Protective cookbook stand

Abstract

A protective book stand including a base, a support member removably insertable in said base, and arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from said base, and a transparent shield pivotally secured to said base, wherein said support member and said transparent shield are operatively arranged to hold an object therebetween at substantially said angle relative to said base.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to book stands, specifically to collapsible protective book stands for cookbooks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Book stands are well known in the art. Cookbooks are also well known. As every cook, baker and chef knows, kitchens tend to be messy places, and ingredients seem to find a way onto the pages of even the most careful chef's cookbook. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a typical prior art book stand 100, resting on kitchen counter 104, and supporting cookbook 106. Proximate the cookbook are a few representative ingredients, well-known “mess-maker” flour, stored in canister 101; olive oil 109 stored in bottle 102; and water held in measuring cup 103. As shown in the drawing, cookbook 106 is exposed and unprotected, and vulnerable to damage from the ingredients. For example, flour 105 has spilled both on counter 104 and on the visible pages of cookbook 106. Water 108 has also spilled from measuring cup 103 onto counter 104, and is dangerously close to cookbook 106.

Thus, there is a longfelt need for a book stand, and particularly a book stand for a cookbook, that protects the cookbook from damage and soiling from stray ingredients and kitchen messes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises a protective book stand comprising a base, a support member removably insertable in said base, and arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from said base, and a transparent shield pivotally secured to said base, wherein said support member and said transparent shield are operatively arranged to hold an object therebetween at substantially said angle relative to said base.

The book stand is preferably collapsible into a generally cuboid shape and includes an inner chamber arranged to store the support member when the book stand is in a collapsed position. The inner chamber is also preferably arranged to store items, such as recipes and note cards.

In a preferred embodiment, the support member is generally U-shaped and may include a clip arranged to hold a document.

Preferably, the protective shield is transparent in order to view the contents of a book therethrough. It may be made of glass, plastic or similar material and may include an etched or printed measurement conversion table thereon, thereby enabling a user to simultaneously read a recipe contained in a cookbook through the shield and reference the conversion table to modify the recipe.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a protective book stand, especially well-suited to protect a cookbook during food or meal preparation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible book stand which can be easily collapsed into a generally cuboid shape, suitable for both storage and shipping.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art book stand holding a cookbook and resting on a typical kitchen counter during food preparation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the book stand of the present invention holding and protecting a cookbook;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the book stand in an open, operable position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the book stand in a closed, collapsed position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the book stand in an open, collapsed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the book stand, illustrating the pivotability of the shield, and showing the insertion of a support member of the book stand into a base of the book stand;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the base;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the base;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the support member;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the support member disposed within the base;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 13-13 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the base;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 15-15 in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of Area 15 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

The following description is best understood in view if FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of book stand 10, shown in an open, operable position, supporting and protecting cookbook 106. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of book stand 10, shown in an open, operable position, without cookbook 106. Book stand 10 broadly comprises base 15, support member 40, and shield 50.

Base 15 is generally a cuboid having dimensions similar to that of a book. Base 15 comprises front wall 203 having top edge 19, left wall 201 having top edge 16, right wall 202 having top edge 18, back wall 204 having top edge 20, a bottom wall comprising top surface 24 and bottom surface 33, and inner chamber 55. Preferably, inner chamber 55 is operatively arranged to store support member 40 and items, such as recipes and note cards. Base 15 further comprises left ledge 26a extending from front wall 203 to back wall 204 within inner chamber 55 along left wall 201, and right ledge 26b extending from front wall 203 to back wall 204 within inner chamber 55 along right wall 202.

Left ledge 26a is vertically recessed relative to left wall 201 and comprises a stepped top surface that includes back top surface 21a and front top surface 22a, wherein back top surface 21a is arranged vertically recessed relative front top surface 22a. Left ledge 26a also includes slot 23a extending rearwardly at an oblique angle from top surface 24 of bottom wall 205 to back top surface 21a.

Likewise, right ledge 26b is vertically recessed relative to right wall 201 and comprises a stepped top surface that includes back top surface 21b and front top surface 22b, wherein back top surface 21b is arranged vertically recessed relative front top surface 22b. Left ledge 26b also includes slot 23b extending rearwardly at an oblique angle from top surface 24 of the bottom wall of base 15 to back top surface 21b.

Front top surfaces 22a and 22b are substantially horizontal and coplanar. Similarly, back top surfaces 21a and 21b are substantially horizontal and coplanar. Left ledge 26a and right ledge 26b are arranged such that slots 23a and 23b are arranged generally across from one another within inner chamber 55 and extend from top surface 24 of bottom wall 205 at roughly equivalent angles. Slots 23a and 23b are each operatively arranged to receive a portion of support member 40, as is described in more detail infra.

