WO2006054038A1

WO2006054038A1 - Document stand

Info

Publication number: WO2006054038A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/003399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Innes
Original assignee: Global Technology Consultants Ltd
Current assignee: Global Technology Consultants Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-22
Filing date: 2005-09-02
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-22

Abstract

A stand, which can be used for supporting documents such as sheet music, comprises: a support table arrangement; a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table arrangement, and a lower end; and a base comprising two splay feet attached at the lower end of the support stem; characterised in that the splay feet and the lower end of the stem comprise a triangular footprint from one apex of which the support stem rises at an angle such that its upper end lies, in plan view, within the footprint. The support table arrangement is itself collapsible and can be stowed inside a telescopic stem component, an outer such component comprising a carrying case for the stand.

Description

Document Stand

This invention relates to document stands, particularly, but not exclusively, to music stands, and to stands supporting instruments such as cameras, customarily supported on tripod arrangements, hereinafter referred to generally as 'stands'.

Camera tripods' usually comprise a camera support table mounted on a stem elevatable in a hub to which are pivotally connected three extensible legs, the arrangement being deployable between a stowed configuration, in which the legs are collapsed and the tube is retracted to fit between them when they are folded in at the hub to lie parallel to one another, and an operative configuration, in which the legs are splayed and extended and the stem is elevated from the hub, the extent of extension of the legs and the elevation of the stem being usually adjustable. Music stands have essentially the same configuration, namely a tripod base with a stem upstanding from the base supporting a platen to hold sheet music, albeit with a longer stem and shorter legs and with different detail in the deployment of the legs. Conventional stands have height adjustability to suit sitting or standing playing positions. Most music stands are intended for orchestral or group playing and are resident in the concert hall. Many designs have been made which aim to provide portable music stands, and some of these, e.g. GB2310593, involve a telescopic stem into which a fan-shaped platen can be collapsed for stowage. By and large, they have the conventional tripod arrangement, which can be collapsed against the stem for stowage, one example of which is found in US4813644. In another arrangement, found in US4355779, two legs of the tripod are hingedly mounted on a collar slidable lengthwise of the stem from a stowed position at the base of the stem to an operative position at which the legs can be deployed so as to form, together with the stem below the collar, the tripod, the collar being securable at the desired height by a thumb screw.

WO03/028505 makes the point that in the open position, the tripod can get in the way of the player's feet and provides instead a 'bipod' base like the lower half of an 'A', from the cross member of which a telescopic stem rises. Here, the platen is solid and foldable back against the stem. Such stowage position as is available on this arrangement is for purposes of stacking similar stands, and this is clearly in the context of a concert hall location, rather than a portable arrangement.

The various designs have their disadvantages. None of the portable designs referred to gets away from the tripod base that gets in the way of a player's feet, and they are often difficult to deploy and stow. Children, who should be encouraged to play by making things as easy as possible, often find great difficulty with thumb screws and can hurt their fingers setting up, adjusting and taking down their stands.

The present invention provides a stand that can be truly portable, easy to deploy and adjust, and that is stable and less awkward in use than conventional tripod stands. The invention comprises, in one aspect, a stand comprising:

• a support table arrangement; • a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table arrangement, and a lower end;

• a base comprising two splay feet attached at the lower end of the support stem; characterised in that the splay feet and the lower end of the stem comprise a triangular footprint from one apex of which the support stem rises at an angle such that its upper end lies, in plan view, within the footprint.

The splay feet may be attached so as to be adjustable between an operative position, in which they form the said footprint, and a stowed position, in which they lie alongside the stem. They may be attached at the lower end of the stem. The splay feet may be pivotally attached, on axes which are angled so that as they are deployed, their ends remote from the lower end of the stem move apart to form the triangular footprint. At the deployed position, there may be a locking arrangement, such as a click stop arrangement.

The lower end of the stem may have a rubber or like pad, as may the splay feet.

The stem may comprise one or more telescopic stem components. The lower end of the stem may comprise a container for the telescopic stem components. .There may be three such components, in addition to the, container, which, with the splay feet in their stowed position, can constitute a carrying case.

The container may have an end cap, which closes it when the telescopic stem components are stowed. The cap may constitute a locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem in deployed position. Other stem components may be locked conventionally, for example by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

The telescopic stem components may comprise height-adjusting means, operable by a user. The height adjusting means may comprise one or more locking arrangements, for example a click-stop arrangement. The click-stop detent arrangement may prevent extension or retraction of the telescopic components. The height-adjusting means may be operated through the use of actuating means, which may be in the form of e.g. a button or switch. The button or switch may be operated by a user.

The telescopic stem components may comprise one or more faces.

The telescopic stem components may comprise a series of indentations located on at least one face for engagement with the locking arrangement. The indentations may be spaced apart on at least one face of the telescopic component. The indentations may be spaced apart longitudinally along a face of the component. The locking arrangement may be reversibly engageable. with the indentations located on at least one face of a telescopic component. The locking arrangement may comprise at least one hinged lever, for reversible engagement with the indentations on the at least one face of the telescopic stem component. Preferably, the locking arrangement comprises two hinged levers, each lever being reversibly engageable with indentations located on separate faces of the telescopic component.

The support table arrangement may itself be collapsible and, in its collapsed condition, may fit inside the uppermost stem component.

The support table arrangement may comprise a collapsible frame. The frame may comprise four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub at the top end of the stem, which deploy from a stowed position, in which they are parallel to the stem, to an operative position, in which they form an 'X'. In the deployed position, the arms are tensioned by an elastic web, which may comprise elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position. Strands may also connect the arms at positions intermediate their ends and the pivot position.

A platen may be provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms. This may be foldable for stowage in the uppermost stem member. The support table, once deployed, may be capable of adjustment as to its inclination to the vertical. The adjustment may be effected by adjusting a hub at the top end of the stem, which forms part of the support table and which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and lockable within a range of rotation by a locking lever. The stand is readily erectable and stowable, in its stowed condition being easy to carry and compact for storage or transportation. As a music stand, it is as advantageous in these respects to the individual musician as it is to the orchestra manager.

The stand may comprise a document support table arrangement which is collapsible for stowing, and which comprises a frame comprising four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub, which deploy from a stowed position, in which the arms are parallel, to a deployed position, in which they form an 'X'.

The support table arrangement may be mounted by the hub on a support stem.

The support stem may be hollow and, in its stowed position, the support table may fit inside the hollow stem, hi the deployed position, the arms may be tensioned by an elastic web. The elastic web may comprise elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position. The strands may also connect the arms intermediate their ends and the pivot position. A platen may be provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms. The platen may be foldable for stowage. The invention in another aspect may comprise a stand comprising: a support table arrangement; a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table, and a lower end; and a base; characterised in that the support stem comprises a telescopic arrangement comprising telescopic stem members of which an outer one constitutes a lower end connected to the base and the others of which telescope into the outer one. the support table arrangement is itself collapsible to a stowage position in which it fits inside an inner, upper stem component.

The outer stem component may constitute a carrying case. The outer stem component may comprise an end cap which closes it when the telescopic stem components are stowed. The cap may constitute a locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem in deployed position.

The telescopic stem components may be locked conventionally, for example by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

In an alternative embodiment, the telescopic stem components may comprise height- adjusting means being operable by a user, said height-adjusting means comprising one or more locking arrangements, said locking arrangements being click stop arrangements being reversibly engageable with indentations located on at least one face of a telescopic component.

^■ The base may comprise feet attached to the outer stem component and deployable between a stowed position in which they lie alongside the outer stem component and an operative position in which they are pivoted out of the stowed position to form a triangular footprint.

Aspects of the stand are, however, equally advantageous in other contexts. The splay feet base can be adopted for other tripod supports, such as camera tripods and supports for telescope, binoculars and surveying instruments, as well as for point of sale and other advertising displays, for any of which the stand may be made in floor standing or desktop or counter top standing sizes.

The support table can, of course, be used with conventional music stands or lecterns. The dual-purpose cap, which closes the base container for storage or transportation, and which serves as a locking lever for adjusting the height of extension of the stand, can, of course, be used independently of the support table, and even with different base arrangements;

A stand according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the erected stand;

Figure 2 is a view of the stand collapsed for storage or transportation;

Figure 3 is a sequence of views of the stand, showing stages in its deployment; and

Figure 4 is a view of the height adjusting means located on one of the telescopic stem components.

The drawings illustrate a stand, here configured as a music stand, comprising:

• a support table arrangement 11 ; • a support stem 12 having an upper end 13, which carries the support table arrangement 11, and a lower end 14;

• a base 15 comprising two splay feet 16, 17 attached at the lower end 14 of the support stem 12; the splay feet 16, 17 and the lower end 14 of the support stem 12 comprising a triangular footprint from one apex, (the lower end 14), of which the support stem 12 rises at an angle A such that its upper end 13 lies, in plan view, within the footprint. This geometry ensures that whatever reasonable weight is placed on the support table arrangement 11, the stand will not tip.

