JP2014211234A - Integrated portable stand - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable stand which supports an article at a higher place than its peripheries.SOLUTION: A portable stand 100 includes: a first case 110 for dividing a closed space capable of storing a power supply portion operably connected to a control portion; a mount 300 for mounting at least one function device; first and second legs which are movably attached to the first case so as to be locked at an extension position or a retraction position, and can be extended/retracted; and a mast 160 which is attached to the first case and can be extended/retracted. The mount 300 is movably connected to the mast 160. So as to add stability to the mast 160 vertically extending upward from the first case, the first and second legs can be extended from the first case in a horizontal direction, and the first case configures a third leg of a tripod.

Description

  The present invention relates to a stand that supports an article at a higher position than its surroundings, and more specifically, is portable, easy to assemble at the point of use, and easy to fold for storage and transport. The present invention relates to a stand that does not require connection of parts in order to function in place and does not require separation of parts after use to fold the stand for storage and transport.

  Telescopic support and integrated storage case detailing the relevant background of ubiquitous demand for temporary stands that support articles such as functional devices higher than their surroundings and provide embodiments of those solutions Reference is made to co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 432,525, filed Apr. 29, 2009, entitled Foldable Portable Stand. The disclosure of US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 432,525 is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The new stand disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application has many advantages over the prior art, while being robust, easy to assemble and fold, self-contained and even more economical or There is a need for a stand that is integrally provided with a power supply unit-control unit integration unit that is made with fewer parts. It is desirable to house the power supply-control unit integration within the stand housing that is closed during transport, assembly, use, and removal for subsequent transport. In addition, it is desirable that the components do not have to be connected where the functional device attached to the stand to operate is used.

  Demand for temporary stands for supporting articles at a height higher than the surroundings is everywhere. For example, a temporary lighting device is a general functional device required for work in a dark remote site. However, when it is necessary to connect a plurality of parts in a dark place in order to assemble the base, work may be delayed, injury may occur, parts may be lost, or they may not be used. Stands that require part connection to stand upright when in use rather than self-contained, even in the presence of lighting, work on-site while the parts are installed and connected to each other without loss of parts Delay start. Functional devices that would be beneficial if the stand could be quickly folded and assembled for storage and transport include microphones, podium bases, speakers, cameras, sensors, and surveying devices. In addition, portable stands may be required for long-term use of various functional devices at various locations. Users generally need to add various other items to such stands to meet their specific needs. For example, a road worker who works at night may use a lighting stand and many other equipment.

  Therefore, there is a demand for a stand that is small, lightweight, and easy to fold for assembly and storage. Such stands must be able to withstand repeated use, rough handling and corrosive environments. For use in hazardous environments, the stand and its parts should be intrinsically safe. The stand should be stable under the expected conditions of use when deployed. For example, a stand that holds a work light should not fall over when it is assembled in a location where strong winds are blowing or where people and equipment are surrounded. Equipment that is intrinsically safe is also needed for sites with explosions, fires and other hazards.

  Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary stand of the present invention from various perspectives is shown. The stand of the present invention includes a main housing that holds a power supply unit-control unit integration unit. Mounted on the housing is a leg assembly, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in a folded configuration and in FIG. 5 in an extended configuration. Each leg of the leg assembly can extend outward from the housing to improve the stability of the stand. The telescoping mast attached to the housing includes a mount for the functional device at the top. Power and control signals can be transmitted from the inside of the housing to the functional device by at least one cord coiled for volume reduction. The power and control conduit is housed in a protective sleeve that can be extended from the protective sleeve when the telescopic arm is extended and the coil and gravity bias when the telescopic arm is retracted. Can be stored in the sleeve. An attachment portion for attaching a functional device shown as a lighting fixture in the drawing is attached to the top of the telescopic arm. The attachment includes a housing that allows power and signals from the control conduit to be connected to the functional device, but can also have wind and rain sealing. The mounting portion can be adjusted in at least two directions (sometimes referred to as a degree of freedom) so that the functional device can be rotated about the axis of the telescopic arm and directed up and down. Further details of exemplary embodiments of the invention are set forth after a brief description of the drawings.

The perspective view from the front upper direction of the stand which has a telescopic arm assembly in the forefront. FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a stand having a leg assembly folded or retracted at the forefront. The perspective view from the back upper surface of the stand which has the leg assembly folded in the forefront. FIG. 3 is a side view with a telescopic assembly at the forefront. The perspective view from the front upper direction of the stand which has the leg assembly in the extended forefront surface. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the upper side of the separated leg assembly in the extended configuration. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the upper side of the separated leg assembly in a folded configuration. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the leg assembly and its components. The perspective view from the front upper direction of the separated telescopic arm assembly which has the functional apparatus attachment part including the modification of height adjustment hardware. FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the separated telescopic assembly of FIG. 9 from below. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a functional device mounting portion that shows how a plurality of functional devices can be mounted together with a wiring diagram when the plurality of functional devices are cube-shaped lighting fixtures. The illuminator can be pivotably mounted between legs made of an h-shaped bracket, and the opposite end of the h-shaped bracket is pivotally mounted to the main body of the mounting portion. Thus, the illuminator in one bracket can be rotated up and down while the h-shaped bracket is rotated around its connecting portion with respect to the body of the mounting portion.

