Abstract:
Disclosed is an articulated lectern with panels joined by hinges, with the panels employing a kickstand and keeper holes to adjust height and angularity. The lectern can be made of solid panels or frame panels.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/930,996 filed May 21, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The herein disclosed invention finds applicability primarily in libraries, study halls, churches, schools and other such places where one would read books, and papers and would like a comfortable and convenient support to rest them on while the books or papers are being read. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In the art in which this invention resides, there are to be found many articulated book stands, but none have the special attributes of the herein disclosed invention which will be described hereafter. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention is directed to an articulated stand for holding a book at varying heights, while for example being read from a sitting or standing position as is done in many schools, churches and meeting rooms. The articulated stand will hold a book at various heights, and angles, in relation to a table or surface upon which the stand is placed. The multi-level articulated stand is comprised of three rectangular panels (e.g., a bottom panel, middle panel and top panel) that are lined up in a row longitudinally, and connected with two sets of hinges. The hinges enable these three panels to form a Z-shape; that is align as in a letter Z or to collapse downward for storage, into the position of three boards stacked one on top of the other, as will be explained in the drawings. When the stand is in the Z or elevated position, a book placed on the upper surface of the stand can be retained and read in a position elevated from the table. The stand at top level and lower level are held in different positions by use of two U-shaped brackets as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. A first bracket is between the top and middle panel, and a second bracket is between the middle and bottom panel. The U-shaped bracket can be made of heavy gauge wire. For each U-shaped bracket, the two ends of the bracket, insert into the sides of a panel. A first set of wire ears of the first bracket inserts into the sides of the top panel, and a second set of wire ears of the second bracket inserts in the sides of the middle panel. Bracket feet or tips can pivot into the holes in which they are inserted to keep the articulated stand elevated to different levels. When the stand is collapsed, the wires fold inward, and rest between the wood panels, as will be explained. 
       Frame Panels 
       [0007]    A second method can be used to attach the brackets to the panels. It is for the articulated stand to be made of frames instead of solid rectangle panels as will be explained in reference to the drawings. The ends of the wires are to be inserted from the inside of a rectangular frame instead of the outside. 
         [0008]    There are a few types of wires that can be used in the inside. One is “inside wire” and a second is “inside wire flat” as will be described in the drawings. 
         [0009]    These two wires have different ways of being inserted into the multi-level stops. As monitored above, in the first method of attaching kickstand (outside wire) the wire kickstand stubs or feet can be inserted in holes on the top surface of the middle and bottom panels. That is that the tip reaches vertically down into the hole. This means that the length of the stub is perpendicular to the hole opening. This same method is used in “inside wire” type. However, in “inside wire flat”, the wire rests in a groove. This means that the stub is perpendicular to the groove and lies in it (see two types of inside wire in the drawings). 
       Prior Art Patents of Interest 
       [0010]    Campagnoli (2008/0006753) discloses a multi-level articulated notebook display, with angularity being adjusted by inserting a support element into a plurality of ribs or notches. 
         [0011]    Hilderbrandt (U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,195) teaches a hinged screen display for a computer. Tilt adjustments are made by rather complicated sets of hinging connections. 
         [0012]    Cies (U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,529) is for a multiply pivoted computer housing to be deployed in a Z-shaped configuration; having a hinge system for interconnecting panels. This invention uses a rather complicated set of hinges and hooks to adjust the angularity of the panels. 
         [0013]    Ma (U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,714) teaches a multi-section display wherein the sections are adjusted as to angularity by a friction means. 
         [0014]    Ranta (U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,050) uses a rather complicated method employing legs and friction-knobs for adjusting for height and angularity of a table surface. 
         [0015]    Silverman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,661) uses side-holes or an adjusting plate with support arm extensions along with finger-grabs to adjust the height and angularity of a desk stand for a computer. 
         [0016]    Silverman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,421) teaches a stand for a computer wherein angularity can be adjusted by using a series of side-holes and slots along with frame leg extensions. 
         [0017]    Cirami (U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,261) teaches a multi-sectional device wherein angularity is achieved using a complicated hinging arrangement. 
         [0018]    Weir (U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,556) teaches a multi-position holder table using a complicated arrangement of locking hinges and braces. 
         [0019]    Peacock (U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,123) is for a foldable easel having hinges and positioning slots. 
         [0020]    Bush (U.S. Pat. No. 2,331,595) is for a multi-level and multi-position book support using a stud bolt and knurled nut for positioning angularity. 
         [0021]    Powell (U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,119) teaches an adjustable inclination reading/writing board which uses a single operating lever and which adjusts by releasing the single operating lever from a series of transverse notches. 
         [0022]    Long (U.S. Pat. No. 2,449,492) is for an articulated lectern which employs the thumb nuts to tighten the hinges in a fixed position. 
         [0023]    McIntosh (U.S. Pat. No. 1,571,131) teaches a folding drawing table which is adjustable as to angularity using multiple truss components. 
       Single Panel Devices 
       [0024]    Yang (U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,525) is for a reading stand employing support to fit into grooved channels to adjust the angularity of a reading plate. 
