GB2163950A

GB2163950A - Support for a sheet

Info

Publication number: GB2163950A
Application number: GB08421816A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Moreton Bramwell
Original assignee: Bramwell & Co Ltd F W
Current assignee: Bramwell & Co Ltd F W
Priority date: 1984-08-29
Filing date: 1984-08-29
Publication date: 1986-03-12
Also published as: GB8421816D0; GB2163950B

Abstract

A support (10) for a sheet or sheets, for example a knitting pattern, has a flat base (13) which can rest on a table top or like surface and be urged thereagainst by an overlapping knitting machine or the like (not shown). The support (10) further comprises a bearer (15) generally planar and inclined rearwardly away from the base (13), and provided with a ledge (16) to enable a sheet or sheets to be disposed in a conveniently readable position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Support for a sheet This invention relates to a support for a sheet or sheets, particularly a support for disposing a printed sheet, booklet or the like in a position where it can be conveniently read by an operator of a machine.

The invention is particularly concerned with a support for a knitting pattern when in use with a knitting machine.

The user of a knitting machine finds operation thereof more convenient if the pattern is supported in a position above and behind the bed of the machine. Several pattern stands have been produced, but they have been specifically designed either to connect with the body of the machine or to connect with a custom built knitting machine table.

Thus, such stands have been usable conveniently only with specific machines or special tables. This is disliked by the users who often change machines or do not possess a machine table.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a support for a sheet which can be used conveniently with a wide range of machines whether or not a special machine tables is employed.

The invention provides a sheet support comprising: a flat base adapted to rest by a lower surface thereof on a flat surface and to be engaged on an upper surface thereof and urged towards said flat surface by an overlying machine or the like; and a generally flat bearer above the base inclined rearwardly away from the base and provided with a ledge for receiving a sheet or sheets.

The base and the bearer can be integral parts of a single structure. The base and the bearer can be connected by an upright. The ledge can be disposed at a transition between the upright and the bearer. The base, bearer and upright can be adjacent portions of a laminar sheet of material. The ledge can be a separate member secured to the bearer and/or upright. The material can be a plastics material such as polystyrene. The plane of the bearer can be inclined rearwardly away from the base at an angle between 53 and 73 degrees, advantageously 58 to 68 degrees, preferably 63 .

The upright can be inclined forwardly at an angle between 80 and 90 , preferably 86 .

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred support of the invention; and Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the support in use.

A preferred sheet support 10 of the invention is particularly for use in connection with a knitting machine 11 (Figure 2) supported on a table or other surface 12. The support 10 has a flat base 13, an upright 14 and a bearer 15, each in the form of a laminar sheet of plastics material. These three parts can conveniently be formed from a web of plastics material such as 3mm thick styrene by heating at the transitions, bending, and allowing the melted transitions to cool and re-rigidify. A ledge 16 at the bottom of the bearer 15 is formed from a generally rectangular S-shaped strip of similar plastics material having a lower flange 16a. A web 16b and an upper flange 16c. The lower flange 16a is secured to the upper part of upright 14 and the lower part of bearer 15 by adhesion or welding.

The support 10 can be used with any type of knitting machine 11 irrespective of its construction and can rest on any convenient surface such as table 12. The body of the machine 11 weights down the support and holds it against movement and vibration in use. The size of the base 13 allows considerable variation in the position of bearer 15 relative to the machine 11 to suit different machines and different users.

The rearward inclination of the bearer 15, (angle B) is within a range from 53 to 73 , advantageously 58 to 68 , preferably 63 . These angles combine adequate support with ease of reading of a pattern booklet 17 support thereby.

The support 14 is angled forwardly, ie towards the base 11 at an angle between 80 and 90 , preferably 86 . This ensures that the centre of gravity of the support 10 is to the left (in Figure 2) of the rear edge of the base 11 and the support will thus stand upright when the machine 11 is removed. It also allows the lower edge of the bearer 15 to be disposed close to the machine even if machine structure at the base level tends to cause an obstruction.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example, the support can be made from metal or other material. The base, upright and bearer can be perforate to reduce their weight if desired.

The support of the invention can be used in connection with machines other than knitting machines, for example, typewriters.

