GB2609894A

GB2609894A - Folding stand

Info

Publication number: GB2609894A
Application number: GB2110141.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Law David; Smith Phil
Original assignee: Noisy Clan Ltd
Current assignee: Noisy Clan Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-14
Filing date: 2021-07-14
Publication date: 2023-02-22
Also published as: GB202110141D0; GB2609894A8

Abstract

A foldable stand 100 for holding media such as a sheet music is configured to move between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The stand includes a central support 120, a first footing 130 and a second footing 140. The first footing and the second footing are rotatable relative to the central support by a hinge mechanism 132, 142. In the closed configuration the central support 120 is sandwiched between the first footing and second footing thereby forming a substantially planar surface (see figure 1c). In the open configuration, the first footing and second footing extend outwards from the hinge mechanism 132, 142 and are splayed relative to each other, and the central support 120 extends upwards. The first and second footings are rotatable through a helical path relative to the hinge mechanism. The footings may be rotated independently or simultaneously.

Description

FOLDING STAND

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of collapsible/folding stands.

Particularly, the invention relates to a collapsible/foldable music stand for holding sheet music, books or tablets when rehearsing or performing music.

BACKGROUND

Stands for holding paper, books or tablets have been used for many years and are useful for various types of performances such as speeches and the performance of music. Such stands provide an elevated rack where the media to be read can be positioned.

Portable and foldable stands are known and are used in musical rehearsals and live performances. Conventional music stands typically comprise a telescopically extendable leg centred in a tripod base, wherein the tripod base is collapsible around the bottom of the leg. At the top of the leg there is usually a foldable rack made of sheet metal bars forming a collapsible backplate and a shelf to form a support for the media to be positioned thereon. The foldable rack is typically joined to the top of the leg by a hinge and a locking screw. When unlocked, this arrangement allows the rack to pivot towards the leg and tripod to provide a relatively compact device when folded for transport or storage. To erect the stand for use, the user must expand the tripod, raise the telescopically extendable leg and unfold the rack such that the rack can hold the paper, book or tablet for use. Typically, each of the components needs to be locked in position by a locking fastener.

To collapse the stand, the user typically folds the rack, release and collapses the telescopic leg, loosens and collapses the tripod, and collapses the folded rack such that the collapsed rack is positioned beside the leg and tripod as previously described.

The process of erecting and collapsing such a stand for use can be time consuming and can be particularly complicated for children. Furthermore, the stand includes many connected and jointed component parts within which fingers may become trapped when collapsing or folding parts of the stand.

When folded the music stand is intended to be compact and transportable, but many of the components, such as locking screws and the individual elements of the rack protrude when folded or are liable to damage As such, such music stands are not recommended to be carried inside an instrument case, especially in a case for transporting delicate instruments e.g. stringed instruments, because some of the components parts of the music stand can easily damage a delicate instrument. Often, if such stands are put in the instrument case the stand is placed in a soft pouch or sleeve. Such pouches and sleeves add additional volume and weight to the folded stand and are also easily lost when removed from the stand. It is therefore most common for the musician to carry the stand separately from the instrument.

Foldable stands of the type described are still of relatively large volume 5 when folded, and so are awkward to carry and transport. Furthermore, said stands can easily unfold themselves causing inconvenience for the user. Said stands can be heavy and so can be awkward to carry and transport.

In venues where many stands can be used at one time, e.g. schools, concert halls and recording studios, storage can be problematic because the irregular shape of traditional stands, when folded and their tendency to partially unfold of their own accord makes traditional music stands particularly difficult to store them neatly and compactly. Often, components of music stands become intertwined, which means storing can be problematic due to possible damage and danger of stands toppling or containing sharp edges due to damage if not stored properly.

Furthermore, traditional stands can be bulky and therefore many stands cannot be stacked in a small space.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems with stands.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a foldable stand for holding media, wherein the stand is configured to move between a closed configuration to an open configuration. The stand comprises: a central support; a first footing; and a second footing; wherein the first footing and second footing are rotatable relative to the central support by a hinge mechanism. In the closed configuration the central support is sandwiched between the first footing and second footing thereby forming a substantially planar surface. In the open configuration, the central support extends upwards and the first footing and second footing extend outwards from the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism facilitates rotation of the first footing and second footing relative to the central support. Each of the first footing and second footing are rotatable from the closed configuration to the open configuration such that in the open configuration the first and second footings extend outwards from the hinge mechanism and are splayed relative to each other and the central support extends upwards.

