Patent Publication Number: US-4927107-A

Title: Support for reclinable boards

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention of an improved support is to be used for kitchen tables, drawing boards and for many other applications, as it consists of two joint arms forming a folding square with a jamming and releasing system. Among the various models of this kind of supports, there are some that have a joining crosspiece attached to the upper arm and which through the lower end of the arm a link grasps a joint of the other arm while the support is unfolded. This kind of support, has the disadvantage of tending to disengage itself from the joint, with the consequent danger implied and making the support involuntarily fold, losing the function for which it had been made. 
     There are other models in existence which include a compass joining the arms. While the support is in a reclined position, this compass acts as jamming system. These supports are complex and besides, the compass is usually a nuisance for the user, who might kick the support with his knees when using the board. There are other traditional board supports, of the square type, such as those that include telescopic elements, guides, etc, which in the end are complex to use, expensive, easily damaged and unaesthetic. Many of the ordinary supports are often weak, inadequate for resisting pressures, this is why their practical utility is reduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Contrary to all these other supports that have been described, the support for reclinable boards, referred to in this report, is very solid, secure, easy to handle and allows the board to be reclined in many different positions without having any special construction, so that its industrial production does not imply any increase pricewise. 
     As a consequence, the support has two arms linked by a small compass that through the joining axis between its legs slides on a slide gap that includes a series of inlets forming a rack in a crosspiece interposed between the two legs of the compass. The inlets selectively link the axis in order to maintain the upper arm and the board fixed to it in different positions. 
     The crosspiece in its upper end is joined to the joining axis between the two arms and is related to the releasing system through a joining element. In order to make the explanation clearer, a picture is enclosed in which a practical case is shown. This is just an example of the various uses of this invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1, is a view of the elevated longitudinal section of the support in the open position. 
     FIG. 2, is a similar view to the one shown in picture 1, in a semifolded position. 
     FIG. 3, corresponds to an elevated view of the back side of the support in a folded position and in order to get a clearer view, the intermediate part of the back arm has been omitted. 
    
    
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As seen in the FIGS., the referred support is comprised of two &#34;U&#34; shaped arms 1 and 2 joined at the confluence area through a pin 3. Arm 1 has holes in its intermediate part where it will be fixed to a wall or facing, while arm 2 has other holes where the board will be fixed to an object (not shown). 
     Arms 1 and 2 are related to each other by a compass whose legs 4 and 5 are joined respectively about axis 6 and 7 to arms 1 and 2. Axis 8 joins the compass&#39; legs and slides on a slide gap 9 made in one crosspiece 10 interposed between the abovementioned legs providing a balance of strength and which is joined at its upper end to the pin 3. The slide 9 has an upper series of inlets 11 in which it is possible to fit axis 8 in a way by which the upper arm 2 is able to maintain itself in different positions and, as a consequence, the board gets fixed to that arm. 
     The crosspiece 10 at its upper end is joined by a &#34;V&#34; shaped rod 12 to the back end of plate 13 which runs parallel to the inside of the upper arm 2. Plate 13 is guided by internal pressing 14 of the same arm and pulled by spring 15 towards the back part of that arm, in a way that makes crosspiece 10 move smoothly downwards. This places the inlets 11 of the slide 9 on the axis 8 of the joint between legs 4 and 5 of the compass. Plate 13 is used to disengage axis 8 from the inlets 11 of the slide 9 of the crosspiece 10 by means of the rod 12. This is done by pulling the plate forward against the spring force 15 through a wing 16 provided at the front end of the plate. This traction determines the oscilation of the crosspiece upwards in a way that the inlets 11 are separated from axis 8 allowing the oscilation of the upper arm 2 downwards, during which axis 8 slides on the slide 9 until it produces the engagement between the axis and one of the inlets when wing 16 is released or until the support is completely folded by engaging the upper arm 1 to the back arm 2, an engagement due to the &#34;U&#34; shaped area of the arms and to having a &#34;U&#34; shape bigger in the first one than in the latter. In this position, the board is completely folded and the support completely flat occupying a very small space allowing the folding position in a way that the board is attached to the wall on which the support had been set up. 
     The object of this invention can be put into practice in other ways that would be different only in detail from the one shown in the picture as an example, but in any way it would have the protection quoted. This improved support could be produced for reclinable boards, in any shape and size, with the most adequate means and materials and the most convenient accessories, as it is all implied in the spirit of the claim.