Tripod Stand for Use on Loose Soil

Abstract

A collapsible stand that is designed for use on loose soil or sand. The collapsible stand has a central shaft and an auger that extends from the shaft. A slide hub moves along the central shaft between a first position and a second position. Legs radially extend from the central shaft. Linkages are used to interconnect the legs with the slide hub. When the slide hub moves to its first position along the central shaft, the linkages move the legs into a stowed configuration. When the slide hub moves to the second position, the linkages move the legs into a deployed configuration. The central shaft is set into the ground using the auger. The legs are deployed, wherein the legs have footpads that rest upon the ground. The pull of the auger biases the footpads against the ground and create a highly stable stand.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to tripod stands where a centered shaft is supported by radially extending legs. More particularly, the present invention relates to tripod stands that are intended for use at the beach and in other loose soil environments.

2. Prior Art Description

There are many tripod stands in the marketplace for holding outdoor objects, such as shade umbrellas. However, many such stands are designed to support objects on hard flat surfaces, such as house decks and yard patios. When such a tripod is brought to a beach and placed in the sand, it fails to work. The sand is too soft to support the legs of the tripod. The legs of the tripod, therefore, sink into the sand at different rates. This causes the stand to tilt and the umbrella to rapidly fall. It is for this reason that people elect not to use tripod stands at the beach. Rather, at the beach, most people bury the base of an umbrella in the sand and utilize the sand itself to support the umbrella.

Some hybrid umbrella stands have been invented that utilize a central post that is buried and tripod legs that help stabilize the central post. Such hybrid designs are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,195,391 to Hunter. However, the tripod legs used on hybrid designs are often too small of a footprint to use on soft sand or soil. As a result, most of the vertical support comes from the shaft of the umbrella stand that is buried. Very little support comes from the tripod legs.

Although burying the base of a pole in the sand is an effective way to anchor an umbrella, many people do not like digging in the sand. Digging in the sand can be accomplished with tools, but this requires that the tools be carried to the beach. Holes can be dug by hand, but this obviously makes a person's hands sandy. Also, the sand is abrasive and can irritate cuts and ruin painted fingernails. It is for these reasons that many people prefer using umbrella stands on the beach that do not require digging in order to be set into the sand. Umbrella stands that contain augers at their bottoms have become popular. The augers dig into the ground by turning the umbrella stand while applying downward pressure. Such umbrella stands are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. D630,834, which is owned by the present applicant, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0007487 to Schwiebert.

A problem associated with augered umbrella stands is that they are difficult to turn. The force needed to turn an augered umbrella stand is proportional to the depth of the auger. Although most individuals may be able to turn an augered umbrella sand a short depth into soft sand. Few people have the grip strength and/or arm strength needed to fully set the augered umbrella stand or drive the augured umbrella stand into packed sand or soil.

A need therefore exists for an improved umbrella stand that is specifically designed to be effective on sand yet does not require a person to dig into the sand and does not require superior turning strength. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a collapsible stand that is designed for use on loose soil or sand. The collapsible stand can be used to anchor an umbrella, flag, fishing pole or any other such secondary object. The collapsible stand has a central shaft. The central shaft has a first end and an opposite second end. An auger extends from the second end and enables the central shaft to be screwed into the ground.

A slide hub is provided on the central shaft. The slide hub reciprocally moves along the central shaft between a first position and a second position. A plurality of legs radially extends from the central shaft near its second end. The legs are connected to the central shaft, or a fixed hub on the central shaft, with hinge connections. This enables the legs to rotate about the hinge connections.

Linkages are used to interconnect the legs with the slide hub. When the slide hub moves to its first position along the central shaft, the linkages move the legs into a stowed configuration. In the stowed configuration, the legs are generally parallel to the central shaft. When the slide hub moves to the second position, the linkages move the legs into a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the legs are generally perpendicular to the central shaft.

