Supports – Easel; book – copy or music score holder – Knockdown or collapsible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-01-30
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Easel; book, copy or music score holder
Knockdown or collapsible
C248S169000, C248S440000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179266
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a collapsible easel of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,064,232, 2,744,712, 2,973,933 and 3,201,080. Commonly, such easels incorporate foldable telescopic leg members each having two or more cylindrical leg sections each formed of tubular metal. The upper end portions of the upper tubular leg sections are pivotally connected to a head member which provides for folding the telescopic leg members between generally parallel collapsed positions and outwardly inclined erected positions. The lower tubular leg sections usually telescoped within the upper tubular leg sections which carry threaded clamping fittings which provide for selecting the height of the easel.
Adjustable board support clamps are mounted on two of the upper leg sections, as shown in three of the above patents, and pivotal braces or flexible links are used for stabilizing the leg members in their extended and inclined or erected positions. With any such collapsible easel, it is desirable for the easel to have light weight but provide high support strength, especially when the easel is used to support heavy boards or paintings. It is also desirable for the easel to be economically constructed and be designed for fast assembly in addition to being user friendly, that is, be simple to set up and collapse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved and simplified collapsible easel which provides all of the desirable features mentioned above and which also eliminates any problem of corrosion between tubular metal or aluminum leg components or with their fasteners. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a collapsible easel is constructed entirely of components which are injection molded of substantially rigid plastics material, and the components may be quickly assembled without using separate fasteners such as screws or bolts.
The easel of the invention preferably includes three telescopic legs each having an upper and inner leg section or channel which telescopes within a lower outer leg section or channel having opposing return lips or flanges which confine the upper leg channel for sliding movement. The top end portions of the upper inner leg channels are pivotally connected to a connector member having a pair of spaced ears with integral pivot studs projecting laterally outwardly into cavities within each upper leg channel. The lower end portion of each upper leg channel is molded with an integral spring lock button and with inner cavities for receiving pivot studs on the outer end of a corresponding leg support member or channel.
The inner end portions of the three leg support channels are pivotally connected to another connector member which cooperates to permit simultaneous movement of the leg members between generally parallel collapsed positions and outwardly inclined supporting or erected positions. Each of the lower leg channels also has a set of holes for selectively receiving the lock buttons for retaining the leg members in selected retracted or extended positions. The upper portions of the outer leg channels are also provided with slots for receiving a pair of pivotal board support fingers which are retained by the corresponding inner leg channels.
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Ghent Manufacturing Inc.
Jacox Meckstroth & Jenkins
Ramirez Ramon O.
Szumny Jon
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