Abstract:
An expandable television stand including a top, an expandable back leg, and a pair of front legs adjustably connected to the top. The stand is reconfigurable between a smallest size, wherein the front legs are connectable to the top adjacent to the top, and a plurality of larger sizes, wherein the front legs are shifted away from each other and connected to the top a predetermined distance away from the top. Leg extension elements are used to fill the space between the front legs and the top created when the stand is expanded beyond its smallest size.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to furniture. More particularly, the present invention relates to expandable furniture.  
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0002]     Generic television stands exist which are designed to accommodate a number of different television sizes and models. These stands often look awkward because they are not specifically sized to match a given television model and size. In order to provide for a custom stand look, manufacturers have been forced to provide a different stand size and configuration for each television size and model at a significant price mark-up from the generic stands. Therefore, there exists a need for an affordable universal stand configured to support a variety of television models and sizes while maintaining a custom stand look.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     An expandable stand of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a top, an expandable back leg, one or more shelves and shelf supports, and a pair of front legs adjustably connected to the top. The stand may be expanded or reconfigured to accommodate, for example, a plurality of different sized televisions. However, the stand is not limited to its role as a television stand and may be used as a piece of furniture or to support other items.  
         [0004]     The stand may be sold as a kit including stand components that can be assembled to form a plurality of different sized stands depending on assembly. Assembly is reversible so that if at any point during the life of the stand a smaller or larger stand is desired, the stand need only be disassembled and then reassembled following the proper assembly instructions specific to the desired stand size. The stand components are common for all of the stand sizes except for optional leg extensions, which are specific to stand size. For example, an exemplary stand of the present invention may be able to be sized to support any of a 50 inch, 56 inch and a 61 inch television. The same parts are used to form the stand for all three sizes except a leg extension element of different size is used on the stands for the 56″ and 61″ televisions. As detailed below, these optional leg extension elements are used to fill the space created when adjusting the front legs of the stand to accommodate the larger size televisions.  
         [0005]     A stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a top, a first leg supporting the top, and a second leg supporting the top. The stand may be configured such that a distance between each of the first leg and the second leg is adjustable and a distance between an edge of the top facing away from the top and each of the first leg and second leg is adjustable.  
         [0006]     The stand may be configured such that each of the first leg and the second leg contact the edge of the top in a smallest configuration of the stand.  
         [0007]     The stand may also include a first leg extension and a second leg extension. The first leg extension may be secured to the stand, between the top edge and the first leg, and the second leg extension may be secured to the stand, between the top edge and the second leg, when each of the first and second legs are spaced away from the top edge of the top.  
         [0008]     The stand may also include one or more shelves at least partially supported by the first leg and the second leg.  
         [0009]     The first leg and second leg may each be adjustably connected to the top by a connector. The connector may include a fixed portion secured to the top, a first adjustable portion secured to the first leg and adjustably connectable to the fixed portion at a plurality of locations, and a second adjustable portion secured to the second leg and adjustably connected to the fixed portion at a plurality of locations. The first adjustable portion and the second adjustable portion may be telescopically arranged with respect to the fixed portion, i.e., at least partially disposed over or within the fixed portion.  
         [0010]     The stand may also include a third leg, which may be expandable, connected towards a back of the top. The first leg and second leg may be connected towards a front of the top opposite the back.  
         [0011]     The third leg may include a fixed portion secured to the top, a first adjustable portion connectable to the fixed portion at a plurality of locations, and a second adjustable portion connectable to the fixed portion at a plurality of locations.  
         [0012]     The stand may also include shelf supports. Each shelf support may be connected between the third leg and one of the first leg and the second leg.  
         [0013]     An exemplary stand system of the present invention may include (i) at least one pair of leg extensions and (ii) a stand including a top, a first leg, and a second leg. The stand may be reconfigurable to at least two predetermined stand sizes, each stand size having a different distance between (i) the top and each of the first leg and the second leg, and (ii) the first leg and second leg. A different size pair of the leg extensions may fill a space between the top and each of the first leg and the second leg for each predetermined stand size in which each of the first leg and second leg are spaced away from the top.  
         [0014]     The top of the stand may include a plurality of holes a predetermined distance apart. The first adjustable portion and the second adjustable portion of the connector may be secured to the top through a pair of the holes closest to a middle of the top for the smallest size of the stand and secured to the top using pairs of holes further away from the middle of the top for larger sizes of the stand.  
