U.S. patent application number 11/225125 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for reader device.
Invention is credited to Thomas G. Grammer, Beverly C. Phifer.
Application Number | 20070057139 11/225125 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37854118 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070057139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phifer; Beverly C. ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Reader device
Abstract
The invention provides a holder assembly and method of using the
same. The holder assembly is provided for supporting items on a
lower base portion and a document holder platform. The holder
assembly may include the base portion; a vertical support portion
extending upwardly from the lower base portion; an upper base
portion connected to the vertical support portion; a slide portion
movably disposed on the upper base portion; and the document holder
platform disposed on the slide portion, the document holder
platform supporting a document holder clip.
Inventors: |
Phifer; Beverly C.;
(Tuscaloosa, AL) ; Grammer; Thomas G.; (Northport,
AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
1900 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1109
US
|
Family ID: |
37854118 |
Appl. No.: |
11/225125 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/454 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/454 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/24 20060101
A47G001/24 |
Claims
1. A holder assembly for supporting items, the holder assembly
comprising: a lower base portion; a vertical support portion
extending upwardly from the lower base portion; an upper base
portion connected to the vertical support portion; a slide portion
movably disposed on the upper base portion; and a document holder
platform disposed on the slide portion, the document holder
platform supporting a document holder clip.
2. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical support
includes: an upper support member; and a lower support member,
upper support member being telescopically received in the lower
support member; and a locking assembly engaging the lower support
member with the upper support member.
3. The holder assembly of claim 2, wherein the locking assembly is
disposed in the lower support member and includes a channel slot
with a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion engaged
with the first threaded portion and engaging the upper support
member.
4. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper base portion
includes a pocket.
5. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide portion is
pivotally attached to the document holder platform.
6. The holder assembly of claim 5, wherein the slide portion
includes a slide engagement aperture, and the upper base portion
includes an slide engagement member, the slide engagement member
being received in the slide engagement aperture.
7. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide portion
includes a slide shoulder portion, and the upper base portion
including at least one slide channel, the slide shoulder portion
being received in and retained in the slide channel.
8. The holder assembly of claim 7, wherein the slide portion
further includes a retaining rib disposed at a lower portion of the
slide shoulder portion, the retaining rib being slidably disposed
under the slide channel so as to retain the slide portion.
9. The holder assembly of claim 8, wherein the slide channel
further includes a alignment channel disposed at each end of the
slide channel.
10. The holder assembly of claim 9, wherein the slide channel
extends the width of the upper base portion.
11. The holder assembly of claim 1, wherein a mouse pad is disposed
on the lower base portion.
12. The holder assembly of claim 1, further including a hinge
assembly to retain the document holder platform on the slide
portion, the document holder platform 70 including a support rod
pivotally disposed in the hinge assembly.
13. The holder assembly of claim 12, wherein the document holder
platform 70 is disposable in a lowered position and a raised
position, the hinge assembly providing for the support rod to move
to a lower position upon the document holder platform being moved
from the powered position to the raised position.
14. The holder assembly of claim 12, wherein the hinge assembly 72
includes a hinge arm and a hinge tab 67, the support rod 76 being
retained by both the hinge arm 69 and the retaining rib 61.
15. The holder assembly of claim 13, wherein the document holder
platform includes an alignment tab, the alignment tab supporting
the document holder platform 70 in the raised position so as to not
move to the lowered position.
16. A method for supporting items, the method comprising: providing
a lower base portion; providing a vertical support portion
extending upwardly from the lower base portion; providing an upper
base portion connected to the vertical support portion; providing a
slide portion movably disposed on the upper base portion; and
providing a document holder platform disposed on the slide portion,
the document holder platform supporting a document holder clip.
17. The method of claim 16, further including: placing a mouse pad
on the lower base portion; and raising the document holder platform
70 from a lowered position to a raised position to review an item
on the document holder platform.
18. A holder assembly for supporting items, the holder assembly
comprising: a lower base portion; a vertical support portion
extending upwardly from the lower base portion; an upper base
portion connected to the vertical support portion; a slide portion
movably disposed on the upper base portion; and a document holder
platform pivotally disposed on the slide portion, the document
holder platform supporting a document holder clip; and wherein the
vertical support includes: an upper support member; and a lower
support member, upper support member being telescopically received
in the lower support member; and a locking assembly engaging the
lower support member with the upper support member; and wherein the
upper base portion includes a pocket.
