CA3026883A1 - Mobile support device for panels - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile support device for panels and the like includes a platform mounted on casters, and a number of posts extending upwardly from the platform and adapted to hold a panel in a given position therebetween. The posts are removably mounted to the platform between an operational position and a storage position, wherein in the operational position the posts extend vertically upwardly from the platform, whereas in the storage position the posts are removably secured onto the platform along a horizontal orientation. The posts can adapt various configurations in the operational position so as to allow for different gaps therebetween for accommodating various thicknesses of panels as well as various panel orientations.

Description

TITLE
MOBILE SUPPORT DEVICE FOR PANELS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/596,106, now pending, filed on December 7, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD

[0002] The present subject-matter relates to panels and boards and, more particularly, to supports for such panels and boards.
BACKGROUND

[0003] Photographers and videographers, amongst others, use foam board panels of various sizes and thicknesses, for instance, for blocking light, bouncing light, etc. Such panels need often to be displaced from one location to another, depending on where the photographers and videographers require the panels for a particular shoot.
Once in position, the panels need to remain stationary.

[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a displaceable device for holding foam board panels of various sizes in position.
SUMMARY

[0005] It would thus be desirable to provide a novel device for holding foam board panels of various sizes in position.

[0006] The embodiments described herein provide in one aspect a mobile support device for panels and the like, comprising a platform and a panel supporting system extending upwardly from the platform and adapted to hold a panel in a given position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, which show at least one exemplary embodiment, and in which:

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile support device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, wherein the mobile support device is shown in an operational position thereof;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile support device of Fig.
1, but shown in a storage position thereof;

[00010] Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the mobile support device of Fig. 1;

[00011] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a platform of the mobile support device of Fig.
1;

[00012] Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of the platform of Fig. 4;

[00013] Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of a post of the mobile support device of Fig. 1;

[00014] Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the post of Fig. 6;

[00015] Fig. 8A is a front perspective view of the mobile support device of Fig. 1, shown supporting a panel;

[00016] Fig. 8B is an end perspective view of the mobile support device of Fig. 8A;

[00017] Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a mobile support device in accordance with another exemplary embodiment, wherein the mobile support device is shown in an operational position thereof;

[00018] Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the mobile support device of Fig. 9, but shown in a storage position thereof;

[00019] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a platform of the mobile support device of Fig. 9;

[00020] Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the platform of Fig. 11;

[00021] Fig. 13 is a front elevation view of the platform of Fig. 11;

[00022] Figs. 12A and 13A are views similar to Figs. 12 and 13, respectively;

[00023] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 12A;

[00024] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 12A;

[00025] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 12A;

[00026] Fig. 17 is a front elevation view of a post of the mobile support device of Fig. 9;

[00027] Fig. 18 is a bottom plan view of the post of Fig. 17;

[00028] Fig. 19 is a perspective exploded view of a mobile support device in accordance with another exemplary embodiment, wherein the mobile support device is shown being assembled towards an operational position thereof;

[00029] Fig. 19A is a perspective view of a platform of the mobile support device of Fig. 19;

[00030] Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the platform of the mobile support device of Fig. 19A;

[00031] Fig. 20A is a view similar to Fig. 20;

[00032] Fig. 21 is a front elevation view of the platform of Fig. 19A;

[00033] Fig. 21A is a view similar to Fig. 21;

[00034] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 20;

[00035] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 20;

[00036] Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 20;

[00037] Fig. 25 is a front elevation view of a post of the mobile support device of Fig. 19;

[00038] Fig. 26 is a bottom plan view of the post of Fig. 25;

[00039] Figs. 25A and 26A are views similar to Figs. 25 and 26, respectively, but without a threaded rod thereof;

[00040] Figs. 27 and 28 are respectively front and top plan views of a rack of clips of the mobile support device of Fig. 19;

[00041] Figs. 29 and 30 are respectively front and top plan views of a screw of a sliding assembly of the mobile support device of Fig. 19;

