FOLDABLE STATIONERY HOLDER

Abstract

A foldable stationery holder includes a base unit including a top surface and an axle bracket mounted at the top surface at one side, and a foldable unit movable relative to the base unit and including a pivoting block pivotally mounted at the axle bracket and a movable portion disposed opposite to the pivoting block and movable between a first position above the top surface and a second position outside the top surface. By moving the foldable unit relative to the base unit, the foldable stationery holder can be selectively set in an extended position for application or a collapsed position for storage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to stationery products and more particularly, to a foldable stationery holder.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most commercial tape dispensers, such as the TW certificate number M515544 and M494152, are not folding or collapsible. Although these conventional tape dispensers can achieve the expected function, they commonly have a large volume. In storage and packaging these conventional tape dispensers require much handling space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a foldable stationery holder, which can be folded or collapsed to minimize the volume for storage.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a foldable stationery holder comprises a base unit and a foldable unit. The base unit comprises a top surface, and an axle bracket mounted at the top surface at one side. The foldable unit is movable relative to the base unit, and comprises a pivoting block pivotally mounted at the axle bracket and a movable portion disposed opposite to the pivoting block and movable between a first position above the top surface and a second position outside the top surface.

The effect of the present invention is by moving the foldable unit relative to the base unit, the foldable stationery holder can be selectively set in an extended position for application or a collapsed, or folded, position to minimize the volume for storage.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique top elevational view of a foldable stationery holder in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the foldable stationery holder in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrated an open status of the connection member of the foldable unit of the foldable stationery holder in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic applied view of the present invention, illustrating the foldable unit in the center position.

FIG. 5 is another schematic applied view of the present invention, illustrating the biasable unit biased relative to the base unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating the biasable unit set in the second position.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a rear side view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a rear side view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing of the present invention, illustrating the connection member detached from the biasable member

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a foldable stationery holder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The foldable stationery holder is adapted for holding a stationery item 30. In this embodiment, the stationery item 30 is a tape dispenser. The foldable stationery holder comprises a base unit 10 and a foldable unit 20.

The base unit 10 comprises a base 11, and a turntable 12 mounted on and rotatable relative to the base 11. The base 11 comprises a circular block 111, two foot members 112 respectively connected two opposite lateral sides of the circular block 111, a round hole 113 located in the center of the circular block 111, an arched sliding groove 114 spaced around the round hole 113. The turntable 12 is rotatably mounted on the circular block 111 between the two foot members 12, comprising a top surface 121, an axle bracket 122 mounted on the top surface 121 at one side, a cutting edge 123 located at the top surface 121 at an opposite side, a shaft 124 located at a bottom side thereof and rotatably coupled to the round hole 113, and a position-limiting rod 125 located at the bottom side and inserted into the arched sliding groove 114 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The arched sliding groove 114 and the position-limiting rod 125 are configured to mate with each other so that the turntable 12 can be rotated on the base 10 within an angle restricted by the arched sliding groove 114 (in this embodiment, the turntable 12 is biasable relative to the base 10 within 45-degree angle). The axle bracket 122 comprises an axle 126 extended in parallel to the axis L of the top surface 121, and a guide pin 127 disposed at one side relative to the axle 126. The cutting edge 123 is serrated.

The foldable unit 20 is movable relative to the base unit 10, comprising a foldable member 21 pivotally coupled to the axle bracket 122 and a connection member 22 pivotally connected to the foldable member 21. The foldable member 21 comprises a pivoting block 211 pivotally connected to the axle bracket 122, and an opposing pivot connector 212. The pivoting block 211 comprises an axle hole 213 pivotally coupled to the axle 126, and an arched slot 214 spaced around the axis L and coupled to the guide pin 127 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). The pivot connector 212 comprises a pair of upright pivot-connection plates 215 arranged in parallel, a substantially U-shaped coupling groove 216 located at each upright pivot-connection plate 215, and a raised positioning portion 217 located on one upright pivot-connection plate 215. Further, each U-shaped coupling groove 216 defines a straight guide groove portion 218 that extends forwardly to a front side thereof, and an expanded positioning-limiting groove portion 219 that is disposed in communication with a rear end of the straight guide groove portion 218.

