CA2089714A1 - Universal document support stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A document support stand (1) may be located at a computer workstation (24), and positioned to one side of a monitor (30) to support a projected document or document holder. The stand (1) combines a first support apparatus, support stand (2) and a second support apparatus document holder (4). Support stand (2) can support articles at various spatial locations without the use of mechanical balancing devices and includes a main support body (6), an arm (8) and a bracket (10) which can be adapted to function alone or in combination with a second support apparatus document holder (4). The viewing side (730) of document holder (4) can position a mounted document or document holder in rotation and inclination about three axes of rotation. The viewing side (730) is fitted with rotatable first and second sections (904, 906). The rotatable sections provide for displacing the spring clip (936) and/or the support ledge (938) from the viewing side (730) to provide an unobstructed planar surface to allow a document holder engaging means (932) to cooperate in the mounting and positioning of a modified document holder (869).

Description

~ WO 92t03293 2 ~ ~ ~ PCT/US91tO5984 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The folloNing applications are co-pending in the United States Patent and Trademar~ Office, contain information related to the present application (the priority of ~hich is claimed) and are herein incorporated by reference: Ser. No. 07~734,231, filed 7t22/91 (a continuation of 07/465,916, filed January 12, 1990 la continuation of U.S.Patent No.4,925,146 ~Hegarty], parent application of PCT/US88/04201l); Ser. No. 07/700,186, filed May 25, 1991 (as elected office for PCT/US89/05333, filed November 25, 1989); Ser. No. 07/642/676, filed January 17, 1991; Ser.
No.07/571,765, filed August 23, 1990 (a continuation of U.S.Patent 5,020,763 ~Hegarty], filed February 26, 1990).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention This invention relates to document support apparatus, and more particularly relates to a universal tocument support stand for selectively and fixedly positionins a document holder for viewing at a computer workstation and other visual reference situations.
Description of the Prior Art The term "document" hereinafter refers to a single page or a multiple number of pages.
The terD "document holder" hereinafter refers to that type of device ~hich is adapted to secure a document, such as in the form of a book, spiral bound manual, loose-leaf binter, conventional copyholder stands or the like, as ~ell as those devices ~hich have been modified by a present applicant (Hegarty) iD a previously filed application having U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,146 ~hich is herein incorporated by reference.
The term "Dulti-positionable" hereinafter refers to the ability to pivot about one or more a~es of rotation.
The term "sy~oetrically fuDctional" hereinafter refers to the ability of a support stand, or a member of such a stand, of the present invention, to operate for its intended purpose ~hen .

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W O 92/03~93 PCT/US91~05~

2~97l~ 2 1 positioned to the left or the right of its operator's central location.
The ter~ "relocatable" hereinafter refers to the ability to be engagably moved from one support location to another.
The term "fixed supportive location" hereinafter refers to the placement of a member of the stand of the present in~ention at a specific fi~ed location on the main support body of the stant, ~ith that location providing the supportive forces necessary for that member to function for its intended purpose in the present invention.
Docucent support stands for supporting a document or document holder in space are uell ~nown in the art and are generally referred to as "suspended copyholder stands". ~any conventional stands are designed to be supported by a bracket cla~ped to the edge of a des~ and to suspend the document holder in space through the cooperation of various types of mechanical structures utilizing an assortment of joints, springs and/or adjusting ~nobs.
Such structures are attempting to "fi~edly suspend" tbe copy holder in space and, at the saoe time, to allo~ its repositioning. Such a co~bination of purposes results in coopromise. If the structure is easily repositionable, ~ithout any adjustment being required, it is either dedicated to light duty or, if it is capable of supporting heavy ~or~loads, is ~echanically comple~. For the ~ost part, if an apparatus does prcvide for fi~edly supporting a suspended ~or~load of sigDificant ~eitht tbe apparatus ~ill be fitted ~ith a variety of conple~ mechanical balancing devices such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,76~,744 entitled "Apparatus For Supporting a Loat in a Dyna~ically ~alaDced Position". CoDsequeDtly, "heavy duty" suspended docu ent holder stands are echanically co~plicated aDd thus e~peDsive to caDufacture and purchase.
AccordiDgly, one of the prioary disadvaDtages of oany conveDtioDal suspeDded docuoeDt holder stands is that tbey are not capable, ~ith fe~ nechanical parts, of fi~edly supporting heavy docu ent holders in space.
Another significant disadvantage of conventional suspended docu~ent holder stands is that they are limited in their ability . .
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2~37 ~
; ~ V0 92/03293 PCT/USgl/05984 1 to adequately and accurately position a mounted document for vie~ing while suspeDded in space. Often, the conventional document holders offer a limited number of locations in space due to the need to balance the ~orkload. For example, the parallelogram type of support device is limited in its spatial positioning ability by the restraints imposed by the very nature of the parallelogram structure itself. Very often the operator must reposition the entire device, swinging the arm assembly in a trial and error fashion in an attempt to locate the best balanced vie~ing position. If the structure does provide adjustments in order to fixedly position a suspended heavy workload, the positions are difficult to duplicate causing the user to use a "trial-and-error" method in an attempt to relocate a previously used vie~i~g position.
A further disadvantage ~ith conventional suspended document holders is that they require a considerable amount of desk and air space in order to position a document for viewing. Many suspended document holders require the edge of a desk in order to be supported. ~dditionally, these type of document holders require that the space throughout ~hich the suspended arm moves be free of any obstructions such as ~alls, shelving or lighting fixtures. Consequently, not only must the des~ surface be free of barriers but the arm, being boom-like in movement requires considerable open space, both vertically aDd horizontally, in order to freely move the boom-like arm ~hen positioninq a document for vie~ing.
~ hen considering symmetrically formed and functional "heavy duty" document holder stands (those staDds capable of being operationally positioned to the left or to the right of a support device such as a video display moDitor) a fundamental disadvantage is noted. Shese "sy metrically functioning" stands are extremely limited in function. No prior art document holder stand discloses a sym etrically formed and functional base ~hich cooperates ~ith other members of tbe stant to selectively position aDd support heavy ~orkloads: a) at varying eye levels, b) at the end of a multi-positionable and fi~ed projecting arm, c) ~ithout the use of springs, adjustment knobs or other similar - : ~ . . .
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~ W ~ 92/03293 2 ~ ~ 9 71 i P~/ussl/osl ~

1 types of mechanical balancing devices, d) and on both sides of a contributing support device such as a video display monitor.
Currently, however, there are stands which are fitted with an L-shaped base member which are symmetrically functional. Such a stand is disclosed in u.s.pateDt No. 4,582,285 l~ello). The stand includes an L-shaped base member and provides for the shorter le~ of the L member to he inserted between the des~
surface and a support device such as a typewriter or video display monitor. The ~ello patent, like many others however, does not provide for fixedly projecting and positioning a variety of heavy wor~loads at varying eye levels. Another type of sy~etrically functional device is designed to adhere to the top of a video display monitor and to support a one page tocument on either side of the monitor. Such a device is disclosed in U.S.Patent No. 4,902,078 (Judd) and is entitled "Document Rolder Clip". Obviously this de~ice, although useful for its intended purpose, is not capable of fi~edly supporting a weighted document holder such as a loose-leaf binder.
Currently available suspended document holder stands do not maximize the potential supportive capabilities of vertically oriented structural support surfaces. The workplace environment is surrounded with vertically oriented structural members such as the sides of: walls, rooo dividers, des~s, shelving, file cabinets and video tisplay monitors. The possible contributive capabilities of these vertical surfaces for mounting, positioning and supporting documents bas been poorly appreciated.
Consequently, the prior art of video display monitors does not provide for tbe e~terior casing of tbe monitor to be modified in a anner that will allow it to cooperate with other members for supporting and spatially repositioning hea~y document holders. A
recently published patent, however, having U.S.Patent No.
5,020,763 (Hegarty), the disclosure of ~hicb is herein incorporated by reference, does present structure related to the mounting and positioning of a support arm at different fi~ed supportive locations on a vertical surface.
Another further disadvantage with currently available docu~ent holder stands of the "copyholder" type is that they are limited in purpose. The viewing sides disclosed in the f-`WO 92/03293 2 ~ 3 ~ ' 1 PCT/US91/05984 l copyholder art to date are quite limited in purpose and are usually dedicated to holding a document, or document holder, using a clip, line guide and/or ledge to provide support. A
recent improvement in providing a multi-purpose capability to the viewing side of document holder stands has been disclosed in a recently filed U.S.Patent Application, having Serial No.
07/642,676 ~Negarty), filed January 17, l99l, the disclosure of ~hich is herein incorporated by reference.
An even further disadvantage in the copyhGlder art to date is that the positioning ability of these holders has been rather limited when considering the fact that the purpose of such devices should be to quic~ly and easily position the vie~ing side at the optimum location for vie~ing. Repositioning tbe vie~ing side of a copyholder is easier and more efficient if the first axis of rotation, ~hich is mounted on the main support member of the copyholder (such as the base), pivots about a vertical axis.
A copyholder so constructed uses gravity to its advantage in maintaining the position of the suspended pivoting member in its initial adjustment position about a vertical axis. Additionally, a copyholder is more easily positionable if the me-ber, or members, ~hicb allo~ it to rotate about its axes are fitted very close to the vie~ing side, na-ely, to the back of the vieuing side's support ember. A copyholder so constructed does not require extending and pivoting arms to change the position of its vie~ing side. ~any copyholders, ho~ever, such as the ~or~station Plus (TM) copyholder, Model No. 21115 ~-anufactured by the Fello~s Manufacturing Co-pany of Itasca, Illinois), ignoring the benefit of gravity, use an extending ar- ~hich initially pivots about a horizo~tal axis thereby requiring frequent aDipulation of its adjust-eDt ~nobs in first requiring the fixating of the horizoDtal and then the vertical position of the copyholder's vie~ing side. Consequently, no present tay copyholder is fitted with: a) a vertical a~is pivoting support ember ~hich is mounted in the direct vicinity of the vie~ing side; and ~hich further allo~s the vie~ing side to rotate about three axes of rotation ~ith each asis being fixedly positionable ~ith respect to its rotation.

W O 92/03293 2 ~ PCT/US91/05 l As a result of the aforementioned disadvantages, the current state of the art in the modern, technologically advanced, office environ~ent is for the computer operator to often lay a heavy document, such as a computer spreadsheet file, either on the desk surface or in the operator's lap when referring to it while ~or~ing at a video display monitor Consequently, the operator is continuously refocusing from one vie~ing plane to another thereby experiencing eye strain, fatigue and inadequate uor~ing conditions OBJECTS AND SUM~ARY OF THE INVENTION
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It is an object of the present invention to provite a document support stand, having fe~ mechanical parts, ~hicb is adapted to fixedly support a heavy ~or~load in space It is aDother object of the present invention to provide a document support stand ~hich accurately positions an article at a desired location in space and to allo~ for that location to be easily relocated by the operator It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a docu~ent support stand ~hich reduces the aoount of unobstructed des~ and air space required for spatially positioning ant vie~ing a document It is a further object of tbe present iDvention to provide a document support stant ~herein the stand includes a symmetrically formed and functional base e-ber, ~hich cooperates ~ith other stand -e~bers, to position and fi~edly project a heavy ~or~load on either or both sides of a video display monitor It is a still further object of the present inventioa to utilize the surfaces of vertical structural e bers for supporting docuoent support stands ~hich are capable of oounting and spatially positioning docu~ents for vie~ing It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide for a document support stand ~hicb modifies the casing of a video display noDitor to function as a stant ember ~hich cooperates ~ith additional stand me~bers for supporting and adjusting the spatial position and location of a document r ~ 92/03293 2 3 ~i r3 1 1 i PCI'/US91/05984 1 It is still another object of the present invention to provide an ine~pensive document support stand ~hich is capable of spatially supporting heavy ~or~loads It is yet a further object of the present invention to ; 5 provide three statically formed ~embers ~hich function together to create a dynamically ant symmetrically functionable multi-positionable document support stand It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a support stand ~hich allo~s for the spatial positioning of the distal end of a projecting ar~ in the absence of any ; tensioning control devices It is yet an even further object of the present invention to provide a document support stand, having an adjustable vie~ing ; side, ~ith a tri-axial positioning fitting directly attached to the vie~ing side support structure, ~hich allows the vie~ing side to rotate about three a~es of rotation ~ith each axis being fixedly positionable ~ith respect to its rotation In accordance ~ith a first aspect of the present invention, the universal document support stand includes a projecting, multi-positionable article support stand ~hich ~orks in combination with an attachable ~ulti-purpose and multi-positionable document holder for fixedly projecting a docucent, or document holder, at a multiplicity of locations in space Accordingly, the projecting, multi-positioDable article support stand includes a ain support body, a relocatable multi-positioDable ara and a relocatable support brac~et The ain support body ay be formed in the shape of a right an~led stationary support me ber The body has a horizontal member integrally formed ~ith a vertical e-ber The horizontal me-ber is provided to be positioned on a ~or~tation surface and to allo~ a video display monitor to rest atop it thereby securing the vertical me ber in a stable uprioht positioD on either side of the onitor The vertical me ber includes a front e ber relocatino side, constituting the mountino side of the stand Consequently, the me ber relocatino side includes a ounting device for re ovably mounting the relocatable and multi-positionable ar~ and tbe relocatable ~upport brac~et on the main body of the stand . ' ': ' W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ 9 ~ PCT/US91~059 l In a preferred form of the invention, the mounting device is located in the surface of the front member relocating side and is formed as a slot having a symmetrical pattern The slot is C-sbaped in cross section, and defines a T-slot having an exposed open end The exposed open end of the T-slot provides for access to a sy~Jetrical mounting device ~hich provides for the ability to mount and selectively position and relocate both the multi-positionable arm and the support bracket The symmetrical pattern provides support, both vertically and horizontally, when positioning and relocating the mounted arm and bracket members According to the present invention, the relocatable multi-positionable arm includes a multi-positionable fitting and a cooperating elongated cylinder The multi-positionable fitting includes a socket housinq and a member for mounting the soc~et housin~ on the body Additionally, the cooperating elongated member includes as one integral unit; a dis~, an elongated cylinder, and a fitting, at tbe distal end of the member, for receiving attacbable article holders The cooperating elongated cylinder is removably mountable on tbe soc~et housing member ant provides for the pivotino of the elongated cylinder Adtitionally, pursuant to the present invention the relocatable support brac~et includes a solid boty formed in the shape of a corbel brac~et having three sides The body includes a ~indo~ e cutout, ~ithin its structure, ~hich creates a bounted lo~er horizontal support surface; and a member for mounting the relocatable support brac~et on the stand The member for mounting the soc~et housing on the body in its preferred form is circular, T-shaped in cross-section, and fitted to a side of the soc~et housing oe~ber The T-shaped member of the soc~et housing is slidably recei~ed by the C-brac~et of the body through the C-brac~et's e~poset open end, so that the multi-positionable arm ay be rotatably positioned, with its housiDg member supported, at a plurality of locations on the body The e-ber for mountina the relocatable support brac}et on the body in its preferred form is square, T-shaped in cross-section, and fitted to a side of the brac~et e-ber Prior to mounting the brac~et on the body the distal end of the multi-;-W O 92/03~93 ~ 7 J' '' PCT/US91/05984 : 9 l positionable arm is passed through the cutout formed in the brac~et. The T-shaped member of the brac~et body is also slidably received by the C-brac~et of the body through the C-brac~et's open end so tbat the relocatable support brac~et may be fixedly positioned and supported at a plurality of locations on the body.
3eing selectively positioned thusly on the body, the relocatable and multi-positiooable ar~ cooperates Rith the relocatable brac~et, ~hich supports a section of the aro oember, in positioning and supporting the distal end of the arm member, thereby positioning an attached tocument holter in a plurality of spatial positions.
In accortance ~ith a second aspect of the present invention the main body of the projecting, multi-positionable support stand is integrally for~et in the casing of a viteo display monitor and is provitet ~ith a pair of oppositely disposed member relocating sides. Such an e~bodioent provides for the creation of a symmetrically functional main support monitor. The main support monitor cooperates ~ith a joined projecting arm and brac~et member in positioning the distal end of the joinet oember at a oultiplicity of fixed support locations.
~ ither of the ju~t describet stands are capable of ~or~ing in combination ~ith the next me-ber of the universal document support stant, na~ely, the multi-purpose and multi-positionable docu~ent holder. The ~ulti-purpose and multi-positionable tocument holter is initially provided ~ith t~o distinct features.
The first feature allo~s the vie~ing site of the holder to function as a oulti-purpose docu ent holder. The multi-purpose feature is provided by the presence of a rotational means on the vie~ing side's lateral ends ~hich allo~s the conventional holding means, namely, a biased clip aDd/or a support ledge to be rotational displaced by the opposite ~bac~J side of the vie~ing side. Such a feature allo~s the front vie~iDg side to be coDverted to a an unobstruPtet planar surface simply by rotationally displacing the conventional holding ~eans. The present feature does not reguire the re-oval of the conventional holders fro~ the stant, i.e., biaset clip ant letge. Once convertet the vie~ing site is capable of engaging various other ~ .

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' W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 i ~lo PCT/USg1/oS~

1 types of holders having different mounting requirements because of size or different cooperating engaging means such as Velcro (T~) or a T-rail.
The second initial feature present in the attachable multi- -purpose and multi-positionable stand allows the device to function as a multi-positionable document holder having means to position a document or document holder, mounted on its viewing side, in any one of a multiplicity of positions about three axes of rotation which are mutually supported from a nearby location.
Additionally, the device provides for the fixed positioning about each axes through the application of gravity, detents and protrusions and rack/pinion cooperation.
Consequently, it can be appreciated that the combined support and positioning capabilities of the universal document support stand of the present invention provides great assistance to an operator working at a computer wor~station and other visual reference situations.
These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a computer wor~station baving a universal docu-ent support stand constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a document support stand incorporated within the universal support stand shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of a document support stant, constructet in accordance with a second form of the stand shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the main support body of the document support stand shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3A is a front elevational view sbowing one form of a member relocating side of the main support body shown in FIG. 3.

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2 ~

1 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the document support stand shown iD FIG. 3, illustrating one form of the slot defining means in the member relocating side thereof.
FIG. 4A is a fragmentary sectional view of the document support stand shown in FIG. 3, illustrating a second form of slot defining means in the member relocating side thereof.
FIG. 4B is a fragmentary sectional view of the member relocating side shown in FIG. 3A, ta~en along line 4~-4B of FIG.
3A, illustrating a stop slot, constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention.
FIG. 4C is a fragmentary sectional view of the member relocating side shown in FIG. 3h, taken along line 4C-qC of FIG.
3A, illustrating the distal end of an arm/bracket branch and its protrusions.
FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the relocatable and multi-positionable support arm shown in FIG. 2, constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is rear elevational view of the relocatable and multi-positionable support arm shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5~ is a front elevational view, partially in section, of the relocatable and multi-positionable support arm shown in FIG. 5, ta~en along line 5~-5B of FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 is a site elevational view of the relocatable and multi-positioDable support arm shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of one form of a widened T-rail engagement portion formed with tbe base member of the relocatable ant multi-positionable support arm shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6~ is a plan view of the recesset engagement pattern of the widened T-rail eDgagement portion shown in FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of a pivoting elongated cylinter constructed in accordance with one form of pivoting cylinder of the relocatable and ulti-positionable support arm sho~n in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of a telescopic pivoting cylinder constructed iD accordance with a second form of pivoting ~ember of the relocatable and multi-positionable support arm of FIG. 5.

:WO 92/03293 PCT/US91/05~q 1'4~ 7 1~
1 FIG. 8A is a front elevational view of the distal end of the telescopic pivoting cylinder shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top view of the document support stand shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the relocatable and multi-positionable support arm in its initial mounted position.
FIG. 9A is a fragmentary front view of the main support bodyof the document support stand shown in FIG. 3, illustrating one form of the branch members, constructed in ac~ordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9B is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the arm/bracket branch sho~n in FIG. 9A, illustrating the pre-engagement position of the recessed engagement pattern of the multi-positionable support arm in relation to the protrusions of the main support body of the present invention.
FIG. 9C is a view, like that of FIG. 9B, illustrating the initial engagement position of the recessed engagement pattern in relation to the protrusions of the main support body of the present invention.
FIG. 9D is a fragmentary sectional view of the document support stand of the present invention sho~n in FIG. 2, taken on line 9D-9D of FIG. 2, illustrating the final engagement position of the recessed engagement pattern in relation to the protrusions of the main support body of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the relocatable support bracket shown in the document support stand of FIG. 2, constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention.
FIG. lOA is a side elevational view of the relocatable support brac~et shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. lOB is a front elevational view of a relocatable support bracket having a pair of similarly formed T-rail embers, constructed in accortance with a second form of the present invention.
FIG. lOC is a fragmentary top view of the document support stand shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the relocatable support bracket in its initial mounted position.
FIG. lOD is a fragmentary side view, partially in section, of the document support stand shown in FIG. 2, taken along line lOD-lOD of FIG. 2, illustrating the relocatable support brac~et ;--W O 92/03293 2 ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 of FIG. 10 engaging a stop slot, constructed in accordance ~ith the present invention.
FIG. lOE is a front perspective vie~ of a relocatable support brac~et, constructed in accordance ~ith a third form of relocatable support brac~et of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a vie~, like that of FIG. 3, illustrating a second form of me-ber relocating side, constructet in accordance ~ith the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a fragoentary top vie~, partially in section, of the member relocating side sho~n in FIG. 11, ta~en along line 12-12 of Fig. 11, ~ith a retractable and multi-positionable support ar~ oounted tbereon in a relocatable, retractet positioL, in accordance with a second for~ of the arm oe~ber of the present invention.
FIG. 12A is a vie~ similar to that of FIG. 12, ~ith the retractable and multi-positionable support aro mountet thereon in a located, extended ant engaged position.
FIG. 12B is a frag~entary side elevational view of the ar~
sho~n in FIG. 12A illustrating the cooperative engagement of the - base and pivoting elongated cylinder members, constructed in accordance ~ith a third form of the present invention.
FIG. 12C is a frag~entary site elevational vie~ of the retractable ant multipositionable ar~ sbown in FIG. 12A, ta~en on line 12C-12C of FIG. 12A, illustrating the control rod securing ce~bers.
FIG. 13 is a frag-entary side elevational vie~, partially in section of FIG. 11, ta~en along line 13-13 of FIG. 11, and having a relocatable support brac~et in a oounted and engaged position.
FIG. 14 is a vie~ e tbat of FIG. 3A, illustrating a third for~ of ~e~ber relocating side of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a frag-entary top view of the me~ber relocating szde sbo~n in FIG. 14, ta~en along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, and ba~ing a locatably fi~ed ulti-positionable support aro additionally oounted thereon, constructed in accordance ~ith a thirt for- of tbe ar~ ne-ber of tbe present invention.
FIG. 16 is a fraq-entary top vie~ of tbe ne ber relocating side sho~n in FIG. 14, ta~en along line 16-16 of FIG. 14, and having a relocatably sed -fi~ed ~ulti-positionable support aro W O 92/03293 ~Q~,3~ ~ 4 PCT/US91/05 ~

1 additionally mounted thereon, constructed in accordance with a fourth form of the arm member of the present inventio~.
FIG. 17 is a view, li~e that of FIG. 3A, illustrating a member relocating side, constructed in accordance with a fourth for~ of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a vie~ e that of FIG. 17, illustrating a member relocating side, constructed in accordance with a fifth form of the present invention.
FIG. 18A is a frag~ented front elevational view of the member relocating side sho~n in FIG. 18, illustrating a stop slot, constructed in accordance ~ith a second form of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a joined multi-positionable support arm, constructed in accordance ~ith a first combined arm form of the present invention.
FIG. lgA is a top elevational view of the joined ~ulti-positioDable support arm sho~o in FIG. 19.
FIG. l9B is a front elevational vie~, partially in section, of the joined arm member sho~n in FIG. l9A, ta~en on line l9B-19B
of FIG. l9A.
FIG. l9C is a front perspective vie~ of the joined multi-positionable support arm shown in FIG. 19, illustrating the arm as a member of a sy-metrically functioning document support stant, formed in accordance ~ith the present iDvention.
FIG. 20 is a front perspective vie~ of a joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm, constructed in accordance ~ith a second co~bined arm for~ of tbe present invention.
FIG. 20A is a top elevational vie~ of the joined and partially rcleasable ulti-positionable support arm sho~n in FIG.
20.
FIG. 20B is a front elevational vie~ of the joinet and partially releasable ulti-positionable support arm sho~n in FIG.
20, ta}en on line 20B-20B of FIG. 20A.
FIG. 20C is a rear elevational vie~ of the joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm sho~n in FIG.
20A.

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-- W O 92/03293 ~,~ .? "! r ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 FIG 20D is a view, like that of FIG 20B, illustrating an empty soc~et cavity upon the release and disengagement of the releasable pivoting elongatet cylinder from the joined base member of the present invention FIG 21 is a top elevational view of the releasable pivoting elongated cylinder member illustratet in FIG 20A
FIG 21A is a side elevational view of the releasable pivoting elongated cylinder shown in FIG 21 FIG 21B is a fragmented, side elevational view of a ~odified releasable pivoting elongated cylinder formed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention FIG 22 is a rear elevational view of the base member cooperating side of the joined and multi-positionable support arm sho~n in FIG 19 FIG 23 is a front perspective vie~ of the joined arm sho~n in FIG 20, illustrating the arm as a member of a symmetrically functioning document support stand and having the arm positioned to the left side of a video display monitor in accordance ~ith the second combined arm form of the present invention FIG 24 is an alternative perspective view, to that of FIG
23, having the arm positioned to the right side of a video display oonitor in accordance ~ith the symmetrical for~ and function of the present invention FIG 25 is a partially e~ploded and fragmented side elevational vie~ of the base member cooperating side of a joined multi-positionable support ~r~ similar in many respects to that sho~n in FIG 19 but adapted to receive a removable counter~eigbt FIG 25A is a vie~, si~ilar to that of FIG 25, sho~ing the base member adapted further to telescopically project a removable counter~eight FIG 26 is a vie~ e that of FIG 22, illustrating the base e-ber cooperating side, constructed in accordance ~ith an alternative for~ of the present invention FIG 27 is a side elevational vie~ of a threaded circular T-rail member adapted to be used in alternative forms of the joined arD base e ber of the present invention -. . .

W O 92/03293 PC~/US91/0~9 2 ~ 7 ~
1 FIG 28 is a front elevational view of a relocatable copyholder, constructed in accordance with an alternative joined form of the present invention FIG 28A is a side elevational view of a symmetrical copyholder, illustrating the additional structure and duality of its opposite mounting sides in relation to the relocatable copyholder shown in FIG 28, constructed in accordance with the present invention FIG 29 is a front perspective view of a ~ain support body with a relocatable copyholder oounted thereon in accordance with an alternative for~ of the present invention FIG 30 is a front perspective view of a filing cabinet having a oeober relocating side integrally formed therein in accordance with a modified form of the present invention FIG 31 is front perspective view of a conventional filing cabinet having a main support body attached to its side through the use of an economical attach~ent means in accordance with an alternative form of the present invention FIG 32 is an exploded side elevational view of an adhering ain support body, constructed in accordance uith an atditional alternative form of the present invention FIG 32A is an e~ploded, side elevational vie~ of a disengagable adhering main support body, constructet in accordance ~ith an alternative embodiment to that of FIG 32 FIG 32B is a side elevational view of the embodi~ent shown in FIG 32A, showing its form when assembled and mounted to a supporting nember FIG 32C is a front perspective view of a filing cabinet and adhering ain support body, illustrating an application of the additional alternative form of the present iDveDtion shown in FIG 32D is a frag-entet front elevational view of a main support body pivotally oounted on a structural member, coDstructed in accordance with a modification to the mounting meaD~ of the pre~ent~invention shown in FIG 31 FIG 33 is a front perspective view of a stationary main support monitor having the member relocating side of the present invention integrally formed within its casing, constructed in .. . ..

f W O 92/03293 17 2 ~ 3 3 ~ ; PCT/US91/05984 1 accordance with a combined form and application of the present invention.
FIG. 33A is a front perspective view of an omni-directionable ant multi-positionable video support stand constructed in accordance with an additional combined application of the present invention.
FIG. 33B is a fragmentary perspective view of an adjustable stabilizer member incorporated in the main support monitor of FIG. 33A.
FIG. 33C is a front perspective view of a stationary main support member having a relocatable copyholder and adjustable-accessory base member constructed in accordance with a another combined application of the present invention.
FIG. 33D is an exploded top elevational view of a irregularly shaped video display monitor and an adaptive main support body, constructed in accordance with an adapting form of the present invention.
FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of a relocatable counterweight, constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention.
FIG. 34A is a front perspective view of a stationary main support monitor and adjustable-accessory bra~e assembly, constructed in accordance with a further combined form of the present invention.
FIG. 34B is front perspective view illustrating a fixedly adjustable main support monitor having a brake assembly integrally formed therein, in accordance with an improved form of the embodiment shown in FIG. 34A.
FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of the projecting, multi-positionable suppor~ stand and attachable multi-positionable holder of the universal document support stand shown in FIG. 1, formed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 36 is a top elevational view of the attacbable multi-positionable document holder illustrated in FIG. 35 ~ith its vie~ing side rotated ninety degrees relative to the position illustrated in FIG. 35.
FIG. 37 is a side elevational view of the proximate clevis member illustrated in the attachable multi-positionable document . . .

