Easel with support structure

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides an easel for holding an article that includes a plurality of support members. Each of the support members has a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion. The easel also includes an elongated post member. The post member includes a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface. The post member is defined generally by an axis, and the post member is pivotally coupled to each of the support members adjacent the proximal end. The easel further includes a first linkage member having a first post end, a first support end, and a first middle portion. The first post end is pivotally coupled to one of the support members. Additionally, the easel includes a lower support selectively coupled to at least one of the central portions. The lower support selectively supports a lower portion of the article.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to easels for display and support and more specifically to a reinforcing structure for collapsible easels.

BACKGROUND

There are many applications where a collapsible easel for display of an article is desired. Typical easels include an arrangement of spaced apart legs. In some easels, the legs of the easel include telescoped tubes or foldable struts that are extendable linearly to a predetermined height. A display support platform is generally supported by the easel. The display platform is generally movable, and in some instances may be removable.

One known prior art easel having a board support includes a plurality of legs. The legs are generally pivotally connected together. Each leg includes multiple interlocked sections that are biased together when in an assembled position, but may be selectively manipulated for separation and folding into a bundle with one section against another. A board support is mounted on two legs, but may be selectively moved to a desired position on any of the interlocking sections. Each board support is relatively small with a general C-shape configuration. The board supports are pivotally mounted, such that they are pivotal between two positions, one where it is folded against the leg on which it is mounted and one where it is folded away from the leg. The board supports serve to hold a small section of a canvas or other item when folded away from the leg.

While portable, known art easels as described above have disadvantages. For example, the legs and the board supports are unstable and not suitable for holding heavy boards or paintings. Moreover, because the board supports are so small, height adjustment is limited by the width of the article being displayed.

Another known prior art easel includes two front support legs having an upper end connected to a selectively movable retaining mechanism. A single support brace that is selectively movable, extends laterally to connect the two front support legs together. A rear support leg is hingedly connected to a separate upper plate that is frictionally engaged with a central member. Rear support braces have a first end pivotally connected to a portion of the rear support leg and a second end pivotally connected to a fixed location on a portion of the central member. A board support is removably mounted to a front portion of the central member.

While prior easels of this type are collapsible and relatively lightweight, they are difficult to set up into an operative position that is stable. For example, the front support legs and the rear support legs must be separately adjusted until the easel is balanced due to the separate connection of the support braces and support legs. Additionally, these prior art easels may include clamping mechanisms that must be secured in order to set up the easel into a stable configuration. Accordingly, more time is required to insure an operative set up of the easel. Moreover, experimentation is required to properly balance the easel among the support legs.

Therefore, there exists a need for a collapsible easel that is easy to set up, but provides increased stability over prior art easels.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention provides an easel for holding an article that includes a plurality of support members. Each of the support members has a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion. The easel also includes an elongated post member. The post member includes a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface. The post member is defined generally by an axis, and the post member is pivotally coupled to each of the support members adjacent the proximal end. The easel further includes a first linkage member having a first post end, a first support end, and a first middle portion. The first post end is pivotally coupled to one of the support members. Additionally, the easel includes a lower support selectively coupled to at least one of the central portions. The lower support selectively supports a lower portion of the article. At least a portion of the proximal end is selectively guided relative to at least a portion of the post end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an easel according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a top support rotated 90° for clarity.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the easel of FIG. 1, illustrating the easel in a partially stowed position, again with the top support rotated 90° for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the easel of FIG. 2, identified generally as area 3 of FIG. 2, illustrating a portion of a guide member reinforcing system.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a guide member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the guide member of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the guide member of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an easel 20 is illustrated. Easel 20 includes a post member 22, a plurality of telescopic support members 24, a guide member 26 slideably coupled to the post member 22, a plurality of linkage members 28, a central connector 30, and a lower support 32. The post member 22 generally defines an axis A-A and includes an outer guide surface 36 having a stop member groove 38 formed therein, and a top support member 40 interposed therein and extendable therefrom.

The support members 24 are each defined by a first portion 42 having a proximal end 44, a second portion 46 having a distal end 48, and a telescopic guide 50. Each linkage member 28 includes a post end 54, a support end 56, and a middle portion 58.

