Portable upright stand

Abstract

A stand suitable for attachment to a floatable or inflatable structure, for supporting an upright, comprising: first and second arcuate sections, curving in opposed directions; a hollow tubular support for receiving the upright; wherein the hollow tubular support is located between said first and second arcuate sections and connected to each of said sections. Preferably, the stand also includes a central support having a top side and a bottom side; wherein said hollow tubular support is located on said top side of said central support and extends substantially perpendicular to said central support; and said tubular support is connected to said first and second arcuate sections on the bottom side of said central support.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A stand suitable for attachment to a floatable or inflatable structure, for supporting an upright, comprising:
 first and second arcuate sections, curving in opposed directions;   a hollow tubular support for receiving the upright;   wherein the hollow tubular support is located between said first and second arcuate sections and connected to each of said sections.   
     
     
         27 . A stand according to  claim 26 , further comprising a central support having a top side and a bottom side; wherein said hollow tubular support is located on said top side of said central support and extends substantially perpendicular to said central support; and
 said tubular support is connected to said first and second arcuate sections on the bottom side of said central support.   
     
     
         28 . A stand according to  claim 27 , wherein said first and section arcuate section are connected to said central support proximate the perimeter of said central support. 
     
     
         29 . A stand according to  claim 27 , wherein said first and second arcuate sections are connected at their common tangent. 
     
     
         30 . A stand according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of said first and second arcuate sections has an elliptical or circular shape curved to provide the arcuate section. 
     
     
         31 . A stand according to  26 , wherein at least one of said first and second arcuate sections is a partial section of the outer surface of a tube 
     
     
         32 . A stand according to  26 , wherein said first and second arcuate sections are sections of the circumference of an ellipse or circle, and further comprising third and fourth arcuate sections that are sections of the circumference of an ellipse or circle, said third and fourth section located at the opposite end of said central support and parallel to said first and second arcuate sections respectively. 
     
     
         33 . A stand according to  claim 32 , further comprising at least one reinforcing rib between one of said first and third arcuate sections and said second and fourth arcuate sections. 
     
     
         34 . A stand according to  claim 32 , wherein at least one of said first and third arcuate sections, or at least one of said second and fourth arcuate sections are complete circles or ellipses; joined by at least one reinforcing rib. 
     
     
         35 . A stand according to  claim 34 , wherein both of said first and third arcuate sections, or both of said second and fourth arcuate sections are complete circles or ellipse, so in one of the opposed directions the tubular section is supported by a partial curved section, and in the opposed direction the tubular section is supported by a circular or elliptical section, defining a tubular region that a support element can pass through. 
     
     
         36 . A stand according to  claim 26 , wherein said first and second arcuate sections are the same size. 
     
     
         37 . A stand according to  claim 27 , wherein one of said first and second arcuate sections extends beyond the central support, and the other does not extend beyond the central support 
     
     
         38 . A stand according to  claim 26 , further comprising a releasable locking system for releasably securing the upright in said support. 
     
     
         39 . A stand according to  claim 38 , wherein said releasable locking system is a threaded bolt that screws into said tubular support to hold said upright in position. 
     
     
         40 . A stand according to  claim 38 , wherein said tubular support includes a hole which will engage a push fit switch on the upright to hold the upright in position. 
     
     
         41 . A stand according to  claim 26 , further comprising at least one additional securing fixing on said tubular support for securing said stand to said structure at a secondary location on said structure. 
     
     
         42 . A stand according to  claim 41 , wherein said additional securing fixing is a D-ring affixed to the outer surface of said tubular support. 
     
     
         43 . A stand according to  claim 26 , wherein said central support is substantially circular or substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         44 . A stand according to  claim 43 , wherein said central support is formed from a circumference and at least one circumferential support extending from said circumference to connect said circumference to the outer of said tubular support. 
     
     
         45 . A stand according to  claim 26 , that is formed of metal or plastic.