         [0025]    Domino (U.S. Pat. No. 3,376,009) teaches a reading stand having a rigid wire base with a back support, with adjustment stops to engage an adjustment brace having support arms. 
         [0026]    Stillians (U.S. Pat. No. 1,580,344) teaches an adjustable easel having a main frame having a rectangular shape and having corner braces. The side rails of the main frame have apertures to receive a brace and an auxiliary frame with engagement notches to engage said brace which will determine the angularity of the main frame. 
         [0027]    Morgan (U.S. Pat. No. 1,457,990) is for a wire display stand formed of three sections of bent wire. The stand having a base wire-portion, and there being a second rectangular frame portion. The stand is capable of being reversed and can display at various angles. 
         [0028]    Smith (U.S. Pat. No. 1,203,659) is for a copy holder having a plate to hold copies and a bail having bail arms to be received by rows of lugs which will enable angularity adjustment of the copy holder. 
         [0029]    Heath (U.S. Pat. No. 592,780) teaches a book rest wherein a brace and notches determine the angularity of the book rest. 
         [0030]    Fleming (U.S. Pat. No. 578,325) is for a desk top wherein angularity is determined by a base frame engaging notches. 
         [0031]    Danner (U.S. Pat. No. 289,394) is for a book support wherein angularity is determined by a prop retained by grooves. 
         [0032]    None of the prior art patents herein cited show the inventor&#39;s novel articulated lectern for holding a book or paper and the like. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    A main object of the invention is to produce an articulated lectern using a minimum number of parts. 
         [0034]    A further object of the invention is to produce a lectern of sturdy construction. 
         [0035]    A still further object of the invention is to produce a lectern which is easy to use and easy to store. 
         [0036]    An important object of this invention is to produce a lectern which in a lower first position will be used while the reader is in the seated position and in the raised second position will be used while the reader is standing. 
         [0037]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the enclosed drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the multi-level articulated reading stand set on a table surface. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view thereof showing the placement of the keeper holes. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a left side plan view of the reading stand as shown in  FIG. 2  with the center panel being a cross-section taken along  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a left side plan view thereof showing the side retaining holes for receiving the wire ears of the kickstand. 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is of the metal rod kickstand. 
           [0043]      FIG. 6  is a view of the articulated reading stand in its folded position for storage or easy transport. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a view of a two panel device. 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective of a frame panel articulated lectern. 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view thereof. 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a view of the frame panel articulated lectern completely unfolded. 
           [0048]      FIG. 11  shows a series of wires to be used with frame panels. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-6  there are illustrated view of a compact articulated lectern  10  for a book, papers or other such articles. The lectern  10  is multi-level and articulated and has a top panel  12 , with a book-stop  14 , a center panel  16  and a bottom panel  18 . The top panel  12  and center panel  16 ; and center panel  16  and bottom panel  18  are joined by hinges  32 . Shown also in the figures is a rod kickstand  20  with flexible  26 , metal sides  28  and feet  30 , shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5 . The sides of the top panel  12  and the sides of the center panel  16  have holes  22  for receiving inboard ears  24  attached at the top of the kickstand  20  ( FIG. 5 ). Note that the wire of the kickstand  20  is flexible enough to allow the inboard ears  24  to be received by the holes  22  in the sides of panels  12  and  16 . 
         [0050]    The top panel  12 , the center panel  16  and the bottom panel  18  are preferably made of wood, but could be made of plastic, metal or any other-like material. The kickstand  20  is preferably made of metal wire, but can also be made of plastic or other like strong and flexible material. 
         [0051]    Note particularly with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  the lectern  10  is in its raised position and can be employed while the reader is standing. By folding in the bottom kickstand into a notch  38  the lectern can be conveniently lowered and used while the reader is sitting. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 5  the kickstand has two inboard ears  24 , two sides  28  which can be flexed  26  and allow for the inboard ears  24  to be inserted into holes  22  at the edges of panels  12  and  16 . 
         [0053]    In particular regard to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 , surface holes  34  are shown. These holes are oversized and deep to allow for feet  30  of kickstand  20  to enter the hole  34  at an angle, which would not be possible unless the holes were oversized. 
         [0054]    An important feature of this invention is the fact that the bottom frame panel  56  of the lectern in this embodiment is longitudinally shorter than the top frame panel  52  and middle frame panel  54 . The advantage to this arrangement is that the reader will be in a position closer to the book-stop and the reading material. 
         [0055]    With particular reference to  FIG. 6  the lectern is shown in its folded position; allowing for easy storage or transportation. Note also that in  FIGS. 1 and 6  there is shown a shallow notch  36  in the top panel and the notch  38  in the bottom panel for neatly receiving the kickstand  20  in the folded position ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0056]    An important feature of this invention is the fact that the bottom panel  18  of the lectern in a preferred embodiment is longitudinally shorter than the top panel  12  and center panel  16 . The advantage to this arrangement is that the reader will be in a position closer to the book-stop and the reading material. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  describes a modification of the instant invention showing that the kickstand and keeper-hole arrangement can be used in a two panel compact articulated lectern  40  and in other like applications which require adjustable inclination. The lectern  40  is a two panel lectern having a top panel  42  and a bottom panel  44 . The top panel  42  and the bottom panel  18  are joined by hinge. Shown also is a rod kickstand  20 . There are holes  34  in the bottom panel  44  of the lectern  40 . The holes  34  are oversized and deep to allow for feet of kickstand  20  to enter the holes  34  at an angle, which would not be possible unless the holes were oversized. 
