WO2004030493A1

WO2004030493A1 - A support for an object

Info

Publication number: WO2004030493A1
Application number: PCT/DK2003/000656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob Johan WÜRTZEN; Agnethe Holsting
Original assignee: Kontor Brise I/S
Priority date: 2002-10-04
Filing date: 2003-10-02
Publication date: 2004-04-15
Also published as: AU2003269840A1; DE60315856D1; EP1551253A1; ATE370681T1; EP1551253B1; DE60315856T2

Abstract

A support for an object of the kind that is arranged to support the object by means of two elements (1;10) forming an angle with each other. The two elements (1;10) are separate and arranged to be detachably assembled with each other, and each element (1;10) is composed of a first part (2;11) and a second part (3;12) mutually connected along a connection line (4;13) and mutually forming an angle of the same size as the angle that the two elements are forming with each other. Furthermore the second part (3;12) of each elemen6 (1; 10) is constructed with a number of cut-out sections (7;15) and a number of segments (6;16) divided by the cut-out sections (7;15). These cut-out sections (7;15) each pass into a cut-out section (8;17) in the first part with at least the same depth as the material thickness of the element (1;10). The segments (6;16) in the second part (3;12) of one of the elements (1;10) furthermore fit the cut-out sections (7;15) in the second part (3;12) of the second element (1;10). The support according to the invention can be changed quickly and easily and thereby form several different configurations arranged to support a particular object type each, for example books, periodicals, weekly magazines, booklets, newspapers, brochures, paper sheets, index cards, and CD’s, just as the support can be used as copy holder and to support an open book. Furthermore the support can advantageously be stocked and shipped in disassembled stated, in which it takes up relatively little space.

Description

A support for an object

The invention relates to a support for an object and of the kind that is arranged to support objects by means of two elements forming an angle with each other.

Such supports are largely used as book ends for keeping books and similar objects orderly in place in upright position in e.g. a library, an institution, an office, or a private home.

The book ends are normally composed of a plate each bent along a bending line so that two parts are formed that form an angle of normally 90° with each other. In use one of the parts of the book end is held against a base by the weight of the object whereas the thus secured second part of the book end is supporting the object against overturning.

These known book ends are simple but have the disadvantage of only being able to be used in the above manner and therefore are not suited to support objects of a shape different than books, for example relatively thin booklets or sheets that are best supported in lying or in obliquely inclined position or objects such as a row of CDs.

Therefore it is necessary to use supports of a different configuration for these and many other objects. Thereby e.g. libraries are incurred unnecessary expenses for investment in and stocking of many different kinds of supports.

Another disadvantage of the above book ends is that they take up relatively much space and that they therefore are relatively costly to stock and ship.

In a first aspect of the invention- a support of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that is arranged to support objects of different shapes. In a second aspect of the invention a support of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that is arranged to be able to assume a variety of configurations .

In a third aspect of the invention a support of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that has a simple and inexpensive design.

In a fourth aspect of the invention a support of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is provided that is relatively inexpensive to stock and ship.

The novel and unique feature according to the invention, whereby this is achieved, is the fact that the two elements of the support are separate and arranged to be detachably assembled with each other, that each element is composed of first - and second parts that are connected to each other along a connection line and mutually forming an angle of the same size as the angle that the two elements are forming with each other, that the second part of each element is constructed with a number of cut-out sections and a number of segments separated by the cut-out sections, that each cut-out section in the second part of each element passes into a cutout section in its first part with at least the same depth as the material thickness of the element, and that the segments in the second part of one element fits the cut-out sections in the second part of the second element.

By number is meant, in the above sense and in the following, any integer including one.

As it appears, the two elements of the support are mainly designed as book ends that can be used independently but in assembled state form an especially effective book end. Another advantage is that the support is relatively inexpensive to stock and ship if this takes place in disassembled state in which the support takes up far less space than a conventional bookshelf.

