JPS6119025Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a lightweight, collapsible support structure, and more particularly, to a lightweight, foldable support structure that can be used as an integral part of a book cover or ring binder for displaying its contents or , a collapsible support structure that may be included to serve a picture rack, or other similar purpose.

Lightweight collapsible structures useful for a variety of purposes are disclosed in numerous US and Canadian patents. For example, U.S. Patent No. 433635;
844066; 1875460; 2587316 and Canadian Patent No.
312291; 315615; 641733, etc.

The present invention relates to improvements in such collapsible structures, and is particularly based on the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 3,990,669 and Canadian Patent No.
This issue concerns improvements to No. 1010008.

The main purpose of the present invention is that the book cover or binder is combined into one, so that
If desired, the book cover or
When the binder is extended from a closed or folded position to a substantially fully extended open position, it is tilted upright so that its contents can be easily displayed. Improvements to book covers or binders that allow them to be supported on a suitable surface in a stable state, or to allow the cover to be used as a sloped work surface or drawing rack. The object of the present invention is to obtain a self-supporting, lightweight and foldable support structure.

More specifically, the book cover or book binder can be folded compactly together with the book cover or book binder for carrying or storing it.
Or, when the book binder is opened, the book cover or the book binder moves in unison, and when the cover or binder reaches a fully open position, it independently assumes an upright and stable position. It is another object of the present invention to obtain a collapsible support structure with a flexible structure.

Another objective is to provide a collapsible support structure that is relatively simple and easily maneuverable from its folded or compact condition to an independently upright and stable condition. There is a particular thing.

Yet another object is to provide a collapsible support structure that can be releasably locked in place to maintain its stability in a fully extended position.

Yet another important purpose is to place a supporting structure at its bottom, thereby allowing easy observation of its contents or providing a clear working surface;
The object of the present invention is to obtain a cover or a binder that prevents interference with enclosed pages or work sheets when folded.

Still other very important objectives are to use basic manufacturing steps, from low-cost lightweight materials, and to utilize equipment that requires low labor skills to ensure production efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. The objective is to obtain a support structure that can be made by

One feature of the present invention is that a cover composition suitable as a book cover, a book binder, etc.
In combination with a collapsible support member, the cover arrangement comprises a rigid central panel portion of generally uniform quadrilateral peripheral profile arranged to provide upper, lower and side edges. or opposite sides abutting the vertebral column and the lateral edges of the central panel portion for pivoting movement from a fully closed position to an extended and fully open position in coplanar relationship. a pair of rigid side panel sections pivotally connected to the central panel section along the edges; and for support on a suitable surface in inclined relation, which is located rearwardly and close to the central panel portion of the cover arrangement near the top edge. including a central post member adapted to pivot from a pivotally connected and opposing position to a substantially upright position below the cover arrangement; extending to and supporting each of the side panel portions of the center column member and the cover arrangement, and acting together with the center panel portion and side panel portions of the center column member and the cover arrangement from a closed position to a fully open position. a movable side support member adapted to provide stability to the collapsible support member, the cover arrangement having a movable side support member configured to stabilize the collapsible support member; The member is releasably secured to the cover arrangement to prevent movement.

With such an arrangement, the collapsible support member can be manipulated to tightly surround the cover when closed and to prevent folding when the cover arrangement is fully opened. , be able to assume an extended, upright, stable posture.

Other features include connecting reinforcing panel portions that are pivotally connected along hinge axes that lie substantially in the plane of each side panel portion of the cover arrangement on the underside of the side panel portions. the underside of the side panel portions of the central column member and associated cover arrangement over a range of movement of the side panel portions from the collapsed position to the substantially fully extended position; The purpose is to slide into contact with the object. In this way,
Not only can the book or binder include an integral collapsible support member, but also have substantial forces to better resist deformation or folding in a fully upright configuration. It includes a support member.

More particularly, each of the side panels adjoining the side edges of the cover structure includes an elongated slot of a selected profile and has a corresponding fastening pocket at the remote end. a fixing pocket and a cooperating follower pin, each having a hole in which the follower pin is provided by each movable strut member;
Ensure uniform movement of the parts not only for movement in the fully extended position, but also for movement in the fully folded position and to avoid distortion in use. This is another feature of the present invention.

