US3747775A - Holder for books and the like - Google Patents

Holder for books and the like Download PDF

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Publication number
US3747775A
US3747775A US00226622A US3747775DA US3747775A US 3747775 A US3747775 A US 3747775A US 00226622 A US00226622 A US 00226622A US 3747775D A US3747775D A US 3747775DA US 3747775 A US3747775 A US 3747775A
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United States
Prior art keywords
elastic band
units
retaining means
elements
upstanding
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00226622A
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English (en)
Inventor
A Merola
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Publication of US3747775A publication Critical patent/US3747775A/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B65/00—Book-troughs; Accessories specially adapted for book-storing, e.g. book-ends
    • A47B65/20—Book-ends
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B65/00—Book-troughs; Accessories specially adapted for book-storing, e.g. book-ends
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B65/00—Book-troughs; Accessories specially adapted for book-storing, e.g. book-ends
    • A47B65/10—Book-troughs; Accessories specially adapted for book-storing, e.g. book-ends adjustable

Definitions

  • the arrangement is such that when a plurality of items are being supported in the device and one or more of them is removed, the side supporting members will immediately adjustthemselves to the thickness of the remaining items in the device. The reverse is also the case as the side supporting members will adjust themselves to new increased dimensions as additional items are inserted therebetween to be supported.
  • the invention involves in brief the use of two units moveable toward and away from each other, and each having a material engaging surface between which surfaces books, magazines, file folders, or other material to be held is adapted to inserted and clamped.
  • the arrangement is such that when one or more books, folders or the like are withdrawn the units are caused to move toward each other by special elastic means so as to accommodate the clamping action to the thickness of the remaining material between the units.
  • the invention may take a variety of forms each suited for a particular purpose and may take a form suited for general use but adaptable for several purposes.
  • the books, file folders, magazines and the like are adapted to be supported in an upright or vertical position. In such position they occupy much less room on a table or desk, are easily inserted or removed, and the position in which they are held is usually such that the label or title or other indicia of their contents is readily discernible.
  • the device preferably is constructed of flat, relatively thin, plastic sheets or plates, which are lightweight and noncumbersome. If desired, the device can be provided with handle means permitting the device to be transported from place to place with or without books, file folders or other material therein.
  • the device incorporates a special arrangement of an elastic band (or bands) which exerts a strong pulling force on the units to draw them as close together as the intervening material will permit. This is effected in such manner that the elastic band will be free to stretch, contract and slide and not be caught by or caused to bind against the material being supported as might occur if :a spiral spring or the like were used in place ofthe elastic hand. More particularly the arrangement for the elastic band is such that the stretching and contraction is effected in an even manner through the use of specially positioned retaining means provided with a smooth external surface over which the band is disposed.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown with books being supported thereby;
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of the same embodiment of FIG. I with the books removed;
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. I also with the books removed;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial perspective bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional detail showing one of the spacing and elastic band retaining members
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the device of FIGS. l-S as used with a connecting base support member showing the device with books being supported thereby;
  • FIG. '7 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 6 but with the books removed.
  • FIG. 8 is a top plan view of structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with portions broken away;
  • FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing books therein;
  • FIG. 11 is an end view of the modification of FIG. 10 but with the books removed;
  • FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the modification of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 13 is a partial bottom perspective view of the modification of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 14 is a partial top plan view showing a modified mounting arrangement for the elastic band.
  • FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 14;
  • FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the elastic band mounting means is a said integral part of the unit; and 7 FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 16.
  • the device is comprised of two identical units 10, 10' which are generally L-shaped in cross section each being made up of an upstanding member, l4, l4 and a horizontal member.
  • the horizontal member and the upstanding members are preferably formed of flat relatively thin but rigid plastic such as polystyrene.
  • the horizontal member is comprised of bases 12, 12 which are disposed in spaced parallel relation a short distance above base plates 16, 16' to which they are secured by means of an elastic band retaining means such as spacer elements 18.
  • spacer elements 18 there being three such spacer elements 18 for each of the units (as seen in FIG. 3), one adjacent each side edge of the unit and one in the middle, the latter being spaced a greater distance from the upstanding member 14, 14' of the unit on which it is mounted, thus being disposed to form a triangle.
  • the spacer elements 18 are formed of a bolt or the like 20 forming an axle for a roller element 22.
  • the two units 10 are disposed in back-to-back position. They are constantly urged into this position by means of a special arrangement employing an endless elastic band 24.
  • the endless band 24 is disposed in the spaces between the bases 12, 12' and the plates l6, l6, and passes around the roller elements 22 of one of the units and thence to the other unit where it extends around the three roller elements 22 of that unit.
  • FIG. 2 also shows the upstanding members l4, 14' as being flared outwardly from bottom to top.
  • This construction facilitates the insertion of books, files, magazines, or other material being placed therebetween.
  • the units l0, 10 separate a sufficient distance to accommodate the book.
  • Such separation is effected against the force exerted by the elastic band which urges the units toward each other, such elastic force, after the insertion of the books or the like causing the upstanding members 12, 12' to engage the book firmly and hold it neatly in position.
  • the elastic band arrangement permits the insertion of any number of files, magazines, books, or the like between the units, one or more at a time. Also, the arrangement facilitates and permits the subsequent removal of any of the items being held, regardless of their thickness, the elastic band just drawing the units closer together as each item is removed.
  • the upstanding members 14, 14' flare outwardly from bottom to top. Again, with reference to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the angle of flare is less than 90 so that in fully closed position with no book or the like being held in place the upstanding members 14, 14' assume their diverging position. The insertion of a book or the like therebetween results in a good clamping action as it forces the lower portions of upstanding members apart more than the upper portions. This mitigates against an otherwise obvious tendency for the lower portions to rise thus tilting the units about the free edges of their bases 12, 12'.
