GB2418844A

GB2418844A - A document stand for sheet music

Info

Publication number: GB2418844A
Application number: GB0425818A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Innes
Original assignee: OSPREY MUSIC Ltd
Current assignee: OSPREY MUSIC Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-11
Filing date: 2004-11-22
Publication date: 2006-04-12
Also published as: GB0425818D0; GB0422516D0

Abstract

A stand, which can be used for supporting documents such as sheet music, comprises: <UL ST=" $ "> <LI> a support table arrangement; <LI>a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table arrangement, and a lower end; <LI>a base comprising two splay feet attached at the lower end of the support stem; </UL> characterised in that the splay feet and the lower end of the stem comprise a triangular footprint from one apex of which the support stem rises at an angle such that its upper end lies, in plan view, within the footprint. The support table arrangement is itself collapsible and can be stowed inside a telescopic stem component which comprises a carrying case for the stand.

Description

24 1 8844 l Document Stand This invention relates to document stands,

particularly, but not exclusively, to music stands, and to stands supporting instruments such as cameras, customarily supported on tripod arrangements' hereinafter referred to generally as 'stands'.

Camera tripods usually comprise a camera support table mounted on a stem elevatable in a hub to which are pivotally connected three extensible legs, the arrangement being deployable between a stowed configuration, in which the legs are collapsed and the tube is retracted to fit between them when they are folded in at the hub to lie parallel to one another, and an operative configuration, in which the legs are splayed and extended and the stem is elevated from the hub, the extent of extension of the legs and the elevation of the stem being usually adjustable.

Music stands have essentially the same configuration, namely a tripod base with a stem upstanding from the base supporting a platen to hold sheet music, albeit with a longer stem and shorter legs and with different detail in the deployment of the legs.

Conventional stands have height adjustability to suit sitting or standing playing positions.

Most music stands are intended for orchestral or group playing and are resident in the concert hall. Many designs have been made which aim to provide portable music stands, and some of these, e.g. GB2310593, involve a telescopic stem into which a fan-shaped platen can be collapsed for stowage. By and large, they have the conventional tripod arrangement, which can be collapsed against the stem for stowage, one example of which is found in US4813644. In another arrangement, found in US4355779, two legs of the tripod are hingedly mounted on a collar slidable lengthwise of the stem from a stowed position at the base of the stem to an operative position at which the legs can be deployed so as to form, together with the stem below the collar, the tripod, the collar being securable at the desired height by a thumb screw.

W003/028505 makes the point that in the open position, the tripod can get in the way of the player's feet and provides instead a 'biped' base like the lower half of an 'A', from the cross member of which a telescopic stem rises. Here, the platen is solid and foldable back against the stem. Such stowage position as is available on this arrangement is for purposes of stacking similar stands, and this is clearly in the context of a concert hall location, rather than a portable arrangement.

The various designs have their disadvantages. None of the portable designs referred to gets away from the tripod base that gets in the way of a player's feet, and they are often difficult to deploy and stow. Children, who should be encouraged to play by making things as easy as possible, often find great difficulty with thumb screws and can hurt their fingers setting up, adjusting and taking down their stands.

The present invention provides a stand that can be truly portable, easy to deploy and adjust, and that is stable and less awkward in use than conventional tripod stands.

The invention comprises, in one aspect, a stand comprising: a support table arrangement; support stem having an tipper end, which carries the support table arrangement, and - a lower end; a base comprising two splay feet attached at the lower end of the support stem; characterised in that the splay feet and the lower end of the stem comprise a triangular footprint from one apex of which the support stem rises at an angle such that its upper end lies, in plan view, within the footprint.

The splay feet may be attached so as to be deployable between an operative position, in which they form the said footprint, and a stowed position, in which they lie alongside the stem. They may be attached at the lower end of the stem. They may be pivotally attached, on axes which are angled so that as they are deployed, their ends remote from the lower end of the stem move apart to form the triangular footprint. At the deployed position, there may be a locking arrangement, such as a click stop arrangement.

The lower end of the stem may have a rubber or like pad, as may the splay feet.

The lower end of the stem may be on a container for telescopic stem components. There may be three such components, in addition to the, container, which, with the splay feet in their stowed position, can constitute a carrying case.

The container may have an end cap, which closes it when the telescopic stem components are stowed. The cap may constitute a locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem in deployed position. Other stem components may be locked conventionally, for example by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

The support table arrangement may itself be collapsible and, in its collapsed condition, may fit inside the uppermost stem component.

The support table arrangement may comprise a collapsible frame. The frame may comprise four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub at the top end of the stem, which deploy from a stowed position, in which they are parallel to the stem, to an operative position, in which they form an 'X'. In the deployed position, the arms are tensioned by an elastic web, which may comprise elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position. Strands may also connect the arms at positions intermediate their ends and the pivot position.

