US3829907A

US3829907A - Bed accessory

Info

Publication number: US3829907A
Application number: US00343465A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Brunner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-21
Filing date: 1973-03-21
Publication date: 1974-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-20

Abstract

An apparatus is provided, adapted for use with a bed, for providing a utility area over the bed. The utility area may be a work area or the like, or may be another bed (for example, a bunk bed) if desired, with the utility area being movable between a lower position and an upper position, and preferably having an assist for facilitating upward movement or lifting thereof, and with the apparatus preferably being adjustable and adaptable for providing other features, such as storage or the like.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Brunner [111 r 3,829,907 [451 Aug. 20, 1974 1 BED ACCESSORY [76] Inventor: Donald A. Brunner, 56th AVN DET. APO, New York, NY. 09028' [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.1 343,465

' [52] US. Cl. 5/8, 5/9 R, 5/166 R, 5/319 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 17/48 [58] Field of Search 5/2 R, 8, 9,63, 81, 166 R, 5/318, 319, 321, 332, 362

[56] 7 References Cited- UNlTED STATES PATENTS 339,516 4/1886 Baar 5/166 R 649,330 5/1900 Martin.. 5/318 1,696,412 12/1928 Price 5/166'R 2,945,241 7/1960 Sideroff 5/8 3,518,706 7/1970 Crippen et ul. 5/321 3,600,728 8/1971 Kinzel 5/362 3,736,601 6/1973 Riches 5/9 R Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Paul and Paul [5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus is provided, adapted for use with a bed, for providing a utility area over the bed. The utility area may be a work area or the like, or may be another bed (for example, a bunk bed) if desired, with the utility area being movable between a lower position and an upper position, and preferably having an assist for facilitating upward. movement or lifting thereof, and with the apparatus preferably being adjustable and adaptable for providing other features, such as storage or the like.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BED ACCESSORY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art peripheral to that which includes beds, various adaptations of beds have been developed, such as foldable beds,that are foldable for storage, convertible beds that are adapted for conversion to either a bed, or a couch or chair or the like, hidden beds such as the type that are hidden in a wall, trundle beds, wherein a pair of beds are provided, with one being temporarily stored beneath the other, when it is not necessary for both to be in use at the same time, bunkbed's, whereby the placement ofbe'dding above other bedding has; economized upon the space requirement for a pair of beds, to mention a few.

Most of such developments have been aimed at providing some other utility for the structure that comprises the bed, as, for example, use as a sofa or chair, or have hidden the device by removing it from the room, as, for example, with beds that are fol'd'able into walls, or portable beds that are adapted to be folded and stored in closets or the like. Such structures, and

even bunk bed structures generally require that the bed be initially constructed to have features amenable to such other uses. Forexample, devices are not generally available for converting the standard, existing bed that is already in use, into a device susceptible for performing other functions, such as seating, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THEINYENTION The present invention is directed toward providing-a novel accessory that is both adapted for use with existing beds to provide utility areas in conjunction therewith, and which is adapted for use and incorporation into novel and novelty bed design.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel utility area adapted for use over the space normally occupied by a bed.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the above object, wherein the utility area is movable from a position generally directly over that normally occupied by the bed, to a substantially upwardly removed position. I p

It is a further object of this invention to provide a A novel accessory for use in providing a work area or the like in conjunction with the space normally disposed above a bed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel bed accessory, wherein a utility area above the bed is readily liftable to a raised position.