The elements are assembled quickly and easily by merely pushing the segments of one of the elements in through the cut-out sections of the second elements until the bottoms of these cut-out sections hit the first part of the elements on the same side as their respective segments and then turning the two elements in relation to each other until the segments are abutting on the second side of the first part of the elements .

Thereby the two elements will form a V of e.g. 90°, which is moment-resistant in the opening direction of the V and therefore able to, in this direction with the one element, effectively support e.g. one or more books standing on the second element against overturning.

The two elements can be separated just as quickly and easily merely by performing the above operations in reverse order.

If one or more grooves are made in at least the first part of one of the elements, said groove extending preferably parallel to the connection line, the support according to the invention can form configurations suited to support a particular object type each as required.

Such a configuration can e.g. be formed by pushing the segments of one of the elements in through a groove in the second element from one side until the bottom in its cut-out sections hits this side and then turning the two elements in relation to each other until the segments are abutting on the other side of the second element. Just as in the above example, the two elements will now form a V which is moment- resistant in the opening direction of the V whereby the support will be working in this direction.

Also in the above case the two elements can be separated again quickly and easily merely by performing the above operations in reverse order.

The two elements can optionally be designed in different ways . Thus a whole row of grooves can be made in the first part of at least one of the elements in such a way that the row in the direction crosswise of the connection line is flush with a cut-out section in the second part of the same element. Thereby the number of configurations that the support can assume is increased.

A simple and expedient design of the support is obtained if the second part of one of the elements is constructed with two cut-out sections and one segment and the second part of the second element with two segments and one cut-out section.

The invention will be explained in greater details below, describing only an exemplary embodiment of the support and giving further advantageous characteristics and technical functions with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two separate elements for a support according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the support assembled so that it forms a first configuration,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the support assembled so that it forms a second configuration,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the support assembled so that it forms a third configuration, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the support assembled so that it forms a fourth configuration,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of two separate elements for a variant of the support according to the invention in figs . 1- 5,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the variant in fig. 6 assembled so that it forms the same configuration as the first configuration in fig. 2, and

Fig. 8 shows the variant in fig. 6 assembled so that it forms a fifth configuration.

The support according to the invention can be manufactured in any expedient way and of any expedient material. Each of its elements can e.g. be cast of plastic or metal, or be made of two plates welded together. Furthermore the elements can be made of different materials.

But in the following it is assumed that each element is manufactured by bending a single rectangular plate along a bending line in such a way that each element will be composed of two rectangular parts mutually forming an angle. It is furthermore assumed that this angle is about 90°.

The plate can e.g be of stainless steel and have a material thickness of between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1,25 mm.

The first element which generally is designated by the reference numeral 1 is composed of a first part 2 and a second part 3 formed by bending along a bending line 4 a rectangular plate with lateral edges 5 extending crosswise of the bending line. In the case shown, the second part of the first element is made with two segments 6 separated by a cut-out section 7. The cut-out section 7 passes into a cut-out section 8 in the first part of a depth corresponding to or slightly larger than the material thickness of the element.

In a row flush with the cut-out section in the second part of the first element, two grooves 9 are furthermore made in the first part of the first element at a mutual distance and extending in a direction mainly parallel to the bending line 4.

The extent of the first part of the first element crosswise of the bending line is between 100 mm and 400 mm, preferably between 120 mm and 250 mm, whereas the extent of the its second parts crosswise of the bending line is between 7 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 40 mm. The distance between the lateral edges 5 is between 80 mm and 210 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 150 mm.

The second element designated generally by the reference numeral 10 is correspondingly composed of a first part 11 and a second part 12 formed by bending along a bending line 13 a rectangular plate with lateral edges 14 extending crosswise of the bending line.

In the case shown, the second part of the second element is made with two cut-out sections 15 separated by a segment 16. The cut-out sections 15 each pass into a cut-out section 17 in the first part of a depth corresponding to or slightly larger than the material thickness of the element.