This provides a stand which can be easily transported and stacked with other similar stands or with other planar objects such as instrument cases or books. The stand is stable in the open configuration and compact in the closed configuration. The stand avoids pinch points where fingers may be trapped. The stand is not time consuming or complicated to open. The stand does not have any protruding parts when in the closed configuration, therefore the stand is durable and safe to be stored with other objects without risk of damaging the stand or the other objects.

The first footing may be rotatable through a first helical path and the second footing may be rotatable through a second helical path relative to the hinge mechanism and the central support.

The first and second footings may be elongate members.

The first footing may comprise a first foot proximate a free end of the first footing, and the second footing may comprises a second foot proximate a free end of the second footing, wherein the first and second feet are configured to establish contact between the respective footing and a surface upon which the folding stand is stood, in use, in the open configuration.

The central support may comprise a third foot, wherein the third foot is located on a lower end of the central support and wherein the third foot is configured to establish contact between the central support and a surface upon which the folding stand is stood, in use, in the open configuration.

The hinge mechanism may facilitate independent rotation of the first footing and second footing between the closed and open configuration.

The hinge mechanism may facilitate simultaneous rotation of the first foot and second footing between the closed and open configuration.

The hinge mechanism may comprise a mechanical linkage configured to: simultaneously rotate the second footing when the first footing is physically rotated and/or simultaneously rotate the first footing when the second footing is physically rotated.

The hinge mechanism may comprise a rubber tube linkage configured to: simultaneously rotate the second footing when the first footing is rotated and/or simultaneously rotate the first footing when the second footing is rotated.

The central support may comprise one or more inner support members and an outer support member, wherein the inner support members are arranged to telescope relative to the outer support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figs. la-ic show a folding stand in a closed configuration without any attachments to a support interface; Figs. 2a-2c show the folding stand of Figs. la-ic in an open configuration and including a media plate attached to the support interface; Fig. 32 shows an angled hinge arrangement of the stand of Figs. la-ic; Fig. 3b shows a connecting arrangement in the form of a mechanical linkage to allow simultaneous rotation of the footings; Fig. 3c shows a connecting arrangement in the form of a rubber tube to allow simultaneous rotation of the footings; Figs. 4a-4c show an example of the folding stand of Figs. la to lc including a socket attaching a folding media plate to the support interface; Fig 5a shows an alternative socket for attaching media to the folding stand; Fig 5b shows the socket of Fig. 5a attached to the support interface; and Fig.6a and Fig.6b show examples of a backplate attached to the support interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figs. 1 a-1 c show a folding stand 100 in a closed configuration and Fig. 2a to 2c illustrate the folding stand 100 in a deployed/open configuration.

It will be appreciated that the folding stand 100 may be used to support a myriad of objects such as, but not limited to, sheet music, portable electronic devices, e-readers, books, speakers, lights, or any other hardware or media.

In the example illustrated in Fig. la -1c, the folding stand 100 comprises an interface 110 for attaching a platform (e.g. a rack 160 as illustrated in Fig. 2a-2c and Fig.4a-4c) thereto to support the hardware or media in use. The interface may facilitate direct connection of a device, such as a portable electronic device, an e-reader, a speaker, a light/light cluster, or other hardware or media.

The folding stand 100 comprises a central support 120, a first footing 130 and a second footing 140. The footings 130, 140 are elongate members having a similar cross section and surface finish to the central support 120. As described below the central support 120 and footings 130, 140 provide the foundation that stabilises the central support 120 and supports the platform when the folding stand 100 is in the deployed and open configuration.

Each of the central support 120, the first footing 130 and the second footing 140 has a smooth outer surface, which does not include any protruding locking fasteners or the like, thereby ensuring that, when in the closed configuration the folding stand 100 is unlikely to damage other equipment or instruments it might be stacked or carried with.