. ~ :
:

~ W ~ 92/03293 2 ~ PCT/USgl/05$~4 1 -holder shown in FIG 36, constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention FIG 38 is a front perspective view of the biaxial positioniDg fitting illustrated in the attachable multi-positionable docu~ent holder sho~n FIG 36, constructed inaccordance uith one form of the present invention FIG 39 is top elevational view of the biaxial positioning fitting shown in FIG 38 FIG 40 is a front perspective view, partially broken away, ~ 10 of the rotatable document holder member illustrated in the ; attachable oulti-positioDable document holder shown FIG 36, constructed in accordance ~ith one form of the present invention FIG 41 is a side elevational view of the rotatable document holder oember shown in FIG 40, and illustrating its protrusion and stop detent members FIG 42 is a partially e~ploded, side elevational view of a rotatable tocument holder me~ber, constructed in accordance with an alternative form of the present invention FIG 42A is a bottom elevational view of the rear side of the plate-like rotating ember of the rotatable document holder shown in FIG 42 aDt illustrating the location of its integrally foroed protrusion oe~bers FIG 42~ is a top elevational view of the frontwart site of the semi-rigit support ember of the rotatable docuoent holder sho~n in FIG 42 and illustrating the location of its integrally for~ed stop detent oeobers F$G 42C is a side elevational vie~ of the rotatable tocument holder meober sho~D in FIG 42, illustrating tbe fle~et state of its seoi-rigid support ~eober when its protrusion me-bers are diseDgaged froo its engagable stop detent ne-bers FIG 43 is a top elevatioDal view of a oulti-positionable and pivotally fi~able docu-ent holder, coDstructed in accordaDce ~ith a further i-proved for~ of the preseDt invention FIG 43A is a fragoeDted rear elevational view of the multi-positionable and pivotally fixable docuoent holder sho~n in FIG43 FIG 43~ is an e~ploded top elevational view of the oulti-positioDable and pivotally fi~able docu~ent holder shown in FIG

~ , ~ ' W O 92/03293 19 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 43 having its shaft and cooperating fixating ~eans removed from it rac~ and pinion platform FIG 43C is a frag~entary exploded perspective view of the winged shaft of the multi-positionable and pivotally fixable document holder shown in FIG 43, illustrating the engagement of the shaft ~ith its cooperating members, in accordance ~ith a further i~proved foro of the present invention FIG 43~ is a cross-sectional vie~ of the rack and pinion platfor~ sho~n in FIG 43A, ta~en along line 43D-43D of FIG 43A
FIG 44 is a front perspective of a prior art ~ountable loose-leaf binder type document holder which engagably cooperates with the attachable oulti-positionable docu~ent holder of the present invention sho~n in FIG 36 FIG 45 is a top elevational view of an interiorly odified loose-leaf binder type document holder, having engaging ~eans mounted on the inside of its cover, ~hich engagably cooperates with the attachable ulti-positionable document holder shown in FIG 36, constructed in accordance ~ith an improved for~ of the present invention FIG 45A is a side elevational vie~ of the interiorly ootified document bolder sbo~n in FIG 45 FIG 45~ is a vie~ e that of FIG 45A, illustrating the folded position of the codified docuoent holder's cover ~hich provides for the cooperative engageoent of the modified holder ~ith the attachable oulti-positionable docuoent holder sho~n in FIG 46 is a front perspective vie~ of a ~ulti-purpose docu~ent support stant and a docu~ent holder, partially bro~en a~ay, constructed in accordance ~ith another for~ of the present invention FIG 46A is a rear perspective vie~ of the docu-ent support stand ani docu~ent holder sho~n in FIG 46 FIG 46B i~ a partially exploded view, in perspective, of a docu-ent support stand for-ed in accordance ~itb another for~ of the present invention FIG 46C is a partially exploded vie~, in perspective and partially bro~en a~ay, of a portion of tbe document support stand - of the present invention sho~n in FIG 46 . ' . , ~ , WO 92/Q3293 2 0 ~ ~ 7 ~ PCT/US9l/059 1 FIG 47 is a front elevational vie~ of a relocatable multi-purpose copyholder, constructed in accordance ~ith an ilternative ; form of the present invention FIG 47A is a side elevational vie~ of the relocatable multi-purpose copyholder shown in FIG 47 FIG 48 is a perspective vie~ of the attachable multi-purpose and multi-positionable document holder illustrated in FIG

DRA~ING REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 universal document support stand of Fig 2 projecting, multi-positionable article support stand of 1 ~Fig 2) 4 attachable multi-purpose and multi-positionable docuuent holder of 1 ~Fig 48) 6 main support body of 2 8 relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm of 2 10 relocatable support bracket of 2 12 vertically disposed solid of 6 14 horizontal disposed solid of 6 16 bottom transverse edge of 6 18 front member relocating side of 12 20 T-slot of 18 21 S-slot of Fig 11 22 borizontal surface of 24 24 ~or~station 26 bottom planar side of 14 28 top plaDar side of of 14 30 video display ~onitor of 24 32 rear side of 12 34 top edge of 12 36 first vertical edge of 12 38 secoDt vertical edge of 12 40 truD~ sectioD of 18 42 branch sections of 18 44 seg entet C-brac~et of 20 46 recess in 18 48 bac~ plate of 20 ~' ' , ~' ' , - .
:
.,:

W 0 92/03293 2 ~ r~ PCT/US9l/05984 1 S0 side plates of 20 52 in~ardly facing arms of 20 54 narro~ed portion of 20 56 ~idened portion of 20 58 first portion of 12 60 second portion of 12 62 terminating edge of 40 64 open end of 20 68 longitudinal side wall opening in vertical T-slots 70 left bracket support branch of 18 72 right brac~et support branch of 18 73 horizontal leg of 74 as in Fig 17 74 stop slot of 70 and 72 75 vertical leg of 74 as in Fig 17 76 lateral side ~all opening of 70 and 72 77 lower ~all of 70 and 72 78 stepped stop section of 74 80 terminating ~idened etge of 78 82 terminating narro~ed edge of 78 84 front side of 52 86 bac~ side of 52 88 left ar~/brac~et support brancb of 18 90 right ara/brac~et support branch of 18 92 vertically disposed terminating edge of 88 and 90 94 first protrusion of 88 and 90 96 second protrusion of 88 and 90 97 ne-ber relocating side of 101 98 horizontal panel of 102 99 oe ber relocating side of 103 100 stand of FIG 2A
101 vertical panel of 102 102 boty of 100 103 ~ertical paDel of 102 104 ulti-positionable base of 8 106 pi~oting elongated cylinder of 8 108 box-li~e soc~et housing e~ber of 104 110 cooperating circular T-rail oeober of 104 - 112 inner proxi-ate cooperating engage~ent side of 108 '~ ~ ' ' `
, - W~ 92/032g3 PCT/US91/059;~A
~ 7 ~22 1 114 outer distal side of 108 116 front side of 108 118 rear side of 108 120 top side of 108 122 bottom side of 108 126 soc~et of 108 128 dis~ of 106 130 top ~all-of 126 132 bottom ~all-of 126 134 cylindrical surface of 128 136 contoured pro~imate side wall of 126 138 contoured distal side ~all of 126 140 front ~indo~ opening of 108 142 rear opening of 108 146 elongated cylinder of 106 148 sliding door of 108 150 upper trac~ of 108 152 lo~er trac~ of 108 154 protrusion~detent retaining fitting of 108 156 projecting bandle stop oember of 148 158 outer surface of 148 160 distal corner of 142 162 narro~ed portion of 110 164 ~idened portion of 110, 514 166 bac~ plate of 110 forced in 108 167 top surface of 110 168 grooved engage-ent pattern in 167 169 botto- surface of 164 172 grooved tia~eter section of 168 174 far engage-ent arc section of 168 176 near engaoe-ent arc section of 168 178 open dia etrical end of 168 180 near engage-ent point of 168 182 closed dianetrical end of 168 184 far engage~ent point of 168 186 protruding snap fastener of 106 188 circumferential ridge of 106 190 upper closed circular region of 128 ,- W O 92/03293 ~ ~ ~ J ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 192 louer closed circular region of 128 194 telescopic pivoting cylinder for 8 196 modified elongated cylinder of 194 198 modified extension tube of 194 200 external thread of 194 202 ~nob of 194 204 split compression ~asher of 194 206 elongated convex protrusion of 194 208 elongated concave depression of 194 210 body of 10 212 vertical cooperating engage~ent side of 210 214 upper horizontal support side of 210 216 lo~er sloping support side of 210 218 front side of 210 220 rear side of 210 222 internal windo~ e cutout of 210 224 bounded proxi~ate side of 222 226 bounded distal side of 222 228 bounded upper horizontal side of 210 230 bounded lo~er horizontal support surface of 222 232 cratle support section of 230 234 ~ave~ e contour of 232 236 bottom depression of 234 238 left side ~all of 236 240 right side ~all of 236 242 T-rail of 210, 522, 549 243 narro~ed portion of 242 244 brac~et alternative to 10 245 ~idened portion of 242 246 top surface of 245 248 botto~ surface of 245 249 upper e~gage~ent section of 10, 244, 255 250 lo~er engage~ent support section 10, 244, 255 252 left engage-ent section 10, 244, 255 254 rioht engage-ent section 10, 244, 255 255 opeQ brac~et of Fig. lOE
256 exposed support surface of 255 258 curved distal end of 255 W O 92/03293 ~ 0 8 ~ 7 ~ ~ PCT/USgl/059P~

1 259 main support body of ~ig. 11 260 relocating side of 263 261 distal arm T-slot of 260 262 distal bracket ?-slot of 260 263 panel of 25g 264 proximate bracket T-slot of 260 265 stand of Figs. 12 and 12A
266 proxi~ate arm T-slot of 260 268 distal arm/bracket T-slot of 260 270 proximate arm/bracket T-slot of 260 272 openings of 260 274 relocatable, retractable and multi-positionable arm of 265 276 base of 274 278 pi~oting elongated cylinder of 274, 388 280 elongated rectangular of 276 282 shorteoed stepped rectangular of 276 284 L-shaped solid of 276, 388 286 top side of 276 288 bottom side of 276 290 front side of 276 292 back side of 276 294 proxi~ate COOperatiDg engage~ent side of 276 296 outer stepped distal site of 276 298 inner steppet tistal side of 276 300 stepped pivot side of 276 302 circular flange of 276 304 T-rail of 276 306 aperture of 304 308 bore of 276 310 opening of 276 312 control rod of 276 314 stop section of 276 316 recessed ~all of 276 318 ~nob of 312 320 protrusions of 318 322 niches of 276 323 recess of 276 324 stepped section of 276 ~ ~ 3 ~

. 25 1 326 steppet section of 278 328 hole in 324, 326 330 recessed shoulder in 276 332 top side of 326 334 bottom side of 324 336 screw for 338 338 coupling sleeve 274 339 body of 3~0 340 relocatable and retractable support bracket of Fig. 13 341 knob of 340 342 elongated T-rail of 340 343 stand of Fig. 15 344 control rot of 340 345 main support body of 343 or 355 346 bore of 340 347 member relocating side of 345 348 locatably fixed multi-positionable arm of 343 349 panel of 345 350 bores of 347 351 first vertical edge of 345 352 vertical T-slot of 347 353 second rertical edge of 345 354 branched T-slot of 347 355 stand of ~ig. 16 356 base of 348 358 L-shaped solid of 356 360 long leg of 358 362 short leg 358 364 support fitting of 348 366 circular plate-like flange of 364 368 stud of 366 370 inner facing side of 366 372 outer facing side of 366 374 smooth shaft of 364 376 groore at ent of 374 378 tbrougb aperture 356 382 reinforced e-ring at 374 384 relocatable semi-fixed multi-positionable arm of 355 ,: .

W O 92/03293 ~ PCT/US91/059~a 1 385 T-slot form of 390 386 stand of Fig l9C
387 main support body of Fig 17 388 joined and multi-positionable support arm of 386 389 main support body of 386, 448 390 front ~ember relocating side of 387 391 first vertical edge of 387 392 horizontal-first T-slot section of 390 393 second vertical edge of 387 394 1st vertical-second T-slot section of 390 395 2nd vertical-second T-slot section of 390 396 upper stop slot of 390 397 terminating edge of 385 398 longitudinal outer side ~all channel opening of 394, 395, 415, 417 399 first vertical edge of 389 400 enlarged opening of 390, 404 401 second vertical edge of body 389 402 ter~inated end of 414 404 member relocating side of 389 406 arced stop slot of 389 408 arced stepped stop section of 406 410 arced terminating narro~ed edge of 408 412 arced terminating ~idened edge of 408 414 horizontal-first T-slot section of 389 415 1st vertical-second T-slot section of 389 416 joining base of 388 417 2nd vertical-second T-slot section of 389 418 front side of 416, 450 420 cooperating engagement side of 416, 450 422 bac~ edge of 416, 450 424 front edge of 416, 450 426 top edge of 416, 450 428 botto- etge of 416, 450 430 syometrically foroed brac~et of 416, 450 432 enlarged bounded cutout of 430 434 horizontal left ar~ support surface of 432 436 horizontal right arn support surface of 432 : : . . . .

2 ~ n ~

1 438 contoured symmetrical handle of 416, 450 440 grip~ e contours of 438 442 first circular T-rail of 416, 450 444 second circular T-rail of 416, 450 446 joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm of Fig. 20 448 static stand of Figs. 23 and 24 450 joining base of 446 452 releasable pivoting elongated cylinder of 446 456 engagable housing of 450.
458 socket of 456 459 inner top ~all of 458 460 outer top side of 456 461 inner bottom ~all of 458 462 outer bottom side of 456 463 inner contoured proxioate side wall of 458 464 outer distal side of 456 465 inner contoured distal side ~all of 458 466 outer proximate side 456 467 front ~indow openiDg 456 468 outer front side 456 469 rear opening of 456 470 curved slots in 460 472 curved ter~inated ends of 470 474 protruding modified dis~ of 452 476 modified releasable pivoting elongated cylinder of Fig. 21B
478 dis~ e section of 452 482 upper ~andle of 452 484 lo~er handle of 452 486 exterior surface of 482, 484 488 protruding ear of 482, 484 490 cutout section of 476 494 removable counter~eight of Fig. 25 496 ~eight of 494, 506 498 throaded rod of 494 500 longitudinally threaded hole of Fig. 25 502 projecting tube of 596 503 snap opening of-502 . . ~ , . .

. .. .

W O 92t03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ PCT/US91/059~.~

1 504 telescopic ~ember of Fig. 25A
506 attachable counter~eight of Fig. 25A
508 axial T-slot of Fig. 26 S10 terminated end of 508 512 access opening of 508 514 threaded circular first T-rail of Fig. 27 516 threated narro~ portion of 514 518 threaded bores in 390 520 threaded aperture in 508 522 relocatable copyholder of Fig. 28 523 T-slot of 547 524 body of 522 525 exposed opening of 527 526 document mounting side of 522 527 T-slot of 529 528 rear site of 524 529 first docu-ent ~ounting site of 549 530 inner side of 524 531 biased clip of 526, 529 532 outer side of 524 533 ter~inatino edge of 527 534 upper side of 524 535 stand of Fig. 29 536 lo~er side of 524 537 main support body of 535 538 biased clip of 547 539 ember relocating side of 537 540 support ledge of 547 541 support ledge of 526, 529 542 rib of 524 543 ne~ber relocating side of stand 545 544 flange of 524 545 stand of Fig. 31 546 cooperating enoage~ent side of 544 547 secont docuoent ~ounting side of 549 548 support side of 544 549 sy~metrical copyholder of Fig. 28A
550 oain support body of 552 . . :

W O 92/03293 2 a . ç~ 7 ~ ~. PCr/US91/05984 1 551 member relocating side of 552 552 stand of Fig. 30 553 main support body of 545 554 conventional file cabinet of Fig. 31 555 vertical support member of Fig. 32 556 rear side of 566 557 panel of 564 558 adhesive mat of 564, 568 559 recess of 564 560 inner facing attachment side of 558 562 outer facing adhesive side of 558 564 adhering main support body of 567 565 ~ember relocating side of 564 566 panel of 568 567 stand of Fig. 32C
568 disengageable adhering main support body of Figs. 32A, 32B
569 member relocating side of 568 570 semi-rigid engagement bolt of 568 572 pliable head of 570 574 threadet stem of 570 576 aperture in 558 578 slotted nuts for 574 579 common slotted edge of 585 580 recess in 566 581 horizontal slot of 585 582 holes in 566 583 rertical slot of 585 584 support surface for 568 585 main support body of Fig. 32D
586 first member relocating side of 585 587 vertical support post for 585 588 L-brac~ets for 585 589 scre~s for 588 590 projecting leg of 588 591 second vertical edge of 585 592 opening in 588 593 second me ber relocating side of 585 594 machine bolt for 585 ..

' W O 92/03293 ~ 7 ~ ~ PCT/US91/059*~
~, 1 595 top edge of 585 596 threaded aperture in 595 597 bottom edge of 585 598 cam lock 599 a member relocating side of 602 601 casing of 602 602 stationary main support monitor of Fig. 33 603 a member relocating side of 602 604 directionally adjustable main support monitor of Fig. 33A
605 ~e0ber relocating side of 624 606 omni-directionable and multi-positionable video support stand of Fig. 33A
607 a member relocating side of 604 608 a member relocating side of 604 609 stationary main support monitor of Fig. 34A
610 adaptive main support body of Fig. 33D
611 member relocating side of 610 612 adapting side of 610 614 side of 616 615 adjustable-accessory base of Fig. 33C
616 irregularly shapet video display monitor of Fig. 33D
617 heavy tuty docu-ent bolder of Fig. 34A
618 relocatable counterweight of Fig. 34 619 a member relocating side of 609 620 proximate cooperating engagement side of 618 521 a member relocating side of 629 622 distal receiving side of 618 623 stabilizing control lever of 627 624 stationary oain support oonitor of Fig. 33C
625 T-slot of 618 626 shifting counter~eight of Fig. 349 627 adjustable-accessory bra~e assembly of Fig. 34A
628 hollo~ cavity of 626 629 fixedly adjustable main support ~onitor of Fig. 34 630 novable ~eight of 626 631 threaded bore 632 an adjustable basic stabilizer of 604 633 stabilizing control lever of 629 ! W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 -~ - Pcr/usgl/o5984 : 31 ~`
1 634 an adjustable stabilizer of 604 635 front viewing side of 604 636 bore iD 638 ,~ 637 threaded rod of 634 .~ 5 638 casin~ of 604 639 bottom side of 638 640 self-leveling foot of 632, 634 641 a ~all of 642 642 cutout in 635 643 a ~all of 642 . 644 adjusting dis~ of 634 , 645 threaded center opening of 644 646 ~nurlet circu~ferential surface of 644 . 647 opening to 636 650 attachable ~ulti-positionable docu~ent , holder device of Fig. 36 652 attachable proxinate clevis of 650 ~$ 654 bia~ial positioning fitting of 650 ~ 656 pivotable distal clevis of 650 .: 20 657 pivotable distal clevis of 746 ': 658 rotatable docuoent holder oe~ber of 650 670 leg oe~ber of 652 672 leg ~ember of 652 674 short tube~ e e~ber of 652 676 snap fastener opening of 652 678 longitudinal concave depression of 652 ; 680 outer planar side of 670, 672 681 inner planar side of 670, 672 682 cylindrical surface of 683 683 prosi~ate tis~ of 650 in 654 684 curved edge of 652 685 center opening of 670, 672 686 tapered triangular pris s of legs 670, 672, 718, 719 and dis~s 683, 687 687 tistal dis~ of 650 in 654 688 connecting bar of 654 689 upper circular side of 683 690.1O~er circular side of 683 r -' ' ~ ' ' .

:

W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ 9 7 ~ ~ PCT/US91/059Y~

1 692 center opening of 718, 719 694 aperture of 683 695 shaft of 683 696 head of 695 698 wingnut for 695 700 upper circular side of 687 702 lower circular side of 687 704 cylintrical surface of 687 710 aperture of 687 714 cylintrical surface of 687 717 inner side of 718, 719 718 leg of 656 719 leg of 656 720 shaft of 656 721 leg of 746 723 leg of 746 724 head of 720 726 ~ingnut for 720 728 plate~ e body of 658 730 front side of 728 (vie~ing side of 658) 732 rear side of 728 734 T-slot of 658 735 turntable assembly of 658 736 top portion of 735 25 . 737 upper side of 735 738 bottom portion of 735 739 top side of 740 740 support plate of 658 741 botto~ side of 740 742 bullet shaped protrusions froo 732 743 lo~er side of 738 744 stop detents in 732 - 746 basic rotatable docu~ent holder of Figs. 42, 42C
748 plate~ e body of 746 750 a plate-li}e seoi-riaid support oeober of 746 752 rotational coupling oeober of 746 754 front side of 748 (vie~ing side of 746) 755 rear side 748 ~ W 0 92/03293 2 ~ J` ~ ' -;' ` pCT/US9l/05984 - i 33 1 756 T-slot in 754 757 open end of 756 760 opening at center of 748 762 recessed shoulder of 760 at 754 764 bac~plate of 756 766 circular groove at 755 768 detent in 755 770 frontward side of 750 772 rear~ard side of 750 774 opening at center of 750 776 protrusions from 772 778 recessed shoulder at 772 780 shouldered screw for 782 782 shouldered coupling sleeve for 746 784 enlargement for 780 786 s-ooth exterior side of 782 788 smooth side ~all of 774 800 multi-positionable and pivotally fixable tocument holder of Fig 43 801 rotatable and pivotally fixable document holder of 800 802 rac~ and pinion platform of 801 803 attachable proximate clevis of 800 804 biaxial positioning fitting of 800 805 pivotable distal clevis of 800 806 modified distal dis~ of 804 807 plate-li~e body of 801 808 se~i-rigid support e~ber of 801 809 vie~ing side of 807 810 T-slot at 809 811 rear side of body 807 812 front~ard side of 808 813 rear~ard side of 808 814 leg OD 813 815 leg of 802 816 protrusions on 814, 816 817 nodified openings of leg 814 818 oodified aperture of 815 819 ~inged shaft of 802 -. ' ~ , ' ' ' i : ' . ~ .'' ' W O 92/03293 ~ o ~ PCT/US91JOS9.P-~

1 820 raised back side of 802 821 dis~ facing legged side of 802 822 outer facing control side of 802 823 longitudinal side of 802 824 longitudinal side of 802 825 wall of 826 826 gear well of 802 827 wall of 826 828 retaining niche of 802 829 control lever of 802 830 modified bore of 802 831 a wall of 828 832 handle of 829 833 a wall of 828 834 key~ays of 802 835 top surface of 832 836 bottom surface of 832 837 pivotable ears on 836 838 retaining end of 819 839 threaded end of 819 840 circumferential retaining channel of 819 841 first engaqement section of 819 842 second engagement section of 819 843 projecting keys for 841 844 projecting keys for 842 845 retaining split ring for 819 846 toothet rac~ on 836 847 threaded ~ingnut for 819 848 pinion on 819 of 802 849 odified opening of 848 850 prior art document holder 851 aperture of ear 837 852 loose-leaf binter of 850 853 pintle for 829 854 binder mechanism for 850, 869 855 shorter parallel side of 832 856 document 857 spring on 836 ..:
:, . : , , . -- . :
.' ..

~ J ~_ 1 858 jacket of 852 859 ears on 820 of 802 860 front cover of 852 861 apertures of 859 862 bac~ cover of 852 863 longer parallel side of 832 864 spine of 852 865 elongated rail of 850 866 narro~ed portion of 865 867 widened portion 865 868 bac~ plate of 865 869 interiorly ~odified document holder of Fig 45 870 inner front side of 871 871 cover for 869 872 seg~ented T-rail of 869 874 inside spine of 869 876 a rail section of 872 877 a rail section of 872 878 coomon bac~ plate of 872 879 rings of 869 880 Velcro fastener of 869 882 inner bac~ side of 871 884 rating Velcro fasteDer 886 attacbable ~elcro 890 ulti-purpose docuoent support stand of Fig 46 892 plate-li~e body of 890 894 front vie~ing side of 892 896 rear side of 892 898 ~ain section of 892 900 first lateral side of 898 902 second lateral side of 898 904 first side section of 892 905 top rotatable side section of 956 906 second side section of 892 907 bottoo rotatable side section of 956 908 piD for 904, 906, 905, 907 910 enlarged free end of 908 912 bore in lateral edge of 898 ...... : . , - , ' .
'- . ...

W O 92/03293 ~ 7 ~ PCT/US9l/059X~

1 914 recessed portion rear side of 898 916 bloc~s for 914 918 screws for 916 92~ support brac~et of Fig 46 921 document holder 922 pyramidal bloc~ of Fig 46 924 pinion of 926 926 flange for attachment to 896 928 bore in 922 932 hoo~ and loop fastening strips on 890 934 mating boo~ and loop fasteners on 921 936 spring clip on 904 938 support ledge on 906 939 slot in 894 940 diverging sides of 939 942 channel in 898 944 elongated bar in 942 946 ~nob of 944 948 slottet opening in 896 950 tab of 904, 906 952 recessed portions in 896 954 hoo~ and loop fasteners on 950, 952 956 relocatable multi-purpose copyholder of Figs 47 and 47A
957 first ~ounting siae of 956 958 T-slot in 957, 959 959 second ~ounting side of 956 960 support flaDge of 956 DETAILED DESCRIPTION or THE PREFERRED E~ODI~ENTS
Initially referring to FIG 1, it ~ill be observed that a support stand, universal docu ent support stand 1, is provided for the purpose of properly supporting and positioning docu~ents for vie~ing at a co-puter ~or~station 24 Universal docu-ent support staDd 1 ~ay be considered to be a joined support stand ~hich co bines the positioniDg capabilities of t~o intepeDteDt tevices, Danely projecting, ~ulti-positionable article support staDt 2, ant attachable ~ulti-purpose and oulti-positionable docuoent bolder 4 The present disclosure ~ill present the ~ ....... . . . .
':', . -' , ~ ., .

': ' W Q 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ I . PCT/USgl/05984 1 description of universal docuDent support stand 1 in tNo parts The disclosure ~ill begin ~ith a description of the structure and function of projecting, multi-positionable article support stand 2 (of stand 1) follo~ed by a description of the structure and function of its attached holder, attachable multi-purpose and multi-positionable document holder 4 Upon vie~ing FIG 2, in association with FIG 1, it is noted that projecting, multi-positionable article support stand 2, constructed in accordance ~ith one form of tbe present invention, includes three essential members She combination of the three members provides a stand for firmly supporting an article (or wor~load), such as attachable document holder 4, at a variety of selectively fixed, and projected, positions in space The ~embers of support stand 2 include a first essential ~ember, main support body 6; a sècond essential member, relocatable and multi-positionable projecting support arm 8; and a third essential member, relocatable support bracket 10 As ~ill be realized from the forthcoming description, both multi-positionable support arm 8 and support bracket 10 are re~ovably mountable and relocatable to a plurality of fixedly supportive locations on main support body 6 of stand 2 of the present invention She co~bination of the three members provides for the ability to fi~edly position tbe distal end of support ar~ 8 at a ~ultiplicity of secured spatial locations The first essential me ber, being a stationary support member, oain support body 6, is formed from a planar, plate-like ~ember ~etially bent across its ~idth to create a right angled body having t~o tistinct panel sections Conseguently, the ~ain support body 6 ~ay be described as including t~o attached plate-like solids, panel 12 and panel 14, ~itb each panel formed in the shape of a rectangular right prism Vertically disposed first rectangular panel 12 and borizontally disposed second rectangular panel 14 are integrally joined perpendicular to one another at bottom transverse edge 16 Adtitionally, vertical panel 12 has for~ed ~ithin the surface of its outer facing, or front, side, eQber relocating side 18 Me~ber relocating side 18 includes a me ber ~ounting ability, S-slot 20 (to be described belo~), W 0 92/03293 ~ ' PCTtUS91/059 1 thereby completing the for~ation of, engagable support me~ber, main support body 6 as seen in FIGS 1, 2 and 3 As is realized fro~ FIG 2, stand 2 of the present invention includes t~o primary support members, main support boty 6 and relocatable support brac~et 10 (the first and third essential members, respectively) ~hich cooperate ~ith a secondary support member, relocatable and multi-positionable projecting support arm 8, in spatially positioning and fixedly supporting the distal end of arm 8 Arm 8, the second essential member of stand 2, is dependent on the first and third members for its support The additional features of the three essential members, which allo~ for their mutual cooperation, ~ill no~ be described Referring to FIG 3, in association ~ith FIGS 1 and 2, it is observed that first essential support member, main support body 6, is oriented ~ith first rectangular panel 12 vertically disposed thru the cooperation of perpenticularly attached and integrally for~ed second rectangular panel 14 being horizontally disposed and resting on horizontal surface 22 of ~or~station 24 Horizontal panel 14 has a bottom planar side 26 for resting on a flat horizontal surface 22 and a top planar side 28 the surface of ~hich is used to support a ~eight bearing device such as a type~riter, television, computer or video display monitor 30 Vertical rectangular panel 12 includes a front member relocating side 18, constituting the oounting side of stand 2, and a parallelly opposite rear side 32 Vertical rectangular panel 12, of main support body 6, further includes top edge 34 opposite bottoo tran~verse etge 16, and first vertical edge 36 opposite second vertical edge 38 As also sho~n in FIG 3A, one for~ of ~ember relocating side 18, of vertical panel 12, includes a slotted pattern, the structure and purpose for ~hich ~ill no~ be described The e ber relocating ~ide 18 is planar in nature, to provide a flat surface for oounting and relocating the engaging additional me-bers of the stand In the preferred fore of the present invention, as sho~n in FIGS 1, 2, 3 and 3A, T-slot 20 is observed traveling in a sy~ etrical pattern thereby for~ing an ele~ent of me~ber relocating side 18 of ~ain support body 6 T-slot 20 is provided to allo~ for the re~ovable mounting of both 1 relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 and relocatable support bracket 10 on ~ember relocating side 18, of main support body 6, through the mutual cooperation of comple~entary engaging ~embers ~s sho~n in FIG 4, in one form of the present invention, a means for for~ing T-slot 20 includes a segmented, branched brac~et 44 having a C-shape in cross section ~rac~et 44 is mounted in recess 46 formed in the surface of the member relocating side 18 of ~ain support body 6 The bracket 44 includes a bac~ plate 48, a pair of side plates 50 joined to the bac~ plate on the bac~ plate's opposite transverse etges and extending perpendicularly froo the bac~ plate 48 on the same side of the bac~ plate, and a pair of in~ardly facing support arms 52, each arc being joined to a respective side plate S0 and being lS spaced apart from the bac~ plate 48 The C-brac~et 44 defines a T-shaped slot 20, having narroued and ~idened portions 54, 56 The narro~ed portion 54 of the T-slot 20 is defined bet~een the pair of ar~s 52, ~hile the ~idened portion 56 of the ?-slot 20 is defined bet~een the pair of side plates 50 As illustrated in F$G 4A, in the preferred form of the present invention a separate C-bracket is eliminated ~ith T-slot 20 being for~ed directly in member relocating side 18 Consequently, it is enrisioned that the entire ~ember relocating side 18 may be foroed ~ith an unobstructed, s~ooth planar surface allo~ing for the free placement, relocation and cooperation of ~eobers In such a case, the narro~ed and ~idened portions 54, 56 of the T-slot 20 are defined by first and second portions 58, 60 of the T-slot 20 of tbe front oe ber relocating side 18 The first and second portions 58, 60 being L-shaped and in relative mirror image disposition, as illustrated As sho~n in Fig 3, the T-slot 20 in front relocating side 18 e~tends fro- top edge 34 of side 18 and ter-inates before reaching the opposite, botto- transverse edge 16 She ter~inating edge 62 provides a stop, ~hich li~its the e~tent to ~hich the cooperating support ar~ 8 and brac~et 10 may be receivet by trun~ section 40 of T-slot 20 As oentioned above, one end of the T-slot 20 e~tends to the top edge 34 of the oe~ber relocating side 18 of vertical panel mecber 12 Tbus, as sho~n W O 92/03293 2 ~ PCT/US91/Oj9X~

l in FIG. 4A, this open end 64 is exposed, and is open to the T-slot 20 so that removably mountable and relocatable ~embers, arm 8 and brac~et lO, may be slidably received by the slot tbrough the exposed open end 64.
Upon referring once again to FIGS. 3 and 3A, a T-slot section which is vertically disposed is observed in the middle of me~ber relocating side 18 and identified as vertical trun~
section 40. As shown in FIG. 3A, trun~ section 40 has along its length a series of perpendicularly intersecting horizontal branch sections 42. Each horizontal branch section 42 intersects trun~
section 40 at longitudinal side ~all opening 68 and projects out~artly from trun~ section 40 in mirror image forming an aligned pair of similar sections. Upon ~loser exa~ination of horizontal sections 42 it is observed that t~o basic, but different, symmetrically aligned slot configurations are presented.
Initially, it is convenient to further ideDtify horizontal branches 42 as eitber left branch side or right branch side.
Additionally, as observed in each of the previously disclosed FIGS. 3 and 3a, each brancb side has a pattern ~hich alternates the two basic slot configurations. Upon referring to the left branch side proximate to top edge 34 of member relocating side 18 (as sho~n in FIG. 3A) it is observed that the uppermost slot is different in its for~ation fro3 the slot directly belo~ it. The uppermost left slot configuration is identified as left brac~et support branch 70. The opposite right side is identified as right brac~et support branch 72. Vertically disposed trun~
section 40 is provided ~ith a plurality of symmetrically positioned longitudinal side ~all openings 68 ~ith each opening connecting a horizontally disposed T-slottet branch section 42.
Each brac~et branch section 70 and 72 is provided ~ith a vertically disposed stop slot 74. Stop slot 74 provides for a fixed supportive location for relocatable support brac~et lO, the description of ~hich ~ill be provided belo~. Each stop slot 74 is created by providing a lateral side ~all opening 76 in the lo~er ~all 77 of each horizontal branch 42 ~ith each opening leading to a vertically disposed stop slot 74. Adtitionally, each stop slot 74 is provided uith a ter~inating stepped section . . ' .