Referring to FIG. 3, the connection member 22 is detachably connected to the foldable member 21, comprising a connection plate 221, a first side panel 222 hinged to one side of the connection plate 221, a second side panel 223 hinged to an opposite side of the connection plate 221, a pivot means 224 disposed adjacent to the connection plate 221 and rotatably coupled to the pivot connector 212, and a movable portion 225 opposite to the pivot means 224. The first side panel 222 comprises a rectangular block-shaped first retaining portion 226, a first barrel 227 corresponding to the movable portion 225, and a first retaining portion 228 located at the distal end of the first barrel 227 and shaped like a truncated cone. The second side panel 223 comprises a recessed second retaining portion 226′ for engagement with the rectangular block-shaped first retaining portion 226, a second barrel 227′ corresponding to the first barrel 227, and a second engagement portion 228′ located at the distal end of the second barrel 227′ for engagement with the first engagement portion 228. The second engagement portion 228′ is located in the center of the distal end of the second barrel 227′ and shaped like a round hole. The first barrel 227 and the second barrel 227′ are joined together to form a round shaft. The pivot means 224 comprises a pair of rods 229 respectively located at the first side panel 222 and the second side panel 223. These rods 229 have an oblong cross section, each comprising two opposing first peripheral edges 229′ that define a thickness and two opposing second peripheral edges 229″ that define a width greater than the thickness. The first peripheral edges 229′ of each rod 229 are slidable along the straight guide groove portions 218. The second peripheral edges 229″ are rotatable in the expanded position-limiting groove portions 219. The connection member 22 further comprises a first locating hole 220 located in the first side panel 22, and a second locating hole 220′ disposed at one side relative to the first locating hole 220.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, in normal use of the foldable stationery holder, the movable portion 225 of the foldable unit 20 is disposed in a first position above the top surface 121 and the stationery item 30 is also suspended above the top surface 121. Subject to the characteristic that the stationery item (tape dispenser) 30 is turnable about the round shaft formed of the first barrel 227 and the second barrel 227′ and the arrangement of the cutting edge 123, the user can pull out the adhesive tape from the stationery item (tape dispenser) 30, enabling the desired length of the leading part of the adhesive tape to be smoothly cut off by the cutting edge 123.

When the movable portion 225 of the foldable unit 20 is disposed in the first position, the raised positioning portion 217 is engaged in the first locating hole 220 to hold the connection member 22 positively in position relative to the biasable member 21. Under this state, the foldable member 21 is held in an extended position relative to the axle bracket 122; the arched sliding groove 114 has its one end abutted against the position-limiting rod 125 (see FIG. 7); the arched slot 214 of the pivoting block 211 has its one end abutted against the guide pin 127 (see FIG. 9); the first peripheral edges 229′ of every rod 229 are intersected with the respective straight guide groove portion 219 so that the rods 229 are engaged in the respective expanded position-limiting groove portions 219 to hold the connection member 22 positively in position relative to the biasable member 21 without rotation, and thus the stationery item 30 is positively held in position.

To fold up or pack the foldable stationery holder, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection member 22 is moved relative to the foldable member 21 to move the foldable unit 20 from the first position to a center position where the raised positioning portion 217 is engaged in the second locating hole 220′ to hold the connection member 22 in position and to prohibit the connection member 22 from rotary motion relative to the biasable member.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the turntable 12 and the foldable unit 20 are moved relative to the base 21 to move the opposite end of the arched sliding groove 114 into abutment against the position-limiting rod 125 (see FIG. 8), and then the foldable member 21 is moved relative to the axle bracket 122 from the extended position to a collapsed position where the opposite end of the arched slot 214 of the pivoting block 211 is abutted against the guide pin 127 (see FIG. 10), such that the foldable unit 20 is shifted to a second position (see FIG. 6). At this time, the movable portion 225 and the stationery item 30 are disposed outside the top surface 121, and the volume of the collapsed foldable stationery holder is minimized.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, when mounting or replacing the stationery item 30, the connection member 22 is turned relative to the foldable member 21 while the foldable unit 20 is held in the first position, as illustrated in FIG. 11. At this time, the first peripheral edges 229′ of each rod 229 are kept in parallel to the respective straight guide groove portion 218 for allowing the rod 229 of the connection member 22 to be moved out of the U-shaped coupling grooves 216 of the biasable member 21. Thereafter, the first side panel 222 and the second side panel 223 are opened to disengage the rectangular block-shaped first retaining portion 226 from the second retaining portion 226′ and to separate the first barrel 227 from the second barrel 227′, and also to disengage the first engagement portion 228 from the second engagement portion 228′. The user can then mount or replace the stationery item 30. After mounting or replacement of the stationery item 30, the first side panel 222 and the second side panel 223 can be moved toward each other, enabling the stationery item 30 to be pivotally positioned between the first barrel 227 and the second barrel 227′.

