Patent Publication Number: US-2023150809-A1

Title: Modular Dispenser Stand

Description:
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a water dispenser, and more particularly to a modular dispenser stand, wherein the modular dispenser stand is customized to adjust the height configuration and the storage configuration according to the user preference. 
     Description of Related Arts 
     Many householders prefer to use drinking water from a bottle because it is from a known source. This is wise in many countries foreign to the United States, and many persons carry this cultural preference with them when they come to the United States. Others prefer the flavor of bottled water or require water which is low in sodium or other minerals. 
     For these and related reasons, bottled water is commonly available in the United States. It is purchased or delivered in large bottles, such as 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles. Such bottles are difficult to use when it is desired that only a small amount of water be dispensed. Because of this, several dispensing structures are available. One of these dispensing structures is a ceramic jar with a valve and spout on the side thereof. When the jar is filled with water and the valve is opened, the spout issues waters. These ceramic jars are configured to carry one of the large water bottles inverted on the top thereof. Thus, the water bottle dispenses water to the jar, as required, and the jar dispenses water from its valve and spout. 
     Since deliveries of water bottles are intermittent and since it is desired that a continuous supply be available for dispensing out of the spout, it is common to have on hand extra water bottles. Usually, these extra water bottles stand on the floor adjacent the dispenser. However, in such a position, they are in the way. It is desirable to have a suitable nearby location in which to store extra bottles. 
     A water dispenser stand is known in the art to support one or more water bottles, wherein the water dispenser stand generally comprises a plurality of vertical legs, an upper support coupled at upper ends of the vertical legs, and a bottom support coupled at bottom portions of the vertical legs. As a result, two water bottles can be supported by the upper and bottom supports respectively. In order to increase the loading capacity of the water dispenser, each of the vertical legs is prolonged, such that a mid-support can be coupled at the vertical legs between the upper and bottom supports to support a third water bottle. However, the water dispenser stand has several drawbacks. Since the upper support is elevated to incorporate with the mid-support, the water bottle must be lifted at a predetermined height to be supported on the upper support. It is a burden for the user to carry and lift the relative heavy water bottle from the ground to the upper support. Furthermore, the water dispenser stand must have a rigid structure in order to support the water bottles, such that the storage shelf will be bulky and heavy. Therefore, it is a hassle for the manufacturers and the users store and carry the water dispenser stand. The water dispenser stand is designed and configured to only support the water bottles, such that no personal decorative element can be added to enhance the overall aesthetic appearance of the water dispenser stand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The invention is advantageous in that it provides a modular dispenser stand, wherein the modular dispenser stand is customized to adjust the height configuration and the storage configuration according to the user preference. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, wherein each of the telescopic legs is selectively adjusted its length to elevate the upper support. Therefore, when the telescopic legs are selectively reduced their lengths to drop down the upper support, the user is able to easily lift up a container, such as a water bottle, to be supported on the upper support. Otherwise, when telescopic legs are selectively prolong their lengths to elevate the upper support, a storage space under the upper support is increased for storing an extra container and an used (empty) or unused (water contained) container, or the like. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, wherein a supporting bracket as an add-on component is detachably coupled at the telescopic legs within the storage space to increase a container loading capacity of the modular dispenser stand. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, wherein the extra, used or unused container is substantially supported within the storage space in an inclined manner, so as to stably store the container. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, the height of each of the telescopic legs is further locked up when the supporting bracket is coupled at the telescopic legs so as to prevent the telescopic legs being collapsed accidentally or unintentionally. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, wherein an inclined base bracket as an add-on component is detachably coupled on the base support to alter the storage configuration of the modular dispenser stand. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, wherein a ceramic water dispensing jar can be supported on the upper support to receive an inverted container, such that one or more extra containers or other objects can be stored at the storage space under the upper support. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, which is easily assembled to selectively adjust different height configurations and different storage configurations. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, which does not involve complicated mechanical process and equipments, and does not significantly alter the original structure of the water dispenser stand and the water dispenser mounted thereabove, so as to minimize the manufacturing and other related cost in producing the water dispenser stand of the present invention. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide a modular dispenser stand, wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objectives. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution to provide a rigid frame structure for supporting one or more containers, and to selectively adjust different height configurations and different storage configurations. 
     Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims. 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a modular dispenser stand, comprising: 
     a height adjustable frame which comprises a plurality of telescopic legs each adapted for selectively adjusting its length, and a leg locker unit provided at each of the telescopic legs to selectively lock up the telescopic leg at a predetermined length, wherein the telescopic legs are spaced apart with each other to define a storage space therewithin; and 
     a supporting frame which comprises an upper support coupled at upper ends of the telescopic legs for supporting a container on the upper support, and a base support detachably coupled at the telescopic legs below the upper support to define the storage space between the upper support and the base support, wherein the telescopic legs are selectively reduced their lengths to drop down the upper support and are selectively increased their lengths to increase the storage space between the upper support and the base support. 
     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a modular dispenser stand according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of a telescopic leg of the modular dispenser stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of an upper support of the modular dispenser stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a base peripheral frame of the modular dispenser stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an inclined base bracket detachably coupled at the base peripheral frame of the modular dispenser stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the inclined base bracket of the modular dispenser stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded perspective view of a supporting bracket and bracket fasteners of the modular dispenser stand according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    of the drawings, a modular dispenser stand according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the modular dispenser stand is arranged to support and store one or more objects at different locations of the modular dispenser stand. Particularly, the modular dispenser stand is customized to adjust the height configuration and the storage configuration according to the user preference to support and store the objects. In one example, the modular dispenser stand, which is configured to support and store one or more containers such as water bottles, comprises a height adjustable frame and a supporting frame. 
     The height adjustable frame comprises a plurality of telescopic legs  10  each adapted for selectively adjusting its length, and a leg locker unit  20  provided at each of the telescopic legs  10  to selectively lock up said telescopic leg at a predetermined length. Accordingly, the telescopic legs  10  are spaced apart with each other to define a storage space  101  therewithin. In one embodiment, the telescopic legs  10  are extended in a vertical manner and are parallel with each other, such that the storage space  100  has a uniform size from top to bottom. Alternatively, the telescopic legs  10  are extended in a vertically and inclinedly extending manner, such that the size of the storage space  100  is gradually reducing from top to bottom. In one embodiment, three telescopic legs  10  are spaced apart with each other to define the storage space  100  within the three telescopic legs  10 . 
     The supporting frame comprises an upper support  30  coupled at upper ends of the telescopic legs  10  for supporting one or more containers, such as water bottle, beverage dispenser, ceramic crock, or the like, on the upper support  30 , and a base support  40  detachably coupled at the telescopic legs  10  below the upper support  30  to define the storage space  100  between the upper support  30  and the base support  40 . Accordingly, the telescopic legs  10  are selectively reduced their lengths to drop down the upper support  30 , such that the container can be easily lifted up for being placed on the upper support  30 . Otherwise, the telescopic legs  10  are selectively increased their lengths to increase the storage space  100  for storing extra container, used (empty) container or unused (water contained) container under the upper support  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , each of the telescopic legs  10  comprises one or more first tubular legs  11  and one or more second tubular legs  12  slidably coupling with each other. Accordingly, each of the second tubular legs  12  has a cross sectional size larger than a cross sectional size of the first tubular leg  11 , such that the first tubular leg  11  is slidably inserted into the second tubular leg  12  to selectively adjust the length of the telescopic leg  10 . In one embodiment, each of the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  has a non-circular cross section, such that when the first tubular leg  11  is slidably inserted into the second tubular leg  12 , the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  cannot be rotated with each other. Preferably, each of the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  has a square cross section to prevent any unwanted rotatable movement therebetween. As shown in  FIG.  1   , each of the telescopic legs  10  is constructed to have two first tubular legs  11  alternating with two second tubular legs  12 , wherein one of the first tubular legs  11  is located at the uppermost position of the telescopic leg  10  while one of the second tubular legs  12  is located at the lowermost position of the telescopic leg  10 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the leg locker  20  comprises two or more first locking holes  21  spacedly provided at the first tubular leg  11  and two or more second locking holes  22  spacedly provided at the second tubular leg  12 , wherein when the first tubular leg  11  is slidably inserted into the second tubular leg  12 , at least one of the first locking holes  21  is coaxially aligned with at least one of the second locking holes  22 . In one example, two first locking holes  21  are spacedly provided at the first tubular leg  11  and two second locking holes  22  are spacedly provided at the second tubular leg  12 . When the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  are slid away from each other at its length prolonging position to extend the length of the telescopic leg  10 , only one first locking hole  21  at the lowermost position is coaxially aligned with one second locking hole  22  at the uppermost position. When the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  are slid toward each other at its length reducing position to reduce the length of the telescopic leg  10 , only one first locking hole  21  at the uppermost position is coaxially aligned with one second locking hole  22  at the lowermost position. When the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  are slid between the length prolonging position and the length reducing position, the two first locking holes  21  are coaxially aligned with the two second locking holes  22  respectively. Preferably, three or more first locking holes  21  are spacedly provided at the first tubular leg  11  and three or more second locking holes  22  spacedly provided at the second tubular leg  12 . 
