Extensible And Retractable Support

Abstract

A shelflike supporting structure extensible into a generally horizontal operating position and retractable into a generally vertical position within a vertically oriented storage space within a housing, through a vertically oriented opening in the housing. The supporting structure is rotatable about a fore-and-aft axis into its operating position after extension from the housing, and may remain free to rotate about this fore-and-aft axis, or it may be locked against such rotation. The supporting structure includes a supporting member having an element mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft axis and which is generally horizontal when the supporting structure is in its operating position. This element may be a gimbal ring which maintains a glass substantially vertical, despite attitude changes of an airplane, for example, if the supporting structure is free to rotate about the fore-and-aft axis. The element mentioned may also be a stirrup on which a glass may be seated, an ashtray cover, a brace for the supporting structure, and the like. Also disclosed is an insulating collar for supporting a glass in a ring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to an extensible and retractable support and, more particularly, to a support of this nature comprising: a housing provided therein with a generally vertically oriented storage space and having at the front thereof a generally vertically oriented opening communicating with the storage space; a shelflike supporting structure of a size and shape to pass through the opening into and out of the storage space when the supporting structure is on edge in a generally vertical position; and means mounting the supporting structure on the housing for fore-and-aft movement of the supporting structure into and out of the storage space through the opening between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between its generally vertical position and a generally horizontal operating position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

An extensible and retractable support of the foregoing general nature is disclosed and claimed in my copending patent application, Ser. No. 719,866, filed Apr. 9, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,076, issued Feb. 24, 1970.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS

A general object of the present invention is to provide an extensible and retractable support of the foregoing general character which embodies various improvements on the construction disclosed in my aforementioned copending application.

More particularly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a shelflike supporting structure of the foregoing nature which includes a supporting member having an element mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft axis of the supporting structure, and which is at least generally horizontal when the supporting structure is in its generally horizontal operating position.

An important object of the invention is to provide a construction of the character outlined wherein the supporting structure is free to rotate about its fore-and-aft axis and wherein the pivoted element mentioned is a gimbal, preferably a gimbal ring, adapted to support an article, such as a drinking receptacle or "glass," in a substantially vertical position despite changes in the attitude of the housing of the support. Such an embodiment of the invention is ideally suited for use in an airplane since it will maintain a glass substantially vertical even when the airplane is climbing at a steep angle, descending, banking, and the like, which is an important feature of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible and retractable support wherein the pivoted element is a generally U-shaped stirrup mounted on the supporting member for pivotal movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to the fore-and-aft axis and generally horizontal when the supporting structure is in its operating position. Such a stirrup may be used in conjunction with or independently of a gimbal ring as a support for an article such as a glass, which is an important feature.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a construction of the foregoing nature wherein the mounting means includes a mounting member movable with the supporting structure in the fore-and-aft direction, and wherein the stirrup is engageable with the mounting member to serve as a brace for the supporting structure. This arrangement of the components is particularly useful where the supporting structure must carry a relatively heavy article or articles, which is an important feature of the invention.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein the supporting member includes an ashtray and the pivoted element is a cover or lid for the ashtray.

A further object is to provide an extensible and retractable support of the foregoing nature which includes latch means for latching the pivoted element in a retracted position with the element substantially within the confines of the supporting member. With this construction, the pivoted member is latched substantially in the plane of the supporting member to facilitate retraction of the supporting structure into its storage space within the housing, which is an important feature.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein the supporting structure and the mounting member include alternatively usable interengageable means for releasably holding the supporting structure in its generally horizontal operating position or in its generally vertical position. In the former instance, the supporting structure is locked in its generally horizontal operating position against rotation about its fore-and-aft axis when this is desired. The alternative interengageable means locks the supporting structure in its generally vertical position against rotation about its fore-and-aft axis relative to the mounting member, thereby facilitating movement of the mounting member and the supporting structure between the retracted and extended positions of the supporting structure.

An object related to that set forth in the preceding paragraph is to provide a construction wherein the alternatively usable interengageable means are activated simply by reversing the moveable mounting member.

