Reader device

Abstract

The invention provides a holder assembly and method of using the same. The holder assembly is provided for supporting items on a lower base portion and a document holder platform. The holder assembly may include the base portion; a vertical support portion extending upwardly from the lower base portion; an upper base portion connected to the vertical support portion; a slide portion movably disposed on the upper base portion; and the document holder platform disposed on the slide portion, the document holder platform supporting a document holder clip.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices to support a paper, collection of papers or other items.

There are a wide variety of situations in which it is desired to support an item, such as a document or a collection of documents, for review by a user. Illustratively, such a situation commonly occurs in conjunction with use of a computer. That is, a user often refers to physical papers while manipulating related information presented by the computer. Various devices have been used in the past to support items such as papers, or other reading material items. However, known devices for supporting a document or other reading material item have various deficiencies. Some known devices do not allow easy manipulation of papers, i.e., such as allowing the user to easily secure papers for review. Other known devices do not allow the user to secure a paper in a desired position, i.e., so as to position a paper as desired vis-à-vis a computer screen, fore example.

In particular, known devices are deficient in the context of use with computer accessories. A typical user interface device is a mouse and associated mouse pad. However, a mouse pad often takes up valuable desktop space and limits the space available for reading material and other documents. This is often especially true since the location on a desktop most conducive to positioning a document (and writing on the document) is typically the very same position at which a mouse is optimally disposed.

Accordingly, a device is needed that addresses the above problems so as to suitably retain a paper or other document. In particular, a device is needed that beneficially allows a user to position a mouse pad, in conjunction with providing a paper holder, in an often limited desktop area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a holder assembly and method of using the same. The holder assembly is provided for supporting items on a lower base portion and a document holder platform. The holder assembly may include the base portion; a vertical support portion extending upwardly from the lower base portion; an upper base portion connected to the vertical support portion; a slide portion movably disposed on the upper base portion; and the document holder platform disposed on the slide portion. The document holder platform may be provided to support a document holder clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a holder assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform in a raised position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform in an extended position and horizontal position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform in an extended position and raised position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform and upper base in a raised position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a holder assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an upper base portion in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing further details of a slide in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view along line 9-9 in FIG. 8 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing further details of the document holder portion with slide in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a further perspective view showing the document holder portion in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a document clip in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a further perspective view of a document clip in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a lower base in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, aspects of the holder assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the invention will be described. As used herein, any term in the singular may be interpreted to be in the plural, and alternatively, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular.

The various embodiments of the holder assembly of the invention are directed to the above stated problems, as well as other problems, that are present in conventional techniques. The foregoing description of various products, methods, or apparatus and their attendant disadvantages described in the in the “Background of the Invention” is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, or to imply that the invention does not include some or all of the various elements of known products, methods, and/or apparatus in one form or another. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be capable of overcoming some of the disadvantages noted in the “Background of the Invention,” while still retaining some or all of the various elements of known products, methods, and apparatus in one form or another.

The holder assembly, as described herein, assists in organization and effective use of a desktop and aids in holding documents while using a computer, and in particular while utilizing a mouse with mouse pad. The holder assembly includes a document holder, in conjunction with a mouse pad holder. The document holder can be used as a shelf that can be raised, lowered, extended out over keyboard, for example, or can be rotated 360 degrees to the user's preference.

