A calendar pad support is molded as a generally planar plastic sheet having a stepped width strip or tongue formed into the sheet comprising a first rectangular portion hinged near the lower edge of the sheet and a second rectangular portion wider than the first and hingedly connected thereto. Notches are formed into the sheet adjacent to the end of the first portion and a tab is formed at the distal end of the second portion by elimination of the corners of the distal end of the second portion during molding with the tab being sized to fit within and be retained by the first and second notches when the first portion of the tongue is folded rearwardly away from the sheet and the second portion of the tongue is folded forwardly toward the sheet. Severable links connect the tongue to the sheet in the as-molded condition. A channel formed of the same material as the sheet and engaging the outer edges thereof opens to the rear of the sheet and extends beyond the front surface to present a matted outer surface of the channel to frame the calendar pad secured to the front of the sheet. Molded posts are formed into the front surface of the sheet and nylon threaded members having expanded heads are retained within smooth bores through the posts to hold the calendar pad to the support device. The sheet and channel include reinforcing ribs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to structures for supporting a 
calendar pad, photograph or the like and, more particularly, to an 
easel-like structure for supporting such items in a generally upright, 
rearwardly inclined position. 
Calendar stands which support calendar pads at a relatively small angle of 
incline are well known and ubiquitously displayed on desks throughout the 
country. A variety of such calendar stands are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
793,252; 1,181,288; Re. 16,618; and 1,927,131. 
Other calendar stands commonly formed from cardboard and distributed by 
various merchants for advertising purposes are also well known as 
exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,210,873 and 3,275,280. In these stands or 
supports, various portions, typically die-cut from cardboard, are folded 
to form extensions or feet which support a display face at an inclined 
angle. 
A similar easel-like support is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,770 to 
serve as a one piece bookholder. In this disclosure, an easel-like book 
support is formed from a sheet of material from which a primary 
trapezoidal prop is cut with a secondary prop cut from within the primary 
prop and extending therebeyond. The secondary prop is formed to engage 
slots formed in the sheet such that the primary prop may be positioned at 
a number of angles relative to the sheet. 
While these various structures are available to support a calendar pad, 
photograph or the like, improved support structures are always desirable 
to provide alternatives, particularly when such improved support 
structures are inexpensive to produce, present an appealing appearance and 
provide stable support for such items. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a support structure for a 
calendar pad, photograph or the like comprises a generally planar sheet of 
a relatively rigid material. Preferably, the sheet is formed of one of a 
variety of suitable plastics having a sufficient thickness throughout the 
majority of the sheet to make the sheet relatively rigid. A stepped width 
strip of the material or tongue is cut or otherwise formed into the sheet 
such that it is connected near one edge of the sheet, which is the lower 
edge when the support is in use, and extends toward the opposite or upper 
edge. 
The first step of the strip or tongue comprises a first generally 
rectangular portion having one end which is connected near the lower edge 
of the sheet where it is creased or otherwise hingedly connected to permit 
the tongue to be moved to the rear and away from the sheet. The second 
step of the strip or tongue comprises a second generally rectangular 
portion which is wider than the first rectangular portion and extends 
beyond it toward the upper edge of the sheet. The union between the first 
and second portions is creased or otherwise hinged to permit movement of 
the second portion of the tongue toward the sheet as the first portion is 
moved to the rear and away from the sheet. 
First and second notches are cut or otherwise formed into the portion of 
the sheet remaining on either side of the first portion of the tongue near 
the free end thereof, i.e., near the union between the first and second 
portions. The second portion of the tongue has the corners of the distal 
end cut away or otherwise removed during formation such that a generally 
rectangular tab remains at the distal end of the second portion. The tab 
is sized to fit within the first and second notches and extend 
therebetween when the first portion of the tongue is folded rearwardly 
away from the sheet and the second portion of the tongue is folded 
forwardly toward the sheet. By engaging the tab within the notches, a 
stable angular prop is formed and extends from the rear or backside of the 
planar sheet to support it in an inclined orientation for displaying 
whatever is secured to the front side of the sheet. 
Preferably, angularly formed extensions which are wider than the second 
portion project from and beyond the sides thereof near the union between 
the first and second portions of the tongue. The lower ends of the 
extensions also project beyond the hinged interconnection between the 
first and second portions of the tongue to form support feet at either 
side of the second portion of the tongue when the tongue is folded to form 
the angular prop. 
At least first and second severable links connect the lateral edges of the 
tongue, preferably along the second portion thereof, to the planar sheet 
to retain the tongue in the plane of the sheet initially and prior to 
severence of the links. This facilitates packaging of the support 
structure of the present invention in a collapsed form prior to use. 
An opening is cut or otherwise formed into the sheet of material beyond the 
distal end of the tongue. The opening is approximately centered on the 
sheet to permit the sheet to be hung on a projection from a wall or other 
structure with the projection extending through the opening. When the 
support is hung, the tongue remains in the plane of the sheet to display 
whatever is secured to the front side of the sheet. 
