With Brace Patents (Class 248/465)
  • Patent number: 11130512
    Abstract: The workplace support rack and table is a rotating easel. The workplace support rack and table is configured to hold a work item at a range of cants from a horizontal plane to an almost vertical surface. The workplace support rack and table collapses for storage. The workplace support rack and table comprises an easel, a pedestal, and a plurality of hinges. The plurality of hinges attach the pedestal to the easel. The plurality of hinges further adjusts the cant of the easel relative to the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventors: Irving Mayo, IV, Teresa Mayo
  • Patent number: 11128744
    Abstract: A flexible and collapsible stand and shoulder rest for a portable electronic device is provided, the stand and shoulder rest comprising a base plate securely attached with a back surface of a portable electronic device and a flexible top plate securely attached with a center portion of the base plate such that one or both end portions of the top plate can bend away from the base plate into a curved position, the end portions secured in the curved position by slidable support mounts which slide out from the base plate as the top plate bends into the curved position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Erika H. Cheswick
  • Patent number: 11006769
    Abstract: It is an object of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a method and device for an easel back. The easel back is constructed of a flat foldable member, comprised of three cut outs for folding at the three cut outs, a first hook/loop, on an upper section of a front side of the easel back, configured to attach to a back of a display frame, and a second hook/loop, on the bottom section of a back side of the easel back, configured to attach to a lower part of the display frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Joo Hyeong Yoo
  • Patent number: 10627870
    Abstract: A support frame for a portable electronic device includes a frame body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The first support arm includes a first casing plate and a first inner plate. The first casing plate is pivotally connected to the frame body. The first inner plate is movably accommodated in the first casing plate. The second support arm includes a second casing plate and a second inner plate. The second casing plate is pivotally connected to the frame body. The second inner plate is movably accommodated in the second casing plate. The first and second inner plates are pivotally connected to each other. The first and second inner plates are provided with multiple positioning portions, respectively. Each of the first and second casing plates is provided with a positioning member that can be positioned to one of the positioning portions of the corresponding inner plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Oned Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih Ju Kuo
  • Patent number: 8522965
    Abstract: The protective cover includes a shell and a support assembly. A side of the shell is formed with a receiving room and the other side is provided with an installing portion and a connecting base. The support assembly includes a flexible support plate and a slider. The flexible support plate has a free section and a connecting portion extending from the free section and connecting with the installing portion. The slider is slidably connected to the connecting base and cloaks a part of the flexible support plate. The free section projects away from the shell when slider moves toward the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Hsiung
  • Patent number: 8136786
    Abstract: A collapsible easel with three legs is provided. First ends of the three legs are attached at an apex. The legs are moveable with respect to one another about the apex. The legs are moveable between collapsed and opened positions. The legs are disposed substantially adjacent one another in the collapsed position. The second ends of the legs are spaced a distance away from each other in the opened position. The legs form an upright pyramidal configuration when in the opened position. The easel is supported by a collapsible reinforcing member joining two of the legs. The reinforcing member has first and second arms joined by a pivoting mechanism. The easel is also reinforced by a collapsible bracing assembly comprising alpha, beta, and gamma support members attached to the set of three legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: George Kepes, Jianping Fang
  • Patent number: 7823857
    Abstract: A collapsible easel for holding items to be displayed, the easel having a top assembly and a base assembly. The base assembly includes two front legs and a rear leg, each leg pivotally mounted to the top assembly with cushion members forcing part of the top assembly to provide a slight restriction against pivoted movement of the two front legs. A V-shaped spring assembly is pivotally mounted on the rear leg, and is removably attached to each front leg. Insertion of portions of the spring assembly into apertures in the front legs, allows the easel to stand in a tripod configuration. Removal of portions of the V-shaped spring assembly from the apertures in the front legs allows the legs to be folded together. In another embodiment, a collapsible brace assembly connects the rear leg to the front legs. The collapsible brace assembly comprises a pair of lateral struts extending between and engaging each of the front legs and a bracket connecting the lateral struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Swank Audio Visuals LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Stengel, Trung Q Do
  • Patent number: 7748151
