Abstract:
A portable book stand is adapted for attachment to the back of a pew, bench, chair or similar item, as well as free-standing use on a flat surface such as a table. The book stand may include two separate folding arms attached to the rear surface of a platform on which a book rests. The angle of the platform relative to the reader can be varied by placing the end of one of the folding arms into a selected one of a plurality of grooves in the other folding arm. An attachment arm is used in conjunction with the two folding arms to attach the book stand to the back of a pew, chair, bench or similar support. One folding arm is mounted on a folding assist segment, allowing one folding arm to fold on top of the other without interference.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of book stands, and more particularly to a portable and adjustable book stand that is capable of placement on top of a flat surface or mounting onto various fixtures. 
     It is often convenient for a reader to set a book down at an angle so that it may easily be read, thereby freeing the reader&#39;s hands. It is especially convenient for the elderly and the infirm to be able to read a book without having to hold it, especially if the book is a particularly heavy hardcover volume such as a family bible. Existing book stands are capable of supporting a book at various desired angles. However, existing book stands have several disadvantages, especially for the elderly or the infirm. For example, conventional book stands typically have bulky or complicated mechanisms for holding a book at an angle. Known book stands do not typically fold up into a compact space for transport, or alternatively are too heavy for convenient transport. Traditional book stands may be too difficult for the elderly or infirm to operate. Existing book stands must be used in conjunction with a flat surface capable of bearing a load, such as a table or desk, and are incapable of being easily and conveniently mounted over a fixed item, such as the back of a pew or bench. Thus, people who wish to read in a location where no desks or tables are provided—for example, while seated in a pew in a church—are denied the use of a book stand and are forced to hold the book themselves. However, holding a book, heavy or otherwise, for a prolonged period of time may be inconvenient or impossible for the elderly or infirm. Thus, those who would most benefit from a portable book stand may be deprived of its use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment is directed to a portable book stand. The book stand may include two separate folding arms attached to the rear surface of a platform on which a book rests. The angle of the platform relative to the reader can be varied by placing the end of one of the folding arms into a selected one of a plurality of grooves in the other folding arm. The book stand may also include an attachment arm. The attachment arm may be used in conjunction with the two folding arms to attach the book stand to the back of a pew, chair, bench or similar support. The book stand may also include a folding assist segment on which one folding arm is mounted, allowing one folding arm to fold on top of the other without interference. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment attached to the back of a pew. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment with the folding arms completely folded. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a book stand  2 . Turning to FIG. 2, a side view of the book stand  2  is seen. The book stand  2  has a platform  12 , which in a preferred embodiment is substantially flat. The platform  12  has a front surface  4  on which books or other items may be placed, and a rear surface  6 . In an aspect of the preferred embodiment, an attachment arm  10  may be attached to a upper end  36  of the platform  12 , and extends rearward from the platform  12 . Preferably, the attachment arm  10  is attached to the platform  12  such that it does not extend above the level of the front surface  4  of the platform  12 , thereby preventing interference with books or materials placed on the front surface  4 . The attachment arm  10  preferably extends along the entire width of the platform  12 , but the attachment arm  10  need not do so, nor is it prevented from extending further in the lateral dimension than the platform  12 . In an alternate embodiment, the attachment arm  10  is not attached to the upper end  36  of the platform  12 , but instead is attached to the rear surface  6  of the platform  12  in proximity to its upper end  36 . This configuration allows for, among other things, the use of a larger platform  12 . A stopping arm  14  may be attached at or near a lower end  38  of the platform  12 , and protrudes above the front surface  4  of the platform  12  in order to stop books or other items from sliding off the platform  12  under the influence of gravity. Preferably, the stopping arm  14  extends substantially 0.75 inches above the front surface  4  of the platform  12 , which is far enough to stop the vast majority of books from sliding off of the platform  12 , but not so far as to protrude inconveniently far when the book stand  2  is in a folded configuration as described below. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a first hinge  18  may be attached to the rear surface  6  of the platform  12 , closer to the upper end  36  of the platform  12  than to its lower end  38 , and substantially centered on the rear surface  6  in the lateral dimension. The distance between the first hinge  18  and the attachment arm  10  varies depending on the thickness of the item, such as a pew back  30 , over which the attachment arm  10  is to be placed. When the book stand  2  is built for use with a standard pew back  30 , the first hinge  18  can be advantageously located substantially four inches from the attachment arm  10 . However, if the pew back  30  or similar object is thicker, the first hinge  18  may be advantageously located further from the attachment arm  10  to provide for secure attachment; conversely, if the pew back  30  or similar object is thinner, the first hinge  18  may be advantageously located closer to the attachment arm  10 . Additionally, if the pew back  30  or similar object is inclined backward at an angle, the first hinge  18  may be advantageously located further from the attachment arm  10  as the inclination angle increases to ensure the stability of the book stand  2 . The first hinge  18  is also attached to an end of a first folding arm  22 , such that the first folding arm  22  is capable of swiveling relative to the platform  12  along an axis that extends substantially parallel to the platform  12  in a substantially lateral direction. The first hinge  18  may be a standard metal hinge, or a strip of durable material such as leather or canvas which allows the first folding arm  22  to move relative to the platform  12  while remaining attached to the platform  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a folding assist segment  16  is attached to the rear surface  6  of the platform  12 , closer to the lower end  38  of the platform than to its upper end  36 , and substantially centered on the rear surface  6  in the lateral dimension. The folding assist segment  16  is located on and attached to the rear surface  6  of the platform  12  such that the folding assist segment  16  is in substantially the same lateral position as the first hinge  18 . A second hinge  20  is attached to the folding assist segment  16 , similarly such that it is in substantially the same lateral position as the first hinge  18 . A second folding arm  24  is attached to the second hinge  20 , such that the second folding arm  24  is capable of swiveling relative to the platform  12 , along an axis that extends substantially parallel to the platform  12  in a substantially lateral direction. The second hinge  20  may be a standard metal hinge, or a strip of durable material such as leather or canvas which allows the second folding arm  24  to move relative to the platform  12  while remaining attached to the platform  12 . The first hinge  18  enables the first folding arm  22  to swivel and form various angles with respect to the platform  12 . Similarly, the second hinge  20  enables the second folding arm  24  to swivel and form various angles with respect to the platform  12 . 
