GB2596563A

GB2596563A - Support for a book

Info

Publication number: GB2596563A
Application number: GB2010040.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zalman Lawrence Shneur
Original assignee: Lawrence Judaica Ltd
Current assignee: Lawrence Judaica Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-01
Filing date: 2020-07-01
Publication date: 2022-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-01
Also published as: GB202010040D0; GB2596563B; IL284372A

Abstract

A reconfigurable support suitable for a book comprising a rectangular back panel 14, a top panel connected by a first hinge 12a to an upper edge of the back panel, and at least one side panel 16 connected to a side edge of the back panel by a hinge 12b that extends transversely to the first hinge. The top panel is formed of a first panel section 12a connected by the first hinge to the back panel and a second panel section 10b connected to the first panel by means of a second hinge 12c parallel to the first hinge. The support is capable of being folded to adopt three different configurations. These include a compact configuration for storage; a tabletop lectern configuration; and a bookrest configuration. Clips may be provided on at least one panel to permit the panels to be secured to one another. The top panel may feature a protrusion 18 to prevent a book from sliding off the support in the tabletop lectern configuration. The back panel or side panel may feature a plurality of protrusion or grooves 20 to enable adjustment of inclination in the bookrest configuration.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a support for a book or an electronic tablet.

Background

Different types of supports are currently available. A first type, herein referred to as a bookrest, enables a book or tablet to be supported in a plane inclined to the horizontal with its lower edge resting on a desktop, or other horizontal surface. When reading while sitting at a desk, or watching a video on a tablet, the book or tablet is angled by the support to make it visible without the reader or viewer having to lean over the desk. Such bookrests are often collapsible and in the case of tablets may serve additionally as a protective cover for the tablet. Some bookrcsts also cnablc thc anglc of inclination to bc adjusted.

A second type of support, herein referred to as a tabletop lectern, is intended for use by a person standing next to a table and its primary function is to raise the level of the book or tablet above the level of the tabletop to bring it closer to the reader's eyes. Lecterns are often made of wood and are more substantially constructed than bookrests, as they must support the entire weight of the book or tablet, not just prevent it from toppling.

Object of the invention In religious establishments, congregants commonly read from prayer books and would always prefer not to have to support their weight. Furthermore, at different times in religious services, congregants may be called upon either to sit or to stand. -2 -

The present invention seeks therefore to provide a support that can be used bor_h when a person is sitting in front of a table or desk or when standing next to it.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a support for a book comprising a rectangular back panel, a top panel connected by a first hinge to an upper edge of the back panel, and at least one side panel conneced to a side edge of the back panel by a hinge that extends transversely to the first hinge, the top panel being formed of a first panel section connected by the first hinge to the back panel and a second panel section connected to The first panel section by means of a second hinge that extends parallel to the first hinge, wherein the book support is capable of being folded to adopt three different configurations, namely: (i) a compact configuration for storagc in which all the panels lie in planes that are parallel to one another, (ii) a tabletop lectern configuration in which the back panel and the or each side panel are disposed in upright planes that are inclined to one another and the top panel is hinged relative to the back panel so that both sections of the top panel rest on an upper edge of the or each side panel, and (iii) a bookrest configuration for use on a tabletop in which the back panel is disposed in a plane parallel to that of the tabletop and the sections of the top panel are hinged relative to one another and relative to the back panel, to permit the second panel section to serve as a support surface for supporting a book in a plane inclined to the plane of the tabletop, when a free edge of the top panel rests on the back panel or a side panel.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to The accompanying drawings, in 5 which: -Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration, Figure 2 is a side view of the first embodiment, Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the 10 invention in an unfolded configuration, Figure 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration, Figure 5 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration, Figure 6 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration, Figure 7 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the invcntion in an unfoldcd configuration,

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a support for a book comprising a top panel made up to two top panel sections 10a, 10b, a back panel 14, a side panel 16 and various hinges 12a, 12b and 12c joining the panels. As will be described below, the support can be folded about the hinges to adopt three configurations, namely a compact configuration for transportation or storage, a lectern configuration for viewing a book whilst standing, and a bookrest configuration for viewing a book whilst seated.

In the compact configuration, top panel sections 10a and 10b are together pivoted about hinge 12a and lie parallel to the back panel 14 with the front face of the top panel sections 10a and 10b facing the front face of the back panel 14. The side panel 16 may then be pivoted about hinge 12b so that its front face faces the rear face of the top -4 -panel sections 10a and 10b. The hinge 12b may be at least as wide as the thickness of the top panel section 10b to allow all panels to lie parallel with each other.