In the closed configuration, as shown in Figs. 1 a-1 c, the folding stand 100 has a compact, slim and flat profile which is achieved by the central support 120, the first footing 130 and the second footing 140 having similar cross section and surface finish and being arranged in the same plane when in this closed configuration, as shown in the side view in Fig. 1 b.

In the closed configuration, this arrangement allows the folding stand 100 to be easily stacked with other flat bottomed/topped equipment, or indeed with other folding stands 100. Additionally, as can be seen particularly well in Fig 1a, the central support 120 is sandwiched between the first footing 130 and the second footing 140. The first and second footings 130, 140 and the central support 120 are arranged to be closely packed in the closed configuration i.e. substantially touching or with very little gap between them, thereby ensuring that there are no pinch points or spaces for fingers to become trapped when carrying or moving the folding stand 100 in this configuration, unlike in traditional stands as previously mentioned.

Still referring to Figs. la-ic, the first footing 130 and second footing 140 each include corresponding first and second feet 131, 141 proximate the end of each footing 130, 140. The first and second feet 131, 141 are configured to establish contact between the footings 130, 140 and the surface upon which the folding stand 100 stands when in an opened configuration, as described below. Similarly, the lower end of the central support 120 includes a central foot 121.

The first, second and central feet 131, 141, 121 are configured such that, in the deployed configuration, they provide a triangle of anchor points, which provides a stable foundation for the central support 120.

The first, second and central feet 131, 141, 121, may be of a different material to the first and second footings 130, 140 and the central support 120. For example, the first, second and central feet 131, 141, 121 may be of a rubber material to provide grip and traction upon the surface which the deployed/open folding stand 100 is to be stood upon.

In the deployed configuration, the first and second footings 130, 140 are positioned at the lower end of the central support 120. To allow the folding stand 100 to move from the closed configuration, as illustrated in Fig. la to 1c and as described above, to the deployed/open configuration, the first and second footings 130, 140 are engaged with the lower end of the central support 120 by first and second hinge mechanisms 132, 142. The hinge mechanisms 132, 142 facilitate rotation of each footing 130, 140 relative to the central support 120 such that the footings 130, 140 extend substantially horizontally and splayed and the central support 120 is substantially vertical. In one example, each footing 130, can be rotated individually relative to the central support 120. In another example, each footing 130, 140 is rotated simultaneously relative to the central support 120.

In the illustrated example, the degree of rotation of each footing 130, 140 is in the region of 270 degrees from the closed/stowed configuration to the deployed/open configuration. However, the degree of rotation may be around 70-90 degrees, or around 265-300 degrees such that the footings 130, 140 extend substantially horizontally and are splayed relative to each other and the central support 120 is substantially vertical.

The first and second footings 130, 140 are configured to pivot around the first and second hinge mechanisms 132, 142 such that in a the deployed/open configuration the angle a between the footings 130, 140 and the central support 120 is between acute (where the central support 120 leans over the deployed footings 130, 140) and ninety degrees (where the central support is substantially vertical relative to the footings 130, 140).

The degree of rotation of the footings 130, 140 relative to the central support 120 from the stowed/closed configuration to the open configuration may be fixed or it may be variable. When variable, the degree of rotation can be selected by the user and may be selected from multiple pre-determined optional degrees of rotation, for example the hinge mechanism may include a pin to latch the hinge mechanism in one of a selection of possible degrees of rotation. Alternatively, the hinge mechanism may include a friction hinge which permits the user to select any degree of rotation and is configured to hold the footings 130, 140 and central support 120 at the selected degree of rotation without any further action.

As the folding stand 100 is moved from the collapsed i.e. stowed/closed configuration to the open configuration, the first and second footings 130, 140 rotate relative to the central support 120 to bring the first and second feet 131, 141 into contact with the surface upon which the stand 100 is placed. As described above, further below and as illustrated in the drawings, the first and second feet 131, 141 and the central foot 121 provide three points of contact to provide a stable foundation for the deployed folding stand 100 such that, in use, the folding stand 100 is capable of holding a myriad of media.