Yet another object is to provide latch means for latching the supporting structure in its retracted and extended positions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a supporting collar for a downwardly tapered glass which is so shaped that it contacts the glass at the upper and lower ends of the collar only, thereby providing an annular insulating clearance between the collar and the glass intermediate the upper and lower ends of the collar. With this construction, the collar may be seated on a supporting ring, or equivalent, forming part of the retractable supporting structure.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invention, together with various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates in the light of this disclosure, may be achieved with the exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an airplane seat having one embodiment of the extensible and retractable support of the invention built into an arm thereof;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the support of the invention with an extensible and retractable supporting structure thereof in its extended position, the solid and broken line showings of FIG. 2 illustrating the effect of changing the longitudinal attitude of the airplane;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the invention with the supporting structure in its extended position, and showing the effect of banking the airplane;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the arrowed line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the invention with the supporting structure in its retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken along the arrowed line 6--6 of FIG. 5, which is similar to FIG. 2, but which shows the supporting structure in its retracted position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing another embodiment of the invention with the supporting structure in its extended position, but not yet rotated about its fore-and-aft axis into its generally horizontal operating position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the supporting structure rotated 90.degree. about its fore-and-aft axis into its generally horizontal operating position, the supporting structure being shown in section along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of still another embodiment of the invention showing an extensible and retractable supporting structure in its extended position and rotated about its fore-and-aft axis into its generally horizontal operating position; and

FIG. 10 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, taken as indicated by the arrowed line 10--10 of FIG. 9, and showing the supporting structure in use to support a drinking receptacle or "glass" through an insulating collar, and further showing a combination stirrup and brace in use as a brace.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY

EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 6

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, illustrated therein to show one possible application of the present invention is an aircraft seat 20 provided with an arm 22 having an extensible and retractable support 24 of the invention incorporated therein. The support 24 is shown for convenience as including an outer housing 26 which contains an innerhousing 28 and which constitutes part of the arm 22 of the seat 20. However, it will be understood that the innerhousing 28 may be installed in a suitable cavity, not shown, in the arm 22. Also, other variations are possible.

The innerhousing 28 is provided therein with a generally vertically oriented storage space 32 and is provided at the front thereof with a generally vertically oriented opening 34, FIG. 5, communicating with the storage space.

The extensible and retractable support 24 of the invention includes a shelflike supporting structure 36 of a size and shape to pass through the opening 34 into and out of the storage space 32 when the supporting structure 36 is on edge in a generally vertical position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A mounting means 40 connects the supporting structure 36 to the housing 28 for fore-and-aft movement of the supporting structure into and out of the storage space 32 through the opening 34 between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between such generally vertical position and a generally horizontal operating position, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The mounting means 40 includes a blocklike mounting member 42 which carries the supporting structure 36 and which is movable therewith relative to the housing 28 in the fore-and-aft direction. In the particular construction illustrated, the mounting member 42 is slidable in the housing 28, but, if desired, the mounting member may be equipped with rollers or wheels engageable with the top and bottom walls of the storage space 32.

A latch means 44 carried by the mounting member 42 and engageable with the housing 28 latches the supporting structure 36 in its retracted and extended positions. In the construction illustrated, the latch means 44 comprises a plunger-type latch 46 extending transversely through and carried by the mounting member 42, and biased by a spring 48 into either of two holes 50 and 52 in a sidewall of the housing 28. When the latch 46 is in the hole 50, it retains the supporting structure 36 in its retracted position. When in the hole 52, it retains the supporting structure in its extended position. The latch 46 extends laterally outwardly through a fore-and-aft slot 54 in the outer housing 26, and terminates in a knob 56.

The mounting member 42 is provided with a shoulder 58 engageable with a stop pin 60 carried by the housing 28 to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the mounting member 42 from the housing 28. However, the pin 60 may be removed in any suitable manner to permit such withdrawal if desired. The opposite end of the mounting member 42 is provided with a shoulder 62 which is also engageable with the stop pin 60 to prevent complete withdrawal if the position of the mounting member 42 within the storage space 32 is reversed by rotating it 180.degree. in a vertical plane, as shown in FIG. 7. The purpose of such a reversal of the position of the mounting member 42 will be discussed hereinafter in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.

The supporting structure 36 includes a supporting member 64, best shown in FIG. 6, provided with a shaft 66 which extends rearwardly through the mounting member 42 along the fore-and-aft axis of the extensible and retractable support 24. Slipped over the rearwardly projecting end of the shaft 66 is a coil spring 68 seated in a transverse notch 70 in the rearward edge of the mounting member 42. The other end of the spring is seated against a washer retained by a nut 72 threaded on the shaft 66.

