US2112094A - Book rack - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1938., w. E. HASKIN BOOK RACK Filed Oct. 15, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR ,n m E. um w M WB M,

WITNESSES y ZWQ-/a n March 22, 1938. W El HASKW 2,112,094

BOOK RACK Filed Oct. l5, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS March 22, 1938. w. E. HASKINv BooK RACK Filed Oct. l5, 1935 5 Shee+S-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY March 22, 1938.

w. E. HAsKlN BOOK RACK FiledOGt. 15, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 f ATTORNEYS claims.

Patented Mar. 22, 1938 UNITE STATES PATENT BOOK RACK York Application October 15, 1935, Serial No. 45,125

13` Claims.

rI'his invention relates `to a book rack, and it is to be understood that in employing the title book rack it is used in its broadest sense to include a book cabinet, book casing or other suitable mount for a plurality of pivotally supported books which are adapted to be moved from closed position to open position and vice versa with a minimum of shocking or banging.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for a series of books which normally supports the'books in closed position, but enables any or all of the books to be swung from a closed to open position for ready use and particularly enables any or all of the books to be readily removed entirely from the book rack or toA be locked in the rack by improved means against tampering or removal when so desired.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with entry books such, for example, as loose-leaf books or binders and, more specifically, of the arcuate prong type in which the prongs` may be readily separated laterally and longitudinally without breaking the back of the binder at the longitudinal center line thereof or otherwise so that the back of same always lays flat throughout the operation of so manipulating the prongs.'

structurally the invention embodies an im,- proved cabinet or casing for the books, improved means for removably mounting the books directly in the casing and dispensing with an intermediate book holding or coupling device, suitable means for cushioning the fall of the books in the operation of closing, improved Ameans for cushioning the fall of the side covers of the books in the operation of opening, and improved means for locking the books against rotation in or removal from the casing, all of which will be more full hereinafter described and pointed out inthe In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved book rack, the view being taken looking at one front corner of the rack showing one of the books in open position and the other books in closed position; Y

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the rack looking at the rear, with the parts as shown, in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a View in front elevation, with aportion broken away and in section;

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section through the rack, longitudinally of a book, showing the books in locked position; V

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4,.sho1wing the books in. unlocked position and one ofthe books (Cl. B12-34) in position for opening and also for removal;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational plan view, illustrating the position of the trunnions in their cradles;

Fig. 7 is a View in longitudinal section of the detailillustrated in Fig. 6, but showing one of the books with its trunnion in position for removal from the cradle Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan or face View of the back of a book;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation at right angles to Fig. 9;`

Fig. 11 is a plan or elevational View, showing the central portion or back of a book inverted and in open position; n

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section transversely of the rack and books, showing one of the books in open position and the other books in closed position; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View in cross section illustrating one means of attaching bumpers.

My improved book rack embodies a cabinet having a floor stand, a book casing mounted on the floor stand, a series of books provided with a novel arrangement of trunnions and mountstherefor for the suspension and rotation of the books, a novel arrangement oi' cushioning means, and a novel arrangementvo-f looking means.

'I'hese several features of the rack will be hereinafter described in the order stated.

Cabinet In referring to the structure of the cabinet, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to any form or shape of this cabinet as it may be varied to suit the requirements of the trade, but a specific form is illustrated which is Well Vadapted for the' purpose. The cabinet may be made of sheet metal or any other suitablematerial.

In the specific construction illustrated, the cabinet embodies a floor stand A having ends l connected across the bottom by a longitudinal stringer 2 which forms a foot rest, and are connected at their upper portions by the book casing B.

The cabinet is preferably supported on rollers or casters 3 to facilitate its movement from place to place. The ends i-l and the Stringer 2 in the construction herein illustrated are preferably of square tubing and Vconstitute a skeleton frame with the upper extremities of the ends I I shaped to form shelves or compartments l for the reception of pens, pencils, erasers and the like, and on the outer edges of these shelves or compartments 4 cushions 5 are provided to receive and cushion the side covers of open books.

