GB2404335A

GB2404335A - Book holder with flared supports

Info

Publication number: GB2404335A
Application number: GB0416972A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruce Stanley John Hutchison; Alasdair Max Paul Barnett
Original assignee: DESIGN EDGE CAMBRIDGE Ltd
Current assignee: DESIGN EDGE CAMBRIDGE Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-30
Filing date: 2004-07-30
Publication date: 2005-02-02
Also published as: GB0416972D0; GB0317812D0

Abstract

A holder 10 for one or more publications 41,42,43 comprising two upright support members 12,13 connected by at least one connecting member 15,16. The upright support members comprise a planar portion 5,6 configured to support the one or more publications, and at least one of the support members comprises a shaped portion 19 which provides means to guide a publication into the space defined by the two upright members. In a preferred embodiment (fig. 16) a plurality of book holders may be provided which are slidingly adjustable by ratchet means (1632, Fig.16). The holder may also include an organiser. The holder may be flat packed, snap assembled and wall mounted.

Description

HOLDER

This invention relates to a holder, and in particular to a holder for one or more publications.

A publication includes a book, a magazine, a directory, a folder, a file, a paper, a journal, a catalogue or any other such article.

There are a number of publication holders known in the prior art.

Typically these are configured as two parallel planar end plates between which publications are located and held.

Specific problems arise when trying to store heavy, soft blacked publications, such as a telephone directory or Yellow Pages,,, such publications do not stand up on their own and tend to slump unless supported on both sides. This slumping causes damage to the directory.

Consequently, such publications are often stored on their side, which takes up more room and makes them difficult to access if stored in a pile.

The soft backing to such publications means they are also prone to damage when being placed next to other publications or in a rack or holder, since the backings tend to fold or catch and become damaged.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a holder for one or more publications comprising two upright support members connected by at least one connecting member, said upright support members defining a space arranged to receive one or more publications, the upright support members comprising a planar portion configured to support the one or more publications, and at least one support member comprising a shaped portion which provides means to guide a publication into the space defined by the two upright members.

Preferably the planar portions of the upright support members are substantially parallel.

The shaped portion of one or more upright support members may be configured as a portion which curves in a direction away from the holder to guide a publication into the holder. The curved portion may be on the outward facing edge of the upright support member. The outward facing edge of an upright support member is the substantially vertical edge of the upright support member which defines the front edge of the space for locating or holding publications, defined by the two upright support members. Alternatively, the curved portion may be on the top edge of an upright support member, or on both the outward facing edge and the top edge of an upright support member. This configuration, with at least one curved portion on at least one upright support member, is particularly useful when locating a publication in the holder. The curved portion acts as a guide to help the publication enter the holder and reduces damage to the publication which may be caused by the upright support members. In particular, this configuration is useful with heavy, soft backed publications, for example, directories or magazines which are prone to damage when they are put in a holder. Further, the arrangement of the curved edge regions facilitates a user being able to place a publication into the holder 'one-handed'.

The space in the holder, for locating and holding one or more publications is defined by the two upright support members, may have one or more compartments arranged to hold one or more publications. A compartment may be of a size intended to accommodate a particular publication, for example a telephone directory or a Yellow Pages^. The holder may comprise at least two compartments, each arranged to accommodate a specific publication, for example one compartment>may accommodate a telephone directory and the other a Yellow Pages (which l is typically thicker than a telephone directory). The holder may also include a compartment, where the compartment may be configured as an organiser, such as for holding a jotter or notepad, or a pen or pencil, or a Post It_ notepad, or one or more business cards The holder may be expandable to hold one or more publications, or to accommodate publications of different sizes. For example, Yellow Pages can range from some 60mm down to some 10mm. It will be appreciated that other publications may be thinner than 10mm or wider than 60mm. By adjusting the holder it can be set to accommodate different sized directories. In order to be expandable the length of the connecting member may be adjustable. In other embodiments the length of the connecting member may be varied by moving the support member relative to the connecting member. The adjustment may be achieved be means of a ratchet mechanism, which may be thought of as a resistance creating means.

In some embodiments the holder may made expandable by providing it as a plurality of modules.

The holder may be free standing or may be attached to a surface, for example, to a shelf or desk. Alternatively, the holder may be wall mounted.

The holder may be located in use in a convenient location close to a telephone, such that when a person is using the telephone they can readily and easily access directories stored in the holder.

The connecting member between the two end plates may be configured as a base plate or as a back plate. Alternatively the connecting member may comprise a back plate and a base plate. r

In some embodiments the base plate may be provided by one or more subcomponents which may be thought of as sub-connecting members. An advantage of such an arrangement is that the length of the connecting member may be altered as desired and tailored to fit the available space.

In embodiments in which the connecting member is provided as a base plate, the space for receiving a publication may be defined by the supporting member substantially on only two sides. Such an arrangement may be advantageous because it may allow a publication to be placed into the space from two sides; i.e. those sides of the space where there is no supporting member.

Conveniently, the or each supporting member has a portion that is of a complementary shape to a portion of the connecting member providing a convenient way to connect the support members to the connecting member.

In one embodiment a portion of the support member is arranged to slide over a portion of the connecting member. It will be appreciated that there are many mechanical equivalents to this arrangement each of which is envisaged. For example, a support member may comprise one or more protrusions arranged to be received in a channel, or the like, on the connecting member.

The support members may be arranged such that they can be connected by the connecting member in a plurality of orientations.

A resistance creating means may be provided to create a resistance to movement between the support member and the connecting means.

Resistance to movement of the support member relative to the connecting l member may be desirable since it will prevent the space from expanding under the weight of a publication therein.

In some embodiments a portion of the resistance creating means may be provided on the support member and a portion may be provided on the connecting means. In one embodiment the connecting means comprises a toothed portion and the support member comprises a barb portion arranged to engage the toothed portion. In other embodiment the connecting means may comprise one or more slots and the support member may comprise a protrusion arranged to engage a slot.

Alternatively, the connecting means may comprise a plurality of protrusions and the support members are arranged to receive at least one protrusion to locate the support member relative to the connecting member.

In one embodiment the support member is arranged such that it can be connected by the connecting member in two orientations, preferably with a second orientation rotated substantially 180 from the first. Such an arrangement is convenient because it may a single design of support member to provide support members of different orientations and as such reduce manufacturing costs.

The holder may be made from moulded plastic. Alternatively, the holder may be made from sheet metal, or die cast, or any other suitable material and/or material process.

The holder may be constructed from more than one component which can be easily assembled. The components may be connected by a simple snap fit mechanism. The holder may be supplied in a flat pack configuration. l

Preferably the holder is aesthetically pleasing. The holder may provide an attractive means for directories to be stored in an office or home environment.

The upright support members may include printing on their outward facing edge. The printing may be advertising, useful phone numbers or an attractive picture or pattern.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be illustrated, merely by way of example, with reference to the following figures. I Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a holder; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an alternative holder to that depicted in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an underside perspective view of the holder of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a further alternative holder to that depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a yet further alternative holder to that depicted in Figures 1, 2 and 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the holder of Figures 2 and 4 holding three publications; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the holder of Figure 1 with three defined compartments; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the holder of Figure 7 with a compartment holding a notebook and pencil and two compartments each holding a directory; Figure 9 shows a perspective underside view of the holder of Figures 7 and 8; and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative holder to that depicted in Figures 7, 8 and 9; Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the holder of Figure 10 in with a directory in one compartment and a pencil and notepad in the other; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a further alternative holder to that depicted in Figures 7, 8 and 9; Figure 13 shows a front elevation of a holder of Figure 12.

Figure 14 shows a perspective underside view of an alternative holder to that depicted in Figures 1 to 6 in which the connecting member is expandable, the holder is in the retracted position; Figure 15 shows the holder of Figure 14 in the fully expanded position; Figure 16 show a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 17 shows the embodiment of Figure 16 in a closed arrangement.

Referring to Figure 1 a holder 10 for one or more publications comprises two upright support members 12, 13 connected by at least one connecting member 15, 16. The upright support members 12, 13 define a space in which one or more publications may be located. The upright support members 12, 13 comprise a planar portion 5, 6 configured to support the one or more publications. At least one upright support member 12 comprises a shaped portion 19 which provides means to guide a publication into the space defined by the two upright support members 12, 13.

More specifically, the connecting member is configured as a back plate 15 and a base plate 16.

The upright support member 12 is shaped at the outward facing edge 18 to form a curved portion 19, which curves away from the holder 10. The rest of the upright support member 12 is a substantially planar portion 5 which is arranged to support a publication placed in the holder 10. The opposite upright support member 13 comprises only a substantially planar portion 6.

A shoulder 14 at the base of the upright support members 12, 13 is arranged to stabilise the holder 10 and prevent it from falling over when publications are placed into the holder 10 in the space defined by the upright support members 12, 13.

Figure 2 depicts an alternative holder 20 to that depicted in Figure 1.

The holder 20 comprises two upright support members 22, 23 connected by a connecting member configured as a back plate 25 and a base plate 26. Both the upright support members 22, 23 are shaped at their outward facing edge 28, 29 to have a curved portion 30, 31 which curves in a direction away from the holder 20. As well as a curved i portion 30, 31 each upright support member 22, 23 also has a substantially planar portion 24, 27. The substantially planar portions 24, 27 of each upright support member 22, 23 are substantially parallel with each other and are arranged to support a publication placed in the holder 20, in the space defined by the upright support members 22, 23.

Figures 3 depicts an underside view of the holder 20 of Figure 2, in which both upright support members 22, 23 have a curved portion 30, 31 on their outward facing edge 28, 29. ; Figure 4 depicts an alternative holder 33 to that depicted in Figure 2 which differs in that the shaped portions 37, 38 at the outward facing edge 36, 39 of the upright support members 34, 35 are straight and angled away from the holder 33, rather than curved as in Figure 2.

Figure 5 depicts an alternative holder 45 to that depicted in Figure 1 which differs in that the outward facing edge 46 and top edge 47 of the upright support member 48 is curved away from the holder 45 to form shaped portions 49, 50.

Figure 6 depicts a holder 20 as described with reference to Figure 2 holding three publications 41, 42, 43.

Figures 7 to 9 depict a further embodiment in which the holder 51, comprising two upright support members 52, 53 and a connecting member configured as a back plate 55 and a base plate 56, is divided into three compartments 57, 58, 59. More specifically, with reference to Figure 7, the first compartment 57 is dimensioned to hold one or more publications, for example, a Yellow Pages,. The second compartment 58 is arranged to accommodate a note pad in recess 61 and a pen or pencil in hole 63.

The third compartment 59, smaller than the first compartment 57, is arranged to hold one or more publication, for example, a telephone directory.

Figure 8 depicts a holder 51 as described with reference to Figure 7 in which a directory 66, such as the Yellow Pages,, is held in the first compartment 57. Another directory 77, such as a smaller telephone directory, is held in the third compartment 59. A notebook 78 and pencil 79 are located in the second, central, compartment 58.

Figure 9 depicts an underside view of the holder of Figure 8 with directories located therein and is referenced using the same numerals.

Figure 10 depicts a yet further embodiment in which the holder 81, comprising two upright support members 82, 83 and a connecting member configured as a back plate 85 and a base plate 86, is divided into two compartments 87, 88. The first compartment 87 is Arranged to accommodate one publication, such as a Yellow PagesA. The second compartment 88 is arranged to accommodate a note pad in a recess 91 and a pen or pencil in a hole 92.

Figure 11 depicts a holder 81 as described with reference to Figure 10 with a directory 94 in the first compartment 87, and a note pad 98 and pencil 99 located in the second compartment 88.

Figure 12 depicts a further embodiment in which the holder 101, comprising two upright support members 102, 103 and a connecting member configured as a back plate 105 and a base plate 106, is divided into three compartments 107, 108, 109. The first compartment 107 is arranged to hold one or more publication, such as a Yellow Pages-. The second compartment 108 is arranged as an organizer and includes a slot 112 arranged to hold a note pad, such as a Post It' pad. Spring clips 113, 114 in the slot 112 allow the width of the slot to vary and the notepad located therein to be gripped somewhat and held in position. A second slot 116 in the second compartment 108 is arranged to accommodate one or more business cards. Spring clips 118, 119 allow one or more business cards to be held in the slot 116. The third compartment 109, smaller than the first compartment 107, is arranged to hold one or more publication, for example, a telephone directory.

Brackets 120, 121, together with similar brackets on the other side of the back plate 105, allow the holder 101 to be mounted on a wall if required.

Figure 12 depicts an end elevation of the holder of Figure 11 and is referenced using the same numerals.

Figures 14 and 15 depict a holder 131 with two upright support members 132, 133 and a connecting member configured as an expandable base 135 comprising two plate members 137, 138. The first base plate member 137 is arranged to be at substantially right angles with the upright support member 132 and includes a slot 141. The second base plate member 138 is arranged to be at substantially right angles to the upright support member 133 and is attached thereto. The second base plate member 138 comprises a pin 143 which is located in, and movable in, slot 141 in base plate member 137, thereby movably connecting the two base plate members 137, 138 and the two upright support members 132, 133 together.

The pin 143 is configured to slide within slot 141 allowing the size of the base 135 to be adjusted, such that the holder 131 can accommodate more or less publications, as required by the user. Figure 14 depicts the holder 131 fully retracted, with the two base plate members 137, 138 overlying each other and pin 143 located at an end of the slot 141.

Figure 15 depicts the holder 131 fully extended, with the two base plate members 137, 138 pulled as far apart as allowable, and the pin 143 at the opposite end of the slot 141 to that depicted in Figure 14.

The skilled man will appreciate that Figures 14 and 15 depict only one of many ways that a holder may be arranged to be extendable.

Figures 16 and 17 show a further embodiment in which the holder 1600 is of a modular construction. In this embodiment the holder 1600 comprises a eight support members 1602, 1604, 1606, 1608,1610, 1612, 1614, 1616. As will be expanded later, and due to the modular nature of this embodiment, the holder 1600 could comprise more or less than eight support members 1602 - 1616.

The support members are mounted upon a connecting member 1618, which is itself constructed from a plurality of sub-connecting members (for example 1620, 1622). The connecting member 1618 may be thought of as a base plate. The sub-connecting members have the same profile as one another and have, at end regions thereof, engagement means to engage a neighbouring sub-connecting member 1620, 1622 in order that the connecting member 1618 can be provided.

In this embodiment each of the support members 1602-1616 is of a substantially identical shape, in order that manufacturing costs can be minimised. The support members 1602-1616 are also symmetrical about a line along the longitudinal axis of the connecting member 1618. As such each support member can be placed on the connecting member 1618 in two orientations - a first orientation and a second orientation which is rotated from the first by 180 about a vertical axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connecting member 1618. For example the support member 1602 may be considered to be in the first orientation and support member 1614 may be considered to be in the second orientation.

The bottom region 1624 comprises a connecting member engagement means which is of a complementary shape to the profile of the connecting member 1618. Thus the connecting members 1602-1616 may be received upon the connecting member 1618.

The upper surface 1626 of each sub-connecting member 1620,1622 comprises, in this embodiment, two resistance creating means 1628, 1630. In this embodiment each of the resistance creating means 1628 1630 comprises a toothed profile arranged to be engaged by a ratchet 1632 provided on the support member 1602-1616. Each ratchet 1632 is arranged to engage the toothed profile in order to prevent the support member 1602- 1616 slipping along the connecting member 1618. The toothed profile is of a barbed nature in order that the ratchet 1632 allows the support member 1602-1616 to slide along the connecting member 1620 with relatively little resistance in a first direction but opposes movement in a second, opposite, direction.

Each of the support members 1602-1616 has a continuous curved portion 1634 around the upper three sides thereof. Each side (although t only one side can be seen in the Figure) of the sub-connecting member 1620, 1622 also has a curved portion 1636. These curved portions 1634, 1636 facilitate the placing of a publication into the holder 1600 and help guide the publication into the space defined by two support members 1602- 1616. The curved portion 1636 provides useful when a user has to reach up to the holder 1600. t

It will also be appreciated that unlike embodiments such as those shown in Figures 1 and 2 the holder 1600 has no vertical connecting member (e.g. 15 and 25) defining a third wall. As such it is possible to place publications into the holder 1600 from both sides thereof and may therefore be useful in situations such as for placing between two adjoining desks or the like.

In this embodiment the sub-connecting members 1620,1622 and the support members 1602-1616 are each fabricated from a plastics material.

It can be seen that two of the support members 1610, 1612 provide the organiser functions discussed above. It will be appreciated that support members 1602-1616 have what may be thought of as a recess 1638 on the face to which the curved portion faces. It may be possible to locate Post It_ or the like in this recess 1638.

Figure 17 shows the holder of Figure 16 but in a collapsed arrangement.

The collapsed arrangement is provided for ease of carrying, transportation, etc. and reduces the volume occupied by the holder 1600.

In this embodiment the two support members 1610, 1612 are structured differently to the other support members 1602,1604,1606,1608,1614,1616 and provide the function of providing the covers for the collapsed holder as shown in Figure 17. The other support members 1602,1604,1606,1608,1614, 1616 stack into one another thus allowing the occupied volume to be reduced. A sub-connecting member 1620-1612 may be passed through the support members 1602 1616 in order to hold them together. Other sub-connecting members may be located in the recess 1638.

Claims

1. A holder for one or more publications comprising two substantially upright support members connected by at least one connecting member, said upright support members defining a space arranged to receive one or more publications, the upright support members comprising a generally planar portion configured to support the one or more publications, and at least one support member comprising a shaped portion which provides means to guide a publication into the space defined by the two upright members.

2. A holder according to claim 1 in which the planar portions of the upright support members are substantially parallel.

3. A holder according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the shaped portion of one or more upright support members curves in a direction away from the holder.

4. A holder according to claim 3 in which the curved portion is on either the outward facing edge region or the top edge region of the upright support member.

5. A holder according to claim 3 in which the curved portion is on both the outward facing edge region and the top edge region of the upright support member.

6. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the connecting member comprises a curved portion on an edge region of the space defined by the two upright members.

7. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the space further comprises a compartment configured as an organiser.

8. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the length of the connecting member is adjustable.

9. A holder according to claim 8 in which the connecting member is provided as a plurality of engageable sub-connecting members arranged to be connected together to provide a connecting member of the desired length.

10. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the width of the space is arranged to be varied by moving at least one of the support members relative to the connecting member.

11. A holder according to claim 10 in which the holder comprises a resistance creating means arranged to create a resistance to movement between the support member and the connecting member.

12. A holder according to claim 8 in which the resistance creating means is provided by a ratchet mechanism.

13. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the connecting member comprises either a base plate or a back plate.

14. A holder according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which the connecting member comprises a back plate and a base plate. I

15. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the holder is made from a moulded plastics material.

16. A holder according to any of claims 1 to 14 in which the holder is made from metal, preferably sheet metal.

17. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the holder is constructed from more than one component, the components being connected by a snap fit mechanism.

18. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the or each support member has a portion that is of a complementary shape to a portion of the connecting member.

19. A holder according to claim 18 in which the portion of the support member that is of complementary shape to the connecting member is arranged to slide over a portion of the connecting member.

20. A holder according to claim 19 in which the support member is generally arranged to slide over the profile of the connecting member.

21. A holder according to any preceding claim in which the support members is arranged such that it can be connected by the connecting member in a plurality of orientations.

22. A holder according to claim 21 in which the support member is arranged such that it can be connected by the connecting member in two orientations.

23. A holder according to claim 22 in which the support member is arranged to be connected by the connecting member in a first orientation and a second orientation rotated substantially 180 from the first. l

24. A holder according to any preceding claim which comprises a more than two support members such that a plurality of spaces for receiving publications thereinto are provided.

25. A holder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.