US20230102308A1

US20230102308A1 - Support for a book or an electronic tablet

Info

Publication number: US20230102308A1
Application number: US17/304,975
Authority: US
Inventors: Shneur Zalman LAWRENCE
Original assignee: Lawrence Judaica Ltd
Current assignee: Lawrence Judaica Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-29
Filing date: 2021-06-29
Publication date: 2023-03-30

Abstract

A reconfigurable support for a book is disclosed that is made of stiff panels pivotably connected to one another and capable of adopting different configurations, which include a tabletop lectern configuration, a bookrest configuration and a compact configuration for storage and transportation. These multiple configurations are configured for specific uses.

Description

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright or trade dress protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter that is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to UK Patent Application No. GB2010040.0 filed on Jul. 1, 2020, entitled “Support for a Book”, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

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 bookrests also enable the angle of inclination to be 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.
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.
The present invention seeks therefore to provide a support that can be used both when a person is sitting in front of a table or desk or when standing next to it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure teaches a support for a book, including a rectangular back panel, a top panel connected by a first top hinge to an upper edge of the back panel, the top panel being formed of a first top panel section connected by the first top hinge to the back panel and a second top panel section connected to an upper edge of the first panel section by a second top hinge that extends parallel to the first top hinge, and at least one side panel each connected to a side edge of the back panel by a corresponding side hinge that extends transversely to the first top hinge, such that the support is configured to transition between a compact configuration for storage, a lectern configuration, and a bookrest configuration, wherein in the compact configuration, each of the panels lies in a plane parallel to each of the other panels so as to minimize the longitudinal and lateral space occupied by the support, wherein in the lectern configuration, when the support is placed on a tabletop, the back panel and each of the at least one side panel are disposed in upright planes, relative to the tabletop, that are inclined to one another and the top panel is disposed in a plane parallel to the tabletop, so that both sections of the top panel rest on an upper edge of each of the at least one side panel, wherein in the bookrest configuration, when the support is placed on a tabletop, 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.
In an embodiment, clips are provided on at least one panel to permit panels to be secured to one another in at least one of the configurations.
In an embodiment, the top panel features a protrusion to prevent a book from sliding off the support in the lectern configuration. In an embodiment, the back panel or at least one side panel features a protrusion or groove to act as a stop, in order to prevent the top panel from sliding in the bookrest configuration. In other embodiments, the back panel or at least one side panel has a plurality of protrusions or grooves for enabling the inclination of the top panel to be adjusted in the bookrest configuration.
In an embodiment, the support comprises two side panels each connected by a corresponding side hinge to a respective side edge of the back panel.
In an embodiment, at least one of the at least one side panel comprises two sections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel by the corresponding side hinge, and a second side panel section connected to a side edge of the first side panel section by a first side section hinge parallel to the corresponding side hinge. In another embodiment, one of the at least one side panel comprises three side panel sections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel by the corresponding side hinge, a second side panel section connected to a side edge of the first side panel section by a first side section hinge parallel to the corresponding side hinge, and a third side panel section connected to a side edge of the second side panel section by a second side section hinge parallel to both the first side section hinge and the corresponding side hinge, 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 support base. Preferably, the overlapping panel or panel sections each further comprise magnets so as to magnetically connect to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the invention in an unfolded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a support for a book comprising a top panel made up to two top panel sections 10 a, 10 b, a back panel 14, a side panel 16 and various hinges 12 a, 12 b and 12 c 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 10 a and 10 b are together pivoted about hinge 12 a and lie parallel to the back panel 14 with the front face of the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b facing the front face of the back panel 14. The side panel 16 may then be pivoted about hinge 12 b so that its front face faces the rear face of the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b. The hinge 12 b may be at least as wide as the thickness of the top panel section 10 b to allow all panels to lie parallel with each other.
The combined length of the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b 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 10 a and 10 b of the top panel may be folded about the hinge 12 c in the compact configuration in which case the width of the hinge 12 b 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 fasteners.
A primary 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 12 b to a position wherein the planes of the back and side panels 14, 16 form an angle of approximately 90°. The top panel section 10 b is pivoted about hinge 12 c so that the rear faces of the two top panel sections lie against one another. The front face of the top panel section 10 a 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 10 b may feature a protrusion 18 on its bottom edge, adjacent the hinge 12C, 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 10 a. As an alternative, the front surface of the top section 10 a 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 10 a to engage with the top edge of the side panel 16. Similarly, other fixing methods may be used, including grooves, magnets or hook and loop fasteners.
In addition to the primary lectern configuration, a way of providing a secondary lectern configuration in the illustrated embodiment would be to stand the back panel 14 on its free side edge, to use the top panel sections 10 b and 10 b 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 10 a and 10 b. The secondary lectern configuration differs from the primary lectern configuration in that the spacing of the book from the tabletop is 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 10 a and 10 b are pivoted about hinges 12 a and 12 c in order to form a triangle between the top panel sections 10 and 10 b and the back panel 14, with the front faces of the top panel sections 10 a and 10 b facing the interior of the triangle. In this configuration, the rear face of top panel section 10 b 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 10 b 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 10 b.
As an alternative to protrusions 20, the back panel 14 or the rear face of the side panel 16 may be formed with one or more grooves or slots to receive the free edge of the top panel section 10 b. The hinge 12 b 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 FIG. 3 , two side panels 116 a and 116 b are used to improve the stability of the support in the lectern configuration. One of the hinges 112 b, 112 d connecting the back panel 114 to the side panels 116 a, 116 b may be wider than the other to allow the support to neatly fold into its compact configuration with all panels lying parallel to each other. As in the first embodiment, the side panels 116 a and 116 b 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 FIG. 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 216 a, 216 b of the second embodiment two further panel sections 216 c and 216 d are provided. This further strengthens the structure in the lectern configuration in that the top section 210 a 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 212 b, 212 d, 212 e and 212 f 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 216 a, 216 b, 216 c and 216 d may be folded behind, or in front of, the back panel 214 in order to save space when the support is in its bookrest configuration.
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , a side panel is provided on only one side of the back panel 314 and it is formed of two panel sections 316 a and 316 b connected to one another by a hinge 321 d.
In the bookrest configuration, the side panel sections 316 a and 316 b are folded about the hinge 321 d so that either of the front faces or their rear faces contact one another, and the two sections are together folded about the hinge 312 b to lie under the back panel 314.
In the compact configuration, the two top panel sections 310 a, 310 b are folded about the hinge 312 a to overlie the back panel 314 and the side panel sections are first folded about the hinge 312 d to over one another and then together folded about the hinge 312 b to overlie the rear surface of the top panel sections 310 a and 310 b.
Last, in the lectern configuration, the side panel sections 316 a and 316 b are folded about the hinges 312 b and 312 d to bring the free edge of the side panel section 316 b 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 about the hinge 312 a so that the front face of the top panel section 310 a rests on the upper edges of the side panel sections 316 a and 316 b. The top panel section 310 b may then be folded about the hinge 312 c so that its rear face contacts the rear face of the top panel section 310 a, in which position a book can rest on its front surface.
The fifth embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 6 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 5 by the addition of a side panel section 416 c connected by a hinge to the free side edge of the back panel 414. As is the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the top panel section 410 a 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 416 a and 416 b, but in this case, for additional stability, the side panel section 416 c is folded to lie parallel to the side panel section 416 b and is secured to it, preferably by means of at least one magnet.
The sixth embodiment, shown in FIG. 7 , is a variant of that shown in FIG. 5 and differs from it in that the additional side panel section 516 c is connected by a hinge to the side panel section 516 b instead of being connected to the back panel 514. In this case, in the lectern position, the additional side panel section 516 c 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.
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 support may also be used to support an electronic tablet or any other objection. For example, in the lectern configuration it may be used to support a laptop computer.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A support for a book, comprising:

a rectangular back panel, a top panel connected by a first top hinge to an upper edge of the back panel, the top panel being formed of a first top panel section connected by the first top hinge to the back panel and a second top panel section connected to an upper edge of the first panel section by a second top hinge that extends parallel to the first top hinge, and at least one side panel each connected to a side edge of the back panel by a corresponding side hinge that extends transversely to the first top hinge, such that the support is configured to transition between a compact configuration for storage, a lectern configuration, and a bookrest configuration, wherein in the compact configuration, each of the panels lies in a plane parallel to each of the other panels so as to minimize the longitudinal and lateral space occupied by the support, wherein in the lectern configuration, when the support is placed on a tabletop, the back panel and each of the at least one side panel are disposed in upright planes, relative to the tabletop, that are inclined to one another and the top panel is disposed in a plane parallel to the tabletop, so that both sections of the top panel rest on an upper edge of each of the at least one side panel, wherein in the bookrest configuration, when the support is placed on a tabletop, 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. The support of claim 1, wherein clips are provided on at least one panel to permit panels to be secured to one another in at least one of the configurations.

3. The support of claim 1, wherein the top panel features a protrusion to prevent a book from sliding off the support in the lectern configuration.

4. The support of claim 1, wherein the back panel or at least one side panel features a protrusion or groove to act as a stop, in order to prevent the top panel from sliding in the bookrest configuration.

5. The support of claim 4, wherein the back panel or at least one 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. The support of claim 1, wherein the support comprises two side panels each connected by a corresponding side hinge to a respective side edge of the back panel.

7. The support of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one side panel, comprises two sections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel by the corresponding side hinge, and a second side panel section connected to a side edge of the first side panel section by a first side section hinge parallel to the corresponding side hinge.

8. The support of claim 1, wherein one of the at least one side panel comprises three side panel sections, a first side panel section connected to the back panel by the corresponding side hinge, a second side panel section connected to a side edge of the first side panel section by a first side section hinge parallel to the corresponding side hinge, and a third side panel section connected to a side edge of the second side panel section by a second side section hinge parallel to both the first side section hinge and the corresponding side hinge, 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 support base.

9. The support of claim 8, wherein the overlapping panel or panel sections each further comprise magnets so as to magnetically connect to one another.