         [0015]     An exemplary stand kit of the present invention includes a plurality of stand parts including at least a top, a first leg configured to support the top, and a second leg configured to support the top. The parts may be configured to be assembled to form any one of a plurality of different stand sizes including at least a first size, in which the first leg and the second leg are connected to the top directly adjacent an edge of the top facing away from the top, and a larger second size, in which the each of the first leg and the second leg are spaced away from the edge of the top while still supporting the top.  
         [0016]     The stand kit may include a pair of leg extensions, each leg extension configured to fill a space between the top and one of the first leg and second leg when the parts are assembled to the second size. The stand kit may also include a plurality of different sized leg extension pairs, each stand size having one leg extension filling a space between the top and each of the first leg and the second leg.  
         [0017]     The stand parts may include an adjustable connector configured to connect each of the first leg and the second leg to the top at varying distances from the edge of the top.  
         [0018]     The top included in the stand kit may include a plurality of predrilled hole pair sets, each set being used for a different stand size.  
         [0019]     The expandable leg included in the stand kit may include a plurality of predrilled hole pair sets, each set being used for a different stand size. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1   a  is a front perspective view of a stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1   b  is a front perspective view of a partially expanded stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1   c  is a front perspective view of a fully expanded stand according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the stand of  FIG. 1   c.    
         [0025]      FIG. 3   a  is an exploded view of a stand top and an adjustment mechanism used to adjustably connect the stand legs to the top.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3   a  is an exploded view of the stand top, the partially extended adjustment mechanism, and a leg extension of a first size.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3   b  is an exploded view of the stand top, the fully extended adjustment mechanism, and a leg extension of a second size.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the disassembled adjustment mechanism.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a portion of the back leg and the top having the adjustment mechanism connected to a bottom surface.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of the cam in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of the adjustable glide in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5   c  is a perspective view of the cam bolt in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of the back leg and stand top including an exploded view of the shelf supports.  
         [0034]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of the partially extended back leg and stand top including an exploded view of the shelf supports.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6   c  is a perspective view of the fully extended back leg and stand top including an exploded view of the shelf supports.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fully extended stand top and back leg and shelf brackets including an exploded view of the front legs.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the fully extended assembled stand without the shelves including an exploded view of the shelf clips.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of the shelf clip in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the fully extended assembled stand including an exploded view of the shelves.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b , and  1   c  illustrate an exemplary stand  10  of the present invention in unextended, partially extended, and fully extended states, respectively. The stand includes a top  12 , a first front leg  14 , a second front leg  16 , an expandable back leg  18 , shelves  20   a  and  20   b , and shelf supports  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d . The term leg as used herein may refer to any type or shape of supporting structure. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , in the unextended state first and second front legs  14  and  16  are connected to top  12  via connector or adjustment mechanism  24  directly adjacent to the top  12 . In the partially expanded state, illustrated in  FIG. 1   b , first and second front legs  14  and  16  are spaced away from an edge  13  of the top  12  facing away from the top  12  and a pair of leg extension elements  26   a  and  26   b  are connected to the partially extended adjustment mechanism  24  between the top  12  and each of the first and second front legs  14  and  16 . In the fully expanded state, illustrated in  FIGS. 1   c  and  2 , first and second legs  14  and  16  are spaced away from the top  12  more so than in the partially extended state, illustrated in  FIG. 1   b . A pair of larger size leg extension elements  26   a ′ and  26   b ′ are connected to the now fully extended adjustment mechanism  24  between the top  12  and each of the first and second front legs  14  and  16 . The optional leg extension elements  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   a ′, and  26   b ′ fill the gap created between the top  12  and the front legs  14  and  16  upon expansion of the stand  10 .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 3   a - 9  illustrate exemplary assembly steps for assembling stand  10 . To assemble the stand in the unextended state the exemplary steps illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a  and  6   a  may be followed. To assemble the stand in the partially extended state the exemplary steps illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  6   b  may be followed. To assemble the stand in the fully extended state the exemplary steps illustrated in  FIGS. 3   c  and  6   c  may be followed. The steps illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 7 ,  8 , and  9  are assembly steps common for all sizes of the stand  10 . The stand  10  is assembled by connecting elements to the top  10 . Therefore, the assembly  FIGS. 3   a - 7  show the partially assembled stand  10  up-side down.  
         [0042]     The first assembly step involves connecting the adjustment mechanism  24  to the top surface  28  of the top  12 . As indicated above, this is illustrated in  FIG. 3   a  for the unextended stand  10 , in  FIG. 3   b  for the partially extended stand  10 , and in  FIG. 3   c  for the fully extended stand.  