     One or more first transverse grooves  26  extend across an inside face  46  of the first folding arm  22 . Similarly, one or more transverse grooves  28  extend across an inside face  48  of the second folding arm  24 . The first transverse grooves  26  are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the first folding arm  22 . Similarly, the second transverse grooves  28  are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the second folding arm  24 . The first transverse grooves  26  may have any cross-sectional shape, such as but not limited to rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular, so long as the cross-sectional shape of the first transverse grooves  26  allows a second tip  44  of the second folding arm  24  to fit securely into any selected one of the first transverse grooves  26 . Similarly, the second transverse grooves  28  may have any cross-sectional shape, such as but not limited to rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular, so long as the cross-sectional shape of the second transverse grooves  28  allows a first tip  42  of the first folding arm  22  to fit securely into any selected one of the second transverse grooves  28 . The first tip  42  and the second tip  44  each preferably take the shape of a wedge or chisel in cross section, but may possess other shapes capable of fitting securely into the first transverse grooves  26  or the second transverse grooves  28 . The first transverse grooves  26  and the second transverse grooves  28  advantageously have a depth of ⅛ inch to ¼ inch. 
     Turning in greater detail to FIG. 2, the book stand  2  is capable of attachment to an item of furniture having a stable back, such as a pew. When used in conjunction with the pew back  30 , the second tip  44  of the second folding arm  24  is inserted into a selected one of the first transverse grooves  26 . By placing the second tip  44  of the second folding arm  24  into a selected one of the plurality of first transverse grooves  26  that is closer to the first tip  42  of the first folding arm  22 , the platform  12  is oriented at a steeper angle further from horizontal. By placing the second tip  44  of the second folding arm  24  into a selected one of the plurality of first transverse grooves  26  that is further from the first tip  42  of the first folding arm  22 , the platform  12  is oriented at a shallower angle closer to horizontal. The user of the book stand  2  thus may select from as many discrete positions of the platform  12  as there are first transverse grooves  26 . The use of three or more first transverse grooves  26  allows a user to select from a variety of positions while allowing for simple construction and operation of the book stand  2 . 
     The attachment arm is then placed over the pew back  30 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The first folding arm  22  and the second folding arm  24 , in conjunction with the attachment arm  10 , hold the book stand  2  in place against the pew back  30 . After the second tip  44  has been placed into one of the one or more first transverse grooves  26 , the weight of the book stand  2  presses the second tip  44  into that selected one of the one or more first transverse grooves  26 , causing the second tip  44  to lodge securely against the first folding arm  22 . The force thus exerted along the second folding arm  24  pushes the first tip  42  of the first folding arm  22  against the pew back  30 , assisting in securing the book stand  2  against the pew back  30 . The weight of the book stand  2  creates a torque around the first tip  42 , which is also transmitted along the second folding arm  24  and also pushes the second tip  44  against the first folding arm  22  to, in turn, push the first tip  42  against the pew back  30 . The first folding arm  22  additionally supports the upper end  36  of the platform, and thereby carries weight loads along its own length that also serve to push the first tip  42  against the pew back  30 . The attachment arm  10  resists these weight and torque loads at its point of contact with the pew back  30 . Such loads tend to pull the attachment arm  10  against the pew back  30 , increasing the support provided by the attachment arm  10 . Such loads, primarily the torque loads, also tend to pull the book stand  2  up from the pew back  30 , but the force exerted against the pew back  30  by the first tip  42  resists such loads, working in conjunction with the attachment arm  10  to attach the book stand  2  to the pew back  30  in a stable fashion. The back surface  6  preferably also contacts the pew back  30 , providing some support to the book stand  2  primarily against downward loads resulting from the weight of the book stand  2 . 
