US3719766A - Wall easel - Google Patents

Abstract

THE EASEL FRAME INCLUDES EXTRUDED ELEMENTS OF CSHAPED CROSS SECTION, HAVING SPACED LEGS JOINED BY A WEB. ONE LEG IS LONGER THAN THE OTHER AND INCLUDES A LONGITUDINAL CHANNEL FOR RECEIVING AND ANCHORING A CHALK BOARD OR OTHER PANEL WHICH ABUTS THE ENDS OF THE OTHER LEG. THE OTHER LEG PROVIDES A CHALK TRAY MOUNTING SURFACE. A WALL MOUNTING BRACKET INCLUDES A SUPPORT POST EXTENDING UP FROM THE LOWER LEG WHICH FITS IN A SOCKET RECESS ON THE LOWER EASEL FRAME MEMBER FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING THE EASEL ABOUT THE POST. A SELF-LUBRICATING BUSHING IS INSERTED IN THE SOCKET AND INCLUDES AN INDEXING STOP PORTION ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LOWER FRAME ELEMENT TO INDEX THE BUSHING WITHIN THE SOCKET AND PREVENT RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN THE BUSHING AND EASEL FRAME. AN ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENT PROVIDES A PAIR OF EASELS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER. A CHANNEL LOCK SLIPS OVER THE UPPER PORTION OF EACH FRAME FOR LOCKING THE FRAMES IN A FIXED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER. AN ALTERNATIVE MOUNTING BRACKET INCLUDES MAGNETIC MEANS SECURING THE EASEL TO THE WALL.

Description

D- FICHTEL WALL EASEL March 6, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10, 1971 I NVEN TOR.

O/ETEE F/CA TEL.

United States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The easel frame includes extruded elements of C- shaped cross section, having spaced legs joined by a web. One leg is longer than the other and includes a longitudinal channel for receiving and anchoring a chalk board or other panel which abuts the end of the other leg. The other leg provides a chalk tray mounting surface. A wall mounting bracket includes a support post extending up from the lower leg which fits in a socket recess on the lower easel frame member for pivotally supporting the easel about the post. A self-lubricating bushing is inserted in the socket and includes an indexing stop portion engageable with the lower frame element to index the bushing within the socket and prevent relative rotation between the bushing and easel frame. An alternative arrangement provides a pair of easels mounted for rotation relative to each other. A channel lock slips over the upper portions of each frame for locking the frames in a fixed relationship to each other. An alternative mounting bracket includes magnetic means securing the easel to the wall.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates to an improved wall easel assembly, and more particularly to an improved frame and means for pivotally mounting same to a wall or the like.

Wall easels generally include a chalk board mounted in a wooden frame, the frame including a chalk tray. The frame may be pivotally mounted displaying a chalk board on one side and a tack board or other display board on the other.

The wooden frames, however, are unduly heavy and expensive. Its fabrication requires skilled craftsmanship. In use, there is a tendency for the wood to warp. If the frame is to be pivotally mounted, a mounting bushing must be glued in place in a hole in the wood, thus requiring yet another special operation.

Thus, there is a need for an easel that is both light and sturdy, yet which requires little maintenance. In addi tion, there is a need for easel construction which is more economical, while at the same time is as attractive as a Wooden easel. Finally, there is a need for greater imagination and versatility in wall easel design-a need for easels which will match the versatility of modern ofiice design and construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION mounted and includes a bushing which is installed with-- out the need for a gluing operation. The bushing fits into a hole in the longer leg and the top of the bushing abuts the shorter leg. However, a stop projects upwardly from the top of the bushing and abuts the shorter leg of the atent ice vertical frame member which is secured to the bottom member. This stop prevents the bushing from rotating when the easel rotates.

The invention also contemplates a mounting bracket which facilitates mounting the easel on moveable metal wall panels. Thus, a bracket is secured to each side of the easel and to a magnetic plate. The easel can be placed against a metal partition and will stay in place.

