Abstract:
A rapidly collapsible stand includes a base frame, a pair of pivot members pivotally connected to a first side of the base frame, a first supporting frame connected to the pivot members, a first supporting unit pivotally connected between the base frame and the first supporting frame, a second supporting frame pivotally connected to the first supporting frame and a second supporting unit pivotally connected between the base frame and the second supporting frame. When operating the base frame, the second supporting frame is able to be extended away from the first supporting frame to an extended position by utilizing the linkage of the first supporting unit and the second supporting unit; or the second supporting frame is able to be received toward the first supporting frame to a received position by lifting up a handle portion of the first supporting frame.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/495,480, filed on Jun. 10, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to stands and more specifically, to a collapsible stand for supporting machine tools. 
         [0003]    For providing portability to conventional machine tools/power tools (i.e. table saws), conventional stands for supporting said machine tools are often provided with a collapsible structure for allowing the machine tools to be conveniently transported and used in a variety of different work sites. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,942,229, 5,560,582, and US Patent Application No. 2005/0199768A1 disclose various collapsible stands. Additionally, the Applicant&#39;s prior Taiwan Invention Patent No. 1311520 disclosed a Supporting Stand for Machine Tools which includes a supporting platform adapted to support a machine tool, a pair of first legs pivotally disposed on one lateral side of the supporting platform, a pair of second legs pivotally disposed on another lateral side of the supporting platform and each of the second legs has one end pivotally and respectively connected with the first legs, a pair of resilient members respectively sleeved on the second legs; and a securing unit. The securing unit includes a handle slidably disposed on the supporting platform, two link members pivotally connected with the handle, two coupling members pivotally and respectively connected to the two link members, and two spring members disposed between the two coupling members and the supporting platform respectively. When the supporting stand is in an extended position, pulling the handle will drive the link members to pivotally rotate, the two link members will drive the coupling members to linearly approach each other, such that end tips of the link members are disengaged from the second legs for allowing the second legs to slide along a pair of sleeve members respectively such that the supporting stand is folded. 
         [0005]    The aforementioned supporting stands are able to support the machine tool, can be easily extended and can be easily stored when not is use, Therefore, in view of the functionality and increasing demands for the supporting stands, the present disclosure has arisen. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present disclosure to provide a collapsible stand, which has a simple structure, is easy to operate, and can be quickly folded/extended. 
         [0007]    To achieve these and other objects of the present disclosure, the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a base frame which is adapted for supporting a machine tool. The base frame has a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion which are respectively located on two opposite sides thereof. First and second pivot members are pivotally disposed on the first lateral portion. A first supporting frame includes a first and second first legs which are pivotally engaged with said pivot members respectively and a bottom bracket which is disposed between said first legs. Each first leg has a bending portion formed thereon and adapted to for corresponding to a ground surface. The bending portion is located between said first leg and the bottom bracket. A handle is mounted between the two first legs and are oppositely located relative to the bottom bracket. Two pin members are respectively mounted on the bending portions. The first legs are perpendicularly arranged relative to the bottom bracket. A first supporting unit is pivotally disposed between the second lateral portion of the base frame and the first supporting frame. The first supporting frame includes two pairs of pivoting plates which are mounted on the two first legs. Each pivoting plate has a substantially inclined positioning portion formed thereon. A second supporting frame includes first and second second legs pivotally and respectively engaging with the first and second first legs. Each second leg has an end section formed on one end thereof and oppositely corresponds to the bottom bracket of the first supporting frame. Two wheels are pivotally disposed on the end sections. A second supporting unit is pivotally disposed between the pivot members and said second legs of the second supporting frame. An operating unit is mounted on the first supporting frame. The operating unit includes a pedal shaft, a push lever, a coupling member, and a spring member. The pedal shaft has a pedaling portion and a pivoting portion respectively formed on two opposite ends thereof. The pivoting portion pivotally engages with the first supporting frame such that the pedal shaft is pivotable relative to the first supporting frame. The push lever has a first end which is pivotally engaged with one of the first legs of the first supporting frame and a second end for corresponding to the base frame. The push lever is spacely located relative to the pedal shaft. The coupling member is pivotally disposed between the pedal shaft and the push lever. The coupling member has a first pivoting section and a second pivoting section formed on two opposite ends thereof. The first pivoting section and the second pivoting section are respectively and pivotally engaging with the pedal shaft and the push lever. The spring member has two ends respectively abutting against the pedaling portion of the pedal shaft and the first end of the push lever. A resilient force of the spring member constantly biases the pedaling portion and the first end to orient toward each other. A securing unit is mounted on the first lateral portion of the base frame. The securing unit includes a tubular member which is mounted on the first lateral portion, an elastic member which is disposed in the tubular member; and a retaining shaft which passes through the tubular member and the elastic member. The retaining shaft has an abutting end formed on one end thereof. The abutting end selectively protrudes from the tubular member for corresponding to one of the pivot members. An actuating member is mounted on another end of the retaining shaft and protruded from the tubular member. 
