Reading stand

• US 7,959,124 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phifer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Phifer Incorporated
• Inventors: Clark, M. Scott, Grammer, Thomas G., Phifer, Beverly C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mckinnon; Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marsh; Steven M
• Application Number:
  US11/671,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20070125926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,590 Days
• Field of Search: 248460-463, 248451-455, 248/465, 108/6, 108/9
• US Class Current: 248/451
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/042 Book-rests or note-book holders resting on tables releasably mounted A47B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 190/901 Flat opening

Abstract

The invention provides a reading stand. The reading stand may include a base including a base member case. Further, the reading stand may include a reading lid disposed upon the base member case, the reading lid including a reading platform having a front side and a backside; and at least one page holder adjustably mounted on the reading platform so as to assist in retaining a document on the front side of the reading platform. Further, a support member is provided. The support member extends from the backside of the reading platform, and is adapted to engage with the base so as to support the reading lid upon the base. For example, the support member may be in the form of a side support clip that substantially vertically supports the reading lid upon the base for side reading.

Claims

1. A reading stand comprising:

a reading platform;

at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document, the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion; and

wherein the holder housing portion is tubular in shape.

2. The reading stand of claim 1, wherein the page holder is supported on the reading platform on respective sides of the page holder by respective housings formed upon the reading platform, the housings each extending from the reading platform, and the holder housing portion of the page holder forming a continuous surface with the housings.

3. The reading stand of claim 2, further including pins that extend from opposing sides of the page holder, each pin extending into a respective housing so as to support the page holder.

4. The reading stand of claim 3, further including at least one spring, and the page holder is biased against the reading platform by the spring.

5. The reading stand of claim 4, the at least one spring being disposed about at least one of the pins.

6. The reading stand of claim 4, at least one spring being disposed about each of the pins.

7. A reading stand comprising:

a reading platform;

at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document, the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcutate flange and the center planar portion; and

the reading stand further including a spring, and the page holder is biased against the reading platform by the spring.

8. A reading stand comprising:

a base including a base member case, the base member case including a base panel and walls connected to the base panel to form an enclosed volume;

a reading lid disposed upon the base member case, the reading lid including;

a reading platform having a front side and a backside;

at least one page holder adjustably mounted on the reading platform so as to assist in retaining a document on the front side of the reading platform; and

a support member, the support member extending from the backside of the reading platform, the support member adapted to engage with the base so as to support the reading lid upon the base; and

the at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document; and

the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion; and

wherein the holder housing portion is tubular in shape.

9. The reading stand of claim 8, wherein the page holder is supported on the reading platform on respective sides of the page holder by respective housings formed upon the reading platform, the housings each extending from the reading platform, and the holder housing portion of the page holder forming a continuous surface with the housings.

10. The reading stand of claim 9, further including pins that extend from opposing sides of the page holder, each pin extending into a respective housing so as to support the page holder.

11. The reading stand of claim 10, further including at least one spring, and the page holder is biased against the reading platform by the spring.

12. The reading stand of claim 11, the at least one spring being disposed about at least one of the pins.

13. A reading stand comprising:

a base including a base member case, the base member case including a base panel and walls connected to the base panel to form an enclosed volume;

a reading lid disposed upon the base member case, the reading lid including;

a reading platform having a front side and a backside;

at least one page holder adjustably mounted on the reading platform so as to assist in retaining a document on the front side of the reading platform; and

a support member, the support member extending from the backside of the reading platform, the support member adapted to engage with the base so as to support the reading lid upon the base; and

the at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document; and

wherein the reading stand further includes at least one hinge, the at least one hinge pivotally connecting the reading lid to the base.

14. The reading stand of claim 13, wherein the at least one hinge includes a pin integrally connected to the base member case and a hinge shoulder portion integrally formed with the reading platform.

15. A reading stand having a lid and a base, the reading stand comprising:

means for placing an opened book on the lid of the reading stand and under at least one page holder, which is connected to the lid;

means for pulling out a center document support from under the lid and rotating the center document support upward, and thereafter pushing the center document support through a slot and onto the book;

means for unsnapping the lid from the base; and

means for positioning the lid so as to attach the reading lid substantially vertically onto a side of the base using side support clips mounted on the lid, so as to attach the lid to the base and provide side reading; and

the at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the lid, the page holder biased against the lid for retaining a document;

wherein the reading stand further includes at least one hinge, the at least one hinge pivotally connecting the reading lid to the base.

16. The reading stand of claim 15, the page holder including:

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion.

17. The reading stand of claim 16, wherein the holder housing portion is tubular in shape.

18. A reading stand comprising:

a reading platform;

at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document, the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion; and

wherein a closed aperture is formed of portions of the page holder, such portions forming the aperture consisting of the center planer portion and the arcuate flange.

19. A reading stand comprising:

a reading platform;

at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document, the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion; and

wherein the holder housing portion is integrally formed with the center planer portion and the arcuate flange, such that the holder housing portion, center planer portion and the arcuate flange all are pivotally disposed, upon the reading platform, as a single unit.

20. A reading stand comprising:

a reading platform;

at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder biased against the reading platform for retaining a document, the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion; and

the center planer portion being integrally connected at opposing sides to the arcuate flange so as to form the aperture.

21. A reading stand comprising:

a reading platform;

at least one page holder pivotally disposed upon and connected to the reading platform, the page holder against the reading platform for retaining a document, the page holder including;

a holder housing portion extending along a first side of the page holder;

a center planar portion extending along the holder housing portion; and

an arcuate flange extending along the center planar portion, an aperture being defined by the arcuate flange and the center planar portion; and

the holder housing portion is pivotally biased vis-à

-vis the reading platform.

22. The reading stand of claim 21, the page holder further including a spring, the spring providing for the holder housing portion being pivotally biased vis-à

-vis the reading platform.