19. The holder assembly of claim 18, wherein the document holder
platform 70 is provided with a recess, the document holder clip
engageable with the recess so as to secure paper in the recess in a
bent state.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to devices to support a paper,
collection of papers or other items.
[0002] There are a wide variety of situations in which it is
desired to support an item, such as a document or a collection of
documents, for review by a user. Illustratively, such a situation
commonly occurs in conjunction with use of a computer. That is, a
user often refers to physical papers while manipulating related
information presented by the computer. Various devices have been
used in the past to support items such as papers, or other reading
material items. However, known devices for supporting a document or
other reading material item have various deficiencies. Some known
devices do not allow easy manipulation of papers, i.e., such as
allowing the user to easily secure papers for review. Other known
devices do not allow the user to secure a paper in a desired
position, i.e., so as to position a paper as desired vis-a-vis a
computer screen, fore example.
[0003] In particular, known devices are deficient in the context of
use with computer accessories. A typical user interface device is a
mouse and associated mouse pad. However, a mouse pad often takes up
valuable desktop space and limits the space available for reading
material and other documents. This is often especially true since
the location on a desktop most conducive to positioning a document
(and writing on the document) is typically the very same position
at which a mouse is optimally disposed.
[0004] Accordingly, a device is needed that addresses the above
problems so as to suitably retain a paper or other document. In
particular, a device is needed that beneficially allows a user to
position a mouse pad, in conjunction with providing a paper holder,
in an often limited desktop area.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides a holder assembly and method of using
the same. The holder assembly is provided for supporting items on a
lower base portion and a document holder platform. The holder
assembly may include the base portion; a vertical support portion
extending upwardly from the lower base portion; an upper base
portion connected to the vertical support portion; a slide portion
movably disposed on the upper base portion; and the document holder
platform disposed on the slide portion. The document holder
platform may be provided to support a document holder clip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention can be more fully understood by
reading the following detailed description together with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference indicators are used
to designate like elements, and in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a holder assembly in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform in a raised position in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform in an extended position
and horizontal position in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform in an extended position
and raised position in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform and upper base in a raised
position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a holder assembly in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an upper base portion
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing further details of a
slide in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view along line 9-9 in FIG. 8 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing further details of the
document holder portion with slide in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a further perspective view showing the document
holder portion in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a document clip in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a further perspective view of a document clip in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
[0020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a lower base in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Hereinafter, aspects of the holder assembly in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention will be described. As
used herein, any term in the singular may be interpreted to be in
the plural, and alternatively, any term in the plural may be
interpreted to be in the singular.
[0022] The various embodiments of the holder assembly of the
invention are directed to the above stated problems, as well as
other problems, that are present in conventional techniques. The
foregoing description of various products, methods, or apparatus
and their attendant disadvantages described in the in the
"Background of the Invention" is in no way intended to limit the
scope of the invention, or to imply that the invention does not
include some or all of the various elements of known products,
methods, and/or apparatus in one form or another. Indeed, various
embodiments of the invention may be capable of overcoming some of
the disadvantages noted in the "Background of the Invention," while
still retaining some or all of the various elements of known
products, methods, and apparatus in one form or another.
[0023] The holder assembly, as described herein, assists in
organization and effective use of a desktop and aids in holding
documents while using a computer, and in particular while utilizing
a mouse with mouse pad. The holder assembly includes a document
holder, in conjunction with a mouse pad holder. The document holder
can be used as a shelf that can be raised, lowered, extended out
over keyboard, for example, or can be rotated 360 degrees to the
user's preference.
[0024] In accordance with embodiments, a variety of other features
may also be provided with the document holder. Under the document
holder, of the holder assembly, may be provided a pocket to hold
items such as pencils, paperclips or most anything else that can
clutter a desktop. With the aid of a document holder clip, i.e., a
page holder, the user can hold documents and papers on the document
holder in a tilted position that can be adjusted to eye level. As a
result, a document can be positioned where the user wants the
document, instead of trying to prop documents in an awkward
position. The document holder portion or platform (of the holder
assembly) can be easily slid off the holder assembly to use by
itself. For example, the document holder might be used in a raised
position to hold the user's work.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a holder assembly 10,
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The holder
assembly 10 includes a document holder or document holder platform
70. The holder assembly 10 further includes a lower base portion 20
upon which is positioned a mouse pad 24. A vertical support portion
30 is connected to the lower base portion 20 and extends upwardly
from lower base portion 20. In turn, connected to an upper part of
the vertical support portion 30, is an upper base portion 50. The
upper base portion 50 is adjustable relative to the lower base
portion 20, as discussed below.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the document holder platform 70 is
disposed on the upper base portion 50. The document holder platform
70 is adjustable relative to the upper base portion 50. In
particular, as shown, the document holder platform 70 may be
connected to the upper base portion 50 using a slide portion 60. As
a result, the document holder platform 70 is both pivotally and
slidably adjustable relative to the upper base portion 50. Further,
the document holder platform 70 with slide portion 60 may be
positioned on either side of the upper base portion 50, i.e.,
depending on whether the user is right or left handed, for
example.