It is a further object of this invention to accomplish all of the above objects, wherein facility is provided for adjusting the device to accommodate different sized beds.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel. lift-assisting device, for a movable utility area adapted for disposition above a bed.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel blanket and sheet storage rack for use in conjunction with a utility area adapted for movable disposition over a bed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those'skilled in the art from a reading of the following brief descriptions of the drawing figures, detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is atop perspective view of the bed accessory in accordance with this invention, wherein the utility area is illustrated: partially in full lines, with portions in phantom and broken away, for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the accessory ill-ustrated in FIG. I, with a portion of one of the headboard legs being illustrated in vertical section, whereby the lift-assisting mechanism is more clearly illustrated, and with a double or trundle bed arrangement being illustrated in phantom, and with the blanket and sheet storage rack carried by the utility area being illustrated in the fully opened position thereof.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken through the utility area and blanket-and-sheet storage rack illustrated in FIG. 2, generally along the line III-Ill of FIG. 2, andwherein the phantom and full line positions of the rack illustrate the stored. and accessible dispositions thereof, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a side elevationalview of a slightly alternative embodiment of the accessory of this invention, wherein a slightly different side-rail construction is illustrated from that illustrated in FIG. 2, and wherein the utility area comprises a bed spring adapted for receiving a mattress thereon, also with a trundle bed arrangement being illustrated in conjunction therewith, whereby a triple bed arrangement is provided, FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line VV of FIG. 4, and'wherein the bed spring is illustrated, in supporting relation relative to a mattress illustrated in phantom thereon.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an alternative accessory, in accordance with this invention, wherein the posts or supports at the foot of the bed are also fixed, as opposed to the collapsible type illustrated in the-embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken through the embodiment of FIG. 6, generally along the line VII- VII of FIG. 6, and wherein the lift-assisting mechanism of this embodiment of the invention is clearly illustrated.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS and 16 of the rail type, connecting the headboard (and.

legs thereof) 12 with the devices 13 and 14.

It will be seen that the utility member ll includes a pair of angle irons l7 and 18, with a planar supporting surface 20, such as of plywood, sheet metal or the like construction secured thereto.

Mounting means 21 associated with each of the

rails

17 and 18, each include a vertically disposed plate 22, welded or otherwise secured to an associated said

horizontal support

17 or 18, and with

brackets

23, 24, also welded or otherwise secured to the plate 22, with the

brackets

23 and 24 carrying guide wheels 25, 26, in rotatable running engagement between spaced adjacent track-providing portions 27, 28. The track portions 27 and 28 are anchored within an associated fixedly disposed

leg

30 or 31, just inside a vertically disposed slot 32 thereof (of each of the legs 30, 31), with the

mounting brackets

23, 24 extending therethrough as illustrated. It will thus be clear that the inside of each of the

legs

30, 31 is substantially hollow as illustrated more clearly in FIG. 2, to accommodate the lift-assisting mechanism that comprises not only the track and wheel arrangement discussed above, but also the pulley 34, a suitable weight 35, and a cable 36 connecting the mounting means 21 to the weight 35, over the pulley 34.

The use of two rollers or wheels 25, 26 in the track 27, 28 maintains the horizontal disposition of the utility member 11, during its vertical movement, and the weight 35 has been pre-selected, to provide a counterforce that preferably almost, but not quite is equivalent to the weight of the utility member 11.

It will be apparent that

shelves

38, 40, 41 and 42 are provided, extending between the

legs

30 and 31, for also providing utility areas for supporting various and sundry items.

Furthermore, a telescopic rigidifying post 43 is provided, secured to and extending between each of the

legs

30 and 31, for maintaining and stiffening the same in the desired disposition, it being understood that the supporting member 43 is adaptable-to be telescoped such that the

legs

31 and 32 may be spaced as desired, for a single bed, three-quarter bed, double bed, or the like, it being only necessary to replace the

shelves

38, 40, 41 and 42, and the planar supporting member 20, to accommodate the bed with which the accessory is adapted to be used, depending upon the size of such a bed.

Collapsible legs 13 and 14 are provided, with their lower ends 44 comprising pins, bolts or the like in slidable engagement within horizontally disposed slots 45 as illustrated, and with the slots 45 having lower-cut portion 46 at ends thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1, for precisely and positively seating the lower ends of the legs l3, 14, as illustrated more specifically in FIG. 2.

Also, the legs 13 and 14 each comprise an inner member 47 and another member 48, and some fastening means 50, that may comprise a bolt, screw and wing nut, or the like, as desired, or even a cotter pin or other pin, if desired, that is' insertable into the member 48, for disposition through one of the openings 51 in the inner member 47, for maintaining the desired position of the member 11, under substantial forces that may be provided from articles stored thereon, as for example, when the member 11 is in a position such as that illustrated in FIG. 2.

