Frame with minimized thickness when folded

Abstract

A foldable frame includes first and second mounting assemblies pivotally coupled with each other at their proximal sides. The foldable frame also includes first, second and third leg assemblies, each having an upper member coupled with one or more of the first and second mounting assemblies and a base member abutting a ground when in use. The upper members of the first, second and third leg assemblies are substantially parallel to each other, with a distance between the upper members of the first and third leg assemblies different than a distance between the upper members of the second and third leg assemblies. As a result, when folded, the base members of the first, second and third leg assemblies are disposed side by side along a longitudinal direction of the foldable frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable frame comprising:
 a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly pivotally coupled with each other at proximal sides thereof;   a first leg assembly comprising a first upper member pivotally coupled with the first mounting assembly at a distal side of the first mounting assembly and a first base member for abutting a ground when the first mounting assembly is in use;   a second leg assembly comprising a second upper member pivotally coupled with the second mounting assembly at a distal side of the second mounting assembly and a second base member for abutting a ground when the second mounting assembly is in use; and   a third leg assembly comprising a third upper member coupled with the first and second mounting assemblies at the proximal sides of the first and second mounting assemblies and a third base member for abutting a ground when the third mounting assembly is in use;   wherein the first, second and third upper members are disposed substantially parallel to each other, and a distance between the first and third upper members is different than a distance between the second and third upper members such that the first, second and third base members are disposed side by side when the foldable frame is folded along a longitudinal direction of the foldable frame.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable frame of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first and third upper members is shorter than a distance between the second and third upper members such that the first base member is disposed between the second and third base members when the foldable frame is folded along the longitudinal direction of the foldable frame. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first, second and third leg assemblies comprises at least one leg;   the first base member is disposed at an exterior side of a lower end portion of the at least one leg of the first leg assembly;   the second base member is disposed at an exterior side of a lower end portion of the at least one leg of the second leg assembly; and   the third base member is disposed at a lower side of a lower end portion of the at least one leg of the third leg assembly.   
     
     
         4 . The foldable frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first supporting assembly coupled with the first leg assembly and first mounting assembly and configured to control rotation of the first leg assembly with respect to the first mounting assembly; and   a second supporting assembly coupled with the second leg assembly and second mounting assembly and configured to control rotation of the second leg assembly with respect to the second mounting assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The foldable frame of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first and second mounting assemblies comprises a first mounting member and a second mounting member;   the first mounting members of the first and second mounting assemblies are pivotally coupled with each other by a first coupler;   the second mounting members of the first and second mounting assemblies are pivotally coupled with each other by a second coupler;   the first upper member has an end portion pivotally coupled with the first mounting member of the first mounting assembly, and another end portion pivotally coupled with the second mounting member of the first mounting assembly;   the second upper member has an end portion pivotally coupled with the first mounting member of the second mounting assembly, and another end portion pivotally coupled with the second mounting member of the second mounting assembly; and   the third upper member has an end portion coupled with the first coupler and another end portion coupled with the second coupler.   
     
     
         6 . The foldable frame of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first, second and third leg assemblies comprises at least one leg having an upper end portion coupled with the first, second or third upper member and a lower end portion coupled with the first, second or third base member. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable frame of  claim 6 , wherein each of the first and second leg assemblies further comprises an intermediate member rotatably coupled with a middle portion of the at least one leg of the first and second leg assemblies, the foldable frame further comprising:
 a first supporting assembly and a second supporting assembly, each comprising:
 a first supporting member having an end portion coupled with the intermediate member of the first or second leg assembly; 
 a controller coupled with the first supporting member and selectively movable along the first supporting member; 
 a second supporting member having a first end portion coupled with the controller and a second end portion pivotally coupled with the first mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly; and 
 a third supporting member having a first end portion coupled with the controller and a second end portion pivotally coupled with the second mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly. 
   