- 2~3"~
_ W O 92/03293 ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 78 TermiDating stop etge 78 includes horizontally disposed widened edge 80 and horizontally disposed narro~ed edge 82 as sho~D in FIGS . 3A and 4B Upon referring to the forenamed figures, in assooiation ~ith FIG 4, it is observed that side plates 50 of C-brac~et 44 are perpendicular to bac~ plate 48 Attitionally, as seen in FIG 4~, the pair of in~ardly facing arms 52 are oriented normally to the pair of side plates 50 and are therefore parallel to back plate 48 Consequently, edge 82 is disposed in an orientation perpendicular to bac~ plate 48 Furtheroore, each in~art facing arc 52 oay be considered to have a front side 84, coplanar ~ith ~e~ber relocating side 18 of main support body 6 and a back side 86, residing in face to face relationship ~ith, and parallel to, bac~ plate 48 The just described structure allo~s for the secure positioning of the relocatable brac~et member of the present invention As shoun in FIG 3A, the horizontal slot directly belo~
left brac~et support branch 70 is identified as left aro and brac~et support branch 88, uith the branch in mirror image being identified as right arm and brac~et branch 90 Each arm and bracket branch 88, 90 adds to the structure previously described for bracket support branch sections 70 or 72 Each arm and brac~et branch 88 (or 90) is additionally pro~ided ~ith a horizontal extension of T-slot 20 beyond lateral side ~all opening 76 ~ith each branch ter~inating in vertically disposed ter~inating edge 92 Ter~inating edge 92 is formed si~ilarly to horizootally disposed teroinating edge 62 Ho~ever, as is sho~n in FIGS 3A and 4C, the bac~ plate 48 of each ar~ and brac~et branch 88, and 90 is ~odified in the follo~ing ~anner Tbe bac~
plate 48 of T-slot 20 (of branches 88 and 90) is provided ~ith t~o separate protrusioDs 94, and 96 located along the longitudinal a~is, near the distal end of eacb branch 88 and 90, in the vicinity of ter-inating edge 92 The first protrusion 94 is closer to trun~ section 40 than the second protrusion 96 ~hich is closer to the distal ent of ar~ ant brac~et branches 88 ant 90 Sbe ~tructural features ~hich are present near the distal ent of ar- ant brac~et branches 88 and 90 pro~ide for a fixed supportive location for relocatable and ~ulti-positionable -.. . .
' .

3 PCT/US91/059~A
2~'3 t~ 7 ~ l~t~ 42 - 1 projecting ar~ 8, the description of which ~ill be provided belo~.
The remaining branches are similarly placed in an alternating fashion having each aro and brac~et branch 88, 90 positioned between a pair of brac~et branches 70, 72. As suggested by the aforementioned, each branch is capable of supporting only brac~et 10, or both arm 8 and brac~et 10. The required structure ~hich provides for the removable ~ounting of relocatable multi-positionable support arm 8 and relocatable support brac~et 10 on me-ber relocating side 18, through cooperative engagement, ~ill be presented shortly.
At this point in the description it is observed that the main support body 6, including meober relocating side 18, is symmetrically for~ed along its longitudinal axis. Shis symDetry allo~s for the selective positioning of vertical panel 12 to the right or left of a viteo display monitor 30. This ability is achieved tbrough the cooperation of a display monitor resting on horizontal panel 14 ~hicb, in turn, is resting on a horizontal ~or~station surface 28, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Consequently, as ~ill be sho~n belo~, this symmetrical feature allo~s stand 2, in its entirety, to be positioned and to function either to the left or the right of a video display monitor 30.
Additionally, as sho~n in FIG. 2A, a second for~ of document support stand, stand 100, could be provided. Stand 100 includes ; 25 a ~ain support body 102 having t~o vertically disposed rectangular panels 101 and 103, having oppositely facing ~e~ber ; relocatiDg sides 97 and 99 respectively, ~ith a co-mon connecting horizontal support panel 98. Stand 100 provides for tbe capability of positioning the relocatable me ber~ of the stand to each side of a video display monitor. Furthermore, as ~ill be described further on, the e~terior casing, or housing, of a co~puter monitor may be for~ed, at ti~e of manufacture, ~ith slotted vertical panels, to tbe left and to the right of the displar screen thereby providing a ember relocating side formed ~ithin tbe surface of each side of the ~onitor.
At this point in the description t~o for~s of a projecting document support stand, stand 2 and stand 100, of the present invention, utilizing first essential ~ember, main support body 6 ~ - ~

~ ' . ' .

.:
. ~ , ~ . .

`1 ~3 r~
-W O 9~/03293 PCT/US91/05984 ! 43 1 and main support body 102 respectively, have been disclosed The following provides a description of one form of the second essential member of the present invention, removably mountable, relocatable and multi-positionable projecting support arm 8 Upon referring to FIGS 5, 5A and 5B, in association ~ith FIGS
and 2, relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 is observed Support ar~ 8 includes t~o essential members first ~ember, multi-positionable base 104 and second ~ember, pivoting elongated cylinder 106 It is observed that in one form of the first support arm member, multi-positionable base 104 includes a box-li~e soc~et housino member 108 and cooperating circular shaped T-rail member 110 mounted on soc~et housing 108 As sho~n in FIGS 5, SA and SB soc~et housing 108 is in the shape of a rectangular right prism having six planar sides inner, proximate cooperating engagement side 112 opposite outer distal side 114; front side 116 opposite rear side 118; and top side 120 opposite bottoo side 122 As sho~n in FIG 5, soc~et housing 108 may be initially formed from a solid having a hollo~ed section created proximate to outer side 114 The hollo~ed section passes completely through housing 108 from front side 116 to rear side 118 forming an open ended disk shaped soc~et 126 having ualls ~hich are compleeentary, in part, to the sbape and dimensions of dis~ 128 Referring once again to FIGS
SA and 5B it is observed that soc~et 126 has top ~all 130, in face to face relationship ~ith bottom ~all 132, ~ith ~alls 130 and 132 being separated by a distance equal to the thic~ness or ~idtb of cylindrical surface 134 of dis} 128 Additionally, soc~et 126 has contoured pro~imate side ~all 136 opposite contoured distal side ~all 138, ~itb the amount of separation and curvature of the ~alls being deter-ined by, and co~ple-entary to, the dia-eter of dis~ 128, to be discussed belo~ It should be notet that contouret ~alls 136 and 138, ~ben vie~ed from the rear, are initially straight and are contoured to form a semicircle near the front of housing 108 so as to allo~ for the insertion ant seating of tis~ 128 in housing 108 ~hen vie~ed from the top, as sho~n in FIGS 5 ant SB, ~alls 136 and 138 create an abbreviated U-shaped form The front side 116, of boùsing 108, is modified to include a ~indo~ opening 140 W O 92/03293 PCr/US91/059~
2 ~ ; 44 i;
1 ~ousin~ 108 is so fitted in order to provide for the removable insertion, or mounting, of pivoting elongated cylinder 106 As will be described in more detail belo~, and as shown in FIG 5, pivoting elongated cylinder 106 is created through the combining of dis~ 128 and elongated cylinder 146 into one integrated member ~indow openin~ 140 is sized to not only retain dis~ 128 within housing 108 but to also allou for the exposure of a portion of cylindrical surface 134 of dis~ 128 in order to permit pivoting elongated cylinder 106 to project and to transcribe an arc ~hen dis~ 128 is piroted about a y-axis of rotation Thus, soc~et 126 has front windo~ openiDg 140 opposite rear opening 142, with the size of front ~indo~ opening 140 being less than the thic~ness, or width, of the cylindrical surface 134 of dis~
128 but greater than the diameter of elongated cylinder 146 As sho~n in FIG SA, soc~et housing 108 is also fitted with a sliding door 148 near rear side 118 which is provided to close rear opening 142 Sliding door 148, being captured by upper and lower U-shaped trac~s 150 and 152, (formed in top and bottom wall sections 130 and 132 respectively) is slidably ~oved in a direction perpenticular to, and towards, or away fro~, inner proxi0ate side 112 of housing 108 Door 148 oay be frictionally fitted in trac~s 150, 152 or provided with a protrusion/detent retainin~ fitting 154 to ensure its closure Door 148 has a beight, and a width, greater than the respective thic~ness, and diaoeter, of dis~ 128 Sliding door 148 is provided with a projecting handle stop ~eober 156 on outer surface 158 in order to cooperate with ~eeper oeans, distal corner 160, of rear door opening 142, to prevent tbe accidental re-oval of door 148 from housing 108 As shown in FIG 5, base 104 is further odified to include a T-rail 110 ~ouDted on inner proxioate cooperatin~ engage~ent side 112 of housing 108 T-rail 110 has a narrowed portion 162 joined to a ~idened portioD 164, but the widened portion 164 of the T-rail 110 has a width and length ~hich are substantially equal to eacb other and which are equal to, or slightly smaller than, the widened portion 56 of tbe T-slot 20 for~ed in the ~ain support body 6, realized in association with FIG 4 Si~ilarly, the narro~ed portion 162 of the T-rail has a width and length . . .

: .

W O 92~03293 ~; ~ 3 ~ PCr~US91/05984 1 which are substantially equal to each other and ~hich are equal to or slightly smaller than narroued portion 54 of the T-slot 20.
The T-rail 110, may in~lude a back plate (not sho~n) ~ounted on the narro~ed portion 162 and spaced from its ~idened portion 164 for ~ounting the rail on the proximate cooperating engagement side 112, such as by oluing, fasteners or other means. Or preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, tbe T-rail 110 may be integrally formed ~ith housing 108 ~ben the Dember is oade. Consequently, the T-rail 110 is for~ed ~ith circular shapet widened and narro~ed portions 164 and 162 respectively, as sho~n in F~GS. 5 and 6.
Additionally, as sho~n in FIGS. 6 and 6A, in one form of a ~idened T-rail engagement me~ber of the present inveDtion, circular ~idened portion 164 of T-rail 110 is formet with a grooved enoagement pattern 168. Grooved engagement pattern 168 is provided to cooperatingly engage protrusions 94 and 96, as seen in FIG. 3A, of main body 6, for~ed iD bac~ plate 48, near the distal end of each arm and brac~et branch 88 and 90.
Grooved engage~ent pattern 168 is created by forming a groove in the top surface 167, opposite bottom surface 169, of circular ~idened portion 164 of T-rail 110. The depth of the groove is less than the tbic~ness of ~idened portion 164 of circular T-rail 110. The groove is concave in shape and has a depth and ~idth ~hich nates ~ith, and is complementary to, the height and ~idth of protrusions 94 and 96 foroed in bac~ plate 48 of T-slot 20.
As sho~n in Fig. 6A, ~rooved engage~ent pattern 168 oay be identified as ha~ing three sections: grooved dia-eter section 172, grooved far engageoent arc section 174 and grooved near engage-eDt arc section 176. Access to grooved engage~ent pattern 168 is provided by open dia etrical end 178 foroed in the top surface 167 of circular ~ideDed portion 164. Tbe grooved pattern travels along the dia eter section 172 of portion 164. Grooved dia~eter section 172 teroinates at Dear eDgage-ent point 180 ~hich is located pro~i~ate to, but set bac~ fro~, closed dia~etrical eDd 182. At the location, along grooved dia~eter section 172, desigDated as Dear engage-ent point 180, Dear eDgage-ent arc section 176 branches out froo the dia~eter section W O 92/03293 PCT/US91/059~A
~97~ 46 1 172 and travels in a countercloc~ise direction follo~ing an arc concentric ~ith the center of circular ~idened portion 164 of T-rail 110 The diaoeter of the concentric arc being appro~imately equal to the distance between protrusions 94 and 96 formed in bac~ plate 48 of T-slot 20 as illustrated iD FIGS 3A and 4C
Near engagement arc section 176 terminates before intersecting grooved dia~eter section 172 As seen in FIGS 6A and 6B, ~rooved engagement pattern 168 also includes a grooved far enga~eoent arc section 174 Grooved far engage~ent arc sectioD 174 also branches out from grooved dia~eter section 172 in a manner similar to near engage~ent arc section 176 As illustrated, grooved far engage~ent arc section 174 branches out from dia~eter section 172 at a location along the grooved diameter section proxi~ate to, but set bac~ from, open dianetrical end 178 and designated as far en~age~ent point 184 Far engage~ent arc section 174, being sioilar to near engage~ent arc section 176 also follo~s a concentric arc, traveling in a countercloc~ise direction and terminates before intersecting grooved diameter section 172 Consequently, as is realized froc FIG 5, in association ~ith FICS 2 ant 6A, circular T-rail 110 no~ being provited ~ith groovet engagenent pattern 168 allows multi-positioning base 104, and therefore relocatable ant nulti-positionable support arm 8, to be rotatably ountet at a fi~ed supportive location on ~ember relocating side 18 of ~ain support body 6 (or oain support body 102) The oounting of oulti-positionable support aro 8 and its uni~ue positionin~ capabilities ~ill be tiscusset shortly Upon referring to PIG 7, one foro of the the second essential enber of relocatable and ~ulti-positionable support ar~ 8, pivoting elongated cylinder 106, is illustrated Pivoting elongated cylinder 106 consists of elonaatet cylinder 146, ~ith tis~ 128 inte~rallr for-ed at its pro~ioate end ant a connecting fitting, such as protruding snap fastener 186, provided at its tistal end Additionally, as is illustrated, the distal end of elongated cylinder 146 has, ahead of snap fastener 186, a circu~ferential ridae 188 ~hich is provided to assist snap fastener 186 in the attach ent of additional cooperating ne~bers Dis~ 128 is observed, as sho~n in-association ~ith FIGS 5, 5A

~ W O 92/03293 2 a ~ ~ 7 i ~ PCT/USgl/05984 47 1 and 5B, to be formed from a cylindrical solid haviDg an upper closed circular region 190 separated fro~ a lo~er closed circular region 192 by cylindrical surface 134 Dis~ 128 is modified to include elongated cylinder 146 integrally formed and projecting from cylindrical surface 134 of dis~ 128 Cylinder 146 has a diameter which may be equal to or less than the ~idtb of cylindrical surface 134 of dis~ 128 Furthermore, it sbould be noted that elongated cylinder 146 ~ay be of varied length depending ho~ it is nodified to comply ~ith different embodiments of the preseDt invention Elongated cylinder 146, being circular in shape ~hen vie~ed from its distal end (as sho~n in ~IG 5~), is integrally for~ed ~ith dis~ 128, thereby allo~ing both ~embers to be foroed as one unit ant being identified as pivoting elongated member 106 as sho~n in FIG 7 In the preferred second for~ of pivoting elongated cylinder of the present invention, ho~ever, as shown in ~IGS 1, 2, and 8, pivoting elongated cylinder 106 is further modified to provide an ioportant additional ability Telescopic pivoting cylinder 194 allo~s for the extension of the distal end of ~ulti-positionable support ar~ 8 through the cooperation of ~odified elongated cylinder 196 and modified extension tube 198 The combination createt by the structure previously described for pivoting elongated cylinder 106 and the additioDal structure provided by the mutual eDgage-ent of modified cooperatiDg elongated cylinder 196 ~ith oodified e~tension tube 198 i5 referred to as telescopic pivoting cyliDder 194 As illustrated by FIGS 1, 2, 8 and 8A, odified e~tensioD tube 198 is sized and fitted to be housed ~ithin odified elongated cylinder 196 and to bave li~ited retraction and e~tension through the additional cooperation of oe-bers ~no~n in the art Modified elongated cylinder 196 i8 provided ~ith an e~ternal thread 200 at its distal end to cooperate ~ith ~utually engaging, internally threaded, adjusting ~nob 202 slidably housed on odifiet e~teDsion tube 198 Adjusting ~nob 202, cooperates ~ith a split compression ~asher 204 ~hich slides on the esterior of oodified exteDsioD tube 198 to eDgage the distal end and inDer surface of oodified elongated cylinder 196 in order to selectively restrict the loDgitudinal retraction and e~tension of ~odified e~teDsion tube 198 relative .~

' . .

W O 92/03293 ~ ~ ~ 9 ~ ~ ~ 48 PCT/US91/059 1 to ~odified cooperating elongated cylinter 196. The above telescoping features are ~no~n in the art and are used in such applications as microphone stands and camera tripod legs. An e~a~ple of such an application is used in a tripod stand ~anufactured by Uniphot Incorporated, 61-10 84th Ave., ~oodside, Ne~ Yor~ 11377, USA and identifiable as the Star D-16 "Falcon"
Tripod. Since the above telescoping features permit the rotation of oodified e~tension tube 198 relati~e to modified elongated cylinder 196, and since such rotation is not desirable in tbe present invention, the members are ~odified in the follo~ing manner. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 8A, oodified elongated cylinder 196 is hollo~ and fitted ~ith an internally directed elongated conve~ protrusion 206 formed along the length of its inside surface. Convex protrusion 206, for~ed in cylinder 196, is provided to cooperate ~ith a mutually engaging elongated concave depression 208 formed along the length of the e~terior surface of extension tube 198. Thus it is realized that through the mutual cooperation of elongated protrusion 206 and elongated depression 208 the rotation of oodified extension tube 198 relative to ~odified cooperating elongated cylinder 196 is prevented, the new combination being referred to as telescopic pivoting cylinder 194. The afore~entioned completes the description of the basic structure of the ~embers ~hich may be utilized in forming relocatable and oulti-positionable support ar~ 8.
The follo~ing, ~ith tbe consideration of FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, ~ill de~onstrate ho~ either pivoting cylinder 106 or 194 is easily inserted or reooved froo housing 108 of base 104. Upon slidably opening door 148, pivoting elongated cylinder 106, or 194, is inserted through the rear opening 142, ~ith elongated cylinder 146 passing through front ~indo~ opening 140. Contoured ~alls 136, 138, in cooperation ~ith top and bottom ~alls 130 aDd 132 respectively, allo~ dis~ 128 to seat in soc~et 126 ~ith pivoting elongated cyliDder 106 or 194 projecting fro- housing 108. The ~idth of front ~indo~ opening 140 is of sufficient size to retain dis~ 128 in housing 108 in order to allo~ pivoting elongated cylinder 106 (or cylinder 194) to pivot about a vertical y-a~is. Upon referring to FIG. 5 it is observed that ' W O 92/032g3 PCT/US91/05984 ~ 49 2 ~

1 sliding door 148 is positioned, ~hen closed, juxtaposed to the cylindrical surface 134 of disk 128 This closeness in proximity to disk 128 allows toor 148 to caintain dis~ 128 within its partially formed complementary soc~et 126 and permits dis~ 128 to pivot about a y-axis of rotation Additionally, as is understood from the above description, sliding door 148 provides for the removable mounting of pivoting elongated member 106 (or 194) in housing 108 by entering and exiting door 148 Sbe previous description, in association ~ith FIGS 1, 2, 2A, 9 and 9A, allo~s for the mounting of relocatable and multi-positioDable support arm 8 on ~eober relocating side 18 of main support body 6 of stand 2 (or on main support body 102 of stand 100) In order to mount multi-positionable support arm 8 on member relocating side 18 of main support body 6 (or on either member relocating site 97 or 99 of main support body 102) the operator ~ay choose to mou~t either the complete arm assembly 8, or, initially, just base 104 As shown in FIGS 9 ant 9A, multi-positionable support arm 8 is removably mounted on relocating site 18 of vertical plate-li~e member, panel 12, of Dain support body 6 by the operator holding the base 104 with its inner pro~imate cooperating engagement side 112 in a vertical disposition, and sliding the base's circular shaped T-rail 110 through the e~posed end 64 of T-slot 20 and oving base 104, and therefore support arm 8, along trun~ section 40 until housing 108 of base 104 is positioned with its circular shaped T-rail 110 adjacent to side wall opening 68 of a selected arm and brac~et branch 88 ~or 90) In one form of the present invention, as shown in FIG 9A, each arn and brac~et branch 88 and 90 includes a si~ilarly di-ensionet T-slot ~hich is generally referred to as T-slot 20 She branch selected by the operator will deter-ine the secured vertical height of the pro~imate end of support arm 8 above the wor~station surface 22 Since botb tbe member relocating side 18 of main support body 6 ant T-slot 20 are sy etrically formed (in order to allo~, as described previously, for the positioning of tbe vertical panel 12 of ~ain support body 6 of stand 2 to eitber side of a video display monitor 30) tbe operator bas a choice at the site of a selected longitudinal side ~all opening 68 ~hether to move the support arm . -,. t'~ ' ' . .
' ~ ""' ' ' ' . ': :

2 0 g a ~ 50 1 8 to the left or to the right of trun~ section 40 The desiret direction is that ~hich is furthest away from the operator, iD
this instance arm and brac~et branch 88 Once relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 is co~oitted to the chosen ar~ and brac~et branch 88 the operator simply has to ~ove base 104 of support ar~ 8 to~ards the furthest point along the branch Ro~ever, it is necessary when relocating support arm 8 to a fixed supportive location to engage grooved engagement pattern 168 of circular T-rail 110, of base 104, with protrusions 94 and 96 provided in bac~ plate 48 of T-slot 20 In order to do so, as realized from FIGS 9B, 9C and 9D, the operator ~hen engagin~ branch 88, si~ply positions base 104 with its front ~indo~ 140 facing do~n~ard and slides the member to~ards the furthest point along arm and brac~et branch 88 The aforementioned description positions grooved engagement pattern 168 of T-rail 110 for engaging protrusions 94 and 96 residing on the back plate 48 of T-slot 20 As observed in ~IG 9D, the initial engage~ent being allo~ed by open diametrical end 178, as illustratet in FIG 9~, allo~s the protrusions to be juxtaposed ~ith grooved diaoeter section 172 and perDits protrusion 94 and 96 to engage both near and far engage~ent arc sections 176 and 174, respectively of T-rail 110 sicply by rotating base 104 in a countercloc~ise direction as illustrated in FIG 9D
Furtber~ore, as is also realized fro~ FIG 9D, in association ~ith FIG 9C, ~hen front opening 140 of base 104 is positioned in a for~ard facing mounted disposition protrusions 94 and 96 are positioned in the appro~i~ate ~iddle of both near engage-ent arc section 176 and far engage-ent arc section 174 respecti~ely The just ~entioned thereby allo~ing for oulti-positionable support ar~ 8 to be both securely supported and capable of being rotated about an ~-a~is of rotation through tbe range required by the present in~ention The ~-a~is is defined to project nor-ally froo the ne~ber relocating side 18 of ain support body 6 ~hich is defined to reside in the y-z coordinate plane Once base 104 is securely supported, ard rotatably engaged at the desired location, its ~ounting is cocpleted and allo~s the distal end of the second essential ne-ber, relocatable and ~ulti-positionable support ar~ 8 to rotate about both an ~ and a y axis of rotation : .

W O g2/03293 PCT/US91/05984 51 ~ ~ U ~

1 thereby cooperatino in the support and selective spatial positioning of an article, such as attachable multi-purpose and oulti-positionable document holder 4, mounted at the distal end of projecting support ar~ 8, as illustrated in FIG 1 Thus, as is realized fro~ the aforecentioned, through the engagement of additional engaging ~e~bers (grooved engagement pattern 168 of T-rail 110 and protrusions 94 and 96 of T-slot 20) the counting re~uirements of relocatable and multi-positionable support ar~ 8 are completet, thereby, allo~ing for its locatably fixed, supportive, aDd rotational positioning on member relocating side 18 of oain support body 6 Consequently, it is observed that the proxi~ate end of relocatable and ~multi-positionable support arc 8 is provided ~ith a base fitting 104 ~hich prorides not only for the re~ovable ~ounting and relocation of multi-positionable support arm 8 at numerous secured supportive locations on nember relocating side 18, of ain support body 6 (or 102) but through the cooperation of pivoting elongated cylinder 106, or telescopic pivoting cylinder 194, allo~s the distal end of relocatable and culti-positionable support ar~ 8 to rotate about both the ~ and y axes and to be positionable through the ~ide range of locations eDvisioned in the present invention It should be noted, as ~ill be discusset further on, that mult-positionable support arm 8 is equipped ~ith a protruding snap fastener 186, and circumferential ridge 188, at its distal end for the attach ent of additional oe~bers The afore-entioned description allo~s the distal end of relocatable and oulti-positionable support aro 8 to be positionable through a ~ide range of horizontal and vertical positions Ho~ever, as is evidenced from the previous description, the distal end of support arm 8 is not capable, at this point, of projectively supporting an object in one or oore elevated positions due to the lac~ of any cooperating fittings, joints, springs or otber si~ilar oe~bers ~no~n in the art for oaintainiD~ a support aro in a nuober of selectively fised projected poSitiODS iD space aS sho~D in FIGS 1, 2 and 2A, the ability to support a ~or~load article, such as an attachable ulti-purpose and ~ulti~
positioDable docuoent holder 4, at the distal end of support arm . ~
' .

