Surface embedded collapsible support

Abstract

A collapsible support allowing tilting or elevating an object and embedded into the object surface thus becoming an integral and complementary part of it. The support which is characterized by its thinness makes it appropriate for integration into small portable objects such as calculators and personal digital assistant and to objects having an articulated cover such as a ring binder or an agenda, without affecting significantly the physical properties of the objects such as its shape and its robustness nor its simplicity or manufacturing cost. It is made up of a rigid mobile part, that alternatively combines the roles of support and that of peripheral structure, and of a flexible band that are attached together and to the remainder of the peripheral structure of the object by three articulations. The support may be formed as an integral one-piece, one shot, injection molding of a plastics material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The object of this invention is to provide a collapsible support that can be embedded into the surface of an object in order to raise it, to tilt it or to hold it distant or at an angle with another surface.

[0003] The collapsible support is preferably integrated into small flat portable objects such as a calculator, a personal digital assistant, a pocket computer, a test equipment or an audio device, or into objects having an external rigid cover that may include articulations such as a ring binder, a book or an album, and for which it is desirable to dissimulate a support that is deployed occasionally or folds up during the transportation, and for which it is needed to integrate such a support without affecting significantly the physical characteristics of the object such its shape or its robustness nor its simplicity or its manufacturing cost.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The first objects group preferentially aimed by the invention corresponds to portable articles such as calculator, personal digital assistant, pocket computer, portable audio devices or other similar articles.

[0006] These portable articles are designed to be compact and easily transportable and for these reasons they are often designed flat. Unfortunately these articles, particularly those that have a liquid crystal display, become difficult to read and use because of the vision angle caused by their flat shape when they are posed on a working surface.

[0007] Some are conceived to improve the lack of readability by offering the possibility to tilt the display, as for the U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,160. However, in addition to requiring a certain assembly complexity, this approach is not always appropriate. In certain cases for example, the display occupies almost complete surface and cannot be folded.

[0008] Various approaches were proposed to tilt the device itself and thus to solve the problem.

[0009] The use of a distinct rigid support on which one deposits the device is an effective solution allowing improving the vision angle but which does not allow a great portability. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,460 is an example of such a support.

[0010] The approach consisting in making such a support foldable allows to decrease the size for transport or when tilting is not necessary. Even when folded these supports occupy a relatively small volume, but they still occupy a significant additional volume compared to the size of the device alone. That approach requires in addition to transport two objects, which is another disadvantage. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,980 is an example of a distinct folding support.

[0011] Folding supports made up of a rigid mobile planar section permanently attached under the device were proposed. The U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,113,212 and 4,940,204 are two examples. In these approaches, the locking of the rigid mobile support in the open position is done at or near the hinge. It thus requires strong material to counter the lever effect, which tends to fold up or to open wider the support when pressure is applied. The necessary stability is obtained by increasing the robustness of the hinge to the detriment of overall dimension of the device. This is not satisfying when a very small device is required.

[0012] Another approach consists in combining the function of support with that of a protective case. This approach is used for the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,259,568 and 4,989,926. It is applicable when the case surrounds completely the device, and thus when a significant quantity of materials is used. Such overall protection is not always necessary. For several type of device such as calculator or pocket computer, it is possible to decrease the quantity of materials and nevertheless to offer a good protection by adding a protective lid only to the top of the computer, thus protecting the keyboard and the display. Such protective lids are described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,234, 5,682,182 and 6,178,085.

[0013] A bump integrated into the lid of the first of these three patents (U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,234) is used as a tilting support when the lid is put under the computer by making it slip along groove up to the back of the device. However this bump is permanent and does not offer a sufficient tilting.

[0014] For the second patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,182), one uses the lid on the top which when folded back constitutes one of the two parts forming a support. The second part being embedded with the back of the device. The lid, the embedded part and the device itself form a rigid triangle that constitutes the support. This approach is advantageous in that it does not increase the overall size of the device. On the other hand it requires some assembly: one has to insert one of the two mobile parts in the other. Moreover, this approach is only applicable that for the articles which have a lid.