[0027] A document holder clip or page holder 200 is mounted on the
document holder platform 70. The document holder clip 200 is
connected to the document holder platform 70 with housings (74,
74'). The housings (74, 74') are disposed on respective sides of
the document holder clip 200 so as to pivotally support the
document holder clip 200. The document holder platform 70 may be
used to hold a document or other item as desired.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform 70 in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, the document holder
platform 70 is in an upright position. The document holder platform
70 is pivotally connected to the slide portion 60 utilizing a pair
of hinge assemblies 72. Details of each hinge assembly 72 are
described below. The document holder platform 70 may be raised for
review of a document. Further, the document holder platform 70 may
be slid relative to the upper base portion 50 for positioning as
desired by the user, i.e., using the slide portion 60 as described
below.
[0029] As noted above, the document holder platform 70 and slide
portion 60 may be slid off the upper base portion 50 for separate
use, i.e., for use as a stand alone assembly. The weight of the
slide portion 60 (see for example FIG. 2) should be provided to be
sufficient to support the document holder platform 70. Further, it
is appreciated that the dimensions of the slide portion 60 and/or
the document holder platform 70 may be varied so as to enhance
independent use of the document holder platform 70 with slide
portion 60.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3, the document holder
platform 70 is disposed in a horizontal or closed position.
Further, the document holder platform 70 in an extended or slid out
position relative to the upper base portion 50. For example, the
arrangement of the holder assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 3 may be
used to dispose the document holder platform 70 over a
keyboard.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform in an extended position.
However, in FIG. 4, the document holder platform 70 is also in a
raised position, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. That is, the arrangement of FIG. 4 may be used to hold a
document over a keyboard, such that the document is in a raised
position. Such an arrangement allows for holding a document in
close proximity to a monitor, for example.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a further perspective view showing a holder
assembly with a document holder platform 70 and upper base 50 in a
raised position, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. In particular, FIG. 5 shows further details of the
vertical support portion 30. The vertical support portion 30
includes a lower support member 31 and an upper support member 36.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the upper support member 36 is
telescopically disposed in the lower support member 31, however the
reverse may alternatively be utilized. Accordingly, the upper
support member 36 may be vertically slid up and down in the lower
support member 31. Further, the upper support member 36 may be
rotated relative to the lower support member 31. As can be
appreciated, the vertical support portion 30 (with the lower
support member 31 and the upper support member 36) provide the
capability to position the document holder platform 70 in a variety
of positions, as desired.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical support portion 30 includes
a locking assembly 40. The locking assembly 40 may be used to fix
the upper support member 36 relative to the lower support member
31, i.e., after the upper support member 36 has been disposed in a
desired position by the user. As discussed below, the locking
assembly 40 may include a bolt and nut assembly.
[0034] In further explanation of various features described above,
FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a holder assembly 10 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The holder
assembly 10 includes the lower base portion 20 and the upper base
portion 50. Mounted on the upper base portion 50 is the slide
portion 60 and the document holder platform 70. A mouse pad 24 is
disposed on the lower base portion 20. The lower base portion 20 is
connected to the upper base portion 50 with the vertical support
portion 30. The vertical support portion 30 includes the lower
support member 31 and the upper support member 36. The lower
support member 31 and the upper support member 36 are fixed to each
other utilizing the locking assembly 40. The lower support member
31 is provided with a locking device retaining channel 32. The
locking device retaining channel 32 adds to the structural rigidity
of the lower support member 31.
[0035] The locking assembly 40 (including a bolt 42 and nut 44) is
operatively disposed on the locking device retaining channel 32.
