Lazy susan device with tool free installation

Abstract

A lazy susan device ( 160 ) includes a centralized support pole ( 162 ) with an upper tube ( 164 ) and a lower tube ( 166 ). In one embodiment, a length adjustment mechanism ( 168 ) includes an expansion nut ( 172 ) and a threaded insert ( 170 ). Rotation of the upper tube ( 162 ) causes the expansion nut ( 172 ) to expand outwardly as the upper tube ( 164 ) is rotated. The expansion nut ( 172 ) moves away from the upper tube ( 164 ). In this matter, the effective length of the support pole ( 162 ) is lengthened. This and other embodiments of the lazy susan devices provide for installation and adjustment of the lazy susan devices in the absence of the need of any tooling.

1 . A lazy susan-like apparatus adapted for use in supporting items and facilitating access to said items by a user, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one shelf or support base;    support means connected to a first structure separate from said apparatus, for supporting said apparatus and for supporting said at least one shelf;    first connector means associated, at least in part, with said support means, for connecting together said support means and said first structure;    coupling means for coupling said at least one shelf to said support means;    said first connector means and said coupling means being operable so as to permit said at least one shelf to rotate relative to said first structure;    said coupling means, said support means and said at least one shelf being structured and operable so as to readily permit manual assembly and disassembly in the absence of any tools; and    said first connector means, said support means and said first structure being structured and operable so as to readily permit manual assembly and disassembly in the absence of any tools.    
   
   
       2 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; and    said first structure comprises an upper structure located substantially above said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with said upper portion of said support means connected to said upper structure through said first connector means.    
   
   
       3 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that said first connector means is located, at least in part, on said upper portion of said support means.  
   
   
       4 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; and    said first structure comprises a lower structure located substantially below said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with said lower portion of said support means connected to said lower structure through said first connector means.    
   
   
       5 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , characterized in that said first connector means is located, at least in part, on said lower portion of said support means.  
   
   
       6 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said first structure comprises an upper structure located substantially above said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with an upper portion of said support means coupled to said upper structure through said first connector means; and    said first connector means comprises an outer sleeve, a horizontally disposed flange connected to or otherwise integral with a top of said outer sleeve, and at least one press-in barb protruding upwardly from a top of said horizontal flange, said press-in barb adapted to be pressed into at least one predrilled barb hole extending upwardly from a lower surface of said first structure.    
   
   
       7 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said first structure comprises an upper structure located substantially above said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with an upper portion of said support means coupled to said upper structure through said first connector means; and    said first connector means comprises a stabilization element coupled to said upper structure and received within or outside of said support means, and further including means connected to said stabilization element and to said first structure for substantially preventing movement of said support means relative to said first structure.    
   
   
       8 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said first structure comprises an upper structure located substantially above said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with an upper portion of said support means coupled to said upper structure through said first connector means; and    said first connector means comprises a sleeve and means connected to said sleeve and to said first structure for preventing movement of said support means relative to said first structure.    
   
   
       9 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises a centralized support pole having an upper tube and a lower tube;    said apparatus further comprises a locking collar coupled to one or both of said upper tube and said lower tube, with said locking collar maintaining a coupling of said upper tube and said lower tube, and also preventing axial movement of one of said tubes relative to the other of said tubes; and    said locking collar is structured and operable within said apparatus so as to permit manual assembly and disassembly in the absence of any tools.    
   
   
       10 . A lazy susan-like apparatus with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said first structure comprises an upper structure located substantially above said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed;    said support means comprises an upper tube;    said first connector means comprises a threaded insert fixed to said upper tube, and projecting upwardly so as to be received within a recess of said upper structure; and    said threaded insert is structured and operable with said apparatus so as to permit manual assembly and disassembly in the absence of any tools.    
   
   
       11 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises an upper portion and a lower portion;    said first structure comprises an upper structure and a lower structure;    said upper structure being located substantially above said apparatus when said apparatus is installed with said upper portion of said support means connected to said upper structure through said first connector means;    said first connector means is located, at least in part, on said upper portion of said support means;    said apparatus further comprises a second connector means located, at least in part, on said lower portion of said support means; and    said lower structure is located below said apparatus when said apparatus is installed with said lower portion of said support means being connected to said lower structure through said second connector means.    
   