[0015] In the third patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,085), a mobile lid protecting the liquid crystal display on the front swivels to the back to serve as a rigid support. Yet simple to use, this approach however requires the assembly of many parts at manufacturing. Moreover, the part constituting the swivel mechanism occupies a considerable volume.

[0016] All these approaches generate either an increase in volume, a substantial material addition, an increased assembly or usage complexity, or a combination these elements. In addition, these approaches generally impose significant constraints on the device appearance.

[0017] The support of the present invention overcomes these disadvantages.

[0018] A second objects group preferentially aimed by the invention corresponds to objects made up of an articulated rigid cover such as a ring binder or a book.

[0019] Various devices allowing tilting such objects so to facilitate usage were proposed.

[0020] For examples, the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,451,694, 2,778,153, 3,135,532, 3,224,792 and 4,576,497 propose the tilting of binders by using a device that is attached to the area of the cover where the binder assembly is located, thus leaving the front and back covers free. The device is a narrow rigid structure that serves as a back strut when the binder is put on a flat working surface and tilted backwards. The bottom of the binder assembly and the bottom of the front and rear covers, which remain open by gravity, provide another support, rectilinear, in the front.

[0021] Because the back strut is relatively narrow and because the front rectilinear support is constitute by the cover which is free to fold up, this approach does not allow a great stability when all the content is located on the same side or if pressure is applied on one side as for writing for example. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,177 uses a similar approach in which a great stability is obtained, but it is only applicable for very broad, multiple documents binders.

[0022] The U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,883,209, 4,015,863, and 4,552,479 present another approach. It consists in using the higher part of the cover, that is to say approximately the upper half, which when folded up towards back becomes a strut. The narrow binder assembly, which contains the rings, remains straight and become the only upper support for the contents. The triangle formed by the higher and lower parts of the cover is maintained to an acute angle with a device attached to the binder assembly and is used as stop in contact to the center of the higher part of the cover, preventing it to unfold. This approach has the drawback of not offering a back support to the contents in the upper corners areas. The paper sheet contents can then bend if a light pressure is applied, unless some additional stiff material sheets are added. Moreover, because the angle between the upper and lower part of the folder cover are maintain folded by a single centralized stop, the triangle tends to open in its extremities if pressure is applied on the sides of the contents.

[0023] The U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,334,920, 4,355,821, 4,609,206 and 5,709,549 present a similar approach in which the lower part of the cover is folded up towards the back to constitute the support, whereas the lower binder assembly remains straight and becomes the front support.

[0024] Still here, the cover does not support a large area of the contents when used as part of the support.

[0025] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,533 presents an interesting and aesthetic approach, but which does not allow a complete opening of the cover when the support is used. Stability is also not really good.

[0026] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,767 shows a design for which a flat member serving as a support is hinged on top of the cover and maintained at a limited angle with flexible bands attached to the bottom edge of the cover to form a triangular stand. Because that member is folded flatly on top of the object cover, a displacement due to material thickness occurs during cover folding. That displacement requires a special rivet type hinge that has an aesthetic impact, and causes the flexible band to torsion and to not fold perfectly flat. In addition, this conception requires additional material and makes the external member cumbersome.

[0027] The collapsible support of the present invention allows tilting of an articulated hard cover article without requiring substantial material addition while offering a great stability and an adequate contents support. In addition it allows a neat visual appearance, whether collapsed or not, similar to that of the original articles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The invention consists of a collapsible support made up of a generally rectangular rigid part that serves as support, and of a flexible band. These two parts are connected between them and to the peripheral structure of an object (its case, its protective lid or its cover for example), over their full width by three parallels articulations. Deployed, the set forms a stable triangular support. Folded up, the rigid part hides the flexible band and becomes a complementary section of the object peripheral structure for which it fills the same function, of protection for example.

[0029] The support can be integrated to objects having an articulated rigid cover such as a ring binder.

[0030] In addition of being embedded into the object surface, the collapsible support made up of a rigid mobile part, a flexible band and the object external structure, may be formed as an integral one-piece, one shot, injection molding of a plastics material such as polypropylene or a copolymer of butadene and styrene.

