Abstract:
A portable stand includes a shelf having a back plate with a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the back plate includes at least two attachment locations and at least one securing locations, a bottom flange forming an angle with the back plate, extending toward the front surface at a first angle from the plate, and a mounting element. The portable stand includes a shelf extension including two elongated flanges formed at an angle equal to the first angle configured to selectively couple to the shelf, and an arm pivotably attachable to the shelf extension.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/138,668, filed on Dec. 18, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a portable stand, in particular to a portable music stand that allows for greater flexibility in use and portability. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    One aspect provides a portable stand. The portable stand includes a shelf having a back plate with a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the back plate includes at least two attachment locations and at least one securing locations, a bottom flange forming an angle with the back plate, extending toward the front surface at a first angle from the plate, and a mounting element. The portable stand includes a shelf extension including two elongated flanges formed at an angle equal to the first angle configured to selectively couple to the shelf, and an arm pivotably attachable to the shelf extension. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portable stand as an erected assembly according to one embodiment. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of a shelf according to one embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the shelf according to one embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  illustrates a back view of the shelf according to one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate side views of a shelf extension according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate perspective views of the shelf extension according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  illustrates an end view of the shelf extension according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of an arm according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the arm according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the arm according to  FIG. 9 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the portable stand as assembled for carrying according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0017]    It is to be understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise. 
         [0018]    A portable stand is provided that is configured to have improved ease of transport and use. Embodiments described below provide a portable stand that is configured to be disassembled from an erected assembly and reassembled into a compact carrying assembly. The portable stand is desirably lightweight and compact for ease of transporting. The portable stand is desirably adjustable and provides a sturdy platform when erected. The portable stand provides ease of assembly and disassembly as well as ease of adjustability in positioning when assembled. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a portable stand  100  as an erected assembly, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, portable stand  100  includes shelf  10 , shelf extension  12 , arm  14 , and tripod  16 . In one embodiment, shelf extension  12  couples with back plate  18  and flange  20  of shelf  10 . In one embodiment, shelf extension  12  is coupled to either side  22  of shelf  10  with brackets  24 . In one embodiment, arm  14  is connected to shelf extension  12  at connection point  26 . Arm  14  is pivotable to any desired angle with respect to shelf extension  12  at connection point  26 . In one embodiment, for example, arm  14  is oriented parallel to the side  22  of shelf  10 . In another embodiment, arm  14  is angled toward shelf  10 . In one embodiment, an extension  12  may be coupled to each side  22  of shelf  10 . When assembled to shelf  10 , shelf extension  12  and arm  14  enable portable stand  100  to accommodate full size sheet music. In one embodiment, shelf  10 , shelf extension  12 , arm  14 , and tripod  16  are made of a rigid material such as rigid plastic, metal, a combination of plastic and metal, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, shelf  10 , shelf extension  14  and arm  16  are a powder-coated metal. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, portable stand  100  provides a stable platform for displaying sheet music or other material. Portable stand  100  may be erected with or without shelf extension  12  and arm  14 . Shelf  10  is adjustable such that back plate  12  is oriented horizontally, vertically or at some other angle. In another embodiment, portable stand  100  may be used as a portable workstation for a laptop or other devices by pivoting shelf  10  with respect to tripod  16 , thereby providing a relatively horizontal workstation. Further, shelf  10  is rotatable on a vertical axis with respect to tripod  16 . In one embodiment, tripod  16  engages with shelf  10  at a first end  28 . Support legs  30  at the opposing second end  32  are extendable outward from vertical post  34 . In one embodiment, tripod  16  includes three support legs  30 , however four support legs, for example, are also acceptable. In one embodiment, the height of vertical post  34  is adjustable through extension and retraction of sections  36 . In one embodiment, sections  36  are adjustable with one hand of a user while portable stand  100  is erected. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2-4  illustrate shelf  10  of portable stand  100 . As seen in the front view of shelf  10  provided in  FIG. 2 , shelf  10  includes back plate  18  and flange  20 . In one embodiment, back plate  18  is rectangularly shaped and includes top edge  19 , bottom edge  17 , and two side edges  22 . In one embodiment, the exposed outer corner edges  23  of shelf  10  are rounded. As seen in the perspective of shelf  10  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , bottom plate or flange  20  is connected to back plate  18  at bottom edge  17 . In one embodiment, shelf  10  is an L-shaped configuration wherein bottom plate  20  extends from front surface  44  of back plate  18  at a first angle  48 . In one embodiment, first angle  48  is approximately 90 degrees. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, holes  40  and  42  are provided through back plate  18 , extending from front face  44  to back face  46 . In one embodiment, two attachment holes  40  are located near top edge  19 . In another embodiment, attachment holes  40  are located along side edges  22 , between top edge  19  and bottom edge  17 . In one embodiment, holes  40  provide for attaching a carrying strap, shoulder strap, or other transporting mechanism (illustrated in  FIG. 11 ). In one embodiment, securing holes  42  are provided near bottom edge  17  of back plate  18 . In one embodiment, securing holes  42  are used for securing other elements of portable stand  100 , discussed below, to shelf  10  during transport or storage. 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a mounting element  50  is provided on back surface  46 . In one embodiment, mounting element  50  is suitable for mating with first end  28  of tripod  16 . In one embodiment, mounting element  50  includes nuts, bolts, pivot legs, brackets or other means to facilitate assembly with tripod  16  when the portable stand  100  is assembled for use. Mounting element  50  provides a pivotable connection to tripod  16 . Mounting element  50  is configured to be suitable for attachment to the vertical post of any standard tripod. Any standard mounting configuration is acceptable. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate side views of shelf extension  12  according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, each of the two elongated flanges  50  include a connection point  26  and bracket  24 , respectively. In one embodiment, brackets  24  include sliding portion  60 , stop  62 , and fixed portion  64 . Fixed portion  64  is fixedly coupled to flange  50 . In one embodiment, stop  62  extends away from flange  50  and joins fixed portion  64  to sliding portion  60  in a z-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, connection point  26  is included on elongated flange  50 . In one embodiment, connection point  26  is a hole positioned on the opposite end of elongated flange  50  with respect to brackets  24 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate perspective views of shelf extension  12 . Shelf extension  12  includes two elongated flanges  50  that are connected along elongated side  52  at an angle  54  equal to first angle  48  on shelf  10 . In one embodiment, the corners  56  of elongated flanges  50  which are not connected along elongated side  52  are rounded or smoothed for safety in handling.  FIG. 7  is an end view of shelf extension  12 . In one embodiment, the width of brackets  34  extends to be approximately equal to the width of elongated flanges  50 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate embodiments of arm  14 . In one embodiment, arm  14  is an elongated plate including first end  70  and opposite second end  72 . In one embodiment, first end  70  is flat and includes connection  76 . In one embodiment, connection  76  is a hole which corresponds to, and is capable of connecting to at least one of connection point  26  of shelf extension  12 . In one embodiment, beveled portion  74  extends from first end  70  and is slightly angled between horizontal planes of the first end  70  and second end  72 . In one embodiment, extending from beveled portion  74 , toward second end  72 , sides  78  are bent slightly inward along center line or ridge  80 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 11  illustrates portable stand  200  configured for transport or storage according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, portable stand  200  includes shoulder strap  92  and flexible connectors  90 . As discussed above, holes  40  are included in back plate  18  for attachment of a carrying strap as well as holes  42  for attachment of flexible connectors  90  which secure the shelf extension  12 , arm  14 , tripod  16  or other elements to the shelf  12  during transport or storage. In one embodiment, the portable stand  200  may be easily transported with or without the additional use of a carrying bag. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, flexible connectors  90  secure tripod  16  to back plate  18  by connecting to holes  42 . In another embodiment, flexible connectors  90  are removably secured with one end at holes  42  and an opposing end removably secured at side edge  22 . In one embodiment, flexible connectors  90  are extendable straps of elastic material with hooks at both ends, although other suitable attachment devices may be used. In one embodiment, holes  42  are positioned such that when tripod  16  is secured to back plate  18 , tripod  16  is positioned on top of bottom plate  20 . In one embodiment, tripod  16  is a collapsible stand and is secured to back plate  12  in its collapsed state. In one embodiment, legs  30  are collapsed or retracted parallel to telescoping rod  34 . In another embodiment, additional items may be secured by flexible connectors  90  to back plate  18 . In one embodiment, tripod  16  in a collapsed state, shelf extension  12  and arm  14  are each approximately the length of bottom edge  17 . 
         [0029]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.