Collapsible support device
View Patent ↗The collapsible support device for supporting objects above an underlying surface includes a collapsible base having a plurality of side panels making it easy to store or transport the stand in a collapsed state. The side panels of the base are configured such that the base transitions between the collapsed state and a supporting state. When the base is in the supporting state, the stand provides support for objects above an underlying surface. This allows a user to deploy support stands under objects elevating the objects above the underlying surface that may potentially flood.
1 . A stand comprising:
a base having a plurality of interconnected side panels movable between a collapsed state wherein the side panels are positioned substantially flat and a supporting state wherein the side panels form an upright structure having an opening in a top portion of the base; and
a removable cap having at least a portion sized to fit within the opening in the top portion of the base when the base is in the supporting state, wherein the cap provides structural reinforcement to maintain the base in the supporting state and is removable to enable the base to transition to the collapsed state.
2 . The stand of claim 1 , wherein the base forms a truncated square pyramid shape when in the supporting state.
3 . The stand of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one base vent formed in at least one of the side panels, whereby the base vent allows liquid or gas to pass through the side panel of the base.
4 . The stand of claim 3 , wherein the base vent is sized to receive at least a portion of the cap for storage when the base is in the collapsed state.
5 . The stand of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one cap vent formed in the cap to allow liquid or gas to pass through the cap.
6 . The stand of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one notch formed at a top edge of at least one side panel.
7 . The stand of claim 6 , wherein the notch is configured to receive a beam positioned within the notch, whereby the beam is capable of supporting an object above an underlying surface.
8 . The stand of claim 7 , wherein the notch is formed at the top edge of at least two non-adjacent side panels;
at least two of the notches are configured to receive the beam positioned within the notches;
wherein placement of at least two of the notches enable the positioning of the beam to provide structural reinforcement to maintain the base in the supporting state and removal of the beam to enable the base to transition to the collapsed state.
9 . A stand comprising:
a base;
the base having a plurality of side panels;
one or more hinges each connecting adjacent side panels of the plurality of side panels wherein the side panels are movable between a collapsed state and a supporting state;
the side panels being positioned substantially flat when the base is in the collapsed state;
the side panels being positioned to form an upright structure having an opening in a top portion of the base when the base is in the supporting state;
a cap;
the cap having an upper portion and a lower portion;
the lower portion of the cap configured to fit within the opening of the top portion of the base when the base is in the supporting state;
the upper portion of the cap configured to abut to a top edge of one or more of the side panels of the plurality of side panels when the base is in the supporting state; and
the cap configured to be removable from the base enabling the base to transition from the supporting state to the collapsed state.
10 . The stand of claim 9 , wherein the one or more hinges comprise living hinges.
11 . The stand of claim 9 , wherein the base forms a truncated square pyramid shape when in the supporting state for supporting an object above an underlying surface, whereby the truncated square pyramid shape provides stability on the underlying surface and enables centering of a load of the object with respect to the base.
12 . The stand of claim 9 , further comprising: at least one base vent formed in at least one of the side panels, the base vent being an aperture configured to allow liquid or gas to pass through the side panel of the base.
13 . The stand of claim 12 , wherein the base vent is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the cap for storage of the cap on the side panel.
14 . The stand of claim 9 , further comprising: at least one cap vent formed in the cap, the cap vent allowing liquid or gas to pass between an interior area of the base and an exterior environment.
15 . The stand of claim 9 , further comprising: at least one notch formed at a top edge of at least one side panel, the notch serving as a beam-receiving recess.
16 . A collapsible base for supporting an object above an underlying surface, the base comprising:
a plurality of side panels movable between a collapsed state wherein the side panels are positioned substantially flat and a supporting state wherein the side panels form an upright structure;
one or more of the side panels of the plurality of side panels having at least one notch at a top edge of the side panel; and
the one or more notches configured to receive a beam positioned within the notch whereby the beam is capable of supporting an object above an underlying surface.
17 . The collapsible base of claim 16 , further comprising:
one or more hinges connecting side panels to enable movement between the collapsed state and the supporting state.
18 . The collapsible base of claim 16 , wherein the notch extends partially into a side panel of the plurality of side panels from the top edge to form a U-shaped or V-shaped recess configured to securely receive the beam.
19 . The collapsible base of claim 16 , wherein the notch is configured to support a beam spanning between notches of multiple bases, whereby the beam creates an extended support platform.
20 . The collapsible base of claim 16 , wherein the notch is formed at the top edge of at least two non-adjacent side panels;
wherein placement of at least two of the notches enable the positioning of the beam to provide structural reinforcement to maintain the base in the supporting state and removal of the beam to enable the base to transition to the collapsed state.