W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~3 r~ ~ ~ PCT/US9l/0598~_ 1 8 is provided through the assistance of the third essential ~e~ber of stant 2 (or staDd 100) of the present invention. In one for~ of the present invention, a cooperating e~sential meober, relocatable support bracket 10 is removably ~ountable and relocatable to nu~erous fixedly supportive locations on ~ain support body 6 (or main support body 102) and cooperates with body 6, and arm 8, to provide for the support of the distal end of arm 8 through a plurality of selecti~ely fixed positions in space.
Initially, upon referring to FIGS. 10 and lOA, it is observed that the third essential member, relocatable support bracket 10, is initially formed from a solid, having a body 210 in the shape of a corbel type bracket with six sides: a vertical cooperating engagement side 212 ~defined ~y the height of the bracket construction), an upper horizontal support side 214 (defined by the depth of the bracket construction), a lower sloping support side 216 ttefined by the curved contour of the corbel brac~et constructionJ, a front side 218 and a rear side 220 opposite the front side ~each side 218 and 220 being defined by the planar surface area bounded by sides 212, 214 and 216).
Front side 218 and rear side 220 are separated by the thic~ness of the solid construction. The thic~ness of the solid defines the ~idth of the afore~entioned sides, naoely, cooperating engagement side 212, horizontal support side 214, and sloping support side 216.
Referring once again to FIG. 10, it is observed that relocatable support brac~et 10 has an internal ~indo~ e cutout 222. Cutout 222 is essentially a rectangularly shaped opening and passes co~pletely tbrough the thic~ness of body 210. Cutout 222 creates bounded proximate side 224 opposite bounded distal side 226 of support brac~et 10 ~ith each side 224 ant 226 paraliel to cooperating engagerent side 212. Additionally, cutout 222 also creates bounded upper horizontal side 228 and bounded lo~er horizontal support surface 230 parallel to upper horizontal support side 214 of relocatable support brac~et 10.
Cutout 222 allo~s for the creation of cradle support section 232. Cradle support section 232 is shaped and contoured at the site of bounded lo~er horizontal support surface 230 in the , :

.:

~ (. W ~ 92/03293 PCT/US91/05984 53 2 ~ 3 ~J ~, 1 following manner. Support surfac~ 230 has for its surface a series of ~ave~ e contours 234. Each contour 234 is some~hat li~e the shape commonly used for grasping an automobile steering wheel having a rounded bottom depression 236.
Additionally, as sho~n in FIG. lOB, each contour has a left, arm oriented, side 238 aud, a similarly angled, right, arm oriented, side 240. The sides of each ~ave-li~e depression are angled in order to be parallel with the position of a section of pivoting elongated cylinder 106 (or 194) when the pivoting cylinder is placed in a selected contour 234. It should be noted that the angularity of each pair of side walls is different because of the change in the angle of pivoting elongated cylinder 106 (or 194) when it is selectively placed along the horizontal in relation to its fixed pivoting location on either main support body 6 or 102. The bottom depression 236 and sides 238, 240 of each wave are shaped, or contoured, to cooperate with the curvature and angularity requirements needed to allow relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 to be adequately seated in each contour thereby providing for the selective positioning and firm support of the distal end of mounted support arm 8.
As illustrated in FIG. lOA, relocatable support bracket 10 is modified to further inclute a T-rail 242 mounted on cooperating engagement side 212. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
lOB, in accordance ~ith a second form of relocatable support brac~et of the present invention, a brac~et 244 may have a pair of similarly formet T-rails 242. The T-rail 242 of relocatable support brac~et 10 differs, however, in construction from circular T-rail 110 described previously and incorporated in ~ulti-positionable base 104 for mounting relocatable support arm 8 on member relocating side 18. As sho~n in FIGS. 10, lOA, 10~, and lOE T-rail 242 has a narro~ed portion 243 joined to a widened portion 245, but the widened portion 245 of the T-rail 242 has a ~idth and len6th ~hich are substantially equal to each other and ~hich are equal to or slightly smaller than the widened portion 56 of the T-slot 20 for~ed in the member relocatinq side 18 of main support body 6, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Similarly, the narro~et portion 243 of the T-rail 242 has a ~idth and length W O 92t03293 ~ ~ ~ 9 `~ ~ ~1 PCT/US91/059X4 54 1 which are substantially equal to each other and which are equal to or slightly smaller than narro~ed portion 54 of the T-slot 20 Consequently, the T-rail 242 is for2ed with square shaped widened and narro~et portions 245 and 243 respectively As shown in FIG
10A, the widened portion 245 has a top surface 246 opposite a bottom surface 248 Additionally, the joining of narro~ed portion 243 to witenet portion 245 may be described as being "stepped" ha~ing the horizontally disposed edges of narro~ed portion 243 setbac~ from the sicilarly disposed edges of ~idened portion 245 when vie~et fro~ the side, as sho~n in FIGS 10, 10A, 10~ and 10D This "stepped" feature, emphasizing lower steppet engagement support section 250, ~ill be utilized belo~ in illustrating, as sho~n in FIG 10D, and describing the secure positioning of relocatable support brac~et 10 in stop slot 74 which is formed in the ~ember relocating side 18 of ~aio support body 6 (or 102) The T-rail 242 ~ay include a bac~ plate (not sho~n) mounted on tbe narrowed portion 243 and spaced from its ~idened portion 245 for mounting the rail on the body 210, such as by gluing, fasteners or other oeans Or preferably, the T-rail 242 oay be integrally formed ~ith the body 210 ~hen the relocatable support bracket 10 is ~ade Alternatively, in accordance ~ith a third form of relocatable support brac~et of the present invention, ant as sho~n in FIG 10E, the support brac}et 255 may be provided ~ithout an internal cutout 222 having cradle support section 232 with an exposed support surface 256 and a curved distal end 258 to encourage the ~aintenance of a distal section of relocatable and oulti-positionable support ar~ 8 ~hen bein~ supported by the relocatable support brac~et 255 Unli~e relocatable and culti-positioDable support arm 8, iD
this e bodi-eDt, relocatable brac~et 10 oay be positionet in any horizontal branch 42 siDce all branches are provided ~ith a oeans for supporting brac~et 10, na ely, stop slot 74 It should be noted, ho~ever, that uenber relocatiDg side 18 could be for~ed ~ith each and every branch 42 foroed si~ilarly to arn and brac~et branch 88 aDd 90 previously described As illustrated in FIG
3A, each branch 42 includes a similarly di-ensioned S-slot ~hich .

.

2`~
W O 92/03293 PCT~US91/05984 1 may also be referret to as T-slot 20 The branch 42 selected by the operator will determine the secured vertical height of relocatable support bracket 10 above the workstation surface 22 Since both relocating side 18 of main support body 6 and T-rail 242 are symmetrically formed (in order to allow, as described previously, for the positioning of main support body 6 of stand 2, or body 102 of stand 100, to either side of a video display monitor 30) the operator has a choice at the site of a selected open end 64 whether to move the bracket to the left or to the right of trunk section 40 The most appropriate direction is that which is furthest away from the mounted, proximate end, of multi-positionable support ar~ 8 In other words, if support arm 8 is mounted to the left of trunk section 40 (as uhen the vertical panel 12, of main support body 6, is positioned to the left when the operator is facing a video display monitor 30), support bracket 10 should be ounted to the right of trunk section 40 in order to provide for the maximum support of multi-positionable support arm 8 along its elongated member 146 As shown in FIGS 10C and 10D, in association with FIGS 1, 2, and 10A, the support bracket 10, having one T-rail 242, is removably mounted on main support body 6 in the following sequence the operator holds bracket 10 with its cooperating engagement site 212 in a vertical disposition, passes the distal end of ~ounted support arm 8 through cutout 222, and slides the bracket's square shaped T-rail 242 through the e~posed end 64 of the C-bracket's T-slot 20 The operator continues to move relocatable support bracket 10 along trunk section 40 until the bracket 10 is positioned with its square shaped T-rail 242 adjacent to side wall opening 68 of a selected branch 42 Once support bracket 10 is co~mitted to a particular branch 42 the operator si~ply has to ove the bracket until the lower engagemeDt support section 250 of T-rail 242 is in align~ent with lateral side wall opening 76 of vertical stop slot 74 Once in align-ent, the support brac~et 10 ~ill drop into stop slot 74 thereby co pleting its oounting, as shown in FIG 10D, and allowing for its securet and supportive positioning on member relocating side 18 of ~ain support body 6 through the cooperation of steppet lo~er engage-ent support section 250, of T-rail 242, W 0 92/03293 ~ PCT/US91/05984_ 1 with both terminating widened edge 80 and terminating narrowed edge 82 of stepped stop section 78 of stop slot 74.
Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. lOD the top surface 246 and the bottom surface 248 of the widened portion 245 of T-rail 242 provides support for maintaining relocatable brac~et 10 in stop slot 74 through its face to face position ~ith the back plate 48 and the back side 86 of in~ard facing arms 52 respectively. Once in stop slot 74, relocatable s~pport bracket 10 is considered to be in a fixed, or secured, supportive location for contributing to the support of a ~orkload at the distal end of support arm 8.
Thus, it is observed from the above that cooperative member, relocatable support brac~et 10 not only provides stand 2 (or stand lOOJ uith a surface for balancing the do~n~ard vertical forces of relocatable aDd multi-positionable support arm 8 and a workload at its distal end but also cooperates with support arm 8 for positioning and supporting the ~or~load in a multiplicity of horizontal, vertical and adjustably projecting spatial locations.
In order to achieve the unique spatial positioning capabilities of the present invention the following is to be considered in association ~ith FIG. 1. The vertical plate-li~e member, panel 12, of main support body 6 ~or main support body 102) is considered to be a solid having a member relocating side 18 residing in the y-z coordinate plane and having the x-axis projecting normally from its member relocating side 18. The relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 is removably mountable on the member relocating side 18 through the agency of an eDgaging means which has structure that cooperates both perpendicularly and parallelly to the y-z coordinate plane. The mounted positioDing ability of the engagement means, allows the base 104 of tbe support arm 8 to project normally from the y-z plane and to rotate about the x-axis ~hile being relocatable at a plurality of fixed support locations in the y-z coordinate plane.
The Dor-ally projectiDg base 104 of the support arm 8 additionally supports one end of eloogatet member 106 and allo~s for its pivotal movement about a y-axis of rotation.
Consequently, the above combination allo~s the distal end of relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 to be selectively positionable about a plurality of axes of rotation.

. . , ~ , . .
. . , ~ . " .

, : .

r WO 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 1 PCT/US9l/05984 1 Additionally, through the cooperation of telescoping pivoting cylinder 194, the distal end of the support arm 8 is extendible along a directionly positionable z-axis thus providing for a multiplicity of adjustable spatially projecting positions.
As understood fro~ FIG. lOD, in association ~ith FIGS. 10, 10~ and ~OE, the relocatable support brac~ets 10, 244 and 255 are also removably mountable on the member relocating side 18 of main support body 6 (or body 102) through the agency of an engaging means ~hich has structure that cooperates both perpendicularly and parallelly to the y-z coordinate plane. The engagement oeans allows each bracket 10, 244 and 255 to project its horizontal support surface 230, or 256, normally from the y-z plane and to be relocatably mountable at a plurality of fixedly supportive locations in the y-z coordinate plane thereby allo~ing for a change in its horizontal and vertical support positions. The normally projecting support side 230, or 256, allows a distal section of the multi-positionable arm 8 to be selectively positioned and supported along a plurality of locations along an x-axis.
In summarizing the present invention at this point in the disclosure, it is realized that the positioning and support capabilities of relocatable support brac~et 10 in combination with the positioning and supportive capabilities of the relocatable and multi-positionable support arm 8 allows the the distal end of arm 8 to positionably support ~or~loads of varying weight at a multiplicity of selectable locations in space. It is of primary i~portance to note that the present stand e~bodiment, as ~ell as those to follo~, provide for supporting the distal end of a projecting arm member in the absence of any tensioning control device for balancing the spatial position of the apparatus such as tensioning springs (coil, hydraulic, pneumatic) or atjusting ~Dobs.
As sho~n in FIG. 11, in a second form of the front member relocating side, of a main support body 259, of the present invention, member relocating side 260 is formed to include four symmetrically positioned, vertically aisposed, parallel T-slots 21. Each T-slot 21 is similar in construction to the T-slot 20 used in-trun~ section 40 of the first embodiment, sho~n in FIGS.

;'' . . ' . ' ' , - W O 92/03293 PCT~US91/~598~.
2 ~ 7 ~ i. 58 1 3, 3A, and 4A e~cept for the absence of longitudinal side wall openings 68. Referring to FIG. 11 each T-slot 21 is identified as: distal arm T-slot 261, distal bracket ~-slot 262, proximate bracket T-slot 264, proximate arm T-slot 266. Alternatively, the member relocating side 260 could be provided ~ith just two parallel slots identified as distal arm and brac~et T-slot 268 and proximate arm and brac~et T-slot 270. Each of tbe follo~ing members of T-slot 21 are similarly formed to the first embodiment, T-slot 20, and thus are identified by the same numerals: bac~ plate 48, a pair of side plates 50, a pair of inuardly facing arms 52, narro~ed portion 54 and ~idened portion 56. Additionally, li~e the previously described first embodiment, the symmetrical embodiment sho~n in FIG. 11 also allows for the placement of a vertical member, panel 263, of main support body 259 to either side of a video display monitor 30.
Upon referring to FIG. 11, once again, it is observed that in addition to the above structure T-slots 261, 262, 264 and 266 (or 268 and 270) each have a series of openiDgs 272. Openings 272 are equally spaced along the length of bac~ plate 48 of each T-slot ~ith the center of openings 272 being in direct alignment with the center of narrowed portion 54 of each T-slot 261, 262, 264 and 266 (or 268 and 270). The tepth of openings 272 may pass through the thic~ness of bac~ plate 48. Additionally, the openings 272 may pass partially or completely through the thic~ness of vertical solid member, panel 263.
The previously described second form of the member relocating side, side 260, also provides for the mounting of relocatable and multi-positionable support arm and brac~et ~embers thereby creating stand 265. Upon referring to FIGS. 12, 12A and 12~, a second form of support arm, removably mountable, relocatable, retractable, and multi-positionable support arm 274 is observed. Support arm 274 of the second form provides for the same axes of rotation capabilities as support arm 8 of the first embodioent, namely, rotation about both the x and y axes.
Relocatable, retractable, and multi-positionable support arm 274 consists of tRo essential members: base 276 and at~ached pivoting elongated cylinder 278. The first essential ~e~ber, base 276, being the second base form of the present invention, may be . . .

W O 92/03293 ~ PCr/US91/05984 ( 59 1 coDsidered to be initially formed through the joining of t~o rectangular solids: elongated rectangular solid 280, and shortened stepped rectan~ular solid 282. As shown in FIGS. 12A
and 12B, the solids 280 and 282 are joined perpendicularly at one end of each solid thereby for~ing an L-shaped solid 284, of base 276, ~hen viewed from the top. L-shaped solid 284 includes 8 sides: a top side 286, opposite bottom side 288, a front side 290 opposite bac~ side 292, a proxi~ate cooperating engagement side 294 ~hich provides the first rotation end of the arm base member 276, opposite outer stepped distal side 296, a shortened inner stepped distal side 298 ~hich is opposite and parallel to outer stepped distal side 296, Rith both parallelly opposite sides 298 and 296 perpendicularly intersecting stepped pivot side 300 at the distal end of ~-shaped solid 284. Stepped pivot side 300 provides the second rotation end of base 276.
~-shaped solid 284, of base 276, is fitted with circular flange 302 mounted or formed around the edge peri~eter adjacent to its proximate cooperating engagement side 294. Being somewhat si~ilar to base 104 of the first embodi~ent, base 276 is also provided with a T-rail 304 on its engagement side 294 for mounting retractable and multi-positionable support arm 274 on the member relocating side 260 of main support body 259. T-rail 304 of the present embodiment is similar, in part, to T-rail 110 of the first embodiment. T-rail 304 has a narrowed portion 162 joined to a widened portion 164, ~ith both portions being circular in shape and being equal to or slightly smaller than the narrowed and widened portions 54 and 56 respectively of each T-slot 21 for~ed in the ~eober relocating side 260, of main support body 259. T-rail 304 is ~ounted, or for~ed, at tbe center of pro~i~ate engageoent side 294. Tbe center of engage~ent side 294 is a point on the central a~is of elongated rectangular solid 280. Although T-rail 304 is circular, li}e the first e~bodi~ent, it is ~odified to include aperture 306 ~hich passes completely through the center of both its narro~ed portion 162 and its ~idened portion 164. It should be noticed, also, that because of the present oodifications the recessed engageoent pattern 168 of the previous e~bodi~ent is not required. Base 276 is further modified by providing a cylindrically shaped bore 308 along the .. .. , , .. . .. ,- . .

, W O 92/03293 PCT/US9~/OS984 2 ~ ~ 3 7 ~ ~ 60 '' 1 central axis of its elongated rectangular solid 280. ~ore 308 travels co~pletely through solid 280 from proxi~ate engagement side 294 emerging at opening 310 near outer distal side 296. The dia~eter of opening 310 is smaller than the aiameter of bore 308.
Consequently, bore 308 is in alignment ~ith aperture 306 providet in T-rail 304 thereby allowing for the insertion of retractable control rod 312 in aperture 306 located at the proximate engagement side 294. Control rod 312 is cylindrical in shape and has a tia~eter smaller than circular narro~ed portion 162 of T-rail 304. Additionally, the diameter of control rod 312 is reduced near its distal end in order to create a stop section 314 ~hich cooperates with s~aller opening 310 and recessed wall 316 to prevent the ~ithdra~al of rod 312 froo solid 280. The distal end of rod 312 is provided ~ith ~nob 318 to allow t~e operator to control its projection aDd retraction. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 12C, ~nob 318 is fitted ~ith a pair of protrusions 320 which cooperate uith a pair of captivating niches 322, for~ed in recess 323 of base 276, to secure the projection of control rod 312.
As stated previously, and as observed upon referring to FIG.
12, relocatable, retractable, and oqlti-positionable support ar~
274 consists of t~o essential ~eobers: first essential ~e~ber, base 276, described above, and secont essential ~e~ber, attached pivoting elongated cylinder 278. Pivoting elongated cylinder 278 is herein presented as a second form of pivoting elongated cylinder of the present invention. As sho~n in FIG. 12C, stepped section 324 is provided at the distal end of base 276 to allo~
for the lapping and pivotal engagement of elongated cylinder 278 ~ith base 276. Elongated cylinder 278 is essentially ~ylindrically shaped, having a body li~e that of the previously discussed elongated cylinder 146 of FIG. 7, e~cept for a planar shaped stepped section 326 near its pro~imate end. The distal end of elongated cylinder 278 oay be provided ~ith fittings, such as those previously described in association ~ith cylinder 146, protruding snap fastener 186 and circu~ferential ridge 188, for the attach~ent of additional oeobers. Stepped se~tion 326 is provided to allo~ the pro~ioate end of pivoting elongated ~v_~7 1*

1 cylinder 278 to pivotally cooperate uith the similarly shaped distal end of base 276.
FIGS. 12~ and 12C illustrate the cooperative engagement of the second forms of the base and pivoting elongated cylinder of the present invention. Upon referring to the illustrations it is observed that each end, the distal end of hase 276, and the proximate end of pivoting elongated cylinder 278, is provided ~ith cooperating stepped sections 324 and 326, respectively, in order to allo~ for the lapping of members. Each stepped section 324 and 326 includes a hole 328, positioned on, and perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of each member, having a recessed shoulder 330 formed just belo~ the surface of one side. As shown in Fig. 12C, in order to attach members 278 and 276, the top side 332 of section 326 and the bottom side 334 of section 324 are each provided ~ith a recessed sboulder 330 to allow mutually shouldered members, a scre~ 336 and a receivable coupling sleeve 338, to attach, but not bind, elongated cylinder 278 to base 276.
Consequently, elongated cylinder 278 is allowed to pivot freely, about the tistal end of base 274. Thus, as is understood from the previous description, relocatable, retractable, and multi-positionable support arm 274 is createt. It should be notet, that tbe pivoting of elongatet cylinter 278 is initially only about a y-a~is of rotation through the position and contribution of screw 336 and coupling sleeve 338. Bo~ever, an additional a~is of rotation, namely the x-a~is of rotation, is providet to elongatet cylinder 278, through the cooperation of circular T-rail 304 and projecting control rod 312. This mutual cooperation is providet through the mounting of retractable and multi-positionable support arm 274 on the member relocating site 260 of main support body 259 (or on a pair of similarly formed member relocating sites of a main support body li~e that previously discussed and illustratet in FIG. 2A) ~hich ~ill no~ be tescribed.
As sho~n in FIG. 12, in association ~ith FIG. 11, in order to mount relocatable, retractable, ant multi-positionable support arm 274, on the ember relocating side 260, of main support boty 259, tbe operator ~ould choose tistal T-slot 261, ~hich is furthest a~ay from the operator, in order to provite for the " : `
`

W O 92~03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ pCT/US91/059~ ~

1 optimum ar~ support position on relocating side 260 As shovn in FIG 12, support arm 274 is removably mounted on the member relocating side 260 of vertical solid, panel 263, by the operator holding the base 276 ~ith its inner proximate engagement side in a vertical disposition, vith control rod 312 in a retracted position, and sliding the base's circular shaped T-rail 304 through the exposed end 64 of T-slot 21 and moving the base member 276, and therefore relocatable, retractable and multi-positionable support arm 274, along distal T-slot 261 until tbe support arm 274 is positioned at the location desired by the operator Once the location is chosen, as observed in FIG. 12A, the operator si~ply pusbes ~nob 318 invard, tovards relocating side 260, thereby extending and engaging control rod 312 in any one of a plurality of selectable openings 272 Control rod 312 is secured furtber by turning ~nob 318 cloc~vise, one quarter of a turn, in order to allow for the cooperative engagemeDt of protrusions 320 and retaining niches 322 as illustrated in FIG

Thus, being somewbat similar to the description of the first e-bodiment of the present invention, the combination of the afore-entioned second form of relocating side, side 260, and support arm, arm 274, allo~s for tbe relocatable mounting of multi-positionable support arm 274 at any one of a plurality of selectably fi~ed locations on tbe vertical solid, panel 263 of main support body 259 Similarly, the distal end of support ?rm 274 is also rotationally positionable about the x and y axes of rotation Additionally, hovever, li~e the first form of arm member of the present invention, relocatable, retractable and multi-positionable support arm 274 requires additional support in order to be capable of positioning and supporting an object tbrough a ~ide range of selectively fi~ed locations in space Beint similar, in part, to the first form of multi-positionable ar~ member, arm 8, the additional support required for the present second form of ar- member, arm 274, is provided by relocatable and retractable support brac~et 340 illustrated in FIG 13 Retractable support brac~et 340, being a fourth form of brac~et me~ber of the present invention, is a modified version of the first three forms illustrated in FIGS 10, 10B and 10E

....

W O 92/03293 2 ~ 7 1; PCT/USgl/05984 - ~ 63 1 ~asically, retractable support bracket 340 of the present emboti~ent tiffers from support brackets 10, 244 an~ 255 in two ways. Firstly, retractable brac~et 340 utilizes an elongated T-rail 342 ratber than the square shapet T-rail 242 of the previous ecbotiments. Secondly, retractable brac~et 340 utilizes a retractable control rod 344, having ~nob 341, to secure its vertical positioning ~ith the cooperation of openings 272 in member relocating side 260, of rain support body 259, rather than the square T-rail 242 and stop slot 74 combination previously described. The elongated T-rail 342 is formed and mounted on the proxi~ate engagement side of retractable support brac~et 340 in a manner similar to that described in the pre~ious embodi~ents. As sho~n in FIG. 13, control rod 344 is housed in a bore 346 formed in the brac~et's body 339 along a line that is parallel to the lower horizontal support surface 230 formed in its body. The additional features related to control rod 344 are si~ilar to those pre~iously described for control rot 312 of relocatable, retractable, and multi-positionable support ar~ 274.
Thus, having described the features of relocatable and retractable support bracket 340, it i5 realized that relocatable and retractable support bracket 340 is ~ountable on main support body 259 in a sanner similar, in part, to that described previously for relocatable support brackets 10, 244 and 255.
Since the saoe T-slot form is u_ed in all the T-slots of the present embodioent of FIG. 11, the operator has a choice of any one of the re~aining three slots 262, 264 or 266. Ob~iously, T-slot 266, being the furthest fro~ the slot used for ounting support arr 274 ~ould provide the ma~i~uo a~ount of support. Tbe operator, ho~ever, oay chose an alternati~e slot depending on the specific needs and angularity requirements of the task at hand.
The bracket 340 is ~ounted in a selected T-slot ~ith a section of pi~oting elongated cylinder 278 passing through bracket opening 222. After the bracket is slidably ~ounted in a T-slot, the operator nerely engages control rod 344 of the retractable bracket 340 ~ith a selected opening 272 of bac~plate 48 in the sa e anner pre~iously described for control rod 312 of retractable rulti-positionable support arm 274. Once an opening is engaged, bracket 340 is fixedly located at a position, on ~ . .
, ::

, W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ 9 ~ PCr/US91/059 1 me~ber relocating side 260, thereby allowing for the firm support of a section of cylinder 278 through its cooperation with brac~et support surface 230 Consequently, it is realized that the present embodiment provites for the firm support of the distal end of relocatable, retractable and multi-positionable support arm 274 through a ~ite range of selectively fixed spatial positions FIGS 14 illustrates a third for~ of the member relocating side of the present invention The third form, relocating side 347, of a main support body 345, provites for the mounting of the proxioate end of locatably fixed ~ulti-positionable support arm 348 at a fixed location on the me~ber relocating side 347 of the vertical solid ~ember, panel 349, of oain support body 345 Upon observing FIG 14 aro mounting ~eans, bores 350, are seen placed along a line parallel to and set back from second vertical edge 353 of vertical panel 349 Atditionally, another set of bores 350 ay be si~ilarly placet in relation to first vertical etge 351 of vertical panel 349 as ~ell FIG 14 also sho~ brac~et oounting eans, T-slot 352, having openings 272, for mountina previously described retractable support brac}et 340 ~hich cooperates ~ith locatably fixed oulti-positionable support arm 348 in positioning and supporting the distal end of arm 348 Additionally, FIG 14 also illustrates other support ~eans, branched T-slot 354 having stop slots 74 for oounting previously described support brac}ets 10, 244 or 255 illustrated in FIGS
10, lOB and lOE respectively FIG 15 illustrates stand 343, utilizing a third form of oulti-positionable ar~ oe~ber of the present invention, locatably fixed, oulti-positionable support aro 348 Locatably fixed, oulti-positionable support ar~ 348, consists of a third for2 of base e-ber, base 356 and pivoting elongated cylinder 278 Base 356 includes an L-shaped solid 358 having a long leg 360 and a shorter leg 362 Base 356 is for~ed, in part, si~ilar to base 276 of the second e~bodi-ent Bo~ever, because it provides part of its support froo a fixed location, previously described T-rail 304 and control rod 312 are not required Instead, L-shaped solid 358 is equipped ~ith a support fitting 364 near its proxioate end Support fitting 364 includes a circular plate-.. ... . . ..
: , .

, W 0 92/03293 65 2~

1 li~e flange 366 having a rigidly affixed threaded stud 368 projecting from the center of its inner facing side 370 and a smooth shaft 374 projecting from the center of its outer facing side 372. Smooth shaft 374 is fitted ~ith a circumferential groove 376 near its distal end. Shaft 374 cooperates with through aperture 378 formed in L-shaped solid 358 to allo~ the rotation of the solid relative to the fixed shaft. Aperture 378 is formed along the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the longer leg 360 of solid 358. Consequently, shaft 374 is insertable at the proximate end of solid 358 and projects sli~htly from the outer side 372 of the solid to cooperate ~ith reinforcet e-ring 382 there~y a710~in~ for both t~e securiDg and rotation of b-shaped solid 358 relative to shaft 374. Upon referring to FIG. 15, once again, it is observet that base 356 includes the L-shaped solid 358, and is also capable of pivotally attaching an elongated member 278 at its distal end in a manner similar to that of the second form previously described. Thus, it is realized that the locatably fixed multi-positionable support aro 348 of the present form allo~s for rotation about the same axes, namely, the distal ent of support arm 348 is rotatable about both the x and y a~es of rotation. Additionally, the distal end may be provided ~ith a projecting ability via a telescoping means li~e that previously described to allo~ for its selectire positioning in space. It is understood from the aforeoentioned that locatably fixed, multi-positionable support arm 348 may be supported at its distal by any of the support brac~ets previously described iD the fore~oing forms of the preseDt invention.
In a fourth form of multi-positionable arm member of the present invention, as sho~n by stand 355 of ~IG. 16, an atditional ability is added to those presented in the third form just described. The present e-bodi~ent provides for the creation of a fourth form of arm base member ~hich results in the for~ation of a fourth for~ of multi-positionable support ar~.
The third form, locatably fixet, ou7ti-positionable support arm 348 is limited in its ability to be easily ooved, or relocated, on member relocatin~ side 347 of main support body 345. The present e bodiment, relocatable, semi-fixed, multi-positionable . :

.
', .