[00042] Figs. 31 and 32 are respectively top and front plan views of a shim of the sliding assembly of the mobile support device of Fig. 19;

[00043] Figs. 33 and 34 are respectively top and front plan views of a sliding base of the sliding assembly of the mobile support device of Fig. 19;

[00044] Figs. 35A and 35B are respectively top plan and perspective views of the mobile support device of Fig. 19, wherein the mobile support device is shown in an operational position thereof;

[00045] Fig. 36 is a top plan view of the mobile support device of Fig. 19, wherein the mobile support device is shown in a storage position thereof;

[00046] Fig. 37 is a schematic perspective view of the platform of the mobile support device of Fig. 19, shown in the storage position of Fig. 36 and suspended on a peg board;

[00047] Fig. 38 is an end perspective view of the mobile support device of Fig. 19 in the operational position thereof, and shown supporting a panel; and

[00048] Fig. 39 is a schematic perspective view of the mobile support device of Fig. 19 in the operational position thereof, and shown supporting a series of peripheral devices.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[00049] In the present subject-matter, there are disclosed mobile support devices for supporting and displacing panels and boards (typically foam boards), which allow such panels and boards to be easily manipulated.

[00050] In an embodiment, Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate a mobile support device D that includes a platform 10, four casters 12 rotatably mounted to respective corners of the platform 10, and three posts 14 removably mounted to the platform 10. Fig. 1 shows the posts 14 projecting upwardly and substantially vertically from the platform 10, whereas Fig. 2 shows the posts 14 in a storage position on the platform 10, wherein the posts 14 are removably secured along a horizontal surface of the platform 10 for use when transporting or storing the mobile support device D.

[00051] The platform 10 includes a central horizontal base 28 and four generally L-shaped arms 30 extending from respective corners of the base 28.

[00052] The casters 12 each include a top plate 16, an inverted U-shaped yoke 18 having a top yoke base rotatably mounted to the top plate 16 (e.g. via a ball bearing), and a pair of side axle supports 20 extending downwardly from the top yoke base, an axle 22 rotatably mounted to the axle supports 20 via bushings, a wheel 24 mounted to the axle 22, and a releasable brake 26 for the wheel 24. Many variants are contemplated, such as the axle 22 being fixed to the axle supports 20 with the wheel 24 being rotatably mounted onto the axle 22.

[00053] The top plates 16 of the four casters 12 are fixedly mounted to respective horizontal free portions of the arms 30 of the platform 10. Therefore, the casters 12 can rotate about a vertical axis via the connection between the top plate 16 and the yoke 18, while the wheels 24 can rotate about a horizontal axis with respect to the yoke 18.

[00054] Now referring mainly to Fig. 4 and 5, the platform 10 also defines an opening 32 that serves as a handle to carry the device D, when in its storage position.
The platform 10 is further provided with a pair of slots 34, which can be used to suspend the device D, for instance, on a pegboard. Moreover, the platform 10 is provided with two sets of three magnets 36, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. Holes 38 are also defined in the platform 10 for engagement with pegboard hooks.

[00055] The base 28 and the arms 30 of the platform 10 form a general X-shape, which provides clearance for the casters 12 when the device is being manoeuvered.
This configuration also results in an enlarged wheelbase for the device D.

[00056] With reference to Figs. 6 and 7, each post 14 includes a cylindrical rod 42 and a lower threaded connector 44. The rod 42 is, for example, made of aluminum, such as a solid aluminum rod. The post 14 also includes a nylon washer 46 surrounding the threaded connector 44 adjacent the base of the rod 42. A pair of magnets 48 are mounted to the rod 42, for instance by each being at least partly encased in a recess defined in the rod 42 and being secured thereto with glue. The magnets 48 are adapted to cooperate with a selected pair of the magnets 36 provided on the platform 10 for releasably mounting the posts 14 to the platform 10, when the device D is in the storage position, as seen in Fig. 2.

