Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to collapsible supporting stands, including stands suitable for supporting tank-like objects, such as water heaters, which for various reasons are preferably elevated and supported above ground level. 
     The support stand of the present invention can be used in several different environments for supporting various objects. Additionally, the size and shape of the components of the stand can be varied to accommodate the particular needs of the buyer or user. 
     Prior art stands are more expensive to manufacture, and require tedious and time-consuming assembly and disassembly, usually due to requirement of a multiplicity of independently manufactured fastener devices, such as separate, conventional nut and bolt assemblies. Added to these problems have been the assembler&#39;s frustration in locating individual assorted fastener elements required for securement and releasable attachment of cooperating elements required for insuring stabilization and relative rigidity to a plurality of leg members and crossbars supporting an elevated tabletop member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes, in a preferred embodiment, a support stand for elevated support of a tank-like object, such as a hot water heater and its contents. Water heaters are frequently subjected to sewage backup conditions causing unsanitary drainage water to rise above, and even cover, gas fired, or electric heater units located at the lower end of the water heater tank. The supporting stand of this invention is dimensioned to provide a table top and each supporting leg member and stabilizing crossbar formed of the same sheet metal stock. The tabletop preferably has a surrounding peripheral, downwardly depending, lip or flange and two pairs of detachable, oppositely disposed leg members. The leg-members and opposite ends of a pair of stabilizing, cruciform crossbars are detachably fastened together for additional vertical and lateral support of the stand. Each leg member is preferably removably attached at its respective upper end to a downwardly bent marginal lip or flange formed in a sheet-like, planar tabletop using conventional punch press, brake press, or other known stamping procedures. These procedures and their configured peripheral margins are adapted to provide releasable attachment of respective stamped and formed corner leg members for support of the planar, galvanized, sheet steel tabletop. The detachable tabletop and leg members, as well as the detachable, stabilizing crossbar members, follow novel design configurations. These members, when separated from one another, are relatively compressed to a minimal thickness for ease in breakdown and assembly. The novel configurations further accommodate simplified and facile packaging and freight-transportable shipment of the relatively flat, die-pressed, components ready for facile assembly as a stable support stand upon arrival at final site installations. 
     A principal object of this invention is the provision of a singular fastener means for secure attachment of assembled cooperating supporting elements or components of a novel supporting stand comprising; a tabletop, cooperating vertical, oppositely disposed, leg members, in addition to a pair of intersecting, cruciform, stabilizing crossbars. The singular securing means preferably takes the form of a single conventional threaded nut and bolt assembly; or when circumstances permit, by means of spot welding or use of a single rivet. The singular attaching and securing component is preferably located at a centralized location of the intersecting cruciform crossbars. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled novel stand suitable for support of a filled hot water heater or similar tank like object. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the various components of the novel stand, respectively aligned for assembly of the stand illustrated in the view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, partial perspective view, illustrating the relative position of a representative vertically supporting leg member just prior to being forcibly inserted into secure attachment of the leg member with a representative corner arrangement of a pair of juxtaposed, normally downwardly bent, corner flanges depending from an inverted rectangular tabletop. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, partial perspective view, of the completed assembly and securement of the leg member of  FIG. 3  with respect to the inverted tabletop corner of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded, partial perspective view, illustrating the relative position of a lowermost crossbar with respect to an upright leg member just prior to insertion and secure positioning of the crossbar with respect to a preselected leg member of the illustrated assembled stand of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the completed installation of a lower crossbar with respect to the leg member of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the stand of  FIG. 1 , shown in an inverted position and partially exploded relationship during a hammer-blow installation of an extended end of the selected leg member as viewed in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for securement of that leg member to supporting the intersecting corner flanges of the tabletop of the inverted stand. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the stand according to  FIG. 1 , and with each of the four leg members being respectively shown secured to the respective angularly juxtaposed corner flanges of the tabletop. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are each perspective views progressively leading to the completed assembly of the stand illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, a support stand according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , and is shown generally at reference numerals  20  and  210 . 