W 0 92/03293 2 a S~rl~ il PCT/US91/059~4 1 support arm 384, maintains most of the structure of the third f orm except f or the structure f itted to the inner f acing side 370 of flange 366, sho~n in FIG 16, ~hich provides for the relocatable, semi-fixed, multi-positionable support arm 384 to be relocated on ~ember relocating side 347 Instead of having a projecting threaded stud 368, inner facing side 370 of the present embodiment is provided ~ith circular T-rail 110, previously described for removably mounting support arm 104 of tbe first embodiment T-rail 110 is fitted with recesset pattern 168 ~hich cooperates with protrusions 94 and 96 of the main support body in the sa-e manner previously described for the first form and illustrated in FIG 16 Consequently, it can be observed from the aforementioned that relocatable, se~i-fixed, multi-positionable support arm 384 is provided ~ith a relocating means that ~or~s in cooperation ~ith any of the previously ; described relocatable support brac~ets of the present invention In appreciating the positioning capabilities presented in the foregoing e-bodiments a ne~ combination of elements will no~
be presented ~hich not only enhances those capabilities but provides additional improvements as ~ell The present embodiment, an example of ~hich is illustrated in FIG l9C, creates a aew stand, in the form of stand 386, ~hich includes only t~o essential members in the form of a main support body 389, and a joined multi-positionable support arm 388 Joined ulti-positionable support arm 388, to be discussed belo~, is a ne~ first for- of joined arm ember ~hich provides for the mountino of both the pro~i-ate end of a projecting arm and a support brac~et on the same relocatable, joining base member Joined ulti-positionable support ar- 388 co-bines, and odifies, the previously discussed third essential me ber, support brac~et 255 of ~IG lOE, as an iDtegral e-ber of the second essential me ber of the present embodi-eDt The preseDt stand concept allo~s for the mounting, relocating, and secure positioning of a joinet ulti-positiooable support ar- on a support body Upon referring To FIG l9C it is observed that ain support body 389 is provided ~ith a me ber relocatiDg side 404 It is of i~portance to note that the slotted pattern ~hich is formed in the member relocatinq side of the present e-bodiment can ta~e a . ' , , ~ ' ~ ' ' ;. ' , ., ' --- W O 92/03293 67 2 ~ 3 ~ PCT/USgl/05984 1 variety of forms depending on the applications envisionet for the stand at time of ~anufacture. For exa~ple, FIG. 17 illustrates main support body 387, having a me~ber relocating side, side 390, which is a modified form of the previously discussed member S relocating sides. FIG. 17 illustrates a basic, fourth form of member relocating side, side 390, with FIGS. 18 and l9C
illustrating an improved, and preferred, fifth form of member relocating side, side 404.
As shown in FIG. 17, the first essential member of the newly formed stand concept ~ay i w lude a sy~metrically formed main support body 387, in part, li~e that of FIG. 3, and slotted me~ber relocating side 390 which has the ability to be positioned to either side of a ~ideo display monitor. The ability to be positioned to either side of a monitor allo~s for the mounting and secure positioning of the sy~metrically formed, second essential member of the present stand concept, joiDed multi-positionable support ar~ 388 sho~n in FIG. 19. As illustrated in FIG. 17, tbe present main support body 387 is identifiable as a new entity ~hen coopared to the previously disclosed ~ain support bodies of the present disclosure. The newly created combination provides for a me~ber relocating side which supports a joined arm and brac~et member. Additionally, it is understood that the present ~ain support body 387 may also be further modified to include a basic U-shape form, having oppositely facing member relocating sites, li~e that of ~ain support body 102 of stand 100 previously described and illustrated in FIG. 2A.
The ~ember relocating side 390 of FIG. 17 provides a T-slot 385 forDed in at least t~o differently orientated sections which allo~s for the ounting and relocating of, the second and final essential me~ber of the ne~ stand concept, joined culti-positionable support ar- e~ber 388. As sho~n in FIG. 17, the ~enber relocating side 390, includes: at least one centrally located and horizontally orientet T-slot section, horizontal-first T-slot section 392, and at least one vertically oriented T-slot section, 1st vertical-second T-slot section 394. S-slot sections 392 and 394 sbare a T-slot for~ identified as T-slot 385 ~hich is si~ilar to T-slot 20 previously illustrated in FIGS. 3, - 3A, 4A and 14 in association ~ith the first and third for~s of , .
': :: . ' ' ' ' ~' '.. ,' ~ ' ~- - ' ~ ' :; ~

`~ W O 92/03293 ~ PCTtUS9~/05984 i '20~7 ~ '~ 68 1 the member relocating side of the present inventioD. First vertical-second T-slot section 394 includes a series of longitudinal inner side ~all openings 68 formed along its in~ardly tisposed side. Side wall openings 68 interconnect inverted L-shaped lo~er stop slots 74 ~hich consist of horizontal leg 73 and vertical leg 75. Vertical leg 75 includes stepped stop section 78 ~hich is the same in construction as tbat described previously and illustrated in FIG. 4B. As described pre~iously, each stop slot 74 provides for a fixedly supportive location of a mounted me~ber on the member relocating side of the present embodioent. Additionally, me~ber relocating side 390, of main support body 387, oay also be pro~ided vith at least one upper stop slot 396, for~ed in mirror ioage to its oppositel~
directed lo~er stop slot 74.
The member relocating side 390 may be pro~ided ~ith one or t~o vertical-second T-slot sections. In its ~ost basic form only one elongated 1st vertical-second T-slot section 394 ~ay be pro~ided, running parallel to, and slightly set bac~ from, first vertical edge 391. Alternatively, if another elongated 2nd vertical-second T-slot section 395 is desired it coult be formed in mirror image to the 1st vertical-second T-slot section 394, running parallel to, and slightly set bac~ from second vertical edge 393. Atditionally, each vertical-second T-slot section 394, 395 is provided ~ith a longitudinal outer site wall cbannel opening 398, which emerges at edges 391, 393 respectively to allo~ for the mounting of a joining base member fitted ~ith a cooperating T-rail 110 engagement me~ber. Alternatively, or in co bination, an enlarged opening 400 oay be for~ed in the surface of the oe ber relocating side 390. Enlarged opening 400 has a lenath and ~idth ~hich is at least egual to the ~idth of bac~
plate 48 of T-slot sections 392, 394 and 395.
Upon referring to FIG. 17, once again, it i5 observed that me~ber relocati~g side 390 is provided ~ith at least one horizontal-first T-slot section 392. Horizontal-first T-slot ~ection 392 is provided ~ith a pair of enlarged openings 400.
Horizontal-first T-slot section 392 may be formed as a continuation of the T-slot formed in a vertical-second T-slot Qection 394 (or 395). Consequently, opening 398 or 400 ~ould , W O 92/03293 69 2 Q ~ ~ 7 1~ ~

1 provide access to both borizontal-first T-rail section 392 and ~ertical-second T-rail sections 394 and 395. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the horizontal-first T-slot section 392 may be formed as a separate T-slot section baving terminated ends 402 and a pair of enlarged openings 400. It should be noted tbat if a non-symmetrical member relocating side is desired only one vertical-second T-slot section 394 ~ould be required as well as only one opening 398, or 400. Additionally, if the just mentioned non-symmetrical side is provided uith a separate horizontal-first T-slot section 392 only one enlarged opening 400 is necessary.
Upon referring to FIG. 18, it is observed that a main support body 389 haring a differently patterned member relocating side surface for mountiog a joined arm member may be provided.
FIG. 18 illustrates a fifth form of the member relocating side of tbe present iDvention, side 404. As shown, member relocating side 404 of Fig. 18 is formed, in part, li~e tbat of FIG. 17 having a first vertical edge 399 opposite a second vertical edge 401. However, each lateral side ~all opening 68 joins second S-slot section 394 (or 395) to a sbort, do~n~ardly sloped, arced stop slot 406. Each stop slot 406 is an e~tension of T-slot section 394 ant, except for its curved characteristics shares the same structural form. Each arced stop slot 406 has an arced stepped stop section 408 ~hich differs, in part, from stepped stop section 78 previously discussed in the first form of member relocating side, side 18. Arced stepped section 408 includes arced ter-inatiDg narro~ed aDd ~idened stop edges 410 and 412 respectively as seen in FIGS. 18 and 18A. Arced stop slot 406 is positioned lo~er than side ~all opening 68 and serves the same fuDction as previously discussed stop slot 74. Froo the aforementioned it is understood that various other types of slotted patterDs may be prorided in order to accomplish the objects of the present invention.
Havina described t~o for~s of the e ber relocating side 390 and 404, of the present combined forms of the present invention, the follo~ing ~ill disclose the structure of joined multi-positionable support arm 388, illustrated in FIG. 19, ~hich allo~s for its removable mountin~ aDd relocation on member ." -' W O 92/03293 PCT/US91/05~' 2~71,' 70 1 relocating side 390 of main support body 387, or side 404 of FIGS 17 and 18 respectively Joined multi-positionable support arm 388 is the first combined form of a joined arm support member of the present invention ~n its most basic and economical form, joined multi-positionable support arm 388 may be formed from a plastic material as one integral unit having no moving parts with a non-pivoting, spatially projectinq, elongated cylinder The present form, ho~ever, as sho~n in FIG 19, provides for three, or four, moving parts ~hile allo~ing for a ~ide variety of support positions ~hen mounted on member relocating side 390 or 404 As sho~n in FIG 19, joined multi-positionable support arm 388 consists of t~o essential members a joining base 416 and a pivoting elongated cylinder 278 Joining base 416 is a combined first form of a joined base ~ember which provides for the attachment, or joining, of a support brac~et on the base member of a multi-positionable arm This joining of members provides for the simultaneous relocation of both the arm and brac~et embers to a multiplicity of fi~edly supportive locations on the main support body of tbe stand of the present invention Referring to FIGS 19 and l9A, joining base 416, of joinet multi-positionable support arm 388, is initially formed from a solid having the form of a rectangular right prism having six sides a front side 418 opposite a cooperating engagement side 420, a bac~ ed~e 422 opposite a front edge 424, and a top edge 426 opposite a bottom edge 428 The front side 418, has near its bac~ edge 422, an L-shapet solid 284, formed ~ith, and projecting normally from it surface The L-shaped solid 284 is formed in a anner si~ilar to that described previously in association ~ith the secont form of arm member of tbe present invention, namely, relocatable, retractable ant multi-positionable arm 274 illustrated in FIGS 12 and 12A As previously described, the distal end of L-shaped solid 284 is provided ~ith scre~ 336 and coupling sleeve 338 for tbe attach ent of pivoting elongated cylinder 278 Alternatively, an integrally for~ed scre~ (not sho~n) and coople entary coupling sleeve 338, li~e tbat previously described ay be utilized for pivotally coupling elongated cylinder 278 to joining base 416 Additionally, it is - W O 92/03293 71 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 L '~ PCT/US91/05984 1 understood that the same telescopic principles apply for extending the distal end of joined multi-positionable support ar~
388 as those previously discussed and illustrated in the previous forms of the present invention As further illustrated in FIG l9B, joining base 416, of arm 388 is provided ~ith a symmetrically formed brac~et 430, projecting nor~ally from front side 418, near front edge 424 Symmetrical bracket 430, is the first form of a joined brac~et and the fifth form of support brac~et of the present invention The present embodiment, symoetrical brac~et 430 is formed as an integral member of the aforementionet joined multi-positionable support arm 388 Bracket 430 cooperates ~ith the above-mentioned pivoting elongated cylinder 278 Symmetrical bracket 430 is formed in mirror image to the relocatable support bracket 255 (without T-rail 242) described previously and illustrated in FIG
lOE Sy~metrical bracket 430 is provided with enlarged bounded cutout 432 having a horizontal left arm support surface 434 oppositely facing a horizontal right ar- support surface 436 Joining base 416 is also fitted ~ith a contoured symmetrical handle 438 Handle 438 is formed ~ith grip-like contours 440 symmetrically formed along top and bottom edges 426, 428 respectively As sho~n iD FIG l9A, the final fabrication of joined multi-positionable support arm 388 is completed upon the affixing and positioning of a pair of circular T-rail me-bers 442 and 444 First ant second circular T-rails 442 ant 444 respectively project from the bac~ cooperating side 420 of joining base 416, with each being positioned at a point along the longitudinal axis of joining base 416 As sho~n in FIG 22, first circular T-rail ember 442 is affixed to cooperating engage-ent side 420 at a location ~hich is set bac~ so-e~hat from bac~ edge 422 Adtitionally, second circular T-rail me-ber 444 is also affixed to cooperatino engagement side 420 at a location ~hich is set bac~ fro~ front edge 424 Although T-rails 442 and 444 may be sized equally, it ay be desirable in certain applications of the pre~ent invention to vary the size of tbe rail embers For exa~ple, the first T-rail 442, and its utually engaging T-slot section 392, sho~n in FIG 17, could be made considerably larger , , W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ~ PCT/US91/05~

1 iD dia~eter than the second T-rail 444, and its mutually engaging second T-slot section 394, if a different sized mechanical means is desired The present description allo~s for the creation of joined multi-positionable arm 388 and provides for its symmetrical mounting and relocation to a multiplicity of fixedly supportive locations on main support body 389 of stant 386 as shown in FIG l9C
In a preferred second combined form of the present joined arm concept, as sho~n in FIGS 20 through 24, it is envisioned that the base member and the pivoting elongated cylinder be fitted together by static means ~hich provide for the mutual cooperative engagement of tbe members and yet still allows for the remorable mounting of the pivoting elongated cylinder on the base me~ber An e~ample of meobers ~hich provide such a cooperative engagement ability is illustrated in the just-mentioned figures and is identified in FIG 20A as joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446 As sho~n in FIGS 23 and 24, the present preferred embodiment provides for a document support stand 448 ~hich includes only three parts, naoely, ~ain support body 389, joining base 450 (~hich, li~e the first combined foro, joined multi-positionable support arm 388 describet above, also includes symmetrical support brac~et 430) and releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 The present stand embodiment, stand 448, is envisioned to be ideal for an all plastic fabrication of three individually static members ~hich engagably cooperate to create a dynamically functioning document support stand 448 FIG 20 illustrates, improvet and preferred second combined form, joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446 Joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446 includes only t~o essential members joining base 450 and releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 ~ith each member being statically formed As illustrated in FIGS 20 and 20A, in association ~ith FIGS 19 and l9A, since joining base 450 of tbe present e~bodi-ent is initialIy formed from a rectangular solid li~e tbat of joining base 416, it is helpful to maintain the same reference nu-erals for tbe sa e parts The basic difference bet~een the 1 present joining base 450 and aforesaid joining base 416 is in the ~ethod of attaching the pivoting elongated cylinder member to the front side 418 of the base member Joining base 450 of joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446 has engagable housing 456 ~hich provides for the releasable engagement of releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 from joining base 450 Housing 456 is initially for~ed Srom a U-shaped me~ber having three plate-li~e rectangular sides Engagable housing 456 replaces the L-shaped solid 284, of joining base 416 used in the previous joined embodiment 388 shown in FIG
19 As shown in FIG 20D, in association ~ith FIG 20A, the sides of the U-shaped member are perpendicularly affixed to, aDd formed ~ith, the front side 418 of joining base 450, near its back edge 422 Engagable housing 456, consists of five rectangularly shaped enclosing side sections a top side 460 opposite a bottom side 462 ~ith each side being parallel to aDd connected by perpendicularly intersectiDg distal side 464 and proximate side 466 (defined by a surface area of front side 41 of joining base 450) Additionally, engagable housing 456 is fitted ~ith front side 468, as seen in FIG 20B Engagable housing 456 is si~ilar, in part, to soc~et housing 108 of the previously described e~bodi~ent discusset in association ~ith FIGS 5, SA and SB Being, in part, li~e the previously described e~bodiment, and upon referriDg to FIG 20A, in association witb FIG 20B, engagable housing 456 may be identified as having the follo~ing sioilar ~e~bers soc~et 458, inner top uall 459, inner bottoo ~all 461, inner contoured proxioate side ~all 463, inner contoured distal side ~all 465, front ~indo~ openin~ 467 and rear opening 469 It should be noted that in the present embodi-ent a securable rear opening is neither required nor desired Engagable housing 456 is fitted further ~ith a pair of si-ilarly foroet, and for~ardly directed, alignet terminating curved slots 470 near the rear of outer top side 460 and outer bottou site 462 As seen in FIG 20D, each curvet slot 470 is provitet ~ith a pair of curved ter~inated ends 472 Teroinated ends 472 are for~araly positioned in relation to the rear~ardly positioned middle of each curved slot 470 --WO 92/03293 ~ PCT/US91/05~
2 ~ 7 74 L, 1 ~aving described the first static member of joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446, joining base 450, ~hich includes engagable housing 456, the second static member ~ill now be described. As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 21A, releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 is a fourth form of a pivoting cylinder in the present invention. Releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 is similar, in part, to the previously described first form of pivoting elongated cylinder 106 illustrated in FIG. 7. The present embodiment differs from the just mentioned in relation to the original disk member 128 ~hich ~as integrally formed ~ithin the elongated cylinder 146 of pivoting elongated cylinder 106. As seen in FIG. 20, the protruding odified dis~ 474 of the present embodiment allows for the entire member, releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452, to be formed as a one piece static member allowing for its releasable mounting on, and eDgage~ent ~ith, engagable bousing 456 of joining base 450. Upon referring to FIGS. 21 and 21A, it is observed that releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 has protruding modified disk 474 formed at its proximate end.
Protruding modified dis~ 474 includes, in part, a disk~ e section si~ilar to that previously tiscussed in relation to fore~entioned disk 128. Additionally, protruding modified disk 474 is further motified to include a pair of rearwardly directed projecting handles, 482, 484 ~hich project normally from the cylindrical surface 134 of the disk-like section. The handles are parallel ~ith, and project in a direction opposite to that of integrally formed elongated cylinder 146. The pair of projecting handles may be identified as upper handle 482 ~hich is opposite to lo~er handle 484 ~ith the e~terior surface of each handle being coplanar ~ith the upper and lo~er closed circular regions 190 and 192 respectively of the disk-like section 478. As seen in FIG. 21A, the pair of projecting handles, 482, 484 form a protruding U-sbape ~hen vie~ed from the side. ~oth handles are for~ed as an integral e ber of protruding modifiet disk 474 and are resiliently fle~ible allo~ing, ~hen grasped, for their in~ardly directed fle~ing to~ard each other. Additionally, each handle 482, 484 has for-ed, at the appro~i~ate middle of its length and, on its out~ardly facing e~terior surface 486 a ~0 92/03293 2 ~ ~ r~ t PCT/US91/05984 1 protruding ear 488 uhich is integrally formed therein Protruding ears 488 oay be provided with a shape li~e that of a short cylindrical rod or, alternatively, like that of a ~urved plate~ e tab member Each protruting ear 488 has a length and width of sufficient size and shape to engage and cooperate Vith curved slot 470 of engagable housing 456 the engagemeDt of which ~ill now be described Upon referring to FIGS 20A ant 20C, it is realized that releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 is mountable and engagable OD enqagable housing 456 by inserting the distal end of the releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 through the rear opening 469 of housing 456 As the cylinder 452 passes through front opening 467 the operator grasps handles 482, 484 and urges the flexible handles, and consequently protruding ears 4B8, to~ard each other thereby allowing for the complete insertion of elongated cylinder 452 ~ithin housing 456 Upon full insertion the operator releases the grasp thereby allo~iDg the pair of protruding ears 488 to engage the pair of captivating curved slots 470 resulting in the ~ounting and pivotal engage~ent of statically for-ed releasable pivoting cylinder 452 on statically for~ed joinin~ base 450 of stand 448 It should be noted that it ~ay be desirable to motify protruding dis~ 474 further thereby creating a fifth form of pivoting elongated cylinder of the present invention The present oodification, illustrated in FIG 21~, results in the for-ation of an alternative e-bodioent of the present inveDtion, modified pivoting elongated cylinder 476 nodified pivoting elongated cylinder 476 is an i-proved version of the just described releasable pivoting elonqated cylinder 452 and is for-ed to cooperate as an essential oe-ber of joined and partially releasable ulti-positionable support ar~ 446 As sho~n in FIG 21~, protruding dis~ 474 ~ay be provided ~ith a internalized rectangularly shaped cutout section 490, rear~ardly directet, froo its central a~is Cutout section 490 is positioned bet~een, and parallel to, upper ant lo~er closed circular regioDs 190 ant 192, respectively, of protruding dis~
474 Cutout section 490 results in a further relieved U-shaped seq ent of protruting odified dis~ 474 ~hen vie~ed from the side ': :

:; :

::
-, ; , W O 92/03293 PCTtUS91/0 1 as shown in FIG 21B Such a cutout may be desirable, dependiDg OD the type of material used in forming the member at time of manufacture, in order to provide for the required flexibility of haadles 482 and 484 The inwardly directed flexibility and restorative resiliency of handles 482 and 484 is required to ensure the clearance and engagement of protruding ears 488 ~ith curved slots 470 ~hen mounting oodified releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 476 on engagable housing 456 Having completed the description of the symmetrical structure of the present embotiment and UpOD referring to FIG
23, it is observet that the aforementioned left arm support surface 434 of symmetrical brac~et 430 supports a projecting section of releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 ~hen joined and partially releasable oulti-positionable support arm 446 is oounted, on main support body 389, to the left of a video display monitor 30 Additionally, at the option of the individual user, and as sho~n in FIG 24, ~hen the joined and partially releasable - multi-positionable support arm 446 is mounted, on main support boty 389, to the right of a video display monitor 30, the right arm support surface 436 of symmetrical brac~et 430 ~ill provide support to the projecting section o releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 It is realized that the forementioned joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446 is both sy metrically formed of static members and symmetrically functional in supporting and positioDing a workload in a multiplicity of selectable spatial positions Additionally, it is understood froc the beforementioned that, e~cept for the static characteristics of the present embodiment, previously described joiDed multi-positionable arm 388, illustrated in FIG
19, functions in a anner similar to that of joined and partially releasable support ar- 446 8aving described the structural form of the joined and partially releasable ulti-positionable ar- 446 of the present iDVeDtion its mounting on member relocating side 389, as illustrated in FIG 23, ~ill no~ be described It should be noted that the mounting of joining base 416 on main support body 389 of the aforementioned embodiment, joined multi-positionable support arm 388 of FIG 19, is similar to the mounting of joining ~ 0 92/03293 2 3 3 ~ ~ 1 r PCT/US91/05984 1 base 450 of the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, in association with FIGS. 9, 10C, and 18, the present embodiment, joined arm 446, is mounted on member relocating side 404, of main support body 389, (or on side 390 of body 387 sho~n in FIG. 17) through the oounting of the projecting first and second circular T-rails 442 and 444 respectively. The operator aligns the ~idened portion 164 of first T-rail 442 parallel to back plate 48 of centrally located horizontal T-slot section ~14, placing the first T-rail 442 in nearest enlarged opening 400.
Once first T-rail 442 is ~ounted, the operator simply slides the joined support aro 446 (or joined arm 388) bac~ and away from first vertical edge 399 of main support body 389 placing widened portion 164 of second T-rail 444 parallel to bac~ plate 48 and entering outer side wall opening 398.
As realized fro~ FIGS. 23 and 24, once both T-rails 442 and 444 are ~ounted on the ~ain support body 389 the operator, with the assistance of bandle 438, si~ly chooses the vertical support height desired by engaging the second T-rail 444 in any one of a plurality of in~ardly directed longitudinal side ~all openings 68, branching out fro~ 1st vertical-second T-slot section 415, to ~ positionally and cooperatiDgly engage the fi~ed support location ; of stop edge 408 (or edge 78~ of a selected stop slot 406 ~or stop slot 74). Vpon vie~ing Figs. 18 and l9C it is obser~ed that relocating side 404 is provided ~ith t~o vertical T-slot , 25 sections, ~ith 2nd vertical-second T-slot section 417 oriented! parallel, and opposite, to section 415 thereby proviting for the optional disposition of body 389 to either side of tbe ~iteo display ter-inal 30. As is realized from FIG. 18, in association ~ith FIG. 22, this aneuverability is achieved through the relocation and positioning capabilities provided by the cooperation o first circular T-rail 442 ~ith centrally located horizontal-first T-slot section 392 and tbrougb the further cooperation of secont T-rail 444 ~ith 1st ~ertical-~econd T-slot section 394. Upon the fi~ed engage~ent of second T-rail 444 ~ith a chosen arced stop slot 406 (a supportive, fi~ed location) the first T-rail 442 is also prevented fro~ ~oving through the cooperatioD of joining base 450 and is therefore also considered to be at a fi~ed location. As seen in FIG. 23, once the joined ....
,,: . . :
, ~ .

' :-'~:, . .

WO 92~03293 2 ~ 78 PCT/US91/05 1 support arm 446 is fixed at a selected vertical location by being engaged in a chosen stop slot 406 (or 74) the operator is free to pivot the releasable elongated cylinder 452 along the x-a~is thereby providing for the further positioning of the distal end of joined and partially releasable oulti positionable support arm Upon referring to FIGS 23 and 24, in association with FIGS
18 and l9B, it is observed that releasable elongated cylinder 4~2 extends through enlarged cutout 432 of symmetrical brac~et 430 and rests a section of its length, near its distal end, on either left or right aro support surfaces 434, 436 respectively It is noted that since releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 is an extending member and not absolutely rigit, its distal section ~ill fall to either left support surface 434 or right support surface 436 depending on ~hether joined and partially releasable multi-positionable support aro 446, is mounted either to the left or to the right of a main support body 389 As is realized from the aforementioned the vertical position of the distal end of releasable pivoting elongated cylinder 452 is easily changet simply by lifting handle 438 and choosing a different arced stop slot 406 (or 74) It is understood, as inferred previously, that the aforesaid and follo~ing capabilities of the present joined embodiment also apply to the first coobined embodioent, joined relocatable and ulti-positionable support ar~ and support brac~et 388 of FIG 19 Upon observing FIG 25 and in appreciating that the present invention provides for the support of various types of document holders, such as attachable ~ulti-purpose and multi-positionable document holter 4 sho~n in FI6 1, ~hich, in turn, may be required to hold a heavy documeDt holder, such as an encyclopedia, it ay be tesirable to have a removable counter~eight 494 ability ~hich is fi~edly attachable to the bac~
edge 422 of joining base 450 (or joining base 416) in order to assist in supportiDg the docu ent FIG 25 sho~s re~ovable counter~eight 494 ~hich consists of a ~eight 496, formed from a rectangularly shaped solid ~eight 496 has a projecting threaded rod 498 ~hich cooperates ~ith a longitutinally threaded hole 500 internally formed in joining base 450 (or joining base 416) and .

f~W 0 92/03293 ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 emerging at ba~ edge 422 An improvement in the counterweighting ability may be provided by means of a telescoping member FIG 2SA sho~s attachable counterweight 506 including ~eight 496 having a projecting tube 502 ~ith opening 503 ~hich cooperates with a longitutinally projectable telescopi~
member 504 ~hich is housed in joining base 450 (or joining base 416) and telescopically exte-nds in a manner similar to that previously described in other e~bodiments of the present invention Opening 503 assists in the secure mounting of attachable counter~eight 506 on telescopic member 504 through engageoent ~ith protruding sDap fastèner 186 positioned at the distal end of telescopic ~ember 504 Consequently, in consideration of the foregoing, one can appreciate the advantage of providing a counter~eight to a heavy ~or~loat in order to achieve an ease of maneuverability It may also be ad~antageous to have the arm subjected to forces that urge its distal "~or~load" end in an up~ard direction As is realized ~hen vie~ing FIG 17, in association ~ith FIGS 25 and 25A, if the arm is ~eighted near its proximate attachment point, the operator si~ply pulls do~n on the aro (~hich is being held iD second T-slot section 394 of main support body 389 through the assistance of terminating edge 397) ~hen positioning the arm and engages the second T-rail 444 in upper stop slot 396 It should be noted that, in this instance, since the distal end of joined support ar- 446, or 388, is urged up~ard, in regards to the aforementioned, it is physically urged to fi~edly engage upper stop slot 396 and ~ill remain so engaged until purposely relocated by its user A ~odification to the aforesaid joined arm for~ of the present invention is presented in FIGS 26 and 27 The cooperating eDgage-ent side 420 of joining base 450 may be adaptei to provide for the axial move~ent of a odified form of the first T-rail, T-rail 514, illustrated in FIG 27, along the longitutinal a~is of joining base 450 As sho~n in FIG 26 the cooperating engageoent side 420 is modified to include an a~ial T-slot 508 having a terd nated end 510 near, but setbac~ from the affi~ed second T-rail 444 ~ith its other end o~en and emerging at access opening 512 of-bac~ ed~e 422 A2ial T-slot 508 is - , . .

WO g2/03293 PCI~/US91/OS~.QQ1 2 ~ o ~ 7 ~ :~ 8~
1 provided to cooperate ~ith threaded circular first T-rail fitting 514 sho~n in FIG. 27. Threaded circular first T-rail 514 allows for an alternate method for mounting arm 446 (or arm 388) on main support body 389. Threaded circular first T-rail 514 is formed S with a circular widened portion 164, like that previously described, having a partially threaded, stud-li~e, narrow portion 516 attached at the center of its bottom surface 169. Circular first T-rail 514 is threaded at its end in order to provide for its threaded mounting in one of a plurality of threated bores 518 foroet in the member relocating side 404 of FIG. 18 ~or 390 of FIG. 17). As understood from FIG. 24, the aforesaid modified mounting means permits, through its cooperation with axial T-slot 508, the initial en~age-ent of a ~odified form of joiDet and partially releasable multi-positionable support arm 446 (or arm 388) with oain support body 389. The remaining mounting requirements for engaging the second circular T-rail 444 witn the member relocating side 404 (or 390) of main support boty 389, would be the same as previously described. The present embodiment allo~s for added facility in positioning the distal end of either modified joined support arm, ar~ 446 (or arm 388) at a plurality of fixed vertical positions ~hile allo~ing for the quic~ disengagement of the joined support arm from the main support boty of the present stand 448 (or 386). Alternatively, as realized from FIG. 26, in association ~ith FIG. 27, threaded circular first T-rail 514 may be affixed at a plurality of selectable fixed points on the cooperating engagement side 420 of modified joining base 450 (or 416) through the threadable engagement ~ith threaded apertures 520. From the aforementioned, it is appreciated that threaded circular T-rail 514 provides for the fi~ed selective positioning of the first circular T-rail of the present form of the invention at a plurality of locations on oember relocating side 404 (or 390) of oain support body 387 (or 389) ~ith either of the modified forms of joined support arms:
arm 446 (or arm 388) of the present invention. Consequently, it is realized that the fixed positioning possibilities of the joined arms of the present disclosure are ~reat in number.
Additionally, the versatility provided by the ease of dismounting and resultant ability to exchange one type, or size, of joined ~ o g2,03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ii PCT/US9l/05984 1 support arm for another enhances the usefulness and number of applications of the present invention. It is understood from the aforementionet that main support body 389 of the present discussion ~ay also be modifiet to take the form of main support body 102 of FIG. 2A.
An alternative joined for~ of the present in~ention, relocatable copyholder 522, is shown in FIG. 28. Relocatable copyholder 522 is adaptad for being ~ounted on and relocated to a plurality of fixed locations ~ain support bodies of the present invention. Relocatable copyholder 522 has a body 524 for~ed from a rectangularly shapet plate~ e solid, having six sides: a front document mounting side 526 opposite a rear side 528, an inner side 530 opposite outer side 532, and upper side 534 opposite lo~er side 536. Front ~ounting side 526 is provided ~ith a re~ovable biased clip 531 and a support letge 541 for mounting a document. As illustrated in FIG. 28, inner side 530 has a transversely disposed and integrally formed square shaped rib 542 projecting normally from its surface. Rib 542 is provided at its projecting distal end ~ith integrally formed rectangularly shaped plate-like support flange 544. Support flange 544 has a cooperating engagement side 546 opposite outer facing support side 548. Flange 544 is perpendicularly disposed to transversal rib 542 ~ith its plate-like sides parallel to the inner side 530 of body 524. Cooperating engagement side 546 of flange 544 has an integrally formed square shaped T-rail 242 ~hich projects normally fro~ its plate~ e surface. T-rail 242 is li~e that previously described, and sho~n in FIG. 10, for engaging relocatable support brac~et 10 of the first for~ of the present invention and cooperates ~ith stop slot 74 in the saoe ~anner previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 2, lOC and lOD. Additionally, the front oounting side 526 oay be fitted ~ith a centrally transversing T-slot 527 of the for~ previously described and illustrated in association ~ith FIG. 4A. T-slot 527 has an e~posed opening 525 at outer side 532 and transverses ~idth~ise the ounting side 526 ending before reaching inDer side 530 at terminating edge 533. T-slot 527, ~ith the cooperation of reoovable biased clip 531, allo~s for the engagenent of .

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W O 92/03293 2 ~ 9 ~ ~ ~ 82 P~r/US91/0~-1 1 additional engaging document holders of the type previously and presently described Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG 28A, a dual sided, symmetrical copyholder 549 may be formed uith dual ~ounting sides a front, first document mounting side 529, havi~g T-slot 527, and an identically formed rear, second document mounting side 547, having T-slot 523 The present embodiment may be equipped ~ith dual biased clips 531, 538 as well as dual support ledges 541, 540 oounted on its respective oounting sides 529 and 547 The duality of the present embodi-ent provides for its efficient mounting and relocation on a main support body of the stands of the present invention ~hether its disposition be to the left or to the right of the viewer Consequently, as is realized upon referring to FIG 29, either aforementioned relocatable copybolder 522 or sy~etrical copyholder 549 are capable of supporting a document, or document holter, and of being removably mounted, relocated, and securely positioned on the meGber relocating side of the variety of different types of vertical support panels herein presented Figure 29 illustrates a two piece docu-ent support stand, stand 535, ~hich consists of main support body 537 having me~ber relocating side 539 and sy~metrical copyholder 549 If desirable, biased clip 531 of symmetrical copyholder 549 may be re-ovably counted in order to allo~ T-slot 527 (or T-slot 523)to engage additional holders As previously suggested, and as sho~n in FIG 30, a main support body, such as body 550, and conseguently a ~ember relocating side, side 551, si-ilar, in part, to the previously discussed ain support body embodiments, may be incorporated in aoy vertical solid having a planar surface of sufficient size to accoooodate its ountable support ~embers FIG 30 illustrates a ~ain support body 550 for-ed from a ~odified file cabinet, having an integrally for~ed ember relocating side 551 incorporated ~ithin its side panel and adapted for use in the present invention Consequently, FIG 30 illustrates ulti-positionable staDd 552, ~hich consists of ain support body 550 having ~e~ber relocating side 551, relocatable and multi-positionable arm 8 and relocatable support brac~et 10 nember relocating side 551 is patterned in a ~anner si-ilar to oeober relocating side 18 ~ - .

