The invention relates to a light, latticed, tubular, structure, which once collapsed become substantially lat or thinj particularly for laying or exposing objects and for hanging the washing.

Light, latticed, tubular, structures, which once collapsed become substantially flat or thin, particularly for laying or exposing objects and for hanging the washing are already known. However, the known structures had the defect bo be cumbersome, both in developed and collapsed conditions or to be complex to make and/or to use or to be expensive or hav ng a ratio room used/room occupied relatively low or to be unsteady in use and thus dangerous for babies and children and for the object loaded thereon.

Ihe invention, as claimed, is intended to remedy these drawbacks. A light, latticed, tubular, structure, which once collapsed become substantially flat or thin, particularly for laying or exposing objects and for hanging the washing is provided with at least two stages which are permanently connected to the frame, whereby to be steady.

Such structure, is consequently characterized by a high ratio room used/room occupied and is very sturdy. Thus is adapted more than others known to be used not only for hanging the washing but also for laying and exposing objects and for many itinerant uses. The structure, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a trestle, whose members are hinged therebetween at the

trestle vertex and adapted to be spread apart at the bottom, as well as at least two stages, each comprising at least two stage members or flaps hinged therebetween and hinged to the trestle sides, whereby to comprise swingable connections to provide steadiness and equidistribution of loads when the structure is in use.

One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below with reference to drawings which illustrate only one specific embodiment, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a structure including three stages comprising eight members or flaps, which is unfolded, and ready to be used.

Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the structure of fig. 1, but in collapsed conditions i.e., substantially bidi ensional.

Fig. 3 is a detailed exploded, perspective view, of the trestle, disassembled in its main member units for dispatching and disposal purposes.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of fig. 3, wherein one unit is exploded in its members.

Fig. 5 shows, in an enlarged scale, a detail of fig. 4 comprising one top connection of the trestle.

Fig. 6 is a detailed exploded view of one of the hinged connections between trestle and its stage member. Referring to the figures of the drawings, in accordance with the present invention, a multistage, light, latticed, tubular, structure, which once collapsed become substantially flat or thin, particularly for laying and exposing objects and for hanging the washing, comprises a trestle 5 and three stages 4 _> 6 and 7- The upper and the lower stages comprise each a couple of

stage members 4' and 4" 7' and 7" , respectively and the middle stage comprises four stage members or flaps 6', 6", 66', 66". The trestle 5 is of the kind collapsible, whose main members 05, 05' are hinged at the vertex 55, 55' , whereby, when collapsed, its six sides are disposed in a form substantial] flat. In fact, the vertex 55 is provided by a tubular rod 55' _. which at each of its ends receives an expanding insert 5®, which receives therein a screw 50' which provides a pin for the upper ends 005 of trestle members 05, 05' of trestle 5- It will be appreciated that each of the four tubular rods of trestle members 05, 05' of trestle 5j includes, about at the middle of its length, a slip coupling 85, whereby the trestle 5, which is the most space-consuming unit of the structure, may be disassembled, for stocking, dispatching (particularly by mail), itinerating purpose and the like (fig. 3), in two sections. Such trestle 5 is capable to receive one or more stages 4, -6 and 7 -

Each stage 4, 6 and 7 is comprised by at least two stage members 4', 4"; 6", 6" 7'j 7"j respectively, and possibly by two additional outsider flaps 66', 66". Ihe stage'- members 4' _> 4"j 6 ¹ , 6"; 7'j 7", providing each stage 4-, 6 and 7, are hinged therebetween in 40, 60, 70, respectively, so that each of them may be swung of a limited angle of 90. Each stage member 4 ' , A" , 6', 6", 7' ) 7"j is provided, about at the middle of its longitudinal side with a seat 41 _? 6l, 71 _? for a pin, 42, 62, 72, substantially comprised by a screw which is provided with a washer 43, 63, 73 and a lock nut 45, 65, 75 _> whereby it is hinged to its rod of the trestle member 05 or 05' of the trestle ζ. The arrangement between the trestle 5 and each stage 4, 6 and 7 is such that when the trestle members of the trestle 5 are substantially co-planar (fig. 2), the stage members 4 ' , 4" ,' 6 ¹ ,

6"; 7 7" are co-planar too. Miereas, when the trestle members 4, 6 and 7 of the trestle 5, are spread apart the stage members 4', 4"; 6', 6"; 7'j 7"; are spread apart too, in an opposite direction therefrom, whereby to provide therebetween a straight angle which is perpendicular to the vertical of trestle 5 _> the spreading apart of the trestle members 05, 05' being limited by expansion of stage members 4' _> 4" ,' 6', 6"; 7' _. . 7"j whereby to provide a developed steady unit (fig. l).

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more of its stage members e.g. 6', 6", are provided with an additional flap 66', 66", whereby the utility of the structure is increased.