[0031] An alternative of the invention consists of a self-adhesive support that is applies to an article not originally equipped with a support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the drawings which illustrate the invention,

[0033] FIGS. 1 to 3 show the integration of the support to the case of a pocket computer from various points of view, whereas the support is deployed. FIG. 1 is a perspective front view, FIG. 2 is a is a perspective back view and FIG. 3 shows a side view of the pocket computer standing on a working surface;

[0034] FIGS. 4 and 5 present from a perspective view this same pocket computer whereas the support is collapsing in the first figure and completely folded up in the second;

[0035] FIGS. 6 to 9 show from various cross-sectional views details of the support of the pocket computer. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the deployed support whereas FIG. 7 presents the same cross-section for the folded up support. FIG. 8 presents the support folded up from a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the two preceding ones and which corresponds to the top of the support, whereas FIG. 9 corresponds to bottom;

[0036] FIGS. 10 and 11 are respectively cross-sectional and inside views of the same support presented in an arrangement allowing an integral one-piece, one shot, injection molding;

[0037] FIGS. 12 to 14 show the integration of the support to a wallet type calculator case. FIG. 12 shows a top view of the calculator and its open case, whereas the collapsible support is folded up. FIG. 13 shows the same from a side view whereas the case is open and the support is deployed. FIG. 14 is also a side view, but here the support is folded up and the case is closed;

[0038] FIGS. 15 to 17 show an alternative of the support, which is here, integrated into a sliding protective lid of a calculator, and whose alternative consists in using one of the components of the support to maintain the support in collapsed state. FIG. 15 is a side view of the calculator inserted in its protective lid in protection mode, with its support folded up. FIG. 16 corresponds to the same configuration with a view from the lower end of the calculator. FIG. 17 shows the calculator inserted in its protective lid, in a usage mode, whereas the support is deployed;

[0039] FIGS. 18 to 21 show from longitudinal cross-sectional views of the same previous application how the support is deployed, and how it is maintained in its collapsed state. FIG. 18 shows the support completely deployed, FIG. 19 shows it when being folded, FIG. 20 shows a component of the support in it phase to be folded back under the surface of the lid and finally FIG. 21 shows how this component is maintained by the calculator under the surface of the lid;

[0040] FIG. 22 shows the side of a digital oscilloscope for which two supports, shown here deployed, are combined in order to elevate and to tilt the oscilloscope. FIG. 23 corresponds to the same article from an underneath view and for which the front support is shown folded up and the back support is shown deployed;

[0041] FIGS. 24 to 27 show from different views a ring binder having a rigid cover and equipped with a collapsible support. FIG. 24 shows this article whereas its support is folded up and its cover closed. FIG. 25 is a back view whereas its cover is opened and its support folded up. FIG. 26 shows the article from a side view laying on a working surface whereas its cover is opened and its support deployed. FIG. 27 is a perspective view from beneath whereas the cover is opened and the support deployed;

[0042] FIG. 28 is a perspective back view of a similar article but for which a small pocket is added to the support, and for whom the geometrical shape of one of the components of the support differs slightly;

[0043] The FIG. 29A is a perspective back view of a collapsible support, which is attached to the surface of a pocket computer. The FIG. 29B shows the construction of this support from a flat plastic strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In contexts requiring tilting or elevating an object from another surface or maintaining a spacing or an angle between two surfaces, it can be desirable for various reasons to use a support that is collapsible, simple, compact and robust without having to significantly modify the design of the object nor to require a substantial material addition.

[0045] The present invention fulfills these requirements.

[0046] The recommended approach consists of combining to a generally flat, rectangular and rigid member both the function of support and that of external structure of an object, that is to say its case, its protective lid or its cover. These two functions being ensured in alternation by the mobility of the rigid member that is attached to the remainder of the object by an articulation.

[0047] FIGS. 1 to 3 show from various points of view such a support integrated into the case of an object, which is here a pocket computer incorporating a liquid crystal display 2 and buttons 3. On these figures the support is shown deployed. FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively front and rear perspective views of the pocket computer and its support. FIG. 3 is a side view of the article posed on a working surface 16 represented in a cross-sectional view.