In use, the central shaft is set into the ground by rotating the auger into the ground. The legs are deployed, wherein the legs have footpads that rest upon the ground. The pull of the auger biases the footpads against the ground and create a highly stable stand, even when used on loose sand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is front view of a stand assembly in its deployed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a stand assembly in its stowed configuration;

FIG. 3 shows the stand assembly being deployed on a sandy surface; and

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment where the stand assembly is integrated into the structure of an umbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention stand assembly can be configured in many ways and can be adapted for a specific use. For example, the stand assembly can be configured as a simple stand, that can be used to hold an umbrella pole or a fishing pole. Alternatively, the stand assembly can be integrated into the pole of an umbrella. Additionally, the auger used on the stand can be configured for different types of sand and soil. Although the present invention can be used in many such applications, only two exemplary systems are illustrated and described. The exemplary embodiments are selected in order to set forth two of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a stand assembly 10 is shown. The stand assembly 10 is set into the ground and can be used to hold any elongated secondary object, such as a beach umbrella or the handle of a fishing pole. Accordingly, the stand assembly 10 has a center shaft 12 with a first end 13 that is open to receive the secondary object. Optional locking handles 15 can be positioned at the first end 13 of the center shaft 12 to help lock secondary object into the center shaft 12. The locking handles 15 also assist in the carrying and turning of the stand assembly 10.

The opposite second end 14 of the center shaft 12 is attached to an auger 20. The auger 20 is designed to be driven into the ground by rotational movement. The auger 20 has a tapered body 16. The tapered body 16 has external flights 18 that enable the auger 20 to be easily screwed into sand or other loose soil by rotating the shaft 12 with a clockwise rotation.

At least three support legs 22 are provided. In the shown embodiment, three support legs 22 are used to create a tripod formation. However, it will be understood that four support legs can also be used to create a stable quadpod formation. The support legs 22 are foldable between a stowed position (FIG. 2) and a deployed position (FIG. 1). In the stowed position, the support legs 22 are parallel or nearly parallel to the center shaft 12. In the deployed position, the support legs 22 are perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the center shaft 12.

Each of the support legs 22 has a first end 24 and an opposite second end 26. A mounting hub 28 is affixed to the center shaft 12 proximate the second end 14 of the center shaft 12. The mounting hub 28 is set in a fixed position. The mounting hub 28 can be a part that is affixed to the center shaft 12 or can be molded directly as part of the center shaft 12. The first end 24 of each of the support legs 22 is connected to the mounting hub 28. Each of the support legs 22 connects to the mounting hub 28 with a hinge connection 30 that enables the support legs 22 to rotate about the hinge connections between the stowed position and the deployed position.

A large footpad 32 is attached to the second end 26 of each of the support legs 22. The footpad 32 has a flat bottom plate 34 and a yoke 35 that extends vertically from the bottom plate 34. The yoke 35 receives the second end 26 of a support leg 22 with a pivot connection 37. This enables the footpads 32 to move in relation to the support legs 22, which enables the bottom plates 34 to adjust to an inclined angle, should the stand assembly 10 be deployed on an uneven surface. The bottom plate 34 on each footpad 32 is enlarged and has a preferred surface area of between two square inches and eight square inches. This prevents the footpad 32 from readily sinking into sand or loose soil.

A slide hub 40 is fitted around the center shaft 12. The slide hub 40 is free to move up and down on the center shaft 12 between a first position and a second position. Movement downward to the second position is limited by the presence of the mounting hub 28. At the second position, the slide hub 40 contacts the mounting hub 28 and cannot move beyond the mounting hub 28. Movement of the slide hub 40 to the first position is limited by linkages 36. The linkages 36 attach the slide hub 40 to the support legs 22, wherein each support legs 22 is engaged by one linkage 36. Each linkage 36 has a first end 38 and an opposite second end 39. The first end 38 of each linkage 36 attaches to the slide hub 40 at a hinge connection 42. The second end 39 of each linkage 36 attached to the support legs 22. The linkages 36 engage the support legs 22 near mid-points at pivot connections 44. When the slide hub 40 is moved up the center shaft 12, the linkages 36 lift the support legs 22 to their fully stowed positions. Likewise, when the slide hub 40 is moved down the center shaft 12, the linkages 36 unfold the support legs 22 to their fully deployed positions.