Figs. 2a-2c illustrate the folding stand 100 in the deployed/open configuration. The stand 100 includes a rack 160 (described further below with reference to Fig. 4a-4c). In the deployed/open configuration, as illustrated, the first and second footings 130, 140 have been rotated through a reflex angle i.e. substantially 270 degrees to arrive at the configuration where the footings 130, 140 are substantially horizontal, extend away from the central support 120 and are splayed relative to each other.

In the presently described example, the central support 120 comprises a telescopic arrangement of an outer member, which is provided by the central support 120 in the stowed configuration and inner support members 125, 126, 127 which are arranged to telescope relative to the outer member i.e. the central support 120 when the folding stand 100 is moved between the closed and open configuration and between the open and closed configuration. The inner support members 125, 126, 127 extend from the central support 120 when the folding stand 100 is moved from the closed to the open configuration and the inner support members 125, 126, 127 retract into the central support 120 when the folding stand 100 is moved from the open to the closed configuration. This arrangement provides adjustability of the height of the central support 120 in the deployed configuration and minimises the total volume of the folding stand 100 when in the stowed/closed configuration. The compact nature of the folding stand 100, when in the stowed/closed configuration helps to make the folding stand 100 easy to carry, transport and store.

It can be seen in Fig. 2c that in the opened configuration shown, the first and second footings 130, 140 are spread outwards to create a 'V shape with the central foot 121 being the apex of the 'V'. Said another way, each of the first and second footings 130, 140 translate in the horizontal plane as they sweep in the vertical plane as the folding stand 100 is moved from the closed configuration (shown in Figs. la-1c) to the opened configuration shown in Figs. 2a-2c. The spreading of the first and second footings 130, 140 in this manner provides a wide base where the three points of contact, namely the first, second and central feet 131, 141, 121 are spread widely apart and provide a stable base for the mounting of media on the folding stand 100. The wide base created ensures that the centre of gravity is kept within the wide base, ensuring a stable stand 100.

To achieve the above-mentioned 'V' shape with the first and second footings 130, 140, the first and second hinge mechanisms 132, 142 are angled with respect to the central support 120. As the folding stand 100 is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the first and second footings 130, 140 move outwardly from the central support 120 as each of the footings 130, 140 rotates around the corresponding angled hinge mechanism 132, 142. The feet 131, 141 of the footings 130, 140 follow a helical path when the footings 130, 140 are moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

In the presently described example, the first and second hinge mechanisms 132, 142 are separate and are not connected. To move the folding stand 100 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the user pulls the first footing 130 and rotates it relative to the central support 120 through a reflex angle e.g. between 270 and 290 degrees until the first footing 130 substantially horizontal reactive to the surface upon which the stand 100 will be supported. The user then does the same with the second footing 140.

In some alternative examples, the first and second hinge mechanisms 132, 142 may be configured to rotate the footings 130, 140 simultaneously upon the user moving only one of the footings 130, 140. To this end the user may rotate the first footing 130 relative to the central support 120, and through connection of the first hinge mechanism 132 to the second hinge mechanism 142, the second leg 140 is moved simultaneously without the user directly touching the second footing 140. This allows the folding stand 100 to be moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration more quickly and in fewer steps than would be required if the hinge mechanisms 132, 142 were not connected in this manner. An example of an arrangement to achieve this connection is now described with reference to Figs. 3a and 3b.

As shown in Fig 3a, the hinge mechanisms 132, 142 are angled with respect to the central support 120 and central foot 121 to allow the first and second footings 130, 140 to be moved outwardly as each footing 130, 140 is rotated around the corresponding hinge mechanism 132, 142.

Fig. 3b shows a connecting linkage 150 which is configured to translate rotational motion of the first hinge mechanism 132 into rotational motion of the second hinge mechanism 142, and to translate rotational motion of the second hinge mechanism 142 into rotational motion of the first hinge mechanism 132.

Instead of the presently described connecting linkage 150, the translation of rotational motion of one hinge mechanism to another may be achieved using any other suitable means, such as, but not limited to cams or driveshafts. Another alternative example of a suitable connecting linkage is given in Fig. 3c where the connecting linkage 150 is a rubber tube connecting an end of one hinge mechanism 132 to an end of the other hinge mechanism 142.