[0048] The support is made up of a mobile rigid part 4 attached to the bottom of the case surface 8 with an articulation 5. This articulation 5 is located between a linear section of contour of the mobile part 4 and the corresponding linear section internal to the framework 17 formed by the area where the mobile part is embedded. The liberty of rotation of this mobile part 4 around the articulation axe 5 is limited by a flexible band 6 which is attached on one end near the other side of the mobile part 4 with an articulation 7 and on the other end to the surface of case 8 along another linear section of contour internal to the framework 17 on the bottom of the article by another articulation 9.

[0049] The axes of the three articulations 5, 7 and 9 are parallel between them and form a triangle in the plan that is perpendicular to them. The shape of this triangle is clearly visible in FIG. 3.

[0050] The shape of this triangle and consequently the stability of the inclination of the pocket computer laying on a working surface 16 are ensured by: the rigidity of the mobile part 4, the rigidity of the bottom surface of the case 8, the resistance to elongation of the flexible band 6, the gravitational force of the pocket computer which causes the opening of the mobile part 4 which is in contact with the working surface 16 and which also cause to tighten the flexible band 6.

[0051] The distribution of the multiple forces over the width of each component of the support provides a great robustness even when very thin and easily dissimulated components are used. This is a significant aspect of the invention.

[0052] The flexible band 6 consists of two sections 11 and 12 linked together by another articulation 10 parallel to the others three.

[0053] All these articulations are in this case create by a thinning along their axis of the plastic of which the support is made up. A protective internal sheet 13 prevents external objects to come in contact with the electronic components located inside the pocket computer.

[0054] The strip 14 and the notch 15 into which it fits are provided to grab and deploy the mobile section. This functionality is more explicit from the figures that follow.

[0055] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the support is folded up and embedded into the case surface 8.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the support in its way to be collapsed. Thus, the mobile part 4 started a rotation around the articulation 5 connecting it to the lower surface of case 8. The flexible band 6 started to fold along the articulation 10 connecting the two parts 11 and 12. One can initiate the folding of the support by pressing the central area of the flexible band 6 in direction of the articulation 5, and completing it by pressing directly on the mobile part 4 toward the pocket computer.

[0057] The rigidity of parts 11 and 12 is sufficient for them to dissimulate flatly between the mobile part 4 and the protective internal sheet 13. These two parts 11 and 12 are preferably as thin as resistance and rigidity allows it while allowing a flat fold. In another preferential embodiment, one could combine a rigid part with a flexible part, the first tightening the second when folding up, or to combine two semi-rigid parts. In still another preferential design, the flexible band 6 could be made up of flexible material such as fabrics whose one end would be stuck to the mobile part 4 and whose other end would be stuck to the surface of case 8.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the support completely folded up and dissimulated within framework 17 of case surface 8 to become part of it. The strip 14 fits into notch 15 practiced in the case surface 8.

[0059] FIGS. 6 to 9 show the construction detail of the support.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows from a cross-sectional view of the deployed support the components mentioned previously and a notch 50 included into the internal face of the mobile part 4. This notch sized to fit parts 11 and 12 of the flexible band when the support is folded.

[0061] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 correspond to the folded support. FIGS. 7 and 9 show how parts 11 and 12 of the flexible band are placed one face against the other inside notch 50.

[0062] FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively cross-sectional views perpendicular to those of FIG. 7 along the dotted lines A and B. FIG. 9 shows the bevel edges 53 of the mobile part 4 and of border 54 of the case surface 8. The extremity edge 51 of the mobile part 4 and the corresponding edge 52 of the case surface 8 are also in bevel. These edges in bevel 53, 54, 51 and 52 constitute a physical constraint on which the mobile part come up against, thus limiting the rotation of the mobile part 4 around the articulation axe 5 to an orientation making this mobile part coplanar to surface 8. One could prefer to use a different design for which the physical constraint would come from edges which would be integrated into the inside of the surface of case 8. In another design, various internal parts to object could limit the penetration of the mobile part of the support into the surface.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken in the center of the support and showing a particular arrangement of the articulations allowing an integral one-piece, one shot, injection molding of a plastics material such as polypropylene or a copolymer of butadene and styrene. FIG. 11 is a view from the inside of the support for this same arrangement.

