GB2474714A

GB2474714A - A collapsible stand, e.g. book rest, with lazy tongs folding mechanism.

Info

Publication number: GB2474714A
Application number: GB0918769A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Zoltie; Un Kaniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-26
Filing date: 2009-10-26
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Also published as: GB0918769D0

Abstract

A folding stand for supporting viewable material such as reading material, e.g. a book rest, comprise a generally elongate base member 1, a first extendable linkage 3 adapted to provide a support surface for the viewable material when expanded and being collapsible to a folded position abutting the base member 1. An upper transverse support bar 2 is provided which may have a clip 4 for holding the viewable material. The first linkage is in the form of a lazy tongs mechanism comprising first and a second elongate support elements 5, 6, each having respective lower ends movable relative to the base member 1 in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of further elongate support elements 20, 21. The two further elongate support elements 20, 21 are connected to the upper transverse support bar 2. The stand further comprises a pair of opposed transverse elongate elements 25, 26 each of which has one end pivotally connected at 23 and 24 to an associated one of the outer ends of said support elements, the other ends of the transverse elements each having a longitudinal slot 27 and 28 engaged with the pivotal connection 23, 24 of the other support element. As the lazy togs mechanism is extended the transverse elongate elements extend longitudinally outwardly to provide support for the viewable material. The stand further comprises a pair of elongate base elements 16, 17 for supporting the stand when extended. The stand may be provided with an audio unit to record and play audio signals, e.g. audio reminders.

Description

A folding stand The present invention relates to a folding stand foldable between a collapsed storage position and an expanded supporting condition in which it is adapted to support viewable material. The term viewable material is intended to cover inter-alia any generally planar documents such as printed material, newspapers, magazines and books, musical scores, graphical works, photographs, and artists' paper or canvas for painting.

There are many occasions when a person wishes to read or carry out some similar activities such as painting when they are either physically unable to hold the reading material or they are engaged in another activity, such as eating a meal and wish to read at the same time. It is desirable for many reasons that the stand should be freestanding, lightweight and readily collapsible to a closed storage position where it may be stored in a briefcase or a relatively small bag.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem by providing a folding stand which is lightweight, economical to produce and when folded is compact arid easily portable in a case or a handbag, for example.

According to the present invention there is provided a folding stand for supporting viewable material as defined herein, including a generally elongate base member, a first extendable linkage adapted to provide a support surface for the viewable material when extended and being foldable to a folded position abutting the base member, the first linkage having a first and a second elongate support element each having respective lower ends one at least of which is adapted to be movable relative to the base member in the longitudinal direction thereof, the two elongate support elements being pivotally connected together intermediate their lengths, the outer ends of the support elements remote from said lower ends each being pivotally connected to an end of a respective further elongate support element, the two further elongate support elements being pivotally connected intermediate their lengths, the other ends of the further support elements being operatively connected to an upper transverse support bar, the stand further including a pair of opposed transverse elongate elements, each of which has one end pivotally connected to an associated one of the outer ends of said support elements, the other ends of the transverse elements each having a longitudinal slot slidably engaged with the pivotal connection of the other support element.

Preferably, the lower ends of the first and second elongate support elements are movable longitudinally relative to the base member, two guide links pivotally secured to the base member, preferably about a common axis, each being pivotally connected to an associated one of the first and second elongate support elements intermediate the lower end of the element and the intermediate pivotal connection.

Preferably, the said other ends of the further support elements are movable relative to the upper transverse support bar, two guide links being pivotally secured to the transverse support bar, preferably about a common axis, each being pivotally connected to an associated one of the further elongate support elements intermediate the said other end of the element and the intermediate pivotal connection.

Preferably, the upper transverse support bar includes a clip adapted to hold the viewable material.

The stand may also include an audio unit to record and or play audio signals and/or may include an audio reminder system The elongate elements may be formed of metal strip, plastics or wood.

In a preferred embodiment, the base member is channel shaped in transverse cross-section to provide a support and location for viewable material placed on the base member.

The lower end of at least one of the first or second elongate support elements may carry a rotatable element movable in a groove or slot in the base member.

Preferably, the lower ends of the first and second elongate support elements are pivotally connected to a bracket movable relative to the base member, an extendable base support element comprising two elongate base elements pivotally connected intermediate their lengths and each having one end pivotally connected to an associated one of said brackets.

Preferably, when the stand is in the folded position, the elongate elements lie juxtaposed against the base member so that the stand lies in a compact state.