When the supporting structure 36 is in its generally vertical position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, rearwardly projecting tongues 74 on the rear edge of the supporting member 64 are disposed in complementary grooves 76, FIG. 4, in the forward edge of the mounting member 42. This tongue-and-groove connection retains the supporting structure 36 in its generally vertical position relative to the mounting member 42 to facilitate insertion of the supporting structure into the storage space 32. The spring 68 is slightly stressed under such conditions to maintain the tongues 74 in the grooves 76. The rearward edge of the mounting member 42, as viewed in FIGS. 1 to 6, is provided with similar grooves 78 which receive the tongues 74 when the mounting member 42 is reversed in position, as hereinbefore mentioned, and as discussed in more detail hereinafter in connection with the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8.

When the supporting structure 36 has been moved forwardly into its extended position, it can be rotated 90.degree., about the axis of the shaft 66, into its generally horizontal operating position by compressing the spring 68 sufficiently to permit disengagement of the tongues 74 from the grooves 76. As will be apparent, this may be accomplished by pulling forwardly slightly on the supporting member 64. The tongues 74 on the supporting member 64 are spaced apart, as best shown in FIG. 4, so that, when the supporting structure 36 is in its operating position, it is free to pivot about the fore-and-aft axis of the shaft 66. The characteristics and adjustment of the spring 68 are such that it is unstressed, or substantially unstressed, under these conditions to permit the supporting structure 36 to pivot freely about the axis of the shaft 66.

Thus, with the construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, the supporting structure 36 is releasably latched to the mounting member 42 by the tongues 74 and the grooves 76 when the supporting structure is in its generally vertical position. However, when the supporting structure 36 is in its generally horizontal operation position, it is free to pivot about the fore-and-aft axis relative to the mounting member 42.

Considering the supporting structure 36 in more detail now, it is shown as comprising a generally rectangular frame the rearward end of which is carried by the shaft 66. Disposed within the supporting member 64 is a gimbal ring 80 supported by pivot pins 82 connected to the sides of the supporting member and providing a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft axis and which is at least generally horizontal when the supporting structure 36 is in its generally horizontal operating position.

The gimbal ring 80 may be employed to support a downwardly tapered drinking glass merely by seating such glass therein in a manner which will be apparent, but which is not specifically shown. As will be clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, pivoting of the supporting member 64 about the axis of the shaft 66 and pivoting of the gimbal ring 80 about the axis of the pivot pins 82 will cause such a glass to remain substantially upright at all times despite changes in the longitudinal attitude of the airplane, FIG. 2, or changes in the lateral attitude thereof, FIG. 3. Thus, even if the airplane climbs or descends at substantial angles, such a glass will remain essentially upright at all times, which is an important feature of the invention.

In addition to the gimbal ring 80, the pivot pins 82 carry another pivoted element having the form of a generally U-shaped stirrup 84 in which a glass 86 too small to be carried by the gimbal ring 80 directly may be seated, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The glass 86 supported by the stirrup 84 will also remain substantially upright at all times despite wide variations in the longitudinal and/or lateral attitudes of the aircraft.

The extensible and retractable support 24 includes latch means 88 for releasably latching the stirrup 84 in a retracted position within the rectangular frame forming the supporting member 64, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The latch means 88 comprises simply a latch 90 of the plunger type biased by a spring 92 into a recess 94 in the base of the stirrup. The arms of the stirrup are provided with slots 96 receiving the pivot pins 82 and permitting sufficient sliding movement of the stirrup relative to the supporting member 64 to permit the supporting member to move into a retracted position within the confines of the supporting member. The latch 90 is provided with a knob 98 complementing the forward end of the supporting member 64, as best shown in FIG. 5.

The ability to latch the stirrup 84 in its retracted position with the supporting member 64 in the manner indicated is an important feature because it facilitates rearward movement of the supporting structure 36 into its retracted position within the storage space 32, it merely being necessary to properly align the gimbal ring 80 so that it remains within the confines of the supporting member 64 also. Thus, there is virtually no tendency for any part of the supporting structure 36 to hang up when retracting the supporting structure, which is an important feature. (If desired, the length and stroke of the plungerlike latch 90 could be increased to latch the gimbal ring 80, as well as the stirrup 84.)

