Telescoping Load-Bearing Frame Assembly and Use of the Same

Abstract

The invention refers to a telescoping frame assembly ( 1 ) for height adjustment adjacent a wall ( 23 ) comprising: bracket structure for structure load mounting; self-blocking telescoping columns for height adjustment; movement of telescoping columns synchronized by mechanical means and/or common control of individual actuators; one telescoping column part being wall-mounted with possible supporting foot; with: a separate main beam ( 42 ) of constant circumscribed profile for horizontal arrangement and having means ( 52, 53 ) along its length for positioning and fixation of both vertical telescoping columns and horizontal brackets, with freely selectable positions along the main beam ( 42 ); telescoping columns ( 43 ) as separate units with specific positioning and fixation means ( 49, 54 ) for mounting to the main beam ( 42 ) at the selected positions; and brackets ( 44 ) as separate units provided with specific positioning and fixation means ( 47, 48, 49, 50 ) for mounting to the main beam ( 42 ) at the selected positions. The invention also refers to the use of such an assembly for, e.g., the mounting of basins and tubs.

1 . Telescoping load-bearing frame assembly ( 1 ) for selective height adjustment above a floor level adjacent a wall ( 23 ), comprising: 
 bracket structure for mounting of substantially static load structure to be borne;    at least two telescoping columns comprising means for performing the height adjustment movement and being self- blocking in the selected height;    for at least two columns: the movement of the telescoping columns being synchronized by coupled mechanical means and/or by common control of individual actuators;    one part of each of at least two telescoping columns being fixedly wall-mounted and possibly having a supplementary stiff supporting leg/foot;    characterized in said assembly being at least composed of:    a separate lengthy main beam ( 42 ) of constant circumscribed profile along it's length, for substantially horizontal arrangement, and having prepared means ( 52 , 53 ) along its length allowing positioning and fixation of both vertical telescoping columns ( 43 ) and horizontal bracket structure brackets ( 44 ), with their positions along the main beam ( 42 ) being selectable freely or at small modular steps of maximum 50 mm;    minimum two telescoping columns ( 43 ) being separate units and being provided with specific positioning and fixation means ( 49 ,  54 ) for mounting to the main beam ( 42 ) at the selected positions; and    minimum two bracket structure brackets ( 44 ) being separate units and being provided with specific positioning and fixation means ( 47 , 48 ,  49 , 50 ) for mounting to the main beam ( 42 ) at the selected positions.    
   
   
       2 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , characterized in, the prepared means along the length of main beam having the form of undercut grooves ( 52 , 53 ) extending continuously and parallel all along the main beam ( 42 ) preferably being a section of an extruded profile, preferably of metallic material, preferably with a high content of aluminium.  
   
   
       3 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , characterized in, the constant circumscribed profile along the main beam's length being substantially rectangular, and in the horizontal mounted position of the beam providing two vertical and two horizontal sides for mounting of brackets ( 44 ) and telescoping columns ( 43 ), respectively.  
   
   
       4 . Assembly according to  claim 2 , characterized in, a part ( 48 , 54 ) of the means for mounting/fixing a telescoping column ( 43 ) and/or a bracket ( 44 ) to the main beam ( 42 ), is to be positioned in the undercut groove ( 52 , 53 ) with a dimensional extension square to the groove direction, which is larger than the groove's mouth span, the part ( 48 , 54 ) having at least one means of connection to tensioning means ( 49 ), preferably at least one threaded bore for a screw ( 49 ).  
   
   
       5 . Assembly according to  claim 4 , characterized in, such part ( 48 ) to be positioned in the undercut groove ( 52 ), having shape and dimensions allowing for insertion into correct undercut position in the groove ( 52 ) from the side, preferably by some translatoric movement through the groove's mouth succeeded by some rolling movement in the groove having sufficient free sectional area to allow such rolling.  
   
   
       6 . Assembly according to  claim 5  and having the movement of at least two telescoping columns ( 43 ) being synchronized by coupled mechanical means ( 10 ), characterized in, the mechanically coupling means ( 10 ) being a section of a length of axle material with a constant outer profile along it's length, the profile thus directly allowing transfer of torsional force-couples in either direction substantially without backlash by insertion in/through a correspondingly formed hole.  
   
   
       7 . Assembly according to  claim 6 , characterized in, the mechanically coupling length of axle material with constant outer profile ( 10 ) along it's length is insertable/retractable through one or more of the relevant telescoping columns.  
   
   
       8 . Assembly according to  claim 7 , characterized in, the telescoping columns ( 43 ) and/or the brackets ( 44 ) being identical, respectively.  
   
   
       9 . Assembly according to  claim 8 , characterized in, the main beam ( 42 ) having mounted second load-bearing structure for load-bearing of substantially static loads at another height than that defined by the brackets ( 44 ).  
   
   
       10 . Use of assembly according to  claim 9 , characterized in, mounting of a hand basin, toilet bowl, or the like for wall mounting, the necessary brackets ( 58 ) being designed with a face simulating a wall for mounting.  
   
   
       11 . Use of assembly according to  claim 10 , characterized in, mounting of an integral bench-top-type basin, bath tub, or the like, the necessary brackets being connected to a bar ( 60 ) to form a structure to yield continuous support at least under all edges of the basin, bath tub, or the like, possibly via some load distributing padding means.  
   
   
       12 . Use of elements of  claim 11 , characterized in, the resulting telescoping load-bearing frame assembly for selective height adjustment above a floor level, being freestanding having one main beam ( 42 ) horizontally positioned on at least two telescoping columns with feet, or having more horizontal main beams cooperating in a common level for common load-bearing support of a structure possibly also supported on brackets ( 44 ) mounted to the main beams ( 42 ).