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device with no books or the like between the upstanding members l4, l4 and it shows perhaps better than the other figures (though in dotted lines) the manner in which the elastic band 24 passes around the spacer elements 22 of both units.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective of one of the units turned upside down so as to show how the elastic band 24 extends over the corner roller 22 before passing to the other unit.
  • FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view showing the same structure but with the elastic band removed.
  • the two unitsl0, 10' may be combined with supporting panel 26 which preferably is an elongated rectangular member which is relatively thin but rigid and strong.
  • the two units 10, 10' are mounted on this panel 26 simply by a dovetail arrangement the plates 16, 16' having central rectangular cutouts on their undersurfaces, the side edges of the cutouts being bevelled as at 28.
  • the side edges of the supporting panel 26 are bevelled in a complementary direction. In this manner the units l0, 10' can be slidably mounted on the supporting panel 26.
  • a detail of the bevel connection is illustrated in FIG. 9. In this manner, as illustrated in FIG.
  • the upper edges of the upstanding members 14, 14' are curved outwardly and downwardly to form handles 30 which permit the whole device with books therein to be lifted and transported from one location to another. This feature is particularly advantageous when the device is used in a library where books to be read may be inserted between the upstanding members and then transported in the device to adesk location where the books may be examined and read as desired.
  • FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 can be used either with or without the supporting panel 26.
  • the units should be mounted on the panel 26 as described.
  • the panel 26 may be dispensed with, in which event the device would be just as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and would be used in the same way.
  • FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 so that like reference numerals will be employed in indicating like parts.
  • the device like that embodiment is comprised of two units 10, 10' comprised of L- shaped members with base members l2, l2, upstanding members 14, 14', plates l6, l6 spacer elements 18 with rollers 22, over which an elastic band extends in the same manner.
  • the embodiment of FIGS. 10-13 has a supporting panel 26 on which the units 10, 10' are slidably mounted through a dovetail arrangement.
  • the principal difference between the embodiments is that in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 13 the panel 26, intermediate its ends is provided with an upstanding partition 30.
  • This partition is of a height greater than the usual height of books or other items to be supported by the device and its upper end is formed with an elongated cutout 32 in such manner as to constitute a handle so that the whole device can be lifted thereby and carried from place to place as desired.
  • the device cannot be assembled in the same manner as the earlier embodiment Instead, one of the units 10, must be slided on one end of the panel 26 until it abuts the partition, the other unit being slided on the other end until it too abuts the partition 26. Then the elastic band 24 is placed in position by holding it in a stretched position and inserting it over the partition 30 and over the upstanding members 14, 14' and thence between the bases 12, 12' and plates 16, 16' and over the rollers 22, as shown in dash lines in FIG. 10.
  • elastic band has been employed. It is to be understood however, that such a band may actually consist of several elastic bands.
  • the bands may be of any good elastic material which can be subjected to a great many stretchings without deterioration. A good grade of synthetic or natural rubber band has proved very suitable.
  • the use of several rubber bands for example, instead of a single band presents the advantage that the force which draws the units together and resists their separation so as to effect the best clamping action can be varied simply by using a greater or lesser number of bands.
  • FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternate arrangement for mounting the elastic bands.
  • the elastic bands 24 are disposed near each side edge of the plates 16 and parallel to such edges and the bands are held in position by being passed over knobs or studs 34 extending upwardly.
  • the bands 24 thus are disposed between the plates 16, 16' and the bases 12, I2. It should now be clear from FIG. 14 that as books or other material is inserted between the upstanding members 14, 14 that separation of these members is effect against the tension of the elastic bands 2d, which stretch to permit the introduction of the material and then cause the upstanding members to clamp the inserted books or the like firmly in place.
  • FIGS. It) and 17 there is shown an embodiment wherein a solid intermediate portion 36 provided with protuberances 38, 39 and 40 each being relatively smooth curved surfaces comprises the elastic band retaining means.
  • the L-shaped unit is formed as a continuous unitary structure as by molding so as to leave a space 38 below the top portion 12.
  • An apparatus for holding books and the like which comprises a first generally L-shaped unit, a second generally L-shaped unit, said units being comprised of a horizontal member and an upstanding member and said units being arranged in back-to-back relationship to each other each horizontal member of said L-shaped units comprising a top element, a bottom element spaced apart from said top element and substantially parallel thereto, and an elastic band retaining means disposed between said top and bottom elements and secured to at least one of said elements, said elastic band retaining means having portions situated on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting the upstanding member and spaced apart.
  • said portions having a relatively smooth external surface about vertical axes, and at least one elastic band circumscribing opposite portions of the elastic band retaining means on each of said L-shaped units about said relatively smooth surfaces, said elastic band lying wholly in a substantially horizontal plane.
  • said elastic retaining means comprises a solid intermediate portion extending between and integral with said top and bottom elements
  • said elastic retaining means is provided with three protuberances each having relatively smooth curved external surfaces about which said elastic band is circumscribed, two of said protuberances being spaced apart and disposed adjacent the plane of the upstanding member and the third protuberance being disposed away from the plane of said two spaced apart protuberances and substantially equidistant therefrom.
  • bottom elements are slidably mounted on a supporting panel extending beneath the top surface of both bottom elements in a direction perpendicular to the upstanding members.
  • An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including a supporting panel an upstanding partition member attached to said supporting panel between said upstanding members and having a handle means provided at its upper end.
  • bottom elements have a central rectangular cutout on their under surfaces the edges of the cutouts being bevelled and the side edges of the supporting panel being bevelled in a complementary direction.
  • the elastic retaining means each comprises two spacer elements spaced apart on either side of a vertical plane perpendicularly bisecting said upstanding members and wherein separate elastic bands circumscribe opposing spacer elements.