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION

FIGS. 7 and 8

Illustrated in these figures is a retractable and extensible support 102 which utilizes most of the same components as the support 24, identical components being designated by identical reference numerals. The support 102 differs in that it includes a modified supporting structure 104 and in that the mounting member 42 is reversed in position, from the position shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, by rotating it through 180.degree. in a vertical plane. Thus, the notch 70 is located in what, in this embodiment, is the forward edge of the mounting member 42.

The supporting structure 104 includes the same supporting member 64 having its shaft 66 rotatable relative to the mounting member 42 in the same way as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. In this case, however, the open rectangular supporting member 64 contains a complementary ashtray 106 which fits within the supporting member relatively closely and which is held therein by two pins 108 occupying the same holes as the pivot pins 82 of the previous embodiment. The ashtray 106 is provided with a pivoted cover or lid 110 connected to the body of the ashtray by a pivot means 112 which is perpendicular to the fore-and-aft axis of the shaft 66 and which is generally horizontal when the supporting structure 104 is in its generally horizontal operating position. The cover 110 is spring biased upwardly into an open position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 8, and is provided with a recess 114 engageable by the latch 90 to secure the cover in its closed position, shown in full lines in FIG. 8.

The rearward edge of the supporting member 64 fits into the notch 70 in the now forward edge of the mounting member 42 to prevent pivoting of the supporting structure 104 about the fore-and-aft axis, such pivoting being unnecessary in the case of the ashtray 106. It will be noted from FIG. 7 that the spring 68 is compressed to hold the rearward edge of the supporting member 64 in the notch 70.

With this construction, if it is desired to empty the ashtray 106, this can be accomplished readily by pulling forwardly on the supporting member 64 to withdraw its rearward edge from the notch 70, and then rotating the supporting member through 180.degree. about the axis of the shaft 66, thereby inverting the ashtray. Releasing the cover 110 will then permit automatic dumping of the ashtray into a suitable container, not shown.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION

FIGS. 9 and 10

Illustrated in these figures is an extensible and retractable support 120 which includes a supporting structure 122 similar to the supporting structure 36 and which has the mounting member 42 in the same position as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The supporting structure 122 includes the gimbal ring 80 carried by its pivot pins 82 and includes a stirrup 124 very similar to the stirrup 84, and capable of being latched in a retracted position in the same manner as the stirrup 84.

The gimbal ring 80 may support a glass, or the like, by seating it directly on the gimbal ring in the manner hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. Alternatively, a glass, not shown, may be seated on the stirrup 124 in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Alternatively, the stirrup 124, instead of being latched in its retracted position, or being used in a depending position to support a glass, may be pivoted to a third position, as shown in FIG. 10, to seat against the mounting member 42, which, in this case, is shown as provided with an extension 126 against which the stirrup is seated. With this construction, the stirrup 124 acts as a brace to permit the supporting structure 122 to carry more weight than is possible with the embodiments previously described. The use of the stirrup 124 as a brace in this manner is particularly useful where the supporting structure 122 is required to carry a heavy article, or where the extensible and retractable support 120 is incorporated in a larger scale version intended for heavier loads.

The stirrup 124 engages a surface 128 of the extension 126 having a slope such that the weight of a load carried by the supporting structure 122 maintains the stirrup 124 seated against the surface 128.

In the embodiment under consideration, the supporting member 64 is latched against rotation about the fore-and-aft axis by the positioning of the rearward edge of the supporting member in the notch 70. Consequently, the gimbal ring 80 can pivot only about the axis of its pivot pins 82. If, however, it is desired to maintain the gimbal ring 80 substantially horizontal, as in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, this may be accomplished readily by utilizing the mounting member 42 in the same position as it occupies in FIGS. 1 to 6, instead of the reversed position of FIGS. 7 to 10.

Another feature of the present invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 resides in the provision of a supporting collar 130 which enables the ring 80 t0 support a glass 132 having such a small diameter at its upper end that it would otherwise pass through the ring, and having a height such that it cannot be supported on the stirrup 124 without the possibility of tipping over. It will be noted that the collar 130 engages the glass 132 near its top so that the center of gravity of the glass and its contents is near or below the fore-and-aft axis, and the transverse axis provided by the pivot pins 82, to achieve stability.