         [0008]    In an extended configuration, the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame are outwardly extending away from each other such that the bottom bracket of the first supporting frame and the end sections of the second supporting frame are located at their farthest distance apart. The second supporting unit securely positioned the second supporting frame relative to the first supporting frame. The abutting end of the retaining shaft of the securing unit abuts against a bottom of the corresponding pivot member for preventing mis-operation. 
         [0009]    In a folding configuration, the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame are oriented toward each other in a substantially parallel arranged manner; the base frame is arranged in a substantially upright manner such that the second lateral portion of the base frame is located adjacent to the first supporting frame. 
         [0010]    The present disclosure can achieve the following effects: by utilizing the first supporting unit and the second supporting unit, the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame are outwardly extended relative to the first supporting frame such that the are the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame are positioned outwardly away from each other for extending the collapsible stand. By lifting the first supporting frame, the second supporting frame is retractedly movable toward the first supporting frame, such that the collapsible stand can be easily folded. Thereby, the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure can be easily and quickly folded/extended. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rapidly collapsible stand in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an assembled side view of the rapidly collapsible stand in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the collapsible stand is in an extended configuration; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the rapidly collapsible stand in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the collapsible stand is operated to covert from the extended configuration to a folding configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the rapidly collapsible stand in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the collapsible stand is in the folding configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the rapidly collapsible stand in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the collapsible stand is operated to convert from the folding configuration to the extended configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a front plan view of a securing unit in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the securing unit is mounted on a first lateral portion of a base frame in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of  FIG. 9   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    An embodiment of a collapsible stand according to the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the collapsible stand includes a base frame  10  which is adapted for supporting a machine tool  100 . The base frame  10  is substantially rectangular. The base frame  10  has a first lateral portion  11  and a second lateral portion  12  which are respectively located on two opposite sides thereof. First and second pivot members  20  pivotally and respectively disposed on two lateral sides of the first lateral portion  11 . The pivot members  20  are substantially triangular. 
         [0021]    A first supporting frame  30  includes first and second first legs  31 , a bottom bracket  33  adapted for corresponding to a ground surface, and a handle  32 . The first and second first legs  31  are pivotally and respectively engaged with the first and second pivot members  20  of the first lateral portion  11 . Each first leg  31  has a bending portion  34  formed thereon. The bending portion  34  is substantially arc-shaped. The bottom bracket  33  is disposed between said first legs  31 . The handle  32  is also mounted between said first legs  31  and is located on an opposite end of said first legs  31  relative to the bottom bracket  33 . Two pin members  35  are mounted on the bending portions  34 . A pivoting rod  313  is mounted between the bending portions  34  of said first legs  31 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , said first legs  31  are perpendicularly arranged relative to the bottom bracket  33  such that said first legs  31  and the bottom bracket  33  configured a L-shape. Two pairs of pivoting plates  311  are mounted on said first legs  31  and located at an intermediate portion on the two first legs  31 . Each first leg  31  of the first supporting frame  30  has a locking unit  36  mounted thereon for mounting the handle  32  between said first legs  31 . The handle  32  and the first legs  31  configured a L-shape. The handle  32  and the bottom bracket  33  are substantially positioned in an invertedly symmetrical manner. Each pivoting plate  311  has a substantially inclined positioning portion  312  formed thereon. 