   
       12 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that said coupling means couples said at least one shelf to said lower portion, so that the weight of said at least one shelf is not carried by said upper portion.  
   
   
       13 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that said support means comprises: 
 a centralized support pole having an upper tube connected to said first connector means, and a lower tube connected to said second connector means;    a length adjustment mechanism coupled to one or both of said upper tube and said lower tube, said length adjustment mechanism comprising means for adjusting the relative linear spatial relationship along a centralized axis between said upper tube and said lower tube, so as to selectively adjust an effective length of said centralized support pole; and    said length adjustment mechanism is structured and operable with said apparatus so as to permit manual assembly and disassembly in the absence of any tools.    
   
   
       14 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 said length adjustment mechanism can be activated by a user, so that when said user wishes to adjust said effective length of said support pole from an initial first effective length to a second effective length, said user first manually applies forces to said length adjustment mechanism or to said pole; and    when said pole is at the desired said second effective length, said user can release said manually applied forces, and said pole will maintain itself at said second effective length, absent the application of any additional externally applied forces.    
   
   
       15 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that said length adjustment mechanism is self adjusting, so that said support pole will initially position itself and maintain a first effective length, when initially installed and assembled with said apparatus.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 one of either of said upper tube or said lower tube is an inner tube telescopingly received within an outer tube, where said outer tube is the other of said upper tube or said lower tube;    said length adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded insert having a portion which is fitted so as to be coupled to said inner tube;    said length adjustment mechanism further comprises an expansion nut adapted to be received within said outer tube;    said threaded insert further having a threaded portion received within said expansion nut; and    with rotation of either said inner tube or said outer tube in a first direction, said expansion nut is caused to expand and simultaneously move away from said inner tube.    
   
   
       18 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 one of either of said upper tube or said lower tube is an inner tube telescopingly received within an outer tube, where said outer tube is the other of said upper tube or said lower tube;    said length adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded insert having a portion which is fitted so as to be coupled to said inner tube;    said length adjustment mechanism further comprises an expansion nut adapted to be received within said outer tube;    said threaded insert further having a threaded portion received within said expansion nut; and    with rotation of either said inner tube or said outer tube in a first direction, and with said threaded portion being received within said expansion nut, said expansion nut is caused to expand.    
   
   
       19 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 17 , characterized in that: 
 said inner tube is said upper tube;    said outer tube is said lower tube and is of a relatively larger diameter then said upper tube, and said lower tube is telescopingly received outside of said upper tube;    said portion of said threaded insert is received within said upper tube; and    said expansion nut is adapted to be coupled to said lower tube.    
   
   
       20 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that: 
 said first connector means comprises an upper pole flange adapted to be secured to said upper portion of said support means, and an upper attachment means for securing said upper pole flange to said upper structure; and    said upper pole flange is secured to said upper portion of said support means, and said upper pole flange is secured to said upper structure in the absence of any need for any tools or other equipment.    
   
   
       21 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that said second connector means comprises a lower pole flange secured to said lower portion of said support means, and a lower attachment means connected to said lower pole flange for securing said lower pole flange to said lower structure.  
   
   
       22 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises a centralized support pole having an upper inner tube and a lower outer tube; and    said coupling means couples said shelf to said lower outer tube.    
   
   
       23 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , characterized in that said support means comprises: 
 a centralized support pole having an upper tube and a lower tube, with one of said upper and lower tubes being an inner tube adapted to be telescopingly received within the other of said upper and lower tubes, said other of said upper and lower tubes being an outer tube;    a length adjustment mechanism comprising an elongated spring adapted to be received within both said upper tube and said lower tube, a lower securing means coupled to said lower tube for maintaining a lower end of said spring at a predetermined position relative to said lower tube, and an upper securing means coupled to said upper tube for positioning an upper end of said spring at a predetermined position relative to said upper tube; and    said spring being self-adjusting, and sized and configured so that when said spring is received within said tubes, and coupled to or otherwise abutting against said upper securing means and said lower securing means, said spring is in a compressed state, with said spring exerting upward and downward extending forces against said upper securing means and said lower securing means, respectively.    
   