[00057] Returning to Fig.4, the platform 10 further includes a series of threaded holes, namely a first threaded hole 40a, a second threaded hole 40b, and a series (herein four) of third threaded holes 40c. The first and second threaded holes 40a and 40b are longitudinally aligned along the base 28 of the platform 10, and are adapted so that two posts 14 can be mounted thereto. The third post 14 is mounted to a selected one of the third threaded holes 40c. The third threaded holes 40c are aligned in a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane extending through the first and second threaded holes 40a and 40b. Each post 14 is adapted to be secured to the platform 10 by threadably engaging the threaded connector 44 to the threaded holes 40a, 40b and 40c of the platform 10. The threaded holes 40a, 40b and 40c can, for example, be provided using PEM nuts mounted in openings or recesses defined in the base 28 of the platform 10.

[00058] As seen in Fig. 4 and specifically in Fig. 8B, the configuration of the threaded holes 40a, 40b and 40c and, more particularly, of the third threaded holes 40c allows for the adjustment of a gap 50 defined between the two posts 14a and 14b (mounted to the threaded holes 40a and 40b) and the third post 14c (mounted to one of the threaded holes 40c). More particularly, the gap 50 is defined being a first vertical plane extending tangentially along the inside of the two posts 14a and 14b and a second vertical plane extending along the inside of the third post 14c, which second vertical plane is substantially parallel to the first vertical plane.

[00059] The third post 14c is mounted to a selected one of the threaded holes 40c to define the desired gap 50, wherein the gap 50 is thus adjusted so that a panel P (see Figs. 8A and 8B) can be fitted substantially vertically between the two posts 14a and 14b on one side and the third post 14c on the other side, whereby the panel P
is bordered by the aforementioned first and second vertical planes. The gap 50 can also be wider than the thickness of the panel P, whereby the panel P can then extend at a selected angle between the two posts 14a and 14b on one side and the third post 14c on the other side, as clearly seen in Fig. 8B.

[00060] Therefore, the present mobile support device D provides a displaceable platform system for foam board panels, and the like, of various sizes and thicknesses.
Such panels can be used to block light, bounce light, and can also be used as idea boards or as space dividers.

[00061] The present mobile support device D can thus be used, for instance, by photographers, videographers, and associated rental houses, as well as advertising agencies, architectural firms, design agencies and the like. The device D can also be of interest when setting up trade show displays.

[00062] Characteristics of the present mobile support device D include its mobility (via its casters or other suitable rolling equipment), its ease of being moved around and in a safe manner, its adjustability for accommodating both various widths and angles of the panels, etc. It is also not prone to tipping and is very stable. It is easy to set up and it is readily stored.

[00063] Figs. 9 to 18 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a mobile support device D', which is similar to the mobile support device D of Figs. 1 to 8B.
However, the mobile support device D' does have design differences with respect to the mobile support device D, although the overall principle remains the same.

[00064] The following description of the mobile support device D' of Figs.
9 to 18 will be abbreviated for conciseness by describing features of thereof that are not found in the device D of Figs. 1 to 8B. Furthermore, in the following description and drawings that pertain to the mobile support device D', components of the mobile support device D', which are identical in function and identical or similar in structure to corresponding components of the previously described mobile support device D of Figs. 1 to 8B bear the same reference as in Figs. 1 to 8B, but are tagged with the prefix "1" and are thus in the hundreds with the last two digits thereof being identical to the reference numerals of corresponding components of the mobile support device D. New components (or components not identified for the mobile support device D) provided in the mobile support device D' start at reference numeral 160.