Specifically, the locking device retaining channel 32 includes a
channel slot 45. In accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, the nut 44 is disposed in the channel slot 45, as shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6. The channel slot 45 is further shown in FIG. 14,
which is a perspective view of the lower base portion 20. The
channel slot 45 includes a channel 46 with a slot 48 on each side
of the channel 46. The nut 44 of the locking assembly 40 is
received into and disposed in the slots 48. The bolt 42 of the
locking assembly 40 may then be disposed so as to pass through the
channel 46 and threadably through the nut 44. The bolt 42 is then
screwed in so as to abut against the upper support member 36, i.e.,
so as to provide a set screw of sorts. The bolt 42 may be loosened
vis-a-vis the upper support member 36 so as to allow repositioning
of the upper support member 36, and then re-tightened once a
desired position is attained.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an upper base portion
50 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The upper
base portion 50 includes the upper support member 36, which
connects the upper base portion 50 to the lower base portion 20.
The upper base portion 50 provides a platform on which the slide
portion 60 and the document holder platform 70 are supported and
movably positioned. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing further
details of the slide in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0037] As shown on FIG. 7, the upper base portion 50 includes a
pair of slide channels 55, in which the slide portion 60 may
alternatively be positioned. In accordance with one embodiment of
the invention, each slide channel 55 extends the width of the upper
base portion 50, as shown in FIG. 7. The opposing ends of each
slide channel 55 includes an alignment channel 56. The alignment
channel 56 forms a portion of the slide channel 55, that is wider
than the remainder of the slide channel 55. The slide portion 60 is
received in one or the other of the slide channels 55.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 8, the slide portion 60 includes slide body
portion 64. A slide shoulder portion 65 is disposed along each side
of the slide body portion 64. Depending on the arrangement desired,
one slide shoulder portion 65 is received into a respective slide
channel 55, and is slidably disposed in the respective slide
channel 55. For example, the slide portion 60 may be slid so as to
result in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows that the slide portion 60 may include molding
apertures 63. Molding apertures 63 may be provided as desired in
the slide portion 60 so as to effectively access portions of the
holder assembly 10 in the molding process. That is, the molding
apertures 63 allow the use of a simpler mold than would otherwise
be required. In particular, the molding apertures 63 (shown in FIG.
8) make it easier to generate the retaining ribs 61 shown in FIG.
9.
[0040] FIG. 8 also shows clearance slots 66. In accordance with one
embodiment of the invention, clearance slots 66 may be provided to
provide clearance for positioning of the document holder platform
70 and operation of the hinge assembly 72.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper base portion 50 includes the
two slide channels 55. The two slide channels 55 are provided to
afford the capability to change the slide portion 60 from one side
to another. That is, in this embodiment, only one slide shoulder
portion 65 is engaged with one slide channel 55 in a given
arrangement, i.e., as shown in FIG. 4.
[0042] Each slide portion 60 includes a pair of slide engagement
apertures 62, as shown in FIG. 8. Further, the upper base portion
50 includes a plurality of slide engagement members 51, as shown in
FIG. 7. Depending on the position of the slide portion 60 vis-a-vis
the upper base portion 50, a slide engagement member 51 extends
into a respective slide engagement aperture 62. Such engagement
between the slide engagement member 51 and the slide engagement
aperture 62 may be used to orient the upper base portion 50 with
the slide portion 60. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG.
4, only one of the slide engagement members 51 would be engaged in
a respective slide engagement aperture 62, i.e., and such
engagement would define the extended position of the slide portion
60 vis-a-vis the upper base portion 50. On the other hand, with the
arrangement of FIG. 2, both slide engagement members 51 would be
engaged in respective slide engagement apertures 62, i.e., since
the slide portion 60 would be disposed in a centered position
vis-a-vis the upper base portion 50. Each slide engagement member
51 may be constructed of a bendable tab including a protuberance,
i.e., a rounded portion. The slide engagement member 51 may be
constructed of plastic, for example. The protuberance of each slide
engagement member 51 "snaps" into a respective slide engagement
aperture 62 at a point at which a slide engagement member 51 is
aligned with a slide engagement aperture 62. Alternatively, the
arrangement might be reversed such that the slide engagement member
51 is disposed in the slide portion 60 and the slide engagement
aperture 62 is disposed in the upper base portion 50, for
example.