Support member 40 is generally U-shaped and planar and comprises left arm 42a connected to right arm 42b via bridge 44. Left arms 42a and 42b have terminal end regions 41a and 41b, respectively. Support member 40 and base 15 are arranged such that terminal end regions 41a and 41b are removably insertable into slots 23a and 23b, as is described in more detail infra. When terminal end regions 41a and 41b are removably inserted in slots 23a and 23b, support member 40 and front top surfaces 22a and 22b are operatively arranged to support a book at the oblique angle provided by slots 23a and 23b. In one embodiment, support member 40 includes clip 45 attached to bridge 44, which serves to hold notes, papers, and the like.

Shield 50 is pivotally attached to top surface 19 of front wall 203 by any means known in the art, such as hinges 53a and 53b. In a preferred embodiment shield 50 is transparent in order for a user to view a book therethrough. Shield 50 may be made of plastic, glass or any other suitable transparent material. As shown in FIG. 2, shield 50 has been assaulted with flour 105 and olive oil 109, which would normally have damaged cookbook 106 in the absence of shield 50. Shield 50 may also include printed indicia 110, which may include a conversion table for cooking measurements, for example, U.S. to Metric, teaspoon/tablespoon/cup to ounces, etc. (see, FIG. 13).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, shield 50 pivots about axis a-a, such that book stand 10 includes a closed position wherein shield 50 covers inner chamber 55, as shown in FIG. 4, and an open position wherein shield 50 is pivotally disposed away from inner chamber 55, as shown in FIG. 5. Also shown in FIG. 5, back top surfaces 21a and 21b are arranged to support member 40 when book stand 10 is in a collapsed position, as is described in more detail infra.

When book stand 10 is in an open, operable position, shield 50 is pivotally disposed away from inner chamber 55 and support member 40 is removably inserted into slots 23a and 23b. FIG. 6 shows the procedure by which terminal end regions 41a and 41b of support member 40 are inserted into slots 23a and 23b, as illustrated by arrows b. FIG. 6 also shows how shield 50 pivots toward support member 40, as illustrated by arrow c.

When book stand 10 is in a closed, collapsed position, arms 42a and 42b of support member 40 rest on back top surfaces 21a and 21b, respectively, and shield 50 rests on front top surfaces 22a and 22b and support member 40. It should be appreciated that book stand 10 is arranged to collapse into a substantially cuboid shape. Cuboids are ideal shapes for packing and shipping as they leave substantially no gaps when packed in shipping crates and boxes. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, book stand 10 has a generally cuboid shape with dimensions similar to that of a book, so that it may be stored on a book shelf with books, for example, cookbooks. Retailers may benefit from this aspect of the invention as the shelf space in a retail outlet is a finite and a valuable commodity.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of base 15 and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, top edge 19 of front wall 203 is vertically recessed relative to top surfaces 16, 18, and 20 of left wall 201, right wall 202, and back wall 204, respectively. Top edge 19 may comprise vertically recessed portions 180a and 180b arranged to receive hinges 53a and 53b, respectively, so that when shield 50 is in the closed position it rests substantially flush against front top surfaces 22a and 22b. Additionally, back wall 204 may include recess 30 arranged to provide manual access to the edge of shield 50, thereby assisting a user in pulling shield 50 open. FIG. 8 shows the vertically recessed arrangement of left ledge 26a relative to left wall 201, and the shows the vertically recessed arrangement of back top surface 21a relative to front top surface 22a of the aforementioned stepped top surface of left ledge 26a. Also shown in this figure is slot 23a extending rearwardly at an oblique angle from top surface 24 of bottom wall 205 to back top surface 21a.