Yet another feature is that it can be made from a substantially rigid plate-like panel with a reproducible peripheral profile, thereby allowing the panel to be made from a flat plate material.
Punched out using normal die cutting or punching operations,
In this operation, the object is to provide a support structure in which the hinge shaft can be simultaneously stamped or scored to form several pivot joints.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 2-5 of the drawings, takes the form of a ring binder as the cover arrangement 12 provided with a collapsible support member, generally indicated by 14. 1, each of which is preferably integral with and produced from the material or layout 16 shown in FIG.

This material or layout 16 is stamped from a suitable sheet of rigid plastic, such as polyester, with a thickness selected to ensure stability of the structure. This layout 16 extends from the side panel portions 20, 22 on the side by dashed line 2.
4 and 26, the first center panel portion 18 is separated by hinge axes 24 and 26, which serve to straighten the plastic during the die cutting operation. The layout 16 can be provided either by stamping the shape or by carving out the layout 16 in another step with a suitable knife edge.

Elongated slots 28, 30 are provided in the side panel portion 2.
0 and 22 in a somewhat diagonal direction, these slots 28 and 30 are symmetrical in this preferred embodiment and are, respectively,
Their remote ends are provided with fixing pockets 28a, 28b and 3, for purposes of later explanation.
0a and 30b, respectively.

Pivotally attached to the upper edge of the center panel section 18 by a stamped or carved hinge axis 32 is an elongate center column member 34 which is connected to the rear surface of the center panel section 18 by a second Adjacent as made clear by the figure.

Two side strut members 36, 38 abut the side edges of the central strut member 34 and are supported by hinge axes 40, 42 stamped or carved from the central strut member 34. Additionally, the hinges 40, 42 are parallel and, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the side panel portions 20, 2.
2 from the central panel portion 18, the parallel hinge axes 24, 26 separate the two from the central panel portion 18.

The side strut members 36, 38 each include reinforced panel portions 44, 46 having hinge axes 52, 54 stamped or carved therefrom. It has reinforcing panel sections 48, 50 that are separated by the curvature.

The hinge shafts 52, 54 are connected to each hinge shaft 40, 42.
and the hinge axis 32, in which case, as best seen in FIG. Note that 20, 22 can be adjacent to the rear surfaces.

The reinforcing panel portions 48, 50 are each provided with an opening 56, 58 therethrough, into which a follower pin 60,
62 is adapted to be secured as shown in FIGS. 2-5.

The follower pins 60, 62 include a head portion and a suitably sized handle portion, and the handle portions are arranged for sliding movement within and along the elongated slots 28, 30. and further has retaining washers 64, 66 fitted into and suitably secured to the ends of the handle parts remote from the head to prevent removal from the slots. , the washers 64, 66 are drawn against the front surfaces of the side panel portions 20, 22.

The follower pins 60, 62 are connected to the ring binder 1 by the support structure 14, as shown in FIG.
When folded toward the rear surface of the central panel section 18 of 2 and the rear surfaces of the panel sections 20, 22 abutting the side edges thereof, the interior and location of the securing pockets 28a, 30a of the slots 28, 30, respectively. Please understand that this will be combined.

Further, as is particularly evident in FIGS. 3 and 5, the central panel portion 1 is tilted with the support member 14 in the fully upright extended position.
8 and panel portions 20, 2 in contact with its side edges.
It will be appreciated that when depending downwardly at the rear of 2, the follower pins 60, 62 align with the interior of the securing pockets 28b, 30b of the slots 28, 30, respectively.

Also, in FIG. 2, the ring binder 12
However, it can be seen that the center panel portion 18 and the side panel portions 20, 22 bordering its side edges are arranged so that they are not fully extended. In such an arrangement, the collapsible support member 14
A hinge shaft 32 pivotally connects an elongated central column member 34 to the upper edge of the central panel portion 18.
It lies adjacent the rear surface of the panel portions 18, 20, 22.

Additionally, the side panel portions 20, 22 and the central post member 3 abut the side edges of the central panel portion 18.
Side support members 36, 38 in contact with the side edges of 4
are prevented from separating by follower pins 60, 62 positioned within locating pockets 28a, 30a above elongated slots 28, 30.

