Abstract: A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.

Abstract: A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.

Abstract: A portable image projector is provided with a vertically elongated tower configuration to substantially reduce its vertical footprint when it is placed on a horizontal support surface for use. A stabilizing foot is positioned below the housing portion of the projector and is horizontally pivotable between a retracted orientation in which the foot is disposed within the vertical footprint of the projector housing, and an extended orientation in which the foot projects outwardly beyond opposite sides of the projector housing. The stabilizing foot is pivotally secured to the bottom ends of a spaced pair of arcuate elevating leg members that extend upwardly through openings in the bottom side of the housing. The leg members are vertically movable through the housing openings between retracted and extended positions and are resiliently biased in a downward direction relative to the housing.

Abstract: A presentation device (1) includes a base (5), with bars (3) plugged together for a flexible stand (2), the stand being connected to the base (5) via a plug connection, and with transverse bars (9, 10) as a holding device for a presentation carrier (6) for connecting the latter to the base (5) and the stand (2). For a quick and easy set-up or dismantling, the base (5) is designed with four elongate foldable feet (14 to 17) which are articulated on an elongate crossmember (11) and are capable of being pivoted out of a folded-up position of rest parallel to the crossmember (11) into an operation position at least essentially at right angles to the crossmember (11) and back again.

Abstract: An office chair includes a seat with a seat post which is movably inserted into a base. The base has a plurality of legs extending therefrom and a recess is defined in a top of the tube. Two clamp members are connected by two expandable members which bias the clamp members in opposite directions. A cover is mounted to the base and the seat post extends through the cover. The seat post is clamped by the two clamp members and a releasing member extends through the cover and the hole in the tube and engages with one of the two clamp members.

Abstract: A collapsing tree stand having a compact construction with an improved center of gravity and elongated folding legs. The legs of the tree stand are each broadened in width at their fold-up pivot point and then tapered to a narrower width at their distal ends. This taper provides an improved center of gravity about the base, thus reducing the tendency of the tree to tip over. The legs are sufficiently elongated to provide good balance in their extended position.

Abstract: A segmented base for supporting a column in a generally upright position. The base includes a plurality of individual base members couplable to one another by positioning base members adjacent one another and shifting base members relative to one another. When coupled to one another, the base members cooperatively defining a base channel for receiving the column.

Abstract: A chair base includes a rigid base member having a plurality of elongate tubular leg members disposed angularly around and radiating outwardly from a central hub. Each leg member adjacent an outer free end thereof has a hub structure defining a through vertical bore for retaining the pintle of a caster. The hub structure includes coaxially aligned upper and lower sleevelike hub parts which are monolithically and integrally joined to and extruded transversely into the interior of the leg member from the respective top and bottom walls thereof. The pintle-retaining hub structure is formed by a pierce-and-extrude process whereby small pilot openings are initially formed through the respective walls, and the annular wall portion surrounding the respective pilot opening is thereafter transversely extruded to effect forming of the respective hub part. The pierce-and-extrude process for each hub part is, in a preferred process, carried out by a single forming tool.

Abstract: An adjustable base structure supports a person in an upright attitude on uneven terrain and comprises a plate and multiple legs independently pivotally connected to the plate. When in an operative mode, the legs diverge from each other and from the plate and rest on the terrain to orient the plate horizontally. A cable connects the legs and maintains them in the operative mode. A bushing on the plate receives a post of a carrier that is attached to a seat. When the carrier post is in the bushing, the person can sit upright regardless of the contour of the terrain. A dome-shaped pad is joined to each leg for swiveling in a manner that accommodates the terrain and that supports the adjustable base structure in soft soil. Different lengths of the cable are storable inside one of the legs to adjustably limit the amount of pivoting of the legs.

Abstract: A pile based braced caisson structural support device includes a number of legs. These legs are configured in a teepee type configuration such that the footprint of the base is larger than the footprint of the opposing end. This structural support can be used as a base for an offshore drilling platform in that the support reduces the lateral forces on the support caused by wave action.

Abstract: A stand for holding a camera or a microphone, includes a cylindrical tube unit having an inner wall surface defining an axially extending post-receiving chamber to telescopically receive a post therein. A positioning element is fixed on the tube unit. First, second and third support legs have upper portions sleeved on an outer wall surface of the tube unit. The second and third support legs are rotatable relative to the tube unit in such a manner that the second and third support legs can be stacked below the first support leg when the stand is in a storage position and that the first, second and third support legs engage the positioning element and are angularly spaced apart from one another when the stand is disposed at a position of use.