In accordance with embodiments, a variety of other features may also be provided with the document holder. Under the document holder, of the holder assembly, may be provided a pocket to hold items such as pencils, paperclips or most anything else that can clutter a desktop. With the aid of a document holder clip, i.e., a page holder, the user can hold documents and papers on the document holder in a tilted position that can be adjusted to eye level. As a result, a document can be positioned where the user wants the document, instead of trying to prop documents in an awkward position. The document holder portion or platform (of the holder assembly) can be easily slid off the holder assembly to use by itself. For example, the document holder might be used in a raised position to hold the user's work.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a holder assembly 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The holder assembly 10 includes a document holder or document holder platform 70. The holder assembly 10 further includes a lower base portion 20 upon which is positioned a mouse pad 24. A vertical support portion 30 is connected to the lower base portion 20 and extends upwardly from lower base portion 20. In turn, connected to an upper part of the vertical support portion 30, is an upper base portion 50. The upper base portion 50 is adjustable relative to the lower base portion 20, as discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the document holder platform 70 is disposed on the upper base portion 50. The document holder platform 70 is adjustable relative to the upper base portion 50. In particular, as shown, the document holder platform 70 may be connected to the upper base portion 50 using a slide portion 60. As a result, the document holder platform 70 is both pivotally and slidably adjustable relative to the upper base portion 50. Further, the document holder platform 70 with slide portion 60 may be positioned on either side of the upper base portion 50, i.e., depending on whether the user is right or left handed, for example.

A document holder clip or page holder 200 is mounted on the document holder platform 70. The document holder clip 200 is connected to the document holder platform 70 with housings (74, 74′). The housings (74, 74′) are disposed on respective sides of the document holder clip 200 so as to pivotally support the document holder clip 200. The document holder platform 70 may be used to hold a document or other item as desired.

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform 70 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, the document holder platform 70 is in an upright position. The document holder platform 70 is pivotally connected to the slide portion 60 utilizing a pair of hinge assemblies 72. Details of each hinge assembly 72 are described below. The document holder platform 70 may be raised for review of a document. Further, the document holder platform 70 may be slid relative to the upper base portion 50 for positioning as desired by the user, i.e., using the slide portion 60 as described below.

As noted above, the document holder platform 70 and slide portion 60 may be slid off the upper base portion 50 for separate use, i.e., for use as a stand alone assembly. The weight of the slide portion 60 (see for example FIG. 2) should be provided to be sufficient to support the document holder platform 70. Further, it is appreciated that the dimensions of the slide portion 60 and/or the document holder platform 70 may be varied so as to enhance independent use of the document holder platform 70 with slide portion 60.

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3, the document holder platform 70 is disposed in a horizontal or closed position. Further, the document holder platform 70 in an extended or slid out position relative to the upper base portion 50. For example, the arrangement of the holder assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 3 may be used to dispose the document holder platform 70 over a keyboard.

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform in an extended position. However, in FIG. 4, the document holder platform 70 is also in a raised position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. That is, the arrangement of FIG. 4 may be used to hold a document over a keyboard, such that the document is in a raised position. Such an arrangement allows for holding a document in close proximity to a monitor, for example.

FIG. 5 is a further perspective view showing a holder assembly with a document holder platform 70 and upper base 50 in a raised position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In particular, FIG. 5 shows further details of the vertical support portion 30. The vertical support portion 30 includes a lower support member 31 and an upper support member 36. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the upper support member 36 is telescopically disposed in the lower support member 31, however the reverse may alternatively be utilized. Accordingly, the upper support member 36 may be vertically slid up and down in the lower support member 31. Further, the upper support member 36 may be rotated relative to the lower support member 31. As can be appreciated, the vertical support portion 30 (with the lower support member 31 and the upper support member 36) provide the capability to position the document holder platform 70 in a variety of positions, as desired.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical support portion 30 includes a locking assembly 40. The locking assembly 40 may be used to fix the upper support member 36 relative to the lower support member 31, i.e., after the upper support member 36 has been disposed in a desired position by the user. As discussed below, the locking assembly 40 may include a bolt and nut assembly.

In further explanation of various features described above, FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a holder assembly 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The holder assembly 10 includes the lower base portion 20 and the upper base portion 50. Mounted on the upper base portion 50 is the slide portion 60 and the document holder platform 70. A mouse pad 24 is disposed on the lower base portion 20. The lower base portion 20 is connected to the upper base portion 50 with the vertical support portion 30. The vertical support portion 30 includes the lower support member 31 and the upper support member 36. The lower support member 31 and the upper support member 36 are fixed to each other utilizing the locking assembly 40. The lower support member 31 is provided with a locking device retaining channel 32. The locking device retaining channel 32 adds to the structural rigidity of the lower support member 31.