    Abstract: An improved A-frame sign stand is disclosed. The sign stand includes front and rear panels hingedly attached. A support rod is removably attachable to the panels and prevents both separation and buckling of the panels. The support rod can be placed into various storage positions. In one such position, the rod may be used as a handle. In another embodiment, the rod can be pivoted upward and stored on an inner surface of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: American Louver Company
    Inventor: Geoffrey M. Glass
  • Patent number: 7726622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 7722007
    Abstract: A foldable easel strut assembly is provided for supporting the easel when the easel is in use, and for moving the legs of the easel to a storage position when the easel is to be stored. The invention comprises an easel support board to which a rear leg assembly is pivotally connected. A pair of forward struts are pivotally connected at a first end to the support board. A pair of rear struts each have a first end pivotally connected to a second end of a corresponding forward strut, and a second end of each rear strut is pivotally connected to the rear leg assembly. Each rear strut includes a stop flange that abuts an upper edge of a corresponding forward strut when the rear leg assembly is pivoted away from the support board to a maximum position. In an embodiment, two front legs are pivotally connected to the support board, and the rear leg assembly comprises a rear leg member that pivotally folds against a bracket, and the bracket folds against the support board, when the easel is in its storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Swank Audio Visuals, LLC
    Inventor: Michael John Stengel
  • Patent number: 7717377
    Abstract: A foldable and collapsible instrument stand, for securely holding an instrument, having a first support portion, a second support portion, and an adjustable head. The instrument stand may be placed in either a deployed state or a collapsed state. When in the deployed state, the first support portion is in the substantially upright position, while the second support portion is in the extended position. In contrast, when the instrument stand is in a collapsed state, several portions including the first support portion, the second support portion, and the base are each positioned in a folded and substantially parallel position, enabling an easy transporting of the instrument stand. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Louis Corrado
  • Publication number: 20090289167
    Abstract: A foldable easel strut assembly is provided for supporting the easel when the easel is in use, and for moving the legs of the easel to a storage position when the easel is to be stored. The invention comprises an easel support board to which a rear leg assembly is pivotally connected. A pair of forward struts are pivotally connected at a first end to the support board. A pair of rear struts each have a first end pivotally connected to a second end of a corresponding forward strut, and a second end of each rear strut is pivotally connected to the rear leg assembly. Each rear strut includes a stop flange that abuts an upper edge of a corresponding forward strut when the rear leg assembly is pivoted away from the support board to a maximum position. In an embodiment, two front legs are pivotally connected to the support board, and the rear leg assembly comprises a rear leg member that pivotally folds against a bracket, and the bracket folds against the support board, when the easel is in its storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Michael John Stengel
  • Patent number: 7367539
    Abstract: A foldable and self-erecting display stand has an easel mounted at the rear surface of a large planar board. The planar board and the easel are together foldable along a plurality of horizontal fold lines to a compact collapsed state. The easel has a U-shaped horizontal cross section and two mutually parallel triangular side walls. A plurality of pivotable cross braces extend in a canti-lever manner from a body board of the easel. A plurality of elastic cords are mounted between the cross braces and the side walls of the easel. The side walls of the easel are foldable to a collapsed position juxtaposed to the planar board against the elastic force of the elastic cords for folding the display stand to the collapsed state. The elastic cords are in a stretched condition when the display stand in the collapsed state, and the cross braces cooperate with the stretched elastic cords to self-erecting the display stand from the collapsed state to the erected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Poptech Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Alan Moss, David Brian Minister
  • Patent number: 7059576
    Abstract: A portable computer support structure is constructed to include a base member, a support arm fastened pivotally with the base member, a back-stick plate pivoted to the base member and adapted to adjustably support the support arm above the base member in a standing position, a step-less pivoting device affixed to the top side of the support arm and holding a step-less shaft, and a support block fastened to the step-less shaft and adapted to support a portable computer for enabling the portable computer to be rotated with the step-less shaft relative to the support arm to adjust the view angle and to prevent the problem of reflection of light of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Jou Chen, Chao-Ming Huang, Kao-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 6870672