Abstract: A tripod/telescope assembly including a tripod structure and optical tube-fork-base structure removably connected to one another by a conical central opening formed in an upper structure of the tripod and a complementary conical structure extending from a lower portion of the optical tube-fork-base. The tripod has three equally spaced legs pivotally extending downward from the upper structure of the tripod head. The tripod structure and optical tube-fork-base structure are disassembled and reassembled by a hand knob that has a central threaded fastening shaft extending through the complementary conical structures. The hand knob and complementary conical structures establish a stable, rotatable platform and allow the tube-fork-base structure of the telescope to be quickly separable from the tripod structure for transportation purposes.

Abstract: A yieldable portable highway sign stand is provided. The sign stand comprises a base, and a sign support coupled to and extending upwardly from the base for supporting a highway sign above the ground. The sign support includes a generally rigid, generally upright portion having a first breakaway section that is yieldable along a first direction when subjected to a sufficient load at least partially along the first direction, and a second breakaway section that is yieldable along a second direction when subjected to a sufficient load at least partially along the second direction.

Abstract: A storage device for storing strings of ornamental lights which have a plurality of strands hanging pendant from the main string. The device has a plurality of spokes attached with respect to an elongate vertical member. It is preferable to have a storage-positioning member attached at either or both of the top or bottom ends of the elongate vertical member such that the device is stored upright. The invention also includes a method for attaching the string of lights to the device by rotating the string around the elongate vertical member as the strands hang down between the spokes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand base comprising a central hub and a plurality of legs removably attached to the central hub. Each of the legs depends radially outward and downwardly from the central hub. The base stand is adapted to receive the central vertical support of a display rack and provide both lateral and vertical support thereto. The plurality of legs may be detached from the central hub and packaged together in a nested configuration that is compact for shipping and storage. Each of the plurality of legs has an arcuate shape so that the plurality of legs provide a natural resiliency and upward bias when a load is placed on the display rack. The base provides support in either a normal-load mode or a high-load mode for improved vertical and lateral support of the display rack.

Abstract: A castored base (18) for an office chair includes a plurality of radially extending legs (300), each leg having a socket or sleeve (308) fixed thereto adjacent an outer end thereof. A castor (302/402) is connected to each socket or sleeve (308), each castor having two wheel portions (312/412) and an axle assembly (316/404). The axle assembly includes an axle (314/414) to which the two wheel portions are rotatably mounted in spaced disposition and including a pin (318/418), wherein the pin (318/418) of each castor is received in a respective socket or sleeve (308) which extends at least in part between the two wheel portions (312/412). Only a small clearance is required between the underside of the legs (300) and the tops of the castors (302/402). Further, low profile legs (300) may be used in the base (18), while still providing the required strength and stability.

Abstract: An integrated umbrella base stand and table having a collapsible frame that includes a center tube adapted for receiving the pole of an umbrella. From this central tube extend appendages that are supported by linking arms. The integrated umbrella base stand and table further includes a flexible surface and a base flange that are carried by the appendages of the frame. The surface of the table provides an area on which drinks and food may be placed and the base flange of the device is dimensioned to receive a weight to stabilize the integrated umbrella stand and table.

Abstract: A skeleton for umbrella tent mainly includes a top hub to which multiple brace poles are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle; a bottom hub to which multiple stretch arms are radially and pivotally connected to stretch by a predetermined angle, and outer ends of these stretch arms are separately pivotally connected to a predetermined point on the brace poles; a flexible telescopic portion located between the top and the bottom hubs and consisting of multiple sections in the form of hollow truncated cones; and a pull rope extending through the telescopic portion with an upper end fixed to the top hub and a lower end hanging from the bottom hub to connect to a ring handle. By pulling the pull rope downward, the telescopic portion is folded to easily cause the stretch arms and the brace poles to move into a stretched position to set up the tent.