Boole casing The book casing illustrate-d generally by the reference character B is composed preferably of sheet metal and comprises an inclined front wall 6, a relatively short rear wall 1, a bottom wall 9, end walls 8, and a series of vertical partition walls 8 spaced apart and parallel with the end walls 3 dividing the casing into individual book compartments. The book casing has a general taper or incline from front to rear providing leg room or space for an operator in a sitting posture using the cabinet.

The front wall 6 and the rear wall 'I at their upper edges have inwardly projecting anges 6' and 'I' respectively, suitably notched to receive the partitions 8 to properly space the partitions and strengthen the construction.

The front wall 6 of the book casing is provided at its upper portion with a ledge or shelf I having a means I I thereon for the reception of index cards or strips, and in the specific form illustrated this means I I constitutes a channel-shaped strip. Also this iront wall 8 at its extremity is provided with an upstanding flange I2 having a cushion I3 thereon to receive and support the back of the books when in open position.

Books and their trunnion mOi/.nts

The books indicated generally by the reference character C are of identical length and construction. Each book comprises a rigid back I4 with the side edges having hinge barrels I5 to which are attached the side covers IS. The back I4 is preferably made of sheet metal and the side covers I6 of canvas, bakelite, or hard fiber, although in both instances other material may be employed. Where an arcuate prong type loose-leaf binder constitutes the book as illustrated in the drawings, the prong manipulating mechanism is mounted in the back I4.

At the sides of the back I4 and at a point substantially midway between the ends thereof longitudinally, are positioned two generally semicircular depressions I'I, one on each side respectively, and at the central points thereof are fixedly mounted trunnions I8 which are countersunk in the depressions and do not extend beyond the sides of the back I4, so that when a book is removed and placed upon a desk or table these trunnions will not in any way cause an unevenness in the position of the book. The depressions I1 and trunnions i8 are positioned slightly nearer one end of the book back I4 than the other so that the preponderance of weight of the book is at one end, preferably the upper or rear end in close-d position, to insure a complete opening and closing movement due to gravity as the books reach the extremes of their movements.

Mounted on each of the intermediate partitions Si and end walls 8 near the top edge, and at a point approximately midway between the front and rear edges thereof, are a series of trunnion cradles I9, each cradle comprising a base plate 20 and an extruded cylindrical boss 2I, each boss provided with a suitable slot or notch 22 adapted to receive and permit the discharge of the trunnions IB positioned at the sides of the book. The trunnion cradles i9 are preferably made of extruded sheet metal, although other materials may be employed, and are preferably made in pairs and in saddle form as illustrated and seated on the top edge of the partitions 8 and securely attached thereto by rivets 23.

It will be noted that the semi-circular depressions II are slightly larger in diameter than the extruded cylindrical bosses 2l of the trunnion cradles, so that the trunnions will readily enter the cradles when the book is in the full open position. When the book has been partially or fully rotated about the trunnion pivot for closing, it will be seen that the interlocking action of the depressions I'I and bosses 2l will prevent the removal of the book from the cabinet until it has again been returned to the full open position. As illustrated particularly in Figures 6, '7 and 12, the trunnions I8 are of general T-shape in longitudinal section, that is to say, they have enlarged outer ends so that when entered in the slots of their respective cradles, the enlarged ends will prevent lateral disengagement therefrom.

The openings or notches 22 are at the top or upper portions of the cradles and these cradles, when the trunnions i8 are therein, are positioned within the depressions I'I of the books so that when the books are in their closed position within the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 4, the wall of this depression lies under the cradle so that the book can not be removed from the cabinet when in this closed position. This is indicated in detail at the right of Fig. 7 and also in Fig. 8. When the book is swung or pivoted to an open position as illustrated at the left of Fig. 7, the cradle aligns with the opening or entrance in the wall of the depression, and the trunnion I8 can then ride upwardly through the slot or opening 22 of the cradle I9. Hence when a book is in this open position it can be lifted out of the cabinet, as illustrated in Fig. 5, and of course can also be returned to the cabinet, and when the book is pivoted to any point beyond its extreme open position it will be securely held in the casing.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular angular position of the book for release from its trunnion and cradle coupling means, as this may be varied to suit the trade.