     
     
         8 . The foldable frame of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one leg of the first or second leg assembly comprises a first leg and a second leg, and the intermediate member of the first or second leg assembly has an end portion pivotally coupled with a middle portion of the first leg and another end portion pivotally coupled with a middle portion of the second leg. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable frame of  claim 7 , wherein the second or third supporting member comprises a body member between the first and second end portions of the second or third supporting member, and the first and second end portions of the second or third supporting member is bent with respect to the body member of the second or third supporting member in substantially opposite directions. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable frame of  claim 6 , wherein the second end portion of the second supporting member is disposed at an interior side of the first mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly, and the second end portion of the third supporting member is disposed an interior side of the second mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly, such that when the first and second leg assemblies are folded, the first supporting assembly is disposed substantially in a plane defined by the first mounting assembly and the second supporting assembly is disposed substantially in a plane defined by the second mounting assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable frame of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a third coupler disposed at the first or second mounting member of the first mounting assembly;   a fourth coupler disposed at the first or second mounting member of the second mounting assembly;   wherein when the foldable frame is folded, the third and fourth couplers are coupled with each other to prevent accidental unfolding of the foldable frame.   
     
     
         12 . A foldable frame comprising:
 a first mounting assembly and a second mounting assembly, each comprising a first mounting member and a second mounting member, wherein
 the first mounting members of the first and second mounting assemblies are pivotally coupled with each other at proximal sides thereof, and 
 the second mounting members of the first and second mounting assemblies are pivotally coupled with each other at proximal sides thereof; 
   a first leg assembly and a second leg assembly, each comprising an upper member, at least one leg, and an intermediate member, wherein
 the upper member is pivotally coupled with the first and second mounting members of the first or second mounting assembly at a distal side of the first or second mounting assembly; 
 the at least one leg has an upper end portion coupled with the upper member; and 
 the intermediate member is rotatably coupled with a middle portion of the at least one leg; 
   a first supporting assembly and a second supporting assembly, each comprising:
 a first supporting member coupled with the intermediate member of the first or second leg assembly; 
 a controller coupled with the first supporting member and selectively movable along the first supporting member; 
 a second supporting member having a first end portion coupled with the controller and a second end portion disposed at an interior side of the first mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly and pivotally coupled with the first mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly; and 
 a third supporting member having a first end portion coupled with the controller and a second end portion disposed at an interior side of the second mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly and pivotally coupled with the second mounting member of the first or second mounting assembly; 
   wherein when the first and second leg assemblies are folded, the first supporting assembly is disposed substantially in a plane defined by the first mounting assembly and the second supporting assembly is disposed substantially in a plane defined by the second mounting assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The foldable frame of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one leg of the first or second leg assembly comprises a first leg and a second leg, and the intermediate member of the first or second leg assembly has an end portion pivotally coupled with a middle portion of the first leg and another end portion pivotally coupled with a middle portion of the second leg. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable frame of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second leg assemblies further comprises a base member, wherein
 when the foldable frame is unfolded and in use, the base member of each of the first and second leg assemblies abuts a ground; and   when the foldable frame is folded, the base members of the first and second leg assemblies are disposed between the first or second mounting member of the first mounting assembly and the first or second mounting member of the second mounting assembly.   
     
     
         15 . The foldable frame of  claim 12 , wherein the first mounting members of the first and second mounting assemblies are pivotally coupled with each other by a first coupler, and the second mounting members of the first and second mounting assemblies are pivotally coupled with each other by a second coupler. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable frame of  claim 15 , further comprising a third leg assembly, wherein an upper member of the third leg assembly has an end portion coupled with the first coupler and another end portion coupled with the second coupler. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable frame of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first, second and third leg assemblies comprises a base member for abutting a ground when the first, second and mounting assemblies are in use. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable frame of  claim 16 , wherein the upper members of the first, second and third leg assemblies are disposed substantially parallel to each other, and a distance between the upper members of the first and third leg assemblies is different than a distance between the upper members of the second and third leg assemblies, such that the base members of the first, second and third leg assemblies are disposed side by side when the foldable frame is folded along a longitudinal direction of the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable frame of  claim 18 , wherein the distance between the upper members of the first and third leg assemblies is shorter than the distance between the upper members of the second and third leg assemblies such that the base member of the first leg assembly is disposed between the base members of the second and third leg assemblies when the foldable frame is folded along the longitudinal direction of the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable frame of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the base member of the first leg assembly is disposed at an exterior side of a lower end portion of the at least one leg of the first leg assembly;   the base member of the second leg assembly is disposed at an exterior side of a lower end portion of the at least one leg of the second leg assembly; and   the base member of the third leg assembly is disposed at a lower side of a lower end portion of the at least one leg of the third leg assembly.