Load dispersing furniture support for turf applications
A support platform for a furniture unit includes a plurality of support arms that each terminate in a corner pocket. The corner pocket supports a furniture leg end and contains the leg end within the platform perimeter. The platform defines a foundation support surface that may include cleats or anti-skid cushion pads to enhance friction with the foundation surface.
1 . A furniture support platform comprising:
a plurality of support arms extending from a central point, the plurality of support arms each terminating in a corner pocket configured to support a furniture leg;
an upper surface; and
a foundation surface opposite the upper surface and configured to support an article of furniture on a base surface; wherein each support arm includes an arched section that defines a hollow section on a bottom side of the support arm that is outlined by the foundation surface on opposite sides of the hollow section and that extends along a portion of the support arm between the corner pocket and the central point, wherein the portion of the foundation surface that outlines the hollow section engages the base surface.
2 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein the arched section provides bending stiffness to the support arms and spreads weight over the base surface.
3 . The furniture support platform of claim 2 wherein the base surface is one of a natural grass surface, an artificial turf surface, or a sandy surface.
4 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein a reinforcement cross section of the plurality of support arms is a perimeter gusset extending around the plurality of support arms and defining the upper surface.
5 . The furniture support platform of claim 4 wherein the perimeter gusset is a plurality of generally concentric reinforcing gussets configured to resist bending of the support arms.
6 . The furniture support platform of claim 4 wherein the perimeter gusset is a generally straight wall extending from or extending adjacent to the upper surface.
7 . The furniture support platform of claim 5 wherein the perimeter gusset terminates in flange.
8 . The furniture support platform of claim 4 wherein a stiffening member is connected between adjacent support arms.
9 . The furniture support platform of claim 8 wherein the stiffening member defines a handle.
10 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein a cross section of each support arm is an arched profile.
11 . The furniture support platform of claim 10 wherein the foundation surface extends along a perimeter of the plurality of support arms.
12 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein the plurality of support arms are length adjustable; or
the central point is a hub that attaches to the plurality of support arms; or
the plurality of support arms are angularly moveable about the hub.
13 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein the corner pockets include one or more cushioning pads.
14 . A furniture support platform comprising:
a plurality of support arms extending from a central point, the plurality of support arms each terminating in a corner pocket configured to support a furniture leg;
an upper surface;
a foundation surface opposite the upper surface and configured to support an article of furniture on a base surface and engage the base surface to limit movement of the support platform with respect to the base surface; and
a protrusion extending downward from the central point, wherein each support arm includes a hollow section on a bottom side thereof that extends to the protrusion.
15 . The furniture support surface of claim 14 wherein the base surface is one of a turf structure or a sand structure and the stiffness characteristic resists deflection of the corner pockets into the base surface.
16 . The furniture support surface of claim 14 wherein a handle extends between two adjacent support arms and defines a gap between the handle, the two adjacent support arms and the central point that is sized to receive a hand, the handle having greater flexibility than provided by the stiffness characteristic.
17 . The furniture support surface of claim 14 wherein the upper surface defines one of an arch, a crown, or a flat surface, and the foundation surface extends around a perimeter of the support arms and defines a hollow section under the upper surface.
18 . The furniture support platform of claim 14 wherein the corner pockets include fasteners that permit one furniture support platform to be connected to an adjacent furniture support platform.
19 . The furniture support platform of claim 18 wherein the fasteners are configured as mating dovetail projections and recesses.
20 . The furniture support surface of claim 14 wherein a tiedown is connected between one of a handle, a stiffening member, or a support arm and the article of furniture to prevent separation therebetween.
21 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein the foundation surface under at least one of the corner pockets is textured for engagement with the base surface.
22 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein the foundation surface under at least one of the corner pockets has a cleat for engagement with the base surface.
23 . The furniture support platform of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the corner pocket includes a textured base surface configured to engage the bottom of the furniture leg.
24 . The furniture support platform of claim 23 wherein the textured base surface of the corner pocket does not extend vertically above the central point.
25 . The furniture support platform of claim 14 wherein the foundation surface under at least one of the corner pockets is textured for engagement with the base surface.
26 . The furniture support platform of claim 14 wherein the foundation surface under at least one of the corner pockets has a cleat for engagement with the base surface.
27 . The furniture support platform of claim 14 wherein the upper surface of the corner pocket includes a textured base surface configured to engage the bottom of the furniture leg.
28 . The furniture support platform of claim 27 wherein the textured base surface of the corner pocket does not extend vertically above the central point.
29 . A furniture support platform comprising:
a plurality of support arms extending from a central point, the plurality of support arms each terminating in a corner pocket configured to support a furniture leg, wherein the support arms extend upward from the corner pockets to the central point such that the central point is vertically higher than the corner pockets;
an upper surface; and
a foundation surface opposite the upper surface and configured to support an article of furniture on a base surface, wherein the foundation surface under at least one of the corner pockets is configured to engage the base surface to limit movement of the support platform with respect to the base surface.
30 . The furniture support platform of claim 29 wherein the foundation surface under at least one of the corner pockets has a cleat for engagement with the base surface.
31 . The furniture support platform of claim 29 wherein the upper surface of the corner pocket includes a textured base surface configured to engage the bottom of the furniture leg.
32 . The furniture support platform of claim 31 wherein the textured base surface of the corner pocket does not extend vertically above the central point.
33 . The furniture support surface of claim 29 wherein a handle extends between two adjacent support arms and defines a gap between the handle, the two adjacent support arms and the central point that is sized to receive a hand.