U.S. patent application number 09/872915 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-16 for stand for reading material.
Invention is credited to Ibrahim, Zafar Y..
Application Number | 20020056794 09/872915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26938539 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020056794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ibrahim, Zafar Y. |
May 16, 2002 |
Stand for reading material
Abstract
A stand comprising a camera tripod and a support tray for
reading material and laptop computers. A quick-release mechanism
allows for quickly attaching the tray to, and detaching the tray
from, the tripod. The tray may have a flat base and a lip which
prevents articles from rolling off the tray. Apertures in the tray
allow access to the locking mechanism. A handle aperture in the
tray allows for ease of carrying the device. The tray has
articulated extension arms for supporting oversized papers. The
tripod may be equipped with an accessory tray fastened between the
legs.
Inventors: |
Ibrahim, Zafar Y.;
(Lakewood, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD L HUFF
19304 OLNEY MILL ROAD
OLNEY
MD
20832
|
Family ID: |
26938539 |
Appl. No.: |
09/872915 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60247216 |
Nov 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/177.1 ;
248/125.8; 248/168; 248/432 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 2200/024 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101; F16M 11/32 20130101; F16M 13/00 20130101; A47B
19/00 20130101; A47B 23/04 20130101; F16M 11/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/177.1 ;
248/125.8; 248/432; 248/168 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A stand comprising: (a) a camera tripod having adjustable legs
and a center post, (b) a support tray, (c) a quick-release fitting
having two portions, one portion of the quick-release fitting being
permanently attached to the tripod and one portion of the
quick-release fitting being permanently attached to the support
tray, which quick-release fitting releasably connects the tripod to
the tray, and (d) a locking mechanism which secures the two
portions of the quick-release fitting together.
2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises a flat base
having a back surface, a lower edge, and a lip extending upward
from the lower edge of the base.
3. The stand of claim 2, wherein the base contains at least one
aperture therein for viewing and accessing the locking
mechanism.
5. The stand of claim 2, wherein the base has at least one handle
aperture for easily carrying the stand.
8. The stand of claim 2, wherein the back surface of the base
contains multiple extension arms attached thereto.
9. The stand of claim 8, wherein the extension arms are articulated
arms.
10. The stand of claim 2, wherein a wrist rest is attached to the
base.
11. The stand of claim 2, wherein an accessory tray is attached to
the center post of the tripod.
12. A stand comprising: (a) a support tray comprising a flat base
having a back surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, and a lip
extending upward from the lower edge, and (b) a foldable support
structure attached to the back surface of the base.
13. The stand of claim 12 wherein the foldable support structure
comprises a stand plate attached to the back surface of the
base.
14. The stand of claim 12, wherein the base has at least one handle
aperture for easily carrying the stand.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
[0001] This application claims the priority date of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/247,216, filed Nov. 13,
2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates, generally, to a support stand
for reading material such as books, magazines, or a laptop
computer. More particularly, the invention relates to a support
stand for reading material, which stand connects to a camera
tripod.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The state of the art includes various devices and methods
for supporting reading material and other items such as artist's
materials. Some of these devices are designed to connect to a
camera tripod. U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,346 to Bahm discloses an art
easel that attaches to a camera tripod using a retaining plate
which connects to the tripod by conventional screw connection. The
retaining plate is configured to mate with portions of the easel so
that the easel can be removably clamped to the retaining plate. The
easel portion can be easily separated from the retaining plate, but
the retaining plate is left attached to the tripod and must be
removed by the screw connection if the tripod is to be used for
other purposes.
[0006] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,791,623, 5,083,737, and 3,580,653 disclose
other more complex artist easels designed to attach to a camera
tripod, and they all attach by a screw connection to the top plate
of a camera tripod. These devices are not readily separable from
the tripod and are not intended to be used apart from the
tripod.
[0007] Many other devices support reading material, but they are
not intended to be used with a camera tripod.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides an improved stand for reading
materials which overcomes the limitations and shortcomings of the
prior art. It is designed specifically for use with a camera tripod
and has a quick-release adapter which interfaces with a receptacle
on the top of the tripod.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a stand of the present invention
showing a tripod with a stand attached..