    Abstract: In varying embodiments, the present invention incorporates a combination of structures suitable for providing a lightweight and portable projection surface. In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a frame having four beams connected at the corners, with a collapsible brace at each corner, so that the frame can be collapsed for storage or transport. In certain embodiments, each beam may incorporate one or more collapsible inline braces in order to promote an even more compact profile when collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Reinhold Stumpfl
  • Patent number: 6805249
    Abstract: A display rack (10) for CDs including an elongated tapered primary support member (20) having an angled front face (21) provided with a plurality of vertically staggered narrow shelves (22) and a rear face (25) provided with an enlarged recess (26) dimensioned to receive a support panel member (30) pivotally suspended within the enlarged recess (26) wherein, the support panel member (30) extends below the upwardly angled contoured rear portion (24″) of the bottom (24) of the primary support member (20) wherein the support panel member (30) can be extended to provide a means of support on a horizontal surface or retracted to allow suspension on a vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Andre Houle
  • Patent number: 6722617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a musical-instrument stand, in particular for guitars, and comprises a first side and a second side, each of which defines a lower part and an upper part. The lower parts of the first and the second sides each comprises foot elements or setting the stand on a floor surface. In their upper parts, the first and the second sides respectively comprises a first and a second joint element, which together define a pivot joint in order that the sides can be pivoted with respect to one another about a predetermined axis of rotation. A releasable catch is also provided in the region of the joint elements to lock the guitar stand in at least one pivot position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Wilfer
  • Patent number: 6666424
    Abstract: A portable writing board presentation structure has a collapsible writing surface, such as a dry-erase or “white board” surface, and an integral, height-adjustable tripod stand. The writing board structure is defined by first and second injection molded plastic panels, each panel having a writing surface on one side thereof and a non-writing surface on an opposite side thereof. The panels are pivotally coupled to one another to define an open position and a closed position. The open position situates the writing surface in a co-planar relationship to provide a continuous writing surface. The closed position situates the writing surface sides of each panel in a parallel relationship. With respect to the tripod stand, an end section of a telescoping leg is integrally molded into each panel such that the remaining telescoping section of the telescoping leg extends into a recess formed in a non-presentation side surface of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Richardson Distribution Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6663073
    Abstract: A collapsible easel which provides a display surface for two visual displays which facilitates a quick and easy alternation between the two visual displays. The easel includes a fixed base and a rotatable base, rotatable with respect to the fixed base. On top of the rotatable base is a visual display support. On opposed sides of the rotatable base are located tray edge braces which support a bottom of an outwardly leaning edge of the visual display. The visual display may be of different heights and/or widths and be of a different median such as flip charts, dry erase boards, foam display boards, etcetera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Alison B. Church
  • Patent number: 6648293
    Abstract: A foldable display container for displaying printed materials. The display container includes a base panel, a front panel hingedly connected to the base panel, a support member integrally formed with and flexibly connected to the front panel, and a connecting device integrally formed with the support member where the connecting device connects the support member to the base panel. The foldable display container is molded into a integral, flat piece that is easily packaged in single units or in bulk to reduce shipping costs. The front panel folds towards the base panel and then the support member folds away from the front panel and over the base panel. The support member is attached to the base member using the connecting device. Once connected, the base panel of the foldable display container is placed on any substantially flat surface to display printed materials and other articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Braeside Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Lee E. Sachnoff
  • Patent number: 6601805
    Abstract: An improved collapsible easel having a plurality of support legs, a spine member and a board support. The support legs include at least one rear support legs and two front support legs. A top portion of each of the support legs are connected to an upper retaining mechanism that is selectively frictionally engaged with the spine member such that the height of the upper retaining mechanism may be selectively adjusted. Front support braces having first and second brace ends have a first brace end connected to front support legs and a second brace end pivotally connected to the lower retaining mechanism. Rear support braces having first and second ends have a first brace end connected to a rear support leg and a second brace end connected to the lower retaining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Universal Design