[0064] Such a collapsible support could also be embedded on the surface of a not perfectly plane object by having its mobile part shape harmonized to the object external surface.

[0065] FIGS. 12 to 14 show the same support in a different application. Here it is integrated into the protective case of a booklet type calculator. As before, the collapsible support is used for tilting purpose, but this time the support is used in an inverted manner compared to preceding application.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a top view of the calculator 101 comprising a display 102, buttons 103 and a protective case 125 that is showed open. On this figure the collapsible support not deployed.

[0067] Case 125 is made up of vinyl 124 covering a paperboard 123. The vinyl cover 124 is sealed on its edge and along its central articulation 126 by heating.

[0068] FIG. 13 is a side view whereas the support is deployed and the case is open. The support thus allows maintaining an angle between the case surface 125 and the lower part of calculator 101.

[0069] As for the pocket computer describes previously, the support is made up of a mobile part 104, a flexible band 106 which is constitute of two parts 111 and 112 linked together by an articulation 110, and articulations 105, 107 and 109. Articulations 105 and 109 respectively bind the mobile part 104 and the flexible band 106 to a rigid planar section 108 into which it fits in when the support is folded. It also includes a strip 114 and a notch 115. The rigid plane section 108 is inserted in cover 124 in which an opening 127 is practiced allowing the deployment of the support.

[0070] FIG. 14 is a side view of the calculator and its case. In this figure the support is folded up and the case is closed.

[0071] These three figures also show the lower end of the calculator that is connected to an edge 122 of the case with a Velcro (trade mark) fastening 121. Two other Velcro fastenings 120 are attached under the calculator upper part and the corresponding facing position on the case inside surface 125 in order to maintain the computer in place when the support is folded up. During the deployment of the support, the Velcro fastenings 120 separate, the 120A part remaining stuck to the calculator and the 120B part remaining stuck to the case 125, as showed on FIG. 13.

[0072] For a slightly different application, an alternative to the invention adds a significant additional functionality.

[0073] This alternative consists in using the flexible band to maintain the support in its folded position. This alternative can be applied whenever there is temporarily access to sufficient space inside the object to allow folding back of the flexible band.

[0074] This is the case for the type of calculator illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 21.

[0075] This calculator 201 has a removable protective lid 208. Calculator 201 is provided with two grooves 260 along its sides allowing the edges 261 of the lid 208 to slip into and thus to maintain the lid attached to the calculator.

[0076] To obtain a protection, calculator 201 is inserted in its lid 208, buttons 203 facing lid 208 as illustrated on the FIGS. 15 and 16 that are respectively side and end views. For these two figures the collapsible support is folded up. Articulation 210 is the only visible on FIG. 16.

[0077] To be usable, the calculator is inserted with its buttons facing up as illustrated on FIG. 17, which shows calculator 201 with its collapsible support deployed. It is made up of: a mobile part 204, a flexible band 206 which is constitute of the two parts 211 and 212 linked together by an articulation 210, and articulations 205, 207, 209. Here still, the articulations are built by a thinning of the plastic of which the support is made up.

[0078] The deployment and the folding of the support are done whereas the lid is withdrawn in order to allow the folding back of the flexible band. FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate from cross-sectional views how it is done. It consists in folding back part 212 up to the back of surface 208 of the protective lid inside of which a cavity 275 is integrated to partly place the flexible band and to make a thinner arrangement. In another preferential embodiment, one could prefer not to use a cavity in order to maximize the robustness of the lid.

[0079] FIG. 21 is cross-sectional view showing a section of calculator 201 inserted in its lid 208 whereas its support is shown folded up. Thus, it is no more possible to deploy the support, which is blocked by the calculator. The rigidity of part 211 of the flexible band ensures a firm maintain of part 204, which remains embedded in lid 208.

[0080] FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate how two collapsible supports can be combined to raise and incline a digital oscilloscope.

