Tripod Stand for Use on Loose Soil

Abstract

A collapsible stand that is designed for use on loose soil or sand. The collapsible stand has a central shaft and an auger that extends from the shaft. A slide hub moves along the central shaft between a first position and a second position. Legs radially extend from the central shaft. Linkages are used to interconnect the legs with the slide hub. When the slide hub moves to its first position along the central shaft, the linkages move the legs into a stowed configuration. When the slide hub moves to the second position, the linkages move the legs into a deployed configuration. The central shaft is set into the ground using the auger. The legs are deployed, wherein the legs have footpads that rest upon the ground. The pull of the auger biases the footpads against the ground and create a highly stable stand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible stand, comprising;
 a central shaft having a first end and an opposite second end;   an auger extending from said second end of said central shaft;   a slide on said central shaft that can reciprocally move along said central shaft between a first position and a second position;   a plurality of legs, wherein each of said legs has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of each of said plurality of legs is connected to a hinge joint proximate said second end of said central shaft;   linkages that interconnect said plurality of legs with said slide, wherein when slide moves to said first position, said linkages move said plurality of legs into a stowed configuration where said plurality of legs are generally parallel to said central shaft, and wherein when slide moves to said second position, said linkages move said plurality of legs into a deployed configuration where said plurality of legs are generally perpendicular to said central shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 1 , further including a footpad connected to each of said plurality of legs near said second end of each of said plurality of legs. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 2 , wherein each said footpad has a flat bottom surface with an area between two square inches and eight square inches. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 2 , wherein each said footpad is pivotably connected to said plurality of legs. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 1 , further including a mounting hub coupled to said central shaft proximate said second end of said central shaft, wherein hinge joints connect each of said plurality of legs to said mounting hub. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 1 , further including a locking mechanism for selectively locking said slide into said first position and said second position. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 1 , wherein said central shaft is hollow and has an open end for receiving secondary objects therein. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 1 , wherein said central shaft is part of an umbrella. 
     
     
         9 . A collapsible stand, comprising;
 a central shaft that terminates with an auger at one end;   a slide on said central shaft that can reciprocally move along said shaft between a first position and a second position;   locking mechanisms on said shaft that selectively engage and lock said slide in place along said central shaft at said first position and said second position;   legs that are pivotably connected to said central shaft;   linkages that interconnect said legs with said slide, wherein when slide moves to said first position, said linkages move said legs into a stowed configuration where said legs are generally parallel to said central shaft, and wherein when slide moves to said second position, said linkages move said legs into a deployed configuration where said legs are generally perpendicular to said central shaft.   
     
     
         10 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 9 , further including enlarged footpads connected to said legs. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said enlarged footpads has a flat bottom surface with an area between two square inches and eight square inches. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said enlarged footpads is pivotably connected to said legs. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 10 , further including a mounting hub coupled to said central shaft, wherein hinge joints connect said legs to said mounting hub. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 10 , wherein said central shaft is hollow and has an open end for receiving secondary objects therein. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible stand according to  claim 10 , wherein said central shaft is part of an umbrella.