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the
support exploded from the receptacle.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a locking plate which may be
attached to the support tray.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a support tray (in
part) having the quick-release locking mechanism attached.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the quick-release mechanism of this
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the support
tray of this invention with a bolt therethrough.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the back of the support tray with
the support plate retracted and illustrating different apertures in
the tray.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the front of the tray showing
articulated extension arms in an extended condition.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stand of the present
invention as used with a laptop computer.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a support tray for use with a
laptop computer showing a wrist rest attached to the tray.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a side view of the tray and wrist rest attachment
of FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the stand of
the present invention showing an accessory tray attached.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a stand 2 of the present invention
is illustrated. The stand 2 comprises a camera tripod 4 and a
support tray 6 adapted to releasably connect to the tripod 4
through a quick-release locking mechanism 8. A first portion 10 of
the quick-release locking mechanism 8 remains permanently attached
to the tripod 4 and a second portion 12 is preferably permanently
attached to the support tray 6. A handle-14 operated cam mechanism
16 secures the first 10 and second 12 portions together and allows
them to readily be separated so that the support tray 6 may be
quickly and easily securely attached to and detached from the
tripod 4. When attached to the tripod 4, the support tray 6 can be
positioned as needed using the conventional adjustment features
contained in the head of the tripod 4. The height of the support
tray 6 is adjusted by adjusting the length of the legs 18 and the
center post 20 of the tripod 4.
[0022] The quick-release locking mechanism 8 is typically square or
rectangular in shape, and includes a receptacle 22 attached to the
tripod 4 and a locking plate 24 which is attached to the tray 6,
preferably at a central location. The receptacle 22 typically has a
rectangular or square cavity 26 which receives the locking plate
24. At least two sides of the cavity 26 are bounded by undercut
sides 28 which mate with the first undercut side 30 of the locking
plate 24. The locking plate 24, typically 11/2 to 2 inches square,
has a second undercut side 32 opposite the first undercut side 30
which is retained by a handle-14 operated cam mechanism 16
connected to the receptacle 22. The handle-14 operated cam
mechanism 16 has an engaging portion 34 and a handle portion 14
which rotates about a pivot 36 on the receptacle 22. When the
locking plate 24 is positioned in the cavity 26, the handle portion
14 is moved to engage the engaging portion 34 with the second
undercut side 32 thereby retaining the locking plate 24 in the
cavity 26. By moving the handle portion 14 to disengage the
engaging portion 34 from the second undercut side 32, the locking
plate 24 is quickly and easily separated from the receptacle
22.
[0023] Tripod manufacturers typically supply locking plates with
receptacles and there is little standardization among tripod
manufacturers regarding the size and shape of locking plates and
cavities. However, most locking plates have two opposite undercut
sides. A typical locking plate which comes with a tripod has a
center aperture and a screw through it for attaching to female
screw threads in a camera body. To use a locking plate provided by
a tripod manufacturer with the tray 6 of the present invention,
preferably the screw is removed and a more permanent connection,
such as a rivet 38, is made between the tray 6 and the locking
plate 24.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, alternatively a locking plate 40 may be
fabricated with the tray 6 and attached to it by conventional means
such as mechanical fasteners and/or bonding. The locking plate 40
is constructed and arranged to be received in the cavity of a
receptacle of a quick-release locking mechanism 8 on a tripod 4 and
several configurations of the locking plates 40 may be necessary to
accommodate a variety of tripods 4. The locking plate 40 has an
upper surface 42 which mates with the support tray 6 and a first 44
and second 46 opposite undercut sides which, along with the lower
surface 48, mate with a cavity 26 in a receptacle 22 of a
quick-release locking mechanism 8 on a tripod 4.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 6-10, the support tray 6 may have many
configurations. Preferably, it has a flat base 50 with a lip 52
extending outward from the base 50 approximately normal to the base
50 at its lower edge 54. The base 50 is preferably rectangular in
shape, but it may be round, oval, or any other desired shape. It is
preferably made of wood, but it may be plastic, metal, or other
suitable material. The lip 52 is provided to prevent whatever
objects are placed on the tray 6 from sliding down and off of the
base 50. The ends of the lip 52 are curved to prevent damage to
paper or other objects.