Frame means extend from the outer edges of the planar sheet for framing 
whatever is mounted to the front side of the sheet. The frame means 
preferably comprises a contiguous channel of the same material as the 
planar sheet. The channel has one edge connected to the outer edge of the 
planar sheet and is open to the rear of the sheet such that a closed outer 
surface of the channel extends beyond the front side of the sheet to 
attractively frame whatever is secured thereto. To further enhance the 
appearance, the outer surface of the channel is textured or matted. 
When the support structure is to be used to support a calendar pad, means 
are provided for securing the calendar pad to the front side of the sheet. 
The calendar pad securing means preferably comprises first and second 
molded posts having smooth bores formed therethrough and positioned to be 
received within holes formed through the sheets of the calendar pad. First 
and second retaining members formed of a resilient material, such as 
nylon, are sized to be forced into the bores of the posts and retained by 
friction therein. The retaining members preferably include encircling 
projections or threads and have expanded heads to retain a calendar pad on 
the posts. The retaining members are easily removed by the application of 
a combined rotational and withdrawing force to install a new calendar pad 
at year end. 
Preferably, upstanding ribs are formed into and extend from the front 
surface of the planar sheet to reinforce the planar sheet and support the 
calendar pad or other item secured to the sheet at a plane parallel to, 
but spaced from, the front surface of the planar sheet. The reinforcing 
ribs also define a space for extension of a projection through the opening 
in the sheet if the support is to be hung. 
One or more channel reinforcing ribs are formed to span the channel 
defining the frame surrounding the front surface of the sheet. Such 
channel reinforcing ribs are formed at least in the bottom portion of the 
frame to prevent distortion of that portion of the channel frame when the 
structure is supported by the angular prop. Additional channel reinforcing 
ribs may be formed to ensure adequate support and an attractive, 
undistorted appearance of the frame. 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
support structure for a calendar pad, photograph or the like which 
comprises a generally planar sheet of relatively rigid material with a 
dual stepped and hinged tongue cut or formed thereinto which tongue can be 
folded to form an angled prop for supporting the structure in a 
substantially upright, inclined position. 
This, as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention, 
will become more apparent upon a review of the detailed description of the 
invention with reference to the drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
An illustrative embodiment of a support device for a calendar pad is shown 
in the drawing FIGS. 1-6. While the support device as illustrated is 
adapted to support a calendar pad, it should be apparent that the device 
can also be used to support photographs or similar items. 
The base element of the support device comprises a generally planar sheet 
100 formed of a relatively rigid material. The preferred embodiment is 
formed from a plastic material such that the entire structure can be 
molded during a single operation to provide inexpensive production of the 
device. A variety of plastics can be used to form the support device, as 
will be apparent to those skilled in the art of plastic molding, with the 
selection and thickness of a particular plastic material being made to 
satisfy the rigidity requirements of the device. It should also be 
appreciated that cardboard or other materials can be utilized to 
manufacture support devices incorporating the essence of the present 
invention. 
In the preferred embodiment of the support device, a prop forming strip or 
tongue 102 is formed such that the tongue 102 is separated from the 
remainder of the sheet 100 by a gap 104 formed into the material which gap 
substantially surrounds three sides of the tongue 102. The fourth side of 
the tongue 102 is connected near the lower edge 106 of the sheet 100 and 
extends towards the opposite or upper edge 108 of the sheet. A first, 
generally rectangular portion 102A of the tongue 102 connects the tongue 
102 to the remainder of the sheet 100 by means of a hinge 110 which 
comprises a thinned strip of the plastic material which forms the support 
device. 
A variety of formations for plastic molded hinges are well known and any of 
such hinges can be incorporated in the present invention. The hinge 110 is 
formed such that the tongue 102 may be moved away from the generally 
planar sheet 100 toward the rear of the sheet or into the plane of the 
drawing as shown in FIG. 1. In the event that the support device is 
constructed from cardboard or a similar material, the hinge 110 may be 
formed by appropriately creasing the material in that vicinity. 
A second generally rectangular portion 102B of the tongue 102 is wider than 
the first rectangular portion 102A and extends therebeyond toward the 
upper edge 108 of the sheet 100. The second portion 102B of the tongue 102 
is hingedly connected to the first portion 102A by means of a hinge 112. 
The hinge 112 is formed such that the second portion 102B can be folded 
back toward the sheet 100 or out of the plane of the drawing as shown in 
FIG. 1. Here again, the hinge 112 may be any form of molded plastic hinge 
in the event plastic is used to form the support device or can be a crease 
in the event that cardboard or a similar material is utilized. 