The locking assembly 40 (including a bolt 42 and nut 44) is operatively disposed on the locking device retaining channel 32. Specifically, the locking device retaining channel 32 includes a channel slot 45. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the nut 44 is disposed in the channel slot 45, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The channel slot 45 is further shown in FIG. 14, which is a perspective view of the lower base portion 20. The channel slot 45 includes a channel 46 with a slot 48 on each side of the channel 46. The nut 44 of the locking assembly 40 is received into and disposed in the slots 48. The bolt 42 of the locking assembly 40 may then be disposed so as to pass through the channel 46 and threadably through the nut 44. The bolt 42 is then screwed in so as to abut against the upper support member 36, i.e., so as to provide a set screw of sorts. The bolt 42 may be loosened vis-à-vis the upper support member 36 so as to allow repositioning of the upper support member 36, and then re-tightened once a desired position is attained.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an upper base portion 50 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The upper base portion 50 includes the upper support member 36, which connects the upper base portion 50 to the lower base portion 20. The upper base portion 50 provides a platform on which the slide portion 60 and the document holder platform 70 are supported and movably positioned. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing further details of the slide in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

As shown on FIG. 7, the upper base portion 50 includes a pair of slide channels 55, in which the slide portion 60 may alternatively be positioned. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, each slide channel 55 extends the width of the upper base portion 50, as shown in FIG. 7. The opposing ends of each slide channel 55 includes an alignment channel 56. The alignment channel 56 forms a portion of the slide channel 55, that is wider than the remainder of the slide channel 55. The slide portion 60 is received in one or the other of the slide channels 55.

As shown in FIG. 8, the slide portion 60 includes slide body portion 64. A slide shoulder portion 65 is disposed along each side of the slide body portion 64. Depending on the arrangement desired, one slide shoulder portion 65 is received into a respective slide channel 55, and is slidably disposed in the respective slide channel 55. For example, the slide portion 60 may be slid so as to result in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows that the slide portion 60 may include molding apertures 63. Molding apertures 63 may be provided as desired in the slide portion 60 so as to effectively access portions of the holder assembly 10 in the molding process. That is, the molding apertures 63 allow the use of a simpler mold than would otherwise be required. In particular, the molding apertures 63 (shown in FIG. 8) make it easier to generate the retaining ribs 61 shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 also shows clearance slots 66. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, clearance slots 66 may be provided to provide clearance for positioning of the document holder platform 70 and operation of the hinge assembly 72.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper base portion 50 includes the two slide channels 55. The two slide channels 55 are provided to afford the capability to change the slide portion 60 from one side to another. That is, in this embodiment, only one slide shoulder portion 65 is engaged with one slide channel 55 in a given arrangement, i.e., as shown in FIG. 4.

Each slide portion 60 includes a pair of slide engagement apertures 62, as shown in FIG. 8. Further, the upper base portion 50 includes a plurality of slide engagement members 51, as shown in FIG. 7. Depending on the position of the slide portion 60 vis-à-vis the upper base portion 50, a slide engagement member 51 extends into a respective slide engagement aperture 62. Such engagement between the slide engagement member 51 and the slide engagement aperture 62 may be used to orient the upper base portion 50 with the slide portion 60. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, only one of the slide engagement members 51 would be engaged in a respective slide engagement aperture 62, i.e., and such engagement would define the extended position of the slide portion 60 vis-à-vis the upper base portion 50. On the other hand, with the arrangement of FIG. 2, both slide engagement members 51 would be engaged in respective slide engagement apertures 62, i.e., since the slide portion 60 would be disposed in a centered position vis-à-vis the upper base portion 50. Each slide engagement member 51 may be constructed of a bendable tab including a protuberance, i.e., a rounded portion. The slide engagement member 51 may be constructed of plastic, for example. The protuberance of each slide engagement member 51 “snaps” into a respective slide engagement aperture 62 at a point at which a slide engagement member 51 is aligned with a slide engagement aperture 62. Alternatively, the arrangement might be reversed such that the slide engagement member 51 is disposed in the slide portion 60 and the slide engagement aperture 62 is disposed in the upper base portion 50, for example.