Cushioning means In addition to the cushioning device I3 on the front Wall 6 and in addition to the cushioning devices 5 on the end compartments 4, I provide cushions 24 on the upper edges of all the partitions 8 and end walls 8 which are disposed in a plane slightly above that of the back of the books when in closed position, so that these cushions 24 support the side covers of an open book as indicated clearly in Fig. 12 of the drawings. They therefore reduce the shock of opening the books, prevent noise, and lengthen the life of the books.

These cushions 24 are preferably of suitably shaped strips of rubber and constitute bumpers as do the other cushioning strips, and a preferable means of mounting them is illustrated, in which retaining strips 25 of substantially inverted U-shape formation in cross section are utilized. These retaining strips are secured over the upper edges of the partitions 8 and receive and support the cushions 24 thereon which may be secured thereto in any approved manner.

In addition to the cushions and bumpers above described, I provide a cushion or bumper 26 on the inner face of the front wfall 6 of the book casing for cushioning the fall of the books during the operation of closing. This cushion or bumper 26 is secured in a retaining strip 27 iixed to the front wall 6, and Ythis strip 2l has retaining flanges 28 engaging the edges of the bumper, which is preferably of spongev rubber, holding the bumper compressed at its edges, and in arched or curved formation so that it presents a strong resilient cushion to receive Contact of the books. It is of course to be understood that this cushion 26 may extend entirely through the casing or it may be made in any desired lengths or sections.

Locking means As seen clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, I provide a locking bar 29 having a rocking action and mounted in the lower front portion of the book casing B and extending throughout its length. This bar 29 at one end is arranged to pivot in a socket 30 attached to an end wall 8 of the book compartment B, and at its other end is connectedto the spindle 3l of a lock controlled handle 32 which is attached to the outer surface of an end wall 8 of the book compartment. The handle is arranged to rotate through an arc of 90 and the lower front corners of the intermediate dividing partitions 8 are cut away as seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings to permit freemovement of the locking bar and to provide for a stop for the same to limit its turning movement.

Fig. 4 shows the locking bar in locked position, that is, it is turned to substantially a vertical position engaging the edges of the books C so that when the locking bar is in this position the books can not be turned or moved on their pivots, but when the locking bar is swung to a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 5, it is out of the way of the books and they areffree to swing or pivot. Thus it will be seen Vthat when the books can not be pivoted or swung to an open position for uncoupling engagement of the trunnions with the cradles, they can not be removed from the cabinet so that the locking device 29 functions in combination with the trunnion mounts to insure a secure locking of the books in the cabinet whenever desired.

While I have illustrated and described what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that various slight changes may be made with regard to the form and arrangement of parts without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but `consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall Within the spirit and scope of the claims.

I claim: A Y

1. A book rack, including a plurality of compartments adapted to contain single books, a plurality of books provided with trunnion means intermediate the ends thereof adapted for engagement in supports in the compartments or for removal from the compartments, the said trunnion means being countersunk in the sides of the book whereby when the book is laid flat on a table the said trunnion means will not mar the finish or cause the book to rock.

2. A book rack, including a casing, a book compartment for a single book, trunnion supports mounted on the side walls of said compartment and projecting into depressions in the sides of the book mounted thereon in interlocked engagement, locking means preventing the rotation of the book on its trunnion pivot whereby the book is locked against rotation for use or removal from the compartment.