.

UVO 92/03293 83 ~ , 7 ~ - PCT/US91/05984 1 previously discussed in association with FIGS 3 and 3A The particular pattern of the ~e~ber relocating side is one of choice The follo~ing are envisioned to be ideally suitable in the modern office environment for the inclusion (or attachment of a ~ember ~hich includes) of the ~ain support body and slotted ~ember relocating side disclosed in the present invention ~alls, partitions, shelving, file cabinets, des~s, ~or~stations, video display monitors and the li~e In a ~oaified form of the present invention, as sho~n in FIG 31, stand 545 includes a main support body 553 consisting of just one, vertically disposed, plate~ e panel having a shape li~e that of a rectangular right prism and having a ~ember relocating side 543 Main support body 553 may be efficiently and econo~ically attachet to a vertically disposed support ce~ber, such as a conventional file cabinet 554, through the use of self-tapping scre~s, glue or other attachment means Alternatively, in the embodiment identifiable as adhering main support body 564, and sho~n in FIGS 32 and 32C, the rear planar side 556, of panel 557 may be provided Rith a recess 55g foroed to receive an attached adhesive mat 558, ~hich includes an inner facing attachment side 560 and an outer facing adhesive side 562 The inner facing attachment side 560 is attached to the rear side 556 of ain support body 557 by gluing or other eans thereby allo~ing the outer facing adhesive side 562 to adhere to a vertical support oezber, such as ~ember 555, ~hen contact is ade A aterial ~hich is envisionet to be ideally suitable for supporting a vertically disposed ain support body panel of the type presently described because of its e~traordinary contacting adhesive characteristics is a roofing aterial having the na~e Ice and ~ater Shield (TM) and sold by the ~ R Grace and Co-pany, Construction Products Division, of 62 ~hitte-ore Ave , Ca bridge, ~A 02140, ~hich ~ethod of adhering is herein incorporated by reference Upon referring once again to FIG 32, in association ~ith FIG 32C, it is realized that the aforenentioned adhesive eeans ay be adapted to assist in tbe fir- attach-ent of panel 557 upon contact ~ith a structural aeaber such as a ~all or conventional file cabinet 554, the ne~ly for~ed e bodi~ent being identifiable as adbering ain support body 564, an application of ~hich-is sho~n in FIG 32C FIG 32C

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W O 92/03293 ~ " 84 PCT/US91/05~' 1 illustrates stand 567 ~hich includes: adhering main support body 564, ad~ering to file cabinet 554 and having member relocating side 565; relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm 8 and relocatable support brac~et 10.
~n alternative embodiment of the present inventioD, illustrated in FIGS. 32A and 32B, however, not only provides for tbe very positive engageoent of tbe adhering members of the main support body but allo~s for their subsequent disengagement if desired. Due to the e~tremely positive adhering cbaracteristics of material such as Ice and ~ater Shield (TM) it is extremely difficult for the aforeoentioned rigid plate-like panel 557, formed in the shape of a rectangular solid panel to be removed from an engaged surface ~hen utilizing an adhesive material of the type just described. The adhering contact per square inch is increased due to the fact that the rigid panel 557 provides a large and inaccessible contact surface area. These characteristics allow for the mounting of the main support body members without tbe need for marring the contacting support surface. It is possible, ho~ever, to provide for the disengagement of tbe adhering members through tbe following arrange-ent of parts. As sho~n in FIGS. 32A and 329, the present disengagable adhering main support body 568 consists of a semi-rigit engagement bolt 570, having an enlarged, planar and pliable head 572 and an elongated threaded stem 574. Bolt 570 is inserted in an aperture 576 at the outer facing adhesive side 562 of adhesive mat 558. Consequently, the pliable head 572 of bolt 570 is placed in face to face relationsbip ~ith side 562 of adhesive mat 558. The head diameter of semi-rigid engagement bolt 570 is of sufficient size to engage tbe assembly in a manner that ~ill provide sufficient cooperatire support for maintaining the asse-bly ~hen forces are applied both normally a~ay from, and parallel to, panel 566 of main support body 568. She inner facing attachment site 560 of adbesive mat 558 is positioned in face to face relationship ~itb rear side 556 of panel 566. The disenga~able ain support body 568 is asse~bled via the assistance of slotted nuts 578 ~bich are fastened to bolt 570, at the front ~e ber relocating side 569, through holes 582 ~hich are bored completely through panel 566. Slotted nuts 578 reside in a ~ uvo 92/03293 2 `.~ ~s i J :~ . PCr/US9l/05984 1 recess 580 formed belo~ the planar sur~ace of the panel 566 Once assembled, and adhesive side 562 of disengagable adhering main support body 568 establishes contact With a support surface 584 the entire asse~bly is capable of providing the support required for the ~any applications of the ~ain support body of the present invention Arcordingly, in orter to remove the disengagable main support body from its support surface 584 one simply removes nuts 578 thereby disengaging panel 566 from adhesive mat 558 Athesive mat 558 is removed from support surface 584 by initially ma~ing a peeling~ e action at a corner of the mat Semi-rigid bolts 570 are thus e~posed and reoovet ~ith the peeling action Additionally, it should be noted that semi-rigid bolts 570 may be integrally formed ~ith adhesive mat 558, ~ith head 572 being integrated ~ithin mat 558 A some~hat related oeans is ~no~n in the art for securing equipment such as a type~riter to a horizontal surface The aforesaid securing means is disclosed in U S Patent No 3,850,392 ~Gassa~ay) and is herein incorporated by reference In considerin~ the mounting of the main support body panel of the present invention on a vertical support member tbe follo~ing alternative ethod is also presented Upon referring to FIG 32D it is realized that a main support body 585 having a member relocating side 586 ay be pivotally mouDted on a vertical support member such as a ~all or post 587 As illustrated, a pair of L-brac~ets 588 are mounted on vertical support post 587 through the agency of scre~s 589 She projecting leg 590 of mounted ~-brac~et 588 is fitted ~ith an opening 592 in order to acco~oodate a achine bolt 594 ~hich is threadably received in aperture 596 located on top ant bottom edges 595 and 597 respectively of main support body 585 Apertures 596 are positioned on the top and botto- edges near ~econd vertical edge 591 Shus it is realized that the ~ain support body 585 may be pivotally positioned about the y-axis thereby further enhancing the positioning capabilities of the ~ulti-positionable docu~ent support stands of the pre~ent invention Additionally, it is noted that the main support body 585 ay be fir~ly positioned in - its pivotal movement about the y-a~is by tightening machine bolt . ~ .
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W O 92/03293 PCT/US9l/05~' 2 ~ ~ 9 ~ ~i 86 i 1 594 or ~y other brac~et means ~no~n in the art for securely positioning pivoting members It is also of importance to realize upon vie~ing FIG 32D, that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a planar main support body ~hich consists solely of a single layered sheet of rigid material, such as plexiglass, styrene or other similar type of material ~hich provides for two, oppositely facing and parallely disposed, member relocating sides, side 586 and side 591, having a common or shared slotted pattern ~ith slots 581 and 583 Li~e the previously tiscussed T-slots of tbe present invention, single layered slots 581 and 583 also allow for a me~ber relocating side ~bich cooperates with the previously discussed T-rails and arm members of the present invention through the cooperation of the ~idened and narrowed portions of the rail members Additionally, in the present embodiment, the previously discussed "stepped" feature of tbe rail members allo~s for each rail member to receive its support through the mutual cooperation of tbe t~o oppositely and parallely disposed member relocating sides 586 and 593 and the comEon slotted edge provided by the thickness of the planar body The slotted edge 579 connects to, and is normally disposed to, both meober relocating sides 586 and 593 Thus it is realized that the just described single sheet concept is both economical to manufacture and versatile in its possible applications as a contributing main support body ember in the stands of the present invention As is realizet from tbe present disclosure the applications of the stants of tbe present invention are great in number The follo~ing additional disclosure ~ill provide rather significant i-provements by applying the present inventive concepts to the sup~ort of docu~ents and document holders at a computer ~or~station Although, a ain support body panel, similar in foro to ain support body 585 ay be attached to a vertical surface such as a file cabinet 584, or post 587, as sho~n in FIGS 31, 32C, and 32D, it is also envisioned to incorporate a syDoetrical ~ain support body, having dual ember relocating sides, ~ith a slotted pattern similar to side 404 of FIG 18, ~ithin the t~o upright side panel sections of a video display onitor casing 601, as sho~n in FIG 33 FIG 33 illustrates ~-~VO 92/03293 87 2 1 sy~etrically formed, stationary main support monitor 602, havin~
member relocating sides 599 and 603, ~hich has been adapted to function as an improved alternative form of main support body in the present invention Additionally, FIG 33A, in association with FIG 33, illustrates the combined application of an integrally formed main support body and directionally adjustable video display monitor in cr~ating a ne~ type of dual purpose tilting and/or s~iveling video display and symmetri~al main support body, directionally adjustable aain support monitor 604, ~bich is capable of functioning both as a video display monitor and as an adjustable aain support body in supporting and directionally positioniDg joined multi-positionable arms, such as arm 388 and arm 446 previously discussed and illustrated in FIGS
19 througb 25A
The ability to tilt and s~ivel a video display ~onitor is ~ell ~no~n in tbe art and is disclosed in patents uhich either 1) provide an accessory base for the support and positioning of a stationary type aonitor, such as U S Patent Nos 4,365,779 ~ates, et al ) and 4,500 060 ~Anderson, et al ) and is designated in FIG 33C as adjustable-accessory base 615, or, alternatiYely 2) provide a video display onitor ~hich incorporates a tilting and s~iveling ability ~ithin its structure as disclosed in U S Patent Nos 4,554,590 (Chelin et al ) and 5 024,415 (Purens) and is designated in FIG 33A as adjustable main support monitor 604 The just mentioned patents are herein incorporated by reference As illustrated in FIG 33A, the modification of a tiltable and s~ivable video display monitor to fora an essential ae-ber, directionally adjustable aain support aonitor 604, having eaber relocating sides 607 and 608, in co-bination ~ith the oth¢r essential ae-bers of the present invention results in the for~ation of a ne~ and iaproved type of omDi-directional aDd oulti-positional stand ~hich aay be identified (in Fig 33A) as oani-directionable and aulti-positionable video support stand 606 The preseDt e~bodiaent atds greatly to the ability to support and position a ~ide selection of various types of docuaent holders to either or both sides of a co-puter display aonitor This i~proved versatility ... .

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WO 92~03293 2 ~ 3 ~ ~ ,s~ 88 PCT/US9l/05~

1 is acco~plished through a means ~hich adts a minimum amount of additional support apparatus to the ~or~station environment.
An additional important feature is disclosed in the video support stand 606 of FIG. 33A. FIG. 33A shows cam lock 598 fitted to the front side 635 of support monitor 604. Loc~ 598 is provided to prevent the unauthorized removal of arm 446 fro~
support stand 606 by bloc~ing the exit of longitudinal outer side uall channel opening 398. Loc~ 598 is of the cam type li~e that sold by the National Loc~ Company of Roc~ford, Illinois 61101 and designated as Model No. C8111. ~asically, there are two approaches available ~ith a cao lock such as loc~ 598. By mounting loc~ 598 on the front side 635 of monitor 604, with the loc~ cylinder parallel to member relocating side 607, the cam of loc~ 598, which is pivotally rotatable perpendicular to its cylinder, is capable of bloc~ing channel opening 398 by passing through a laterally formed opening ~hich sections the T-slotted cbannel of opening 398 thereby preventing the removal of arm 446 from support monitor 604. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG.
17, loc~ 598 may be fitted OD ~ember relocating side 390 of a support body. In this embodiment, ho~ever, the cam is no~
pivotable parallel to bac~ plate 48 of T-slot 385. Consequently, the cam of loc~ 598 is capable of passing through an opening -formed in side plates 50 of the T-slot thereby also preventing the removal of arm 446 froo support monitor 604. A similar type of securing means has been disclosed in U.S.Patent 5,020,763 ~Hegarty) the disclosure of ~bich is herein incorporated by reference.
In sum~arizing the unique and versatile positioning capabilities of o~ni-directioDable aDd ~ulti-positionable video support stand 606 the follo~ing is to be considered. In addition to allo~ing for the spatatial projecting and secured positioning of the tistal eDd of the stand's arm member along a 2-axis, and also about both aD ~ and a y a~is of rotation, the follo~ing ability is also created in combination. By providing a main support body, such as directionally adjustable main support moDitor 604, having a tilting and swiveling ability, support monitor 604 (the main support body of stand 606) of the present embodiment oay be considered to be directionally positionable , !--wo 92/03293 2 ~ ?~ ~ i 7 ''L PCT/US9l/05984 1 about both an x and a y axis of rotation. The ability to additionally pivot the main support body member of the present stand about t~o axes of rotation creates a combination ~hich greatly enhances the overall fixed spatial positioning capability of stand 606 of the present invention.
~hen considering the fact that there is now an ability to project various types and ~eights of ~or~loads on an arm ~hich is mounted to a tilting and s~iveling video display monitor the follo~ing atditional ability is quite helpful. Although a tilting and /or suiveling monitor ay possess sufficient size and placement ridgidity to support a suspended copyholder mounted on its side it is recognized that a stabilizing means is necessary ~hen the ~eight of a ~or~load creates a lever ~hich is of sufficient force to overcome ~be stability of the monitor's lS chosen vie~ing position. Upon referring once again to FIG. 33A, a pair of adjustable stabilizers 632, 634 is observed fitted to support sonitor 604. Each stabilizer 632, 634 is formed in a sanner si-ilar, in part, to that used for leveling heavy appliances such as ~ashing sachines and dryers. As understood further upon also considering FIG. 33B, stabilizer 634 includes a bore 636 forsed in casing 638 of directionally adjustable main support monitor 604. 3Ore 636 is provide to cooperate ~ith threaded rod 637 ~bich is fitted at one end ~ith a self-leveling foot 640. Self-leveling foot 640 is of the type ~no~n in the art ~hich utilizes a ball and soc~et joint. Bore 636 is disposed near a front corner of the support onitor 604, being initially bored in the botto- side 639 of casing 638, forsing opening 647, at a location slightly setbac~ fro~, and parallel to ~e~ber relocatin~ side 608. Additionally, ~ain support sonitor 604 is provided at its front, near a lo~er corner of vie~ing side 635, ~ith rectangularly sbaped niche~ e cutout 642. Cutout 642 is disposed perpendicular to bore 636 and has parallel ~alls 641, 643 ~ith the center of each ~all intersected by bore 636 at a point slightly above the entrance to bore 636. Cutout 642 is provided to receive adjustin~ dis~ 644 ~hich is fitted ~ith threaded center opening 645 and ~nurled circu ferential surface 646. The adjustable stabilizer 634 is asse~bled simply by inserting threaded rod 637 in bore 636 and threadably en~aging .

W O 92/03293 PCT~US9l/05~D~
r~ 90 1 adjusting dis~ 644 ~hich is housed in cutout 642 and maintained in that location through the mutual cooperation of threaded rod 637 and perpendicular walls 641, 643 of cutout 642. Once directionally adjustable main support ~onitor 604 is provided with at least one stabilizer 634, the support monitor 604 is capable of oaintaining a projecting wor~load, of substantial ~eight, at a selected tilt position while still permitting the tilt of the display screen to be selectively adjusted simply by turning the ~nurled surface 646 of adjusting dis~ 644. As an alternative to the just described adjustable stabilizer 634 the support monitor could be fitted ~ith an adjustable basic stabilizer 632 Rhich coosists of a tbreaded bore 631 fitted to casing 638 in a manner similar to that of bore 636. Threaded bore 631 ~ould cooperate With threaded rod 634 in adjustably stabilizing support monitor 604 by rotating threaded rod 634 in bore 631 rather than turning adjusting dis~ 644 of adjustable stabilizer 634. It should be noted that the just described stabilizing ability still allows stand 604 to be rotated about the y-axis by the agency of self-leveling foot 640 ~hich is free to be relocated to any desired position along the horizontal.
Alternatives to the just described stabilizing feature are available ~hen combining, or incorporating, the supportive features of directionally adjustable main support monitor 604 ~ith selected features of the follo~ing references. An ability to stabilize a tiltable and/or rotatable main support monitor may be acquired through the further incorporation of an adjustable bra~e asseobly as disclosed in the follo~ing patents, the disclosures of ~hich are herein incorporated by reference:

4,453,687 (S~eere); 4,591,120 ~Bryant-Jeffries, et al.); and 4,591,123 (Bradsha~, et al.). This present feature is designated in FIG. 34A as adjustable-accessory brake assembly 627 having stabilizing control lever S23. Brake assembly 627 provides for a means to adjust and fi~edly position stationary main support monitor 609. Alternatively, if an i~provement of the type disclosed in the above references ~U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,591,120;
4,591,123) is integrally incorporated ~ithin the base of a directionally adjustable main support monitor an even further i~proved embodiment is formed. As is realized upon vie~ing FIG.

2 ~ 7, -qVO 92/03293 91 PCT/US91/05984 1 34B, fixedly adjustable ~ain support monitor 629, having stabilizing ~eans and control lever 633 integrally formed therein, is created from the just mentioned description Upon considering a previously described form of the present invention and referring to FIG 33C, in association ~ith FIGS
33A, 29 and lOD, it is appreciated that an alternatively joined embodiment, relocatable copyholder 522 is also especially useful, ~hen combined further uith a directionally adjustable base 615 and stationary ain support monitor 624 having a member relocating side 605, for supporting a docu~ent parallel to the screen of a tilting monitor since front ~ounting side 526 of the relocatable copyholder 522, and its ~ounted document, remains parallel to the screen at all times due to the f act that the mounted relocatable copyholder 522 will remain in the same position relative to the screen as the ~onitor is turned or tilted for viewing The just mentioned description also applies to previously discussed sym~etrical copyholder 549 illustrated in Alternatively, it should be noted that not all video display terminals are for~ed in a regular or box~ e shape having smooth, planar, plate-li~e sides ~hich provides for the ease of ounting the rear side of an attachable main support body, such as ~ain support body 553 ~or 564) discussed previously Consequently, upon referring to FIG 33D it is realized that an alterDative ain support body, adaptive ain support body 610 ~ay be pro~ided ~hich is for~ed ~ith a plate-li~e ~e~ber relocating side, such as side 611, opposite a irregularly shaped adapting side 612 ~hich is co-pleoentary in shape to tbe irregularly sbaped sides 614 of video display onitor 616 Adaptive ain support body 610 ay be attached to the sides of the video display onitor by echanical ~eans such as $cre~s, glue or through the use of alterDative adhesive ~eans li~e those disclosed previously ~urtberrore, it is noted tbat in order to satisfy the needs of specific applications the adaptive oain support body, such as body 610, of tbe present invention ~ay be for-ed from ~ore than one part Additionally, it is also ~itbin the scope of the present in~ention to oodify the cooperating engagina side, or the lengtb of its projecting .
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', W O 92/03293 ~ 7 ~ ~S PCT/US91/05 1 rail me2bers, of the joined arm members herein presented in order to allow for their mounting on irregularly shaped video display terminals such as monitor 616 illustrated in FIG. 33D.
In considering the unique combination of arm and bracket members and video display monitors of the present in~ention an additional improvement follows. Although the multi-positionable tevices of the present invention are mountable on such display monitors an additional feature may be desirable. As realized from FIG. 34A, if the operator decides to use a heavy wor~load, such as heavy duty document holder 617, at the distal end of a projecting arm, the ability to add additional weight to the opposite upright side panel of the monitor (when not equipped with a stabilizing means) would assist in equalizing the forces created by the lever created on the side of the monitor supporting the ~orkload. Such an additional weight is illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 34A and identified as removable counterweight 618. Removable counterweight 618 is a six sided rectangular solid having a pro~imate cooperating engagement side 620 opposite a distal receiving site 622. Cooperating engagement side 620 is provided with a T-rail such as ~-rail 110 ~or 242) previously described which allo~s for its mounting OD a member relocatin~ side of the present invention. Receiving side 622 is provide with a T-slot 625, li~e that previously described in association with FIG. 4A, which provides for tbe attachment of an additional removable counterweight 618 if desired.
Additionally, as sbo~n in FIG. 34B, it would be helpful when utilizing a tilting video display and ain support monitor (when also Dot equipped ~ith a stabilizin~ means) to provide a movable counter~eight, having a shifting ~eight means, which allo~s the center of gravity to shift thereby allo~ing for the adjustment and stabilizing of the moDitor's screen while maintaining a counter~ei~ht ability. FIG. 34B illustrates shifting counter~eight 626 ~hich incorporates al~ost all of the features of re~o~able counter~eight 618 previously described except for it having a hollo~ cavity 628 ~hich contains a movable ~eight 630 such as a liquid confined ~ithin its cavity. Both recovable counter~eight 618 and shifting counter~eight 626 oay be positioned along a horizootal slot formed in a manDer similar to `'"

2 ~ 7 --~VO 92/03293 PCT/US9l/05984 1 ar~ and brac~et branch 88 and 90 of previously discussed me~ber relocating side 18, shown in FIG 3A, having stop slots 74, in order to modify the forces required for maintaining a balanced state Additionally, it should be realized that a horizontal slot li~e that of arm and brac~et branch 88 and 90, having stop slots 74, could be employed for the sole purpose of positioning a counter~eight At this point in the description the essential for~s and features of document support stands having various directionable, relocatable and multi-positionable ~eobers have been described~
Upon referring, once again, to FIG 1, it is realized that as part of the instant invention, projecting support stand 2, of universal docu-ent support stand 1, is capable of projecting the distal end of a support arm at a ~ultiplicity of fixed spatial positions Additionally, it is appreciated that the distal end of tbe support ar~s disclosed in the present invention are provided ~ith a eans for attaching an unli-ited nu~ber of various article holders through protruding snap fastener 186 cooperating ~ith a ~utually engaging fitting attachet to an attachable article holder For the fielt of interest of the present invention it is desirable to join, or ount, an attachable docucent holder, such as attachable multi-positionable docu-ent holder 650, to the distal end of a relocatable and multi-positionable support arm, such as previously discussed ar-s 8, 388 or 446 It can be appreciated upon referring to FIG 1, oDce again, that the joining of projecting support stand 2 ~ith an additionally positionable docu~ent holder provides for a ultiplicity of support positions FIG 1 refers to holder 4, the unique features of ~bich ~ill be appreciated upon the co-plete reading of the present disclosure Holder 4 incorporates, in part, the eobodi~ent to be discussed at the present ti-e, namely, holder Referring to FIGS 35 and 36, attachable ulti-positionable docu-ent holder 650 of tbe present invention oay be considered to consist of four essential ne-bers the first ~e ber, attachable pro~i-ate clevis 652; tbe second eober, bia~ial positioning fitting 654; the third ~eober, pivotable distal clevis 656; the W O 92/03293 '~ O ~ PCr/US91/05 1 fourth member, rotatable document holder 658 It should be noted that although the present embodiment is described as being attachable, it may also be permanently mounted to a fixed, stationary support si~ply by modifying the attachable end of proximate clevis 652 to include a flange me~ber having scre~
holes for mounting Tbe first and third me~bers, 652 and 656, respectively, cooperate ~ith the second member, biaxial positioning fitting 654 to allow for the mounting and positioning of the fourth member, rotatable document holder 658 on a supporting structure As individually sho~n in FIG 37, the first member, attachable proximate clevis 652 consists of a fitting having a shape some~hat li~e that of a cylindrical tube having two prong-li~e leg sections at one end ~hen viewed from the side The attachable pro~imate clevis member 652 has a pair of similarly formed e~tending leg members 670 and 672 a short tube~ e member 674 projecting in a direction opposite to that of legs 670 ant 672 The tube-li~e member 674 is provited uith a snap fastener opening 676 and longitudinal concave depression 678 ~hich is provided to cooperate ~ith a protruding snap fastener 186 and internalized conve~ protrusion 206 previously described at the distal end of a support arm such as arm 8 Each leg 670, 672 has an outer planar side 680 opposite an inner planar side 681 uith tbe inner side of leg 670 in face-to-face relationship ~ith the inner side of opposite leg 672 and being separated from each other by a distance equal to the thic~ness of cylindrical surface 682 of proximate dis~ 683 to be described belo~ Curved edge 684 is semi-circular ~ith its ratius of curvature locatet at openings 685, ~hich is provided near the distal end of each leg me ber Since each leg is similarly formed and positioned, the pair of openings 685, are in align-ent ~ith each other at the center point and may be considered to reside along the y-axis once the present multi-positionable bolder is assenbled and ~ounted on a support me ber Further~ore, each inner side 681 is formed ~ith a series of gradually emerging, tapered triangular pris-s 686 projecting radially, in a spo~e-li~e formation, a~ay fro- the center openings 685 The aforementioned provides for -.
., ~VO 92/03293 h ~ ~ J ~ PcT/usgl/os984 1 the engagement and cooperation of attachable proximate clevis 652 ~ith the ~ext member to be described Upon referring jointly to FIGS 38 and 39 the second essential member of attachable multi-positionable document holding device 650, biaxial positioning fitting 654, is observed ~iaxial positioning fitting 654 consists of t~o separate and distinct joined dis~s, pro~i~ate dis~ 683, and distal dis~ 687 which are attached to each otber by ~eans of connecting bar 688 As ~ore specifically observed in the illustrations, proxi~ate dis~ 683 consists of an upper circular side 689, opposite a lo~er circular side 690, with sides 689 and 690 separated by the thic}ness of cylindrical surface 682 of the disk Dember Disk 683 is also fitted with an aperture 694 passing completely through its thic~ness along its central axis As suggested by FIG 37, in association ~ith FIG 38, aperture 694 of biaxial positioning fitting 654 cooperates with opeDings 685 of proximate clevis 652 and a connecting ~eans, such as shaft 695, having retaining head 696 cooperating ~ith retaining ~ing nut 698, in allo~ing dis~ 683 to be insertably mountable and retained between legs 670 and 672 of attachable proximate clevis 652 As is realized from FIGS 38 and 39, in association uith FIGS 36, distal dis~ 687 is formed similarly to proximate disk 683 having upper circular side 700, lo~er circular side 702, with the thic~ness of its cylindrical surface 704 being equivalent to the distance bet~een legs 718 and 719 ~FIG 36) of pivotable distal clevis 656 and ~ith aperture 710 passing completely through its thic~ness along its central a%is Additionally, in order to cooperate ~ith the tapered triangular pris~s 686 of inner sides 681 of previously described legs 670, 672 (and sides 717 of legs 718 and 719) each dis~ 683 ant 687 is also fitted ~ith a series of tapered pris~s 686 projecting radially, also being gradually for-et, in a spo~e~ e for~ation, a~ay fro~ their respective center apertures 694, 710 on each side 689, 690, 700 and 702, respectively The juxtaposed tapered pris~s 686 assist in the frictional engage-ent of ~e~bers ~hile still permitting their repositioning ~hen desired As entioned previously, proxi~ate dis~ 683 and distal dis~ 687 are attacbed to each other through - the agency of connecting bar 688 Connecting bar 688 is square ... . , ~
'.

..

W 0 92/03293 L~ PCT/US9l/05~1 1 shaped and has sides equal in size to the thickness of cylindrical surfaces 682 and 704 of the dis~ members Upon referring to FIGS 36, 38 and 39, ODCe again, it is observed that the plane of upper circular side 700 of distal dis~
687 is offset ninety degrees fro~ the plane of upper circular side 689 of proxi~ate disk 683 thereby perpendicularly orienting the central axis of distal dis~ 687 in relation to the central axis of proximate dis~ 683 Thus it is realized that the central axis of tistal dis~ 687 is considered to be coaxial ~ith the x-axis and perpendicular to the central axis of proximate dis~ 683 which is considered to be coaxial with the y-axis Biaxial positioDing fitting 654 functions as a connecting member which allo~s for the positioning of, the fourth essential member, rotatable document holder 658 about an independent y-axis of rotation and/or about an independent x-axis of rotation through the mutual cooperation of tbe first and third essential members, proximate clevis 652 and pivoting distal clevis 656, respectively FIGS 40 and 41, in association uith FIG 36, sho~s the third essential member, of multi-positionable document holder device 650, pivotable distal clevis oember 656 As sho~n in FIG
36, pivotable distal clevis 656, is similar, in part, to the structure of the previously described first essential member, attachable proximate clevis member 652 Pivotable distal clevis member 656 is integrally formed with the bottom side 741 of support plate 740 of the fourth member, rotatable document holder 658 Pivotable distal clevis 656 includes two legs, 718 and 719, which project normally fro- the bottom side 741 of support plate 740 Legs 718 and 719 are for-ed similarly to legs 670 and 672 having openings 692 and sharing similar prisms 686 Ho~ever, it is of i~portance to note that the final aounting of the leg me~bers of pivotable distal clevis 656 offsets the align-ent of the parallel leg me-bers ?18 and 719 ninety degrees in relation to the ~ounting of parallel legs 670 and 672 of attachable proxi-ate clevis 652 in order to provide for the attachment of tistal dis~ 687 of the biaxial positioning fitting 654 Thus, as is realized froa the previous description, and specifically from FIG 36, biaxial positioning fitting 654 is provided ~ith a .
. . , ~ , . . .
.

.
.: , "' ',' '' ' '':' ' .~ . .

f~VO 92/03293 2 3 3 ~, 7 1 ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 structure ~hich allows it, once it is asse~bled, to directly engage and cooperate with the first and third me~bers of attachable multi-positionable document holder 650.
The fourth and final essential member, of attachable multi-positionable document holder 650, rotatable docu~ent holder member 658 ~ill no~ be described. As also sho~n in FIGS. 40 and 41, in association with FIG. 36, rotatable document holder 658 oay be considered to include four basic members: 1) a plate-li~e body 728 haring a front side 730, constituting the vie~ing side of the attachable ~ulti-positionable tocu~ent holder 650, and an opposite rear side 732; 2) a turntable assembly 735, the turntable having relatively rotatable top and bottom portions 736, 738 ant being mounted by the upper side 737 of top portion 736 to the rear side 732 of the plate-li~e body 728; 3) a support plate 740 having a top side 739 opposite a bottom side 741; 4) and pivotable distal clevis member 656 integrally formed in the bottom site 741 of support plate 740. The top side 739 of support plate 740 is attached to the lo~er side 743 of bottom portion 738 of turntable 735 by an adhesive oeans or through self-tapping scre~s. Additionally, the front or vie~ing side 730, has a T-slot 734 formed in its top surface. The T-slot 734 is si~ilar in form to that ~hich is illustrated in FIG. 4A.
Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 41, the present rotatable docuoent holder 658 includes a oeans to encourage the front vie~ing side 730 to be oaintained iD one rotatable position when being rotated about the z-a~is. Rear side 732, of body 728, may be fitted ~ith at least one bullet~ e protrusion 742 (although oore could be provided) ~hich is positioned and aligned to engage one of a series of four stop detents 744 ~ith each quarter revolutioD of the vie~ing side 730 of body 728. The stop detents are located at each corner of the top portion 736 of the square shaped turntable asse-bly 735.
It is also envisioned to pro~ide an alternative for~ of rotatable docu~ent holder for the fourth essential ~e~ber. FIGS.
42, 42A, 42~ and 42C illustrate basic rotatable docu ent holder 746 ~hich is siopler in construction than the prior disclosed e~bodi~ent 658 and is ore econooical to produce using an all plastic fabrication. As sho~n in FIG. 42, rotatable document .. . .