     A typical four-legged version of the stand  20 , and its preferred rectangular tabletop  21  is illustrated, as previously stated, in its assembled upright version in  FIG. 1 . The individual components required for assembly of the version of  FIG. 1  are illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 2 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , each of the components; namely a rectangular version of the tabletop  21 , the individual leg members  23 , and the crossbars  25 , are preferably die pressed from a single source, for instance, a galvanized 18 gauge, sheet steel stock for simplicity of ordering, inventory control and for facile fabrication and assembly. Means for securing each of the various cooperating components to one another, and to the tabletop  21 , are detailed in the views of  FIGS. 3-10 , respectively.  FIGS. 7 and 8  indicate a preferred method or procedure for assembling and force-fit securement of the components relative to one another. The aforementioned alternative version of the improved stand of the invention is specifically disclosed in the view of  FIG. 11 . 
     More specifically, the novel stand  20  comprises four substantially identical leg members  23 , a pair of cruciform crossbars  25  and the table top  21 . As previously mentioned, these components are each preferably sheared and fabricated from a single sheet of galvanized steel sheet stock. This particular chosen 18 gauge sheet material is preferred, since it is applicable for both stamping and forming the rectangular configuration of the tabletop  21 , and of each of the die-pressed leg members  23  and the crossbars  25 . Fabrication of each member of the cooperating elements requires use of a minimum number of compressing cutters and tools, as well as a minimum number of position changes of the materials to be stamped and formed to accomplish the desired configuration for preassembly and assembly of components. 
     As previously mentioned, a very important aspect and object of this invention is the application and use of a singular, independently manufactured, fastening and securing device, such as the removable crossbar fastener nut and bolt assembly  27 , is located centrally of the cruciform intersecting crossbars  25 , and shown preferably in cruciform relationship in the exploded view of  FIG. 2 . This stabilizing arrangement of cooperating components, and the singular fastening means for securely joining together the stabilizing crossbars  25  in relative cruciform position, provides minimal effort and extensive savings of time and labor during manufacturing, shipment and on-site assembly of the simplified and less costly supporting stand  20 . 
     The convenient and novel means for detachably securing together the cooperating support and stabilization of components of the stand  20  are shown and set forth in detail in the view of  FIGS. 3-6 , inclusive. The preferred rectangular tabletop  21  is formed at each of its respective corners with juxtaposed, downwardly bent, peripheral flanges  29   a  and  29   b . The respective flanges  29   a ,  29   b  are preferably formed along the marginal borders of each of the sides of the rectangular tabletop  21 . The bending action may obviously be performed on a conventional sheet metal brake, preferably prior to the lancing and bumping formation of the securing strap-like component  30 , details of which are specifically shown in the views of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It will also be observed that the respective leg members  23  to be secured to the tabletop  21  are each provided with a longitudinally protruding, tongue-like portion  31  lanced, formed and extending from the upper end of the respective leg members  23 . The tongue-like portion  31  is of a selected width insertable within the groove or pocket  32  defined by the underside of the laterally protruding, strap-like formation  30 , and which groove or pocket  32  is of a longitudinal dimension capable of receiving the tongue-like formation  31  at the upper end of respective leg member  23  when forcibly insertable therein. 
     The preferred method for assembling and securing respective leg members  23  into each of the juxtaposed corner securement components  30  is readily achieved by inverting the tabletop  21  and positioning the inverted flange component  30  upside down, as exhibited in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Next, the assembler of the stand  20  inserts the tongue-like portion  31  of the inverted selected leg member  23  into the groove  32  formed by the underside of the strap-like component element  30  of the respective downwardly extending angularly juxtaposed, flanged surfaces  29   a  and  29   b . The assembler simply forcibly inserts the tongue-like portion  31  of each leg member  23  into the respective securing groove  32  formed in each of the intersecting angularly juxtaposed flanges  29   a  and  29   b , using a simple, manually held, mallet  34 , or the like. A sub-assembled, preferred embodiment of the inverted stand  20  is shown in  FIG. 8 , awaiting further assembly of the stabilizing crossbars  25 , as illustrated in the views of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     In order to ensure a stabilizing and secure arrangement of detachable components of the stand  20 , it will be noted that a cruciform formation of the intersecting, stabilizing crossbars  25  is preferred for detachable insertion of the opposite ends of a respective crossbar  25  with oppositely located leg members  23  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). This novel and beneficial arrangement for stabilization and releasable securement of the cooperating components makes for an improved, easily assembled stand  20 , and of cooperating, relatively flat, components capable of relatively inexpensive packaging and shipping ready for on-site assembly and use thereof. With each of the disassembled components of the stand  20  comprising a tabletop  21 , corner leg members  23 , appropriate crossbars  25  are joined together at their respective, centralized, coaxially disposed, openings  26 , using a single, independently manufactured, bolt and nut assembly  27 . This arrangement provides a relatively rigid, stabilized, unit formed from otherwise relatively flexible sheet metal elements. If desired, and if available, this novel, singular fastener may take the form of spot welding, or by means of a simple drilling and riveting operation at the same location  26  as the aforementioned and illustrated bolt and nut fastener unit  27 . 