[0081] In this application, two collapsible supports are integrated into the bottom surface 308 of a digital oscilloscope 301 comprising a liquid crystal display 302 and buttons 303.

[0082] In FIG. 22, the oscilloscope is shown from a side view, with its supports deployed, and put on a working surface 316 shown from a cross-sectional view. FIG. 23 is a bottom view showing the front support folded up and the rear support deployed.

[0083] The front support is constitute of a mobile part 304A, a flexible band made up of two rigid parts 311A and 312A linked together by a hinge 310A, and the hinges 305A, 307A and 309A. Similarly the back support is constitute of a mobile part 304B, a flexible band made up of two rigid parts 311B and 312B linked together by a hinge 310B, and the hinges 305B, 307B, 309B. The back and rear supports are placed respectively in the cavities 317A and 317B located in surface 308 of the case.

[0084] For this application, piano type hinges was used. Trapezoids shapes were given to the sections 311B and 312B to reduce the quantity of material while keeping a good robustness of the support. In the same way, it would be possible to subdivide the sections 311B and 312B in distinct parts distributed along their articulations. Several smaller collapsible supports could also be used.

[0085] FIGS. 24 to 27 illustrate another significant aspect of the invention and show the integration of the collapsible support in an article having an articulated rigid cover. The article shown is a ring binder having a foldable cover. This type of cover generally consists of paperboard covered with a vinyl material or is entirely made up of a plastic sheet material. Here, the figures illustrate a ring binder made of plastic sheet material. The binder ring assembly having a series of rings is of standard construction. This is of particular interest of the invention regarding manufacturing costs. The invention is compatible with other rigid or semi-rigid material cover, and with other binder assembly such as clips bonding, vertebrate spiral page retainer and conventional bookbinding.

[0086] On FIG. 24 the cover is folded whereas for the three following ones it is open. On FIGS. 26 and 27 the support is deployed.

[0087] FIG. 25 shows the cover made of three sections which are: a front cover 508A and a rear cover 508C which are respectively connected to a side cover 508B by two vertically aligned hinges pairs 526A and 526A′, and 526B and 526B′. The central area of this cover forms a rectangular framework 517 which is occupied by a mobile part made up of three rigid sections 504A, 504B and 504C connected between them by the vertical hinges 527A and 527B which are the continuation of the vertical hinges of the cover. The three sections 504A, 504B and 504C of this central part are respectively connected to the sections 508A, 508B and 508C by a single horizontal hinge 505.

[0088] This central part constitutes the mobile part of the collapsible support. Its vertical hinges are thus integrating the continuation of the cover hinges to allow folding, as illustrated on FIG. 24. When this central part and the remainder of the cover are flatly open, the support can be deployed by rotation around hinge 505 until full extension of band 506, as illustrated on FIG. 26. In this figure, which is a side view of the ring binder having its cover open, its support deployed and resting on a working surface 516 that is shown in cross-section, it is possible to see the binder ring assembly made of rings 522, rings opening levers 521A and 521B and spine bar 523. This ring binder assembly is fastened near its ends to the side cover by rivets 520A and 520B, which are apparent on FIGS. 24, 25 and 27.

[0089] FIG. 27 is perspective view from the bottom of the same article showing a vertical separation in two parts of the flexible band. On one part, sections 511A and 512A of the flexible band, which are connected between them by a hinge 510A respectively, connect the end of the section 504A to the section 508A of the cover by the hinges 507A and 509A. On the other part, sections 511B and 512B of the flexible band, which are connected between them by a hinge 510B respectively, connect the end of the section 504B to the section 508B of the cover by the hinges 507B and 509B.

[0090] The vertical splitting of the flexible band over a region where the cover fold allows a better cover folding. Here this region also corresponds to the binder assembly region. However the collapsible support could also be integrated on binder having its binder assembly attached to rear cover instead of side cover.

[0091] In another design, the flexible band could be folded back under the cover to maintain the support folded up as previously described.

