Patent Publication Number: US-6702384-B1

Title: Support device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to stool devices and more particularly pertains to a new support device for providing a device for leaning against by a generally upright person. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of stool devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, stool devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,183,579; 5,364,163; 3,414,323; 5,927,797; 4,865,382; and Des. 271,352. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new support device. The inventive device includes a seat portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of legs each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion. Each of the legs is located generally adjacent to the peripheral edge. The legs are spaced from each other. The legs are each telescoping and selectively extendable between extended and retracted positions. 
     In these respects, the support device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a device for leaning against by a generally upright person. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of stool devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new support device construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a device for leaning against by a generally upright person. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new support device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the stool devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new support device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art stool devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a seat portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of legs each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion. Each of the legs is located generally adjacent to the peripheral edge. The legs are spaced from each other. The legs are each telescoping and selectively extendable between extended and retracted positions. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new support device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the stool devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new support device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art stool devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new support device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new support device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new support device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such support device economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new support device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new support device for providing a device for leaning against by a generally upright person. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new support device which includes a seat portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of legs each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is pivotally attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion. Each of the legs is located generally adjacent to the peripheral edge. The legs are spaced from each other. The legs are each telescoping and selectively extendable between extended and retracted positions. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new support device that provides a support for a person to lean against while standing for a long period of time. The device is adjustable for the height of the user and for the amount of support they desire. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a new support device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new support device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the support device  10  generally comprises a seat portion  12  having a top surface  14 , a bottom surface  16  and a peripheral edge  18  extending between the top  14  and bottom  16  surfaces. The seat portion  12  includes a front edge  20 , a back edge  22  and a pair of side edges  24 . The front edge  20  extends inward toward the back edge  22 , and the back edge  22  extends away from the front edge  20 . The top surface  14  is concave. The top surface  14  has a raised section  26  positioned between the side edges  24  and extends from the front edge  20  toward the back edge  22 . The peripheral edge  18  is rounded outwardly. The concave shape and the raised portion allow contouring to a person sitting on the top surface. Also envisioned is a cushion for placement on the top surface  14  and secured to the top surface  14  with a hook and loop fastening means. 
     A plurality of legs  28  each has a first end  30  and a second end  32 . Each of the first ends  30  is pivotally attached to the bottom surface  16  of the seat portion  12 . Each of the legs  28  is located generally adjacent to the peripheral edge  18 . The legs  28  are spaced from each other. Each of the legs  28  is telescoping and is selectively extendable between extended and retracted positions. Preferably, each of the legs  28  has a first section  34 , a second section  36  and a third section  38 . The second section  36  is extendable into the first section  34  and the third section  38  is extendable into the second section  36 . Each of the first sections  34  has an aperture  40  therein positioned generally adjacent to the second sections  36 . The second  36  and third  38  sections each have a plurality of apertures  40  therein. Each of a plurality  40  of pins  42  is extendable through the apertures  40  for releasably securing each of the sections to an adjacent one of the sections. Preferably each of the pins  40  is tethered to the associated legs  28 . The plurality of legs  28  is ideally four legs. 
     Each of a plurality of feet  44  is positioned over the one of the second ends  32  of the legs  28 . The feet  44  each comprise an elastomeric material for preventing slippage of the legs  28 . 
     In use, the device  10  is used for supporting a person who is in a generally upright position, such as a surgeon or factory worker who must remain on their feet for long periods of time. The pivoting and telescoping legs  28  allow the seat portion  12  to be tilted so that a user is leaning against the device  10  instead of placing their entire weight on the device. The telescoping legs  28  also allow the device to be adjusted to the height of the user. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.