     The leg locker  20  further comprises a resilient locking element  23 , having a locking head  231 , disposed in the first tubular leg  11  at a position that the locking head  231  is protruded out of the first tubular leg  11  from one of the first locking holes  21  to selectively engage with one of the second locking holes  22  so as to selectively lock up the first tubular leg  11  with the second tubular leg  12 . Accordingly, the resilient locking element  23  is made of resilient material, such as metal, to provide an outward resilient force at the locking head  231 . In order to unlock the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12 , the locking head  231  is pressed inward, by a user&#39;s hand, until the locking head  231  is disengaged with the second locking hole  22 , such that the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  are free to slid with each other to selectively adjust the length of the telescopic leg  10 . Once the second tubular leg  12  is slid at the first tubular leg  11  until the first locking hole  21  is coaxially aligned with one of the second locking holes  22 , the locking head  231  is outwardly pushed to engage with the second locking hole  22  so as to lock up the second tubular leg  12  with the first tubular leg  11  for retaining the length of the telescopic leg  10 . For each of the telescopic legs  10  constructed to have two first tubular legs  11  alternating with two second tubular legs  12 , three leg lockers  20  are provided at each of the telescopic legs  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the upper support  30  has a top platform  301  formed at upper ends of the first tubular legs  11  of the telescopic legs  10 . Accordingly, the upper support  30  comprises a boundary member  31  detachably coupled at the upper ends of the first tubular legs  11  at inner sides thereof via a plurality of upper support attachments  311 , and an inner supporting member  32  extended within the boundary member  31  to define the top platform  301  on the inner supporting member  32 . In one embodiment, the boundary member  31 , which is embodied and configured to have a ring shape, has an outer circumferential side coupled at the upper ends of the first tubular legs  11 , wherein a diameter size of the boundary member  31  is preferred to be equal or larger than a diameter size of the container. It is worth mentioning that when containers are stored in supporting bracket  50  and base bracket  43 , the total weight of the modular dispenser stand is increased that the upper support  30  may support item having a diameter or size larger than the diameter of the boundary member  31  while the item is concentrically supported thereon. 
     For three telescopic legs  10 , three upper support attachments  311  are spacedly and downwardly extended from the outer circumferential side of the boundary member  31  to detachably couple at the inner sides of the telescopic legs  10  respectively via fasteners such as bolt and nut. Accordingly, one or more first upper support locking holes are provided at each of the telescopic legs  10  while one or more second support locking holes are provided at each of the upper support attachments  311 , such that the fasteners are engaged with the first and second upper support locking holes to detachably couple the upper support  30  at the telescopic legs  10 . 
     The inner supporting member  32  is integrally extended from an inner circumferential side of the boundary member  31  for supporting the container therewithin. In other words, the boundary member  31  serves as a boundary of the top platform  301 . 