The splay feet 16, 17 are attached so as to be adjustable between an operative position, Figure 1, in which they form the said footprint, and a stowed position, Figure 2, in which they lie alongside the stem 12. They are pivotally attached at the lower end 14 of the stem 12 on axes 16a, 17a, which are angled so that, as they are adjusted, their ends 16e, 17e remote from the lower end 14 of the stem 12 move apart to form the triangular footprint. In their operative position, they lock into place, a detent arrangement preventing further movement beyond the operative position, and a click stop arrangement locking them against collapse - stowing the feet 16, 17 involves overcoming a spring force.

The lower end 14 of the stem 12 has a rubber pad 18 - seen best in Figure 2. The splay feet 16, 17 also have rubber pads 19 at their ends 16e, 17e. The lower end 14 of the stem 12 comprises a container 21 for telescopic stem components 12a, 12b, 12c. The container 21 constitutes a carrying case, as best seen in Figure 2. The splay feet 16, 17 can also have a click stop arrangement to keep them in their stowed position adjacent the container 21.

The container 21 has an end cap 22, which closes it, as seen in Figure 2, when the telescopic stem components 12a, 12b, 12c are stowed. The cap 22 constitutes a snubbing locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem 12 in deployed position. As between themselves, the stem components 12a and 12b, and 12b and 12c can be locked by conventional frictional engagement requiring a slight relative twist.

In an alternative embodiment the stem components 12a and 12b, and 12b and 12c can be locked using the height adjusting means and locking arrangements, as illustrated in Figure 4.

The support table 11 is also collapsible, and, in its collapsed condition, fits inside the uppermost stem component 12c.

The support table 11 comprises a collapsible frame, which comprises four arms, 1 Ia, 1 Ib, lie, lid, each latchingly pivotally attached to a hub lie at the top of the stem 12. The arms deploy from a stowed position, in which they are parallel to the stem 12, to an operative position, Figure 1, in which they form an 'X'. In this deployed position, they are tensioned by an elastic web, which comprises elastic strands, such as fine gauge bungee cord 23 joining the ends of the arms 1 Ia - d and also connect them at positions intermediate their ends and their pivot position.

A platen 24 is attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms 1 Ia, 1 Ib, which have cut-outs for receiving the ends of the platen 24. The platen has a hinge 24a about which it can be folded for stowage - it can be kept in the stem component 12c along with the arms 1 Ia - d. The hub lie is rotatable, when deployed, about a horizontal axis at the top of the stem component 12c and lockable within a range of movement by a locking lever, so as to allow adjustment of the tilt of the table 11.

Figure 3 illustrates the various stages in the erection of the stand.

At 3 A, the feet 16, 17 are in their operative position and the stand set on the ground. At 3B, the cap 22 has been opened, and the stowed table 11 withdrawn. At 3C, 3D and 3E the three inner telescopic stem components 12a, 12b, 12c are withdrawn. At 3F, the arms l la - d are deployed and snapped into position, tensioning the strands 23. At 3G, the platen 24 has been removed from the top of the stem component 12c and attached to the table 11. At 3H, the table is adjusted for tilt. At any time, height may be adjusted by unsnubbing the stem component 12a using the cap/locking arrangement 22. Alternatively and/or additionally, the height of the stem may be adjusted using the height-adjusting means located on one or more of the inner telescopic components (see Figure 4). The stand is stowed for storage or transportation by following the steps 3A - 3H in reverse. . Figure 4 illustrates height-adjusting means located on one of the telescopic-stem components 12a, 12b, 12c. The height adjusting means 101 comprises actuation means in the form of button 102 operable by a user. The height adjusting means 101 further comprises a click-stop detent locking arrangement (not shown), which can be operated by a user depressing the button 102 located on a telescopic stem component 12a, 12b, 12c. The click-stop detent locking arrangement comprises one or more hinged levers (not shown) which are reversibly engageable with indentations 103 spaced apart on a face 104 of a telescopic stem component.

By depressing button 102, a user can move an inner telescopic component 12a, 12b, 12c, relative to an outer component 12a, 12b, 12c. Upon depression of the button 102 by a user, the one or more hinged levers of the locking arrangement are disengaged from indentations 102 thereby allowing a user to adjust the height of one telescopic stem component relative to another. Upon release of the button 102 and fine adjustment of the height of the telescopic component by a user, the hinged levers reversibly engage with the nearest indentation 102, thereby preventing further extension/retraction of that inner telescopic component relative to it's neighbouring outer telescopic component.

Claims

1 A stand comprising: • a support table arrangement;

• a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table arrangement, and a lower end; • a base comprising two splay feet attached at the lower end of the support stem; characterised in that the splay feet and the lower end of the stem comprise a triangular footprint from one apex of which the support stem rises at an angle such that its upper end lies, in plan view, within the footprint.