Hinge shafts 24, 26 of ring binder 12
and a hinge shaft 40 of the foldable support member 14,
42 are essentially contiguous in the arrangement shown in FIG.
It should be understood that it will move towards the folded position. In this way, this combined folded article is treated simply as a binder;
It is also clear that it can be processed in the usual way.

The support member 14 shown in FIG. 3 is adapted to hold the ring binder 12 so that the side panel sections 20, 22 which abut the side edges of the center panel section 18 are flush with the center panel section 18. , shown fully extended and displaced rearwards by opening wide.

As shown in FIG. 2, follower pins 60, 62 are supported by movable side strut members 36, 38 and are aligned in upper locking pockets 28a, 30a. By slightly moving each panel section 20, 22 inwardly, it is freed from the fixing pocket 28a, 30a and is moved in a slightly diagonal direction by the narrow groove provided by the elongated slot 28, 30. , while moving downward to the lowest fixing pocket 28.
b, 30b.

Such movement causes the central column member 34 to pivot rearwardly about the hinge 32, causing its lowermost edge 67 to engage the support surface 68 of the desk 80, as made clear by FIG. The side strut members 36 , 38 are brought into contact and are pulled on their side edges which cooperate with the central strut member 34 , likewise bringing their lowermost edges 69 , 70 into contact with the support surface 68 .

The follower pins 60, 62 are connected to their slots 2.
8, 30, the securing pockets 28b, 30b are reached and the side panel portions 20, 22 are removed by slightly displacing the side panel portions 20, 22.
, thereby preventing the center and side panel portions 18, 20, 22, respectively, from being removed from substantially fully extended, coplanar relationship. so that

The extended condition represented by the preferred embodiment of the composite article of FIGS. are in contact with the surface 68, and the follower pins 60, 62 are in contact with the fixing pocket 2.
8b, 30b, the entire structure is solidified and substantially stable.

Stretched in this way, the illustrated composite article exposes the contents of the ring holder 12 for inspection or observation in the form of a picture rack, or for any suitable purpose. Provide a surface for work or display.

The conventional three-ring structure 76 of the binder 12 in FIGS. 2-5 is optional, however, it is desirable that this structure be used as a notebook. .
This is because when the page is turned, it lies flat against the sloped surface represented by the coplanar panel portions 18, 20, 22.

Removal of the three-ring structure 76 provides an extended flat surface for mounting drawings, displaying produce, etc.

The outermost panel portions 48, 50 of the collapsible support member 14, by means of respective slots 28, 30 and follower pins 60, 62 and cooperating parts,
Restrained from sliding contact with the rear surfaces of the side panel portions 20, 22 abutting the side edges throughout the range of movement from the arrangement or condition of FIG. 2 to those of FIGS. 3 and 4. It is recognized that

This arrangement produces a controlled movement of the parts, whereby the support member 14 is grasped and moved to the folded position or to the extended position. First, the binders 12 to be cooperated are moved accordingly. Similarly, if binder 12 is moved, support member 14 is correspondingly moved.

The positioning of the slots 28, 30 is chosen in this example so that they are as widely separated as possible, thereby providing maximum resistance to deformation or folding of the upright article. It is designed to give Additionally, the strength of the composite article is enhanced by the selection of stiffer board greens or thicker board materials for the integral panel sections.

As is clear from FIG. 1, several panel sections made up of an integral plate can be separated and suitably pivoted together in any suitable manner; It will also be appreciated that a monolithic material or layout is desirable as it minimizes cost, as is made clear by FIG.

The slope of the binder panel portions 18, 20, 22 in the fully extended configuration of FIGS.
8, 20, 22 and the center column member 34 of the support member 14, for example,
and can be adjusted by extending and reversing the side strut members 36, 38 abutting their cooperating side edges to achieve a more upright position.