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  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)
  • Sheet Holders (AREA)
US00226622A 1972-02-15 1972-02-15 Holder for books and the like Expired - Lifetime US3747775A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US22662272A 1972-02-15 1972-02-15

Publications (1)

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US3747775A true US3747775A (en) 1973-07-24

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ID=22849692

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US00226622A Expired - Lifetime US3747775A (en) 1972-02-15 1972-02-15 Holder for books and the like

Country Status (11)

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US (1) US3747775A (it)
JP (1) JPS4889023A (it)
AU (1) AU5213973A (it)
BR (1) BR7301141D0 (it)
CA (1) CA952479A (it)
DE (1) DE2305655A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2172650A5 (it)
GB (1) GB1396583A (it)
IT (1) IT959521B (it)
NL (1) NL7207272A (it)
SE (1) SE367759B (it)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3910537A (en) * 1973-06-19 1975-10-07 Cii Honeywell Bull Device for supporting flat electrical cables
EP1145666A1 (de) * 2000-04-13 2001-10-17 Herbert Zippel Moosbach, Inh. Peter Dinzl Regal, insbesondere für Bibliotheken
US20050224430A1 (en) * 2004-04-09 2005-10-13 Salemi Leonard E Article stowage system
US10285511B1 (en) * 2017-11-02 2019-05-14 Franklin Display Group, Inc. Dispensing tray, display system and method
US20220104617A1 (en) * 2019-11-26 2022-04-07 Richard Drake Robinson Record holder system and method

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8403816D0 (en) * 1984-02-14 1984-03-21 Dugdale I D Transporting sheets of material
GB0317812D0 (en) * 2003-07-30 2003-09-03 Design Edge Cambridge Ltd Holder
FR2933029A1 (fr) * 2008-06-27 2010-01-01 Andre Dumont Dispositif de maintien en position verticale des classeurs de bureau sur une etagere ou sur le dessus d un meuble;

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3910537A (en) * 1973-06-19 1975-10-07 Cii Honeywell Bull Device for supporting flat electrical cables
EP1145666A1 (de) * 2000-04-13 2001-10-17 Herbert Zippel Moosbach, Inh. Peter Dinzl Regal, insbesondere für Bibliotheken
US20050224430A1 (en) * 2004-04-09 2005-10-13 Salemi Leonard E Article stowage system
US6974041B2 (en) 2004-04-09 2005-12-13 Salemi Leonard E Article stowage system
US10285511B1 (en) * 2017-11-02 2019-05-14 Franklin Display Group, Inc. Dispensing tray, display system and method
US20220104617A1 (en) * 2019-11-26 2022-04-07 Richard Drake Robinson Record holder system and method
US11825941B2 (en) * 2019-11-26 2023-11-28 Richard Drake Robinson Record holder system and method
US20240156257A1 (en) * 2019-11-26 2024-05-16 Richard Drake Robinson Record holder system and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4889023A (it) 1973-11-21
NL7207272A (it) 1973-08-17
BR7301141D0 (pt) 1974-03-14
DE2305655A1 (de) 1973-08-30
AU5213973A (en) 1974-08-15
GB1396583A (en) 1975-06-04
FR2172650A5 (it) 1973-09-28
CA952479A (en) 1974-08-06
SE367759B (it) 1974-06-10
IT959521B (it) 1973-11-10

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