The upper ends of the members 13 and 14 may be either directly connected to the

angle irons

17, 18, or if desired, may be connected to another telescopic member 53 that also includes an outer member 54 and an inner member 55, slidably displaceable relative to each other, for the same purpose as described above with respect to the member 43.

The member 53 may be connected by means of brackets 56 or the like,'screwed or otherwise secured as at 57,- into the right-most end of the planar member 20, if desired, or may be connected to the

angle irons

17, 18 by any suitable means.

At the right-most end of each of the

rails

15, 16 are

lower leg portions

60 and 61, suitably connected to the angle-

iron rails

15, 16, respectively, as by welding, bolting or by any other suitable means. i In FIG. 2, there is illustrated a plurality of bunks, beds or the like 62, 63, disposed one above the other in any suitable manner, within the perimeter defined by the

legs

30, 31, 60, 61, as the apparatus of this invention is intended to be utilized.

It will thus be apparent that the platform or other utility area 20 may accommodate storage or the like, or may comprise a work area, as for. example, suitable for maintaining a set of electric trains or the like assembled thereon, but that are readily removable to an upper storage position as illustrated in FIG. 2, when it is desired to utilize the bed disposed therebeneath for sleeping or the like. Moreover, the area 20 could be a work area for laying out sewing patterns or the like, also upwardly removable when sleeping is desired.

lnthe embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, a rack 65 is illustrated, such being shown even more clearly in FIG. 3, with the rack 65 being pivotally connected to the utility board 20 by a suitable hinge or pin connection 66 at opposite ends thereof as illustrated in FIG. 2.

It will be noted that the rack 65 is not illustrated in FIG. 1, for the sake of clarity, but is fully illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The connection 66 can comprise a channel member 67, having depending ears 68, with pins 70 connecting the upper ends of the rack 65 as illustrated.

The rack 65 comprises two

telescopic members

70 and 71, with the inner one being slidable into the outer telescopic member, and the outer telescopic member may, if desired, contain a compression spring or the like therein. that abuts at the lower end against the upper end of the inner member 73 (not shown), in order to keep the inner member 73 in a fully extended position when vertically disposed as illustrated in FIG.

I 3, but with the inner member 73 being slidable into the outer member against the force of compression of such a spring, upon movement of the rack 65 from the full line position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the phantom line position illustrated therefor, in which the lowermost end 74 thereof is slightly retracted and then reextended, in order to engage the inwardly bent lip of a channel member 75. The rack member 65 is provided with a pair of

rods

76, 77, extending between the rack ends or

legs

71, 72.

The function of the rack 65 is to accommodate blankets, sheets or the like being wrapped about the

rods

76, 77, and stored against the undersurface of the planar utility support 20, upon movement of the rack 65 from the full line position illustrated in FIG. 3, to the phantom line position thereof.

It will be understood that additional rods such as those 76, 77 may be provided, if desired, and that suitable detachment and attachment means will be provided for the

rods

76, 77 at their ends, for facilitating connections to the rack ends or

posts

71, 72.

Having thus described the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be clear that the accessory is adapted for use over a bed, or over a pair of beds (for example, the trundle bed arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2), and

is adapted for providing a storage area on top of the planar utility support 20,beneath such support (by virtue of the rack and also on the numerous shelves of the headboard or fixed support at the left end as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It will further be clear that when the horizontal support member 20 in in the lower position illustrated in FIG. 1, it may, if desired, rest directly on an upper surface of a bed, or, if desired, abutment members 78, may be provided, pivotally mounted on and carried by the

lowermost leg portions

60, 61, respectively, if desired, for abutting against the lower surface of the planar member 20, or against the

angle irons

17, 18, if it is not desired to rest the member 11 directly on a bed.