The combined length of the top panel sections 10a and 10b is preferably equal to The length of the back panel 14, but this is not essential as it is also possible for the combined length of the top panel sections to be shorter or longer than the back panel 14. In the case where the top panel is longer than the back panel 14, sections 10a and 10b of the top panel may be folded about the hinge 12c in the compact configuration in which case the width of the hinge 12b may need to be increased.

The support may be held in its compact configuration by various methods, including magnets, a separate band or sleeve, clips, snap fasteners, a zip, or hook and loop fastoncrs.

The lectern configuration allows the user to view a book whilst standing, with The support resting on a tabletop. In such a configuration, the back panel 14 is placed in an upright position and prevented from toppling forward by folding the side panel 16 about the hinge 12b to a position wherein the planes of the back and side panels 14, 16 form an angle of approximately 900. The top panel section 10b is pivoted abou:, hinge 12c so that the rear faces of the two top panel sections lie against one another. The front face of the top panel section 10a is then rested on the top edges of the back panel 14 and the side panel 16 to provide a surface on which a book may be supported in a plane higher than that of the tabletop. The top panel section 10b may feature a protrusion 18 on its bottom edge, adjacent the hinge 120, extending at least partially across its width. Such a protrusion is used as a stop, to prevent a book from sliding off the top section 10a. As an _ 5 _ alternative, the front surface of the top section 10a may be made of a non-slip silicone material.

To ensure the stability of the support in the lectern configuration, clips may be provided on the front surface of the top panel section 10a to engage with the top edge of the side panel 16. Similarly, ocher fixing methods may be used, including grooves, magnets or hook and loop fasteners.

Another way of providing a lectern configuration would be to stand the back panel 14 on its free side edge, to use the top panel sections 10b and 10b to prevent the back panel 14 from toppling forward and to rest the side panel 16 on the upper edges of the top panel sections 10a and 10b. In this configuration, the spacing of the book from the tabletop would be determined by the width of the back panel 14 rather than its length.

To provide a bookrest configuration, with the back panel 14 lying on or parallel to a tabletop, the top panel sections 10a and 10b are pivoted about hinges 12a and 12c in order to form a triangle beT.ween the top panel sections 10 and 10b and the back panel 14, with the front faces of the top panel sections 10a and 10b facing the interior of the triangle. In this configuration, the rear face of top panel section 10b may act to support a book in plane inclined to the plane of the back panel 14 and the tabletop. The top or free edge of the top panel section 10b may be prevented from sliding relative to the front face of the back panel 14 (or the rear face of the side panel 16, by engagement in slots defined by further protrusions 20 provided on the face of the relevant panel. The provision of several protrusions 20, as illustrated, permits adjustment of the inclination of the top panel section 10b.

As an alternative to protrusions 20, the back panel 14 or the rear face of the side panel 16 may be formed with one -6 -or more grooves or slots to receive the free edge of the top panel section 10b. The hinge 12b permits the side panel 16 to be folded to overlie the back panel 14, to lie between the back panel 14 and the tabletop, when the support is in the bookrest configuration.

In the embodiments of The invention shown in the remaining figures, to avoid unnecessary repetition, like parts have been allocated reference numeral with the same last two digits and with the first digit dependent on the embodiment.

In the second embodiment, shown in Figure 3, two side panels 116a and 116b are used to improve the stability of the support in the lectern configuration. One of the hinges 112b, 112d connecting the back panel 114 to the side panels 116a, 116b may be wider than the other to allow the support to noatly fold into its compact configuration with all panels lying parallel to each other. As in the first embodiment, the side panels 116a and 116b may be folded behind or in front of the back panel 114 in the bookrest configuration.

In the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the side panels are as wide as the back panel but are each divided into two panel sections so that in addition to the side panel sections 216a, 216b of the second embodiment two further panel sections 216c and 216d are provided. This further strengthens the structure in the lectern configuration in that the top section 210a will then be supported about a major part of its perimeter by the top edges side panel sections. This would allow the lectern to support a heavier book.

In this third embodiment, hinges 212b, 212d, 212e and 212f may be sufficiently wide to allow the support to be folded into its compact configuration for storage or transportation. As in the first embodiment, side panels 216a, 216b, 216c and 216d may be folded behind, or in front of, the back panel 214 in order to save space when the support is in its backrest configuration.

In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5, a side panel is provided on only one side of the back panel 314 and it is formed of two panel sections 316a and 316b connected to one another by a hinge 321d.

In the bookrest configuration, the side panel sections 316a and 316b are folded about the hinge 321d so that either of the front faces or their rear faces contact one another, and the two sections are together folded about the hinge is 312b to lie under the back panel 314.

In the compact configuration, the two top panel scctions 310a, 310b arc foldcd about thc hingc 312a to overlie the back panel 314 and the side panel sections are first folded about the hinge 312d to over one another and then together folded about The hinge 312b to overlie the rear surface of the top panel sections 310a and 310b.

