Document holder for computer workstation

• US 7,100,883 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vu Ryte, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vu Ryte, Inc.
• Inventors: Calfee, Clifford T., Ramey, Thomas B. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARSH, STEVEN M
• Application Number:
  US10/387,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20040178317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 248/918, 248/441.1, 248/442.2, 248/446, 248/451, 248/452, 248/448, 248/449, 248/447, 400/718
• US Class Current: 248/442.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 19/06 with adjustable top leaf
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/045 Fastening means for paper sheet; Paper trays; Accessories for typists, e.g. line indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0094 Copyholder for VDU screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A document holder, adapted for use at a computer workstation or word processor, includes an easel supported by spaced apart support arms. The easel and the support arms are connected to each other at respective pivot connections to provide for angular adjustment of the easel with respect to the arms. The easel includes a first member connected to the support arms and a second member which is movable relative to the first member in a downward direction or a direction toward an operator of the document holder. The first and second easel members include respective retainer and support rail parts provided with detents for selectively locking the second easel member in a selected working position with respect to the first easel member. A third easel member is supported on the first easel member for extension in a direction opposite that of the second easel member.

Claims

1. A document holder for use with a computer keyboard and video monitor unit, said document holder comprising:

a document support easel comprising a first easel member having a planar document support surface and opposed upper and lower edges, and a second easel member having a document support surface and a transverse document support flange, said second easel member being connected to said first easel member by cooperating support parts for supporting said second easel member in a selected working position and being movable in a direction generally downwardly with respect to said first easel member away from said lower edge of said first easel member to provide for supporting a document in a selected position of said document with respect to said keyboard, said first easel member is supported by spaced apart substantially parallel support arms and said first easel member and said support arms include cooperating pivot means formed on respective bosses on said first easel member and said support arms, respectively, for supporting said easel for angular adjustment with respect to said support arms, and said support arms include elongated beam portions extending in one direction from said bosses on said support arms, respectively, and separate counterweight members disposed on said beam portions, respectively, and spaced from the point of connection of said support arms to said first easel member for stabilizing the support of said first easel member on a substantially horizontal support surface, said support arms including respective foot portions extending in an opposite direction from said bosses on said support arms for supporting said document support easel solely by said support arms on said substantially horizontal support surface.

2. The document holder set forth in claim 1 including:

lock members disposed on said bosses on said first easel member and engageable with said support arms for locking said first easel member in a selected angular position with respect to said support arms.

3. The document holder set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said first easel member and said bosses on said first easel member include cooperating support parts for locating said bosses on said first easel member in at least two selected working positions with respect to said first easel member.

4. The document holder set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said second easel member includes spaced apart elongated support rail members engageable with cooperating retainers formed on said first easel member and said first easel member and said second easel member include cooperating detent means for holding said second easel member in a selected working position with respect to said first easel member.

5. The document holder set forth in claim 4 wherein:

each of said support rails includes spaced apart detent recesses formed thereon and said first easel member includes cooperating detent projections formed thereon and engageable with said support rails at said recesses, respectively.

6. The document holder set forth in claim 1 including:

cooperating stop means formed on said first and second easel members for limiting an extended position of said second easel member with respect to said first easel member.

7. The document holder set forth in claim 1 including:

a third easel member supported on said first easel member adjacent said upper edge of said first easel member and operable to be moved to a selected working position in a direction opposite a position of said second easel member to aid in supporting a document on said easel.

8. The document holder set forth in claim 7 wherein:

said first and third easel members include cooperating stop means for limiting movement of said third easel member with respect to said first easel member.

9. The document holder set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said easel includes a recess in said document support surface of said first easel member for receiving a notepad facing an operator of said document holder for access to said notepad.

10. The document holder set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said first easel member includes a member formed thereon providing an erasable writing surface facing an operator of said document holder.