[0043] As can be appreciated, when the slide portion 60 (with
document holder platform 70) is in an extended position, e.g. such
as shown in FIG. 3, the slide portion 60 must be retained so as not
to tip relative to the upper base portion 50. In order to prevent
such tipping, and in general to assist in securement of the slide
portion 60 with the upper base portion 50, the slide portion 60
includes a retaining rib 61. The retaining rib 61 is shown in both
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a cross section view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing further details of the
document holder portion with slide in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. In accordance with one embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 9, the retaining rib 61 extends horizontally from a
lower portion of each slide shoulder portion 65. The retaining rib
61 need only extend a portion of the length of the slide body
portion 64. However, the particular positioning and size of the
retaining ribs 61 will depend on the particular arrangements
desired. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the retaining rib 61 is
dimensioned and positioned so as to be respectively received into
the alignment channel 56 in the upper base portion 50, i.e.,
depending on which side of the upper base portion 50 the slide
portion 60 is positioned.
[0045] Once the slide portion 60 is moved to one side or another
(relative to a centered position on the upper base portion 50), the
particular retaining rib 61 (on one end of the slide portion 60)
will be disposed under the slide retaining shoulder 54 (note step
57 as shown in FIG. 7). Such arrangement with the retaining rib 61
disposed under the slide retaining shoulder 54 serves to secure the
slide portion 60 upon. the upper base portion 50 (and prevent
tipping). Both ends of both slide shoulder portions 65 (as shown in
FIG. 8) are provided with a retaining rib 61. Accordingly, the
total of four retaining ribs 61 afford for various arrangements
with (1) either of the slide shoulder portions 65 disposed in a
respective slide channel 55; and/or (2) the slide portion 60 slid
either way relative to the upper base portion 50.
[0046] FIG. 9 also illustrates further details of the hinge
assembly 72, which serves to pivotally connect the slide portion 60
to the document holder platform 70. The hinge assembly 72 includes
a hinge arm 69 and a hinge tab 67. The document holder platform 70
includes a support rod 76, as shown in FIG. 11. The hinge arm 69
and a hinge tab 67 serve to secure the slide portion 60 to the
document holder platform 70, and specifically to a respective
support rod 76.
[0047] More specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, when the document holder platform 70 is in the lowered
position (as shown in FIG. 1) the support rod 76 is positioned in
the hinge assembly 72 as shown by position 76' (see FIG. 9). On the
other hand, when the document holder platform 70 is in the raised
position (as shown in FIG. 2) the support rod 76 is positioned in
the hinge assembly 72 as shown by position 76'' (see FIG. 9). That
is, as the document holder platform 70 is moved to the raised
position, the support rod 76 slides down in the hinge assembly 72
(as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9), and abuts the hinge tab 67. This
position of the support rod 76, in conjunction with the document
holder platform 70 disposed against the alignment tab 68 (and other
portions of the slide portion 60) precludes movement of the
document holder platform 70 vis-a-vis the slide portion 60 during
use, i.e., precludes the document holder platform 70 from falling
back to the lowered position. When it is desired to move the
document holder platform 70 from the raised position to the lowered
position, the user pulls up on the document holder platform 70 (so
as to move the support rod 76 from the 76'' position to the 76'
position). When the support rod 76 is in the 76' position, the
document holder platform 70 is then free to be rotated back to the
lowered position.
[0048] FIGS. 1 and 11 also show recessed portion 78. Recessed
portion 78 may be provided on the document holder platform 70 to
provide a recess or concave portion. Such arrangement effects
bending of a paper supported on the document holder platform 70,
i.e., as page holder 200 bends the paper into recessed portion 78.
Such bending affords the paper a "backbone" of sorts and assists in
keeping the paper in an upright (and readable) position. The
particular shape and dimensions of the recessed portion 78 may of
course be varied as desired. Relatedly, it is of course appreciated
that the shape and dimensions of the other components of the holder
assembly 10 may be varied as desired.
[0049] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 7
also illustrates that the upper base portion 50 may be provided
with a pocket 52. The pocket 52 is disposed between the two slide
channels 55. The pocket includes a pocket bottom 58 and pocket
walls 59. The pocket bottom 58 and pocket walls 59 together form a
holding pocket or bin, which can be used to retain pens, paper
clips, or other items as may be desired.
[0050] The structure of document holder clip 200, which functions
as a page holder, for example, will hereinafter be described in
further detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder assembly 10 includes
the document holder platform 70 pivotally disposed upon and
connected to the slide portion 60 (and in turn the upper base
portion 50), as described above. The document holder clip 200, or
set of document holder clips 200, are biased against the document
holder platform 70 for retaining a document, i.e., such as a book,
or pages of the document, for example.