         [0022]    A first supporting unit  40  is pivotally disposed between the second lateral portion  12  of the base frame  10  and the first supporting frame  30 . The first supporting unit  40  includes a pair of supporting legs  41 . Each supporting leg  41  has two ends respectively and pivotally engaging with the second lateral portion  12  and the corresponding first leg  31  of the first supporting frame  30 . 
         [0023]    A second supporting frame  50  includes first and second second legs  51  pivotally and respectively engaging with the first and second first legs  31  of the first supporting frame  30 . Each second leg  51  has an end section  511  formed on one end thereof and oppositely corresponds to the bottom bracket  33  of the first supporting frame  30 . Two pairs of auxiliary panels  52  are disposed on said second legs  51  and are correspondingly located adjacent to the pivoting plates  311 . Each auxiliary panel  52  has a substantially planar-shape retaining portion  521  formed thereon and corresponding to the pivoting plate  311 . Two wheels  53  are pivotally disposed on the end sections  511  of the second legs  51 . 
         [0024]    A second supporting unit  60  which is adapted for positioning the second supporting frame  50  relative to the first supporting frame  30  is pivotally disposed between the pivot members  20  and the second legs  51  of the second supporting frame  50 . The second supporting unit  60  includes a pair of supporting members  61 , each supporting member  61  has two ends respectively and pivotally engaging with the corresponding pivot members  20  and the corresponding auxiliary panel  52  of the second leg  51  of the second supporting frame  50 . 
         [0025]    An operating unit  70  is mounted on the first supporting frame  30 . The operating unit  70  includes a pedal shaft  71 , a push lever  72 , a coupling member  73 , and a spring member  74 . The pedal shaft  71  has a pedaling portion  712  and a pivoting portion  711  formed on two opposite ends thereof. The pivoting portion  711  is pivotally engaged with the pivoting rod  313  of the first supporting frame  30  such that the pedal shaft  71  is pivotable relative to the first supporting frame  30 . The push lever  72  has a first end  721  which is pivotally engaged with one of the first legs  31  of the first supporting frame  30  and a second end  722  for corresponding to the base frame  10 . The push lever  72  is spaced apart from the pedal shaft  71  the pedal shaft  71  such that that push lever  72  is not interfered by the pedal shaft  71  during operation and vice versa. The coupling member  73  is pivotally disposed between the pedal shaft  71  and the push lever  72 . The coupling member  73  has a first pivoting section  731  and a second pivoting section  732  formed on two opposite ends thereof. The first pivoting section  731  and the second pivoting section  732  are respectively and pivotally engaging with the pedal shaft  71  and the push lever  72 . The first pivoting section  731  is pivotally connected to the pedal shaft  71  and is located between the pivoting portion  711  and the pedaling portion  712  of the pedal shaft  71 ; whereas the second pivoting section  732  is pivotally connected to the first end  721  of the push lever  72 . The spring member  74  is disposed between the push lever  72  and the pedal shaft  71 . Two ends of the spring member  74  abut against the pedaling portion  712  of the pedal shaft  71  and the first end  721  of the push lever  72 . The spring member  74  provides a resilient force which is arranged to constantly bias the pedaling portion  712  and the first end  721  to orient toward each other. 
         [0026]    Further referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , a securing unit  80  is mounted on the first lateral portion  11  of the base frame  10 . The securing unit  80  includes a tubular member  81  mounted on a bottom of the first lateral portion  11 , an elastic member  83  disposed in the tubular member  81 , and a retaining shaft  82  passes through the tubular member  81 . The retaining shaft  82  has an abutting end  821  formed on one end thereof and selectively protrudes from the tubular member  81  for corresponding to one of the pivot members  20 . An actuating member  822  is mounted on another end of the retaining shaft  82  and is protruded from the tubular member  81 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure is in an extended configuration, the first supporting frame  30  and the second supporting frame  50  are positioned outwardly away from each other such that the bottom bracket  33  of the first supporting frame  30  and the end sections  511  of the second supporting frame  50  are located at their farthest distance apart. The first supporting frame  30  and the second supporting frame  50  are tiltedly positioned on the ground surface for stably supporting the base frame  10 . The base frame  10  is substantially in a horizontal position relative to the ground surface. The supporting members  61  of the second supporting unit  60  slightly urge the auxiliary panels  52  which are disposed on the second legs  51  of the second supporting frame  50  such that the retaining portions  521  correspondingly mesh with the positioning portions  312  of the pivoting plates  311 . Thereby, the first supporting frame  30  and the second supporting frame  50  are retained tiltedly positioned relative to the ground surface such that the collapsible stand is stably maintained in the extended configuration. The pin members  35  are resting on the ground surface for ensuring the collapsible stand is stably positioned. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in the extended configuration, the abutting end  821  of the retaining shaft  82  is protruded from the tubular member  81  and abuts against a bottom of the corresponding pivot member  20  for preventing mis-operation. 