The support legs 22 can be locked into both their stowed positions and their deployed positions. A locking mechanism 46 is affixed to the slide hub 40 and moves with the slide hub 40. The locking mechanism 46 is manually operated and can be used to lock the slide hub 40 in place at any point along its range of movement. This enables the slide hub 40 to be locked in place on the shaft 12 both when the support legs 22 are fully stowed and when the support legs 22 are fully deployed. It also enables the slide hub 40 to be locked in an unusual position, should the support legs 22 be deployed on uneven ground.

Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it can be seen that to utilize the invention, the stand assembly 10 is carried to a location in its stowed configuration. The stand assembly 10 is placed on the ground and the auger 20 is turned into the ground. The auger 20 is rotated by rotating the center shaft 12 using the locking handles 15 and/or the folded support legs 22 as handles. This provides good gripping surfaces and a large amount of torque. Consequently, the auger 20 can be driven into packed sand or firm soil by most people. The auger 20 is driven into the ground until the mounting hub 28 descends to ground level.

Once the auger 20 is set, the slide hub 40 is unlocked from its first position and lowered along the center shaft 12 toward its second position. This causes the support legs 22 to rotate down to their deployed positions. The slide hub 40 is then locked in place on the shaft 12 at its second position with the support legs 22 in their extended positions. The footpads 32 contact the sand and are biased against the sand by the pull of the auger 20. This creates a very strong and stable support that is not easily displaced by wind forces or incidental contact. An umbrella pole, fishing pole or the like can then be set into the open first end 13 of the center shaft 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein the stand assembly 10 of FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 is integrated into the shaft 51 of a beach umbrella assembly 52.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible stand, comprising; a central shaft having a first end and an opposite second end;an auger extending from said second end of said central shaft;a slide on said central shaft that can reciprocally move along said central shaft between a first position and a second position;a plurality of legs, wherein each of said legs has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of each of said plurality of legs is connected to a hinge joint proximate said second end of said central shaft;linkages that interconnect said plurality of legs with said slide, wherein when slide moves to said first position, said linkages move said plurality of legs into a stowed configuration where said plurality of legs are generally parallel to said central shaft, and wherein when slide moves to said second position, said linkages move said plurality of legs into a deployed configuration where said plurality of legs are generally perpendicular to said central shaft.

2. The collapsible stand according to claim 1, further including a footpad connected to each of said plurality of legs near said second end of each of said plurality of legs.

3. The collapsible stand according to claim 2, wherein each said footpad has a flat bottom surface with an area between two square inches and eight square inches.

4. The collapsible stand according to claim 2, wherein each said footpad is pivotably connected to said plurality of legs.

5. The collapsible stand according to claim 1, further including a mounting hub coupled to said central shaft proximate said second end of said central shaft, wherein hinge joints connect each of said plurality of legs to said mounting hub.

6. The collapsible stand according to claim 1, further including a locking mechanism for selectively locking said slide into said first position and said second position.

7. The collapsible stand according to claim 1, wherein said central shaft is hollow and has an open end for receiving secondary objects therein.

8. The collapsible stand according to claim 1, wherein said central shaft is part of an umbrella.

9. A collapsible stand, comprising; a central shaft that terminates with an auger at one end;a slide on said central shaft that can reciprocally move along said shaft between a first position and a second position;locking mechanisms on said shaft that selectively engage and lock said slide in place along said central shaft at said first position and said second position;legs that are pivotably connected to said central shaft;linkages that interconnect said legs with said slide, wherein when slide moves to said first position, said linkages move said legs into a stowed configuration where said legs are generally parallel to said central shaft, and wherein when slide moves to said second position, said linkages move said legs into a deployed configuration where said legs are generally perpendicular to said central shaft.

10. The collapsible stand according to claim 9, further including enlarged footpads connected to said legs.

11. The collapsible stand according to claim 10, wherein each of said enlarged footpads has a flat bottom surface with an area between two square inches and eight square inches.

12. The collapsible stand according to claim 10, wherein each of said enlarged footpads is pivotably connected to said legs.

13. The collapsible stand according to claim 10, further including a mounting hub coupled to said central shaft, wherein hinge joints connect said legs to said mounting hub.

14. The collapsible stand according to claim 10, wherein said central shaft is hollow and has an open end for receiving secondary objects therein.

15. The collapsible stand according to claim 10, wherein said central shaft is part of an umbrella.