Finally, another aspect of the invention contemplates a pair of easels hingedly mounted together. A channel shaped member fits over the top of the easels to hold them in a fixed position relative to one another.

These are a few aspects of the invention which illustrate its economy and versatility. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the written specification and the appended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a two-sided swivelmounted wall ease provided by this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the wall easel shown in FIG. 1 rotated degrees to show the opposite side of the easel;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the frame elements provided by this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane IV-IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a broken, cross-sectional view taken along plane VV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane VI- VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bushing and post means provided by this invention for pivotally mounting the easel to the bracket;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment provided by this invention which utilizes two easel frames mounted for rotation relative to each other;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the FIG. 8 easel with the two frames rotated in an open planar position;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 16 illustrate one form of this invention and show a twosided easel 10 swivel-mounted to a wall 12 about a rotational axis shown at 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The easel includes a frame 30 to which is mounted in back to back fashion a chalk board panel 19 and a tack board panel 17. The easel swings in door-like fashion between a first position wherein tack board 17 is exposed to the eye of an observer (FIG. 1) and a second position wherein chalk board 19 is exposed to the eye of an observer (FIG. 2).

The easel frame 30 is comprised of an upper element 32, a lower element 34 and a pair of side elements 36 and 38. Preferably, the ends of each element are mitered as shown in FIG. 5 to present a smooth mitered joint connection of each element to each other. One or more small screws 40 through the mitered joints anchors the frame rigidly into a one piece unit. One advantage provided by the frame elements of this invention is that they are comprised of anodized aluminum extrusions which have a hollow cross section so that they are extremely light. The cross section of each frame element is shown clearly in FIG. 3A and is generally C-shaped, having a long leg 42 and a short leg 46 joined by a web 41. The frame element is preferably open between legs 42 and 46 except for joining web 41. Long leg 42 constitutes the outside of the frame 30 and includes inwardly projecting flanges 43 and 44 which define a panel re ceiving groove. The free end edge 47 of short leg 46 is aligned with the inside edge of groove 45, towards web 41, so that a panel inserted in groove 45 will abut against end 47. Projecting inwardly at the junction of long leg 42 and web 41 is rib 43a whose cross-sectional configuration is comparable to that of flanges 43 and 44. This reinforces the corner and also facilitates extrusion of the frame element. Appropriate bosses are provided in the ends of rib 43a and flange 44 for receiving screws 40. Preferably groove 45 is equal in width to one of the panels 17 and 19 so that the panel will fit snugly therein. Preferably chalk board panel 19 fits in groove 45. Tack board panel 17 is shortened (FIG. 4) along each dimension twice the depth of groove 45 and is secured to chalk board panel 19 as by gluing. The entire panel assembly is thus positively anchored with the frame when the elements are interconnected. Of course, it will be understood that panels other than chalk board 19 and tack board '17 could be used depending on particular needs.

Positioned atop short leg 46 of lower frame element 34 is an article receiving tray 50 for chalk, etc. (FIG. 4). A tray maybe provided on both the upper and lower frame elements in those cases where the easel is capable of being inverted. Preferably, the tray 50 is a channel shaped unit which is affixed to the inner face 48 of the frame element in some manner such as with two-way adhesive tape 33.

Chalk board 19 includes a pair of projecting pins 20 and 22 for anchoring large pieces of paper, drawings or other informational bearing indicia. Preferably, a threaded bushing 24 is anchored in the chalk board 19 with pins 20 and 22 threaded therein. Each pin 20, 22 includes an additional pivotal pin 26 mounted through a slot 28 on the end of each pin 20, 22. The paper or other matter is inserted over the pin and the pin is then pivoted transversely to the mounting pin as shown in FIG. 2 to prevent the paper from unintentionally becoming disengaged from the anchoring pins.

