COLLAPSIBLE STAND

Abstract

The present invention is a stand for an article with a rod-shaped member. The stand includes an open top bucket-like base adapted to receive particulate matter, such as sand or dirt, for weight. Removably attached to the bottom surface is a tubular part adapted to receive the rod-like member of article in an upright position. A set screw with a grip secures the member to the part. The wall of the stand is formed of flexible material such as fabric. When the tubular part is removed and the particulate matter is emptied, the stand can be collapsed and easily transported from one location to another.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stand for article including a rod-shaped member such as an umbrella, flag, fishing pole or the like and more particularly to a collapsible stand for an article including a rod-shaped member.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Many common articles have rod-shaped members which require a stand to remain upright. In order to maintain the article in the upright position, the stand must be relatively large and weighted to anchor the article securely. This is particularly true if the article is designed to be exposed to the elements, such as wind, as a beach umbrella, a flag or a fishing pole would be.

While a large, weighted stand is required to maintain the article upright, it is not so easy to be transported from one location to another. Accordingly, there is a need for a stand which is suitable for maintaining an article with a rod-shaped member in an upright position and at the same time is small enough and light enough to be easily transported from one location to another.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a stand for an article with a rod-shaped member. The stand has an open top hollow base adapted to receive particulate matter, such as sand or dirt, for weight. Removably attached to the bottom surface of the base is a tubular part adapted to receive the rod of article in an upright position. The wall of the stand is formed of flexible material such as fabric. When the tubular part is removed and the particulate matter is emptied, the stand can be collapsed and easily transported from one location to another. In one embodiment, a set screw is used to securely maintain the rod-shaped member in the upright position on the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a collapsible stand as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the stand of the present invention showing the base in the collapsed state and the tubular part exploded from the interior bottom surface of the base;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the first preferred embodiment of the stand with the base in the collapsed state and the tubular part attached to the base; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the stand with the base in the extended state and the tubular part attached, ready to receive particulate matter.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the components of a second preferred embodiment of stand of the present invention showing the base in the collapsed state, the tubular part and the set screw;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the second preferred embodiment of the stand shown assembled with the base in the collapsed state, the tubular part attached to the interior surface of the base and the set screw in place; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the stand shown assembled with the base in the extended state, the tubular part attached and the set screw in place, ready to receive particulate matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the drawings, the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is a collapsible stand. The stand includes a base, generally designated A, including a circular plastic bottom wall 10 defining a bottom surface 12 and a circular plastic top wall 14 defining a top opening 16. A flexible wall 18 extends between bottom wall 10 and top wall 14 of the base.

Because wall 16 is made of flexible material such as fabric or cloth, the stand can be transformed between a collapsed state, where the top wall 14 of the base is proximate bottom wall 10 (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2) and an extended state (as seen in FIG. 3) where the top wall 16 is remote from the bottom wall 10 of the base and the flexible wall 18 is expanded to define an interior space above the bottom surface 12 of the bottom wall 10.

A hollow, internally threaded part 20 is fixed to bottom surface 12 of the base. A tubular part 22 is situated within the interior space. Tubular part 22 has an externally threaded lower portion 24 adapted to be received in part 20. Thus, the tubular part can be removably joined to the bottom surface of the base.

The upper portion 26 of tubular part 22 has an open top 28 configured to receive the rod-shaped member of the of the article. Outwardly directed handle parts 30 extend from the upper portion of tubular part 22 to facilitate mounting and removal of tubular part 22 from the stand.

The top edge of bottom wall 10 is attached to the bottom edge of wall 18. The bottom edge of top wall 14 is attached to the top edge of wall 18. Preferably, the top edge of bottom wall 10 is attached to the bottom edge of wall 18 by stitching 32 and the bottom edge of top wall 14 is attached to the top edge of wall 18 by stitching 34.

The interior space within the base is adapted to receive particulate matter such as sand or dirt to provide weight to the stand. The particulate matter can be removed for the stand during transit.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second preferred embodiment of the stand differs from the first preferred embodiment in that it includes a set screw to secure the rod-shaped member to the stand.

