding tools, work
 pieces or other structures which must be supported. Many such support
 stands are constructed of a plurality of different shaped pieces, each of
 which must be manufactured separately and then assembled to form the final
 support stand. The use of this plurality of pieces, each requiring a
 separate manufacturing step, increases the cost of production of the
 support stand and hence the cost to the final consumer.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention is directed to a support stand which is economical to
 manufacture. The support stand comprises at least two support legs for the
 support stand. Each of the support legs comprises a generally vertical
 central portion with top member supporting extension, extending outwardly
 from either side of a first end of the generally vertical central portion.
 The support legs are provided with surface engaging means, extending
 either side of the second end of the generally vertical central portion.
 The support stand also includes a top member which provides the support
 surface of the support stand. The top member has a first section having
 engaging means on either end thereof for engaging with the top member
 supporting extensions of the support leg. The top member is also provided
 with a second section attached along an edge to the first section. The
 second section is orientated to lie in a plane with the generally vertical
 central portion when the engaging means are engaged with the top member
 supporting extensions of the support legs. Two such top members are
 utilized, each top member engaging the top member supporting extension of
 one side of each of the support legs. The other top member engages the top
 member supporting extensions of the second side of each of the support
 legs. When the top members are engaged with the support legs, the two
 second sections abut one another along their surfaces, and may be
 releasably connected to one another to provide for lateral support for the
 support stand.
 In an aspect of the invention, the support legs are each comprised of two
 support members being co-joined to form the support leg for the support
 stand. Each of the support members comprises a generally vertical central
 portion with top member supporting extensions, extending angularity from
 the ends of the central support section. The support members are co-joined
 by joining the vertical central portions to one another to result in the
 top member supporting extensions, extending either side of the joined
 vertical central portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 A first preferred embodiment of a support stand according to the present
 invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, generally indicated by the
 numeral 10. The support stand 10 has two support legs 12 preferrably
 located at either end of the support stand. Bridging the two support legs
 12 are top members 14 which provide for the top support surface of the
 support stand 10, as well as providing for lateral support for the support
 stand 10 as will be described herein below. In this embodiment, each of
 the support legs 12 are comprised of a pair of support members 16, joined
 to one another. Support members 16 have a generally vertical central
 portion 18 which is utilized to join the two support members 16 to one
 another. Extending from either end of the vertical central portion 18 of
 the support member 16 are laterally extending extensions 20a and 20b. The
 laterally extending extensions 20a and 20b extend angularity away from the
 ends of the vertical central portion 18. When the two support members 16
 are joined to one another to form the support leg 12, the laterally
 extending extensions 20a and 20b extend to either side of the co-joined
 vertical central portions 18.
 The support stand 10, as described above, also includes a top member 14 for
 providing the top surface of the support stand 10. As illustrated in the
 figures in the preferred embodiments, the support stand 10 includes two
 such top members 14. The top members 14 have a first section 22 for
 forming the top surface of the assembled support stand 10. In the
 embodiment illustrated, the first section 22 of the top member 14 is
 generally planar, however, depending upon the use for the support stand,
 other shaping of the top member 14 may be employed, as will be described
 herein below. The top member 14 has a second section 24 connected along
 one edge to an edge of the first section 22. The angle between the first
 section 22 and second section 24 is preferably identical to the angle
 between the vertical central portion 18 of the support member 16 and the
 laterally extending top member supporting extension 20a, the purpose of
 which will be described herein below. The top member 14 is also provided
 with engaging means 26 on either end of the first section 22 for engaging
 with the laterally extending top member supporting extensions 20a of the
 support leg 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the support leg 12 is
 generally circular in cross-section, and thus the engaging means 26 of the
 top member 14 is a generally circular sleeve, capable of sliding over the
 top member supporting extension 20a and containing the top member
 supporting extension 20a within the interior of the circular sleeve.
 The assembly of the support stand 10 of the first embodiment of the present
 invention will now be described in conjunction with the attached figures.
 The support legs 12 are assembled by co-joining the two support members 16
 along their vertical central portions 18. This joining of the two support
 members 16 may be accomplished by mechanical or chemical fastening. For
 example, the two support members 16 may be permanently attached to one
 another by welding or gluing together the two central portions 18 to form
 the support leg 12. Alternatively, the support members 16 may be
 releasably mechanically fastened to one another by providing suitable
 bolts and nuts which would extend through holes provided in the vertical
 central portion 18 to join the two members 16 to one another. Once the
 support legs 12 are formed, the top member 14 is slidingly engaged with
 the support leg 12 by inserting the top member supporting extensions 20a
 into the engaging means 26. This is continued until both top members 14
 have been engaged with both support legs 12, and the second sections 24
 abut one another along their surfaces. The second sections 24 are then
 releasably connected together, for example by use of a suitable bolt 30
 and nut 32 arrangement with the bolt 30 passing through holes provided in
 the second section 24, as illustrated in the figures. The joining together
 of the two second sections 24 provides lateral support to the support
 stand 10 without the necessity of a separate or individual piece.