    Inventor: Dennis Kapp
  • Publication number: 20030019997
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for adjustably connecting a picture frame strut to a picture frame back includes a mounting plate having length and a width. A first fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the mounting plate for affixing it to the picture frame back. A hinge member includes a first plate that is slidably connected to the mounting plate. A second plate is rotatably connected to the first plate. A second fastener, such as rosettes, are provided on the second plate to affix a picture frame strut thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Armand E. Roy
  • Patent number: 6186593
    Abstract: A combination chair and easel is disclosed which is collapsible into a small package for easy carriage by an artist into the field. Various carriage methods could be used including the addition of handles and wheels, or the addition of backpack-type straps for carriage of the device. The deployment of such a collapsible combined chair and easel is a considerable improvement over methods and apparatus presently known in the art. Sitting on the chair which is attached to the easel also increases the stability of the easel during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Claude Garneau
  • Patent number: 6179266
    Abstract: All of the components of a collapsible easel are formed of a rigid plastics material and include three telescopic legs each formed by an upper inner leg section or channel slidable within a lower outer leg section or channel having opposing flanges for retaining the upper leg channel. The top end portions of the upper leg channels are connected to a connector member which forms snap-fit pivotal connections with the leg channels, and the bottom end portions of the upper leg channels have snap-fit pivotal connections to the outer end portions of corresponding leg support members or channels. Another connector member forms snap-fit pivotal connections to the inner end portions of the leg support channels, and the lower end portions of the upper leg channels have integrally molded spring finger lock buttons which snap-fit into selected holes within the lower leg channels. Pivotal support fingers are retained within slots within two lower leg channels by the corresponding upper leg channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Ghent Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hutten
  • Patent number: 6098952
    Abstract: The laptop computer support is for use in supporting a laptop computer on a top of a desk adjacent an edge of the desk. The laptop computer support supports the laptop computer such that a front end of the laptop computer extends past the edge of the desk to a position just above the lap of an individual sitting at the desk. The laptop computer support has a plate member for engaging a bottom surface of the computer supporting the computer. A flange is fixed at the front end of the plate member and extends laterally across at least a portion of the plate member projecting outwards from the top surface of the plate member. The flange engages the front end of the laptop computer and prevents the computer from sliding forwards and off of the laptop computer support. A leg is connected to the plate member and supports the plate member on the desk top at one of a plurality of angles to the top of the desk, and at least one foot member engages the top of the desk adjacent the edge of the desk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Robb Tonn
  • Patent number: 5607135
    Abstract: A foldable one-piece tablet stand comprising a base section, a back rest section which can be raised and lowered into the base section, a pair of protrusions which can be raised and lowered into the base and disposed at a front part of the base section so that when both the back rest section and protrusions are in the raised conditions, a tablet will be held by the back rest section with a bottom of the tablet held by the base section and secured by the pair of protrusions, and a holder section which is foldable into the base section and hinged on the back of the back rest section and held on parts of the base section so that the back rest section will be fixed thereby, whereby an inexpensive one piece plastic construction is possible to form the tablet stand with efficiency and economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5582382
    Abstract: A folding book stand including a base plate having a pivot at the front side, a back plate pivotably connected to the pivot by a first connecting arm and supported in any of a series of tilted positions by a back stand, and a book holder pivotably connected to the pivot by a second connecting arm ad supported in a tilted position perpendicular to the first connecting arm, wherein the base plate defines a flat bottom chamber for receiving the back plate, the back stand and the book holder when the book stand is folded up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Pi-Ju Pan-Yang
  • Patent number: 5501423
    Abstract: A portable easel with tray and table composed of two legs, joined at the top by a crosspiece having in it pegs for hanging a thin, rigid easel board to serve as backing for commercially available easel pads. The legs pass through holes at their approximate midpoint in a tray table which senses as a tray for marking instruments in the front, a table for papers, books and the like in the rear, and which holds the legs in their splayed position. The tray table rests on fittings which support the upper structures, join the legs laterally for rigidity at their midpoint, and into which the lower portion of the legs may be fitted and removed. The lower ends of the legs have rubber tips to increase friction with the floor, or may be attached to a rectangular base to afford greater stability. The lower halves of the legs, when removed, enable the easel to function as a table model, and reduce the size of the structure for transport and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: William L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5492299