The force-assisting mechanism, principally provided by the weight 35, cable 36, pulley 34 and the mounting means 21 will provide substantial assist to the upward lifting of the utility member 11. Furthermore, it will be clear that, if desired, different values of weights 35 may be provided, depending upon the weight of an unloaded, or loaded utility member 11, as desired, with access being provided for changing the weight 35. Furthermore, it will be clear that the rollers and tracks 25, 26, 27 and 28 provide a means for overcoming substantial amounts of friction that would normally tend to oppose the movement of the utility area 11 upwardly-and downwardly. It will further be apparent within the spirit and scope of this invention that other devices may be used in lieu of the wheel and track arrangement, such as low friction sliding devices, ball bearing rollers, and the like, and that the purpose of the track, aside from overcoming such friction, is to maintain the utility member or area 11 substantially and preferably precisely horizontal at all times. However, as aforesaid, the collapsible legs or posts 13, 14 are provided for further assisting such maintenance of the horizontal position for the member 11, especially under heavy loads.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that a headboard is provided, also with fixedly disposed leg means or members 91, constructed and arranged, substantially as is the headboard 12 of FIG. 1. Also, the mounting means 92, and the mechanism for moving the same is similar to that 21 illustrated in FIG. 2 for the embodiment thereof. Even further, rails 93 are provided, also performing a similar function to those 15, 16, as are lower leg portions 94 provided. Collapsible posts 95 are provided, and are of a type similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but are shown in reversed disposition, with the outer telescopic member lower and the inner telescopic member being the upper one, and with no slotted hole being provided in the rails 93, but with the slotted hole being provided in the upper angle irons 96, at 97, and with the upper end of the telescopic member 95 being adapted for disposition within an offset recess 98 as illustrated, and with locking means of the pin or other type 100 also being provided, for engaging within holes 101 provided through the inner one of the collapsible telescopic legs or posts 95. The lowermost ends of the posts 95 are pivotally connected at 102.

The angle irons 96 of FIG. 5 have a flat bedspring 103 connected thereto as illustrated in FIG. 5, which supports a mattress 104 thereon. Thus, the bedspring 103 comprises the planar utility member in this embodiment.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is also adaptable for telescopic adjustment to accommodate single beds, double beds and the like, in substantially the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and accordingly, a detailed discussion thereof will not be duplicated herein.

While the reversed arrangement for the collapsible members 95 are illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4 as providing support for an upper utility member 103, wherein such utility member 103 is support for a bed mattress 104, it will be understood that such an arrangement for the collapsible posts or legs 95 may provide support for a utility member other than one of the mattress type. Moreover, it will be noted that in the arrangement of FIG. 4, three separate mattress or bed arrangements may utilize the same floor space, with the mattress or bed 106 providing the lower bed of a bunk bed arrangement, and with the mattress 104 providing the upper bed (adjustable to position by virtue of selection of one of the holes 101 and with another mattress or bed arrangement 107 being adapted to be pulled out from beneath that 106, for usage.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. (Sand 7, it will be seen that the utility area 110 comprises a rectangular frame adapted to receive a sheet of plywood or the like thereon (not illustrated), or any other suitable horizontal surface. At the left-most ends of the illustrations of FIGS. 6 and 7, fixedly disposed legs 111 and 112 are shown, connected by a suitable horizontal support 113 (which may, if desired, be telescopic for adjustment purposes).

Fixed legs or

posts

114 and 115 are provided at the opposite end of the bed accessory, also spaced by a horizontal support member 116 that may, if desired, be constructed to be telescopic. It will be noted that the

opposite leg members

114 and 115 are generally smaller in construction than those 111, 112, but that such is not critical, it being only necessary that the legs 111 and 112 be sufficiently large to accommodate the working mechanism disposed therein.

The mechanism for lifting the utility member 110 (assuming a horizontal or like support thereon) comprises a weight 117, a cable 118 (arranged as illustrated in FIG. 7) passing over a pulley 120, being fixedly connected to

projections

121 and 122 of the frame 110 that are slidable in

vertical slots

123, 124, respectively, and with the cable 118 passing around

idler pulleys

125 and 126 suitably mounted within legs such as those 111 and 114 as shown, with the cable 118 being movable through a hollow rail 127 or the like (or movable behind a flat rail if desired) as illustrated in FIG. 7.