As can be appreciated, when the slide portion 60 (with document holder platform 70) is in an extended position, e.g. such as shown in FIG. 3, the slide portion 60 must be retained so as not to tip relative to the upper base portion 50. In order to prevent such tipping, and in general to assist in securement of the slide portion 60 with the upper base portion 50, the slide portion 60 includes a retaining rib 61. The retaining rib 61 is shown in both FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a cross section view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing further details of the document holder portion with slide in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In accordance with one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the retaining rib 61 extends horizontally from a lower portion of each slide shoulder portion 65. The retaining rib 61 need only extend a portion of the length of the slide body portion 64. However, the particular positioning and size of the retaining ribs 61 will depend on the particular arrangements desired. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the retaining rib 61 is dimensioned and positioned so as to be respectively received into the alignment channel 56 in the upper base portion 50, i.e., depending on which side of the upper base portion 50 the slide portion 60 is positioned.

Once the slide portion 60 is moved to one side or another (relative to a centered position on the upper base portion 50), the particular retaining rib 61 (on one end of the slide portion 60) will be disposed under the slide retaining shoulder 54 (note step 57 as shown in FIG. 7). Such arrangement with the retaining rib 61 disposed under the slide retaining shoulder 54 serves to secure the slide portion 60 upon. the upper base portion 50 (and prevent tipping). Both ends of both slide shoulder portions 65 (as shown in FIG. 8) are provided with a retaining rib 61. Accordingly, the total of four retaining ribs 61 afford for various arrangements with (1) either of the slide shoulder portions 65 disposed in a respective slide channel 55; and/or (2) the slide portion 60 slid either way relative to the upper base portion 50.

FIG. 9 also illustrates further details of the hinge assembly 72, which serves to pivotally connect the slide portion 60 to the document holder platform 70. The hinge assembly 72 includes a hinge arm 69 and a hinge tab 67. The document holder platform 70 includes a support rod 76, as shown in FIG. 11. The hinge arm 69 and a hinge tab 67 serve to secure the slide portion 60 to the document holder platform 70, and specifically to a respective support rod 76.

More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, when the document holder platform 70 is in the lowered position (as shown in FIG. 1) the support rod 76 is positioned in the hinge assembly 72 as shown by position 76′ (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, when the document holder platform 70 is in the raised position (as shown in FIG. 2) the support rod 76 is positioned in the hinge assembly 72 as shown by position 76″ (see FIG. 9). That is, as the document holder platform 70 is moved to the raised position, the support rod 76 slides down in the hinge assembly 72 (as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9), and abuts the hinge tab 67. This position of the support rod 76, in conjunction with the document holder platform 70 disposed against the alignment tab 68 (and other portions of the slide portion 60) precludes movement of the document holder platform 70 vis-à-vis the slide portion 60 during use, i.e., precludes the document holder platform 70 from falling back to the lowered position. When it is desired to move the document holder platform 70 from the raised position to the lowered position, the user pulls up on the document holder platform 70 (so as to move the support rod 76 from the 76″ position to the 76′ position). When the support rod 76 is in the 76′ position, the document holder platform 70 is then free to be rotated back to the lowered position.

FIGS. 1 and 11 also show recessed portion 78. Recessed portion 78 may be provided on the document holder platform 70 to provide a recess or concave portion. Such arrangement effects bending of a paper supported on the document holder platform 70, i.e., as page holder 200 bends the paper into recessed portion 78. Such bending affords the paper a “backbone” of sorts and assists in keeping the paper in an upright (and readable) position. The particular shape and dimensions of the recessed portion 78 may of course be varied as desired. Relatedly, it is of course appreciated that the shape and dimensions of the other components of the holder assembly 10 may be varied as desired.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 7 also illustrates that the upper base portion 50 may be provided with a pocket 52. The pocket 52 is disposed between the two slide channels 55. The pocket includes a pocket bottom 58 and pocket walls 59. The pocket bottom 58 and pocket walls 59 together form a holding pocket or bin, which can be used to retain pens, paper clips, or other items as may be desired.