As best seen in FIG. 3, each telescopic guide 50 includes a tubular body 60 having a linkage member support 62, a guide clasp 64 rotatably supported to the tubular body 60 via a clasp pin 66, a first portion opening 68, and a second portion opening 70. In operation, as discussed in greater detail below, guide clasp 64 is rotated away from tubular body 60 in order to allow second portion 46 to translate relative to the first portion 42. When first portion 42 and second portion 46 are in a desired relative position, guide clasp 64 may then be rotated via clasp pin 66 to the locked position (FIG. 3).

Each telescopic guide 50 is pivotally supported to a linkage member 28 via a linkage pin 80 that is inserted into linkage member support 62. The guide member 26 pivotally connects each linkage member 28 via a linkage pin 82 with the post member 22. Each linkage member 28 interconnects the guide member 26 with a support member 24.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the central connector 30 includes a central support 88 connected to the post member 22, a top support aperture 90, and a plurality of first portion connectors 92. The first portion connectors 92 are each pivotally connected to central connector 30 thereby permitting each support member 24 to rotate relative to axis A-A (FIG. 2). The top support member 40 extends through the top support aperture 90 and into post member 22 in telescopic fashion, as discussed in greater detail below. The first portion connectors 92 of central connector 30 are each connected to one of the support members 24 at the proximal end 44.

The top support member 40 may include a top support 94 for restraining an article. The top support member 40 is extendable from a stowed position to an extended position (FIG. 1). An intermediate position, between the stowed position and the extended position is illustrated in FIG. 2. In the stowed position, telescopic guides 50 are in close proximity and may be touching, while support members are retracted such that second portions 46 (and other portions if present) are stowed within first portions 42, and top support member 40 is retracted within post member 22.

Preferably, post member 22 may also include a stop member 96 positioned at least partially within the stop member groove 38. Stop member 96 provides a lower stop for guide member 26, and also provides a cushioned surface for linkage members 28 to contact when easel 20 is folded into the stowed position. In one embodiment, the stop member 96 is an o-ring, although the stop member 96 may be multiple portions or a single piece that is molded onto post member 22.

Lower support 32 is illustrated to include an angle 110 and a pair of lower support adjusters 112. Angle 110 may include a hook 116, a selectively rotatable brush holder 118 attached thereto, and/or one or more mounting apertures 120. The lower support adjusters 112 are tubular members that slideably translate on the outer surface of first portions 42. The lower support adjusters 112 include a clasp 126 that is similar to guide clasp 64, and a lower support engaging protrusion 130. Brush holder 118 may be extended (FIG. 1)

As illustrated, each lower support engaging protrusion 130 is inserted through a mounting aperture 120 in lower support 32 to releasably attach angle 110 to easel 20. While lower support 32 is illustrated as including a hook 116 and brush holder 118, other useful articles may be incorporated into the lower support. As will be appreciated, top support 94 may restrain the uppermost surface of a generally rectangular article, and angle 110 may support the lowermost surface of the article.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the guide member 26 is illustrated in greater detail. Guide member 26 includes a generally annular body 140, defined, at least in part, by an inner surface 142, a top surface 144, a generally conical outer surface, 146, and a lower surface 148 with a plurality of linkage member connectors 150 extending therefrom. As best seen in FIG. 5, linkage member connectors 150 each have a linkage pin aperture 152 formed therein to accommodate a linkage pin 82.

As best seen in FIG. 3, inner surface 142 of guide member 46 slides along guide surface 36 as guide member 26 translates generally parallel to axis A-A on post member 22.

When in the fully extended position (FIG. 1), linkage members 28 are generally horizontal and post member 22 is generally vertical. This configuration has been found to provide a stable, relatively rigid support for large articles while minimizing the weight of easel 20.

As guide member 26 translates on post member 22 toward central connector 30 (FIG. 2), distal ends 48 of support members 24 converge generally to a point defined by axis A-A. When guide member 26 is translated on post member 22 to a maximum extent toward central connector 30, linkage members 28 contact stop member 96, and easel 20 is in at least a partially stowed position.

Telescopic guide 50 releasably interconnects the first portion 42 of support member 24 with the second portion 46. When height adjustment of the easel 20 is desired, telescopic guides 50 may be unlatched, allowing first portions 42 to move axially relative to second portions 46. When the desired height is attained, the telescopic guides 50 may the latched, thereby releasably affixing first portion 42 to second portion 46. The support members 24 may each have one more than one telescopic guide 50 that, for example, interconnects the second portion 46 to a third portion (not shown).