It will thus be clear that the weights 117 (on each side of the apparatus) provide forces that oppose the effect of gravity, or that facilitate an upward lifting of the utility member 110, to a desired position. It will be understood that a conventional bed can be accommodated within the frame 110, disposed therebeneath, between rails 127 thereof, and that the frame 110 will normally carry a sheet of plywood or the like to accommodate a working or storage area over the bed, or that in the alternative, the frame 110 can accommodate any other utility area, even another mattress, or a mattress-andspring combination as illustrated in FIG. 5, if desired.

it will generally be necessary to secure the frame 110 in a desired position. To this end, any suitable means may be utilized, such as dowel pins 128 at each of the four corners adjacent legs of the bed, for insertion into suitable dowel holes 130 at various vertical heights on each of the legs. Alternatively, there are wedging arrangements or the like, or any desired stop device may be employed to assure a desired position such as that illustrated in phantom in FlG. 7, for example, for the utility member 110.

It will further be apparent from the foregoing that various modifications may be made in the details of construction, as well as in the use and operation of the apparatus of this invention, all within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An accessory for a bed adapted for providing a utility area over a bed at a first elevation and for withdrawal of the utility area to a second higher elevation for permitting access to a bed stored therebeneath, comprising a generally planar horizontally disposed utility member adapted to receive and carry articles thereon means maintaining said horizontal disposition for selective vertical positioning comprising, generally upstanding fixedly disposed leg means at a first end of said utility member for support therefor, means mounting said utility member at a pair of laterally spaced locations along said utility members to said fixedly disposed leg means for adjustable guiding positioning of said utility member relative to said supporting means to at least a plurality of vertically spaced positions thereof, and opposite leg means connected to said utility member for supporting said utility member at a second end thereof, with said leg means at both ends of said utility member being connected by generally horizontal rails fixedly disposed along sides of said planar member and connected to each said leg means at lower ends thereof wherein force means are provided as part of said mounting means for opposing the weight of said utility member by providing a force that is operable on said utility in an upward lifting direction. said force means being in hidden disposition within said fixedly disposed leg means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means include guide means of the track type in said fixedly disposed leg means for guiding the upward and downward movement of said utility member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fixedly disposed leg means comprise a matched pair of legs, each having slots therein, said slots being in slidably receiving engagement with adjacent projections of said utility member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said force means comprise weights in said fixedly disposed legs, with cables in said fixedly disposed legs connecting said weights and mounting means over pulleys, with said weights being vertically displaceable in a vertical direction opposite to displacement of said utility member, upon movement thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means include guide means of the track type in said fixedly disposed leg means for guiding the upward and downward movement of said utility member, wherein guide wheels are provided as part of said mounting means, for rolling movement in said track type guide means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said opposite leg means comprise spaced fixedly disposed posts, with pulleys mounted therein, and with said posts each having generally vertical slots therein, said slots being in slidably receiving engagement with adjacent projections of said utility member, and with said rails having said cables passing therealong, along sides of said apparatus, with said cables being in operative engagement with said pulleys and with said projections of said utility member that are adjacent said posts, for facilitating easing of lifting of said utility member from within said leg means and posts, at both ends of said utility mem ber.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both said leg means comprise two pairs of spaced apart legs at ends of said utility member, including telescopic means connecting legs in each pair across ends of said utility member, for facilitating adjustment ofthe accessory for accommodating different sized utility members.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said opposite leg means comprise collapsible leg members on sides of said utility member at the second end thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, with the collapsible leg member on each side of said utility member being pivotally mounted at its one end to one of an adjacent said rail and said utility member and being slidably mounted at its other end to the other of an adjacent said rail and said utility member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said collapsible leg members each comprise two'telescopically engaged elements each with position fastening means for securing them in selected desired positions.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein generally horizontal slots are provided in said rails for said leg member mounting.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said utility member comprises a bedspring support member.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said utility member comprises a shelf-like support member.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fixedly disposed leg means comprise a spaced apart pair of legs, with a plurality of supporting shelf members extending therebetween at one end of said utility member.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, including a blanket carrier rack or the like pivotally carried at one side thereof along the underneath of one side of said utility member, with means for detachably securing the other side of said rack along an opposite side of said utility member, for selective disposition of said rack in alternate positions of securement parallel to and non-parallel to said utility member, said rack comprising generally horizontal spaced apart rods connected by telescopically movable end supports.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the utility member includes a bedspring, for supporting a mattress thereon.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means include guide means of the track type in said fixedly disposed leg means for guiding the upward and downward movement of said utility member, wherein said fixedly disposed leg means comprise a matched pair of legs, each having slots therein, said slots being in slidably receiving engagement with adjacent projections of said utility member, wherein said force means comprise weights in said fixedly disposed legs, with cables in said fixedly disposed legs connecting said weights and mounting means over pulleys, with said weights being vertically displaceable in a vertical direction opposite to displacement of said utility member, upon movement thereof, wherein guide wheels are provided as part of said mounting means, for rolling movement in said track type guide means, wherein both said leg means comprise two pairs of spaced apart legs at ends of said utility member, including telescopic means connecting legs in each pair across ends of said utility member, for facilitating adjustment of the accessory for accommodating different sized utility members, wherein said opposite leg means comprise collapsible

