A collapsible support stand

<u style="single">Field of the Invention</u>

The present invention relates to a collapsible support stand and, particularly but not exclusively, to a collapsible stand that is designed for supporting a parasol or beach umbrella.

It can be problematic to erect a parasol or other device comprising a vertical pole that requires support to enable the device to be used, when transported to a location where the ground may not provide adequate support for the pole, as might be the case where the ground is particularly soft, for example, a sandy beach, or particularly hard, such as rocky terrain.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible support stand that can be used to provide support in a variety of locations.

<u style="single">Summary of the Invention</u>

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible support stand comprising a central boss designed, in use, to receive a pole of a device to be supported, the stand further comprising inflatable support means spaced radially outwardly of the boss and connected to the boss with the arrangement such that, when the support means is inflated, a cavity is defined between the boss and the support means, the cavity receiving, in use, ballast such that the stand resists falling over of the device.

The support means preferably comprises an inflatable ring that extends around the boss and is connected to the boss via a collapsible connection, particularly a flexible membrane.

The boss preferably has a bore and is provided with securing means for securing the pole of the device in the bore.

The securing means may comprise a screw that is threaded through a wall of the boss into the bore so as to clamp the pole within the bore. The securing means may alternatively comprise a strap that extends around the boss and can be tightened to clamp the pole within the bore of the boss.

<u style="single">Brief Description of the Drawings</u>

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible stand for a parasol, and</li><li>Figure 2 is a part-sectional perspective view of the stand taken on the line 1 - 1 of Figure 1.</li></ul>

<u style="single">Description of the Preferred Embodiment</u>

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a circular stand 1 for supporting a device, such as a parasol (not shown) that includes a vertical pole. The stand 1 comprises a central, frusto-conical, substantial rigid boss 3 formed with a through-bore 5. Securing means is provided and comprises a clamping screw 9 that is received in a transverse, threaded bore 7 formed in the wall of the boss 3. The clamping screw 9 can be threaded through the bore 7 so that the end of the screw 9 has clamping engagement with the lower end of the vertical pole of the parasol. The term "parasol" includes any device comprising a support pole on top of which there is a shield that provides an area of shelter from the sun or rain. Other devices that can be supported using the collapsible stand 1 include windbreaks, gazebos, collapsible or temporary shelters, and tents.

The stand 1 further comprises support means in the form of a tubular inflatable support ring 11 that is spaced radially outwardly from, and extends around, the boss 3. The inflatable support ring 11 is provided with a valve 13 that can be used to inflate the support ring 11 manually and/or with a pump (not shown) and can also be used to deflate the support ring 11.

The support ring 11 is connected to the central boss 3 via a connection means in the form of a circular flexible membrane 15. The outer periphery of the membrane 15 is secured to the inflatable support ring 13 by any suitable means, for example, by means of an adhesive or by welding. The inner periphery of the flexible membrane 15 is secured to the central boss 3 by any suitable means and, in the specific example shown in the drawings, the inner periphery is clamped or glued in position in a peripheral groove 17 formed in the lower portion of the central boss 3. The groove 17 may be moulded into the boss 3, or may be defined between the underside of the boss 3 and a removable base (not shown) that can be secured by screws or clips onto the underside of the boss 3.

In use of the collapsible support stand 1, the inflatable support ring 11 and the membrane 15 are unrolled or unfolded from the storage and transport condition and the support ring 11 is inflated by blowing into the valve 13, typically by using a pump (not shown). The lower end of the pole of the device to be supported is then inserted into the bore 5 of the boss 3 so as to extend through the bore 5 and, if appropriate, to protrude from the underside of the support stand 1 into the ground on which the support stand 1 is resting. The clamping screw 9 is then threaded into the transverse bore 7 of the boss 3 into clamping engagement with a side of the lower end of the pole.

As will be seen from the drawings, a cavity 21 is defined between the boss 3 and the support ring 11 and this cavity is filled (or at least partially filled) with ballast (not shown). The ballast, which may be sand, rocks or water, acts downwardly on the membrane 15 at positions spaced radially outwardly of the boss 3 and this radially outwardly spaced and downwardly directed force acts to resist falling over of the parasol or other device.

The support stand 1 need not be circular, as shown, but may be of any desired shape. The connection means may additionally comprise collapsible, foldable or substantially rigid reinforcing radial spikes that extend between the central boss 3 and the inflatable support ring 11.

Other securing means may be used for holding the lower end of the pole in the central boss 3. For example, the central boss may be flexible or of similar design to a collet and the securing means may comprise a strap or band that is tightened around the boss 3 to hold the lower end of the pole in position.

As explained, the support stand 1 may be used to support any other desired device that includes a vertical pole that will benefit from or require support.