The structure of document holder clip 200, which functions as a page holder, for example, will hereinafter be described in further detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder assembly 10 includes the document holder platform 70 pivotally disposed upon and connected to the slide portion 60 (and in turn the upper base portion 50), as described above. The document holder clip 200, or set of document holder clips 200, are biased against the document holder platform 70 for retaining a document, i.e., such as a book, or pages of the document, for example.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a document holder clip 200. For example, the document holders as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/787,150, filed Feb. 27, 2004 (Attorney Docket No. 56730.000004 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/117,693, filed Apr. 29, 2005 (Attorney Docket No. 56730.000009, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, may be used. With reference to FIG. 13, the document holder clip 200, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes a holder housing portion 221 extending along a first side of the document holder clip 200, a center planar portion 222 extending along the holder housing portion 221, and an arcuate flange 223 extending along the center planar portion 222. An aperture 224 is defined by the arcuate flange 223 and the center planar portion 222. The document holder clip 200 may further be characterized as including a page holder shoulder 225 at the end of the arcuate flange 223. The page holder shoulder 225 is what typically makes physical contact with the book or other document while reading.

As shown in FIG. 13, the holder housing portion 221 may be tubular in shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a respective page holder may be supported on the platform portion 200 on respective sides of the platform portion 200. The page holder 200 may be supported by respective housings (74, 74′) formed upon the platform portion 200. The housings may be integrally formed with and extend from the document holder platform 70. Also, the holder housings (74, 74′) of the document holder clip 200 may be provided so as to form a continuous surface with the holder housing portion 221.

The document holder clip 200, as shown in FIG. 13, further includes a page holder pin 226 extending from each opposite side of the holder housing portion 221 of the document holder clip 200. The page holder pins 226 extend into the housings (74, 74′), as is shown in FIGS. 13 and 1. As shown in FIG. 13, the document holder clip 200 includes a spring 227. The spring 227 biases the document holder clip 200, and specifically the page holder shoulder 225, against the documents being retained on the document holder platform 70. The spring 227, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, encircles the page holder pin 226. One end of the spring 227 is supported by the spring holding shoulder 228, as shown in FIG. 13. The other end of the spring is supported in the page holder end housing 230, for example, i.e., in the situation where the document holder clip 200 is supported by the page holder end housings (74, 74′).

The page holder pin 226 may be respectively received into the housings (74, 74′) in any suitable manner. For example, the page holder pins 226 might be each provided with a pin end angled surface 229, as shown in FIG. 13. The pin end angled surface 229 may be provided to allow the pin to slip past a surface in the housings (74, 74′) so as to snap into place. However, any other known arrangement may be used to hingedly dispose the page holder 220 in the housings (74, 74′). Further, it should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be used in conjunction with the features described in the U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/787,150 and/or 11/117,693, and visa-a-versa.

As described herein, the devices above, in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention, have been described as a reading stand and described in the context of holding an item. It is appreciated that the devices of the invention may be used to hold a wide variety of items for viewing, as may be desired. Accordingly, the devices of the invention might hold items such as books, magazines, papers, photographs or any other object or material that might be physically supported on the device. Further, the lower base portion 20 need not be used to support a mouse pad, but might instead be used to support other items, as desired. For example, a user may wish to support a second document on the lower base portion 20.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment wherein the document holder platform 70 is positionable between a lowered position and a raised position. However, it is appreciated that other arrangements might be utilized in which the document holder platform 70 may be positioned in a variety of angles, as desired. Such an arrangement might utilize a suitable prop member, for example. The prop member might be hingedly connected to the document holder platform 70 and engage with suitable stops on the upper base portion 50, for example.