Referring in detail to FIG. 4, the easel 10 is mounted to a wall 12 or other upstanding support member by a bracket 54 having a generally U-shape configuration, the web portion 56 being substantially longer than the legs 58 and 60. The length of web portion 56 is dictated by the overall height of the easel since the easel is mounted between the projecting upper and lower legs 58 and 60.

The primary support of the easel is borne by the lower leg 60 which includes a post 62 projecting upwards from leg 60 for insertion into a bushing 64 (FIG. set within a hole or socket 66 provided in the long leg 42 of lower frame element 34. Bushing 64 has a generally cylindrical configuration with an open end 68 facing downwards and corresponding in inside diameter to the diameter of post 62 to permit the insertion of the post into the bushing. Within bushing 64 and spaced upwardly from opening 68 is a plug 70 which closes the top of bushing 64 and provides an abutment surface for the post so that when the easel is rotated, the bushing and easel frame is rotated relative to the post about axis 14. Preferably, the

upper portion of post 62 is saddle-shaped (FIGS. 5 and 7), coming to a peak at 72. The bottom of plug 70 includes sloped faces 74 and 76 corresponding to the overall configuration of the upper portion of post 62 and defining a recessed groove. Thus when the easel is positioned with the panels and frame lying in a plane parallel to that of the wall, the upper portion of the post forms a tongue and groove-like fit with the bottom of plug 70 to form a lock position wherein unintentional rotation of the easel is resisted. When the easel is rotated out of the position shown in FIG. 5, the peak 72 of the post rides up the inclined faces 74 and 76 and moves out of the tongue-groove-like relationship. At the same time, the easel is raised with respect to the post until a maximum raised position is reached as shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the panels of the easel are in a plane at a right angle to the wall. At this latter position, the easel is in effect in a state of unstable equilibrium in that if the easel is rotated to the left or the right, the relationship between the upper end of post 62 and the closed bushing 64 reciprocates an automatic return of the easel to either the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 or the mirror image of this position shown in FIG. 1.

The top 65 of bushing 64 abuts the underside short leg 46 of lower element 34.

An indexing stop tab 80 projects upwardly from top 65 of bushing 64 and fits flush against the short leg 46 of side element 38 (FIG. 5). Tab 80 acts both as an indexer and stop for the bushing when inserted in socket 66. This not only properly aligns the bushing within the socket so that inclined faces 74 and 76 are properly positioned relative to the post, but in addition, prevents the bushing from rotating relative to the easel as a result of its engagement with the post. Preferably, bushing 64 is comprised of a polyurethane element while the post 62 is metallic. A substance such as polyurethane significantly decreases the friction generated between the post and bushing when they are rotated relative to each other such that the joint is essentially self-lubricating. By positioning a socket and bushing in each end of element 34, the easel 10 is reversible for rotation about either'side.

The upper frame element 32 is pivotally secured to the upper leg 58 of bracket '54 by a threaded bolt 84 which slips through an opening 36 in the upper leg 58 and into threaded engagement with a tap 88 in element 32 (FIG. 5). A tap 88 is positioned in vertical alignment with each bushing 64. It will be appreciated that in lieu of a bolt 84, a pin or other conventional means could be inserted therebetween which while permitting rotational movement of the easel relative to the bracket will prevent lateral displacement therebetween.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment is shown wherein a book-like easel is shown comprised of two separate easels 102 and 104, each comparable in construction to easel 10, hingedly joined by hinges 106. The easels rotate in book-like fashion and FIG. 8 shows them in a closed relationship while FIG. 9 shows them in an opened relationship wherein the easels 102 and 104 are co-planar. Easel 104 is wall mounted and non-rotating. Accordingly, its frame 30 carries only a single display panel 112 (FIGS. 9 and 10). Easel 102 rotates and thus carries a pair of panels and 111. Panel 110 is mounted in frame 30 and panel 111 is secured to panel 110. Panels 112 and 110 might be chalk boards and panel 111 might be a tack board, alternatively, panel 112 might be a chalk board, panel 110 a tack board and panel 111A decorative veneer. The easels can be locked in closed position by lock 130 including latch 132 and catch 134 (FIG. 10).