     It is worth mentioning that a ceramic water dispensing jar can be supported on the top platform  301  of the upper support  30  to receive an inverted container, such that one or more extra containers or other objects can be stored at the storage space  100  under the upper support  30 . Likewise, a plant pot can also be supported on the top platform  301  of the upper support  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the base support  40  is detachably coupled at lower portions of the telescopic legs  10  to maximize the storage space  100  between the upper support  30  and the base support  40 . In one embodiment, the base support  40  is detachably coupled at the second tubular legs  12  of the telescopic legs  10 . The base support  40  comprises a base peripheral frame  41  having a plurality of attaching points  401  detachably coupled at the telescopic legs  10  respectively, and an inner supporting member  42  integrally extended within the base peripheral frame  41  to form a flat base platform  400 . The extra, used or unused container can be supported on the flat base platform  400  of the base support  40  and stored in the storage space  100  in a vertical manner. It is worth mentioning that when increasing the lengths of the telescopic legs  10  to increase the storage space  100 , any tall object, such as a plant, can be stored in the storage space  100  between the upper support  30  and the base support  40 . 
     Accordingly, the number of attaching points  401  matches with the number of telescopic legs  10 . In one embodiment, the base peripheral frame  41  has three attaching points  401  to detachably couple at three telescopic legs  10  respectively. Preferably, the base peripheral frame  41  has a triangular shape defining the attaching points  401  at the corners of the base peripheral frame  41  respectively. Preferably, a first base frame locking hole is provided at the lower portion of each of the telescopic legs  10  and a second base frame locking hole is provided at each attaching point  401  of the base support  40 , wherein a fastener, such as bolt and nut, is extended through the first and second base frame locking holes to detachably couple the base support  40  at the telescopic legs  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the base support  40  further comprises an inclined base bracket  43  detachably coupled at the base peripheral frame  41  on the flat base platform  400  for holding the extra, used or unused container in an inclined manner. Accordingly, the modular dispenser stand is able to selectively adjust the storage configuration by selectively coupling the inclined base bracket  43  at the base peripheral frame  41 . By detaching the inclined base bracket  43  from the base peripheral frame  41 , the object, such as the extra container, can be supported and stored in an upright manner. By coupling the inclined base bracket  43  at the base peripheral frame  41 , the object, such as the extra water bottle, can be supported and stored in an inclined manner. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the inclined base bracket  43  comprises an arc-shaped first base holding arm  431  for holding an upper portion of the container, an arc-shaped second base holding arm  432  spacedly positioned below the first base holding arm  431  for holding a bottom portion of the container, and a base stopper arm  433  extended from the second base holding arm  432  for biasing against a bottom of the container. Therefore, the container is supported by the first and second base holding arms  431 ,  432  and the base stopper arm  433  in an inclined manner. Preferably, a curvature of each of the first and second base holding arms  431 ,  432  matches with a curvature of the container to hold the upper and bottom portions of the container respectively. The base stopper arm  433  has a L-shaped configuration to bias against the bottom of the container when the unused container is held by the first and second base holding arms  431 ,  432 . 
     The inclined base bracket  43  further comprises two base guiding arms  434  extended from the first base holding arm  431  and the second base holding arm  432 , wherein the base guiding arms  434  are extended inclinedly to not only connect the first and second base holding arms  431 ,  432  with each other but also support the container in an inclined manner. 
     In order to securely couple the inclined base bracket  43  at the base peripheral frame  41 , the base support  40  further comprises an adapter frame  44  integrally extended from the inclined base bracket  43  to detachably couple at the base peripheral frame  41 . The adapter frame  44  comprises a base supporting member  441  integrally extended from the inclined base bracket  43  and a plurality of attaching members  442  spacedly coupled at the base supporting member  441 , wherein the base supporting member  441  is shaped and sized matching with the inner supporting member  42 , such that when the base supporting member  441  is supported on the inner supporting member  42 , the attaching members  442  are detachably coupled at the base peripheral frame  41  via fasteners, so as to detachably couple the inclined base bracket  43  at the base peripheral frame  41 . 
