STABILISATION OF OBJECTS

摘要

A support mechanism for supporting an object, such as a table, has at least four legs (5-8) and an interconnection means (4) connecting the legs. Each leg has at least a beam portion (5a-8a) with an inner (proximal) end and an outer (distal) end. The beam portion of each leg is connected to the interconnection means by a respective pivot (9) having a pivot axis. The pivot is located between the inner and outer ends of the beam portion. Each respective pair of adjacent legs has a protrusion (or lever or balance portion) (11-14), each fixed to one leg of said pair of adjacent legs and extending from that one leg to act on the other leg of said pair of adjacent legs whereby a support reaction force is transmitted between the pair of adjacent legs at a point on the other leg between the pivot and the outer end of the beam portion of that other leg. Said point is on the opposite side of the pivot axis of the one leg to the outer end of the beam portion of that one leg. In use, the outer end of the beam portion of one leg moves in an upwards direction and the outer end of the beam portion of the other leg of the adjacent pair of legs moves in a downwards direction. Feet (10) can be replaced, or the beam portions (5a-8a) can be extended, by downwards extending portions (5b,6b,7b and 8b) connected to the outer ends of the beam portion of each leg.