A preferred means for mounting the book easel 100 is shown in FIG. 10 and is comprised of a pair of vertically extending wall brackets 114. Each bracket 114 is a generally U-shaped channel member having a pair of opposed legs 118 and 119 and a web portion 120. One of the legs of each bracket 114 is secured to the wall 12 while the other leg is mounted to panel 112. Each bracket 114 includes a plurality of two-way key mounting slots in leg 118 which permit quick and easy insertion or removal from the heads of wall mounting bolts 123 (FIG. 11). The two-way slotting permits easy inversion of book easel 100 to provide left or right handed opening of hinged easel 102. For inversion purposes, a chalk tray 50 is positioned both at the top and bottom of frame 30 of, easel 104 (FIG. 9).

Referring back to FIG. 9, a locking member 130 is shown for locking easels 102 and 104 in a planar relationship. Lock member 130 is a channel-shaped unit which gloves over the upper portions of the upper frame elements of each easel 102 and 104 thereby preventing them from moving out of a planar relationship. Locking member 130 can be removed by lifting, at which point frame 102 can be rotated into the closed position. It will be appreciated that the locking member could be an angular element to lock the two frames together at an angle other than 180' degrees.

Referring now to. FIGS. 12 and 13, a novel mounting means 140 is shown for detachably anchoring an easel 142, the easel being similar in construction to those already described, particularly to easel 104 of book easel 100. The mounting means 140 permits the easel to be detachably mounted to a metal wall such as a typical moveable partition without having to disrupt the wall surfaces with any fastener element. The mounting mechanism is comprised of a pair of channel-shaped brackets 144 which are anchored to the easel panel 148 by screws 150 through bracket front legs 151. The rear legs 152 of the brackets which are spaced from the panel 148 are mounted to a pair of magnetic plates 156. The magnetic plates are attracted to the metal partitions to secure the easel to the wall. At the same time, quick removal of the easel from the wall is provided without leaving any unsightly mounting or fastening holes. Appropriate rubber lining of the magnetic plates (not shown) will eliminate any abrasive contact between the plates and the particular wall surface. Since brackets 144 are preferably aluminum, the magnetic plates 156 must be anchored thereto. However, it will be appreciated that if the brackets themselves are comprised of ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic plates need not be physically fastened to the brackets.

Although several embodiments have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in this art that the details of construction of the particular embodiments may be modified without departing from the broader concepts presented. It is therefore intended that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims rather than by particular details of construction shown, except as specifically stated in the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. A wall easel comprising: a frame of generally C- shaped cross section, having first and second legs joined by a web; said first leg extending farther from said web than said second leg and having retaining means extending longitudinally of said first leg, positioned approximately in line with the edge of said second leg; a panel positioned in said retaining means and abutting said edge of said second leg.

2. The wall easel of claim 1 in which said first and second legs are joined only by said web, said frame being hollow and open between said legs.

3. The wall easel of claim 1 in which said retaining means comprises a pair of retaining flanges projecting from said first leg in the general direction of said second leg; said retaining flanges defining a groove whose edge which is towards said web is in line with the edge of said second leg.

4. The easel of claim 3 in which said frame is comprised of a pair of side elements and an upper and lower element joined together, each of said elements being extruded of a rigid, extrudable material.

5. The easel of claim 4 in which a rib projects inwardly at the junction of said first leg and said web, said rib having the approximate cross-sectional configuration of said retaining flanges whereby extrusion of said frame elements is facilitated.

6. The ease] of claim 1 in which a first panel is retained by said retaining means and a second panel is secured to the back of said first panel; said easel being pivotally mounted whereby either said first or second panel can be exposed.

7. The easel of claim 6 in which said frame includes a pair of side elements joined by upper and lower elements; said first leg of said lower element including a hole therein for receiving a bushing for positioning on a mounting post to facilitate pivotal mounting of said easel; a bushing positioned in said hole having a top abutting said second leg of said lower element; said bushing having a stop projecting upwardly from said top adjacent and abutting the second leg of the side element connected to said lower element.