[0026] The base 50 has apertures 56 on either or both sides of the
locking plate 24. The apertures 56 provide for viewing of the
locking plate 24 and the locking mechanism 8 from above the support
tray 6 to facilitate easier attachment to and detachment from the
receptacle 22 of the locking plate 24 on the tripod. These
apertures 56 may be elongated as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0027] The base 50 has a handle aperture 58 which preferably is an
elongated horizontally oriented slot centrally located near the
upper edge 60. The primary function of the handle aperture 58 is to
provide a handle for carrying the tray 6 with or without the tripod
4 attached. The handle aperture 58 is preferably approximately 3/4
inch wide by 4 inches long.
[0028] The tray 6 may be disconnected from the tripod 4 and used
separately. For such use, a foldable support structure 62 is
attached to the back of the base 50 to allow the base 50 to be
tipped up on a support surface. Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment
of the support structure 62 includes a stand plate 64 attached to
the base 50 by hinges 66 located transversely slightly below the
position of the locking plate 24. A stand plate 64 pivots outward
from the back of the base 50, preferably to a stop which leaves the
stand plate 64 extending outward from the base 50 at an angle which
may range preferably from 45.degree. to 135.degree.. The
inclination angle of the base 50 relative to a support surface on
which it rests depends on the angle of the stand plate 64 relative
to the base 50. The lower the angle between the stand plate 64 and
the base 50, the steeper the inclination angle of the base 50. An
adjustable stop may be provided between the stand plate 64 and the
base 50 to allow adjustment of the inclination angle of the base
50. The stand plate 64 preferably has a cut-out 68 which allows
clearance for the quick-release locking mechanism 8 attached to the
tripod 4 when the stand plate 64 is folded flat against the base
50. When not in use, the stand plate 64 may be secured against the
base 50 by a fastener, such as hook and loop material, or hinges 66
may provide sufficient friction to maintain the stand plate 64 in
position against the base 50.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the tray 6
includes extension arms 70 pivotally connected to the back of the
base 50, preferably near the sides 72, 74 and the upper edge 60.
The arms may be extendible telescopic arms or articulated arms. The
articulated arms 70 have a plurality of segments 70a, 70b, 70c
pivotally connected at their ends in a manner, such as by riveting,
that provides enough friction between the segments 70a, 70b, 70c so
that the segments 70a, 70b, 70c will stay in a position that they
are placed, yet not so much friction that it is difficult to move
the segments 70a, 70b, 70c. The purpose of the arms 70 is to
provide support for oversized documents such as newspapers or
blueprints. The arms 70 can be pivoted out from the base 50 and the
segments 70a, 70b, 70c positioned as necessary to provide the
required support. When the arms 70 are not needed, the segments
70a, 70b, 70c are folded onto themselves and then pivoted behind
the base 50 where they are stored flush against it and do not
interfere with any of the apertures 56, 58, in the base 50 or the
operation of the stand plate 64.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 9, the stand 2 with its tripod 4 and
support tray 6, may be used to support a laptop computer 72. The
tray 6 may be dimensioned so that it approximately matches the base
of the laptop computer 72 as shown. The laptop computer 72 may
simply rest on the tray 6, or attachment features, such as hook and
loop fastener material, may be provided between the tray 6 and the
base of the laptop computer 72 to better secure the laptop computer
72 to the tray 6.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a wrist rest 74 may be
attached to the base 50 for using the support tray 6 with a laptop
computer 72. The wrist rest 74 has a clip portion 76 which receives
the lip 52 of the base 50 and frictionally holds the wrist rest 74
secure against the lower edge 63 of the base 50.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 12, an accessory tray 78 may also be used
with the stand 2. Such an accessory tray 120 is disclosed in U.S.
provisional Ser. No. 60/164,584, filed Nov. 11, 2000, and
later-filed U.S. Ser. No. ______ filed ______ which are
incorporated herein by reference. The accessory tray 78 removably
attaches to the center post 18 of the tripod 4. The accessory tray
78 is preferably semicircular or circular in shape and is sheltered
by the legs 16 of the tripod 4. The tray 78 pivots about the center
post 18 and is constructed and arranged so that the legs 16 do not
interfere with such motion.
[0033] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in
detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of
illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of
limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be
limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *