GB2472647A

GB2472647A - Portable stand with carrying case

Info

Publication number: GB2472647A
Application number: GB0914257A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Atkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-14
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-14
Also published as: GB2472647B; GB0914257D0

Abstract

A portable stand, which may be a music stand, or lectern or support for electronic equipment, comprising a case 15 having a base part 30 and a lid part 20, and a support 80; wherein the lid part 20 includes an aperture for receiving one end of the support 80. There may be retention means in the case that the support 80 can be detachably fixed to, by rotation. The case is large enough to hold all parts of the stand when dismantled. There may be a cap or cover for the aperture in the lid part 20. The invention also comprises a method of assembly of such a stand.

Description

A portable stand

The present invention relates to a portable stand and a method of assembling a portable stand and in particular, although not exclusively, relates to a music stand or a lectern.

Portable music stands are known which comprise a relatively slender shaft supported by three legs. At the top a "tray" is provided for holding the sheet music.

These stands are well known as being unstable and flimsy and are therefore unpopular with musicians.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved portable stand which may be used as a music stand, a lectern, a projector support, or for supporting any other item.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a portable stand, comprising a case having a base part and a lid part, and a support; wherein the lid part includes an aperture for receiving one end of the support.

In this regard the term "case" refers to its ability to accommodate items. It may have a closable opening. The shape of the box is not necessarily important and may be generally box-like. However, other shapes such as cylinders (similar to a hat-box in shape), or a Gladstone bag shape are contemplated.

In one embodiment, the case may be a musical instrument case, such as a violin case, a guitar case etc. in that it accommodates not only the musical instrument but also the support. In this regard, the invention may comprise a releasable cover means for covering the aperture \vhen not in use, but which may be removed when it is required to insert the support into the aperture. The cover may be adapted to ensure no water enters the case through the aperture when in position covering the aperture.

The term "lid part" refers to a part of the case which opens and which may be situated towards the upper end of the case when the stand is in use. By contrast, the term "base part" refers to a part of the case which is, at least partially, revealed when the case is open and which may be situated towards the lower end of the case when the stand is in use.

The term "support" refers to a member which, in use, extends from the case. It may extend substantially vertically. It may be used to support items such as sheets of paper, or projectors. The support may be relatively long and thin.

I

The case of the portable stand may include receiving means for receiving the one end of the support. In this regard, the receiving means may substantially hold one end of the support such that this one end of the support cannot be moved in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the length of the support.

The receiving means may be unitary with, or attached to, either the hd part or the base part of the case.

The receiving means may include locking means for releasably retaining the one end of the support to the case so that, in use, the support is releasably prevented from being withdrawn through the aperture.

The support may be locked in the receiving means by the locking means, in use, by rotation of the support through a pre-determineci angle relative to the locking means.

This angle may lie in the range 10 to 170 degrees, preferably it lies in the range 45 to 135 degrees. The angle may be substantially 90 degrees. Other means for locking the support in place are contemplated such as a releasable clamp.

The stand may include a tray removably attachable to the end of the support substantially opposite the end which is received by the aperture. The si2e of the tray may be adjustable. It may have a continuous planar surface or may have a surface perforated or including holes.

The angle of the tray to the support may be adjustable. In this regard the tray and/or the support may include means for adjusting the angle of the tray relative to the support. The tray may be for supporting papers, a projector or any other item.

The aperture may be in substantially the centre of the lid. In this regard the centre may be defined as being anywhere within a radius of ?S% of the distance from the centre of the lid to an edge of the lid. Alternatively, this radius may be SO%, or 25%.

The support may be extendable such that its length is variable. For instance, the support may be telescopic, and/or it may comprise substantially separate lengths which are connectable together.

The case may be sufficiently large enough to accommodate the support when not in use. This includes the support in its unextended state.

The case may be sufficiently large enough to accommodate the tray when not in use.

In use, the lid of the case may he in a substantially closed position when the one end of the support is received by the aperture.

The base part and lid part of the case may be hinged together.

The stand may include weights to improve its stability in use. These weights may be removable from the case.

The case may comprise substantially inflexible external walls. The walls may comprise metal and/or plastic and/or other suitable materials.

The case may be sufficientiy large enough to accommodate sheet music when not in use.

The stand may be a music stand. Alternatively, it may be a lectern. In another embodiment, the stand is a support. In a further embodiment, the stand may be a projector support or a microphone support.

The stand may further include a cap for substantially sealing the aperture when the support is not required. This cap may include engagement means for retaining it with the case. The cap prevents the ingress of water or other desirable matter inside the case.

The stand may include other devices. For instance, the stand may include one or more of a clock, a tuner and a metronome. These devices may be located on the tray.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling a stand according to the first aspect, and/or as described herein, comprising the steps of: inserting one end of the support through the aperture in the lid.

The method may further comprise the step of inserting the one end of the support into a receiving means inside the case. The receiving means may substantially hold one end of the support such that this one end of the support cannot be moved in a direction substantialiy perpendicularly to the length of the support.

The method may further comprise the steps of: locking the support to prevent its withdrawal from the case. This may be effected by rotation of the support relative to the case. This may be effected by the case including a locking means as described herein.

The method may further comprise the steps of attaching a tray to the end of the support substantially opposite to the end inserted through the aperture.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the case part of a first embodiment of the invention in a disassembled state; Figure 2 is a elevational view of the first embodiment in an assembled state; Figure 3 is a plan view of the case part of a second embodiment of the invention in a disassembled state; Figure 4 is a side view of the case shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the case shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is plan view of the case shown in Figure 3 shown in an open position with the interior of the case visible; Figure 7 is an underside view of a tray part of the first and/or second embodiment; Figure 8 is an exploded elevational view of the support part and tray part of the second embodiment of tile invention; Figures 9a to 9c are a series of elevational views of the second embodiment of the invention with the tray part at different heights with respect to the case part; Figures Wa to tOd are a series of exploded perspective views of parts of the second embodiment of the invention showing assembly steps; Figure 11 is an elevational cross-sectional view of part of the second embodiment of the invention in an assembled state; Figure 12 is a series of perspective views of a cap from above; and Figure 13 is a series of perspective views of the cap of Figure 12 from below.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the si2e of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" sliould not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device areAandB.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment 10 of the invention in which a substantially rectangular case 13 (sometimes referred to as a "flight case") is shown. The case 13 has a lid part 20 shown uppermost and a base part 30 obscured in the figure by the lid part 20. The case further comprises a handle 50 attached to one of the four other sides of the case. The lid part 20 and base part 30 are connected together by hinges 40. The side including the hinges 40 (which is opposite the side including the handle 50) includes feet 70. This allows the case 15 to be stably positioned in an upright position such that the feet 70 are in contact with the ground or other such surface. In other words, the case 15 shown in Figure 1 is shown in a prone position with its two largest sides being positioned parallel to the surface on which it is resting. The base part 30 also includes feet 70 visible in Figure 2.

The hd part 20 includes an aperture 60. This aperture is shown as being substantially circular of sufficient size to receive one end of the support 80. The size of the aperture 60 may be substantially the same size, or slightly larger, than the diameter of the support 80 at one end thereof. One end of a support 80 may be inserted into the aperture 60 as shown in Figure 2. The support 80 is substantially vertical and telescopic having three portions. The relative lengths of each portion is controllable by clamps 83.

A tray 90 is shown in place at the top of the support 80, at the end opposite from the end which is inserted into the aperture 60. The case 15 is maintaining the support 80 in the upright/vertical position. A user may place music or other materials in the tray 90.

The angle of the tray 90 relative to the support 80 is controllably adjustable by an angle clamp 92 such that the tray 90 may be positioned, for example, substantially perpendicular to the length of the support 80, (i.e. it may lie substantially parallel to the lid part 20 of the case 15), or at any other angle thereto as required.

If the support has a cross-sectional shape other than circular then the aperture 60 may be of a corresponding shape to accommodate it therein. A reinforcing plate may be attached to, or be integral with, the lid, said plate including a similar shape and si2e aperture.

Figures 3 shows an alternative embodiment 110 of the invention. In this embodiment, the case 115 is similar to the case 15 in the first embodiment in that it also has a lid part 20, a base part 30, hinges 40 and a handle 50. The aperture 160 is also substantially circular, however, it also includes two key-ways on radially opposite sides thereof. A reinforcing plate 165 is provided, attached to the lid part 20 of the case 115.

The aperture 160 is provided in this plate 165. The plate is attached by means of bolts 166 or other suitable attachment means. The reinforcing plate 165 may be attached to the inner or outer face of the lid.

Figure 4 shows the aperture 160 being covered by a cap 169 which is discussed in more detail below.

Figure 5 shows how the unextended support 80 and tray 90 may be stored within the case 115 when not required. Furthermore, this figure shows receiving means 175 including a socket 170 for receiving the one end of the support 80. This receiving means 175 is attached to the base part 30 of the case 115 by bolts or other suitable means 176.

This figure also shows the aperture 160 formed as part of the reinforcing plate attached to the lid by attachment means 166. The cap 169 is present in the aperture 160.

Figure 6 shows the case 115 in an open position. The unextended support 80 is clearly visible in the case 115 towards one side of the base part 30. The receiving means 175, including the aperture 170 and attachment means 176, are more clearly shown.

The aperture 170 also includes two radially opposed key-ways in a similar manner to the plate 165 described above.

Figure 7 shows an underside view of the tray 90, wherein the angle adjustment means 92, comprising a butterfly nut and bolt, and an attachment means 94, in the form of a clamp, for attaching the tray 90 to the support 80, are shown in more detail. The attachment means 94 may take other forms such as a simple socket. The attachment means 94 may be located anywhere on the underside of the tray 90. For instance, it may be generally in the centre, or towards one edge.

Figure 8 shows the support 80 including two opposed lugs 84 projecting radially outwardly from the lower end of the support 80. These pass through the key-ways in the reinforcing plate 165 and receiving means 175, in use, and as described in more detail below.

The clamp 94 for attaching the tray 90 to the upper end of the support 80 is visible, together with the tray angle adjustment means 92 and the tray 90 itself. Finally, the clamps 85 for controlling the extension of the support 80 are shown.

Figures 9a to 9c show the support in an unextended state, a partially extended state and a fully extended state respectively. These figures show how the case 115 acts as a base for the stand 110 in that it provides a stable base from which the support 80 extends.

Figures 1 Oa to I Od show one embodiment of the construction of the receiving means 175. Taking the components from the bottom to the top, the receiving means comprises a base plate 179, a lower locking plate 178 and an upper locking plate 177. These three components may be attached or otherwise fixed to one another and as a whole to the base part 30 of the case 115. This may be effected by bolts or screws 176 (with reference to Figures 5 and 11) passing through the holes 173 provided in each corner of the three components 179, 178, 177. The reinforcing plate 165 for attachment to the lid part 20 of the case 115 is also shown.

To assemble the stand 110, the support 80 with the lugs 84 is offered up to the aperture 160 in the plate 165. The lugs 84 and the key-ways in the plate 165 are aligned such that the support 80 and lugs 84 may pass through the aperture 160. The key-ways included with the aperture 170 have the same radial alignment as the key-ways in the reinforcing plate 165, however, this is not essential as the support 80 may be rotated about its longitudinal length to align the lugs 84 with the key-ways in the aperture 170 if necessary. In this way the lugs 84 also pass through the key-ways included with the aperture 170 as the lower end of the support 80 passes through the interior of the case toward the base part 30.

When the lower end of the support 80 meets the base plate 179 no further movement in that direction is possible.

To lock the support 80 to the receiving means 175 the support is rotated in the direction as shown by arrow 190. This is possible because the lower locking plate 178 includes an aperture 171 which is sufficiently large to allow the lugs 84 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the support 80 therein. However, the aperture 171 is not circular and includes limiting means to prevent rotation through more than about 90 degrees. Angles other than 90 degrees are contemplated.

With the support 80 rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the case 115, or receiving means 175, as shown in Figure lOc, the lugs 84 will be situated out of alignment with the key-ways in the aperture 170. Accordingly, the support 80 cannot be withdrawn from the receiving means 175.

Figure 10d shows the receiving means 175 assembled together with the support inset-ted therein. As may be seen by this figure and also Figure Ii the plate 165 together with the receiving means 175 provide a means of securely holding the support 80 such that in conjunction with the case 115 the support 80 is stable.

With reference to Figures 12 and 13 a cap 169 in the form of a disc includes a cylindrical member 201 depending from an underside. Two lugs 202 are located radially opposite one another at the lower end of the cylindrical member. When the stand is not in use it is desirable to seal the aperture 160 through which the stands fits in use. This may be effected by inserting the cap 169 into the aperture 160 (in the direction of the arrow referenced 208") which is provided in the reinforcing plate 165. The lugs 202 are aligned with the two key-ways provided with the aperture 160 such that the cylindrical member 201 passes through the aperture 160. The cap 169 is then rotated (in the direction of the arrow referenced 200) relative to the reinforcing plate 165 such that the lugs 202 become radially out of alignment with the key-ways in the reinforcing plate 165. This prevents the cap 169 from being removed from the aperture 160. The lugs 202 are hmited in their radial motion relative to the reinforcing plate by the presence of studs 205 located on the underside of the reinforcing plate.

To remove the cap 169 from the case, it is rotated in the opposite direction and pulled axially out of the aperture 160.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the case 15, 115 may be of sufficient si2e to accommodate the support 80, the tray 90 together with sheet music or other materials.

The stand 10, 110 may be adapted to support a projector. For instance, it may include a sufficiently strong tray 90, sufficiently strong clamps 85, 92, 94, and/or means for attaching cables.

Although only one support 80 has been shown it will be understood that the stand 10, 110 may include more than one support 80 supporting one or more trays 90.

The support 80 may be a "mono-leg" as known in the field of photography.

The stand 10, 110 may be used as a temporary sign or notice board.

The stand 10, 110 is portable in that it is easily disassembled and may be canied by a person. Moreover, the case 15, 115 may accommodate the support 80 and tray 90 when not in use.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable stand, comprising a case having a base part and a lid part, and a support; wherein the lid part includes an aperture for receiving one end of the support.
2. The portable stand of claim 1, wherein the case includes receiving means for receiving the one end of the support.
3. The portable stand of claim 2, wherein the receiving means are unitary with, or attached to, either the lid part or the base part.
4. The portable stand of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the receiving means includes locking means for releasably retaining the one end of the support to the case so that, in use, the support is releasably prevented from being withdrawn through the aperture.
5. The stand of claim 4, wherein the support is locked in the receiving means by the locking means, in use, by rotation of the support through a pre-determined angle relative to the locking means.
6. The stand of any preceding claim further including a tray removably attachable to the end of the support substantially opposite the end which is received by the aperture.
7. The stand of claim 6, wherein the angle of the tray to the support isadjustable.
8. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the aperture is in substantially the centre of the lid.
9. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the support is extendable such that its length is variable.
10. The stand of claim 9, wherein the support is telescopic.
11. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the case is of sufficient size to accommodate the support when not in use.
12. The stand of any one of claims 6, and 7 to 11 when either directly or indirectly dependent on claim 6, wherein the case is of sufficient size to accommodate the tray when not in use.
13. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein, in an assembled state, the case is substantially closed with one end of the support passing through the aperture and received by the receiving means.
14. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the base part and lid part are hinged together.
15. The stand of any preceding claim, including weights to improve the stability of the stand in use.
16. The stand of any preceding claim, the case comprising substantially inflexible external walls.
17. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the case is of sufficient size to accommodate sheet music.
18. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the stand is a music stand.
19. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the stand is a lectern.
20. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the case is a musical instrument case.
21. The stand of any preceding claim, further including a cap for substantially sealing the aperture when the support is not required.
22. The stand of claim 21, wherein the cap includes engagement means for retaining it with the case.
23. A stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A method of assembling a stand according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: insetting one end of the support through the aperture in the lid.
25. The method of claim 24, when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, or any of claims 3 to 22, further comprising the step of inserting the one end of the support into the receiving means inside the case.
26. The method of either one of claims 24 and 25, when direcdy or indirecdy dependent on claim 5, or any of claims 6 to 22, further comprising the steps of: rotating the support to lock it and prevent its withdrawal from the case.
27. The method of any one of claims 24 to 26, further comprising the steps of attaching a tray to the end of the support substantially opposite to the end inserted through the aperture.
28. A method of assembling a stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been file as follows: 1. A portable stand, comprising a case having a base part and a lid part, and a support; wherein the lid part includes an aperture through which one end of the support is able to pass in use, and the case includes receiving means, unitary with, or attached to, the base part, for receiving the one end of the support, wherein the receiving means includes locking means for releasably retaining the one end of the support to the case so that, in use, the support is releasably prevented from being withdrawn through the aperture.2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the support is locked in the receiving means by the locking means, in use, by rotation of the support through a pre-determined angle relative to the locking means.3. The stand of either one of claims I and 2, further including a tray removably C attachable to the end of the support substantially opposite the end which is received by the aperture.4. The stand of claim 3, wherein the angle of the tray to the support isCO 20 adjustable.5. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the aperture is in substantially the centre of the lid.6. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the support is extendable such that its length is variable.7. The stand of claim 6, wherein the support is telescopic.8. The stand of any preceding claim, wherein the case is of sufficient si2e to accommodate the support when not in use.9. The stand of any one of dnitns 3 to 8, when either directly or indirectly dependent on dsitn 3, wherein the case is of sufficient size to accommodate the tray when not in use.10. The stand of any preceding dafin, wherein, in an assembled state, the case is substantially closed with one end of the support passing through the aperture and received by the receiving means.11. The stand of any preceding dnitn, wherein the base part and lid part are hinged together.12. The stand of any preceding dnitn, including weights to improve the stability ofthestandinuse.13. The stand of any preceding dsini, the case comprising substantially o in+lnllile external walls. rCi 14. The stand of any preceding d*hn, wherein the case is of sufficient size to o accommodate sheet music 00 20 OJ 15. The stand of any preceding r]slni, wherein the stand is a music stand.16. The stand of any preceding rkfrn, wherein the stand is a lectern.17. The stand of any preceding dsini, wherein the case is a musical instrument a 18. The stand of any preceding dahn, further including a cap for substantially sealing the aperture when the support is not required.19. The stand of ditn 18, wherein the cap includes engagement means for retaining it with the case.20. A stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.21. A method of assembhng a stand according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: inserting one end of the support through the aperture in the hd.22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of inserting the one end of the support into the receiving means inside the case.23. The method of either one of claims 21 and 22, when directiy or indirectiy dependent on claim 2, further comprising the steps of: rotating the support to lock it and prevent its withdrawal from the case.24. The method of any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising the steps of C attaching a tray to the end of the support substantially opposite to the end inserted through the aperture.25. A method of assembling a stand substantially as hereinbefore described with CO 20 reference to the accompanying drawings.