The width of the segments 6 in the second part of the first element corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the width of the cut-out sections 15 in the second part of the second element . The extent of the first part 11 of the second element crosswise of the bending line is preferably smaller than that of the first part of the first element whereas the extent of its second part is preferably the same as that of the second part of the first element, and the second part has the same distance between the lateral edges 14 as the distance between the lateral edges 5 of the first element or in other words the two elements are preferably of the same width.

The segments and cut-out sections of both elements are symmetrically located around a bisecting line, 18 and 19 respectively, extending crosswise of respectively the bending line 4 of the first element and the bending line 13 of the second element. The width of the segments and cut-out sections in the second part of the first element furthermore corresponds to the width of the segments and the cut-out sections in the second part of the second element.

The segments of the first element can thus be fitted into the cut-out sections of the second element and vice versa, just as the segment of the second element can be fitted into the grooves of the first element at the same time as the lateral edges, respectively 4 and 15, pass into each other when the two elements are assembled whereby the two elements in assembled state will appear as a unit with an architectonically natural and appealing appearance.

Assembling takes place by pushing the segment of the second element from one side of the first element onto the other side of the element via the cut-out sections or a groove in the first element until the bottom in the cut-out section of the second element hits the first side of the first element, after which the two elements are turned in relation to each other until the segment is abutting on the other side of the first element . The two elements now form an angle of about 90° and are connected moment-resistantly in the opening direction of this angle but not in the opposite direction.

Due to the particular arrangement of the elements they can be assembled quickly and easily in several different ways and form several different configurations.

As the connection between the two elements only is moment- resistant in the opening direction of the angle, the elements can be separated again quickly and easily to possibly be assembled into another configuration or in disassembled state be stocked until the support is needed again.

Fig. 2 shows the two elements assembled into a first configuration. The segments of the elements are taken onto the side on each other's first part opposite the side facing their second parts in the way described above. The two elements form an angle of 90° and are now assembled in a joining that is moment-resistant in the opening direction of the angle.

The first configuration is suited as support to e.g. books that are wished kept orderly in place in upright position. The books are standing on the first part of the second element and the second part of the first element whereby the support is effectively retained on a base, for example a book case, by means of the weight of the books. The books are themselves supported against overturning by the first - and second parts on the first - and second elements respectively of the thus secured support.

The first part of the second element has a sufficiently large extent crosswise of the bending line to safely be able to support even a relatively thick book and in many cases advantageously several books of normal thickness. Fig. 3 shows the two elements assembled into a second configuration. The second part of the second element is pushed from one side onto the other side of the first part of the first element via the topmost groove in this, after which the two elements are turned an angle of about 90°. Thereby the second part of the second element will abut on the first part of the first element whereby the elements are assembled to each other in a connection which is moment-resistant in the opening direction of the angle.

If the support in this second configuration is placed on a base with the bending line 8 of the first element and a transverse edge 20 on the first part of the second element resting on the base, the support will form a rigid, stable structure, the reaction forces from the base affecting the support with a moment that is absorbed by the moment-resistant connection between the two elements.

The first part of the first element is now forming an obliquely inclining support to an object placed on the support at the same time as the second part of the first element is preventing the object from sliding down the oblique face.

The desired degree of slope is determined by the spacing between the groove and the bending line 4 on the first element and of the extent of the first part 11 of the second element crosswise of the bending line 13 of the second element. In the case shown this extent is advantageously far smaller than the corresponding extend of the first part of the first element.

The second configuration is suited as support to publications, such as e.g. magazines, booklets and newspapers which often are so thin and unstable that they cannot easily stand upright . The oblique orientation allows the public to immediately see and read e.g. a front page facing outwards of a publication lying on the support and thereby familiarize themselves quickly and easily about the content of the publication.

The extent on both sides of the first parts of the first element is preferably of such a size that thin publications can be held stably supported.

The second part of the first element preferably has such an extent crosswise of the bending line that a publication is prevented safely and effectively from sliding down the oblique face and several publications can simultaneously lie on the support .

Fig. 4 shows the two elements assembled into a third configuration which differs from the second configuration in that the second part of the second element is taken onto the other side of the first part of the first element via the lowest groove in this one. Thereby the first part of the first element will form a steeper support to an object placed on the support .