A platen may be provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms. This may be foldable for stowage in the uppermost stem member.. /

The support table may, once deployed, be adjusted as to its inclination to the vertical by adjusting the hub, which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and lockable within a range of rotation by a locking lever.

The stand is readily erectable and stowable, in its stowed condition being easy to carry and compact for storage or transportation. As a music stand, it is as advantageous in these respects to the individual musician as it is to the orchestra manager.

Aspects of the stand are, however, equally advantageous in other contexts. The splay feet base can be adopted for other tripod supports, such as camera tripods and supports for telescope, binoculars and surveying instruments, as well as for point of sale and other advertising displays, for any of which the stand may be made in floor standing or desktop or counter top standing sizes.

The support table can, of course, be used with conventional music stands or lecterns.

The dual purpose cap, which closes the base container for storage or transportation, and which serves as a locking lever for adjusting the height of extension of the stand, can, of course, be used independently of the support table, and even with different base arrangements.

A stand according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a view of the erected stand; Figure 2 is a view of the stand collapsed for storage or transportation; Figure 3 is a sequence of views of the stand, showing stages in its deployment.

The drawings illustrate a stand, here configured as a music stand, comprising: a support table arrangement I 1; a support stem 12 haying en upper end 13,which carries the support table arrangement 11, and a lower end 14; a base 15 comprising two splay feet 16, 17attached at the lower end 14 ofthe support stem 12; 4Q the splay feet 16, 17 and the lower end 14 of the support stem 12 comprising a triangular footprint from one apex, (the lower end 14), of which the support stem 12 rises at an angle A such that its upper end 13 lies, in plan view, within the footprint.

This geometry ensures that whatever reasonable weight is placed on the support table arrangement I I, the stand will not tip.

The splay feet 16, 17 are attached so as to deployable between an operative position, Figure 1, in which they form the said footprint, and a stowed position, Figure 2, in which they lie alongside the stem 12. They are pivotally attached at the lower end 14 of the stem 12 on axes 16a, 17a, which are angled so that, as they are deployed, their ends ice, 17e remote from the lower end 14 of the stem 12 move apart to for the triangular footprint. In their deployed position, they lock into place, a detent arrangement preventing further movement beyond the deployed position, and a click stop arrangement locking them agamst collapse stowing the feet 16, 17 involves overcoming a spring force.

The lower end 14 of the stem 12 has a rubber pad 18 - seen best in Figure 2. The splay feet 16, 17 also have rubber pads 19 at their ends 16e, ] 7e.

The lower end 14 of the stem 12 is on a container 21 for telescopic stem components 12a, 12b, 12c. The container 21 constitutes a carrying case, as best seen in Figure 2. The splay feet 16, 17 can also have a click stop arrangement to keep them in their stowed position adjacent the container 21.

The container 21 has an end cap 22, which closes it, as seen in Figure 2, when the telescopic stem components 12a, 12b, 12c are stowed. The cap 22 constitutes a snubbing locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem 12 in deployed position. As betwee themselves, the stem components 12a and 12b, and 12b and 12c can be locked by conventional frictional engagement requiring a slight relative twist.

The support table 11 is also collapsible, and, in its collapsed condition, fits inside the uppermost stem component 12c.

The support table 11 comprises a collapsible frame, which comprises four arms, 11 a, 11 b, llc, lld,eachlatchingly pivotally attached to a hub 11 e et the top ofthe stem 12. The arms deploy from a stowed position, in which they are parallel to the stem 12, to an operative position, Figure 1, in which they form an 'X'. In this deployed position, they are tensioned by an elastic web, which comprises elastic strands, such as fine gauge bungee cord 23 joining the ends of the arms I 1 a - d and also connect them at positions intermediate their ends and their pivot position.

A platen 24 is attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms 11 a, 11 b, which have cutouts for receiving the ends of the platen 24. The platen has a hinge 24a about which it can be folded for stowage - it can be kept in the stem component 12c along with the arms 11 a - d.

The hub 11 e is rotatable, when deployed, about a horizontal axis at the top of the stem component 12c and lockable within a range of movement by a locking lever, so as to allow adjustment of the tilt of the table 11.

Figure 3 illustrates the various stages in the erection of the stand. s

At 3A, the feet 16, 17 are deployed and the stand set on the ground. At 3B, the cap 22 has been opened, and the stowed table 11 withdrawn. At 3C, 3D and 3E the three telescopic stem components 12a, 12b, 12c are withdrawn. At 3F, the arms la - d are deployed and snapped into position, tensioning the strands 23. At 3G, the platen 24 has been removed from the top of the stem component 1 2c and attached to the table 1 1. At 12H, the table is adjusted for tilt. At any time, height may be adjusted by unsnubbing the stem component 12a using the cap/locking arrangement 22.

The stand is stowed for storage or transportation by following the steps 3A - 3H in reverse.