   
       24 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that said coupling means couples said at least one shelf to said lower tube.  
   
   
       25 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that: 
 said lower securing means comprises a lower pin coupled to said lower tube; and    said upper securing means comprises an upper pin coupled to said upper tube.    
   
   
       26 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that: 
 when said spring exerts said upward extending forces against said upper securing means, said upper securing means is coupled to said upper tube so that said upper tube is caused to seat and abut against said upper structure; and    when said spring exerts said downward extending forces against said lower securing means, said lower tube is caused to seat and abut against said lower structure.    
   
   
       27 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 23 , characterized in that: 
 said lower securing means comprises a lower insert having a somewhat flexible or otherwise resilient configuration, and sized so as to be manually press-fitted into said lower tube at a desired length along said lower tube; and    said upper securing means comprises an upper insert having a somewhat flexible or otherwise resilient configuration, and sized so as to be manually press-fitted into said upper tube at a desired length along said upper tube; and    said lower insert and said upper insert form abutment walls against which ends of said spring exert forces, with said forces exerted against said inserts being translated to said upper and lower tubes.    
   
   
       28 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises a centralized support pole having an inner tube and an outer tube, with said inner tube adapted to be telescopingly received within an end of said outer tube;    said inner tube comprises a ratchet extending longitudinally along an outer surface of said inner tube, said ratchet comprising a set of teats; and    said apparatus further comprises a length adjustment mechanism coupled to said inner tube and said outer tube, and in a cooperative relationship with said ratchet so as to adjust a relative linear spatial relationship along a centralized axis between said inner tube and said outer tube, and further so as to selectively adjust an effective length of said centralized support pole.    
   
   
       29 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 28 , characterized in that said length adjustment mechanism comprises: 
 a sleeve coupled to an end of said outer tube, and sized so that said adjustment mechanism can be relatively rigidly coupled to said end of said outer tube;    a ratchet collar located in the proximity of said sleeve and comprising a ratchet catch located on at least one side thereof; and    said ratchet catch is sized and configured so as to be manually operable along said teats of said ratchet.    
   
   
       30 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said support means comprises: 
 a centralized support pole having an inner tube and an outer tube, with said inner tube adapted to be at least partially received within said outer tube;    a threaded bolt connected to or otherwise integral with an end of said inner tube, and adapted to be received within an end of said outer tube;    threaded means secured within an interior of said outer tube at a desired position; and    said inner tube is coupled to said outer tube through said threaded bolt being threadably received within said threaded means, and with said threaded engagement between said threaded means and said threaded bolt, rotation of said inner tube causes the position of said inner tube to adjust linearly relatively to said outer tube.    
   
   
       31 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that said support means comprises: 
 a centralized support pole having an outer tube and an inner tube, with said inner tube adapted to be at least partially received within said outer tube;    a threaded bolt connected to or otherwise integral with an end of said outer tube, and adapted to be received within an end of said inner tube;    threaded means secured within an interior of said inner tube at a desired position; and    said outer tube is coupled to said inner tube through said threaded bolt being threadably received within said threaded means, and with said threaded engagement between said threaded means and said threaded bolt, rotation of said outer tube causes the position of said outer tube to adjust linearly relative to said inner tube.    
   
   
       32 . A lazy susan-like apparatus adapted for use in supporting items and facilitating access to said items by a user, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one shelf or support base;    support means comprising an upper and lower portion, for supporting said apparatus and for supporting said at least one shelf;    a first structure comprising an upper structure located substantially above said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with said upper portion of said support means coupled to said upper structure;    a second structure comprising a lower structure located substantially below said apparatus, when said apparatus is installed with said lower portion of said support means coupled to said lower structure;    a length adjustment mechanism coupled to said upper portion and to said lower portion, said length adjustment mechanism comprising means for adjusting the relative linear spatial relationship along a centralized axis between said upper portion and said lower portion, so as to selectively adjust an effective length of said support means;    said upper structure comprises an upper, predrilled recess extending therein, and said upper portion of said support means is sized so as to be manually securable within said upper recess; and    said length adjustment mechanism structured and operable with said apparatus so as to permit manual assembly and disassembly in the absence of any tools.    
   
   
       33 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 32 , characterized in that said lower structure comprises a lower, predrilled recess extending therein, and said lower portion is sized so as to be manually secured within said lower recess.  
   
   
       34 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 32 , characterized in that said lower portion comprises means connected to said lower recess so as to prevent rotation of said lower portion relative to said lower recess.  
   
   
       35 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 32 , characterized in that: 
 said upper portion comprises an upper tube;    said lower portion comprises a lower tube;    one of either of said upper tube or said lower tube is telescopingly received within the other of said upper tube or said lower tube;    said length adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded insert having a portion which is fitted so as to be coupled to the tube which is telescopingly received within the other of said tubes;    said length adjustment mechanism further comprises an expansion nut adapted to be received within the one of said tubes which is telescopingly received outside of the other of said tubes;    said threaded insert further having a threaded portion received within said expansion nut;    with rotation of one of said tubes relative to the other of said tubes in a first direction, and with said threaded portion being received within said expansion nut, said expansion nut moves away from said inner tube; and    adjustment of said effective length of said centralized support pole is manually caused to occur, in the absence of any necessity of the use of any type of tooling.    
   
   
       36 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 35 , characterized in that when said expansion of said expansion nut is occurring, said nut is moving away from said inner tube.  
   
   
       37 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 32 , characterized in that: 
 said support means comprises a centralized support pole comprising an upper tube and a lower tube, and where one of either of said upper tube or said lower tube is an inner tube which is telescopingly received within the other of said upper tube or said lower tube, and said other of said upper tube or said lower tube is an outer tube;    said length adjustment mechanism comprises an elongated spring adapted to be received within both said upper tube and said lower tube, and lower securing means coupled to said lower tube for maintaining an end of said spring at a predetermined position relative to said lower tube, and an upper securing means coupled to said upper tube for positioning an end of said spring at a predetermined position relative to said upper tube; and    said spring being self adjusting, and sized and configured so that when said spring is received within said tubes, and coupled to or otherwise abutting against said upper securing means and said lower securing means, said spring is in a compressed state, with said spring exerting upward and downwardly extending forces against said upper securing means and said lower securing means, respectively.    
   
   
       38 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that: 
 one of either of said upper tube or said lower tube is an inner tube telescopingly received within an outer tube, where said outer tube is the other of said upper tube or said lower tube;    said length adjustment mechanism comprising a threaded insert having a fitted portion which is coupled to said inner tube, and rotates in correspondence with said inner tube;    said length adjustment mechanism further comprises an expansion nut adapted to be received within said outer tube, said expansion nut comprising internal threads;    said threaded insert further having a threaded portion receivable within said expansion nut, and having external threads adapted to threadably engage said internal threads of said expansion nut;    said external threads of said threaded insert comprise a pitch diameter which increases as the distance from an end of said inner tube increases;    said internal threads of said expansion nut substantially match the pitch of said external threads of said threaded insert, with said internal threads having a tapered configuration so as to mate with said external threads of said threaded insert; and    said expansion nut is configured so that said expansion nut expands in response to said threaded insert being received within said expansion nut and further in response to an increase in pitch diameter of said external threads.    
   
   
       39 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 38 , characterized in that: 
 said expansion nut is molded so that an outer diameter of said expansion nut, when said expansion nut is in a free state, is slightly larger than an inner diameter of said outer tube; and    said threaded insert is molded so that when said expansion nut is positioned at a smallest portion of a conical configuration of said external threads, the pitch diameter of said external threads is smaller than a mating pitch diameter of said internal threads of said expansion nut.    
   
   
       40 . lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 39 , characterized in that: 
 said expansion nut is slightly compressed when said nut and said threaded insert are assembled together, and inserted into one end of said outer tube, so that friction between said expansion nut and said outer tube will cause said expansion nut to rotate relative to said threaded insert, as said outer tube is rotated relative to said inner tube and said threaded insert; and    said friction between said nut and said outer tube is sufficiently small so that said inner tube and said outer tube can be axially and telescopingly adjusted to a desired length, using relatively light and manually applied forces.    
   