    Abstract: The present invention is a bookstand for a book. The bookstand comprises a back panel having a top, a bottom, a front side against which a book can rest and a back side. Projecting outwardly from substantially the bottom of the back panel is a lip panel upon which a book can be placed. The lip panel has projectable therefrom a plurality of page retainers for maintaining interfacing book pages open, with each page retainers having a distal end movable toward the back panel. Such movement of one page retainers is independent of movement of another page retainers, thereby allowing positioning of one page retainers near one interfacing page of an open book and positioning of another page retainers near the other interfacing facing page. In a preferred embodiment, each page retainers comprises a rod having a distal end and a proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventors: Nicholas Thermos, John P. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 5234190
    Abstract: A locking easel stand display mount apparatus has a display panel and a backing panel having attached to the display panel. An easel stand is cut into the backing panel so that the easel stand can have angular movement away from the backing panel on a hinge. An easel locking tongue is formed in the easel stand for movement with respect thereto when the easel stand is moved away from the backing panel and engages the first panel to lock the easel stand in place. A hinge stiffening portion is formed in the easel stand hinge and includes a pair of parallel cuts in the backing panel at predetermined positions transverse to the easel stand hinge bending line in the panel. The hinge stiffening portion has a pair of bending lines between the two cuts and spaced from the hinge bending line so that an easel stand will bend on a plurality of interrupted hinge lines and produce a hinge stiffening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Carroll N. Cross
  • Patent number: 5205526
    Abstract: A collapsible display easel is provided which can be easily extended into a sturdy, erect easel for holding display material, and easily retracted and folded into a compact configuration for transport. The display easel includes a two-legged supporting stand, a vertical brace, and one or more crossbar members. The display material is held against the vertical brace between the crossbar members. The legs are provided with extending support feet for securely supporting the easel in an upright position. The various components are connected by sliding or pivoting attachment mechanisms which allow the components to be easily extended or retracted. The sliding and pivoting connection mechanisms are manually operable and do not require the use of any tools or special equipment. The display easel is retracted into a compact configuration solely by pivoting or sliding the various components with respect to each other, and does not require the disassembly of any of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Pierce Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Deutsch
  • Patent number: 5056250
    Abstract: A self-standing placard adapted to bear a message on its front side. The placard comprises a curvable member fastened at one end to the back side of the placard at an acute angle, and a stiff, spacing member connected with reinforcement to the other end of the curvable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventors: Richard P. Weissleder, Lawrence I. Chipkin, Frank A. Lamendola
  • Patent number: 5052650
    Abstract: A copyholder for holding and positioning documents. The copyholder contains a flat surface and a multi-action document holder which pivots between a horizontal position when in use, and a vertical position when not in use. The document holder pivots by a spring loaded mechanism, which locks it into the vertical and horizontal positions. The spring loaded mechanism also allows the document holder to expand and accept thick documents. The document holder also functions as a lineguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Fellowes Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James W. Beile, Michael Jaron
  • Patent number: 5005795
    Abstract: An easel having a pair of segmented front legs and a segmented rear leg member with the legs and segments slidably joined by dovetails and dovetail grooves for varying easel height. The front leg segments, in addition to being extensible, are pivotally joined to the main members of the legs to permit angular positioning of the front leg segments to the vertical to serve as the front legs of the drafting table configuration. In this configuration, the upper ends of the main members are positioned downwardly along the rear leg member to provide a sloping, workpiece supporting surface in the nature of a drafting board. A detachable cross member serves to brace the vertical front leg segments against swaying while a brace assembly braces the connection between the main leg members and the rear leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Steven A. Holmgren
  • Patent number: 4739960