Abstract: An adjustable sprinkler stand including a sprinkler mount which is supported by three support rod sets and is provided with a threaded through hole for engaging at the top end thereof with a sprinkler and at the bottom end thereof with a water supply tube in conjunction with a connection seat slidably fitted over the water supply tube. The support rod sets are adjustable and formed of an outer tube, an inner tube slidably fitted into the outer tube, and a leg tube fitted into the inner tube. The outer tube and the inner tube are provided with a locating member which is pivoted with one end of a connection rod such that other end of the connection rod is fastened pivotally to the connection seat.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a sign stand base having support legs pivotally joined to a support flange. The support legs are notched to receive the support flange. A locking pin extends through the support leg and is positioned so s to selectively interfere with an outer periphery of the support flange. The locking pin is mounted for rocking or swiveling motion within the support leg and can be moved out of contact with the support flange, thereby allowing the support leg to pivot with respect to the support flange. A flat spring strip secured to an outer surface of the support leg biases the locking pin to a position engaging the support flange.

Abstract: A chair base includes a tapered tubular center hub defining a longitudinal centerline and a plurality of radially extending tubular legs. Each leg has top, bottom, and opposing sidewalls defining a rectangular cross section that decreases as the leg extends from the hub. The top and bottom walls each have an arcuately shaped end that is welded to the center hub by top and bottom ring welds. The sidewalls of each leg have enlarged wall sections that are flat and parallel and further have bent flanges adjacent the hub that are angled inwardly from the enlarged wall sections toward the longitudinal centerline. The bent flanges are oriented approximately radially from the centerline to provide optimal structure and to provide clearance between adjacent legs. The clearance prevents interference between adjacent legs despite dimensional variation in the legs from manufacturing and tolerance considerations, thus facilitating assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand base comprising a central hub and a plurality of legs removably attached to the central hub. Each of the legs depends radially outward and downwardly from the central hub. The base stand is adapted to receive the central vertical support of a display rack and provide both lateral and vertical support thereto. The plurality of legs may be detached from the central hub and packaged together in a nested configuration that is compact for shipping and storage. Each of the plurality of legs has an arcuate shape so that the plurality of legs provide a natural resiliency and upward bias when a load is placed on the display rack. The base provides support in either a normal-load mode or a high-load mode for improved vertical and lateral support of the display rack.

Abstract: An instrument support system having positive locking mechanisms to substantially fix the position of articulated members. One embodiment of the invention uses radially opposed force receiving surfaces to lock pivot members and to distribute the inherent and operational forces transmitted to the radially opposed force receiving surfaces to multiple vectors. Another embodiment of the invention juxtaposes antagonist locking surfaces to hold dual position support members in a storage position. A restraining collar is also disclosed having operation position and storage position locking detents and a releasably coupled collar closure.

Abstract: A foldable stand for supporting a cylindrical shaft, the stand being operable between a folded position and a stand support position for supporting the shaft includes first, second, third, and fourth hingedly connected legs. The first and second legs are disposed generally parallel to each other in the folded position and generally perpendicular to each other in the support position. The third and fourth legs are disposed generally parallel to each other in the folded position and generally perpendicular to each other in the support position. Each leg includes a hinge member that is pivotally connected to an adjacent leg. The second and fourth legs include a receptacle adapted to receive the shaft in the stand support position.

Abstract: A detachable hanger for sport pads includes a base, a number of legs, a number of posts, a number of interconnecting blocks, and a number of hanger members. Each leg has an end releasably engaged with the base. The posts are detachably mounted to the base in an upright manner. The interconnecting blocks interconnect the posts in the upright manner. Each interconnecting block includes an inner flange to thereby define an upper positioning compartment for securely yet releasably receiving a lower end of one post located above the interconnecting block and a lower positioning compartment for securely yet releasably receiving an upper end of one post located below the interconnecting block. Each hanger member has an end releasably engaged with an associated interconnecting block.

Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement for use with a table, includes a support structure which is mountable to a table top. Four feet are mounted on the support structure so that a line drawn between a first pair of the feet intersects a line drawn between a second pair of the feet. The feet of each pair are fixed relative to each other and the pairs are linearly displaceable relative to each other. A displacement mechanism is arranged on the support structure to permit linear displacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other. The displacement mechanism is operable when the feet are placed on an uneven support surface so that all four feet can be against the support surface, in use.

Abstract: A salt platform (400) is disclosed which incorporates a top member (402), a bottom member (404) and a spacing member (406) that spaces the top and bottom members a pre-determined vertical distance apart. A series of bracing member assemblies (408) are connected between the top member and bottom member to provide support for the salt platform. The top surface of the top member (402) and top portions of the bracing member assemblies (408) lie in a single plane (432) to support a salt grid.