FIG. 4 shows the components of a second preferred embodiment of stand with base A in the collapsed state, the tubular part 22 with an internally threaded opening 36 and the externally threaded set screw 38 with a grip portion 40. Grip 40 facilitates manipulation of set screw 38 to the desired depth into tubular part 22 to secure the rod-shaped member to the tubular part 22.

FIG. 5 shows the components of the second preferred embodiment of the stand assembled, with the base A in the collapsed state, the tubular part 22 attached to the interior surface of the base and the set screw 38 with grip 40 in place.

FIG. 6 shows the components of the second preferred embodiment of the stand with the base A in the extended state, the tubular part 22 attached to the base and the set screw 38 with the grip 40 in place, ready to receive particulate matter.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible stand comprising a base with a circular plastic bottom wall defining a bottom surface, a circular plastic top wall defining a top opening, a flexible wall extending between said bottom wall and said top wall, said base being transformable between a collapsed state wherein said top wall is proximate said bottom wall and an extended state wherein said top wall is remote from said bottom wall and said flexible wall is expanded to define an interior space above said bottom surface, a part fixed to said bottom surface and a tubular part situated within said interior space and comprising a lower portion adapted to be received in said fixed part, said tubular part comprising an open top.

2. The stand of claim 1 wherein said fixed part is internally threaded and said lower portion of said tubular part is externally threaded.

3. The stand of claim 1 wherein said flexible wall comprises fabric material.

4. The stand of claim 1 wherein said bottom wall comprises a top edge, said flexible wall has a bottom edge, and wherein said top edge of said bottom wall is attached to said bottom edge of said flexible wall.

5. The stand of claim 3 wherein said top edge of said bottom wall is attached to said bottom edge of said flexible wall by stitching.

6. The stand of claim 1 wherein said top wall comprises a bottom edge, said flexible wall has a top edge, and wherein said bottom edge of said top wall is attached to said top edge of said flexible wall.

7. The stand of claim 5 wherein said bottom edge of said top wall is attached to said top edge of said flexible wall by stitching.

8. The stand of claim 1 further comprising particulate matter, wherein said particulate matter is situated within said interior space.

9. The stand of claim 1 further comprising oppositely directed handle parts extending from said tubular part proximate said open top.

10. The stand of claim 1 for use with an article with a rod-like member, wherein said rod-like member is adapted to be received within said tubular part.

11. A collapsible stand comprising a base with circular plastic bottom wall defining a bottom surface, a circular plastic top wall defining a top opening, a flexible wall extending between said bottom wall and said top wall, said stand being transformable between a collapsed state wherein said top wall is proximate said bottom wall and an extended state wherein said top wall is remote from said bottom wall and said flexible wall is expanded to define an interior space above said bottom surface, a part fixed to said bottom surface and a tubular part situated within said interior space and comprising a lower portion adapted to be received in said fixed part, said tubular part comprising an open top, a wall with an internally threaded opening and an externally threaded set screw adapted to be received in said opening.

12. The stand of claim 11 wherein said fixed part is internally threaded and said lower portion of said tubular part is externally threaded.

13. The stand of claim 11 wherein said flexible wall comprises fabric material.

14. The stand of claim 11 wherein said bottom wall comprises a top edge, said flexible wall has a bottom edge, and wherein said top edge of said bottom wall is attached to said bottom edge of said flexible wall.

15. The stand of claim 13 wherein said top edge of said bottom wall is attached to said bottom edge of said flexible wall by stitching.

16. The stand of claim 11 wherein said top wall comprises a bottom edge, said flexible wall has a top edge, and wherein said bottom edge of said top wall is attached to said top edge of said flexible wall.

17. The stand of claim 15 wherein said bottom edge of said top wall is attached to said top edge of said flexible wall by stitching.

18. The stand of claim 11 further comprising particulate matter, wherein said particulate matter is situated within said interior space.

19. The stand of claim 11 further comprising oppositely directed handle parts extending from said tubular part proximate said open top.

20. The stand of claim 11 for use with an article with a rod-like member, wherein said rod-like member is adapted to be secured within said tubular part by said set screw.