Patent ID: 12222063

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring toFIG.1, certain embodiments of the present invention include a stand assembly10having a base12and a vertical stanchion15extending vertically therefrom. In the embodiment shown, the base12includes a center hub13and three equally-spaced base arms14extending therefrom. In some embodiments, the stand assembly has more than 3 radially symmetrically-spaced base arms14. Each base arm14includes a respective proximal end secured to the center hub13and a respective distal end displaced generally horizontally therefrom, while the vertical stanchion15includes a proximal end secured to the center hub13of the base12and a distal end displaced vertically therefrom. In this way, the stand assembly provides a stable means of supporting objects above a surface (the “floor”).

In some embodiments, the stand assembly includes one or more brace member17such as the diagonal braces17shown inFIG.1. In the embodiment shown, each brace member17includes opposed first and second ends, the first end of each brace member17being coupled to the vertical stanchion15and the second end of each brace member being coupled to a respective base arm14. In this way, the brace members17increase rigidity of the stand assembly10. In some embodiments, each base arm14defines a respective engagement feature for facilitating securement of a respective brace member17to the same. In some embodiments, the engagement feature is a platform (shown inFIG.1), a recessed area (shown in U.S. Design Application No. 29/677,944, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), or any other engagement feature now known or later developed.

Still referring toFIG.1, the stand assembly10of the present invention includes a plurality of wheel assemblies20and a plurality of corresponding trivets50. In some embodiments, a wheel assembly20is positioned at or near a distal end of each base arm14. In some such embodiments, one or more base arm14includes a raised portion, such as a raised “clawfoot” distal end. In this way, the base12is configured to accommodate wheel assemblies having large wheel diameters (such as, e.g., 5 inches or more) while maintaining an overall height for the base12(as measured at the center hub13or similar region) that is similar to (or even lower than) an overall height of traditional bases associated with wheel assemblies having smaller wheel diameters (such as, e.g., 2.5 inches or less).

Referring toFIGS.2and3, each wheel assembly20of the embodiment shown includes one or more wheels, preferably a pair of spaced apart wheels22, a carriage25positioned therebetween or therenext, and an axle24extending from the carriage to each wheel22. The carriage25is slidably engaged with the trivet50such that the wheel assembly20is moveable between a deployed configuration (shown inFIG.9) and a stowed configuration (shown inFIG.10). In the deployed configuration, the wheels22of the wheel assembly20are engaged with the floor such that the stand assembly10is movable along the floor. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly is moveable from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration by sliding the carriage25along the trivet50until a distal end54of the trivet engages with the floor, thereby moving the trivet from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. In this way, movement of the wheel assembly20from its deployed configuration (as shown inFIG.9) to its stowed configuration (as shown inFIG.10) causes the trivet50to simultaneously move from its stowed configuration to its deployed configuration.

In the embodiment shown, the stand assembly10is movable from a movable configuration to a stationary configuration by moving each of the wheel assemblies20from a respective deployed configuration to a respective stowed configuration. In some embodiments, the wheels22of the wheel assembly20remain engaged with the floor when the wheel assembly is in its stowed configuration. In other embodiments, wheels22of at least some of the wheel assemblies20are displaced from the floor when the wheel assembly20is in its stowed configuration.

In the embodiment shown, the stand assembly10is movable from the stationary configuration to the moveable configuration by moving each of the trivets50from a respective deployed configuration to a respective stowed configuration. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.4, the distal end54of each trivet50is positioned within a diameter of the wheels22of the wheel assembly20when the trivet50is in the stowed configuration. In this way, ground clearance is maximized while minimizing travel of the trivets50and/or the wheel assemblies20.

Referring back toFIGS.2and3, the embodiment shown includes a linkage assembly100for moving the wheel assemblies20towards their respective deployed configurations. In some embodiments, the linkage assembly100includes a center plate113and a plurality of linkage arms114extending from the center plate113towards a respective wheel assembly20. In some embodiments, the center plate113is associated with the center hub13of the base12, such as by being positioned within a void defined by the same. In some embodiments, each linkage arm114is associated with a respective base arm14, such as by extending along a length of the same.

In the embodiment shown, each linkage arm114includes a proximal end engaged with the center plate113, a center region pinned to a respective base arm14via a linkage pin115, and a distal end engaged with a respective wheel assembly20. In such embodiments, the linkage assembly is configured such that a vertical upward force applied to the center of the center plate113causes the proximal end of each linkage arm114to be biased upwards, thereby causing the distal end of each linkage arm114to be biased downwards. In this way, applying sufficient vertical upward force to the center plate113while the stand assembly10is in a stationary configuration will cause the wheel assemblies20to move towards their respective deployed configurations, thereby causing the stand assembly10to move towards its moveable configuration. Similarly, applying sufficient vertical upward force to the center plate113when the stand assembly10is in the movable configuration will prevent or otherwise inhibit the wheel assemblies20from moving away from their respective deployed configurations, thereby preventing or otherwise inhibiting the stand assembly10from moving away from its moveable configuration.

In some embodiments, one or more wheel assembly20includes an engagement plate28, such as a washer or the like, for providing an engagement surface or other feature by which a load can be transferred from a respective linkage arm114into the wheel assembly20. In some embodiments, the engagement plate28is positioned at or near a top end of the carriage25. In some embodiments, at least one trivet50extends through the distal end of a respective linkage arm114such that the linkage arm114applies loads to the wheel assembly20evenly on either side of the trivet50. In some embodiments, the distal end of the linkage arm114defines a curved edge, thereby facilitating proper engagement between the linkage arm114and the wheel assembly20.