   
       41 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 40 , characterized in that: 
 when said outer tube is rotated in a first direction, said expansion nut will move away from an end of said inner tube, and will expand in response to an increase in pitch diameter of said threaded insert acting on said internal threads of said expansion nut;    expansion of said expansion nut will produce increasing forces between said expansion nut and an interior surface of said outer tube;    said increasing forces between said expansion nut and said outer tube provide a substantially secure adjustment to an effective length of said support pole; and    as said expansion nut is moving away from an end of said inner tube as said expansion nut expands, said expansion nut acts so as to telescopingly extend said outer tube relative to said inner tube, thereby causing an effective length of said support pole to be slightly increased.    
   
   
       42 . A lazy susan-like apparatus in accordance with  claim 41 , characterized in that when said outer tube is rotated in a direction opposing said first direction relative to said inner tube, friction forces between said expansion nut and an interior surface of said outer tube are reduced to a level so that relatively light manually applied forces are sufficient so as to telescopingly adjust an effective length of said support pole.  
   
   
       43 . A length adjustment mechanism adapted for use in facilitating the adjustment of the effective length of an inner tube and an outer tube, where said inner tube is adapted to be telescopingly received within said outer tube, said length adjustment mechanism comprising: 
 a threaded insert having a fitted portion which is coupled to said inner tube;    an expansion nut adapted to be received within said outer tube;    said threaded insert further having a threaded portion received within said expansion nut; and    with rotation of one of said tubes relative to the other of said tubes in a first direction, and with said threaded portion being received within said expansion nut, said expansion nut moves away from an end of said inner tube while simultaneously expanding, therein extending an effective length of the entirety of said inner tube and outer tube.    
   
   
       44 . A length adjustment mechanism in accordance with  claim 43 , characterized in that: 
 said fitted portion is coupled to said inner tube so that said fitted portion rotates in correspondence with said inner tube;    said threaded portion of said insert comprises external threads having a pitch diameter which increases as a distance from an end of said inner tube increases, said threaded portion having a conical configuration, with a base of said conical configuration extending away from an end of said inner tube;    said expansion nut comprises internal threads matching a pitch of external threads of said threaded insert, with said internal threads tapered so as to mate with said external threads of said threaded insert; and    said expansion nut having friction and expansion properties, with said expansion nut configured so as to be free to expand as said nut expands in response to an increase in pitch diameter of said threaded insert during threaded engagement with said threaded insert.    
   
   
       45 . A length adjustment mechanism in accordance with  claim 44 , characterized in that: 
 an outer diameter of said expansion nut is slightly larger than an inner diameter of said outer tube;    when said expansion nut is positioned at a smallest portion of said conical configuration, said pitch diameter of said external threads of said threaded insert is smaller than a mating pitch diameter of said internal threads of said expansion nut;    when said expansion nut is positioned at said smallest portion of said conical configuration, said expansion nut is slightly compressed when said nut and said threaded insert are assembled and inserted into said outer tube;    with said insertion into said outer tube, friction between said expansion nut and said outer tube will cause said nut to rotate relative to said threaded insert, as said outer tube is rotated relative to said inner tube and said threaded insert; and    said friction force is sufficiently small so that said inner and outer tubes can be telescopingly adjusted to a desired length using manually applied forces, prior to said tubes being rotated in a relative configuration so as to maintain a desired length.    
   
   
       46 . A length adjustment mechanism in accordance with  claim 45 , characterized in that: 
 when said outer tube is rotated in a first direction, said expansion nut will move away from an end of said inner tube, and will expand in response to said increase in pitch diameter of said threaded insert acting on said internal threads of said expansion nut;    said expansion of said expansion nut produces increase in friction forces between said expansion nut and said outer tube, thus providing a substantially secure adjustment to an effective length of said inner and outer tubes; and    with said expansion nut moving away from an end of said inner tube as said expansion nut expands, said expansion nut acts as to telescopingly extend said outer tube relative to said inner tube as said expansion nut is tightened, thus causing an effective length of said inner and outer tubes to fit snugly between two supporting surfaces.    
   
   
       47 . A length adjustment mechanism in accordance with  claim 43 , characterized in that operation of adjustment of said effective length is manually caused to occur in the absence of any necessity of the use of any type of tooling.