    Abstract: The largest structural member of the book holder is its back which is formed of injection molded flexible synthetic polymer composition material. The support for the back is molded in the plane of the back and is joined thereto by means of living hinge structure. A book clamp is formed so that it faces the back to resiliently engage the edge of a book therebetween. The book clamp is preferably unitarily formed with the back and is pivoted with respect to the back by means of a living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Harold A. Adler
  • Patent number: 4714224
    Abstract: A collapsible easel for artists and the like to support flexible or rigid drawing surfaces in various modes of operation comprising a composite outer leg unit joined co-axially to a similar composite inner leg unit that are pivotal from a collapsed co-planar position to extended operative positions within quadrant arcs, each having an upper and lower horizontal member and each a pair of parallel main legs which house correspondingly co-extendible auxiliary legs and individually extendible leveling legs which have releasable locking means providing height and leveling adjustment thereto, a stabilizer bar pivotally interconnected to one lower horizontal member extended in perpendicular alignment therefrom slidably and pivotally engaged to the other lower horizontal member having a releasable locking means to support the extended positions of the composite leg units, a translatable counter pivotal structure slidably and pivotally engaged perpendicularly to the upper horizontal member of the composite inner leg u
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Bobbie G. Calmes
  • Patent number: 4627592
    Abstract: A collapsible easel including a body with an elongated central member having side body members with legs depending therefrom pivotally secured along opposite elongated edges of the central member. A rear leg is pivotally secured to a rear side of the central member with a lower free end being movable away therefrom to cooperate with legs of the side body members to support the easel in a standing position. A pivotal locking element is provided between the central member and the rear leg to lock the rear leg in the open position. An article receiving platform or the like is removably securable across the body in the operative position to support an article. The receiving platform may also be secured to the central member parallel to a longitudinal axis of same and to the locking element and rear leg in the collapsed position to hold the various easel parts in place while the side members hang free. A handle may be provided on the receiving platform or otherwise for transport of the collapsed easel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Inventor: Merriam B. Stillwell
  • Patent number: 4618119
    Abstract: An adjustable inclination reading/writing board for attachment to a table or desk top. A single operating lever disengages a support member from base strip members on the table top, allowing the inclination of the planar board member to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: Roger A. Powell
  • Patent number: 4611719
    Abstract: A holder for working with computer print-outs comprising first and second support panels to support a computer print-out on one of such panels which displays one printed side of such print-out and to support turned over sheets thereof on the other of said panels which displays the reverse printed side of such print-out, including means to hold the computer print-out or portions thereof on each of said panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventors: D'Ann Dudek, Wilma Dudek
  • Patent number: 4609174
    Abstract: A folding easel has three telescoping legs, leg locks for locking each of the legs at arbitrarily extended positions, two tie-bars each hinged at one end to an axle supported on a corresponding leg lock, one tie-bar being snap-engageable to an axle on a third leg lock, the remaining tie-bar being snap-engageable to an intermediate point of the first tie-bar to form a T tie-bar arrangement for maintaining the three legs in fixed spaced apart relationship and usable as a shelf for paint boxes or the like, the tie-bars being readily disengageable without removal of fasteners for folding together of the three legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Inventor: Koma Nakatani
  • Patent number: 4440373
    Abstract: A notebook display stand and portfolio is disclosed which consists of a flat portfolio equipped with a collapsible support stand. The support stand is relatively narrow and detachably mounted on the interior surface of the portfolio in alignment with the folding line of the portfolio. The support stand may be erected to form a triangular brace having clips thereon for holding a notebook to be displayed at various angles of inclination. The support stand may be folded flat within the portfolio and may also be detached from the portfolio for independent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Inventors: Bruce Beitler, Irene Ostendorf
  • Patent number: 4296946
    Abstract: A book support consists of a book supporting plate and a back plate hinged to the top of the front plate and extending outwardly and downwardly when extended, to form an inverted V when viewed in side elevation. A cord is secured by each end thereof to the sides of the front plate and extend through guide apertures at the sides of the back plate to be hooked over one of several projections on the back plate to adjust the angle between the plates. A pair of slide members extend one from each side of the front plate to adjust to the width of the book and a further cord is detachably secured by one end thereof to one of said slides, passes across the open book and detachably hooks onto the other of said slides to hold the pages relatively flat. This cord is disengaged from the other slide when a page is to be turned and rehooked afterwards to hold the pages open and relatively flat. The holder can be folded relatively flat for storage, without removing the book from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventors: Frank J. Larre, Jeannine G. Larre