Referring now to Figs. 4a-4c, the folding stand 100 as illustrated in Fig. 2a -2c is illustrated in the collapsed i.e. stowed/closed configuration. In this example, a rack 160 is attached to the upper end i.e. the interface 110 of the central support 120 via a correspondingly shaped socket 161 which is configured to securely receive the interface 110.

In the illustrated example, the socket 161 is attached to a back plate 162 in a hinged fashion, thereby allowing the back plate 162 to rotate relative to the socket 161 The rack 160 is attached to the back plate 162 via a removable attachment, thereby allowing interchangeability, where alternative racks 160 or media can be attached to the back plate 162. As can be seen in Fig. 4a and 4b, the back plate 162 is attached to a central member 163 of the rack 160. The rack 160 also comprises a first member/wing 164 and a second member/wing 165. The first and second members/wings 164, 165 are hinged with respect to the central member 163 such that each of the first and second members/wings 164, 165 folds flat with the central member 163 for storage or transportation. Using the removable attachment, the user may swap the rack 160 shown in Figs. 4a-4c for a larger or smaller rack, or a completely different piece of hardware which is arranged to connect into the back plate 162. Alternatively, the piece of hardware may be adapted to include an appropriate socket for direct attachment to the interface 110.

Referring to Figs. 4b and 4c, it can be seen that the first member/wing 164 comprises a flat lip surface 164' and the second member/wing 165 comprises a flat lip surface 165'. The first and second flat lip surfaces 164', 165' together form a shelf for positioning sheet music, books or the like on when the stand 100 is in use. In the example shown in Figs. 2a-2c and Figs. 4a-4c, the central member 163 does not comprise a flat lip surface and the shelf is therefore formed across the central member 163 without the central member 163 providing an intermediate surface between the two flat lip surfaces 164', 165'. To this end, sheet music, books or other media are supported on either side of the central member by the two flap lip surfaces 164', 165'. In some examples the central member may also be provided with a flat lip surface (not shown).

The arrangement of the rack 160 to be substantially flush with the flat profile of the stand 100 ensures that even with the rack 160 fitted to the stand 100, the stand 100 is slim and flat such that it can be easily stored or transported, where stacking is highly advantageous.

As shown in Fig. 4b, when in the collapsed configuration, the flat lip surfaces 164'. 165' do not project out beyond the width of the stand 100, thereby allowing multiple stands 100 with racks 160 to be easily stacked. Furthermore, the flat lip surface 163 provides a flat bottom upon which the entire assembly can be stood upon if standing the closed stand 100 upright in storage.

Referring to Figs. 2a-2c and Figs 4a and 4c it can be seen that in the present example the wings 164, 165 and the lips 164', 165' each include an aperture 166', 166" and the central member 163 includes a correspondingly shaped channel 166-such that in the closed configuration (see Figs 4a-4c) the rack 160 includes an aperture 166. The aperture 166 is arranged to allow fingers of the user to pass therethrough and thereby grasp the flat lip surfaces 164', 165' allowing the flat lip surfaces 164', 165' to serve as a handle to carry the stand Referring now to Figs. 5a and 5b, as an alternative to the example described and illustrated in Figs 4a-4c, a further example of a socket and backplate is now described. The socket 171 shown in Figs 5a and 5b is similar to the socket 161 (as illustrated in Figs. 4a-4c) in that it securely attaches to the interface 110. The socket 171 additionally provides connection to the telescopic function of the central support 120. To this end, the socket 171 comprises a push button 172 which can be pushed by the user to activate the telescopic function of the central support 120. The socket 171 comprises screw threads 173 which can be used to attach a rack directly to the central support 120 instead of using a base plate. Additionally, the socket 171 comprises external resiliently deformable clasps 174 which are configured to temporarily hold the first and second footings 130, 140 when the folding stand 100 is in the collapsed i.e. stowed/closed configuration, thereby ensuring that the footings 130, 140 do not move out of their collapsed position until the user chooses to deploy them. Interaction of the footings 130, 140 and the clasps 174 ensures that the stand 100 does not inadvertently open during transit or storage.