Last, in the lectern configuration, the side panel sections 316a and 316b are folded about the hinges 312b and 312d to bring the free edge of the side panel section 316b into contact with the side edge of the back panel 314 to form a base of triangular section. With the panels of the base resting upright on a horizontal tabletop, the top panel sections can be folded abouu_ the hinge 312a so that the front face of the top panel section 310a rests on the upper edges of the side panel secions 316a and 316b. The top panel section 310b may then be folded about the hinge 312c so that its rear face contacts the rear face of the top panel section 310a, in which position a book can rest on its front surface. -8 -

The fifth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 6 differs from the embodiment of Figure 5 by the addition of a side panel section 416c connected by a hinge to the free side edge of the back panel 414. As is the embodiment of Figure 5, the top panel section 410a rests in the lectern configuration on a base having three sides, formed by the back panel 414 and the upper edges of the two side panel sections 416a and 416b, but in this case, for additional stability, the side panel section 416c is folded 10 to lie parallel to the side panel section 416b and is secured to it, preferably by means of at least one magnet.

The sixth embodiment, shown in Figure 7, is a variant of that shown in Figure 5 and differs from it in that the additional side panel section 516c is connected by a hinge to the side panel section 516b instead of being connected to the back panel 514. In this case, in the lectern position, thc additional side panel section 516c rests against, and preferably magnetically connected to, the back panel 514.

In all embodiments described, methods as have been described above may be used to prevent panel or panel sections from moving relative to one another in all configurations.

The panels and panel sections of the support may be manufactured from any material able to withstand the load of a book or tablet in both the book rest and the lectern configurations without collapsing or buckling. The hinges 12 are not load bearing in any configuration and may be made from any flexible material, such as a woven fabric or plastics sheeting. The support may thus be made of stiff boards of any suitable material (e.g. plastics, metal, fibreboard or card) covered in a flexible material (e.g. fabric, plastics sheeting, real or faux leather) that can also serve as the hinges. -9 -

As an alternative, the entire support can be moulded in one piece of a plastics material with the hinges constructed as so-called live hinges.

It will be seen that in all the described embodiments, the invention provides a reconfigurable support for a book that can serve both as a lectern and as a bookrest and that can furthermore adopt a compact configuration for storage and transportation.

While described above by reference to books, it will be appreciated that the suppoc, may also be used to support an electronic tablet or any other objection. For example, in the lectern configuration ir may be used to support a laptop computer.

Claims

-10 -CLAIMS1. A support for a book comprising a rectangular back panel, a top panel connected by a first hinge to an upper 5 edge of the back panel, and at least one side panel connected to a side edge of the back panel by a hinge that extends transversely to the first hinge, the top panel being formed of a first panel secu_ion connected by the first hinge to the back panel and a second panel section connected to 10 the first panel section by means of a second hinge that extends parallel to the first hinge, wherein the book support is capable of being folded to adopt three different configurations, namely: (i) a compact configuration for storage in which all the panels lie in planes that are parallel to one another, (ii) a tabletop lectern configuration in which the back pancl and thc or cach sidc pancl arc disposcd in upright planes that are inclined to one another and the top panel is hinged relative to the back panel so that both sections of the top panel rest on an upper edge of the or each side panel, and (iii) a bookrest configuration for use on a tabletop in which the back panel is disposed in a plane parallel to that of the tabletop and the sections of the top panel are hinged relative to one another and relative to the back panel, to permit the second panel section to serve as a support surface for supporting a book in a plane inclined to the plane of the tabletop, when a free edge of the top panel rests on the back panel or a side panel.
2. A support as claimed in claim 1, wherein clips are provided on at least one panel to permit panels to be 35 secured to one another in at least one of the configurations.
3. A support as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the top panel features a protrusion to prevent a book from sliding off the support in the tabletop lectern configuration.
4. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the back panel or a side panel features a protrusion or groove to act as a stop, in order to prevent the top panel from sliding in the bookresu_ configuration.
5. A support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the back panel or a side panel has a plurality of protrusions or grooves for enabling the inclination of the top panel to be adjusted in the bookrest configuration.
6. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, having two side panels each connected by a hinge to a respective side of the back panel.
7. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 20 the side panel, or at least one of the side panels, is formed of two sections connected to one another by a further hinge that extends parallel to the third hinge.
8. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein three side panel sections are provided which in the lectern configuration define in conjunction with the back panel a triangular support base for the top panel, and wherein two panels or panel sections overlap one another to define one of the sides of the triangular.
9. A support as claimed in claim 9, wherein the overlapping panel or panel sections are magnetically connected to one another.