 The support stand 10 of the present invention may be utilized to form any
 stand necessary for supporting an object, such as for example a rack, a
 table, a support stand for work pieces or tools, benches, etc. The support
 stand may be utilized in many different situations, such as residential,
 institutional, factory, commercial establishments, etc. The support stand
 may also be utilized in hospitals to provide for additional beds, should
 the need arise.
 The angle between the vertical central portion 18 and top member supporting
 extensions 20a of the support member 16 may be varied, depending upon the
 application for which the support stand 10 is to be employed. As
 illustrated in FIG. 3, there may be a wide variation in this angularity,
 anywhere from a generally perpendicular angle between the vertical central
 portion 18 and the top member supporting extension 20a to provide for a
 generally flat table top, to a situation where one of the top member
 supporting extensions 20a of one of the support members 16 may be only
 bent outwardly slightly, while the top member supporting extension 20a of
 the second support member 16 would be bent at an angle close to
 perpendicular to provide for a bench for seating. Other such angles are
 contemplated, depending upon the application to which the support stand is
 to be placed. In addition, depending upon the application, the central
 portion may vary from the generally vertical orientation. Thus for
 appearance or to project the top surface further away from the support
 legs, the orientation of the central portion may be less vertical. In
 these situations, the angles between the first and second sections of the
 top members are also adjusted to maintain the second section in alignment
 with the central portion of the support legs. As also illustrated in FIG.
 3, the laterally extending extension 20b forming the portion of the
 support leg 12, which rests on the surface, may be altered to provide for
 decorative features, as well as functional features.
 As illustrated in FIG. 4, the angle between the first section 22 and second
 section 24 of the top members 14 may also be varied to match the angle
 between the top member supporting extension 20a and vertical central
 portion 18 of the support member 16 to which the top member 14 is to be
 slidingly engaged.
 While the first preferred embodiment illustrates the engaging means 26 as a
 sleeve to slide over the top member supporting extension 20a of the
 support member 16, other means of engagement are also contemplated. The
 engaging means 26 could be provided as a member to slide interiorly of the
 top member supporting extension, if the top member supporting extension
 were provided as a channel member, capable of containing the engaging
 means within the interior thereof. In addition, while in the first
 preferred embodiments, the engaging means 26 is intregal with the top
 member 14, a separate engaging means 26, attachable to the top member 14,
 is also contemplated. As noted above, the top member 14 illustrated in the
 preferred embodiment has a generally planar first section 22. Depending
 upon the application and the requirement, this first section 22 may be
 provided with another shape, such as a downwardly curve or concave shape,
 etc. In order to provide for the proper lateral support, it is preferred
 if the second section 24 remains planar, so that the two surfaces of the
 second sections 24 may engage one another and provide for the lateral
 support for the support stand 10.
 A second embodiment of a support stan d of the present invention is
 illustrated in FIG. 6 generally indicated by the numeral 40. Support stand
 40 of this embodiment has two support legs 42 and top members 44. In this
 embodiment of the support stand, the generally vertical central region 46
 has a box shape with the top member supporting extensions 48 extending
 from either side at the top thereof. While in the figures, the central
 region is illustrated as having a hollow box shape, other shapes such as
 round, hexagaonal, etc., are also contemplated, so long as they permit the
 nesting of the support stand as described below.
 The top member supporting extensions 48 in this embodiment are shaped as a
 channel member with one open side to receive the engaging means 50 of the
 top member 44. At the lower end of the central region 46 there are
 provided suitable feet 52 for the support leg. The top member 44, similar
 to the first embodiment, is provided with a first section 54 to form the
 top surface of the support table and a second section 56 connected along
 one edge to an edge of the first section 54. once again, the angle between
 the first section 54 and second section 56 is similar to the angle between
 the vertical central portion 46 and top member supporting extensions 48 .
 The support table 40 of this embodiment is assembled in a similar manner
 to that of the first embodiment.
 As further illustrated in FIG. 6, this embodiment of the support table has
 particular utility as merchandise display racks, etc. The nature of the
 top member 44 may be varied depending upon the requirements of the
 specific application. Thus, as illustrated in the Figures, the top member
 44 may be constructed of a solid material such as metal, plastic, etc. It
 may also be constructed of an open mesh material 44A, or a perforated
 metal material 44B. In addition, the support table of this embodiment may
 also be stackable as outlined in FIG. 6. A second support leg 42a may be
 provided with an extending central region 44a. This extended central
 region 44a is provided with a lower end which is capable of being received
 within the central region 46 of the first support leg 42. In this way a
 multi-level support rack may be provided by stacking support legs one on
 top of the other and sliding the top member into the support leg in a
 manner as described above.