3. A book rack, including a casing comprising a plurality of book compartments, trunnion cradles mounted on the side walls of said compartments and projecting into depressions in the sides of books mounted thereon in interlocked engagement whereby the said books are normally suspended in closed position inside the said compartments and are prevented from removal from the said compartments except by rotation on the said trunnions to an open position outside the said compartments, a key controlled locking bar extending transversely through the said compartments and having a rocker movement whereby when in locked position none of the books may be rotated and when in unlocked position the books are free to rotate.

e. A book rack, including a pair of spaced supports, aligned trunnion cradles on the supports having openings in their upper portions, a book, and countersunk trunnions on the sides of the book adjacent its back for movement through the openings in the cradles and for pivotal movement in the cradles.

5. A book rack, including a pair of spaced supports, aligned trunnion cradles on the supports having openings in their upper portions, a book, the countersunk trunnions on the sides of the book adjacentV its back for movement through the openings in the cradles and for pivotal movement in the cradles, said book having its countersunk portions extending to the back of the book and its wall adapted to be positioned under the cradle.

6. A book rack, including a pair of spaced supports, aligned trunnion cradles on the supports having openings in their upper portions, a book, countersunk trunnions on the sides of the book adjacent its back for movement through the openings in the cradles and for pivotal movement in the cradles, means cushioning the movement of the book, and means locking the books in closed position.

'7. A book rack, including a support, a book casing mounted in the support, a plurality of parallel partitions in the casing dividing the same into a plurality of book compartments, trunnion mounts on the partitions and the end walls of the casing, a book for each compartment, countersunk trunnions intermediate the ends of the books at the sides thereof for coupling engagement with the trunnion mounts, cushioning devices on the upper edges of the partitions between the books, a cushioning device at the upper edge of the front wall of the casing, and a cushioning device against the inner face of the front wall of the casing adjacent the lower portion thereof.

8. A device of the character described, including a casing, a book partially concealed in the casing and normally having a portion of its back exposed, the said book having recessed trunnion means at the sides of its back intermediate the ends thereof, and trunnion cradles mounted in said casing adapted to receive and provide pivotal support for said trunnion means and permitting said book to swing around said pivot outside ofsaid casing, whereby the book may be opened and supported by its pivot and adjacent parts of said casing in position for use.

9. A device of the character described, including a casing, a book partially concealed in the casing and normally having a portion of its back exposed, the said book having recessed trunnion means at the sides of its back intermediate the ends thereof, and trunnion supports mounted in such casing adap-ted to engage the said trunnion means for pivotal mounting to support and permit said book to swing around said pivot outside of said casing whereby the book may be removed frorn the casing.

10. A book rack, including a compartment adapted to contain a book, projecting trunnion cradles mounted on the side walls of said compartrnent adapted to support a book which is suspended therefrom when the book is in closed position in the compartment, and a book having recessed trunnion means at the sides of its back intermediate the ends thereof, the said cradles being adapted to project into the said recessed trunnion means and interlock therewith whereby the book cannot be lifted from the compartment when in said closed position.

11. A book rack including a plurality of compartments adapted to contain books, projecting trunnion supporting means mounted on the side walls of said compartments near the top, a plurality of books having trunnions positioned in open-end semi-circular depressions at the sides of the back intermediate the ends thereof, the said open end of the depressions being adapted to permit the trunnions to be lifted from or placed upon the said supports for pivotal movement of the book, the said trunnion supports being adapted to project into and intermesh with the said depressions whereby the said books may be lifted from the compartments only when the books have been rotated to a position outside the compartment.

12. A book rack, including a book compartment, projecting trunnion cradles mounted on the side walls of said compartment, a book having recessed trunnion means at the sides of its back intermediate the ends thereof, the said recesses being adapted to interlock with the said cradles whereby the said book maybe suspended from said interlocking trunnion means in said compartment and may be pivoted on said trunnion means and moved outside of said compartment and may then be entirely removed from said compartment.

13. A book rack including parallel spaced walls, a book normally located between said walls, said book having in its sides at its back semicircular recesses, trunnions xed to the back and located centrally in said recesses, and cylindrical trunnion cradles xed to said walls adapted to receive the trunnions therein with said cradles located in the recesses.

WALTER E. HASKIN.

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