[0051] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a document holder
clip 200. For example, the document holders as described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/787,150, filed Feb. 27, 2004
(Attorney Docket No. 56730.000004 and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/117,693, filed Apr. 29, 2005 (Attorney Docket No.
56730.000009, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety, may be used. With reference to FIG. 13, the document
holder clip 200, in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, includes a holder housing portion 221 extending along a
first side of the document holder clip 200, a center planar portion
222 extending along the holder housing portion 221, and an arcuate
flange 223 extending along the center planar portion 222. An
aperture 224 is defined by the arcuate flange 223 and the center
planar portion 222. The document holder clip 200 may further be
characterized as including a page holder shoulder 225 at the end of
the arcuate flange 223. The page holder shoulder 225 is what
typically makes physical contact with the book or other document
while reading.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 13, the holder housing portion 221 may be
tubular in shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a
respective page holder may be supported on the platform portion 200
on respective sides of the platform portion 200. The page holder
200 may be supported by respective housings (74, 74') formed upon
the platform portion 200. The housings may be integrally formed
with and extend from the document holder platform 70. Also, the
holder housings (74, 74') of the document holder clip 200 may be
provided so as to form a continuous surface with the holder housing
portion 221.
[0053] The document holder clip 200, as shown in FIG. 13, further
includes a page holder pin 226 extending from each opposite side of
the holder housing portion 221 of the document holder clip 200. The
page holder pins 226 extend into the housings (74, 74'), as is
shown in FIGS. 13 and 1. As shown in FIG. 13, the document holder
clip 200 includes a spring 227. The spring 227 biases the document
holder clip 200, and specifically the page holder shoulder 225,
against the documents being retained on the document holder
platform 70. The spring 227, in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention, encircles the page holder pin 226. One end of the
spring 227 is supported by the spring holding shoulder 228, as
shown in FIG. 13. The other end of the spring is supported in the
page holder end housing 230, for example, i.e., in the situation
where the document holder clip 200 is supported by the page holder
end housings (74, 74').
[0054] The page holder pin 226 may be respectively received into
the housings (74, 74') in any suitable manner. For example, the
page holder pins 226 might be each provided with a pin end angled
surface 229, as shown in FIG. 13. The pin end angled surface 229
may be provided to allow the pin to slip past a surface in the
housings (74, 74') so as to snap into place. However, any other
known arrangement may be used to hingedly dispose the page holder
220 in the housings (74, 74'). Further, it should be appreciated
that any of the features described herein may be used in
conjunction with the features described in the U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 10/787,150 and/or 11/117,693, and
visa-a-versa.
[0055] As described herein, the devices above, in accordance with
the various embodiments of the invention, have been described as a
reading stand and described in the context of holding an item. It
is appreciated that the devices of the invention may be used to
hold a wide variety of items for viewing, as may be desired.
Accordingly, the devices of the invention might hold items such as
books, magazines, papers, photographs or any other object or
material that might be physically supported on the device. Further,
the lower base portion 20 need not be used to support a mouse pad,
but might instead be used to support other items, as desired. For
example, a user may wish to support a second document on the lower
base portion 20.
[0056] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment wherein the document holder
platform 70 is positionable between a lowered position and a raised
position. However, it is appreciated that other arrangements might
be utilized in which the document holder platform 70 may be
positioned in a variety of angles, as desired. Such an arrangement
might utilize a suitable prop member, for example. The prop member
might be hingedly connected to the document holder platform 70 and
engage with suitable stops on the upper base portion 50, for
example.
[0057] The devices of the invention, in accordance with the various
embodiments, may be made from any of a wide variety of materials
and/or dimensions, as is desired. The invention might be made of
wood, plastic or metal, for example, or any other material.
Further, a variety of production techniques may be used to make the
holder assembly as described herein. For example, suitable molding
techniques might be utilized. Also, the various components of the
reading stand may be integrally formed, as may be desired, in
particular when using molding construction techniques. Also,
physical size of the respective arrangements may be adjusted to
accommodate books of varying sizes.
[0058] It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in
the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility
and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present
invention other than those herein described, as well as many
variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be
apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and
foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance
or scope of the invention.
[0059] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described
here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to
be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and
exemplary of the present invention and is made to provide an
enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing
disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present
invention or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments,
adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent
arrangements.
* * * * *