In some embodiments, one or more wheel assembly20includes one or more guide member26, such as a bushing or the like, for facilitating movement of the carriage25along a length of the trivet50. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly20includes a first guide member26positioned at or near a first end of the carriage25, such as at or near a top end of the wheel assembly20, and a second guide member26displaced therefrom, such as at or near a second and/or bottom end of the carriage25. In some embodiments, the carriage25defines one or more aperture through which the trivet50extends. In some such embodiments, one or more guide member26, such as, e.g., a bushing, is positioned within and/or defines at least part of the one or more aperture.

In some embodiments, one or more trivet50extends through the base12and/or includes a proximal end52that is otherwise accessible, such as to facilitate adjustment of the trivet50. In some embodiments, one or more trivet50includes a stop member55, such as a retaining ring or the like, that is configured to prevent or otherwise inhibit a respective wheel assembly20from becoming disengaged from (e.g., slipping through) the trivet50. Referring toFIG.4, the stop member55shown is positioned adjacent to the distal end of a trivet and is configured to selectively interface with a guide member (e.g., bushing)26of the wheel assembly in the event the wheel assembly20moves beyond the deployed configuration, such as if at least part of the stand assembly10is raised off of the floor such that gravity causes the carriage to move towards the distal end of the trivet50. In some embodiments, the stop member55is removable or otherwise adjustable so as to facilitate removal of a respective wheel assembly20, such as for replacing a damaged wheel assembly20and/or for changing wheel sizes.

Turning again toFIGS.2and3, and now toFIGS.5-8, in some embodiments, the linkage assembly100includes a foot pedal assembly150for allowing a user to selectively move the stand assembly10from the stationary configuration to the movable configuration, such as by applying a downward force on the foot pedal assembly. In some embodiments, the foot pedal assembly150includes a pedal arm151having a proximal end152that is pinned to the base12, such as via a center pin115or the like that functions as a fulcrum to a lever, and a distal end154displaced therefrom, thereby providing the user with a mechanical advantage for changing the configuration of the stand assembly10.

In some embodiments, the linkage assembly includes a latch160or other means (such as a ratcheting mechanism or the like shown in U.S. patent Ser. No. 16/112,299, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, the latch160is configured to selectively engage with an engagement member170, such as a pin or the like, thereby moving the latch assembly to an engaged configuration. In some embodiments, moving the latch assembly160to an engaged configuration while the stand assembly10is in the moveable configuration prevents the stand assembly10from moving away from the moveable configuration, thereby allowing the user to remove the downward (or other) force from the foot pedal assembly150.

In some embodiments, the foot pedal assembly150includes a foot pad155or the like that is configured for facilitating user interaction with the linkage assembly100. In some embodiments, the foot pad155is positioned at or near the distal end154of the pedal arm151. In some embodiments, the foot pad is capable of being rocked about a pin162(i.e., a fulcrum) or otherwise moved relative to the pedal arm151, such as to selectively engage with the latch assembly160, as shown inFIGS.6-7. In some embodiments, selectively rocking the foot pad155about the pin162, clockwise to latch, counterclockwise to unlatch, allows the user to move the latch assembly160from the engaged configuration to a disengaged configuration, thereby allowing the stand assembly10to move away from the moveable configuration. In some embodiments, the latch assembly160is biased towards the engaged configuration. In some embodiments, the foot pad155or one or more other feature of the linkage assembly100is configured to provide the user with a mechanical advantage for moving the latch assembly160away from the engaged configuration. In one embodiment, the mechanical advantage is a spring member164.

Turning toFIG.3, in some embodiments, the linkage assembly100includes a cam assembly200coupled to the foot pedal assembly150such that movement of the foot pedal assembly150results in a corresponding movement of the cam assembly200. In some embodiments, the cam assembly200engages with a first portion252of a rocker arm250, such as a distal end of the same. Here, the proximal end of the first portion252of the rocker arm250is proximate to the pin258fulcrum. In some embodiments, the rocker arm250further includes a second portion254having a distal end positioned below a center portion of the center plate113(here the proximal end is near the fulcrum) and a third portion256rotatably pinned to the base12, the first252and second 254 portions extending from opposed sides of the third portion256, which is proximate to the pin258. In this way, the linkage assembly100provides a mechanical advantage for allowing a user to apply an upward force onto the center plate113.

Thus, in some embodiments, the mechanism for lifting the base arms14and enabling the stand assembly10to travel employs a foot pad155attached by way of a pin162to a pedal arm151associated to at least one of the base arms14that affects a rocker arm250to raise or lower the center plate113, which, when pressed, transfers motion upward through the center plate113to simultaneously lower all of the casters22s. In some embodiments, the foot pad155has a single foot pad design, which, when pressed down, it lowers the casters. In one embodiment, a spring164loaded latch160opens and springs back to latch onto the post170. To release the foot pedal155, the user steps down on the pedal155, rocks the pedal155“back” to push the latch160forward and slowly allows the weight of the stand assembly10to raise the pedal155past the latch post170.

Turning toFIGS.8-10, in some embodiments, the stand assembly10of the present invention includes a plurality of leveling assemblies260, each one associated with a wheel assembly20and located at the proximal end52of each trivet50. In some embodiments, each leveling assembly260includes a crank262and a jam nut268, and the trivet50includes a trivet outer sleeve58and a trivet inner member57. In some embodiments, each leveling assembly also includes a crank lever264and, optionally, a crank handle266. In one embodiment, by turning the crank handle266at the top of each trivet foot52, torque is transmitted through the trivet inner member57to the ball nose trivet56and each leg14of the stand can be raised or lowered a measure, such as, e.g., approximately ⅛ to 2 inches. This gives the user the ability to level the stand10from a slightly unlevel environment. A jam nut266directly underneath the crank262provides a way to lock the trivet50to the adjusted height. Here, the trivet outer sleeve58moves through the bushing26and carriage25of the wheel assembly20during engagement and disengagement of the wheels22.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.