The devices of the invention, in accordance with the various embodiments, may be made from any of a wide variety of materials and/or dimensions, as is desired. The invention might be made of wood, plastic or metal, for example, or any other material. Further, a variety of production techniques may be used to make the holder assembly as described herein. For example, suitable molding techniques might be utilized. Also, the various components of the reading stand may be integrally formed, as may be desired, in particular when using molding construction techniques. Also, physical size of the respective arrangements may be adjusted to accommodate books of varying sizes.

It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A holder assembly for supporting items, the holder assembly comprising:

a lower base portion;

a vertical support portion extending upwardly from the lower base portion;

an upper base portion connected to the vertical support portion;

a slide portion movably disposed on the upper base portion; and

a document holder platform disposed on the slide portion, the document holder platform supporting a document holder clip.

2. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical support includes:

an upper support member; and

a lower support member, upper support member being telescopically received in the lower support member; and

a locking assembly engaging the lower support member with the upper support member.

3. The holder assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking assembly is disposed in the lower support member and includes a channel slot with a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion engaged with the first threaded portion and engaging the upper support member.

4. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper base portion includes a pocket.

5. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide portion is pivotally attached to the document holder platform.

6. The holder assembly of claim 5, wherein the slide portion includes a slide engagement aperture, and the upper base portion includes an slide engagement member, the slide engagement member being received in the slide engagement aperture.

7. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide portion includes a slide shoulder portion, and the upper base portion including at least one slide channel, the slide shoulder portion being received in and retained in the slide channel.

8. The holder assembly of claim 7, wherein the slide portion further includes a retaining rib disposed at a lower portion of the slide shoulder portion, the retaining rib being slidably disposed under the slide channel so as to retain the slide portion.

9. The holder assembly of claim 8, wherein the slide channel further includes a alignment channel disposed at each end of the slide channel.

10. The holder assembly of claim 9, wherein the slide channel extends the width of the upper base portion.

11. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein a mouse pad is disposed on the lower base portion.

12. The holder assembly of claim 1, further including a hinge assembly to retain the document holder platform on the slide portion, the document holder platform 70 including a support rod pivotally disposed in the hinge assembly.

13. The holder assembly of claim 12, wherein the document holder platform 70 is disposable in a lowered position and a raised position, the hinge assembly providing for the support rod to move to a lower position upon the document holder platform being moved from the powered position to the raised position.

14. The holder assembly of claim 12, wherein the hinge assembly 72 includes a hinge arm and a hinge tab 67, the support rod 76 being retained by both the hinge arm 69 and the retaining rib 61.

15. The holder assembly of claim 13, wherein the document holder platform includes an alignment tab, the alignment tab supporting the document holder platform 70 in the raised position so as to not move to the lowered position.

16. A method for supporting items, the method comprising:

providing a lower base portion;

providing a vertical support portion extending upwardly from the lower base portion;

providing an upper base portion connected to the vertical support portion;

providing a slide portion movably disposed on the upper base portion; and

providing a document holder platform disposed on the slide portion, the document holder platform supporting a document holder clip.

17. The method of claim 16, further including:

placing a mouse pad on the lower base portion; and

raising the document holder platform 70 from a lowered position to a raised position to review an item on the document holder platform.

18. A holder assembly for supporting items, the holder assembly comprising:

a lower base portion;

a vertical support portion extending upwardly from the lower base portion;

an upper base portion connected to the vertical support portion;

a slide portion movably disposed on the upper base portion; and

a document holder platform pivotally disposed on the slide portion, the document holder platform supporting a document holder clip; and

wherein the vertical support includes: an upper support member; and a lower support member, upper support member being telescopically received in the lower support member; and a locking assembly engaging the lower support member with the upper support member; and

wherein the upper base portion includes a pocket.

19. The holder assembly of claim 18, wherein the document holder platform 70 is provided with a recess, the document holder clip engageable with the recess so as to secure paper in the recess in a bent state.