Collapsible freestanding body armor support stand

Abstract

A collapsible, freestanding body armor support stand includes a main member having a plurality of telescoping sections that are shiftably interconnected and positionable between retracted and extended configurations. The support stand also includes a plurality of support bars that are pivotally mounted to the main member. The plurality of base members are shiftable between a stowed configuration, wherein the plurality of support members are substantially parallel to the main support member, and a deployed configuration, wherein the plurality of base members support the main support member upon a generally horizontal surface selectively shiftable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The hanging bars are designed to support, in the deployed configuration, body armor weighing up to 50 lbs or more.

1 . A collapsible freestanding body armor support stand comprising:
 a main support member having a plurality of telescoping support sections shiftably connected and positionable between a first, retracted configuration and a second, extended configuration, said plurality of telescoping support sections including at least a first support section, a second support section and a third support section;   a plurality of base members pivotally mounted to the first support section of the main support member, said plurality of base members being shiftable between a first or stowed configuration, wherein the plurality of support members are substantially parallel to the main support member, and a second or deployed configuration, wherein the plurality of base members support the main support member upon a generally horizontal surface; and   a pair of article support members pivotally mounted to one of the second and third support sections, said pair of article support members being shiftable between a first or stowed configuration, wherein the pair of article support members are substantially parallel to the main support member and a second or deployed configuration, wherein the pair of article support members extend outward from the main support member, said pair of article support members being adapted to support body armor weighing up to 50 pounds or more.   
   
   
       2 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of article support members are constituted by a pair of article support members pivotally mounted to the third support section. 
   
   
       3 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of supplemental article support members pivotally mounted to the other of the second and third support sections. 
   
   
       4 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of supplemental article support members constituted by three article support members pivotally mounted to the second support section. 
   
   
       5 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of telescoping support sections includes a plurality of recessed portions, each of said plurality of base members and article support members being pivotally mounted to respective ones of the support sections at a corresponding one of the plurality of recessed portions. 
   
   
       6 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand of  claim 5 , further comprising: a latching mechanism mounted in each of the plurality of recessed portions. 
   
   
       7 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a fourth support section telescopingly connected to the third support section. 
   
   
       8 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 7 , wherein when in the retracted configuration the support stand has an overall length of approximately 13 inches and when in the extended configuration the support stand has an overall length of approximately 46 inches. 
   
   
       9 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 7 , further comprising: a waterproof carry bag, said support stand being stored in a waterproof carry bag when in the retracted position. 
   
   
       10 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 7 , further comprising: an extraction handle mounted to the fourth support section. 
   
   
       11 . A collapsible freestanding body armor support stand comprising:
 a main support member having a plurality of telescoping support sections shiftably connected and positionable between a first, retracted configuration and a second, extended configuration, said plurality of telescoping support sections including a first support section, a second support section and a third support section;   means for selectively supporting the main support member upon, and substantially perpendicularly to, a generally horizontal surface; and   means for selectively supporting body armor weighing up to 50 pounds or more.   
   
   
       12 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 11 , wherein main support member support means includes a plurality of base members pivotally connected to the first support section. 
   
   
       13 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 12 , wherein the means for selectively supporting body armor includes a pair of article support members pivotally mounted to one of the second and third support sections. 
   
   
       14 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of telescoping support sections includes a plurality of recessed portions, each of said plurality of base members and article support members being pivotally mounted to respective ones of the support sections at a corresponding one of the plurality of recessed portions. 
   
   
       15 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand of  claim 14 , further comprising: a latching mechanism mounted in each of the plurality of recessed portions. 
   
   
       16 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 11 , further comprising: a fourth support section telescopingly connected to the third support section. 
   
   
       17 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 16 , further comprising: an extraction handle mounted to the fourth support section. 
   
   
       18 . The collapsible freestanding body armor support stand according to  claim 16 , wherein when in the retracted configuration the support stand has an overall length of approximately 13 inches and when in the extended configuration the support stand has an overall length of approximately 46 inches. 
   
   
       19 . The collapsible free standing body armor support stand according to  claim 11 , wherein the means for supporting body armor includes a plurality of article support members pivotally mounted to the third support section and a plurality of supplemental article support members mounted to the second support section. 
   
   
       20 . The collapsible free standing body armor support stand according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of article support members is constituted by a pair of article support members and the supplemental article support members constituted by three article support members.