 A third embodiment of the support table, according to the present
 invention, is illustrated in FIG. 7 generally indicated by the numeral 60.
 Once again, this support table 60 is provided with two support legs 62
 having a generally vertical central region 64 and top member supporting
 extensions 66 and suitable support feet 68. Top member 70 has first
 section 72 and second section 74 joined to one another along their edges
 to provide for the top support surface for the support table 60. In this
 embodiment, the engaging means 76 are located in the interior of the ends
 of the top surface 70. The engaging means 76 are a sleeve attached to the
 top surface interior of the ends to receive the top member supporting
 extensions 66. The support table 70 of this embodiment is assembled in a
 similar manner to that of the previous embodiment and is of particular
 utility as a table or desk.
 FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a support table of the present
 invention having particular utility as a temporary bed, for example for
 use in a hospital or other institutional setting. The support table 80 has
 two support legs 82, with a central region 84, top member supporting
 extension 86, and support feet 88. The top surface 90 attaches to the
 support legs 82 in a similar manner to the other embodiments and a
 mattress 92 or other suitable padding is placed on the top surface 90 to
 provide support for a person. Preferably, in order to provide for proper
 support of a person, the engaging means are located interior of the ends
 of the top surface 90 similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7. The
 support table 80 may also be provided with casters 94 on the ends of the
 support feet 88 to allow for movement of the support table 80.
 FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the support stand of the
 present invention for particular utility as a support for pipelines and
 other pipes, particularly where the joints between two sections of pipe
 must be supported. The support stand 100 has two support legs 102, each of
 the legs 102 having the vertical central region 104, arch shaped top
 member supporting extensions 106 extending from the top of the central
 region 104 and support feet 108 extending from the lower end of the
 central section 104. The top member 110 has a first curve shaped surface
 112 having a radius of curvature matching the radius of curvature of the
 arch shaped top member supporting extensions 106 and a generally planar
 second section 114 extending downward from the lower edge of the curved
 first section 112. Engaging means 116 are provided at either end of the
 top of member 110. In the one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the
 support legs 102 are constructed similar to the first embodiment having
 two support members attached to one another along the central regions. The
 support feet 108 are capable of being permanently attached to a surface
 for example, a concrete pad located under the pipeline joint to be
 supported. In the embodiment illustrated, this is accomplished by
 providing holes 118 which can be used to bolt the support feet 108 to the
 concrete pad, although others means to accomplish this would be readily
 apparant to those skilled in the art. The support legs 102 may be
 constructed of a generally circular material in which case the engaging
 means 116 will be circular sleeves which slide over the circular material.
 A second embodiment of a support leg of this support stand is illustrated
 as 102a in FIG. 9. This support leg 102a is constructed of generally
 planar bar stock shaped to form the support leg 102a. With this
 embodiment, the engaging means 116 would be provided as a sleeve having a
 box shaped cross section to slide over the top member supporting extension
 106a of the support leg 102a.
 FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a support stand of the
 present invention which is of particular utility for suspending and
 supporting services, such as wiring conduits, plumbing runs, etc. from a
 ceiling. This embodiment of the support stand 120 has two support legs 122
 with generally vertical central regions 124 and circular top member
 supporting extensions 126 which extend outwardly and upwardly from the
 lower end of the region 124. The upper end of the central region 124 is
 provided with a suitable support foot 126 for attaching the support leg
 122 to a ceiling. The top members 130 have a first section 132 with a
 circular trough shape to match the dimensions of the circular extension
 126 and a generally planar second section 134 attached along one edge to
 an edge of the circular first section. Suitable engaging means 136 are
 provided at either end of the top member 130. As illustrated in FIG. 10,
 when the support stand is assembled two circular shaped troughs are
 provided on either side of the support stand for holding and supporting
 services, such as wiring conduits, etc. spaced away from the ceiling.
 The support stands illustrated in the figures are preferably constructed of
 a suitable metal to provide for the required rigidity to the support
 stand, especially for the supporting of heavier loads. However, depending
 upon the application, materials other than metal may be utilized, either
 alone or in combination with other materials, including metal. For
 example, the support members may be constructed of metal, while the top
 members may constructed of a suitable rigid plastic or fiberglass
 material.
 The support stand of the present invention provides the benefit of being
 simple to manufacture. This is particularly the case for the embodiments
 utilizing two support members to form the support leg, as only two pieces
 are required to construct the support table, one piece being the support
 member and the other piece being the top member. As illustrated in the
 preferred embodiment, four such support members are joined together, in
 pairs, to form the support legs, while two top members are utilized to
 form the top surface of the support stand.
 Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
 described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
 art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
 of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.