  • Patent number: 4291798
    Abstract: A display device having a collapsible easel support for supporting a display device on a surface at a predetermined angle comprising a back panel having a bottom edge. A stay flap is hinged to the bottom edge of the back panel. A support panel and stay panel are hinged together, the support panel being hinged to the interior of the back panel and the stay panel being hinged to the other edge of the stay flap. The stay panel has a glue flap, which is hinged to the stay flap, and a stay leaf which is hinged to the support panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Inventor: Felix Transport
  • Patent number: 4171116
    Abstract: An adjustable and collapsible easel having a plurality inner and outer telescoping leg sections. The upper ends of the outer leg sections are connected to a common connecting member for articulated movement between fully spread and fully folded positions. The outer ends of a plurality of foldable brace members are connected to respective ones of the outer leg sections and the inner ends of the brace members are connected to a common fitting. The brace members reinforce and hold the legs in an operative, spread position. Cam surfaces on the outer ends of the brace members engage and prevent telescoping movement of the inner leg sections relative to the outer leg sections when the legs are in either fully spread or fully folded positions. The length of the legs and locking of the same in their operative, fully spread position is effected by depressing the fitting which interconnects the inner ends of the brace members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Beckley-Cardy Company
    Inventors: George E. Carver, Joseph C. Sindelar
  • Patent number: 4149630
    Abstract: A collapsible easel support is provided for supporting a display on a surface at an angle. The display has a back panel which has hinged to its bottom edge a stay flap. Two slits extend from the interior of the stay flap to the interior of the back panel. A first score extends between said parallel slits. A second score in the stay flap extends between the two slits. A third score in the back panel extends between the two slits. The first and second scores define a stay panel to fold against said stay flap and said first and third scores define a support panel to support the easel at an angle to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Inventor: Felix Transport
  • Patent number: 4116414
    Abstract: A book holder utilizes a flat rigid sheet having a bar fixedly secured thereto and extending along the marginal edge of the sheet and outstanding therefrom. Another sheet is hingeably secured to the bar carrying sheet at an opposed marginal edge. A flexible slat is secured to an opposite edge of the hingeable sheet and is also secured to the bar carrying sheet on a surface opposite to the location of the bar. A pair of clothespin-like pinching devices are attached to a pair of flexible cord-like members on the surface of the bar carrying sheet. In use, the book holder may be supported on a horizontal resting surface by having the bar carrying sheet left inclined relative to the supporting surface and utilizing the clamping devices to maintain the pages of a book open when the cover of the book rests on the bar carrying surface of the bar carrying sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Inventor: Vivian Robertson
  • Patent number: 4042203
    Abstract: A folding artist's easel, particularly suited for a classroom or teaching environment, utilizes square steel tubing to form a rigid triangular base, a supporting column, and a telescopic brace, with pivotal connections therebetween. The pivotal connections are substantially free of side play and along with connection of the supporting column to a mid-point of one side of the triangular base and connection of the brace to an apex opposite this side, superior stability is provided as well as a minimum required floor space to the rear of the easel, a feature which is particularly desirable in a classroom. A workpiece, such as a drawing board or canvas stretched on a frame, is securely and gently clamped to the easel by means of individually adjustable upper and lower steel cross-members which permit adjustment in the elevation of the workpiece as well as clamping a workpiece of great height. The top of the column is adapted to receive an extension for further increasing the effective height of the easel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventor: Verona D. Warkentin
  • Patent number: RE30695
    Abstract: A collapsible easel support is provided for supporting a display on a surface at an angle. The display has a back panel which has hinged to its bottom edge a stay flap. Two slits extend from the interior of the stay flap to the interior of the back panel. A first score extends between said parallel slits. A second score in the stay flap extends between the two slits. A third score in the back panel extends between the two slits. The first and second scores define a stay panel to fold against said stay flap and said first and third scores define a support panel to support the easel at an angle to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Felix Transport
  • Patent number: D315991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Alma R. Ball
  • Patent number: D337438
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: International Display & Exhibit Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert L. Levin