[00065] More particularly, the mobile support device D' of Figs. 9 to 18 includes a platform 110, four casters 112 rotatably mounted to respective corners of the plafform 110, and three posts 114 removably mounted to the platform 110. Fig. 9 shows the posts 114 projecting upwardly and substantially vertically from the platform 110, whereas Fig. 10 shows the posts 114 in a storage position on the platform 110, wherein the posts 114 are removably secured along a horizontal surface of the platform 110 for use when transporting or storing the mobile support device D'. As aforementioned, many details of the platform 110, casters 112 and posts 114 are similar to the platform 10, casters 12 and posts 14 of the mobile support device D of Figs. 1 to 8B, and such details will thus not herein be repeated.

[00066] Differences found on the mobile support device D' of Figs. 9 to 18 include, in lieu of the magnets 36 and 48 of the mobile support device D, three (3) pairs of 2 clips 160 provided via a pair of clip racks, which are mounted to the platform 110 for holding the posts 114 to the platform 110, when the device D' is in its storage position.
Fig. 9 shows the clips 160, whereas Fig. 10 shows the posts 114 secured to the platform 110 via these clips 160. The clips 160 are, for instance, U-shaped, open ended at an upper end thereof, and have side arms thereof provided with resiliency such that the posts 114 can be forceably engaged and disengaged from the clips 160 by respectively pushing the posts 114 into the U-shaped clips 160 and pulling the posts 114 out of into the U-shaped clips 160.

[00067] Another difference between the mobile support device D' of Figs. 9 to 18 and the mobile support device D of Figs. 1 to 8B lies in that the posts 114 of the mobile support device D' are provided at upper ends thereof with a universal attachment system 162 (see Fig. 17), which is adapted for allowing conventional photo and film accessories to be mounted thereto, and thus to the posts 114. The universal attachment system 162 includes an intermediate reduced post section 164, which merges with adjacent upper and lower post sections 166 and 168, respectively, via chamfers 170.
The clips 160 are mounted into holes 172 defined in the platform 110.

[00068] Finally, Fig. 12 schematically illustrates a first vertical plane 174 extending tangentially along the inside of the two posts 114a and 114b and a second vertical plane 176 extending along the inside of the third post 114c, which second vertical plane 176 is substantially parallel to the first vertical plane 174, and wherein the gap 150 is defined between the first and second vertical planes 174 and 176, respectively.
Depending on the position of the third post 114c amongst the various threaded holes 140c, the gap 150 will be one of the gaps 150a, 150b, 150c and 150d shown in Fig. 12.

[00069] Figs. 19 to 39 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a mobile support device D", which is similar to the mobile support device D of Figs. 9 to 18.

However, the mobile support device D" offer a few design differences with respect to the mobile support device D', although the overall principle remains the same.

[00070] The following description of the mobile support device D" of Figs.
19 to 39 will be abbreviated for conciseness by describing features of thereof that are not found in the device D' of Figs. 9 to 18. Furthermore, in the following description and drawings that pertain to the mobile support device ID", components of the mobile support device D", which are identical in function and identical or similar in structure to corresponding components of the previously described mobile support device D' of Figs. 9 to 18 bear the same reference as in Figs. 9 to 18, but are tagged with the prefix "2" and are thus in the two hundreds with the last two digits thereof being identical to the last two digits of the reference numerals of corresponding components of the mobile support device D'.
New components (or components not identified for the mobile support device D') provided in the mobile support device D" start at reference numeral 280.

[00071] More particularly, the mobile support device D" of Figs. 19 to 39 includes a platform 210, four casters 212 rotatably mounted to respective corners of the platform 210, and three posts 214 removably mounted to the platform 210. Figs. 35A, 35B
and 38 show the posts 214 projecting upwardly and substantially vertically from the platform 210, whereas Figs. 36 and 37 show the posts 114 in a storage position on the platform 210, wherein the posts 214 are removably secured along a horizontal surface of the platform 210 for use when transporting or storing the mobile support device D", for instance on a tool board or pegboard B (see Fig. 37). As aforementioned, many details of the platform 210, casters 212 and posts 214 are similar, or identical, to the platform 110, casters 112 and posts 114 of the mobile support device D' of Figs. 9 to 18, and such details will thus not herein be repeated.