[0092] The described hinges arrangement combined to an angle between the mobile part 504 of the deployed support and surfaces 508 of the cover less than 90 degrees have the benefic effect of maintaining the cover open when the support is deployed, thus facilitating the binder handling. On the opposite the hinges arrangement alone has the benefic effect of maintaining the support folded up when the cover is close. However, in order to obtain a firmness folding of support, a similar design could include Velcro fasteners on surfaces parts 511A and 511B and on their counterpart 512A and 512B facing them. In another similar design, Velcro fasteners could be fixed to the back of section 504B and to the back of the binder ring assembly 523.

[0093] Because only a small part of the cover (which represent approximately a sixth of total surface) is missing from the cover when the support is deployed, the binder content is supported on a large area located in periphery. This allows a good support to the content. For a more rigid support, a design in which a thin sheet is attached or superimposed on the cover from the inside can be used. Well attached to the cover, this sheet, while thin, nevertheless offers a good support because stresses will be applied as tension as for the skin of a drum. This sheet could be attached to the rings of the binder instead or located between the binder ring assembly and the cover and fixed in place by the rivets 520A and 520B.

[0094] FIG. 28 shows a cross-sectional rear view of a ring binder similar to the one of the previous figures, but which has a small transparent pocket 530 attached to its support and into which a sheet of paper 531 is inserted. This pocket can be used to display a document title or relevant information to an audience facing a speaker for example. The rounded corner support also differs in shape from the previous rectangular one.

[0095] Printing or embossing information displayed on the external surface of the mobile part of the support is also possible.

[0096] The integration of the collapsible support to an articulated cover may not always involve the continuation of all of the cover hinges on the mobile part of the support. This is the case for a portfolio having a paper clip on its back cover upper border. In that case, the weight of the contents is always kept in the vertical axe of the back cover, and thus it is not necessary to extend the support beyond to the back cover. No continuation of the cover hinges will be necessary in this case. As another example, a ring binder having its side cover so wide that the mass center of the content would be always located somewhere over the side and rear cover will requires the integration of only one hinge of the cover.

[0097] FIGS. 29A and 29B show a collapsible support which is attached to surface 708 of a pocket computer 701 by two self-adhesive bands 727A and 727B.

[0098] This support is manufactured from a single polypropylene strip 750 having a thickness of 0.5 mm, which is shown flat on FIG. 29B. The support is made up of: a mobile section 704 which serves as support, the sections 711 and 712 which are folded up under the first section when the support is folded up, and extremities 726A and 726B which sticks to surface 708 with the self-adhesive bands 727A and 727B. Hinges 705, 707, 710 and 709 ensure the folding and the deployment of the support as illustrated on FIG. 29A. Thinning of material creates these hinges.

[0099] The support is handled using tab 714. The tab is attached to section 704 by a hinge 707 and is made up from a part of section 711. Under this tab there is the first part 720A of a Velcro fastener that is attached to the second part 720B. This second part is stuck on the section 726B. This fastener is used to maintain the support folded up.

[0100] A self-adhesive rubber band 728 is fixed in the lower part of surface 708 to prevent the pocket computer from slipping to a working surface.

[0101] In an alternative preferential design, the opposite face of any of the two sections 726A and 726B could be stuck to surface 708, by folding up these sections under the support and not towards the ends of the pocket computer. Section 726B being thus folded up, the 720B part of Velcro fastener would be stuck directly on surface 708.

[0102] In the same way, in an alternative preferential design, sections 711 and 712 could be folded up towards lower of the pocket computer when the support is fold up, and not under section 704. In this design, the 720A parts and 720B of the Velcro fasteners would be stuck respectively on sections 712 and 708.

[0103] Similar self-adhesive support having vertical hinges can be used to tilt articulated cover such as ring binders. These support comprised vertical hinges having spacing corresponding to the binder thickness. In an alternate conception a multitude of hinges are integrated in order to accommodate binders of various thickness. Here again, the flexible band may be vertically split to facilitate folding of the cover.

Claims

1. A collapsible support allowing tilting or elevating an object, which is folded up and dissimulated into the surface of the object, comprising:

a rigid or semi-rigid generally plane and rectangular mobile part that serves as support and which, when the support is folded up, is embedded into the surface of the object to become part of it;

wherein the mobile part is attached to the object by an articulation located between a linear section of the contour of the mobile part and the corresponding linear section internal to the framework formed by the region where the mobile part is embedded, thus giving the mobile part a liberty of rotation around the articulation axis;

that rotation being limited in a direction by a flexible band whose end is attached to the mobile part by another articulation parallel to the preceding one, and whose other end is attached to another linear section internal to the framework by a third articulation parallel to the two preceding ones; and

that rotation being limited in the other direction by a physical constraint on which the mobile part come up against, thus limiting the rotation of the mobile part to an orientation making this mobile part coplanar to the surface of the object.

2. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein the flexible band is made up of a flexible material.

3. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein the flexible band is made up of two rigid parts attached together by an articulation parallel to the three other articulations described in claim 1.

4. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein the flexible band is made up of a rigid part and of a flexible material part attached together by an articulation parallel to the three other articulations described in claim 1.

5. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein the flexible band is dissimulated flatly under the mobile part when the support is folded.

6. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein the mobile part internal face includes a notch sized to fit the flexible band when the support is folded.

7. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein the flexible band is folded back up to the back of the object surface to maintain the collapsible support in its folded position.

8. The collapsible support as claimed in 7 wherein the back of the object surface includes a cavity sized to fit the flexible band.

9. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 integrated to the surface, to the case or to the lid of a calculator, a pocket computer, a portable audio device or a similar article.

10. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 integrated to the cover of a ring binder, an album, a book, a portfolio or a similar article having a rigid or semi-rigid articulated cover.

11. The collapsible support as claimed in 10 wherein the mobile part integrates the continuation of one or all the articulations of the cover.

12. The collapsible support as claimed in 11 wherein the flexible band is split vertically in two parts over the folding region of the cover.

13. The integration of a number of collapsible supports as claimed in 1 to a single object.

14. The collapsible support as claimed in 10 wherein the mobile part, the flexible band, its articulations and the object surface to which they are integrated are formed as an integral plastics molding.

15. The collapsible support as claimed in 14 wherein the plastics material is selected from the group offering the necessary flexibility and consisting of polypropylene and a copolymer of butadiene and styrene.

16. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein printing or embossed information are displayed on the external surface of the mobile part.

17. The collapsible support as claimed in 1 wherein a small pocket being able to contain a paper sheet is attached to the external surface of the mobile part.

18. A collapsible support allowing tilting or elevating an object comprising:

a rigid or semi-rigid generally plane and rectangular mobile part that serves as support and which, when the support is folded up, settle flatly on the surface of the object;

wherein the mobile part is attached to the object by an articulation located between the mobile part and a generally rectangular extremity that sticks to the object surface, thus giving the mobile part a liberty of rotation around the articulation axis;

that rotation being limited in a direction by a flexible band whose end is attached to the mobile part by another articulation parallel to the preceding one, and whose other end is attached by a third articulation parallel to the two preceding ones to another generally rectangular extremity that sticks to the object surface; and

that rotation being limited in the other direction by the object surface.

19. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the flexible band is made up of a flexible material.

20. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the flexible band is made up of two rigid parts attached together by an articulation parallel to the three other articulations described in claim 18.

21. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the flexible band is made up of a rigid part and of a flexible material part attached together by an articulation parallel to the three other articulations described in claim 18.

22. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the flexible band is dissimulated flatly between the mobile part and the object surface.

23. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the flexible band is dissimulated flatly externally to mobile part.

24. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the mobile part includes one or many articulations.

25. The collapsible support as claimed in 24 wherein the flexible band the flexible band is split vertically in two parts over its folding region.

26. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the mobile part, the flexible band, its extremities and its articulations are formed from a single plastics strip.

27. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein the mobile part, the flexible band, its extremities and its articulations are formed as an integral plastics molding.

28. The collapsible support as claimed in 26 or 27 wherein the plastics material is selected from the group offering the necessary flexibility and consisting of polypropylene and a copolymer of butadiene and styrene.

29. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein printing or embossed information are displayed on the external surface of the mobile part.

30. The collapsible support as claimed in 18 wherein a small pocket being able to contain a paper sheet is attached to the external surface of the mobile part.