The following description is best understood in view of FIGS. 9-13. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of base 15 showing left ledge 26a and right ledge 26b arranged such that slots 23a and 23b are generally across from one another within inner chamber 55. As stated supra, back top surfaces 21a and 21b are roughly coplanar and arranged such that left arm 42a and right arm 42b of support member 40 are supportable thereon. FIG. 10 is a top plan view of support member 40. FIG. 11 is a top plan view of support member 40 disposed within inner chamber 55 on back top surfaces 21a and 21b. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 13-13 in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the thickness of support member 40 is chosen such that when it rests on back top surfaces 21a and 21b, it provides a top surface that is substantially coplanar with front top surfaces 22a and 22b. Together, front top surfaces 22a and 22b and support member 40 are arranged to support shield 50 when book stand 10 is in the closed, collapsed position. Additionally, the thickness of shield 50 is chosen such that when book stand 10 is in the closed, collapsed position, the top surface of shield 50 is substantially coplanar with top surfaces 16, 18, and 20 of left wall 201, right wall 202, and back wall 204, respectively. Thus, when book stand 10 is in the closed, collapsed position, it bears the generally cuboid shape of base 15.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of base 15 which may include stand-offs 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d extending from bottom surface 33 of the bottom wall of base 15 and arranged to provide stability therefor.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 15-15 in FIG. 3. As shown in this figure, when terminal end regions 41a and 41b of support member 40 are disposed within slots 23a and 23b, support member 40 extends from base 15, sloping rearwardly at an angle with respect to base 15. As support member 40 is generally planar, the angle at which it extends from base 15 is approximately equal to the particular slots 23a and 23b extend from top surface 24 of the bottom wall of base 15. In a preferred embodiment, slots 23a and 23b are arranged at an angle α of approximately 38° with respect to top surface 24 of bottom wall 205, although other angles would be suitable for supporting a book to be viewed. When support member 40 is disposed within slots 23a and 23b, shield 50 may be pivoted rearwardly about axis a-a, so as to rest upon support member 40. In a preferred embodiment, shield 50 forms an oblique angle Δ of approximately 25° when in contact with support member 40, although other angles are possible. This “more acute” angle of the shield with respect to the support “leaves room” for a book to disposed on front top surfaces 22a and 22b and between shield 50 and support member 40, such that when a book of suitable thickness is inserted therebetween, angles α and, Δ are approximately equal.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of Area 15 in FIG. 3. As shown in this figure, shield 50 may include conversion table 110, which may be silk-screened or etched thereon. Including conversion table 110 on shield is desirable as a user may simultaneously reference conversion table 110 while reading a particular recipe through shield 50. FIG. 16 also shows shield 50 attached to hinges 53a and 53b (not shown) via channel 52.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective book stand comprising:

a base;

a support member removably insertable in said base, and arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from said base; and,

a transparent shield pivotally secured to said base, wherein said support member and said transparent shield are operatively arranged to hold an object therebetween at substantially said angle relative to said base.

2. The book stand recited in claim 1, wherein said base comprises an inner chamber operatively arranged to store said support member.

3. The book stand recited in claim 1 wherein said object is a book.

4. The book stand recited in claim 1 wherein said base comprises at least one slot, and said support member is removably insertable in said at least one slot.

5. The book stand recited in claim 4 wherein said base comprises at least two slots, and said support member is removably insertable in said at least two slots.

6. The book stand recited in claim 5 wherein said base further comprises a bottom wall having a generally planar, horizontally disposed top surface, and said at least one slot extends from said top surface rearwardly at an oblique angle, such that said support member extends upwardly from said base at an angle roughly equivalent to said oblique angle of said at least one slot.

7. The book stand as recited in claim 1 wherein said base has a generally cuboid shape.

8. The book stand as recited in claim 7 wherein said shield forms a portion of said generally cuboid shape of said base.

9. The book stand recited in claim 1 wherein said shield is made of plastic.

10. The book stand recited in claim 1 wherein said shield is made of glass.

11. The book stand recited in claim 8 wherein said shield further comprises a cooking measurements conversion table imprinted thereon.

12. The book stand recited in claim 1 wherein support member further comprises a clip fixedly secured thereto, and operatively arranged to hold a document.

13. The book stand recited in claim 1 wherein said shield is operatively arranged to pivot about an angle that exceeds 180°, and is also arranged to contact said support member when said protective shield is pivoted toward the rear of said book stand, in the absence of an object supported by said support member.

14. A collapsible book stand comprising:

a base having a generally cuboid shape including a front wall, a back wall, a left wall, a right wall, a bottom wall, and an inner chamber;

a support member removably insertable in said base at a location between said front wall and said back wall, and arranged to extend upwardly at an angle from said base toward said back wall; and,

a generally planar transparent shield pivotally secured to said front wall, wherein said support member and said transparent shield are operatively arranged to hold an object therebetween at substantially said angle.

15. The collapsible book stand as recited in claim 14 wherein said inner chamber is arranged to store said support member therein.

16. The collapsible book stand as recited in claim 14 wherein said shield is arranged to pivot between an open position, wherein said inner chamber is accessible, and a closed position, wherein said inner chamber is inaccessible.

17. The collapsible book stand as recited in claim 16 wherein said shield forms a portion of said generally cuboid shape when said shield is in said closed position.

18. The collapsible book stand as recited in claim 14 wherein said support member is generally planar and U-shaped.