STAND OR SEPARATION, ESPECIALLY A BOOK-END

Abstract: A support or separation, especially a book-end consists of a resilient element (1) and a support element (2). The support or the separation achieves its function by, that the branch (5) of the resilient element, which engages the underside of the shelf and the upper branch (3), which the support element slides upon, is wedge shape, thereby one can adapt the support or separation to the thickness of the shelf by displacing the support element on the resilient element. Hereby is obtained a surface pressure between the parts, which results in, that the support is self-locking, and hereby is the function of the support or the separation obtained. The two holes in the support element are placed so, that by turning the support element upside down variations in adaption to the doubled thickness of the shelf can be obtained.

Description: Stand or separation, especially a book-end The present invention relates to a stand or separa¬ tion, especially a book-end to be used on book shelves, shelves, desks and the like furniture having one or more horizontal plate elements (in the following only desig¬ nated shelves) and of the construction which clutch the shelf and is fixed thereon by sliding a support element in relation to a resilient element. From the description to Swedish patent no. 109 121 is known a book-end, where the fixation to the shelf takes place by sliding two elements relatively to each other. In said patent description the support part and the part engaging the underside of the shelf are made as a whole. The wedge function arises by the lower part of the support being equipped with a wedge-trail which is inclined towards the shelf. Said book-end is compara¬ tively complicated, as a trail has to be made both in the fixed and in the sliding part. Moreover the adaption of the book-end to various shelf thicknesses is limited owing to the wedge-trail rendering no alternative varia¬ tions. The object of the present invention is to specify a stand or separation of a modern design, with a wide range of adaption to different thicknesses of shelves, and at the same time having a simple construction and being especially functional, as without screws and small springs it can be fastened on a shelf. This is achieved by a stand or separation according to the invention, characterized in that the support element is resting against the shelf with a support area and can be locked thereto by the resilient element, which has a branch parallel to the support area of the support element, which branch is resiliently connected to another branch, which is inclined in relation to the first branch, such that they together form a wedge, and is slidably connected to the support element. By dis¬ placement of the support element the distance to the resilient element, which engages the opposite side of the shelf, can by changed, causing a clamping force on the shelf between the supporting element and the resi¬ lient element. This results in an area pressure between one side of the shelf and the support element and an area pressure between the resilient element and the opposite side of the shelf. The attachment to various shelves of different thicknesses is achieved by more or less displacing the support element on the resilient element. The wedge angle of the resilient element and the rigidity is chosen such that the support element is self locking by means of friction, which contributes to the simplicity of the book-end. By placing holes for the resilient element in the support element, such that the distance A (see fig. 1) is different from the distance B, a greater adaptability for different thickness of shelves is achieved by turning the support element. By a further embodiment of the book-end according to the invention the support element can be made with more sets of holes or tracks (depending on whether the support element isi solid) and thereby having wide-range adapt¬ ability. Preferably the lower branch of the resilient ele¬ ment is inclined slightly upwards towards the engaging area of the support element, such that there by tighten¬ ing of the stand or separation around a shelf is caused a pre-tension in the lower branch, which branch initial¬ ly engages the shelf with its outer end a distance along the shelf, and thereafter in its entirety is pulled upwards against the shelf. The invention shall be described in more details in the following with reference to the accompanying drawing. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment for a book-end according to the invention, seen directly from one side. Fig. 2 shows the book-end seen directly from one side, but with the support element turned 180 degrees. Fig. 3 shows the book-end seen directly from the front. Fig.4 shows the resilient element seen directly from the side. Fig. 5 shows the support element seen directly from the side. Fig. 6 shows a different embodiment of the book-end, where the support element is I-shaped. Fig. 7 shows a different embodiment of the book-end where the support element is triangular. The embodiment of the book-end shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a resilient element 1 and a support element 2. The resilient element has a rigidity, such that it forms the necessary area pressure on the support element. The resilient element has a rectangular cross section of such width, such that together with the width of the support element it provides a stable book-end at great loads. The lower branch 5 of the resilient element, which engages the under side of the shelf, and the upper branch 3, which the support element is sliding on, is wedge shaped having an angle which secures self-locking of the support element even on very smooth surfaces for the resilient element, support element and shelf. By the embodiment is chosen a shape of the resilient element tapering towards the shelf, because at the time of plac¬ ing the support element this is displaced through being pushed along the shelf, whereby it is achieved that the front 4 of the resilient element is fixed against the front edge of the shelf. The book-end could therefore be placed using one hand only. The placing of the holes 6 and 7 with the measures A and B in the support element are chosen carefully to facilitate adaption to twice the shelf thickness by turning the support element 180 de¬ grees, see Figs. 1 and 2. Although the invention is especially considered used as a book-end, it is obvious that it can be used for other purposes than supporting books. Generally it can be used as support or separation on shelves and similar furniture, e.g. on shelves used in stores and in warehouses,. In the above the stand or separation is mainly described as standing in an upright position on the shelves, however, it might as well hang downwards and serve as support or separation for a shelf right below. In alternative embodiments of the stand or separa¬ tion the support element and the resilient element can have different shapes and be made of different mate¬ rials. The resilient element, e.g., can be circular or rectangular and the support element can be e.g. triangu¬ lar or -shaped, hollow or solid. Materials can be e.g. steel, aluminium, wood or plastic. It is of cause pos¬ sible to mount e.g. rubber on the resilient element and the support element as bedding towards the shelf.

Claims: C L A I M S : 1. Stand or separation, especially a book-end to be used on book shelves, shelves, desks and the like fur¬ niture with one or more horizontal plate elements, and of the construction which clutches the shelf and is fixed thereon by sliding a support element (2) in rela¬ tion to a resilient element characterized in that the support element (2) rests against the shelf with a sup¬ port area and can be locked thereto by the resilient element (1) , which has a branch (5) essentially parallel to the support area of the support element, which branch is resiliently connected to another branch (3) , which is inclined in relation to the first branch, such that they form a wedge, and is slidably connected to the support element. 2. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the support element has one or more support areas, such that it can be turned upside down. 3. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the support element has one or more tracks (6,7) for the resilient element. 4. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the entire support element stands between the shelf and the upper branch of the resilient element. 5. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the resilient element has more than one branch for engagement with the support element. 6. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower and upper branches of the resilient element diverge from each other. 7. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower and upper branches of the resilient element diverge towards each other. 8. Stand according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower branch of the resilient element is inclined slightly upwards towards the support area of the support element.

Inventors: VILSBOELL NIELS, VILSBOELL, NIELS
Applicants: VILSBOELL NIELS, VILSBOELL, NIELS
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A47B65
IPC codes: A47B65