SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract: An object-supporting device, such as a device for supporting a flat signboard, a photograph frame or the like intended to be used in an upstanding position while supported by the support device, the device being intended to take a generally flat first position, transport and storage position, conforming to the configuration of the object, and a second position, a supporting position, in which part of the device extends from the object to form a support part which is intended to lie against an underlying surface. The object-supporting device is characterized by at least one flexible and resilient, generally sheet-like support part (3) which includes an attachment part (4) which is intended to be attached to the object (1) to be supported, and at least one tongue-like part (5) having a free-end (6) which preferably faces towards the attachment part (4) in a first position, wherein the free-part of the support-part is intended to be bent outwards away from the object (1) to place the device in the object-supporting position, and wherein the tongue-like part (5) is intended to be bent inwardly so that its free-end (6) abuts the object and therewith holds the support-part (3) in its outwardly bent position.

Description: SUPPORT DEVICE The present invention relates to an objeet-suppo ting- device, for instance a device for supporting a flat 5 signboard, a photograph frame or the like which is intended to be used in an upstanding position while supported by the support device, said device being intended to take a first position, a transport or stor¬ age position, in which it is generally flat and conforms 10 with the configuration of the object, and a second position, a supporting position, in which part of the device projects from the object to form a supportive part which is intended to lie against an underlying sur ace. Iδ Devices of this general kind are earlier known. One such device has a heart-shaped configuration and is made of paperboard. This device, however, is relatively expen¬ sive to produce and to mount and tends to become worn 20 quickly. The object of the present invention is to provide a support device which can be produced and mounted at very- low costs and which has a relatively long useful life. 25 Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device for supporting objects such as flat signboards, a photo¬ graph frame or the like which are intended to be used in an upright position and therewith supported by said 0 device, said device being intended to take a generally- flat position, a transport or storage position, in which it conforms to the configuration of the object, and a second position, a supporting position, in which part of the device extends from the object to form a supportive 5 part which is intended to lie against an underlying surface. The supporting device is mainly characterized by at least one bendabie and resilient, generally sheet-like support-part which includes an attachment part for attachment to the object to be supported, and at least one tongue-like part having a free-end which preferably faces towards the attachment part in said first position of said device, said support-part being intended to be bent at its free-part away from the object so as to take said supporting position, wherein said tongue-like part is intended to be bent inwards so that its free-end lies against the object to be supported and therewith hold the support-part in an outwardly bent position. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which - Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an in¬ ventive support device and shows the device attach¬ ed to an object, said device being seen at right angles to the main extension plane of the object and the support device, with the support device being shown in its transport and storage position? - Figure 2 illustrates the device shown in Figure 1 obliquely from above in said Figure with the device in its supporting position; Figure 3 illustrates an object supported by the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the arrange¬ ment being seen from the left in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a view similar to the view of Figure i showing a second embodiment of an inventive support device. In Figure 1, the reference numeral i identifies an object, such as a flat signboard which in the illustrat- ed case is not "sel -standing" but is intended to be used in an upstanding position, Figure 3, while supported by a support device 2. The illustrated support device includes at least one flexible and resilient, generally sheet-like support-part 3 which includes an attachment part 4 which is intended to be attached to the object to be supported, and at least one tongue-like part 5 having a free-end 6 which is preferably intended to face the attachment part 4 in said first position. The free-part 3' of the support-part is intended to be bent outwardly away from the object 1. The tongue-like part 5 is intended be bent inwards so that its free-end ό lies against the object and therewith holds the sup¬ port-part in its outwardly bent position. As shown, the free-end 6 of the tongue-like part 5 is preferably- intended to lie against the object in a position which is remote from the attachment 5 r of the tongue-like part to the free-part of the support-part, as seen from the attachment part, so that the tongue-like part will form a strut which lies against the object and which holds the free-part of said support-part in its outwardly bent position. The reference numeral 7 identifies a supporting surface on which the support-part is intended to lie. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle at which the object is supported can be influenced by the height position of the support portion 3" of the support-part in relation to the bottom edge I 1 or the like of said object. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the support portion of the support-part extends at a given angle V in relation to the bottom edge 1 ' of the object. The reference numeral 8 identifies two notches or cuts, each of which forms a hollow in which the two opposite ends 5 !S of the tongue-like part extend to the free-part of the support-part at the attachment 5'. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3, two support-parts are provided on opposite sides of a central attachment part. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 has only one support-part. Embodiments are conceivable in which the free-part 3-' of a support-part 3 extends downwards from an attachment part positioned above the tongue-like part, wherein the support-part is intended to support on its end 3 !I oppo¬ site the attachment part. The support-part or parts is/are preferably made of a relatively thin plastic material. As will be understood from the aforegoing, the support-part 3 having the attachment part 4 and the tongue-like part 5 are prefer¬ ably a one-piece structure. The manner in which the inventive device functions will be understood essentially from the aforegoing. The support device will return from its supportive position to its flat transport and storage position automatical¬ ly, since the support-part 3 and the tongue-like part 5 are resilient. The tongue-like part 5 is held pressed against the object in the supporting mode of said device as a result of the spring-like properties of the support part. It will also be seen from the aforegoing that the inven¬ tive device provides important advantages over the known devices of this kind. Although the invention has been described in the afore- going with reference to exemplifying embodiments there¬ of, it will be understood that other embodiments and minor modifications are conceivable within the scope of the inventive concept. For instance, the shape of the support parts can vary within wide limits.

Claims: a Bis 1. An object-supporting device, such as a device for supporting a flat signboard, a photograph frame or the like intended to be used in an upstanding position while supported by the support device, said device being intended to take a generally flat first position, a transport a d storage position, conforming to the con¬ figuration of the object, and a second position, a sup- porting position, in which part of the device extends from the object to form a support part which is intended to lie against an underlying surface, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d by at least one flexible and resilient, generally sheet-like support part (3) which includes an attachment part (4) which is intended to be attached to the object (i) to be supported, and at least one tongue¬ like part (5) having a free-end (6) which preferably faces towards the attachment part (4) in said first position, wherein the free-part of the support-part is intended to be bent outwards away from the object (1) so as to bring the device in said object-supporting posi¬ tion, and wherein the tongue-like part (5) is intended to be bent inwardly so that its free-end (6) abuts the object and therewith holds the support-part (3) in its outwardly bent position. 2. A device according to Claim 1, c h r a c ¬ t e r i z e in that the device includes two support- parts (3) located on opposite sides of a central attach- ment part (4). 3. A device according to Claim I, c h a r c ¬ t e r i z e in that the support-part or parts (3) is/are made of a plastic material.

Inventors: MODERATHO BO, MODERATHO, BO
Applicants: MODERATHO BO, MODERATHO, BO
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A47G1
IPC codes: A47G1