     The details of the leg members  23  are also herein described with particular reference to  FIG. 2 . Each leg member  23  is preferably formed from a galvanized steel sheet of the same 18 gauge as that of the tabletop  20 . This choice of materials and their respective thicknesses obviously provide an ideal selection of stock material for discount procurement and inventory and ease of on-site installation. With particular reference to the individual leg members  23 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the leg members  23  are the stamped and impressed with a preferred formation of individual areas defining a centrally located, longitudinally extending, portion  36  and a pair of inherently formed, angularly, upended, coextensive, flanged portions  38 . The flanged portions  38  are each bent outwardly at an angle α, of preferably 45 degrees. This angular arrangement permits relatively flush mating of matching surfaces of each flanged portion  38  with respective inner corner surfaces of the intersecting, angularly disposed, tabletop flanges  29   a  and  29   b  (See  FIG. 3 ). 
     The fastening and securing arrangement of the stabilizing crossbars  25  with a respective one of the supporting, oppositely disposed, pair of leg members  23 , is accomplished by joining a respective end  40  of a respective crossbar  25  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to the fastening means formed in a preselected intermediate vertical areas of the central portion  36  of a respective leg member  23 . Each of the ends  40  of a respective crossbars  25  are also provided with an integrally formed, lanced and bumped out, strap-like area  42 , similar to the previously mentioned strap-like area  30  of the downwardly bent tabletop corner flanges  29   a  and  29   b . The strap-like portions  42  (see  FIG. 5 ), just as in the case of the strap-like portions  30  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the leg members  23 , each protrude outwardly to form a groove  42  sized to receive inwardly directed, upper and lower tongue-like projections  44   a  or  44   b , as will be apparent from the view of  FIG. 5 . The lower tongue-like member  44   b  is arranged, as shown in  FIG. 6 , to receive the upwardly directed end  40  of the crossbar member  25  with the exposed side  25   b  facing downwardly, and with the open end  25   a  facing upwardly to minimize the total thickness of mating bottom surfaces  25   a . This face-to-face mating surface arrangement of the respective intersecting crossbars  25  also serves to minimize the screw length of the single nut and bolt assembly  27  securing the conjoined cruciform crossbars  25 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , it will be observed that each of the crossbars  25  are respectively seated in the upper and lower tongue-like portions  44   a  and  44   b , formed in the central portion  36  of each leg member  23 . Each end of the lower crossbar member  25  is secured to the lower, tongue-like, portion  44   b  of the respective, oppositely disposed leg members  23 , and is located, as mentioned previously, with the respective bottoms of each of the crossbars  25  in mating cruciform relationship with the open side of the upper crossbar  25  facing upwardly and being forcibly secured to the tongue-like portion  44   a . The lower crossbar member  25  is secured to the tongue-like portion  44   b  of the respective leg portions  23 . As illustrated, the forced fit securement of the crossbar members  25  and their respective leg members  23  is accomplished by an assembler using the hand-held mallet  34 . The bolt  27   b  of the nut and bolt assembly  27  (see  FIG. 2 ) is then inserted and assembled into the respective holes  26  of each of the crossbars  25  and secured tightly together to securely join the mating surfaces of the cruciform arrangement. 
     A representative stand  20 , according to the present invention and description set forth above, is preferably fabricated from sheet metal stock stamped from 18 gauge galvanized sheet stock and forming a 21 inch square tabletop  21  with 0.75 inch marginal flanges  29   a  and  29   b . The leg members  23  are preferably of a length measuring 18 inches, with each crossbar  25  extending 27½ inches in length. The preferred threaded bolt and nut crossbar fastener  27   a ,  27   b  comprise a ½″ long, ¼″ diameter threaded bolt  27   a  and corresponding threaded nut  27   b . These dimensions have been found satisfactory for purposes of supporting a 60 gallon capacity water heater, when filled with water to be heated.

Technology Category: 1