It's worth mentioning that the overall shape of the foldable stationery holder of the present invention is similar to that of a sawing machine, adding fun to the operation.

In conclusion, the foldable stationery holder of the present invention not only achieves the expected purpose of use, but also has the characteristic of folding collapsible to minimize space occupation, and the foldable stationery holder can accurately achieve the object of the present invention.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foldable stationery holder, comprising:

a base unit comprising a top surface and an axle bracket mounted at said top surface at one side; and

a foldable unit movable relative to said base unit, said foldable unit comprising a pivoting block pivotally mounted at said axle bracket and a movable portion opposite to said pivoting block, said movable portion being movable between a first position above said top surface and a second position outside said top surface.

2. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base unit further comprises a base and a turntable rotatably mounted on said base, said top surface and said axle bracket are located on said turntable.

3. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base of said base unit comprises an arched sliding groove; said turntable further comprises a position-limiting rod inserted in said arched sliding groove and adapted to limit the turning angle of said turntable relative to said base.

4. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said foldable unit further comprises a foldable member pivotally coupled to said axle bracket, a connection member connection member pivotally connected to said foldable member and a pivot connector opposing to said pivoting block, said connection member comprising pivot means disposed opposite to said movable portion and rotatably pivoted to said pivot connector; said pivoting block is mounted at said biasable member; said movable portion is located at said connection member.

5. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said connection member of said foldable unit comprises a connection plate, a first side panel hinged to one side of said connection plate and a second side panel hinged to an opposite side of said first side panel, said first side panel comprising a rectangular block-shaped first retaining portion, a first barrel corresponding to said movable portion and a first engagement portion located at said first barrel, said second side panel comprising a second retaining portion adapted for engagement with said rectangular block-shaped first retaining portion, a second barrel facing toward said first barrel and a second engagement portion located at said second barrel and adapted for engagement with said first engagement portion, said first barrel and said second barrel being connectable together to form a round shaft; said movable portion is configured to the mounting of a stationery item adapted for dispensing an adhesive tape pivotally mountable at said round shaft.

6. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein said connection member of said foldable unit is detachably mounted at said foldable member;

said pivot connector of said foldable member comprises a pair of upright pivot-connection plates arranged in parallel, a substantially U-shaped coupling groove located at each said upright pivot-connection plate, and a raised positioning portion located on one said upright pivot-connection plate, each said U-shaped coupling groove defining a straight guide groove portion that extends forwardly to a front side thereof, and an expanded positioning-limiting groove portion 219 that is disposed in communication with a rear end of said straight guide groove portion; said pivot means comprises a pair of rods respectively located at said first side panel and said second side panel, said rods having an oblong cross section, each said rod comprising two opposing first peripheral edges that define a thickness and two opposing second peripheral edges that define a width greater than said thickness, said first peripheral edges of each said rod being slidable along said straight guide groove portions, said second peripheral edges being rotatable in said expanded position-limiting groove portions; said connection member further comprises a first locating hole located in said first side panel and a second locating hole disposed at one side relative to said first locating hole; when said biasable unit is disposed in said first position, said raised positioning portion is engaged in said first locating hole, said first peripheral edges of said rod are intersected with the respective said straight guide groove portions, and said rods are positively positioned in said expanded position-limiting groove portions; when biasing said biasable unit from said first position to a center position between said first position and said second position, said connection member is biased, causing said raised positioning portion to be engaged in said second locating hole.

7. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein said turntable of said base unit further comprises a cutting edge disposed opposite to said axle bracket, said cutting edge being serrated.

8. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein said axle bracket of said base unit comprises an axle extending along an axis; said biasable member comprises an axle hole for the insertion of said axle.

9. The foldable stationery holder as claimed in claim 8, wherein said axle bracket of said base unit further comprises a guide pin disposed at one side relative to said axle; said foldable member further comprises an arched slot extended around said axis for the insertion of said guide pin; said foldable member is movable relative to said axle bracket between an extended position where one end of said arched slot is abutted against said guide pin and a collapsed position where an opposite end of said arched slot is abutted against said guide pin.