     Preferably, an arm pad  50  is attached to the attachment arm  10  on a rear surface  54  of the attachment arm  10  where the attachment arm  10  contacts the pew back  30 . The arm pad  50  is composed of a material, such as but not limited to felt, rubber or neoprene, that preferably possesses a coefficient of friction greater than that of the material from which the attachment arm  10  and platform  12  are made and/or the ability to cushion the book stand  2  against the pew back  30  to minimize or prevent damage to the pew back  30 . Increased friction from the arm pad  50  helps the book stand  2  to resist torque loads which have the effect of pulling upward on the attachment arm  10  while pulling the attachment arm  10  into the pew back  30 . Increased friction from a platform pad  52  attached to the rear surface  6  where the platform  12  contacts the pew back  30  also helps the book stand  2  to resist torque loads which have the effect of pulling the rear surface  6  downward and forward, pulling the rear surface  6  into contact with the pew back  30 . The considerations governing the choice of material for an arm pad apply equally to the platform pad  52 . 
     The attachment arm  10  is long enough to prevent the book stand  2  from falling off the pew back under the torque loads generated by the weight of the book stand  2 . If the attachment arm  10  is too short, the book stand  2  will slip off of the pew back  30 . The attachment arm  10  advantageously extends substantially one and one half inches from the rear surface  6  of the platform  6 . However, the attachment arm  10  is preferably manufactured with a longer length if the pew back  30  is thicker or inclined rearward at a steep angle. The attachment arm  10  is preferably substantially normal to the platform  12 , but may form other angles with the platform  12  so long as the attachment arm  10  remains capable of resisting downward and torque loads exerted by the book stand  2  when the book stand  2  is placed on the pew back  30 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the book stand  2  is capable of placement on top of a table  40  or other surface so that it may be used as a lectern as well as a book stand. The first tip  42  of the first folding arm  24  fits into a selected one of the second transverse grooves  28  of the second folding arm  24 . The first hinge  18  and the second hinge  20  allow the first folding arm  22  to swivel into various positions relative to one another such that the first tip  42  of the first folding arm  44  may be inserted into a selected one of the plurality of second transverse grooves  28  on the second folding arm  24 . This allows the platform  12  of the book stand  2  to be elevated to various angles for the user&#39;s convenience. By placing the first tip  42  of the first folding arm  22  into a selected one of the plurality of second transverse grooves  28  that is closer to the second tip  44  of the second folding arm  24 , the platform  12  is oriented at a shallower angle to horizontal. By placing the first tip  42  of the first folding arm  22  into a selected one of the plurality of second transverse grooves  28  that is further from the second tip  44  of the second folding arm  24 , the platform  12  is oriented at a steeper angle to horizontal. The user of the book stand  2  thus may select from as many discrete positions of the platform  12  as there are second transverse grooves  28 . The use of three or more first transverse grooves  28  allows a user to select from a variety of positions while simplifying construction and operation of the book stand  2 . 
     The folding assist segment  16  is placed far enough from the lower end  38  of the platform  12  to allow the full length of the stopping arm  14  or lower end  38  to rest on the table  40  or similar flat surface without interference from the second folding arm  24 . Advantageously, the folding assist segment  16  is located on the rear surface  6  of the platform  12  such that a lower surface  56  of the folding assist segment  16  is substantially one inch away from the lower end  38  of the platform  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view depicts the book stand  2  in a collapsed configuration, as may be used for transport or storage. The second hinge  20  is attached to the folding assist segment  16 . The folding assist segment  16  and the second hinge  20  together have a thickness greater than or equal to that of the first folding arm  22  and the first hinge  18  combined. After the first folding arm  22  has been folded inward, it is preferably disposed substantially parallel to the platform  12 . The folding assist segment  16  displaces the second folding arm  24  relative to the first folding arm  22  such that the second folding arm  24  folds over the first folding arm  22  without interference; that is, the second folding arm  24  is preferably also disposed substantially parallel to the platform  12 . Thus, the folding assist segment  16  aids in transport and storage of the book stand  2  in a thin and compact configuration. 
     While the disclosure describes the attachment of the book stand  2  to the back of the pew  30 , the book stand  2  is also capable of attachment to any piece of furniture with a stable back, such as a chair or bench. For example, the book stand  2  could be used in a classroom attached to the back of a chair or bench in front of the user, in an identical manner as disclosed with regard to the back of the pew  30 . Further, the book stand  2  is useful in religious ceremonies or observations involving bulky or heavy books in settings where pews are not utilized. 
     A preferred book stand, and many of its attendant advantages, has thus been disclosed. It will be apparent, however, that various changes may be made in the materials and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the materials and components hereinbefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof. Therefore, the invention is not to be restricted or limited except in accordance with the following claims and their legal equivalents.