Once the support members 24 of the easel 20 has been fully extended to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower support adjusters 112 may be vertically positioned on first portions 42 to desired positions and secured via clasp 126. Then lower support engaging protrusions 130 may be aligned with mounting apertures 120 and inserted therein.

Top support 94 may be vertically adjusted to support or restrain a portion of the article by telescopically moving top support member 40 along axis A-A relative to post member 22. A knob screw may be threaded through an aperture in central support 88 and tightened until the knob screw contacts top support member 40 to restrain top support member 40 and post member 22 in a desired relative position.

In one embodiment, lower support engaging protrusions 130 are screws that are each threaded into one lower support adjuster 112. In this manner, the heads of the screws will interfere with the uppermost portions of angle 110 that define the mounting apertures 120. Additionally, the screws may be tightened to further secure the angle 110 to the support members 24.

If it is desired to change the vertical position of lower support 32, angle 110 is released from the lower support engaging protrusions 130, and lower support adjusters 112 are moved to the desired locations. Angle 110 may then be reattached to the lower support adjusters 112, as described above.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An easel for holding an article, comprising:

a plurality of support members, wherein each of said support members has a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion;

an elongated post member having a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface, wherein said post member is defined generally by an axis, wherein said post member is pivotally coupled to each of said support members adjacent said proximal end, and wherein at least a portion of said proximal end is selectively guided relative to at least a portion of said post end;

a first linkage member having a first post end, a first support end, and a first middle portion, wherein said first post end is pivotally coupled to one of said support members; and

a lower support selectively coupled to at least one of said support members, wherein said lower support selectively supports a lower portion of the article.

2. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a guide member in selective pivotal connection with said first post end and selectively guided by said guide surface such that said guide member translates in a direction generally parallel to the axis.

3. The easel of claim 1, wherein said post member slideably translates in a direction generally parallel to the axis.

4. The easel of claim 1, wherein said guide surface is generally cylindrical.

5. The easel of claim 1, wherein said first post end is slideably coupled to said guide surface.

6. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a second linkage member having a second post end, a second support end, and a second middle portion, wherein said second support end is pivotally coupled to said support member.

7. The easel of claim 1, further comprising:

a second linkage member having a second post end, a second support end, and a second middle portion, wherein said second post end is pivotally coupled to said support member; and

a guide member in selective pivotal connection with each of said first post end and said second post end and selectively guided by said guide surface such that said guide member translates in a direction generally parallel to the axis.

8. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a top support coupled to said post member for supporting the article.

9. The easel of claim 1, wherein said post member further comprises a telescoping top support member.

10. The easel of claim 1, wherein said support members are selectively adjustable for a range of desired lengths between said proximal end and said distal end.

11. The easel of claim 1, wherein said proximal ends are pivotally fixed to said post member and do not translate along said axis.

12. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a lower support adjustment guide interconnecting said lower support with at least one of said support members, wherein said lower support adjustment guide is selectively positioned along a preselected portion of said at least one support member.

13. The easel of claim 1, wherein said support members are maintained at generally identical angles from axis as said guide member translates relative to said guide surface.

14. The easel of claim 1, further comprising a stop member coupled to said post member.

15. An easel for holding an article, comprising:

a plurality of support members, wherein each of said support members has a proximal end, a distal end and a central portion;

an elongated post member having a top end, a bottom end, and a guide surface, wherein said post member is defined generally by an axis, and wherein said post member is pivotally coupled to each of said support members adjacent said proximal end;

a guide member selectively guided by said guide surface such that said guide member translates in a direction generally parallel to the axis,

a plurality of linkage members each having a post end, a support end, and a middle portion, wherein each of said support ends is in selective pivotal connection with at least one of said support members, and each of said post ends is in selective pivotal connection with said guide member; and

a lower support selectively coupled to at least one of said central portions, wherein said lower support selectively supports a lower portion of the article.

16. The easel of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said proximal end is selectively guided relative to at least a portion of said post end.

17. The easel of claim 15, wherein said linkage members are of about the same length.

18. The easel of claim 15, wherein said post member further comprises a telescoping top support member for supporting the article.

19. The easel of claim 15, wherein said support members are selectively adjustable for a range of desired lengths between said proximal end and said distal end.

20. The easel of claim 15, wherein said support members are maintained at generally identical angles from the axis as said guide member translates relative to said guide surface.

21. The easel of claim 15, further comprising a stop member coupled to said post member.