Adjustable support apparatus

Abstract

An adjustable support apparatus including a pole having a plurality of first elements exposed at an exterior surface of the pole. The apparatus also including a clamping member having a top surface, an outer surface and an inner surface having a second element. The second element cooperating with one of the first elements such that said clamping member is at least loosely affixed to the pole. The apparatus further including a collar adapted to be positioned about the clamping element. The clamping member affixing the collar to the pole.

1 . An adjustable support apparatus comprising: 
 a pole having a plurality of first elements exposed at an exterior surface of said pole, said pole further including a longitudinal axis;    a clamping member having a top surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface having a second element, said second element cooperating with one of said plurality of first elements such that said clamping member is at least loosely affixed to said pole with said inner surface of said clamping member being juxtaposed to said exterior surface of said pole; and    a collar having an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said inner surface of said collar including an inwardly projecting ridge, said aperture of said collar adapted for receiving said pole therein such that said collar is translatable about said longitudinal axis of said pole, said collar being positioned about said clamping member so that said aperture of said collar receives said clamping member therein and said inwardly projecting ridge abuts said top surface of said clamping member, thereby retaining said collar on said clamping member in at least one direction.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said clamping member is C-shaped and includes a first end and a second end remote from each other, said clamping member having a cavity defined by said inner surface of said clamping element, said pole being received within said cavity of said clamping element.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said clamping member is flexible, and wherein a distance between said first end and said second end may be increased or decreased.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said top surface of said clamping member includes a chamfered edge.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner surface of said collar is circular and said inwardly projecting ridge extends entirely around said inner surface of said collar.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said clamping member has a first diameter when in an at rest position and wherein said inner surface of said collar has a second diameter, said second diameter being less than said first diameter such that when said aperture of said collar receives said clamping member therein said collar exerts an inwardly directed force against said clamping member which subsequently causes said clamping member to abut said pole.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first element is an indent and said second element is a protrusion.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said plurality indents of said pole and said protrusion of said clamping element, both have a similar circular shape.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of first elements is aligned in a straight line.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable arm connectable to said pole at a first end thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting stand connectable to said pole at a second end thereof.  
   
   
       12 . An adjustable support apparatus comprising; 
 a pole having a plurality of indents exposed at an exterior surface of said pole, said pole further including a longitudinal axis;    a collar having an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said aperture of said collar adapted for receiving said pole therein such that said collar is translatable about said longitudinal axis of said pole; and    an engagement means positioned between said pole and said collar for affixing said collar to said pole.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said collar applies an inwardly directed force against said engagement means such that said engagement means closely confronts said pole.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of said engagement means is disposed within one of said indents.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said inner surface of said collar is circular and said collar includes an inwardly projecting ridge extending around said inner surface of said collar.  
   
   
       16 . An adjustable arm apparatus comprising: 
 a pole having a receiving means exposed at an exterior surface of said pole, said pole further including a longitudinal axis;    a collar means securable to said pole; and    an engagement means positioned between said pole and said collar means for affixing said collar means to said pole, wherein at least a portion of said engagement means is received within said receiving means of said pole.    
   
   
       17 . A method of assembling an adjustable support apparatus, the method comprising: 
 placing a pole in an upright position, said pole including a plurality of first elements exposed on an exterior surface of said pole;    positioning a clamping member about said pole, said clamping member having a second element thereon;    translating said clamping member along a longitudinal axis of said pole until reaching a desired position;    affixing said clamping member to said pole at said desired position by engaging said second element of said clamping member with one of said plurality of first elements of said pole; and    placing a collar about said clamping member, said collar being affixed to said clamping member in at least one direction, said collar providing an inwardly directed radial pressure against said clamping member, thereby causing said clamping member to abut said exterior surface of said pole.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said step of positioning said clamping member about said pole includes forcing said clamping member into an open position.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said first element is an indent and said second element is a protrusion.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of indents is exposed at said exterior surface of said pole in a straight line.