     Preferably, the adapter frame  44  further comprises a supporting arm  443  integrally and vertically extended between the base supporting member  441  and the inclined base bracket  43 . In one embodiment, the first supporting arm  443  is integrally extended between the first base holding arm  431  and the base supporting member  441 . The base stopper arm  433  is integrally extended between the second base holding arm  432  and the base supporting member  441 . Therefore, the inclined base bracket  43  is inclinedly supported above the base supporting member  441  via the base stopper arm  433  and the supporting arm  443 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the supporting frame further comprises a supporting bracket  50  and a plurality of bracket fasteners  60  detachably coupling the supporting bracket  50  at the telescopic legs  10  between the upper support  30  and the base bracket  40  for holding the container in an inclined manner. In other words, when the inclined base bracket  43  is coupled at the base peripheral frame  41 , two containers can be held by the supporting bracket  50  and the inclined base bracket  43  in an inclined manner respectively. 
     Particularly, the supporting bracket  50  has a plurality of bracket locking holes  501  detachably coupled at the telescopic legs  10  via the bracket fasteners  60  respectively. In other words, each of the bracket fasteners  60  not only detachably couples the supporting bracket  50  at the telescopic legs  10  but also further securely lock up the first tubular leg  11  with the second tubular leg  12 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the bracket locking holes  501  are configured to align with the first and second locking holes  21 ,  22 , such that the bracket fastener  60  is arranged to engage with the bracket locking hole  501  and the first and second locking holes  21 ,  22 . 
     The structural configuration of the supporting bracket  50  is similar to the structural configuration of the inclined base bracket  43 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the supporting bracket  50  comprises an arc-shaped first holding arm  51  for holding the upper portion of the container, an arc-shaped second holding arm  52  spacedly positioned below the first holding arm  51  for holding the bottom portion of the container, and a stopper arm  53  extended from the second holding arm  52  for biasing against the bottom of the container. 
     The supporting bracket  50  further comprises two guiding arms  54  extended from the first holding arm  51  and the second holding arm  52 , wherein the guiding arms  54  are extended inclinedly to not only connect the first and second holding arms  51 ,  52  with each other but also support the container in an inclined manner. 
     For three telescopic legs  10 , three bracket locking holes  501  are formed at two ends of the first holding arm  51  and a free end of the stopper arm  53  to engage with the telescopic legs  10  respectively. Preferably, a curvature of each of the first and second holding arms  51 ,  52  matches with a curvature of the container to hold the upper and bottom portions of the container respectively. The stopper arm  53  has a L-shaped configuration to bias against the bottom of the unused container when the container is held by the first and second holding arms  51 ,  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the bracket fastener  60  comprises a locking bolt  61  extended through one of the first locking holes  21 , one of the second locking holes  22  and one of the bracket locking holes  501 , and a locking nut  62  detachably coupled at the locking bolt  61  to lock up the supporting bracket  61 , the first tubular leg  11  and the second tubular leg  12  with each other. 
     It is worth mentioning that one of the first locking holes  21  and one of the second locking holes  22  are being used for the resilient locking element  23  of the leg locker  20  to lock up the first and second tubular legs  11 ,  12  at a predetermined length. The rest of the first and second locking holes  21 ,  22  are unused and available for being used by the bracket fastener  60 . In other words, the locking bolt  61  is configured to extend through the unused first and second locking holes  21 ,  22  to the bracket locking hole  501  for detachably coupling the supporting bracket  50  at the telescopic legs  10 . Therefore, the height of each of the telescopic legs  10  is further locked up when the supporting bracket  50  is coupled at the telescopic legs  10 . 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the modular dispenser stand may further comprise an accessory holder coupled at one of the telescopic legs  10 . In one embodiment, the accessory holder comprises at least one detachable hanger  70  detachably coupled at one of the telescopic legs  10 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . The detachable hanger  70  has a hooking end and an opposed coupling end engaging with one of the first locking holes  21  being unused and one of the second locking hole  22  being unused. In other words, any unused first and second locking holes  21 ,  22  can be engaged with the detachable hanger  70  for hanging any accessory, such as a basket for plant and etc., or a cup, at the telescopic leg  10 . 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.