  The illustrated invention as outlined above will now be described in more detail. For purposes of focusing on the features of the present invention, for a part number in the description that correlates with one or more of the parts shown in the drawings, not all parts are numbered or shown in detail. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a non-limiting embodiment of a stand 100 of the present invention is illustrated. The main housing 110 desirably accommodates a power supply unit-control unit panel. An access plug is provided for recharging or for connecting the stand to a power source. In a preferred embodiment, a rechargeable battery is housed within the housing. In one embodiment, a 12 volt power port is provided in the main housing. It is desirable that the battery is connected to a battery mounting portion for holding the battery and is firmly fixed in the casing so as not to be affected by the environment. Preferably, a battery or other power source is connected to an electrical connection within the housing, and at least one power cord provides a sealed port for supplying an external power source from the internal power source to the functional device. Via the inside of the main housing.

  The main housing 110 is preferably formed from a robust and durable plastic material and includes a gripping portion for ease of transport. The power cord 130 supplies power to a functional attachment that can be connected to the mast assembly 150. A leg assembly 200 for providing stability of the stand 100 is provided in the main housing. 1-4, the leg assembly 200 is stored and is the preferred form for transport and storage. As shown in FIG. 5, the leg assembly is extendable to improve the stability of the stand. In the drawing, the leg assembly 200 is engaged with a cord winding protrusion 210 on the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, an existing commercial housing is used for a power source that includes a power cord wrap projection 210, but the leg assembly can be attached to a stand other than that shown. Exemplary housings and power sources are available from, for example, Clole Automotive, Lenexa, Kansas, USA, such as the Jump-N-Carry model JNC950 or JNC660.

  The extensible mast assembly 150 is attached to and / or engaged with the second cord winding protrusion in the main housing. The second cord wrap projection may be omitted in other embodiments, and the mast assembly may protrude upward from the main housing 110 via a suitable integral cavity formed in the main housing 110. . One or more brackets 152 are used to attach the telescoping assembly to the housing via attachment holes 153. The mast assembly 150 includes an extendable mast 160 and a cord protection sleeve 162, both of which are engaged with the bracket 152 and held firmly against the main housing 110. A functional device mount 300 is attached to the top of the telescopic mast 160. Illuminators 400 and 401 attached to the mount 300 are shown, and these illuminators 400 and 401 have an electrical socket 410 for connection to the power cord 130. Other types of functional devices can be attached to the mast. Furthermore, the flexibility of the application may be enhanced by providing two or more mounts such as the mount 300 in the mast. Further details of the functional device mounting portion will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the leg assembly 200 is shown in an extended configuration in FIG. 6, in a retracted configuration in FIG. 7, and in an exploded configuration in the exploded view of FIG. The main panel 202 has two branch pieces 203 that extend downward so that the panel 202 fits the entire cord winding protrusion 212 of the housing. An elongated channel 204 extends vertically on both branch pieces 203, and the first and second legs 205 are rotatable and slidable with respect to the panel 202 via bolts 206 passing through the channel 204. The bolt 206 is connected to the upper mounting hole 207 of each leg. Bolt 206 and others are shown as shoulder bolts, and the wide top of the shoulder bolt cannot pass through the hole into which the thread portion is inserted. The first and second columns 210 are rotatably attached to the panel 202 via bolts 211 that pass through the mounting holes 212 of the panel 202 and the mounting holes 213 inside each column 210. Each strut 210 is rotatably connected to the flange 216 of one leg 205 at the outer end 214, and the strut 205 is connected to the flange 216 by a bolt 218 and a nut 219. The elongated channel 204 allows the inner portion of the leg 205 to slide up and down, and the post 210 limits the movement of the outer portion of the leg outward from the panel 202. When the legs 205 are fully retracted so that the inner part of each leg is near the top of the panel 202 and the lower part of each leg is adjacent to the panel, the outer part of each strut is the inner part of each strut. (The inner and lower portions of each column are pivotally attached to a mounting hole 212 in the panel 202).

  A biasing push button mechanism is provided to lock the leg assembly in the open or retracted configuration. Each leg 205 has a T-shaped slot 230 to which a spring 232 having a button 233 is attached. A screw 234 is used to attach the spring to the leg 205. A detent such as detent 240 on panel 202 engages button 233 to hold the leg in the retracted position and a lower detent on panel 202 locks the leg in the extended position. By simply pressing the spring with a finger, the leg is retracted or extended depending on the direction in which the leg is pressed. The bolts used can be made of metal or other suitable material, and spring steel is recommended for the spring 232. The leg assembly can be formed of a durable and rugged plastic similar or identical to that used for the main housing. A suitable spring to construct a size and robust stand to hold the luminaire 8 feet above the ground (243.84 cm) is part number F-224 available from VALCO, Ohio. . Preferably, the spring snap button has a J-shape or other structure that allows it to be gripped and pulled with a finger, so that the button has a corresponding upper or lower detent on the mounting board. Can be pulled without any, thereby allowing movement of the leg from a locked folded configuration or locked extended configuration.

  Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the separated mast assembly 150 is shown from the upper and lower sides. The telescopic mast 160 is attached adjacent to the cord protection sleeve 162. This mast can be formed of aluminum and various masts are commercially available. The illustrated wing nut assembly 164 can be used to loosen or tighten the connection between the mast portions, but may be other adjustment mechanisms. A preferred mast can extend up to 8 feet (243.84 cm), in which case the legs can be extended to a total width of about 30 inches (about 76.2 cm). The main housing constitutes a third leg of a tripod that supports the mast. Leg extension is envisaged or an extendable leg assembly, eg, a leg, may be stored in a cavity in the housing, the housing being fitted around the functional device to protect the functional device when stored It can have a shape.

Referring to FIG. 11, the functional device can be attached to the mount 300 by attaching it to the h-shaped bracket 304. The h-shaped bracket 304 is rotatably attached to the mount 300 through the attachment holes 305 and 307. The mount 300 includes an upper housing 301 and a lower housing 302, and includes an attachment portion 306 for attaching to the top of the mast. The mounting portion 306, in other embodiments, extends through the top of the mount 300 and supports the mast extension and other functional devices mounted thereon. FIG. 11 is taken from drawings used for manufacturing, assembly and use and includes irrelevant part numbers (particularly circled numbers 1-9) that are not part of the disclosure and may be ignored. FIG. 11 shows how a plurality of lighting fixtures can be attached to the mast. For example, the plurality of lighting fixtures are LED lighting fixtures that output more light with less power. The stand according to the present invention preferably weighs less than 50 pounds, more preferably less than 40 pounds, while varying road safety requirements. A portable power source sufficient to supply light (e.g., for road safety personnel) and / or industrial requirements. Preferably, the lighting fixture can be stably mounted at least 8 feet (243.84 cm) above the surface on which the stand is installed. For example, 800 lumens of LED light can provide overhead lighting to overhead road security personnel reaching over 200 yards (182.88 m). In addition, the unit can be charged continuously at 115V AC by a charging source, and lighting operation can continue during charging, and embodiments include a 12 volt power port for fast charging applications, for example. Preferred cubic LED illuminators and bar illuminators are commercially available and can operate for at least 8 hours from the battery according to the specifications described in Air Systems AIR LIGHT specifications available from Air Systems, Inc. of Chesapeake, Virginia, USA.

  The stabilization platform or main enclosure can be made of polyethylene or other suitable rugged material, while the enclosure for the power supply-control panel and mast mount can be used for example at night in a construction area. It can be formed from the same or other materials as conventional equipment used in various stringent situations, such as road lighting. In fact, in some situations it is desirable when it is not required that the luminaire be installed at a specific height to illuminate traffic security personnel. The mounted device of the present invention is ideally suited to hold a luminaire at a height of at least about 8 feet above the ground, but is lightweight, durable and installed And it is easy to fold and allows a lower cost than ideal, while being a portable base that is robust to functional devices. As functional devices, for example, lighting fixtures, microphones, still cameras, audio output devices, video output devices, lasers, weapons, video cameras, transmitters, receivers, weather monitoring devices, solar panels, surveying devices, motion detection devices, Examples include a chemical sensor, a thermal sensor, an alarm, a wind power generator, and a GPS device.

  The details of specific embodiments of the invention have been set forth by way of example so that those skilled in the art may practice the invention. These descriptions are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The invention is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced and carried out in various ways, so that those skilled in the art will recognize other ways for the idea based on this disclosure to achieve individual objectives of the invention. And it should be appreciated that it may be used immediately as a basis for designing the system. Where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, those of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention. Only those portions are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted to avoid obscuring the present invention. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the components mentioned herein.

Claims (5)

A first case defining a closed space;
A mount for mounting at least one functional device;
First and second legs that are extendable and retractable, and are movably attached to the first case so that the first and second legs can be locked in the extended position or the retracted position. Said first and second legs;
An extensible mast attached to the first case;
The mount is movably connected to the mast;
The first and second legs are retractable for transport and storage, and the mast is retractable for transport and storage;
The first and second legs and the mast can be removed from the first case at the site of use by manipulating the first and second legs and the mast without requiring work to connect components to them. Can be extended,
The mast may extend vertically from the first case, and the first and second legs may provide stability to the mast that extends vertically upward from the first case. It can extend horizontally from the case of
The first case that partitions the closed space can store a power supply unit operably connected to a control unit, and the first case constitutes a tripod third leg. stand. The functional device is a lighting device, microphone, still camera, audio output device, video output device, laser, weapon, video camera, transmitter, receiver, weather monitoring device, solar panel, surveying device, motion detection device, chemical sensor The stand of claim 1, wherein the stand is at least one of a group consisting of: a thermal sensor, an alarm, a wind power generator, and a GPS device. The stand of Claim 1 or 2 provided with the said power supply part. The said control part which can control the electric power supplied to the said at least 1 functional apparatus from the said power supply part when the said at least 1 functional apparatus is attached to the said mount is provided in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3. The described stand. The stand according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mount is provided so that the at least one functional device rotates around a plurality of rotation axes.