1. A sheet support comprising: a flat base adapted to rest by a lower surface thereof on a flat surface and to be engaged on an upper surface thereof and urged towards said flat surface by an overlying machine or the like; and a generally flat bearer above the base inclined rearwardly away from the base and provided with a ledge for receiving a sheet or sheets.

2. A support as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upright is provided between the base and the bearer.

3. A support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upright is inclined forwardly towards the base at an angle between 80 and 90 degrees.

4. A support as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the bearer is disposed at an angle of from 53 to 73 the the plane of the base.

5. A support as claimed in claim 4, wherein said angle is from 58 to 68 .

6. A support as claimed in any preceding claim

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Support for a sheet This invention relates to a support for a sheet or sheets, particularly a support for disposing a printed sheet, booklet or the like in a position where it can be conveniently read by an operator of a machine. The invention is particularly concerned with a support for a knitting pattern when in use with a knitting machine. The user of a knitting machine finds operation thereof more convenient if the pattern is supported in a position above and behind the bed of the machine. Several pattern stands have been produced, but they have been specifically designed either to connect with the body of the machine or to connect with a custom built knitting machine table. Thus, such stands have been usable conveniently only with specific machines or special tables. This is disliked by the users who often change machines or do not possess a machine table. It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a support for a sheet which can be used conveniently with a wide range of machines whether or not a special machine tables is employed. The invention provides a sheet support comprising: a flat base adapted to rest by a lower surface thereof on a flat surface and to be engaged on an upper surface thereof and urged towards said flat surface by an overlying machine or the like; and a generally flat bearer above the base inclined rearwardly away from the base and provided with a ledge for receiving a sheet or sheets. The base and the bearer can be integral parts of a single structure. The base and the bearer can be connected by an upright. The ledge can be disposed at a transition between the upright and the bearer. The base, bearer and upright can be adjacent portions of a laminar sheet of material. The ledge can be a separate member secured to the bearer and/or upright. The material can be a plastics material such as polystyrene. The plane of the bearer can be inclined rearwardly away from the base at an angle between 53 and 73 degrees, advantageously 58 to 68 degrees, preferably 63 . The upright can be inclined forwardly at an angle between 80 and 90 , preferably 86 . The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred support of the invention; and Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the support in use. A preferred sheet support 10 of the invention is particularly for use in connection with a knitting machine 11 (Figure 2) supported on a table or other surface 12. The support 10 has a flat base 13, an upright 14 and a bearer 15, each in the form of a laminar sheet of plastics material. These three parts can conveniently be formed from a web of plastics material such as 3mm thick styrene by heating at the transitions, bending, and allowing the melted transitions to cool and re-rigidify. A ledge 16 at the bottom of the bearer 15 is formed from a generally rectangular S-shaped strip of similar plastics material having a lower flange 16a. A web 16b and an upper flange 16c. The lower flange 16a is secured to the upper part of upright 14 and the lower part of bearer 15 by adhesion or welding. The support 10 can be used with any type of knitting machine 11 irrespective of its construction and can rest on any convenient surface such as table 12. The body of the machine 11 weights down the support and holds it against movement and vibration in use. The size of the base 13 allows considerable variation in the position of bearer 15 relative to the machine 11 to suit different machines and different users. The rearward inclination of the bearer 15, (angle B) is within a range from 53 to 73 , advantageously 58 to 68 , preferably 63 . These angles combine adequate support with ease of reading of a pattern booklet 17 support thereby. The support 14 is angled forwardly, ie towards the base 11 at an angle between 80 and 90 , preferably 86 . This ensures that the centre of gravity of the support 10 is to the left (in Figure 2) of the rear edge of the base 11 and the support will thus stand upright when the machine 11 is removed. It also allows the lower edge of the bearer 15 to be disposed close to the machine even if machine structure at the base level tends to cause an obstruction. The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example, the support can be made from metal or other material. The base, upright and bearer can be perforate to reduce their weight if desired. The support of the invention can be used in connection with machines other than knitting machines, for example, typewriters. CLAIMS

5. A support as claimed in claim 4, wherein said angle is from 58 to 68 .

6. A support as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base and bearer, or the base, bearer and upright, have been made from a single web of sheet material.

7. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ledge is a separate member secured to the bearer or upright.

8. A sheet support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A sheet support as claimed in any preceding claim and resting by the lower surface of its base on a flat surface a machine or the like overlying the base and urging it towards the flat surface to restrain it against movement.