Also in this third configuration is- the support suited as support to relatively thin, unstable publications but the steeper inclination of the first part of the first element gives the public another and in some cases better reading angle .

Both the second and the third configuration are also suited as support to one or more e.g. A4 sheets, and both form an excellent copy holder just as they are suited as support to e.g. an open book during reading of this book.

Fig. 5 shows the two elements assembled into a fourth configuration corresponding exactly to the second configuration. But in this case the support is placed inverted on the base with a lateral edge 21 and 22 on the first and second parts respectively of the first element resting on the base .

In this configuration the support is suited to support e.g. CD's which are resting on the first part of the first element with the bottom edge, the first part inclining obliquely downwards towards the first part of the second element. On the support a whole row of CD's can stand stably. A single one of these CD's can easily and conveniently be removed from the row to be examined or used without any risk of thereby knocking over the rest of the CD's.

The fourth configuration is furthermore also suited as support to index cards .

Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show a variant of the support shown in fig. 1 and described above. Like parts are similarly referenced.

As shown in fig. 6, the support comprises, in this case, a bridge 23 extending between the segments 6 of the first element 1 at a distance from its first part 2. The segment 16 of the second element 10 is divided into two flaps 24 by a slit 25.

The groove 9 in the first part 2 of the first element is divided into a central section 26 and two side sections 27 by two bridges 28 extending across the groove: The central section 26 fits the segment 16 of the second element 10 whereas each side section 27 fits one of the flaps 24 of the segment 16 and has a distance in relation to the lateral edge 5 of the first element corresponding to or being slightly smaller than half the width of the slit 25.

In this variant the two elements of the support can be assembled in the same way and form the same configurations as shown in figs . 2 - 5 , obtaining the same advantages . Fig. 7 thus shows the first configuration of fig. 2, which is suited as support to e.g. books. As the bridge 23 between the segments 6 of the first element 1 are located at a distance from its first part 2, a gap 29 is formed between the bridge 23 and the first part 2, through which the segment 16 of the second element 10 can be taken to abut on the back of the first part 2 of the first element 1.

Fig. 8 shows the variant in a fifth configuration according to the invention made up of two first elements 1 (only one first element shown) put next to each other and assembled by means of a single second element 10, the two flaps 24 in its segment 16 being inserted from the back to abut on the front of a second part 2 in their respective first element 1 via a side section 27 in a groove 9 in this one.

This fifth configuration is suited as shelf for e.g. magazines. In fig. 8, it is shown with two first elements put next to each other. However the shelf can be made as wide as desired merely by joining a suitable number of first elements in the way shown and described.

The embodiments and configurations mentioned above and shown in the drawing are only to be taken as examples as many other embodiments and configurations are possible within the scope of protection of the invention.

The first part of the first element can thus be constructed with more than two grooves, increasing the number of configurations that the support can assume correspondingly.

The first part of the second element can just as the first part of the first element also be constructed with grooves and furthermore the second part of both elements can also be constructed with grooves. Besides grooves that are parallel to the bending line, the elements can also have grooves that form an angle of e.g. 90° with these bending lines .

A part for an element need not be rectangular either but can instead have form of e.g. an equilateral trapezium or can be made with an especially artistically design.

The number of segments and cut-out sections can furthermore be greater than two.

Especially wide objects can furthermore be supported by one or more supports that are placed next to each other.

As appears from the above description, the support according to the invention has the advantageous characteristic of being able to be changed quickly and easily into configurations that each are especially arranged to be able to support exactly one of. several different object types, of which books, periodicals, weekly magazines, booklets, newspapers, brochures, paper sheets, index cards, and CD's can be mentioned just as the support can be used as copy holder and to support an open book.