         [0058]    With reference to  FIGS. 8-10  an alternative embodiment of the compact articulated lectern  50  envisions the use of frame panels. There being a top frame panel  52 , a middle frame panel  54  and a bottom frame panel  56 . The top frame panel  52  and the middle frame panel  54 ; and the middle frame panel  54  and the bottom frame panel  56  are joined by hinges. The top frame panel  52 , the middle frame panel  54  and the bottom frame panel  56  each have through openings. The frame panels are articulated using U-shaped wire kickstands. One type of wire kickstand  70  ( FIG. 11B ) has a U-shape with outboard ears  60  at the top of the U-shape to be inserted into a plurality of inboard holes  62  in the inner part of the frame; and the bottom of the U-shape has a nipple  64  which extends out beyond the U-shape to attach itself to a keeper slot  66  on the wood frame. There is also contemplated a U-shape kickstand  70  ( FIG. 11A ) having outboard ears  60  at the top of the U-shape and extended outboard feet  74  projecting outward and downward from the U-shape of the kickstand. The outboard ears  60  attach to the plurality of inboard holes  62  in the frame and the extended outboard feet  74  insert into surface holes  68 . The surface holes  68  are oversized and deep to allow for feet of kickstand  70  to enter the surface holes  68  at an angle, which would not be possible unless the holes were oversized. In  FIGS. 8-10  the book stop is identified as  58 . 
         [0059]    The keeper slots  66  and the surface holes  68 , in a preferred embodiment, do not extend across the full width of the frame member. This minimizes the thinning of the frame member except in the area of the keeper slots  66  or the surface holes  68 . This has the advantage of increasing the strength of the frame member. 
         [0060]    The top frame panel  52 , the middle frame panel  54  and the bottom frame panel  56  are preferable made of wood, but could be made of plastic, metal or any other material. The kickstand  70  is preferable made of metal wire, but can also be made of plastic or other like strong and flexible material. 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a series of wires  11  A- 11 E which could be used with the frame-lectern  50  of  FIGS. 8-10 . With particular reference to  FIG. 8  and wire kickstand  70  ( FIG. 11E ) having inboard ears  76  that fits into an outboard holes  78  and having bottom corner angle  80  that fits into keeper slots  66 . Wire kickstands  70  ( FIGS. 11A-11D ) would in a like fashion fit into keeper slots  66  or inboard holes  62  as would be understood by one skilled in the art. 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 11  there are shown a series of U-shape kickstands  70  designed to articulate a frame lectern  50 .  FIGS. 11A-11D  have outboard ears  60  to fit into an inboard holes  62  in the frame.  FIG. 11E  has inboard ears  76  to fit in the outboard holes  78  on the outer side of the frame as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . With reference to  FIGS. 11A-11E  the bottom of the U-shaped kickstand is fashioned with projections to be received in keeper slots  66  or surface holes  68  on the frame surface. Note that  FIG. 11A  has extended outward feet  74  to be received in the surface holes  68 .  FIGS. 11B-11C  have projections or nipples  64  to be received in notches or keeper slots  66 . With reference to  FIGS. 11D-11E  the bottom corners of the U-shaped kickstand  70  are provided with an indent  80  to be received in keeper slots  66   FIG. 8 . 
         [0063]    With reference to  FIGS. 8-11  attention is brought to the fact that the frame panels are all of equal size and therefore with particular reference to  FIGS. 11A-11D  where outboard ears  60  fit into the inside portion of the frame there are provided outward projections  64 ,  74  and  80  to fit in keeper slots  66  on the frame below the outward projections. In this regard particular attention is directed to  FIG. 8 . An advantage of the frames being of uniform size is economy in manufacture. 
         [0064]    There may be a notch in the top frame panel  52  and the notch  38  in the bottom frame panel for neatly receiving the kickstands  70  in the folded position. 
         [0065]    Advantages of the Articulated Lectern of This Invention, Over Prior Art
       1. The device is easy to erect and easy to fold down for storage.   2. Can be erected and folded down using one hand.   3. The device is lightweight.   4. The lectern is easy to manufacture using a minimum number of parts.   5. Has structural rigidity in the erected position, because the wires of the kickstand are parallel thus giving structural rigidity.   6. Easy to assemble only needing to insert wire nipples in the keeper holes.   7. Wire kickstand is compact and of one piece.   8. Holes in sides of panels can be deep to accommodate wire ears.   9. Holes on surface can be oversized and deep to accommodate the feet of the kickstand which are inserted at an angle.   10. There is no deep cross-groove to weaken the panel.   11. The lectern of this invention in its lower first position is convenient when the user is reading in a sitting position and in its raised position is convenient to use when the reader is in the standing position.       
 
         [0077]    Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than has been specifically described herein.