.
.

W O 92/03293 ~ PCr~US9l/O',~n~
2 ~ 3 ~ 98 1 holder 746 consists of only three members: a plate~ e body 748, a plate-li~e se~i-rigid support plate 750, and a rotational coupling member 752. Body 748 has a front side 754, which constitutes the viewing side of the attachable multi-positionable document holder device, and an opposite rear side 755. She front side 754 has a T-slot 756 formed in its top surface for mounting a mutually engagable document holder 850 (to be discussed further below). Additionally, as shown in FIG~ 42A, the front side has opening 760, located at its center, which passes completely through body 748 and which has a recessed shoulder 762 formed flush with bac~ plate 764 of T-slot 756. Rear side 755 of body 748 is provided with a circular groove 766 having opening 760 at its center. Circular groove 766 is also provided with a series of four detents 768 along its trough-like bottom which are spaced apart in ninety degrees intervals. ~ith particular reference to FIG. 42B, it is realized that body 748 of FIG. 42A is provided to cooperate with semi-rigid support plate 750 having frontward side 770 and rearward side 772. Support plate 750 is square in shape and dimensioned to be larger than the diameter of circular groove 766 formed in the rear side 755 of plate-li~e body 748. Support plate 750 is also provided with an opening, opening 774, which passes cocpletely through its center. Support mesber 750 is fitted with a series of four protrusions 776 on its frontward site 770 which are also spaced apart in ninety degree intervals ant placed along a circular path that has a com~on center and diameter equal to the diameter of circular groove 766 of rear side 755 and thus capable of being in direct align~ent with circular groove 766 when body 748 and support plate 750 are attached by rotational coupling 752, to be discussed shortly.
The present embodiment, being envisioned to be of a plastic material, provides, as sho~n in FIG. 42C protrusions 776 with a length which will, once the embers are assembled, slightly flex support plate 750 when residing at the trough~ e botto- of groove 766 of rear side 755. As shown in FIG. 42C, the rear~ard side 772 of support plate 750 is also fitted with a recessed shoulder 778 at opening 774. Additionally. the rearwart side 772 has, integrally for~ed with it, pivotable distal clevis me ber 657 ~ith legs 721, 723 protruding normally from its side on each . ~ ' - ~' ., , ~ 0 92/03293 PCT/US91/05984 1 side of opening 774. The next and final member of the present embodiment is rotatioDal coupling 752. As sho~n in FIG. 42 rotational coupling 752 consists of two cooperating fasteners:
shouldered scre~ 780 and shouldered coupling sleeve 782. Scre~
780 is insertable at the front side 754 of body 748 through opening 760 located at the bac~ plate 764 of T-slot 756. It should be noted that the T-slot 756 may be providet, at its center, ~ith an enlargement (not sho~n) in direct vertical alignment ~ith opening 760 in order to allow for the insertion of scre~ 780. Alternatively, scre~ 780 could be integrally formed in the body 748 projecting from rear side 755. Screw 780 cooperates ~ith internally threaded shouldered coupling sleeve 782 ~hich is insertable through opening 774 at the rear~ard side 772 of support plate 750. Upon the complete engage~ent of screw 780 aDd sleeve 782, body 748 is dra~n in a face-to-face and slightly flexet relationship ~ith support plate 750. The mutually facing oe~bers 748 and 750 are permitted to rotate relative to one another through the cooperation of smooth exterior side 786 of coupling sleeve 782 ~ith smooth side ~all 786 of openings 760 and 774 provided in body 748 and support plate 750, respectively. Additionally, through the further cooperative engage~ent of protrusions 776 ~ith detents 768 located at the bottom of groove 766 the rotatable docu~ent holder 746 is encouraged to be fi~edly positionable ~ith each quarter turn of vie~ing side 754. The ability of being fi~edly positionable is created through the ~utual cooperation of the rotating fle~ed state of ~upport plate 750 (and its protrusions 776) and the position of detents 768 formed in the rear side of body 748.
Thus the rotatable tocu-ent holder oe~ber 746 sho~n in FIGS.
42 through 42C ay be described as being rotatable about a z-a~is of,rotation running through tbe plate-li~e ue~ber 748, ~ith the front or vie~ing side 754 residing in an ~-r coortinate plane that is perpenticular to the z-axis of rotation 80 that the vie~ing side 754 of the docu ent holder correspondingly turns ~ithin the ~-y coordinate plane and is adjusted in position ~ithin the ~-y coordinate plane.

.

, ~ f~

1 Upon referring back to the aforesaid description of the essential members of attachable multi-positionable document holder 650, as seen in FIG. ~6, it is realized that the assembly of the members is accomplished in the following manner.
Basically all that is required is for the first and third members to be connected by the second member, biaxial positioning fitting 654. The first ~ember 652 is attached by inserting proximate dis~ 683 of biaxial positioning fitting 654 between legs 670 and 672 of proximate clevis 652, and securing the same through the mutual retaining cooperation of openings 685, aperture 694, shaft 695, having retaining head 696 and ~ingnut 698 previously described. The retaining means, head 696 and wingnut 698 provide for the attachment of members ~hile concurrently permitting pro~imate disk 683 to pivot about a y-axis of rotation.
Alternatively, the retaining means for securing the members could be rivet-li~e with a sleeve type fitting having crimped ends.
Other retaining means may be used as well. The aforementioned ; retaining means incorporates the frictional position holding assistance of tapered triangular prisms 686 of each inner side 681 of legs 670 and 672 and mutually cooperating tapered prisms 686 located on both sides 689 ant 690 of proxi~ate dis~ 683. It should be noted that the frictional cooperation of tapered leg and dis~ prisms 686 is just one of many means available for achieving the desired resistance between members. Alternatively, the mutually facing surfaces of the leg and dis~ ~embers could be provided ~ith other means kno~n in the art, such as: roughened opposing surfaces; a Teflon (TM) ~asher housed between the oppcsing surfaces, a circular ~asher baving a cylindrical shape in cross-section housed in, and slightly protruding from, a matched pair of receiving circular grooves; or, as disclosed in U.S.Patent 2,744,498, the upper and lo~er sides of each dis~, 683, 687 nay be forued ~ith a series of radial notches that are capable of being indexed with equally spaced radially arranged ribs projecting in~ardly from the inner facing planar sides 681, 717 of legs 670, 672 and 718,719, respectively. The just ~entioned alternative frictional engagement methods are also envisioned to be improved further through their application with devices ~hich are oanufactured using resilient plastic ~aterials.

.,,,~, ' ' :
, :

VO 92/03293 2 ~ ; PCT/US91/05984 1 From the previous description, and upon referring to FIG 36 once again, it is realized that tbe final assembly of attachable multi-positionable document holder device 650 is achieved si~ply by inserting and attaching distal dis~ 687 of biaxial positioning fitting 654 bet~een legs 718 and 719 of pivotable distal clevis 656 (or legs 721, 723 of rotatable document holder 746 of FIG
42C) The present assembly, sharing likeness to that previously ;~ described for attaching proxi~ate dis~ 683 of biaxial positioning fitting 654 to attachable proximate clevis 652, incorporates sioilar retaining and frictional engagement means, na~ely, shaft 720 having, mutually retaining means, head 724 and ~ingnut 726 The retaining ~eans, head 724 and wingnut 726 provide for the attachment of ~e~bers ~hile concurrently per~itting boty 728 ant consequently vie~ing side 730 of rotatable docu~ent holder 658 to pivot about an x-axis of rotation Consequently, upon joining these final members the assembly of attachable multi-positionable document holder 650 is complete thereby allo~ing for its attachoent to any suitable support e~ber such as multi-positionable docuoent support stand 2 of FIG 2, the combination of ~hich is sbo~n in FIG 35 Upon consitering the just mentioned feature ~hich provides for the vie~ing side 730 to pivot about the x-axis it is desirable to provide a means ~hich will allo~ for the fixet pivotal positioning of the vie~ing side at a specific position about the x-axis ~hile still allo~ing for the additional selective positioning of the vie~inq side about both the y and z ases A multi-positionable docunent holder ~hich incorporates this feature is illustrated in FIG 43 FIG 43 illustrates oulti- positionable and pivotally fisable docuoent holder 800 A
ne~ eobodi~eDt, ~hich is for-ed as an integral part of docuoent holder 800, provides for the ability to easily secure, ~ithout tightening, the vie~ing side at a fised position about the x-asis and is referred to as rotatable and pivotally fisable docu-ent holder e-ber 801 Rotatable and pivotally fisable docunent holder e-ber 801 includes a odified se~i-rigid support e-ber 808 having rac~ and pinion platform 802 Rac~ and pinion platfor- 802 incorporates and adds to the features of t~o previously discussed support oe bers of rotatable-docuoent holder s :
:
~, ~ : ' ' W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ rl ~ ~ PCT/US91/0 ~ ~

1 746, naoely, se~i-rigid support member 750 having pivotable distal clevis 657 integrally formed tberein and projecting from its rear~ard side 772 as illustrated in FIGS 42 and 42C
As shown in FIGS 43 and 43A multi-positionable and pivotally fixable document holder 800 is a new combination of elements ~hich incorporates many of the features of t~o previously discussed embotiments, namely, attachable multi-positionable document holder 650 and rotatable document holder member 658 illustrated in FIG 36 Thus the present embodiment ~ay be considered to have similarly identifiable elements which may be referred to as attacbable pro~imate clevis 803, biaxial positioning fitting 804, pivotable distal clevis 805, and rotatable and pivotally fi~able document holder member 801 Rotatable and pivotally fixable document holder member 801 includes plate-li~e body 807 and semi-rigid support member 808 Body 807 is for-ed similarly to previously discussed plate-like body 748 having a vie~ing side 809 with T-slot 810 integrally for-ed therein Similarly, rear side 811 of body 807 and front~ard side 812 of semi-rigid support plate 808 are formed as described previously for rear side 755 and frontward side 770 of rotatable holder 756 as illustrated in FIGS 42A and 42B The present improved feature is initially observed in FIG 43 and is identifiable as rac~ and pinion platform 802 Rac~ and pinion platfor~ 802 is formed as an integral member of semi-rigid support oe~ber 808 For the present discussion, and as shown in FIG 43A, rac~ and pinioD platform 802 may be considered to be a solid ~ounted on the rear~ard side 813 of semi-rigid support ~e-ber 808 Rear~ard side 813 is fitted ~ith pivotable distal clevis 805 ~hich includes a pair of legs 814 and 815, ~ith leg 814 being integrally foroed ~ith, and projecting noroally from, rear~ard side 813 Leg 815 also projects normally fro~ rear~ard side 8i3 being foroed as an integral ~e-ber of rac~ and pinion platfor~ 802 ~hich in turn is integrally for-ed ~ith rear~ard side 813 Being similar, in part, to the previously discussed leg e-bers of distal clevis 657 of rotatable holder 746, legs 814 aDd 815 ay also be fitted ~ith tapered triangular prisms 816 to encourage the frictional engage-ent of face-to-face oe-bers Legs 814 and 815 also have openings to allo~ for the attachoent , :

,-- ~o 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ Pcr/usgl/o5984 1 of a shaft member However, the present opening, as realized from FIG 43C, iD association with FIG 43B, modified opening 817, of leg 814, is formed differently from previously discussed opening 692 of clevis 657 Additionally, ~odified aperture 818 of modified distal dis~ 806, is formed differently from previously discussed aperture 710 of distal disk 68~ nodified opening 817 and modified aperture 818 are provided to acco~oda~e uinged shaft 819 the description of ~hich will be provided shortly FIG 43B illustrates an e~ploded view of multi-positionable and pivotally fi~able document holder 800 ~ith both ~inged shaft 819, and its, yet to be described, cooperating fixating means, reooved FIG 43B, in association witb FIGS 43A and 43D, presents the features of rac~ and pinion platform 802 The follo~ing description of the present e~bodiment will be presented in two parts The first part will describe the ~ain eleoents of rack and pinion platform 802, e~cept for the for~ and operation of control lever 829 which will follow in the second part Rac~ and pinioD platfor~ 802 is for~ed from a solid baving a reclining L-shape when vie~ed froo the side as sho~n jointly in FIGS 43 and 43B Platform 802 has a raised back side 820 Additionally, platfor~ 802 has a disk facing legged side 821 opposite an outer facing control side 822, and, as seen in FIG
43A, a pair of OppOSiDg tapered loDgitudiDal sides 823 and 824 ~hich intersect oppositely positioned sides 821 and 822 As best shown in FIG 43B, rack and pinion platfor~ 802 has two separate and distinct trough-li~e cutouts, gear well 826 and retaining niche 828 for-ed in the surface of back side 820, being setback slightly from outer faciDg control side 822 Additionally, rack aDd pinioD platfor~ 802 iDcludes a longitudinal ~odified bore 830 ~hich travels in a line parallel to, aDd slightly belo~, back side 820 froo the center of disk facing legged side 821 to a poiDt past retaiDiDg niche 828 which is positioned beyoDd ~ear well 826 She ter~ "~odified" ~hen uset ~ith the words opeDiDg, bore or aperture describes a circular openiDg ~hich has a receiviDg ~eyway 834 projecting froc its circumfereDce in order to accoo odate the insertioD of the projecting ~eyed eDgage~eDt sectioDs of ~inged shaft 819 as showD iD FIG 43C ~odified bore W O 92/03293 2 ~ ~ ~ 7 ~ ,~ 104 PCT/US91/~ ~ ~

1 830 is aligned to e~erge at the appro~i~ate center of sides 825, 827 (of gear well 826) and retaining ~alls 831, 833 ~of retaining niche 828) Additionally, as is realized from FIG 43C, modified opening 817 of leg 824, modified aperture 818 of modified disk 806, and modified bore 830 of platform 802 are each formed with a pair of oppositely disposed ~ey~ays 834 Key~ays 834 are provided to allo~ for the insertion and engagement of two separate paired ~ing~ e ~eyed engagement se~tions 841 and 842 ~hich protrude from the surface of winged shaft 819 As sho~n in FIG 43C, winged shaft 819 may be considered to be a modified version of previously discussed shaft 720 ~inged shaft 819 is formed from a cylindrical bar having a retaining end 838 opposite a threaded end 839 As is realized upon referrinq to FIG 43C, winged shaft 819 may be considered to have the follo~ing integrally formed separate sections circu~ferential retaining channel 840, first engage~ent section 841, second engagement section 842 and threaded end 839 ~ith each section separated by a smooth cylindrical segment of shaft 819 First engagement section 841 includes a pair of si~ilarly for~ed ~eys; ~eys 843 which are integrally for~ed with winged sbaft 819 and project from its cylindrical surface in a direction opposite to one another Li~ewise, second engagement section 842 also includes a pair of oppositely projecting ~eys 844 ~eys 843 and 844 are in align~ent ~ith one another ~hen viewed along the length of the shaft as illustrated in ~IG 43C The additional ~eobers that provide for the insertion and ~ounting of shaft 819 on rotatable and pivotally fixable holder 801 are retaining split ring 845, ~odified pinion 846 and tbreaded ~ingnut 84~ The participation of modified pinion 846 in providing for tbe fixable positioning of tbe instant invention, rotatable and pivotablly fixable document bolder 801, about the x-axis ~ill be described sbortly At this point in tbe description, and upon referring to FIGS 43B and 43C, the present eobodi~ent is ready for its initial asse-bly Tbe initial assembly of oulti-positionable and pivotally fixable docu-ent holder 800 is si~ilar to the aforeoentioned eobodioents in connecting attachable proxi-ate clevis 803 to biaxial positioning fitting 808 ~o~ever, as is realized fro~ tbe just~entioned, modifiet distal dis~ 806 of ,, .

2li~ ~J~ 7 VO 92/03293 ~' ~ PCT/US91/05g84 1 bia~ial fitting 804 is attached to the rotatable and pivotally fixable docu~ent holder ~ember 801 through the cooperation and engagement of winged shaft 819 ~inged shaft 819 is inserted in modified opening 817 of leg 814 aligning ~eys 843, 844 with receiving ~eyway 834 Li~ewise, shaft 819 passes through modified dis~ 806, and codified bore 830 aligning ~eys 843, 844 ~ith ~ey~ay 834 As the retaining end 838 of shaft 819 enters gear well 826 it travels through ~odified pinion opening 849 and continues through walls 827 and 831 ~ith retaining end 838 of shaft 819 being finally housed unrestrainet in retaining niche As is realized upon jointly viewing FI~S 439 and 43C, once aoain, upon its co~plete insertion in bore 830, shaft 819 is retained in the bore through the cooperation of retaining split ring 845 Retaining ring 845 is fitted to circu~ferential channel 840 of shaft 819 through the cooperation of retaining niche 828 which is accessible at rear~ard side 813 of rac~ ant pinion platfor~ 802 Accordingly, once shaft 819 is properly seated in the body of platform 802 the first and second engagecent sections of shaft 819 are cooperatingly engaged with their receiving oembers, namely, pinion 846 and distal disk 806, respectively As realized fro~ FIG 43, in association with FIG
43C, the final assembly of sbaft 819 on rotatable and pivotally fixable docuoent holder nember 801 is achieved through the threadable engaoe~eDt of threaded end 839 with wingnut 847 Once the members are drawn together, through the ti~htening of wingnut 847, shaft 819 and pinion 846 are fixedly positioned, with the remainino structure of rotatable holder 801 being frictionally encouraged to cooperate and to be ~aintained in a specific position about the shaft ~the x-axis) unless deliberately pivoted by the operator This specific frictional positioning ability, ho~ever, is i~proved dra atically by the addition of a final cooponent, control lever 829`, to rac~ and pinion platforo 802 Referring to FIG 43, in association with FIGS 43A and 43D, the final conponent of rac~ and pinion platform 802, control lever 82g is ob~erved Control lever 829 is oounted on platfor~
802 in order to allo~ for the engagenent of rac~ 846 and pinion 848, the enoaoe~ent of ~hich ~ill provide for securing a selected W O 92/03293 ~ 0 3 ~ 7 ~ PCT/USgl/05~R~

1 pivotal position of rotatable holder 801 about the x-axis.
Control lever 829 includes a planar, trapeziodally shaped hantle 832, having a top surface 835, opposite a bottom surface 836. As best seen in FIGS. 43 and 43A, bottom surface 836 has a pair of aligned pivotable ears 837, rigidly formed with, and disposed normally from, its surface 836. Each ear 837 has an aperture 851 for the insertion of pintle 853 to be described shortly. Control lever 829 further includes, at bottom surface 836, a rectangularly shaped, toothed rac~ meober 846 parallely ~ounted on the shorter trapeziodal side 855 and a se~i-rigid, planar, U-shaped spring 857 also attached to bottom surface 836. Rack 846 and spring 857 may be attached by such ~eans as glue or screws.
Alternatively, rac~ 846 and spring 857 oay be integrally for~ed in the bottom surface of handle 832. Toothed rack 846 is provided to oesh with the teeth of pinion 848 by means of the follo~ing additional structure. As illustrated jointly in FIGS.
43 and 43A, the raised bac~ side 820 of platform 802 is also provided ~ith an aligned pair of rigidly formed, nor~ally disposed ears 859 having apertures 861. Both pairs of ears 837 and 859 are aligned parallel to, and set back from, the longer parallel side 863 of handle 832. Ears 837 and 859 are positioned to allo~ for their utual attachment upon insertion of pintle 853 thru apertures 851 and 861. In order to mount handle 832 on platform 802 one simply places paired ears 837 and 859 in alignoent ~ith each other, coopresses spring 857 against raised bac~ side 820, inserts pintle 853 in apertures 851 and 861, and cri~ps each end of pintle 853. As is realized from ~IGS. 43 and 43D, once rotatable and pivotally fixable document holder 801 is completely asseobled, rac~ 846 constantly engages pinion 848 of fixed ~inged shaft 819, tbrough the agency of spring 857, thereby securing the pivotal position of vie~ing side 809 about the x-axis.
Accordingly, vie~ing side 809 ~ill reoain fixed in its pivotal position about tbe x-axis ~hile still being capable of being rotatable about both the y ant z axes unless deliberately disengaged and repositioned by the operator. Such repositioning is acco~plished si~ply by grasping handle 832 and body 807 ~ith one hand and pivoting the vie~ing side 809 to the desired : ` ' (-~VO 92/03293 107 2 ~ r~ i~ r~ ~ PCT/US91/05984 1 position about the ~-axis. Additionally, the operator has the option of fixating, or preventing, rotation about the y-axis by tightening wingnut 698 of proximate disk 683 tiscussed earlier.
It is also understood that rotation about the z-axis is also capable of being li~ited through tbe cooperation of previously discussed detents 768 and protrusions 7~6. It should be noted that the present e~bodi~ent proqides for a rotational range of 20re than 180 degrees in fixing the position of the present holders about the x-axis. The just~entioned ability allows for the viewing side to be secured firmly in a horizontal position whether it be below or above the operator. Consequently, the present device is quite useful for the attachment of an accessory device such as a tray or, alternatively, for being fi%ed in an overhead position, as called for when viewing tocuments from a reclining position.
Accordingly, it is can be appreciated that in considering rotatable and pivotally fixable tocu~ent holder 801 (and, consequently, multi-positionable and pivotally fixable document holder 800,) the rac~ and pinion feature of the present invention allo~s for the selective frictional rotation of the viewing side of holders 800 and 801 about both the y and z axes although the pivotal positioning about the x-axis is fixed.
At this point in the disclosure it is i~portant to review some particular ele~ental relationships of a previously discussed embodiment. In SU~oariZiDg so-e important features of attachable oulti-positionable docu~ent holder 650 it is realized that the holder oay be described as having a ~ultiple positioning ability about three axes of rotation even when ~ounted on a fixed support me~ber. The positioning ability of the attachable ~ulti-positioDable docunent holder 650 when attached to a stationary,fixed support ~ay be described as allowing its viewing side 730 to be independently positionable about three separate, perpendicularly intersecting, axes of rotation. The ~ulti-positionable document holder 650 may be described as peroitting its vie~ing side, which resides in an x-y coordinate plane, to be: independently, and fixedly, positionable in space about a y-axis of rotation; independently, and fixedly, positionable in space about an x-a~is of rotation; and independently, and W O 92t03293 PCT~US91~05~ -~
2~7``- 108 1 restrainably, positionable about a z-axis of rotation running through the plate-li~e body 728, (with the front or viewing side 730 residing in an x-y coordinate plane that is perpendicular to the z-axis of rotation) so that the vieving side 730 of the docu~ent holder correspondingly turns and is fixedly positionable ~ithin the x-y coordinate plane and is extendible in space along the z axis. Consequently, the multi- positionable document holder 650 of the present invention may be described as being positionably adjustable ~ithin tbree planes, namely, the x-y, y-z, and x-z coordinate planes.
It is of further i~portance to note that the relative position of the axes of rotation, and the i~mediate supportive location and function of the cooperating me~bers, contribute significantly to the unique positioning capabilities of the present invention. Namely, the support means for the y-axis of rotation (proxi~ate clevis 652) also supports the support oeans for the x-axis of rotation (distal clevis 656, Nith the cooperatioD of biaxial positioning fitting 654) uhich, in turn, supports tbe support means for the z-axis of rotation ~support plate 740). Additionally, it is of importance to note that since the initial support axis is about the y-axis the additional dependent structure (~hich is suspended from, and in the immediacy of, proxioate clevis 652) is encouraged to remain at its location about the y-axis through the mutual cooperation of the horizontally disposed legs 670 and 672 of proxi~ate clevis 652 and the force of gravity. The just oentioned structure requires little, if any, adjust~ent to re~ain in place about the y-axis ~hen supporting the additional axes of rotation of the present invention.
The follo~ing characteristics also apply to either one of the previously tiscussed ulti-positionable holders (holder 650, or holder 800) ~ben nouDted at a fixed, stationary, location: the distance bet~een the y-axis of rotation and the x-axis of rotation re-ains the sa~e, or constant, for an infinite number of supporting positions; the distance bet~een the z-axis of rotation and the x-a~is of rotation also remains the same, or constant, for an infinite nu~ber of supporting positions.

.. . .

:

2 ~ ~ i s;
,-~vo 92/03293 P~T/US91/05984 1 It naturally follo~s from the aforementioned that the positioning ability of the multi-positionable documen~ holders of the instant invention ~ill be increased even further upon attachment to a ~ovable, spatially projecting support arm li~e those disclosed earlier in the multi-positionable stands of the present invention It is of further interest to note that a holder such as attachable multi-positionable document holder 650 is capable of cooperating with an assort~ent of various document holders of the type disclosed by applicant in various pending and previously issuet patents The follo~ing patents ~Hegarty), which are herein incorporated by reference, tisclose various types of document holders ~hich are capable of cooperating ~ith attachable multi-positionable docuoent holder 650 U S Pat Nos 4,787,595 4,925,145; and 4,925,146 FIG 44 illustrates an example of a previously disclosed prior art docu~ent holder 850 A conventional loose-leaf binder 852, baving a binder oechanis~ 854 to hold pages or docu~ent 856, and a jac~et 858 having a front and back cover 860, 862 ~ith the binder mechanism 854 ~ounted on the inside surface of the jac~et at its spine 864, is ~otified to further include an elongated rail 865 uounted on the outside surface of the jac~et 858 at or near the spine 864 The elongated rail 865 has a T-shape in cross-section ~ith narro~ed aDd ~idened portions 866, 867 that correspont in di~eDsions to the ~idened and narro~ed portions 56, 54 (FIG 4A) of the T-slot for-ed in the vie~ing side 730 of oulti-positionable holder 650 ~hich is illustrated in FIG 36 She T-rail 865 ay include a bac~ plate 868 ouDted on the narro~ed portion 866 and spaced froo its ~idened portion 867 for ~ounting the rail on the loose-leaf binder jac~et, such as by gluing, fasteners or other ~eans Alternatively, the elongated T-rail 865 ay be integrally for~ed ~ith the jac~et 858 ~hen the docu ent holder is ade As disclosed in the aforeoentioned patents the looseleaf ~5 binter type docu ent holder 850 of FIG 44 is re~ovably ~ountable on the vie~ing side of a docu ent holder, li~e that of nulti-positionable holder 650 illustratet in FIGS 36 and 40, by sliding its T-rail 865 through the e~posed end of T-slot 734 .
~ ,, W O 92/03293 ~ PCT/US91/0 l until the document holder is centered on the viewing side 730 or abuts the terminatet end of the T-slot 734. Thus the mounted document holder 850 may be repositioned by the reader to different viewing dispositions simply by rotating and~or repositioning multi-positionable document holder 650.
In yet another form of the present invention an improved type of document holder is provided. The present docu~ent holder 869 is an improvement over document holder 850 of FIG. 44. The improved embodiment provides for a mountable loose-leaf binder which is not only fitted with a cooperating engaging member but also allows for a conventional surface on the cover's exterior.
FIG. 45 illustrates an interiorly modified document holder 869 of the loose-leaf binder type which is provided with a cooperating engagement me~bèr fitted on the inside of the holder's c~ver. As shown in FIGS. 45 and 45A, the document holder is of the type which has its binder mechanism 854 mounted on the inner back side 882 of the holder's cover 871. Consequently, it is desirable to affix a segmented T-rail 872 on the inner front side 870 of the holder's cover along its spine 874. The T-rail 872 is divided i 20 into two sections 876 and 877 with a common bac~ plate 878. Thet~o sections are positioned so that their respective ends are iD
a line which lies between a pair of the binder rings 879.
Consequently, the sections 876 and 877 are not aligned with the binder's rings 879 and allow the cover to close without interfering with the rings 879. In order to ~aintain the cover i in an open position a Velcro (TM) dual faced fastener 880 is attacbed to the inside of the bac~ cover 882 with a mating hoo~
and loop fastener 884 on the inside of the front cover 870. As shown in FIG. 45B, the fastener holds tbe cover opeD, and positions the segmented T-rail 872 for mounting on any of the previously disclosed stands having a slotted viewing side which cooperates with utually engagable document holders.
Additionally, it is understood that the present embodiment may include a latching means which allows for the further engagement of the cooperating e bers. The details for such latching means are disclosed in previous and pending applications of a present applicant, the disclosures of which have been previously referred to, and which are herein incorporated by reference to U.S. Pat.

... . . .. . .

~-'VO 92/03293 2 ~ ~?~ J~ pCT/US91/05984 111 1 No. 4,925,146. Alternatively, the document holder 869 may ~e provided ~ith an attachable Velcro ~TM) 886 type cooperative engaging means on the inside of its front cover as also illustrated in FIG. 45. The attachable Velcro (TM) hoo~ and loop fastener 886 engaging oeans cooperates ~ith a viewing side fitted with a receiving Velcro (T~) hoo~ an loop fastener 932 engaging means for mounting a supporting document holder, such as multi-purpose and multi-positionable document holder 4 illustrated in FIG. 1.
At this time, an even further improved document support device is herein discloset. The incorporation of many of the features of the present multi-purpose docu~ent support stand 890 with the above oentioned forms of the present invention provides for an assortment of various document support devices ~hich are extremely versatile and unique.
Referring to FIG. 46, in association ~ith FIGS. 46A, 46B and 46C, of the dra~ings, it ~ill be seen that a multi-purpose document support stand 890, constructed in accordance with another form of the present invention, includes a planar, plate-like body 892 ~hich is rectangular in form. The planar, plate-li~e body 892 includes a front viewing side 894 and a rear side 896 opposite the front vie~ing side. The plate-like body 892 of the multi-purpose stand is formed in a plurality of sections, including a oain section 898 having opposite first and second lateral sides 900, 902 and at least one side section.
Preferably, the plate~ e body includes first and second side ~ections 904, 906. The first side section 904 is mounted on the first lateral side 900 of the main section 898 and is rotatable ~ith respect to the oain section. Similarly, the second side section 906 is mounted on the second lateral side 902 of the main ~ection and is rotatable ~ith respect to the main section. Each of the oain section 898, first side section 904, and secont side section 906, includes a front side and a rear side opposite the front side.
Any ~ecbanis~ ~hich allo~s the side sections 904, 906 to be rotatably ounted on the ~ain section 898 is suitable for use.
For e~ample, as sho~n in FIG. 46C, each side section may include a pin 908 e~tending from its lateral side adjacent to the ' ' .
.