Claims

1. An accessory for a bed adapted for providing a utility area over a bed at a first elevation and for withdrawal of the utility area to a second higher elevation for permitting access to a bed stored therebeneath, comprising a generally planar horizontally disposed utility member adapted to receive and carry articles thereon means maintaining said horizontal disposition for selective vertical positioning comprising, generally upstanding fixedly disposed leg means at a first end of said utility member for support therefor, means mounting said utility member at a pair of laterally spaced locations along said utility members to said fixedly disposed leg means for adjustable guiding positioning of said utility member relative to said supporting means to at least a plurality of vertically spaced positions thereof, and opposite leg means connected to said utility member for supporting said utility member at a second end thereof, with said leg means at both ends of said utility member being connected by generally horizontal rails fixedly disposed along sides of said planar member and connected to each said leg means at lower ends thereof wherein force means are provided as part of said mounting means for opposing the weight of said utility member by providing a force that is operable on said utility in an upward lifting direction, said force means being in hidden disposition within said fixedly disposed leg means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said opposite leg means comprise spaced fixedly disposed posts, with pulleys mounted therein, and with said posts each having generally vertical slots therein, said slots being in slidably receiving engagement with adjacent projections of said utility member, and with said rails having said cables passing therealong, along sides of said apparatus, with said cables being in operative engagement with said pulleys and with said projections of said utility member that are adjacent said posts, for facilitating easing of lifting of said utility member from within said leg means and posts, at both ends of said utility member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both said leg means comprise two pairs of spaced apart legs at ends of said utility member, including telescopic means connecting legs in each pair across ends of said utility member, for facilitating adjustment of the accessory for accommodating different sized utility members.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said collapsible leg members each comprise two telescopically engaged elements each with position fastening means for securing them in selected desired positions.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting means include guide means of the track type in said fixedly disposed leg means for guiding the upward and downward movement of said utility member, wherein said fixedly disposed leg means comprise a matched pair of legs, each having slots therein, said slots being in slidably receiving engagement with adjacent projections of said utility member, wherein said force means comprise weights in said fixedly disposed legs, with cables in said fixedly disposed legs connecting said weights and mounting means over pulleys, with said weights being veRtically displaceable in a vertical direction opposite to displacement of said utility member, upon movement thereof, wherein guide wheels are provided as part of said mounting means, for rolling movement in said track type guide means, wherein both said leg means comprise two pairs of spaced apart legs at ends of said utility member, including telescopic means connecting legs in each pair across ends of said utility member, for facilitating adjustment of the accessory for accommodating different sized utility members, wherein said opposite leg means comprise collapsible leg members on opposite sides of said utility member, with the collapsible leg member on each side of said utility member being pivotally mounted at its one end to one of an adjacent said rail and said utility member and being slidably mounted at its other end to the other of an adjacent said rail and said utility member, wherein said collapsible leg members each comprise two telescopically engaged elements each with position fastening means for securing them in selected desired positions.