         [0029]    When an user wishes to transport the machine tool  100  which is disposed on the base frame  10  from one location to another, he/she simply needs to exert a downward force to the handle  32 , such that the pin members  35  mounted on the bending portions  34  are lifted from the ground surface, thereby the user can easily transport the machine tool  100  via the wheels  53  on the second supporting frame  50 . 
         [0030]    Moreover, referring to  FIGS. 3-5  and  FIG. 9 , in order to convert the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure from the extended configuration to a folding configuration, the user first pulls the actuating member  822  of the retaining shaft  82  such that the abutting end  821  is pulled to disengage from the bottom of the corresponding pivot member  20 . Simultaneously, the user lifts up the handle  32  such that the first lateral portion  11  is lifted and the first supporting frame  30  is driven to pivotally retract. The second supporting frame  50 , driven by the movement of the first supporting frame  30 , is likewise pivotally retracted toward the first supporting frame  30 . The first supporting frame  30  and the second supporting frame  50  are brought closer together until the first supporting frame  30  and the second supporting frame  50  are uprightly positioned relative to the ground surface and are arranged substantially parallel relative to each other. The positioning portions  312  of the pivoting plates  311  and the retaining portions  521  of the auxiliary panels  52  are thereby disengaged. The second supporting unit  60  is driven by movement of the second supporting frame  50  such that the supporting members  61  of the second supporting unit  60  drives the pivot members  20  to pivotally rotate for consequently, driving the first lateral portion  11  of the base frame  10 . The base frame  10  is therefore pivotally tilted from the horizontal position to a fully upright position with the second lateral portion  12  orienting toward the ground surface and closely located adjacent to the first supporting frame  30 . The bottom bracket  33  and the end sections  511  which are located at their farthest distance apart in the extended configuration are drawn toward each other and are closely located adjacent to each other in the folding configuration. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure is fully folded, it is reduced to a compact size for convenient storage. Furthermore, the bottom bracket  33  of the first supporting frame  30  rests on the ground surface for stably supporting the collapsible stand in the folding configuration. Furthermore, the handle  32  can be dismounted from the locking unit  36 , thereby, effectively reducing a packing size of the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0032]    Further referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the user intends to convert the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure from the folding configuration to the extended configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the user pedals on the pedaling portion  712  of the pedal shaft  71 , thereby the pedal shaft  71  is pivotally rotated relative to the pivoting rod  313  to pivotally drive the coupling member  73  such that the push lever  72  is driven by the pivotal movements of the coupling member  73  (When the pedaling portion  712  is pedaled, the spring member  74  is expanded to store resilient force for elastic recovery). The first supporting unit  40  is urged by the second end  722  of the push lever  72  to drive the second lateral portion  12  of the base frame  10  outwardly away from the first supporting frame  30 . The pivot members  20  are driven by movements of the base frame  10 , such that the pivot members  20  drive the second supporting unit  60  to yield pivotal movements for positioning the second supporting frame  50 . By continuously exerting downward force on the handle  32 , the first supporting frame  30  and the second supporting frame  50  continue to move outwardly away from each other until the bottom bracket  33  of the first supporting frame  30  and the end sections  511  of the second supporting frame  50  are located at their farthest distance apart as in the extended configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0033]    When the pedaling portion  712  is released, the spring member  74  elastically recovers such that the pedal shaft  71 , the push lever  42 , and the coupling member  73  are driven to return to their original positions as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0034]    In view of the above, the collapsible stand in accordance with the present disclosure is easy to operate, and can be folded/extended quickly. 
         [0035]    Although particular embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.