US20180310706A1

US20180310706A1 - Universal stand

Info

Publication number: US20180310706A1
Application number: US15/932,488
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence Wheeler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-07
Filing date: 2018-03-07
Publication date: 2018-11-01

Abstract

A universal stand for a rack. The universal stand is configured to allow an rack to be mounted and unmounted allowing stability to hold the rack in an up right position. The said universal may compose of a lightweight material such as steel, stainless steel, metal or aluminum which may be inexpensive to manufacture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORSHIP RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

MICROFICHIE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUNG OF INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The purpose of this invention in general relates to a stand that is capable to hold and support an bar-be-cue grill rack. More directly, the invention relates to stand which a rack can be easily mounted and unmounted from.

Description of the Related Art

There are many different types of stands used for different reasons some are to hold and support electronic terminals, cameras, and other equipment just to name a few. These stands are used as a platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of some other object that needs to be kept steady.

BREIF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention comprises a universal stand for easily mounting an rack onto. The present invention may include legs which may be made of a metal, steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum type of material. The present invention may also include stand rod(s) that are horizontally coupled to the top portion of the leg(s) made of a metal, steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum type of material. Further, the leg(s) may include an top portion and bottom portion coupled to an portion of the stand rod(s) and pivoting component. The invention comprises an pivoting component at each leg portion that allows an portion of the leg(s) to pivot in an inward and outward direction. Furthermore, the invention comprises at lease one stand coupling component that allows an rack to be couple to an portion of the stand. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the event in which a user may need to clean a rack before or after use, and the disadvantages of needing to place or store a rack on a stable object when relighting coals etc.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will better become understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying embodiment(s), wherein,