It should be understood that variations and modifications may be readily made to the embodiments shown and described herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the unitary material from which one embodiment of the invention is made; FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the combined cover arrangement and collapsible support member made from FIG. 1; 3 is a rear perspective view of the cover arrangement and foldable support member in a fully extended state; FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of FIG. 3; and FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, viewed from the left in FIG. 3 and from the right in FIG. 4, respectively. 12...Ring binder; 14...Foldable support member; 18...Central panel portion; 2
0,22...Side panel part; 24,26,3
2, 40, 42, 52, 54...hinge shaft; 2
8, 30...Slot hole; 34...Central support member; 3
6, 38... Side support member; 44, 46... Reinforcement panel portion; 48, 50... Reinforcement panel portion; 5
6, 58...opening; 60, 62...follower pin.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. Cover composition 12 and said cover composition 12
Supporting member 1 for supporting from below in an inclined state
4, the cover component 1
2 has a rigid central panel section 18 having a generally quadrilateral shape with top, bottom and side edges; a hinge shaft 24 thereon adjacent to the side edges of said central panel section 18; a pair of rigid side panel portions 20 connected via 26;
22, these hinge shafts 24,
26 brings the panel portions 20, 22 into a coplanar contact with the rigid central panel portion 18 from a fully closed position with the side panel portions 20, 22 in opposing relationship. The support member 14 allows pivoting movement relative to the substantially fully extended open position and vice versa, and the support member 14 also allows the side panel portions 20, 22 to be moved into the substantially fully extended open position. The cover arrangement 12 can be supported from below in an angled relationship, and the support member 14 has top, bottom and side edges and is adjacent to the central panel portion 18. a rigid central column member 34 that is interconnected at its upper edge 32 and pivotable from a position relative to the central panel portion 18 to a generally upright position below it; including movable rigid side strut members 36, 38 extending between each of said side panel portions 20, 22 of article 12 and said central strut member 34; The strut members 36, 38 and the side panel portions 20, 22 are
2 and when said side panel portions 20, 22 are disposed in a substantially coplanar mutually tangential angled relationship with said rigid central panel portion 18; the side strut members 36, 38 and the side panel portion 2;
0, 22 forming interengaging means releasably securing against relative sliding movement and movement of said side strut members 36, 38 and side panel portions 20, 22. A collapsible support structure configured to 2. The movable side support members 36, 38 are
a hinge axis 52 , each lying in the plane of each side panel portion 20 , 22 of cover arrangement 12 and away from said central post member 34 ;
54 includes reinforcing panel portions 48, 50 pivotally supported along the central column member 34.
from the folded position in which the cover arrangement 12 is opposite the center panel portion 18 and the cover arrangement 12 is closed, the center panel portion 1 is moved with the cover arrangement 12 in a fully open position.
8 and is in sliding contact with said side panel portions 20, 22 over an extent of movement to a substantially upright position below said cover arrangement 1.
2 is in the fully open position, said securing interengaging means are connected to said pivotably mounted and supported reinforcing panel portion 4.
8. The foldable support structure according to claim 1, which extends between 8 and 50. 3. Each of the movable side strut members 36, 38 connects the pivotably mounted reinforcing panel portions 48, 50 to the central strut member 34.
reinforcing panel sections 44, 4 interconnected with each other;
6. A foldable support structure according to claim 2, comprising: 6. 4. said means for fixing engage with said contoured slots 28, 30 and follow said slots 28, 30 under relative movement; and follower pins 60, 62 for controlling the central strut member 3 of the collapsible support member 14.
4 and the side strut members 36, 38 causes the slots 28, 30 to move to and from the substantially fully extended open position.
4. A collapsible support structure according to claim 3, having a contour that is uniformly moved by a pivoting movement. 5. Each of said side panel portions 20, 22 has a contoured slot 28, 30, and each of said pivotably mounted and supported reinforcement panel portions 48, 50 has a contoured slot 28, 30. , the foldable support structure according to claim 4, comprising the driven pins 60, 62. 6. Each of said contoured slots 28, 30 has a securing pocket 28a, 28b, 30a, 3 at each remote end thereof and offset with respect to the general direction of said slots 28, 30.
0b, in which case the follower pins 60, 62 are provided with the pockets 28a, 28 when the cover arrangement 12 is closed and when the cover arrangement 12 is fully opened.
5. The foldable support structure according to claim 4 or 5, which can be fixed in the foldable support structure 30b, 30a, 30b. 7. A collapsible support according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the rigid central support member 34 is pivotally attached to and interconnected with the upper edge 32 of the central panel portion 18. Structure. 8. A foldable device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cover arrangement 12 and the supporting member 14 cooperating therewith consist of a one-piece body 16 made of a suitable board material. Support structure.