W O 92/03293 ~CT/US91/05~
- 2 ~ 112 1 respeetive first and second lateral sides of the main section 898 The pins 908 may include an enlarged free end 910 so that they may be press fitted into and captively received by a bore 912 formed in the lateral edges of the main section Alternatively, the receiving bores 912 may be at least partially formed in a recessed portion 914 of the rear side of the main section The pins 908 are at least partially received by the bores 912 and held in place by bloc~s 916 mounted in recesses definet by portions 914 and secured to the main section by screws 918 or the li~e As shown in FIGS 1, the body 892 of the present embodiment may be adapted to be supported by previously described stand 2, as ~ell as other support devices described herein Alternatively, the body may be supported by a ~ide selection of currently available support devices including that which is described in copending application entitled nulti-Purpose Document Support Stand, filed January 17, 1991, and ~hich is herein incorporated by reference The detailed description ~hich is tisclosed in the forenamed copending application is herein included in, for the most part, and may be identified as that which is discloset in relation to the present emboti~ent being described in FIGS 46, 46A, 46B, and 46C
As sho~n in FIGS 46 and 46A, the document support stand includes a conventional, double-arm multi-function support brac~et 920 Such brac~ets are typically used for supporting a s~ing arm type lamp aver a des~ top, drafting table or the li~e, and are usually mounted at the edge of the des~ or table Such a support brac~et 920 is used on the s~in~-arm lamp Model No 173-7500, manufactured by Electrix, Inc Such a support arm is disclosed in U S Patent No 4,925,146, mentioned previously As is realized froo FIG 46A, the planar, plate-li~e body 892 is mounted on the support brac~et 920, preferabl~ at the center of the rear side 896 of the main section, in the anner disclosed in the afore-entioned patent In this manner, a docu ent holder, sucb as the loose-leaf binder type tocu-ent holders 850, or 869, previously discussed and illustrated in FIGS 44 and 45, respectively, or the li~e, secured to the docu~ent support stand may be suspended above the ~or~place and ,.............. . . .
`f ,`, .; .
;'` .
. . , ~` .' ' ~ .
' ~.

VO g2/03293 113 2 ~ ~ 9 7 1 PCr/US91tO5984 1 may be adjusted both in viewing angle and in its rotation. The support brac~et 920 allows the plate~ e body 892 to be rotated and positioned in a selectable angular disposition about a z-axis of rotation in order to position the viewing side 894 and a - 5 tocument holder, such as holder 850, mounted on the viewing sidein one of a number of selectable vie~ing positions. The vie~ing side of the plate-li~e body 892 resides in an x-y coordinate plane, ~hich is perpendicular to the z-axis of rotation. The support bracket 920 allo~s the plate-li~e body to be rotated about the z-axis of rotation so that the viewing side of the body may be correspontingly turned ~ithin the x-y coordinate plane and adjusted in position within the x-y coordinate plane.
Alternatively, as illustrated by FIG. 46B of the drawings, the document support stand may include a supporting device in the form of a triangular or pyramidal bloc~ 922 or an L-shaped brac~et (not sho~n), to allo~ the document support stand to be mounted on a des~ top, drafting table or the li~e. In such a ~ case, the docu~ent support stand would include a pinion 924 and a; flange 926 mounted on an end of the pinion to which the rear side896 of the main section 898 of the plate-li~e body is mounted.
The pinion 924 is rotatably received in a bore 928 formed in the desk top supporting device 922 to allow the plate-li~e body 892 to be rotated ~ith respect to the supporting device.
Each of the first side section 904, main section 898 and second side section 906 includes various types of mounting mechanisms for re~ovably mounting a document holder 850, such as ; a loose-leaf binder or the li~e, on the plate~ e body. For exa~ple, the first side section 904 includes one or more Velcro (TM) hoo~ and loop fastening strips 932 disposed on its front side. Similarly, the main section 898 and the second side ! section 906 includes such fasteners 932 mounted on their front sides. Accordingly, ~hen the first and second side sections 904, 906 are positioned in relation to the ~ain section 898 such that the front sides of all three ~ections constitute the front vie~ing side 894 of the plate~ e body, a series of spaced apart, parallel hoo~ and loop fastening strips 932 are disposed across the vie~ing side of the plate-li~e body as sho~n in FIG.
46.

' .,: , ., ~, - W O 92/03293 2 0 8 9 7 1'~ PCT/US91/0 1 The hook and loop fasteners 932 will allo~ a document holder 850, such as a loose-leaf binder or the like, having correspondingly mating hook and loop fasteners 934 mounted on the front or rear jac~et or spine of the document holder to be removably mounted on the front viewing side 894 of the document support stand and held in place on the front side in various dispositions that the plate~ e body 892 is placed for viewing by the user. Alternatively, mating hook and loop fasteners may be mounted on the inside of the holder, such as fasteners 886 being placed on the inside front cover 870 of modified holder 869, as previously discussed and as illustrated in FIG. 45. The plurality of hook and loop fastening strips 932 disposed across the front viewing side of the plate~ e body will allow various sized document holders to be mounted on the document support stand.
Upon viewing FIG. 46, in association ~ith FIG. 46C, it is observed that a second type of mounting device is secured to the rear side of the first side section 904. This second type of mounting device may be a resilient or spring biased clip 936 or the li~e. The first side section 904 may be rotated such that its rear side constitutes part of the front viewing side 894 of the plate~ e body 892 so that the spring clip 936 is exposed and situated on the front viewing side of the plate-like body.
Accordingly, a user may attach a document, or document holder, to the front viewing side of the plate-li~e body by using the spring clip.
Similarly, the second side section 906 may be rotated with respect to the main section 898 of the plate-li~e body such that another form of a ounting device, such as a support ledge 938 for a document holder formed as a plate mounted on and protruding normally from the rear side of the second side section, constitutes part of the front rie~ing side 894 of the plate-li~e body 892. Accordingly, the user of the document stand may rest a document holder on the support ledge 938, if desired.
Tbe main ~ection 898 of the plate~ e body preferably includes aDother form of a ounting device for removably mounting a document holder, for example, document holder 850 of FIG. 44, on the body. Such a mounting device is in the form of aD

~ VO 92/03293 2 0 8 9 7 ~ ,i PCrtUS9l/05984 1 elongated brac~et ~hich is C-shaped in cross-section, as also previously referred to and illustrated in FIG 4, ~hich bracket defines a T-shaped slot having at least one e~posed open end The C-bracket is mounted on the front side of the main section Alternatively, and as sho~n in FIG 46, the main section 898 may itself define a slot 939 by forming the same directly in the thi~kness of the main section 898 on the front side of the main section The slots and slot defining structures such as the C-bracket are disclosed in the before mentioned of the present application and in the aforementioned U S Patent No 4 925,146 The C-bracket or other structure which defines the T-slot may include mutually diverging sides 940 near the open end of the slot to facilitate the insertion of a cooperating elongated rail member 865 formed ~ith a T-shape in cross-section The T-rail 865 constitutes part of the document holder, and may be oounted on the spine or jacket of the document holder, such as the loose-leaf binder-type document holder 850 shown in FIG 44 Alternatively, as shown in FIG 45, a segoented T-rail 872 may be placed on the inner side of the holder's cover as sho~n in docuoent holder 869 The T-rail engaging oeans of document holder 850, or 869, is received by the T-slot 939 of the plate-like body 892 so that the document holder ~ay be removably ounted on the front viewing side 894 of the plate-li~e body and positioned in various aDgular dispositions by the user To ensure that a document holder 850, or 869, having a T-rail and oounted on the ain section of the plate-like body 892 in the S-slot 939 re~ains secured to the docuoent support stand, that is, to help prevent the docuJent holder from being removed from the stand or inadvertently sliding out of the open end of the slot 939, the docuoent support stand oay include a latch for selectively opening and closing the open end of the slot ~ore specifically, as sho~n in FIG 46C, in association ~ith FIG 46, a channel 942 is for~ed in the oain section 898 of the plate-like body and e~tends transversely ~ith respect to the T-slot 939 foroed in the oain section The channel 942 oay e~tend across the slot, and houses an elongated bar 944 ~hich slides in the channel and which may be selectively positioned across the slot 939 near its open end A ~nob 946 ounted on the elongated bar W O 92/03293 2 0 8 9 7 1~ PCT/US91/0 ~ 4 1 944 extends through a slotted opening 948 formed in the rear side 896 of the main section. The user may grasp the ~nob to slide the latch bar 944 to close off the open end of the T-slot 939.
The latch mechanism, which may be frictionally fitted, will prevent the T-rail 865 of a document holder from inadvertently sliding out of the open end of the T-slot formed in tbe plate-li~e body 892. The justmentioned latching mechanism is an alternative to the previously referred to latching cooperating ~eans disclosed in U.S.Patent No. 4,925,146 ~Hegarty) which may also be incorporated in the justmentioned embodiment.
To prevent each of the first and second side sections 904, 906 from rotating 360 degrees with respect to the main body section 898, each site section includes a tab 950 extending outwardly from a lateral side thereof which is adjacent to the respective first and second lateral sides 900, 902 of the main section, and the main section includes recessed portions 952 of its rear side surface to define recesses that are dimensioned and positioned with respect to the tabs 950 of the first and second side sections 904, 906 so as to receive the tabs as the side sections are rotated with respect to the main section of the plate~ e boty. The tabs 950 and COOperatiDg recessed portions 952 of the maiD section allow the side sections 904, 906 to be rotated 180 degrees with respect to the main section 898 so that either the front or rear side of each side section may be positioned with respect to the oain section so as to constitute a portion of the front viewing side 894 of the plate~ e body 892.
Each tab 950 and each recessed portion 952 may further include Velcro ~T~) hoo~ and loop fasteners 954 ~ounted thereon to ensure tbat the first and second side sections 904, 906 are held in a desired position with respect to the oain section 898.
As is evident from the structures described above and shown in the drawings, the multi-purpose document support stand 890 is mechanically si-ple, with few co-ponents, and is easily oanufactured. The stand is reatily available to hold a document, or a wide assort~ent of cooperating document holders, such as conventional or odified loose-leaf binders, boo~s, or the li~e, in a variety of ways. ~ach of the various types of mounting mechanisms provided on the docu~ent support stand may be : . . . .
~ ' :

.

~Vo 92/03293 2 0 8 9 7 ~- ~ PCr/US91/~S984 1 individually utilized and repositioned so as not to interfere ~ith use of another mounting de~ice on the stand As can be seen from the drawings, si~ mounting mechanisms, four of Nhich are different in type, are provided on the ~ulti-purpose document support stand The features of the aforementioned multi-purpose stand 890 may be incorporated in many o the stands of the present invention As sho~n in FIGS 47 and 47A, when the features of the body 892 of multi-purpose stand 890 are incorporated in the structure of the herein and previously described relocatable copyholder 522 of FIG 28, a ne~ embodiment, symmetrically functional, relocatable multi-purpose copyholder 956 is created By providing top and bottom rotatable side sections 90S and 907 respectively, with suitable mounting means, such as bias clip 936 ant support ledge 938, symmetrically relocatable multi-purpose copyholder 956 is created having (li~e previously disclosed symmetrical copyholder 549 illustrated in FIG 29) front, first mounting side 957 opposite rear, second mounting side 959 As is realized from FIGS 47 and 47A the bias clip 936 and/or the support letge 938 may be repositioned from either of the first or second mounting sides 957 or 959 respectively to the other of the second or first mounting sites 957 or 959 respectively Relocatable multi-purpose copyholder 956, being somewhat similar to previously describet relocatable copyholder 522, may incorporate a T-slot 958 within each of its mounting sides The displacement of the mounting means 936 and 938 to either mounting side 957 or 959 relative to the fi~ed position of the support flange 960 allo~s for the use of the device ~hen placed to the left or to tbe right of the vie~er Atditionally, as sho~n in FIG 48, ~hen much of the structure of boty 892 of multi-purpose stand 890 is combined ~ith many of the features and structure of the herein and previously described attachable multi-positionable document holder 650, another ne~ e bodi-ent, attachable multi-purpose and multi-positionable docu-ent holder 4 is created FIG 48 utilizes the same reference nu erals as those previously discussed in e bodiments 650 and 890 in order to illustrate the fact that the present e~bodiment, attachable multi-purpose and multi-W O 92/03293 ~ 0 8 9 71'~ P~CT/US91/osr~

l positionable document holder 4 incorporates these features in creating a new combination of elements that provides for a rather versatile support device. It is realized from the aforementioned, and in association with ~IG. l, that the present embodiment not only provides for the symmetrical spatial positioning of documents but also provides for the rotatable mounting and positioning of a wide variety for cooperatingly engagable document holders as well.
In consideration of the aforementioned it is realized that the present invention allows for the creation of a wite variety of document support stands and document holders having means of support and positioning ability which are significant improvements over the current state of the art for supporting documents. The symmetrical features which have been disclosed herein provide for document support stands which may be described as being: symmetrically formed, symmetrically positionable, and, symmetrically functional.
As is evident from the structures described and shown in the drawings, the document support stands are mechanically simple, with few components, and capable of being easily manufactured, with each adapted to receive and hold a document, or document holder in a number of viewing positions. Though the document support stands of the present invention are envisioned to be highly suitable for an all plastic fabrication they may be also be formed from other materials such as sheet metal or wood.
Although illustrative embodi-ents of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not li~ited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications ~ay be effected therein by one s~illed in the art ~ithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

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Claims (66)

AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 2 March 1992 (02.03.92);
original claims 1, 3, 5, 7-16, 20, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30-32, 35, 40-43 and 48 amended;
new claims 51-66 added; remaining claims unchanged (14 pages)]

1. A multi-positionable article support stand which comprises:
a main support body, the main support body having a member relocating side; and a multi-positionable projecting arm member, the arm member having a distal end, the arm member being pivotally attached to the main support body; and a relocatable support bracket member, first arm support means for supporting the arm member on the bracket, the first arm support means being formed in the bracket; and means for removably mounting the support bracket member on the main support body, the bracket member mounting means being situated on the main support body at the relocating side thereof to allow the bracket member to be mounted on the relocating side; and the relocatable support bracket member including means for engagably cooperating with the support bracket member mounting means of the main support body;
the support bracket member mounting means including member relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate the relocatable bracket member to a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the member relocating side of the body to allow the relocatable bracket member to cooperate with the main support body and the arm member in fixedly supporting the distal end of the projecting arm member at a multiplicity of fixed spatial locations.

2. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 1, wherein the member mounting means includes means defining an elongated slot situated on the relocating side of the body, the slot defining means forming the slot with a substantially "T" shape in cross-section, and with a narrowed portion and a widened portion communicating with the narrowed portion.

3. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 1, wherein the relocating side of the main support body resides in a y-z coordinate plane which is perpendicular to a horizontal x-axis of support, and wherein the first arm support means is disposed normally to the relocating side of the main support body, the first arm support means including a support surface, the support surface having a plurality of locations for supporting the multi-positionable projecting arm member in order to provide for the further selective positioning and fixed support of the distal end of the arm member along the horizontal x-axis of support.

4. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 3, wherein the main support body is formed as a one piece, rectangular right prism having a front member relocating side opposite a rear side.

5. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 1, wherein the support member mounting means includes means defining an elongated slot formed in the relocating side of the body, the slot defining means forming the slot with a substantially "T" shape in cross-section, and with an outer narrow portion outwardly disposed on the surface of the relocating side, and a widened portion inwardly disposed from the surface of the relocating side.

6. A multi-positionable support stand as defined by claim 5, wherein the slot defining means includes a back plate, a pair of side plates joined to the back plate on opposite transverse edges thereof and extending perpendicularly from the back plate and on the same side thereof, and a pair of inwardly facing arms, each arm being joined to a respective side plate, the arms being in spaced apart relationship to define therebetween the narrowed portion of the elongated slot, and being spaced apart from the back plate so that the arms and the back plate define therebetween the widened portion of the elongated slot, the back plate being inwardly disposed from the surface of the relocating side to allow the slot defining means to reside flush with, and inwardly disposed from, the member relocating side.

7. A multi-positionable article support stand which comprises:
a main support body member, the main support body having a first, front member relocating side: and a relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member, the arm member having a distal end; and a relocatable support bracket member, first arm support means for supporting the arm member on the bracket, the first arm support means being formed in the bracket member; and means for removably mounting the relocatable arm and bracket members on the main support body, the relocatable member mounting means being situated on the body at the relocating side thereof to allow the relocatable members to be mounted on the relocating side;
the relocatable members including means for engagably cooperating with the member mounting means of the main support body member;
the relocatable member mounting means including member relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate the relocatable members to a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the member relocating side of the main support body to allow the relocatable members to cooperate with the main support body in fixedly supporting the distal end of the projecting arm member at a multiplicity of fixed spatial locations.

8. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 7, wherein the proximate end of the multi-positionable projecting arm member is pivotal about a y-axis of rotation, and wherein the relocating side of the main support body resides in a y-z coordinate plane which is perpendicular to a horizontal x-axis of support, and wherein the first arm support means is disposed normally to the relocating side of the main support body, the first arm support means including a support surface, the support surface having a plurality of locations for supporting the multi-positionable projecting arm member in order to provide for the further selective positioning and fixed support of the distal end of the arm member along the horizontal x-axis of support.

9. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 7, wherein the relocating means includes means defining an elongated slot formed in the relocating side of the body, the slot defining means forming the slot with a substantially "T" shape in cross-section, and with an outer narrow portion outwardly disposed on the surface of the relocating side, and a widened portion inwardly disposed from the surface of the relocating side.

10. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 8, wherein the main support body is formed as a one piece, rectangular right prism having the front relocating side opposite a rear side.

11. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 10, wherein the relocating means includes means defining an elongated slot formed in the relocating side of the body.

12. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 11, wherein the main support body is formed further to include a right angled member having a first and a second panel section normally disposed to one another, and wherein the first member relocating side resides in a front side of the second panel section.

13. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 12, wherein the main support body is formed further to include a symmetrically formed one piece member having a third panel section oppositely positioned on, and normally disposed to, the first panel section, the third panel section including a second, front member relocating side.

14. A multi-positionable article support stand which comprises:
a main support body member, the support body having a first, front member relocating side; and a relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member, the arm member having a distal end; and means for removably mounting the arm member on the main support body, the arm member mounting means being situated on the body at the relocating side thereof to allow the arm member to be mounted on the relocating side;
the arm member including means for engagably cooperating with the member mounting means of the main support body member;
the arm member mounting means including member relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate the arm member to a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the member relocating side of the main support body to allow the distal end of the multi-positionable projecting arm member to be fixedly positioned at a plurality of locations in space.

15. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 14, wherein the relocating side of the main support body resides in a y-z coordinate plane which is perpendicular to a horizontal x-axis of support thereby providing for the distal end of the multi-positionable arm to pivot about the x-axis and to be fixedly supported at a plurality of spatial locations along a plane which is parallel to the y-z coordinate plane.

16. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 15, wherein the main support body is formed as a one piece, rectangular right prism having the front relocating side opposite a rear side.

17. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 16, wherein the multi-positionable projecting arm member includes telescoping means.

18. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 16, wherein the relocatable and multi-positionable arm member is a projecting joined member, and wherein the joined member includes a support bracket having first arm support means normally disposed to the member relocating side of the stand.

19. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 18, wherein the proximate end of the projecting joined arm member is pivotal about a y-axis of rotation, and wherein the first arm support means includes a support surface having a plurality of fixedly supportive locations for supporting the multi-positionable projecting arm member in order to allow for the further selective positioning and fixed supportive location of the distal end of the projecting arm member along the horizontal x-axis of support.

20. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 16, wherein the main support body is formed further to include a right angled member having a first and a second panel section normally disposed to one another, and wherein the relocating means is symmetrically formed and resides in a front side of the second panel section thereby allowing the main support body to be symmetrically functional when repositioned.

21. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 20, wherein the multi-positionable projecting arm member is a joined member having projecting means pivotable about a y-axis of rotation, and wherein the joined member includes a support bracket having first arm support means normally disposed to the member relocating side of the stand, and wherein the bracket further includes second arm support means opposite the first arm support means, to allow the joined arm member to cooperate in fixedly supporting the distal end of the arm member whenever the arm member is selectively mounted, to either side of an operator, on a symmetrically functional main support body.

22. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 21, wherein the first arm support means includes a support surface having a plurality of fixedly supportive locations, and wherein the second arm support means also includes a plurality of fixedly supportive locations.

23. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 16, wherein the main support body is symmetrically formed and includes a second member relocating side, the second relocating side residing on a side opposite to the first member relocating side.

24. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 23, wherein the multi-positionable projecting arm member is formed as a projecting joined arm member, and wherein the distal end of the projecting arm member is pivotable further about a y-axis of rotation.

25. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 20, wherein the main support body is formed further to include a symmetrically formed one piece member having a third panel section oppositely positioned, and normally disposed to the first panel section, the third panel section including a second, front member relocating side.

26. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 25, wherein the multi-positionable projecting arm member is formed as a projecting joined arm member, and wherein the distal end of the projecting arm member is pivotable further about a y-axis of rotation.

27. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 25, wherein the main support body is formed in a casing of a video display monitor, and having the first and second member relocating sides residing on opposite sides of the monitor.

28. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 27, wherein the multi-positionable projecting arm member is formed as a projecting joined arm member, and wherein the distal end of the projecting arm member is pivotable further about a y-axis of rotation.

29. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 28, wherein the projecting joined arm member includes telescoping means.

30. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 28, wherein the the stand is absent tensioning means.

31. A main support video display monitor for removably mounting a relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member thereon, which comprises:
a video display monitor, the monitor including a main support body having a casing, a first member relocating side, the member relocating side residing in the monitor casing; and means for removably mounting a relocatable and multi-positionable arm member on the monitor, the arm member mounting means being situated on the monitor at the relocating side thereof to allow the arm member to be mounted on the relocating side;
the arm member mounting means including member relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate and fixedly support a multi-positionable projecting arm member at a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the member relocating side of the monitor.

32. A main support video display monitor as defined by claim 31, wherein the monitor casing further includes a second member relocating side, the second relocating side residing on a side of the monitor opposite to that of the first member relocating side.

33. A main support video display monitor as defined by claim 31, wherein the main support body includes tilting means.

34. A main support video display monitor as defined by claim 33, wherein the main support body includes stabilizing means.

35. In combination:
a relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member, and a main support video display monitor for removably mounting the relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member thereon;
the main support video display monitor including a video display monitor, the monitor including a main support body having a casing, a first member relocating side, the member relocating side residing in the monitor casing;
means for removably mounting the relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member on the monitor, the arm member mounting means being situated on the monitor at the relocating side thereof to allow the arm member to be mounted on the relocating side, the arm member mounting means including member relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate and fixedly support the multi-positionable projecting arm member at a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the member relocating side of the main support body;
the relocatable and multi-positionable projecting arm member including a distal end, and means for engagably cooperating with the member mounting means of the main support body member to allow the distal end of the multi-positionable arm member to be fixedly positioned at a plurality of projected locations in space.

36. The combination defined by claim 35, wherein the monitor casing further includes a second member relocating side, the second relocating side residing on a side of the monitor opposite to that of the first member relocating side.

37. The combination defined by claim 35, wherein the relocatable multi-positionable projecting arm member is a projecting joined arm member.

38. The combination defined by claim 35, wherein the main support body includes tilting means.

39. The combination defined by claim 38, wherein the main support body includes stabilizing means.

40. The combination defined by claim 35, wherein the arm member is a joined member having projecting means pivotable further about a y-axis of rotation, and wherein the joined member includes a support bracket having first arm support means normally disposed to the member relocating side of the monitor, and wherein the bracket member further includes second arm support means opposite the first bracket support means, to allow the joined arm member to cooperate in fixedly supporting the distal end of the arm member on both the first and second member relocating sides of a symmetrically functional main support video display monitor.

41. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus which comprises:
a planar, plate-like body having a front viewing side and a rear side opposite the front side; and means for removably mounting a document on the body, the document mounting means being situated on the body at the viewing side thereof; and means for rotatably supporting the plate-like body and for positioning the body in a selectable angular disposition about a plurality of axes of rotation, the body being mounted on the body supporting means on the rear side thereof;
wherein the means for rotatably supporting the plate like body includes bi-axial positioning means, the positioning means having second, distal mounting means coaxial with a second, x-axis of rotation, and third, proximate mounting means coaxial with a third, y-axis of rotation;
the distal mounting means being rigidly connected to the proximate mounting means, the distal mounting means being pivotally attached to the rear side of the body to allow the viewing side to be independently positionable about the second, x-axis of rotation; and a proximate support means;
the proximate mounting means being pivotally attached to the proximate support means to further allow the viewing side to be independently positionable about the third, y-axis of rotation.

42. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus as defined by claim 41, wherein the bi-axial positioning means includes a one piece bi-axial member in the immediacy of the rear side of the plate-like body.

43. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus as defined by claim 41, wherein the distal mounting means includes control means, the control means absent a rotatable adjustment member, the control means including means to selectively fixate the rotational position of the viewing side of the plate-like body about the second, x-axis of rotation.

44. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus as defined by claim 43, wherein the control means includes a pivoting control lever.

45. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus as defined by claim 44, wherein the control means further in includes rack and pinion means.

46. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus as defined by claim 41, wherein the body supporting means further includes means for rotatably supporting the plate-like body and for positioning the body in a selectable angular disposition about a first, z-axis of rotation, the body being mounted on the body supporting means on the rear side thereof, wherein the body may be rotated on the supporting means to additionally allow for the independent positioning of the viewing side and a document mounted thereon in one of a number of selectable viewing positions about the z-axis of rotation, the viewing side residing in an x-y coordinate plane which is perpendicular to the z-axis of rotation.

47. A multi-positionable document holder apparatus as defined by claim 46, wherein the bi-axial positioning means is a one piece member in the immediacy of the rear side of the plate-like body.

48. A multi-purpose document support stand for removably mounting a document thereon, which comprises:
a planar, plate-like body having a front viewing side and a rear side opposite the front side, the plate-like body being formed in a plurality of sections and including a main section having opposite first and second lateral sides, the first and second lateral sides having first and second lateral edges respectively, a first side section, the first side section being mounted on the first lateral side of the main section and the first side section having a front side and a rear side opposite the front side; and first mounting means for removably mounting a document on the body, the first mounting means being disposed on one of the front side and the rear side of the first side section; and second mounting means for removably mounting a document on the body, the second mounting means being disposed on the front side of the main section;
the first side section being rotatable with respect to the first lateral side about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the first lateral edge of the main section, the first side section being adapted to rotate between a first position in which the first mounting means is selectively disposed on the front viewing side of the plate-like body, and a second position in which the first mounting means is selectively disposed on the rear side of the body; and means for supporting the plate-like body, the body being mounted on the body supporting means on the rear side thereof.

49. A multi-purpose document support stand for removably mounting a document holder thereon, which comprises:

50. A multi-purpose document support stand as defined by claim 49, which further comprises a second side section, the second side section being mounted on the second lateral side of the main section and being rotatable with respect thereto about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the second lateral edge of the main section, the second side section having a front side and rear side opposite the front side, the second side section including fourth mounting means for removably mounting a document holder on the body, the fourth mounting means being disposed on one of the front side and the rear side of the second side section, the second side section being rotatable between a first position in which the fourth mounting means is selectively disposed on the front viewing side of the plate-like body, and a second position in which the fourth mounting means is selectively disposed on the rear side of the plate-like body.

51. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 1, wherein the member mounting means includes means defining an elongated slot situated on the relocating side of the body.

52. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 3, wherein the main support body is formed as a one piece, rectangular right prism having a front member relocating side opposite a rear side, and wherein the support member mounting means includes means defining an elongated slot formed in the relocating side of the body.

53. A multi-positionable article support stand as defined by claim 52, wherein the slot defining means forms the slot with a substantially "T" shape in cross-section, and with an outer narrow portion outwardly disposed on the surface of the viewing side, and a widened portion inwardly disposed from the surface of the viewing side.

54. The combination defined by claim 35, wherein the arm member includes telescoping means.

55. A symmetrically functional article support stand which comprises:
a main support body, the body having a mounting side, means for supporting the mounting side; and a projecting arm member; and means for removably mounting the arm member on the body, the arm member mounting means being situated on the body at the mounting side thereof to allow the arm member to be mounted on the mounting side;
the arm member including means for engagably cooperating with the mounting means of the body;
the arm member mounting means being symmetrically formed to allow the stand to be symmetrically functional when the arm member is selectively mounted on the body.

56. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 55, wherein the arm member includes telescoping means.

57. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 55, wherein the arm member includes a projecting distal end, and wherein the arm member mounting means includes relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate the arm member to a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the mounting side of the body to allow the arm member to cooperate with the body in fixedly supporting the distal end of the arm member at a plurality of fixed spatial locations.

58. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 57, wherein the arm is a multi-positionable member capable of pivoting its distal end about at least one axis of rotation.

59. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 57, wherein the arm is a multi-positionable member capable of pivoting its distal end about two axes of rotation.

60. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 59, wherein the arm member includes telescoping means.

61. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 55, wherein the arm member mounting means includes means defining an elongated slot situated on the mounting side of the body.

62. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 61, wherein the arm member engaging means for cooperating with the mounting means of the body includes a rail member having a widened portion and a narrowed portion, the rail member being slidably received by the slot of the slot defining means.

63. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 62, wherein the arm member includes a projecting distal end, and wherein the arm member mounting means includes relocating means, the relocating means including means to engagably relocate the arm member to a plurality of fixed supportive locations on the mounting side of the body to allow the arm member to cooperate with the body in fixedly supporting the distal end of the arm member at a plurality of fixed spatial locations.

64. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 63, wherein the arm is a multi-positionable member capable of pivoting its distal end about at least one axis of rotation.

65. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 63, wherein the the distal end is pivotable about two axes of rotation.

66. A symmetrically functional article support stand as defined by claim 65, wherein the arm member includes telescoping means.