The present invention also provides a folding stand for supporting viewable material as defined herein, including a generally elongate base member, a first extendable linkage adapted to provide a support surface for the viewable material when extended and being foldable to a folded position abutting the base member, the first linkage having a first and a second elongate support element each having respective lower ends one at least of which is adapted to be movable relative to the base member in the longitudinal direction thereof, the two elongate support elements being pivotally connected together intermediate their lengths, the outer ends of the support elements remote from said lower ends each being pivotally connected to an end of a respective further elongate support element, the two further elongate support elements being pivotally connected intermediate their lengths, the other ends of the further support elements being operatively connected to an upper transverse support bar, the lower ends of the first and second elongate support elements are pivotally connected to a bracket movable relative to the base member, an extendable base support comprising two elongate base elements pivotally connected intermediate their lengths and each having one end pivotally connected to an associated one of said brackets.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a folding stand in the extended position-front view Figure to shows the foLding stand in the extended position-rear view Figure 3 shows the folding stand in a partially extended condition, Figure 4 shows the folding stand in a folded position Figure 5 shows and underside view of the expanding base of the stand, and Figure 6 shows part of the base member.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a folding stand which is adapted to expand from a folded position as shown in Figure 4, to an extended position as shown in Figure 1 in which position it enables a person, for example, confined to bed, or occupied in some other way such as eating a meal, to read a newspaper, magazine or book. As shown in Figure 1, which shows a front view of the device in its extended position, the stand consists of a base member I and an upper transverse support bar 2 which are joined by a generally lazy tongs type extending mechanism 3. The upper transverse support bar to incorporate a spring-loaded clip 4 to enable a newspaper, magazine etc to be held in the correct position.

Typically, it is anticipated that one use of the stand will be by a person eating a meal alone, who wishes to read a book or magazine at the same time. The stand would then be placed on the dining table in front of the person who wishes to read the book to enable them to do so while at the same time eating a meal. The stand has a first and a second elongate support members 5 and 6 which are secured together about a pivot point intermediate their lengths.

As shown in figure 2, and figure 6, the lower ends of the elements 5 and 6 are movable longitudinally relative to the base member 1 and secured to prospective L-shaped brackets 13 to which the elements 5 and 6 are connected by a pivotal connection 8 and 9 respectively. Two guide links 10 and 11 are pivotally secured to the base member 1 so as to be pivotal about a common axis 12 and the other ends of the links are secured by a pivotal connection to the elements 5 and 6 at a point thereon intermediate their pivotal connection 7 and the free lower ends.

Referring now to figure 2 in particular, there is shown an extendable linkage which forms a supporting base and consists of a pair of elongate elements 16 and 17 which are pivotally connected intermediate their lengths at a pivot connection 15. The inner ends 18 and 19 of the elongate elements 16 and 17 are pivotally connected to the L-shaped brackets 13.

Referring now to figures 1 and 2, the expanding linkage consists of a pair of two further elongate elements 20 and 21 pivotally connected together at a pivot point 22 located intermediate their lengths and the lower ends of the elements 20 and 21 as shown in figure 1 are connected to the elements 6 and 5 respectively by pivotal connections 23 and 24 respectively.

The linkage further consists of a pair of opposed transverse elongate elements 25 and 26.

The link of 26 is pivotally connected to the pivot axis at 23 and at its other ends contains a slot 27 which extends substantially over half of the length of the elongate element 26 and is slidably engaged on the pivot point 24. Similarly, the element 25 is pivotally connected to the pivot connection 24 and also contains an elongate slot 28 extending over substantially half its length which is slidably engageable on the pivot axis 23. This arrangement has the advantage that as the stand is extended upwardly, the transverse elements 25 and 26 extend outwardly to provide a greater width for supporting the viewable material.

At its upper end, the stand has a similar connection to the transverse support bar as the base member in as much as there are two guide links which are pivotally connected at a pivot axis 31 to the transverse bar 2 and their other ends are pivotally connected to the elements 20 and 21 by means of pivot connections 32 and 33. Although not shown, the ends of the elements 20 and 21 which abut the underside of the transverse bar 2 may incorporate rollers to assist in the smooth opening of the device. Similarly, the L-shaped brackets at the base end of the device may also incorporate rollers to facilitate movement of the brackets along the base member in the longitudinal direction when the stand is expanded or contracted.