Claims

Claims: A stand comprising: a support table arrangement; a support

stem having an upper end, which carries the support table arrangement, and a lower end; a base comprising two splay feet attached at the lower end of the support stem; characterized in that the splay feet and the lower end of the stem comprise a triangular footprint from one apex of which the support stem rises at an angle such that its upper end lies, in plan view, within the footprint.

2 A stand according t claim 1, in which the splay feet are attached so as to be deployable between an operative position, in which they form the said footprint, and a stowed position, in which they lie alongside the stem.

3 A stand according to claim I or claim 2, in which the splay feet are attached at the lower end of the stem.

4 A stand according to any pone of claims I to 3, in which the splay feet are pivotally attached on axes which are angled so that, as they are deployed, their ends remote from the lower end of the stem move apart to form the triangular footprint.

A stand according to any one of claims I to 4, in which, at the deployed position, there is a locking arrangement.

6 A stand according to claim 5, in which the locking arrangement is a click stop arrangement.

7 A stand according to any one of claims I to 6, in which the lower end of the stem has a rubber or like pad.

8 A stand according to any one of claim I to 7, in which the splay feet have rubber or like pads.

9 A stand according to any one of claims I to 8, in which the lower end of the stem is on a container for telescopic stem components.

A stand according to claim 9, in which there are three such components, in addition to the container, which, with the splay feet in their stowed position, constitute a carrying case. /- -

I I A stand according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the container has an end cap, which closes it when the telescopic stem components are stowed.

12 A stand according to claim 11, in which the cap constitutes a locking arrangement, to lock the extended stem in deployed position.

13 A stand according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in which stem components are locked conventionally, for example by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

14 A stand according to any one of claims I to 13, in which the support table arrangement is itself collapsible.

A stand according to claim 14, in which the support table, in its collapsed corditicn, fits inside a'luscvpic stem coi,poileli.

16 A stand according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the support table arrangement comprises a collapsible frame.

17 A stand according to any one of claims I to 16, in which the frame comprises four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub at the top end of the stem, which deploy from a stowed position, in which they are parallel to the stem, to an operative position, in which they form an 'X'.

18 A stand according to claim 17, in which, in the deployed position, the arms are tensioned by an elastic web.

19 A stand according to claim 18, in which the elastic web comprises elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position.

20 A stand according to claim 19, in which strands also connect the arms at positions intermediate their ends and the pivot position.

21 A stand according to any one of claitns 17 to 20, in which a platen Is provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms.

22 A stand according to claim 21, in which the platen is foldable for stowage in a telescopic stem member.

23 A stand according to any one of claims I to 22, in which the support table, once deployed, capable of adjustment as to its inclination to the vertical.

24 A stand according to claim 23, in which adjustment is effected by adjusting a hub at the top end of the stem, which forms part of the support table and which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and lockable within a range of rotation by a locking lever.

A stand comprising a document support table arrangement which is collapsible for stowing, and which comprises a frame comprising four arms, each latchingly pivoted to a hub, which deploy from a stowed position, in which the arms are parallel, to a deployed position, in which they form an 'X'. s

26 stand according to claim 25, in which the support table arrangement is mounted by the hub on a support stem.

27 A stand according to claim 26, in which the support stem is hollow and, in its stowed position, the support table fits inside the hollow stem.

28 A stand according to any one of clams 25 to 27, in which, in the deployed position, the arms are tensioned by an elastic web. ....

29 stand according to claim 28, in which the elastic web comprises elastic strands joining the ends of the arms remote from the pivot position.

A stand according to claim 29, n which strands also connect the arms intermediate their ends and the pivot position.

31 A stand according to any one of claims 25 to 30, in which a platen is provided attachable between the ends of the lowermost arms.

32 A stand according to claim 31, in which the platen is foldable for stowage.

33 A stand comprising:: a support table arrangement; a support stem having an upper end, which carries the support table, and a lower end; and a base; characterised in that the support stem comprises a telescopic arrangement comprising telescopic stem members of which an outer one constitutes a lower end connected to the base and the others of which telescope into the outer one.

34 A stand according to claim 33, in which the support table arrangement is itself collapsible to a stowage position in which it fits inside an inner, upper stem component.

A stand according to claim 33 or claim 34, in which the outer stem component / 36 A stand according to any one of claims 33 to 35, in which the outer stem component has an end cap which closes it when the telescopic stem components are stowed.

37 A stand according to claim 36, in which the cap constitutes a locking arrangerneni, to lock the extended stem in deployed position.

38 A stand according to any one of claims 33 to 37, in which stem components are locked conventionally, for example by relative twisting to engage frictionally.

39 A stand according to any one of claim 33 to 38, in which the base comprises feet attached to the outer stem component and deployable between a stowed position in which they lie alongside the outer stem component and an operative position in which they are pivoted out of the stowed position so form a triangular footprint.