8. The easel of claim 1 in which a bracket is connected to said easel; said bracket having a first leg secured to said easel and a second leg spaced from said first leg away from said easel; a magnetic plate being secured to said second leg whereby said easel can be mounted on a metal wall.

9. A two-sided wall easel comprising frame means encompassing display means for applying and removing indicia for visual communication, said frame being swivelmounted to a wall, the improvement comprising a bracket secured to the wall for mounting the easel in spaced relationship from said wall to permit free pivotal movement relative thereto, said bracket having an upper and lower leg protruding away from the wall and spaced in vertical alignment, the upper leg including means for anchoring the upper portion of said easel frame to the upper leg for rotation relative thereto, said lower leg including anupwardly extending post, a socket positioned in the lower portion of said easel frame, said socket opening downwards for receipt of said post, and a bushing mounted in said socket to facilitate bearing rotation of said easel about said post, said bushing including stop means engageable interiorly with portions of said easel frame to prevent rotation of said bushing relative to said frame.

10. The easel according to claim 9 wherein said bushing has a closed top for engagement with the upper end of said post to space the lower frame portion from said lower bracket leg.

11. The easel according to claim 10 wherein said bushing is comprised of polyurethane or the like to provide relatively friction-free engagement between said bushing and post such that said bushing is essentially self-lubricating.

12. The easel according to claim 10 wherein said post end terminates in a peak and said closed end of said bushing includes a recessed groove having sloped sides so that when said post peak is aligned in said groove said easel is aligned in a plane paralel to the wall and prevented from unintentional rotation and so that when the post peak is misaligned with said groove, said post peak cams on said sloped sides and the gravitational weight of said easel causes it to rotate back towards one of said positions whereby said post peak is aligned in said groove.

13. A wall easel comprising a pair of generally rectangular frames, each of said frames having upper, lower and side elements encompassing one or more display panels for the receipt of indicia for visual communication, said frames being hingedly mounted to each other with one of said frames anchored to a wall, the improvement comprising: a connector member engageable with said pair of frames to lock said frames into a desired angular relationship; said connector member being channel-shaped to fit over a portion of the upper frame element of each frame to thereby lock said frames relative to each other.

14. The easel of claim 9 in which said means for anchoring the upper portion of said easel frame comprises: an aperture in said upper leg; a bolt passing through said aperture and being threadably mounted in a tap in the upper portion of said easel frame.

15. A book easel comprising: a pair of easels hingedly joined together; one of said easels including a bracket for mounting to a wall; said bracket including a plurality of slots, keyhole-shaped in both an upward and downward direction whereby said one easel can be mounted in inverted fashion to render it a left hand opening or right hand opening easel.

16. The book easel of claim 15 which includes a channel shaped connector means for fitting over portions of the tops of said pair of easels to hold them in fixed angular relationship.

17. The book easel of claim 15 which includes a retaining tray mounted at the top and at the bottom of said one easel, said trays opening towards each other so that one or the other of them can be used depending on the position of said one easel.

18. The book easel of claim 15 in which each of said easels has a frame of generally C-shaped cross section, having first and second legs joined by a web; said first leg extending farther from said web than said second leg and having retaining means extending longitudinally of said first leg, positioned approximately in line with the edge of said second leg; a panel positioned in said retaining means and abutting said edge of said second leg.

19. A wall easel comprising: a frame; a display panel mounted in said frame; a mounting bracket mounted on said display panel; said bracket including a first' leg secured to said panel and a second leg spaced therefrom;

a magnetic plate being secured to said second plate whereby said easel can be mounted on a metallic surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 135,019 1/1873 Thorp 3563 1,958,579 5/1934 Johnson 3563 2,679,700 6/1954 'Urbain 35--65 3,659,355 5/1972 Aubin 35--62 HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, Primary Examiner

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