2 A stand according to claim 1, in which the splay feet are attached so as to be adjustable between an operative position, in which they form the said footprint, and a stowed position, in which they lie alongside the stem.

3 A stand according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the splay feet are attached at the lower end of the stem.

4 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the splay feet are pivotally attached on axes which are angled so that, as they are adjusted, their ends remote from the lower end of the stem move apart to form the triangular footprint.

5 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which, at the deployed position, there is a locking arrangement.

6 A stand according to claim 5, in which the locking arrangement is a click stop arrangement.

7 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the lower end of the stem has a rubber or like pad.

8 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the splay feet have rubber or like pads.

9 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said stem comprising telescopic stem components, in which the lower end of said stem comprises a container for said telescopic stem components.

10 A stand according to claim 9, in which there are three telescopic stem components, in addition to the container, which, with the splay feet in their stowed position, constitute a carrying case.

11 A stand according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the container has an end cap, which closes it when said telescopic stem components are stowed.

12 A stand according to claim 11, in which the cap constitutes a locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem in deployed position.

13 A stand according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in which telescopic stem components are locked by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

14. A stand according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in which telescopic stem components comprise height-adjusting means, said height-adjusting means being operable by a user.

15. A stand according to claim 14, in which said height-adjusting means comprises one or more locking arrangements.

16. A stand according to claim 15, in which said locking arrangement is a click stop arrangement.

17. A stand according to any one of claims 15 to 16, in which said locking arrangement is reversibly engageable with indentations located on at least one face of a telescopic component.

18 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in which the support table arrangement is itself collapsible.

19 A stand according to claim 18, in which the support table, in its collapsed condition, fits inside a telescopic stem component. 20 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 19, in which the support table arrangement comprises a collapsible frame.

21 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 20, in which the frame comprises four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub at the top end of the stem, which deploy from a stowed position, in which they are parallel to the stem, to an operative position, in which they form an 'X'.

22 A stand according to claim 21, in which, in the deployed position, the arms are tensioned by an elastic web.

23 A stand according to claim 22, in which the elastic web comprises elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position.

24 A stand according to claim 23, in which strands also connect the arms at positions intermediate their ends and the pivot position. 25 A stand according to any one of claims 20 to 24, in which a platen is provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms.

26 A stand according to claim 25, in which the platen is foldable for stowage in a telescopic stem member.

27 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 26, in which the support table, once deployed, is capable of adjustment as to its inclination to the vertical. 28 A stand according to claim 27, in which adjustment is effected by adjusting a hub at the top end of the stem, which forms part of the support table and which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and lockable within a range of rotation by a locking lever.

29 A stand comprising a document support table arrangement which is collapsible for stowing, and which comprises a frame comprising four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub, which deploy from a stowed position, in which the arms are parallel, to a deployed position, in which they form an 'X'.

30 A stand according to claim 29, in which the support table arrangement is mounted by the hub on a support stem.

31 A stand according to claim 30, in which the support stem is hollow and, in its stowed position, the support table fits inside the hollow stem. 32 A stand according to any one of clams 29 to 31, in which, in the deployed position, the arms are tensioned by an elastic web.

33 A stand according to claim 32, in which the elastic web comprises elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position.

34 A stand according to claim 33, in which strands also connect the arms intermediate their ends and the pivot position.

35 A stand according to any one of claims 29 to 34, in which a platen is provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms.

36 A stand according to claim 35, in which the platen is foldable for stowage.

37 A stand comprising::

• a support table arrangement;

• a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table, and a lower end; and

• a base; characterised in that the support stem comprises a telescopic arrangement comprising telescopic stem members of which an outer one constitutes a lower end connected to the base and the others of which telescope into the outer one.

38 A stand according to claim 37, in which the support table arrangement is itself collapsible to a¹ stowage position in which it fits inside an inner, upper stem component.

39 A stand according to claim '3.7 or claim 38, in which the outer stem component constitutes a carrying case.

40 A stand according to any one of claims 37 to 39, in which the outer stem component has an end cap which closes it when liie telescopic stem components are stowed.

41 A stand according to claim 40, in which the cap constitutes a locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem in deployed position.

42 A stand according to any one of claims 37 to 41, in which telescopic stem components are locked by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

43 A stand according to any one of claims 37 to 41, in which telescopic stem components comprise height-adjusting means being operable by a user, said height- adjusting means comprising one or more locking arrangements, said locking arrangements being click stop arrangements being reversibly engageable with indentations located on at least one face of a telescopic component.

44 A stand according to any one of claims 37 to 43, in which the base comprises feet attached to the outer stem component and adjustable between a stowed position in which they lie alongside the outer stem component and an operative position in which they are pivoted out of the stowed position to form a triangular footprint.