         [0043]     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , adjustment mechanism  24  includes a first adjustable portion  32 , a second adjustable portion  34 , and a fixed portion  30  including a slot  36 . The first and second adjustable portions  32  and  34  are disposable over fixed portion  30  in the direction of arrows  35 . Alternatively, fixed portion  30  may be made hollow and first and second portions  32  and  34  may be disposed within fixed portion  30 . Further, fixed portion may be dispensed with and first and second adjustable portions  32  and  34  may be received in slots, for example, on opposite sides of the top  12 .  
         [0044]     In  FIG. 3   a , adjustment mechanism  24  is completely unextended, i.e., fixed portion  30  is completely hidden within the first and second adjustable portions  32  and  34 . First and second adjustable portions  32  and  34  are secured via connectors, such as screws  37 , to the most central predrilled holes  38   a  and  38   b  in top  12  and to side holes  40   a  and  40   b . Screws  37  pass through slot  36  in fixed portion  30 . In  FIG. 3   b , first and second adjustable portions  32  and  34  are partially spaced apart exposing fixed portion  30  and are secured to the top  12  via connectors, such as screws  37 , to the second most central predrilled holes  35   a  and  35   b  and to the side holes  40   a  and  40   b . The adjustment mechanism  24  is also connected, for example, using screws  37 , to leg extension elements  26   a  and  26   b , which include connectors, such as dowels  42 , for connection to each of the first and second front legs  14  and  16 . In  FIG. 3   c , first and second adjustable portions  32  and  34  are further spaced apart and are secured to the top  12  via connectors, such as screws  37 , to the third most central holes  44   a  and  44   b  and side holes  40   a  and  40   b . The adjustment mechanism  24  is also screwed to leg extension elements  26   a ′ and  26   b ′, which include connectors, such as dowels  42 ′, for connection to each of the first and second front legs  14  and  16 . Three cam bolts  39  are also screwed into top  12  for connection to the back leg  18 . Cam bolt  39  is shown enlarged in  FIG. 5   c.    
         [0045]      FIG. 5  illustrates the next assembly step, connection of the back leg  18  to the top  12 . Cam bolts  39  are passed through predrilled holes in the back leg  18  and are secured by passing cams  48  through communicating holes  46  and rotating them relative to the cam bolts  39 .  FIG. 5   a  includes an enlarged perspective view of cam  48 . Adjustable glides  50 , shown enlarged in  FIG. 5   b , are connected to a bottom edge of leg  18  and can be used to level and adjust the height of the stand  10 . Back  18  includes a slot  51 , for example, to allow for the passage of wires associated with a television which may rest on the stand  10 .  
         [0046]     The next assembly step involves connecting shelf supports  22   a - 22   d  to the back leg  18 . The back leg  18  includes a fixed portion  60 , a first adjustable portion  62  and second adjustable portion  64 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c , the shelf supports are connected via connectors, such as screws  52 , to a first set of holes  54   a  and  54   b  (circumscribed in dashed lines), closest to the center of the back leg  18 , for the unexpanded stand  10 , to a second set of holes  56   a  and  56   b  (circumscribed in dashed lines) for the partially expanded stand  10 , and to a third set of holes  58   a  and  58   b  (circumscribed in dashed lines) for the fully expanded stand  10 . A second set of connectors, such as screws  66 , may be used to further secure the shelf supports to the first and second adjustable portions  62  and  64 . Screws  52  and  66  secure the shelf supports to both the fixed portion  60  and the first and second adjustable portions  62  and  64 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c , back leg  18  is expanded by shifting first and second adjustable portions  62  and  64  away from each other.  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  illustrates the step of connecting the first and second front legs  14  and  16  to the adjustable mechanism  24  and the shelf support  22   a - 22   d  using connectors, for example, screws  68 . Adjustable glides  50 ′ are connected to a bottom of each of the first and second front legs  14  and  16  to allow for level and height adjustment of the stand  10 . Shelf clips  70  may be connected to the back leg  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , to further secure shelves  20   a  and  20   b , installed in the direction of arrows  74 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 8   a  shows a close-up of the shelf clips  70 .  
         [0048]     If a larger or smaller number of stand size options are desired the number of sets of predrilled holes need only be adjusted, for example, on the top  12  and back leg  18 . Also, additional leg extensions sized to fit between the top  12  and each of the front legs  14  and  16  may be included in the stand kit.  
         [0049]     While the present invention has been described in connection with the foregoing representative embodiments, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the representative embodiments are exemplary in nature and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection for the invention as set forth in the appended claims.