FIG. 1A-1B is a perspective view, illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 2A-2B is an perspective view, illustrating an portion of the stand rod(s) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A-3B is an perspective view, illustrating the top and bottom leg(s) portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A-4L is an perspective view, illustrating the pivoting component according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A-5B is an perspective view, illustrating the rod(s) sliding component according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A-6B is a perspective view, illustrating the stand coupling component according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an exemplary rack is generally shown at (3) mounted onto the universal stand (1) in a fixed stable position. For purpose of illustration and not to be in anyway limiting, the following description will make reference to the rack (3) mounted onto the universal stand (1). However, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to support the weight, and maintain stability for securing an rack (3) of all shape and sizes which may be mounted onto an universal stand (1).
Referring to FIG. 1A-1B, here a viewer will see an universal stand (1) in an assembled state, the leg portion is configured so that it may provide a stable foundation for supporting the universal stand (1). Further, the top leg (2) and bottom leg (6) portion(s) are made of an metal type of material(s). The universal stand (1) further shows the stand rod(s) (5) coupled to an portion of the present invention and the stand coupling component (8) coupled to an portion of the stand rod(s) (5). The present invention is further configured to provide stability for supporting an rack (3) FIG. 1B.
FIG. 2A-2B show an illustration of the stand rod(s) (5). The present invention comprises of an stand rod(s) (5) portion that may be coupled to an portion of the universal stand (1). Further, the stand rod(s) (5) consist of an square shape body comprising of an threaded hole (9) at each end of an portion of the stand rod(s) (5) body intended to couple the stand rod(s) (5) to an top leg portion (2) and an threaded hole (9) at an area of the side portion for coupling an stand coupling component (8) to an side portion FIG. 2B. Further, the stand rod(s) (5) is made of an metal type of material.
FIG. 3A-3B show an illustration of the top leg portion (2) and bottom leg portion (6). Further, the present invention includes of an leg portion of an cylinder shape that may be divided into two portion(s) an top leg portion (2) and an bottom leg (6) portion to form an single leg portion FIG. 3A. Hence, the top leg portion (2) and bottom leg portion (6) comprises an cylinder shape body consisting of an slight hour-glass curve at a portion, comprising of a non-threaded hole (23) at both sides symmetrically of the bottom area of the top and bottom leg portion whereas the top leg portion (2) composes an threaded hole (9) at an cavity portion (11) area of the top portion of the top leg portion (2) intended to couple the rod(s) sliding component (10) to an area on the top leg portion (2) FIG. 3B.
FIG. 4A-4K show an illustration of the pivoting component (7). Further, the pivoting component (7) is an component that works like an hinged mechanism that allows the top leg portion (2) to pivot in an inward and outward direction to increases or decrease the width, size, or space of the stand rod(s) (5) area. Furthermore, the pivoting component (7) comprises an oval shape plastic outer casing (14) to protect the inner components. The casing (14) further includes leg slot(s) (15) at lease at one portion of the casing (14) to house the top and bottom leg(s).
Further, FIG. 4B-4C the inner portion of the pivoting component (7) comprises of an aluminum member (16) that is coupled to an coupling member (35) at an inner circumference of the casing (14) by threaded screw(s) that allows another component to be coupled to at lease one portion of the member (16).
Further, the inner portion of the pivoting component (7) comprises of an plastic cylinder shape pivoting base (17) comprising of an hole at one top side whereas the pivoting base (17) house's at lease one end of the top leg portion (2). The pivoting base (17) is further coupled to one portion of the member (16) by an hinge link at one end of the pivoting base (17) and one end of the member (16). The hinge portion (20) comprises of four individual link(s), rotation link (27), member link (29), separation link (28), and a base link (31). Furthermore, the top portion of the base link (31) is coupled to the pivoting base (17) by an pin that keep an meeting area immobilize whereas the bottom portion of the base link (31) is coupled to the member link (29) by an axis (pin) (32) that is configured to allow the base link (31) and member link (29) meeting area to rotate from an 130° obtuse angle to an 168° obtuse angle. The separation link (28) is further coupled to the base link (31) at one end by an pin that keeps an meeting area immobilize whereas the separation link (28) is couple to the rotation link (27) at another end by an axis (pin) (32) that is further configured to allow the rotation link (27) and base link (31) meeting area to rotate from an 46° acute angle to an 271° reflex angle FIG. 4D-4E.
The inner portion of the casing (14) further includes an aluminum hinge locking component (18). The hinge locking component (18) includes an latch (19) at one portion of the body that slides in an backward(s) and forward(s) direction to lock and unlock an portion of the hinge (20) in a place. Further, the hinge locking component (18) comprises of an slot area (24) that receives an portion of the latch member (26) and flexible spring (25) whereas the spring (25) covers the predominant inner portion of the slot area (24) FIG. 4F. The latch (19) is further coupled to an horizontal plastic member (26) FIG. 4G, whereas the middle portion composes of an circular latch coupling member (34) that receives an portion of the latch (19) and an notch end (33) is inserted in between an portion of the spring (25) to execute an forward and backward movement FIG. 4F-4G.
Further, the rotating link (27) portion is further configured to rotate on the rotating link (27) and separation link (28) meeting area axis (32). Further, the rotating link (27) is further at an set position of an straight 180° angle coupled to an portion of the separation link (28). The rotating link (27) comprises of an partial circle opening at one end portion of the link whereas the link lip area is configured to meet an portion of the rotation stopper (30) upon the rotation link (27) reaching an specific region on the separation link (28) FIG. 4H-4J. The separation link (28) composes an square shape stopper housing (22) comprising an opening at an top side configured to house one end of the rotation stopper (30) made of an aluminum material FIG. 4K-4L.
The separation link (28) rotation stopper (30) is an thick square shape rubber material coupled to one portion of the stopper housing (22) on the separation link (28) that further restricts one or more directions of one portion of the hinge rotation link (27) rotation FIG. 4H-4J. Further, when top leg portion (2) is pulled in an downward motion the base link (31) and member link (29) pivots in motion on the axis (32) and forms an 130° obtuse angle whereas the link rotation stopper (30) sets the angle further restricting an portion of the hinge rotation link (27) from further rotation. During this stage the hinge rotation link (27) and separation link (28) further rotates on the axis (32) and forms an 46° acute angle pushing the hinge rotation link (27) forward in an direction towards the latch (19) portion FIG. 4D. Further, when the top portion leg(s) (2) are set back to the original position the user pulls the top leg(s) (2) portion in an inward direction. Furthermore, the base link (31) and member link (29) meeting portion pivots in motion in an outward direction on the axis (32) to form an 168° obtuse angle, whereas the rotation stopper (30) sets the angle further restricting an portion of the hinge rotation link (27) from further rotation. Further, the rotation link (27) and separation link (28) further forms an 271° reflex angle (set position) on the axis (32) FIG. 4E.
FIG. 5A-5B show an illustration of the rod(s) sliding component (10). Furthermore, the rod(s) sliding component (10) comprises of an flat shape body where both end portion curved inward in an direction towards the middle of the rod(s) sliding component (10) to form an partial opening allowing the stand rod(s) (5) to slide back and forth freely within the rod(s) sliding component (10) as the likes of the end portion(s) of an curtain rod(s) FIG. 5A & 5B. The rod(s) sliding component (10) further includes an threaded screw (12) couple to an bottom portion of the rod(s) sliding component (10) to further couple to an portion of the top leg portion (2) cavity portion (11) FIG. 3B. Whereas, the rod(s) sliding component (10) is made of an metal type material.
FIG. 6A-6B show an illustration of the stand coupling component (4) and stand coupling component (8). Further, the present invention includes an coupling component for safely housing and securing the rack (3) to the stand rod(s) (5) portion. Furthermore, the stand coupling component (4, 8) is made of an metal type of material. Further, the stand coupling component (4) comprises of an straight shape body FIG. 6A, where both sides of the inner portion of the top portion of the stand coupling component (4) curve inward and outward in an direction to form an curved groove area for securing an portion of the rack (3) whereas on groove area is larger than the other. The top portion of the stand coupling component (4) is made of an rubber type material. Further, the bottom portion of the stand coupling component (4) comprises the likes of an threaded screw. The bottom portion of the stand coupling component (4) is made of an metal type material. Further, the stand coupling component (8) comprises of an straight 180° angle that comprises an right 90° angle at one end of the straight 180° angle and an additional upright 180° angle at one end of the 90° angle that makes up the body of the stand coupling component (8) where at lease one end of the stand coupling component (8) has an threaded end (13) intended to be coupled to an portion of the stand rod(s) (5) FIG. 6B. The stand coupling component (8) is made of an metal type material.
The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the following terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specially described. The invention is defined by the claim.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. A universal stand which maintains stability for securing a rack, comprising:

an leg portion;

an stand rod(s) portion;

an pivoting component that houses multiple components;

an stand coupling component;

an rod sliding component; and

an hinge portion comprising multiple links.

8. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the stand rod(s) consist of an square shape body comprising of an threaded hole at each end of an portion of the stand rod(s) body intended to couple the stand rod(s) to an top leg portion and an threaded hole at an area of the side portion for coupling an stand coupling component to an side portion.

9. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the top leg portion and bottom leg portion comprises an cylinder shape body consisting of an slight hour-glass curve at a portion, comprising of a non-threaded hole at both sides symmetrically of the bottom area of the top and bottom leg portion whereas the top leg portion composes an threaded hole at an cavity portion area of the top portion of the top leg portion intended to couple the rod(s) sliding component to an area on the top leg portion.

10. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the inner portion of the pivoting component comprises of an plastic cylinder shape pivoting base comprising of an hole at one top side whereas the pivoting base house's at lease one end of the top leg portion.

11. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the top portion of the base link is coupled to the pivoting base by an pin that keep an meeting area immobilize whereas the bottom portion of the base link is coupled to the member link by an axis (pin) that is configured to allow the base link and member link meeting area to rotate from an 130° obtuse angle to an 168° obtuse angle.

12. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the separation link is further coupled to the base link at one end by an pin that keeps an meeting area immobilize whereas the separation link is couple to the rotation link at another end by an axis (pin) that is further configured to allow the rotation link and base link meeting area to rotate from an 46° acute angle to an 271° reflex angle.

13. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the hinge locking component includes an latch at one portion of the body that slides in an backward(s) and forward(s) direction to lock and unlock an portion of the hinge in a place.

14. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the hinge locking component comprises of an slot area that receives an portion of the latch member and flexible spring whereas the spring covers the predominant inner portion of the slot area.

15. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the latch is further coupled to an horizontal plastic member, whereas the middle portion composes of an circular latch coupling member that receives an portion of the latch and an notch end is inserted in between an portion of the spring to execute an forward and backward movement.

16. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the rotating link portion is further configured to rotate on the rotating link and separation link meeting area axis.

17. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the rotating link comprises of an partial circle opening at one end portion of the link whereas the link lip area is configured to meet an portion of the rotation stopper upon the rotation link reaching an specific region on the separation link.

18. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the separation link composes an square shape stopper housing comprising an opening at an top side configured to house one end of the rotation stopper made of an aluminum material.

19. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the separation link rotation stopper is an thick square shape rubber material coupled to one portion of the stopper housing on the separation link that further restricts one or more directions of one portion of the hinge rotation link rotation.

20. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the rod(s) sliding component comprises of an flat shape body where both end portion curved inward in an direction towards the middle of the rod(s) sliding component to form an partial opening allowing the stand rod(s) to slide back and forth freely within the rod(s) sliding component as the likes of the end portion(s) of an curtain rod(s).

21. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the rod(s) sliding component further includes an threaded screw couple to an bottom portion of the rod(s) sliding component to further couple to an portion of the top leg portion cavity portion.

22. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein where both sides of the inner portion of the top portion of the stand coupling component curve inward and outward in an direction to form an curved groove area for securing an portion of the rack whereas on groove area is larger than the other.

23. The universal stand according to claim 22, wherein the top portion of the stand coupling component is made of an rubber type material.

24. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the bottom portion of the stand coupling component comprises the likes of an threaded screw.

25. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the stand coupling component comprises of an straight 180° angle that comprises an right 90° angle at one end of the straight 180° angle and an additional upright 180° angle at one end of the 90° angle that makes up the body of the stand coupling component where at lease one end of the stand coupling component has an threaded end intended to be coupled to an portion of the stand rod(s).

26. The universal stand according to claim 7, wherein the stand coupling component is made of an metal type material.