[00072] Differences found on the mobile support device D" of Figs. 19 to 39 include, in lieu of the threaded holes 140a to 140c used to secure the posts 114 to the platform 110 via the threaded connectors 144 of the posts 114, a sliding assembly 280, which is mounted to the platform 210 via a slot 282 defined therein. As seen in Fig. 19, the sliding assembly 280 includes a lower shim 284, an upper sliding base 286, an external circlip 288, a screw 290 and a knob 292.

[00073] The screw 290 extends through the slot 282 and through holes 294 and 296 defined respectively in the lower shim 284 and in the upper sliding base 286 (see Figs. 31 and 33). An upper end of the screw 290 is adapted to engage an inner threaded hole of the knob 292. A threaded hole 298 is defined in a dependent portion of the upper sliding base 286 for received the threaded rod or connector 244 of a given post 214. By loosening the knob 292, the sliding assembly 280 can be translationally moved along the slot 282 for adjusting the position of the post 214 mounted thereto relative to the two other posts 214 that are in fixed positions on the platform 210, thereby allowing for the adjustment of the gap 250 (see Fig. 38).

[00074] Finally, Fig. 39 shows conventional photo and film accessories Al and A2 that are mounted to the posts 214 of the mobile support device D", via the universal attachment system 262 (best seen in Fig. 25).

[00075] While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the embodiments and non-limiting, and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (14)

1. A mobile support device for panels and the like, comprising a platform and a panel supporting system extending upwardly from the platform and adapted to hold a panel in a given position.

2. The mobile support device of Claim 1, wherein the platform is supported by a displacement mechanism adapted to allow the device to displace on a surface.

3. The mobile support device of Claim 2, wherein the displacement mechanism includes casters provided at support areas of the platform.

4. The mobile support device of any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the panel supporting system includes at least a pair of elongated members adapted to hold the panel in position.

5. The mobile support device of Claim 4, wherein there are provided at least first, second and third elongated members, a first plane extending relative to the first and second elongated members and a second plane extending relative to the third elongated member, the panel being adapted to be received substantially in a gap defined between the first and second vertical planes.

6. The mobile support device of Claim 5, wherein the first, second and third elongated members include first, second and third posts, the posts being adapted to extend substantially vertically from the platform.

7. The mobile support device of Claim 6, wherein the first, second and third posts are adapted to be removably mounted to the platform between a mounted operational position and a detached storage position.

8. The mobile support device of Claim 7, wherein the first, second and third posts are adapted, in the storage position, to be removably secured to the platform in a substantially horizontal position.

9. The mobile support device of any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the first and second posts, in an operational position thereof, are fixed to the platform at same respective locations, whereas the third post is adapted to be mounted to the platform at any one of a number of distinct locations thereby allowing the second vertical plane to be positioned at a desired location relative to the first plane, whereby the gap can be adjusted.

10. The mobile support device of any one of Claims 7 to 8, wherein in the detached storage position, the first, second and third posts are removably mounted to the platform by way of cooperating magnets.

11. The mobile support device of any one of Claims 7 to 8, wherein in the detached storage position, the first, second and third posts are removably mounted to the platform by way of clips provided on the platform and in which the posts are adapted to be removably received.

12. The mobile support device of any one of Claims 6 to 11, wherein each post includes a rod and a threaded male connector extending from a lower end of the rod, the threaded connector being adapted to be threadably mounted to threaded holes provided on the platform, thereby allowing the posts to be removably mounted to the platform.

13. The mobile support device of any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the panel supporting system includes an attachment system adapted to allow equipment to be removably attached thereto.

14. The mobile support device of Claim 13, wherein the attachment system defines an intermediate section of reduced transversal size relative to adjacent upper and lower sections.