Abstract: A strut back for a photo or picture frame comprises a back having at least one slot shaped to define the boundary of a region of flexion and a strut having an integrally formed projecting lip or flange which can be engaged in said slot by flexing of said region such that said lip or flange embraces one edge of the slot and is urged against said edge when said frame is stood in a display position supported by the strut. Both the strut and the back may be moulded from a plastics material and the back may have an overall thickness to accommodate said portion of said lip or flange projecting through said slot.

Abstract: A picture frame for photographic snapshots having a rotatable easel of thin, lightweight construction mounted to the back side of the picture frame. The easel has a substantially trapezoidal shape when folded and has rectangular front and back panels having a common top edge and collapsible, triangular side panels interconnecting the front and back panels. The side panels may be folded, collapsing the easel into a flat structure for easy packaging and shipment. The side panels when unfolded form an easel for holding the picture frame in a stable, secure, upright position on a tabletop. The easel design of the invention produces an unusually stable structure for its weight. It does not collapse upon moving the picture frame in any direction on the table surface. The easel may be rotated to permit display of snapshots in either a horizontal or vertical orientation.

Abstract: A portable board for use in studying, writing and reading has a clear side with a ledge in a lower central portion of the side and has a game board marked on an opposite side of the board, a concave lower edge permits positioning the board over the user when the user is reclining on a bed. A bail attached to the sides of the board can be used to hold the board at a sloped angle. A set of mounting plates and positioning plates with sockets and a top center channel is used to secure the bail alternatively in an opened position or in a closed position. A set of corrugated spring metal bushings hold the opposed ends of the bail between the plates.

Abstract: A hinged display mount hinged with a thin aluminum strip is formed in a manner to prevent damage to the display mount upon bending of the hinge. The aluminum hinge is secured to a pair of panels and preformed or shaped with a die in a manner to produce a clean bend after the panels and hinge have been casebound.

Abstract: An adjustable support or reading stand for providing inclined support of books, papers and similar materials. The stand includes a support plate, a foldable horizontal support ledge attached to a support surface of the plate and an arcuate telescoping leg attached to the plate to adjust the inclination of the support surface. The telescoping leg includes a bearing and ratchet arrangement to provide adjustable inclination and a hinge coupling to make the leg foldable for easy and compact transportation of the stand.

Abstract: The one-piece easel-support member comprises attachment means for attachment to the back of a picture frame, a stand hingedly connected to the attachment means, a flap, and a link hingedly interconnected to the attachment means and to the flap. The easel-support member also comprises latching structure which includes one latching element on the flap and two latching elements on the stand. The latching element on the flap is engageable with one of the elements on the stand to place the easel-support member in its storage position. The flap latching element is also engageable with the other latching element on the stand to place the easel-support member in its use position.

Abstract: A support which includes two or more pole sections hingedly interconnected by a hinge permitting the support to be folded for storage purposes. At least one of the pole sections has a pair of portions disposed in telescopic relation for sliding movement providing a fast coarse adjustment to the length of the support. The sliding movement is lockable at various relative positions by a quick release coupling which, upon locking the sliding telescopic movement, converts to a screw thread fine adjustment for changing the length of the support. A releasable lock mechanism is also provided for locking the pole sections when they are in line in an end-to-end position.

Abstract: A folding artist's easel, particularly suited for a classroom or teaching environment, utilizes square steel tubing to form a rigid triangular base, a supporting column, and a telescopic brace, with pivotal connections therebetween. The pivotal connections are substantially free of side play and along with connection of the supporting column to a mid-point of one side of the triangular base and connection of the brace to an apex opposite this side, superior stability is provided as well as a minimum required floor space to the rear of the easel, a feature which is particularly desirable in a classroom. A workpiece, such as a drawing board or canvas stretched on a frame, is securely and gently clamped to the easel by means of individually adjustable upper and lower steel cross-members which permit adjustment in the elevation of the workpiece as well as clamping a workpiece of great height. The top of the column is adapted to receive an extension for further increasing the effective height of the easel.

Abstract: A portable stand constructed from four tubular telescoping legs forming a pair of A-frames separated by tubular telescoping cross members to which are fastened a hinged table for supporting books, periodicals and other documents. By adjusting set screws, both the height and width of the stand can be adjusted to facilitate hands-free use of the stand by persons reading in bed, a chair, a lounge, a sofa, or even while standing.

Abstract: An improved support member for a frame carrying an article to be displayed is disclosed. The member is convertible between a hanging mode and a standing mode, with a hanger acting as the support element in the hanging mode and with a one-piece easel-type stand resting against a flat surface acting as the support element in the standing mode. The stand is held for pivoting action within tubular brackets on the hanger, and can maintain that position even when the hanging mode is being used. The upper edges of the planar stand pivot toward the hanger element as the lower stand portion pivots away, and contact between the upper stand edges and the hanger establishes a self-contained stopping position for the standing mode. The hanger element also includes a series of stepped cutouts to accommodate various surface attachment members.

Abstract: The present invention includes a stand which is capable of gripping and supporting an article in its preferred operative position. The article contemplated may be any one of a number of calculating machines such as, without limitation, a relatively small electronic calculator or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the article and stand become integral such that, upon folding the stand in a manner hereinafter disclosed, the combined article and stand may be carried together for repeated use with one another.

Abstract: A collapsible easel module adapted to support flip-chart pads or other material to be displayed, the module having a frame constituted by a front element adjustably coupled to a rear element to assume a caret-like formation. The front element is formed by upper and lower horizontal arms bridged by a pair of parallel legs at points of connection displaced from the ends of the arms. The rear element is formed by corresponding arms bridged by a single leg at points of connection at the midpoint of the arms. The complementary ends of the upper arms of the front and rear elements are joined together by double-barreled couplers which permit adjustment of the caret angle, the same couplers being adapted to accommodate the upper arms of the frame elements of a like module, whereby a series of modules may be joined together to create a free-standing display wall.