In the support device, as formed, the tongue 102 is retained within the 
plane of the sheet 100 by means of frangible links 114. The links 114 
preferably innerconnect the wider second portion 102B of the tongue 102 to 
the sidewalls 116 of the remainder of the planar sheet 100 by bridging the 
gap 104 formed between the tongue 102 and the remainder of the sheet 100. 
First and second notches 118 are formed into the sidewalls 116 of the 
sheet 100 near the free end of the first portion 102A of the tongue 102. 
The second portion 102B of the tongue 102 has the corners 120 of the 
distal end cut away or otherwise removed, such as during molding, to 
define a tab 122 at the distal end of the second portion 102B. The tab 122 
is sized to fit within the notches 118 and extend therebetween. 
If the support device of the present invention is to be supported in a 
generally upright inclined orientation, the links 114 are severed and the 
first portion 102A of the tongue 102 is hingedly moved toward the rear of 
the sheet 100. At the same time, the second portion 102B of the tongue 102 
is moved toward the sheet 100 with the hinged movement of the portions 
102A and 102B being continued until the tab 122 is engaged within the 
notches 118 to form a stable angular prop which serves to support the 
device as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
To add to the versatility of the present invention, an opening 124 is 
formed, cut or otherwise made through the sheet of material 100 beyond the 
distal end of the tongue 102 and substantially centered on the sheet 100. 
The opening 124 comprises a generally semicircular portion 124A with a 
generally rectangular notch 124B extending from the top thereof. If the 
support device of the present invention is to be hung on a wall or other 
structure, the opening 124 is used to receive a projection (not shown) 
such as a nail or hanger which projects from the wall or other structure. 
In the event that the support device is supported by a projection 
extending through the opening 124, the links 114 are not severed such that 
the tongue 102 remains centered within the gap 104 and in the plane of the 
sheet 100. 
Preferably, the second portion 102B of the tongue 102 includes angularly 
formed extensions 126 which extend from and beyond the edges of the second 
portion 102B and below the hinge 112 interconnecting the first portion 
102A and the second portion 102B. The formation of the extensions 126 
serves to define support feet 126A at either side of the tongue 102 when 
the tongue is folded to form an angular prop as best shown in FIG. 6. 
To enhance the appearance of the support device of the present invention 
and increase the rigidity of the sheet 100, frame means comprising a 
channel 128 is formed integrally with the sheet 100. The channel 128 is 
open to the rear of the sheet 100 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The frame 
means or channel 128 is preferably formed of the same material as the 
planar sheet 100 with an inner edge 130 of the channel 128 joined to the 
outer edges of the planar sheet 100 such that the closed outer surface 131 
of the channel 128 extends outwardly beyond the front side of the sheet 
100 to frame whatever is secured thereto. A textured or matted finish is 
molded or otherwise formed into the outer surface of the channel 128 to 
enhance the appearance of the support structure of the present invention. 
A calendar pad 132 is secured to the illustrated support device by means of 
first and second molded posts 134 which have smooth bores formed 
therethrough and are positioned to be received within holes formed through 
the calendar pad 132. First and second retaining members 136 are formed of 
a resilient material, preferably nylon, and sized to be forced into the 
bores of the molded posts 134 to be retained therein by friction. The 
retaining members 136 include expanded heads 138 to hold the calendar pad 
132 on the posts 134. The retaining members 136 preferably include 
circular projections which can be screw threads and the projections or 
screw threads may be deformed to assist in the frictional retention of the 
members within the posts 134. The retaining members 136 are readily 
removed from the posts 134 by application of a withdrawing force coupled 
with rotation to facilitate replacement of the calendar pad 132. 
Preferably, reinforcing ribs 140 are formed with and extend from the front 
of the planar sheet 100 to reinforce and strengthen the planar sheet. The 
reinforcing ribs 140 are shown in the illustrated embodiment as 
intersecting and joining with the molded posts 134; however, many other 
patterns for the ribs are possible. The reinforcing ribs 140 also support 
the calendar pad 132 at a plane parallel to, but spaced from, the front 
surface of the planar sheet 100. The spacing afforded by the reinforcing 
ribs 140 facilitates hanging the support device by means of a projection 
which extends through the opening 124 formed into the sheet 100. 
The channel 128 which forms the frame means surrounding the front of the 
sheet 100 may be deformed particularly toward the bottom of the support 
when the support device rests thereon. Accordingly, channel ribs 142 shown 
in FIGS. 2 and 3 are formed to span and reinforce the channel 128 at least 
in the lower portion of the channel. It may be desirable for additional 
channel reinforcing ribs 142 to be formed at other locations around the 
frame to prevent potential distortion of the frame channel 128. However, 
such ribs will normally not be required if the frame channel 128 is formed 
of a sufficient thickness of material. 
While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred 
embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is 
not limited to this precise form of apparatus and that changes may be made 
therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined 
in the appended claims.