In any of the previously described examples the central foot 121 may extend in line with the central support 120, thereby lifting the angle at which the first and second footings 130, 140 project down towards the ground. This allows the folding stand 100 to be used on rough or uneven terrain or placed above an obstacle such as a speaker or instrument case. Alternatively, the hinge mechanisms 132, 142 may be located higher on the central support 120 than they are in the described examples, thereby also allowing the first and second footings 130, 140 to project down at a greater angle towards the ground, and thereby avoid obstacles and allow the stand 100 to be used on uneven or rough terrain.

Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b illustrate two examples of a backplate 162A and 162B shown attached to the socket 171 as illustrated in Fig.5a and 5b.

Referring to Fig.6a, the backplate 162A includes a button attachment 180, which releasably connects to a complementary component on a rack (not shown) such as that illustrated in Fig. 2a-2c and Fig.4a to 4c, or other equipment or components such as an e-reader, a speaker, a light or light unit, a microphone or other hardware or media. An alternative arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 6b, where the backplate 162B includes magnetic strips 182, which are configured to magnetically attach the backplate 162B to a suitably adapted rack as illustrated in Fig. 2a -2c and Fig. 4a -4c. Like the backplate 162A of Fig. 6a, the backplate 162B of Fig. 6b can support suitably adapted equipment/components such as an e-reader, a speaker, a light or light unit, a microphone or other hardware or media.

In the illustrated examples, each of the backplates 162A, 162B are secured to the stand interface 110 via a bracket 184, which incorporates hinges 186 about which the angle of tilt of the backplate 162A, 162B and the equipment or component (e.g. see Fig.2a-2c and Fig.4a-4c) being supported by the backplate 162A, 162B can be adjusted.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A foldable stand for holding media, wherein the stand is configured to move between a closed configuration to an open configuration and wherein the stand comprises: a central support; a first footing; and a second footing; wherein the first footing and second footing are rotatable relative to the central support by a hinge mechanism; wherein in the closed configuration the central support is sandwiched between the first footing and second footing thereby forming a substantially planar surface; wherein in the open configuration, the central support extends upwards and the first footing and second footing extend outwards from the hinge mechanism; wherein the hinge mechanism facilitates rotation of the first footing and second footing relative to the central support; wherein each of the first footing and second footing are rotatable from the closed configuration to the open configuration such that in the open configuration the first and second footings extend outwards from the hinge mechanism and are splayed relative to each other, and wherein the central support extends upwards.
2. The foldable stand of claim 1, wherein the first footing is rotatable through a first helical path and the second footing is rotatable through a second helical path relative to the hinge mechanism and the central support.
3. The foldable stand of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second footings are elongate members
4. The foldable stand of any preceding claim, wherein the first footing comprises a first foot proximate a free end of the first footing, and the second footing comprises a second foot proximate a free end of the second footing, wherein the first and second feet are configured to establish contact between the respective footing and a surface upon which the folding stand is stood, in use, in the open configuration.
5. The foldable stand of any preceding claim, wherein the central support comprises a third foot, wherein the third foot is located on a lower end of the central support and wherein the third foot is configured to establish contact between the central support and a surface upon which the folding stand is stood, in use, in the open configuration.
6. The foldable stand of any preceding claim, wherein the hinge mechanism facilitates independent rotation of the first footing and second footing between the closed and open configuration
7. The foldable stand of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hinge mechanism facilitates simultaneous rotation of the first foot and second footing between the closed and open configuration.
8. The foldable stand of claim 7, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a mechanical linkage configured to: simultaneously rotate the second footing when the first footing is physically rotated and/or simultaneously rotate the first footing when the second footing is physically rotated.
9. The foldable stand of claim 7, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a rubber tube linkage configured to: simultaneously rotate the second footing when the first footing is rotated and/or simultaneously rotate the first footing when the second footing is rotated.
10. The foldable stand of any preceding claim, wherein the central support comprises one or more inner support members and an outer support member, wherein the inner support members are arranged to telescope relative to the outer support member.