Another advantage is that the support can be stocked and shipped in disassembled state in which it takes up relatively little space.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A support for an object and of the kind that is arranged to support objects by means of two elements (1;10) forming an angle with each other, characterized in that the elements (1;10) are separate and arranged to be detachably assembled with each other, that each element (1;10) is composed of a first part (2,-11) and a second part (3,-12) that are connected to each other along a connection line (4,-13) and mutually forming an angle of the same size as the angle that the two elements (1;10) are forming with each other, that the second part (3,-12) of each element (1;10) is constructed with a number of cut-out sections

(7,-15) and a number of segments (6,-16) separated by the cut-out sections (7,-15), that each cut-out section (7; 15) in the second part (3; 12) of each element (1;10) pass into a cut-out section (8,-17) in its first part with at least the same depth as the material thickness of the element (1;10) , and that the segments (6; 16) in the second part (3,-12) of one element (1;10) fit the cut-out sections (7,-15) in the second part (3,-12) of the second element (1; 10) .

2. A support according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one groove (9) is made in the first part (2,-11) of at least one of the elements (1;10), said groove being preferably parallel to the connection line (4,-13) .

3. A support according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one groove (9) is in at least one row flushing in a direction crosswise to the connection line (4; 13) with a cut-out section (7,-15) in the second part (3; 12) of the element (1;10).

4. A support according to claim 1, 2, or 3 , characterized in that two grooves (9) are made in the first part (2,-11) of at least one of the elements (1;10), said grooves being located at a mutual distance in the direction crosswise to the connection line (4; 13) .

5. A support according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the second part (3,-12) of the one of the elements (1;10) is constructed with two cut-out sections (7;15) and one segment (6;16), and the second part (3,-12) of the second element (1,-10) is constructed with two segments (6; 16) and one cut-out section (7,-15) .

6. A support according to any of the claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the angle between the two parts

(2,-11,-3,-12) in each element (1;10) is about 90°.

7. A support according to any of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the extent of the second part

(3,-12) crosswise of the connection line (4; 13) is between 7 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 40 mm.

8. A support according to any of the claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the extent of the first part (2; 11) of the first element (1;10) is greater crosswise of the

■ connection line (4,-13) than that of the first part (2,-11) of the second element (1;10), and that the extent of the first element (1;10) crosswise of the connection line (4; 13) is between 100 mm and 400 mm, preferably between 120 mm and 250 mm.

9. A support according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that both elements (1;10) have the same distance between the lateral edges, and that this distance is between 80 mm and 210 mm, preferably between 100 mm and 150 mm.

10. A support according to claims 1 - 4, characterized in that a bridge (23) is constructed between each of two of the segments (6) of the first element (1) at a distance from the first part (2) of the first element (1) .

11. A support according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the segments (16) of the second element (10) is divided into two flaps (24) by a slit (25) .

12. A support according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the at least one groove (9) in the first part (2) of the first element (1) is divided into at least two sections (26; 27) separated by a bridge (28) extending crosswise of the groove (9) , and that the second element (10) is constructed with segments (16) fitting the sections (26; 27) in at least one groove (9) when the edges (5; 14) of the two elements (1;10) are flush.

13. A support according to any of the claims 10, 11, or 12, characterized in that the second element (10) is constructed with two segments (16) fitting their respective section of two opposite sections (26,-27) in at least one groove in each two of the first elements (10) placed next to each other.

14. A support according to any of the claims 10 - 13, characterized in that the first element (1) has two segments (6) , that a bridge (23) is made between these segments at a distance from the first part (2) of the first element (1) , and that the second element (10) has one segment (16) divided into two flaps (24) by a slit (25) . A support according to any of the claims 10 - 13, characterized in that the at least one groove (9) in the first part (2) of the first element (1) is divided into a central section (26) and two side sections (27) by two bridges (28) extending across the groove (9), and that the central section (26) fits the segment (16) of the second element (10) whereas each side section (27) fits one of the flaps (24) of the segment and has a distance in relation to the lateral edge (5) of the first element (1) corresponding to or is smaller than half the width of the slit (25) .

A support according to any of the claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the plates are made of plastic or metal in a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.25 mm.