As shown particularly in figure 6, the base member 1 consists essentially of a channel shaped member in cross-section in which the viewable material can be inserted, the channel section having a front wall 34 which serves to locate the reading material in position the front wall 34 has a planar front face facing the person using the stand.which can be utilised for carrying advertising material for a sponsor, for example. Furthermore, the transverse bar 2 at the top of the stand has a planar face facing the user which, again, can be used for carrying advertising material.

In a further development, the stand incorporates a light which may consist of a strip light, and which may be formed of a plurality of LEDs. The light may be incorporated in the transverse bar 2 so as to shine on material placed on the stand. In an alternative design the light may be mounted on the outer end of a bar, which may be telescopic, connected to the transverse bar 2 by means of a universal joint. In this way, the position of the light can be adjusted but it can also be folded down to lie flush with the stand when the stand is folded. In a similar manner, a sunshade may be attached to the stand. It is also envisaged that the stand may incorporate an electronic messaging system, and/or a panic alarm.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A folding stand for supporting viewable material as defined herein, including a generally elongate base member, a first extendable linkage adapted to provide a support surface for the viewable material when extended and being foldable to a folded position abutting the base member, the first linkage having a first and a second elongate support element each having respective lower ends one at least of which is adapted to be movable relative to the base member in the longitudinal direction thereof, the two elongate support elements being pivotally connected together intermediate their lengths, the outer ends of the support elements remote from said lower ends each being pivotally connected to an end of a respective further elongate support element, the two further elongate support elements being pivotally connected intermediate their lengths, the other ends of the further support elements being operatively connected to an upper transverse support bar, the stand further including a pair of opposed transverse elongate elements, each of which has one end pivotally connected to an associated one of the outer ends of said support elements, the other ends of the transverse elements each having a longitudinal slot slidably engaged with the pivotal connection of the other support element.
2. A folding stand according to claim 1 wherein the lower ends of the first and second elongate support elements are movable longitudinally relative to the base member, two guide links pivotally secured to the base member and each being pivotally connected to an associated one of the first and second elongate support elements intermediate the lower end of the element and the intermediate pivotal connection.
3. A folding stand according to claim 2 wherein the two guide links are pivotally secured to the base member about a common axis.
4. A folding stand according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the said other ends of the further support elements are movable relative to the upper transverse support bar, two guide links pivotally secured to the transverse support bar, each being pivotally connected to an associated one of the further elongate support elements intermediate the said other end of the element and the intermediate pivotal connection.
5. A folding stand according to claim 4 wherein the two guide links are pivotally secured to the transverse support bar about a common axis.
6. A folding stand according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the lower ends of the first and second elongate support elements are each pivotally connected to a respective bracket movable relative to the base member, an extendable base support element comprising two elongate base elements pivotally connected intermediate their lengths and having one end pivotally connected to an associated one of said brackets.
7. A folding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the upper transverse support bar includes a clip adapted to hold the viewable material.
8. A folding stand according to any one of the preceding claims including an audio unit to record and or play audio signals.
9. A folding stand according to claim 8 wherein the audio unit includes an audio reminder system
10. A folding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate elements are formed of metal strip, plastics or wood.
11. A folding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base member is channel shaped in transverse cross-section to provide a support and location for viewable material placed on the base member.
12. A folding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower end of at least one of the first or second elongate support elements carries a rotatable element movable in a groove or slot in the base member.
13. A folding stand according to any one of the preceding claims wherein when the stand is in the folded position, the elongate elements lie juxtaposed against the base member so that the stand lies in a compact state.
14. A folding stand for supporting viewable material as defined herein, including a generally elongate base member, a first extendable linkage adapted to provide a support surface for the viewable material when extended and being foldable to a folded position abutting the base member, the first linkage having a first and a second elongate support element each having respective lower ends one at least of which is adapted to be movable relative to the base member in the longitudinal direction thereof, the two elongate support elements being pivotally connected together intermediate their lengths, the outer ends of the support elements remote from said lower ends each being pivotally connected to an end of a respective further elongate support element, the two further elongate support elements being pivotally connected intermediate their lengths, the other ends of the further support elements being operatively connected to an upper transverse support bar, the lower ends of the first and second elongate support elements are pivotally connected to a bracket movable relative to the base member, an extendable base support comprising two elongate base elements pivotally connected intermediate their lengths and each having one end pivotally connected to an associated one of said brackets.
15. A folding stand according to claim 14 and as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.
16. A folding stand for supporting viewable material, substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.