Another feature of the collar 130 is that its inside diameter at its upper and lower ends are equal to the outside diameters of the glass 132 in corresponding upper and lower zones, and that the inside diameter of the collar is greater than the diameters of the glass intermediate the upper and lower ends of the collar. This effect is accomplished by providing the collar at its lower end with an internal annular rib 134. The result of this construction is an annular clearance 136 between the collar 130 and the glass 132 throughout most of the length of the collar. This annular clearance 136 provides an annular dead air space for insulating purposes. Thus, the person using this embodiment may pick up the glass 132 by the insulating collar 130 to prevent injury or discomfort in the event the glass contains an extremely hot liquid.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow:

Claims

I claim as my invention:

1. In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of:

a. a housing provided therein with a generally vertically oriented storage space and having at the front thereof a generally vertically oriented opening communicating with said storage space;

b. a shelflike supporting structure of a size and shape to pass through said opening into and out of said storage space when said supporting structure is on edge in a generally vertical position;

c. means mounting said supporting structure on said housing for fore-and-aft movement of said supporting structure into and out of said storage space through said opening between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between said generally vertical position and a generally horizontal operating position;

d. said supporting structure including a supporting member having an element mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to said fore-and-aft axis;

e. said pivot axis of said element being generally horizontal when said supporting structure is in its generally horizontal operating position; and

f. latch means for latching said element in a retracted position with said element substantially within the confines of said supporting member.

2. In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of:

a. a housing provided therein with a generally vertically oriented storage space and having at the front thereof a generally vertically oriented opening communicating with said storage space;

b. a shelflike supporting structure of a size and shape to pass through said opening into and out of said storage space when said supporting structure is on edge in a generally vertical position;

c. means mounting said supporting structure on said housing for fore-and-aft movement of said supporting structure into and out of said storage space through said opening between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between said generally vertical position and a generally horizontal operating position;

d. said supporting structure including a supporting member having an element mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to said fore-and-aft axis;

e. said pivot axis of said element being generally horizontal when said supporting structure is in its generally horizontal operating position;

f. said mounting means including a mounting member movable with said supporting structure in the fore-and-aft direction and carrying said supporting structure; and

g. interengageable means on said mounting member and said supporting structure for releasably holding said supporting structure in its generally vertical position.

3. In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of:

a. a housing provided therein with a generally vertically oriented storage space and having at the front thereof a generally vertically oriented opening communicating with said storage space;

b. a shelflike supporting structure of a size and shape to pass through said opening into and out of said storage space when said supporting structure is on edge in a generally vertical position;

c. means mounting said supporting structure on said housing for fore-and-aft movement of said supporting structure into and out of said storage space through said opening between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between said generally vertical position and a generally horizontal operating position;

d. said mounting means including a mounting member slidable with said supporting structure in the fore-and-aft direction within said housing and carrying said supporting structure;

e. interengageable means on said mounting member and said supporting structure for releasably holding said supporting structure in its generally horizontal operating position; and

f. spring means acting on said mounting member and said supporting structure for maintaining said interengageable means in engagement.

4. In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of:

a. a housing provided therein with a generally vertically oriented storage space and having at the front thereof a generally vertically oriented opening communicating with said storage space;

b. a shelflike supporting structure of a size and shape to pass through said opening into and out of said storage space when said supporting structure is on edge in a generally vertical position;

c. means mounting said supporting structure on said housing for fore-and-aft movement of said supporting structure into and out of said storage space through said opening between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between said generally vertical position and a generally horizontal operating position;

d. said supporting structure including a receptacle supporting ring having an element mounted thereon for pivotal movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to said fore-and-aft axis;

e. said pivot axis of said element being generally horizontal when said supporting structure is in its generally horizontal operating position; and

f. said element being a stirrup pivotable from a retracted position generally within the confines of said supporting ring to an extended position below said supporting ring when the supporting ring is in its operating position.

5. An extensible and retractable support as defined in claim 4 wherein said mounting means includes a mounting member movable with said supporting structure in the fore-and-aft direction, said stirrup being engageable with said mounting member, in a third position of said stirrup, to brace said supporting structure.

6. In an extensible and retractable support, the combination of:

a. supporting means;

b. a receptacle supporting ring;

c. means mounting said supporting ring on said supporting means for fore-and-aft movement between retracted and extended positions, and for rotational movement about a fore-and-aft axis between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal, operating position;

d. means for releasably holding said supporting ring in its operating position;

e. a stirrup pivotally mounted on said supporting ring for gravity induced movement into a position below the opening in said supporting ring when said supporting ring is in its operating position; and

f. whereby a receptacle in said supporting ring is seatable on said stirrup.