Portable and collapsible lectern and bookstand

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tabletop lectern or bookstand that collapses into a portable briefcase or attache case. More particularly, the lectern includes two (2) pivoting platforms/frames being hingedly attached with each other, each platform having interior support legs, such that each of the platforms can be adjusted into four (4) positions for the comfort of the user or reader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable and collapsible lectern or bookstands are well-known in the prior art, as well as bookstands that convert to briefcases. Although some of these prior art devices convert lecterns/bookstands to an attache case, they have drawbacks and problems to their designs. For example, some of these prior art devices are awkward, large and cumbersome, and this prevents them from being easily portable. Other prior art devices have been overly-complicated with respect to its engineering for collapsibility of the lectern into a briefcase. Some of these prior devices also are not versatile enough to accommodate a variety of sizes and shapes of different sized books, such as an encyclopedia or paperback book. Finally, many of these prior art devices are so complicated in their design, configuration and structure that these features result in a high cost of manufacturing.

There remains a need for a tabletop lectern that easily collapses into a portable briefcase. Additionally, the portable and collapsible lectern is capable of converting between the tabletop lectern for reading, studying or addressing an audience when in an open position; and a briefcase/attache case for holding papers, books and personal items therein when in a closed position. Further, in either position the lectern and briefcase can hold a variety of papers, folders, books, and other personal items by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Portable and collapsible lecterns having various accessories, designs, configurations, structures and materials of construction have been generally disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,066 to MUNDLE discloses a convertible briefcase/table for providing a user carrying briefcase with a convenient work table where none may be readily available. The convertible briefcase/table includes a case assembly having a base member, and also having a cover member being hingedly attached to the base member; and also includes a tabletop being hingedly attached to the case assembly. The convertible briefcase/table further includes a tabletop support assembly including brackets being attached to the tabletop and also including support legs being hingedly attached to the brackets. A fastening assembly is also provided for fastening the tabletop to the cover member. In addition, a case support assembly is attached to the case assembly for standing the case assembly upon a surface. This prior art patent does not teach or disclose the structure and design of a portable and collapsible lectern for use as a tabletop lectern when in an open position, or for use as a briefcase when in a closed position.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,831 to FULLMER discloses a portable lectern consisting of a hinged lectern platform support constructed and arranged to be locked into the latching mechanism of an open hinged container such as an attache case. A rigid, box-like housing affords access to sound receiving and transmitting equipment within and a mounting microphone stand assembly is provided. When not in use, the hinged platform support folds and is stored within the case along with the microphone stand assembly and the sound receiving and transmitting equipment. This prior art patent does not teach or disclose the structure and design of a portable and collapsible lectern for use as a table top lectern when in an open position, or for use as a briefcase when in a closed position.

None of the aforementioned prior art patents teach or disclose a tabletop lectern that collapses into a portable briefcase, such that when in an open position the lectern has a Z-shaped configuration and when in a closed position forms the briefcase unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that is capable of converting between a tabletop lectern for reading, studying or addressing an audience when in an open position; and a briefcase/attache case for holding papers, books and personal items therein when in a closed position. In either position the lectern and briefcase can hold papers, books and other personal items by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that has two (2) pivoting platforms/frame members being hingedly attached with each other at opposite ends relative to a base platform/frame member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that includes an upper frame member, an intermediate frame member and a lower frame member, such that the upper frame member is pivotally connected to the intermediate frame member by first hinge members, and the intermediate frame member is pivotally connected to the lower frame member by second hinge members for forming a collapsible structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern having pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members for forming a Z-shaped configuration when in the open position for use as a tabletop lectern.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern having pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members for forming a briefcase when in the closed position for holding and storing of books, paper and other personal items therein by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern including a first set of lectern support legs each being hingedly attached to the upper frame member in order to adjust the position of the upper frame member to different reading position when the lectern is in the open position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern including a second set of lectern support legs each being hingedly attached to the intermediate frame member in order to adjust the position of the intermediate frame member to different support positions when the lectern is in the open position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that includes a first opening for receiving a battery-operated clock member within the upper frame member for timing the user when using the lectern in an operational mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that includes a second opening for receiving a compass device therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern wherein each of the first and second set of support legs include first and second closing elements for maintaining each set of the first and second support legs in a first and second closed leg position relative to the upper and intermediate frame members, respectively. The closing elements are in the form of magnetic pins, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive contact pads, snaps and adhesive strips.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that is easy to use, and is durable and easily cleanable for repeated use by the user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable and collapsible lectern that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable and collapsible lectern for use as a tabletop lectern when in an open position and for use as a briefcase when in a closed position. The lectern includes a frame having an upper frame member, an intermediate frame member, and a lower frame member. The upper frame member is pivotally connected by first hinge members to the intermediate frame member. The intermediate frame member is also pivotally connected by second hinge members to the lower frame member. The pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members forms a Z-shaped configuration when in the open position for use as a lectern. The pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame member forms a briefcase when in the closed position. The lectern further includes support legs for adjusting the position of the upper frame member to different reading positions when the lectern is in the open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing an upper frame, an intermediate frame member and a lower frame member in a closed position for forming a briefcase;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing the upper, intermediate and lower frame members in an open position for forming a Z-shaped configuration for use as a tabletop lectern on a table and being in an operational mode thereof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing all of the major component parts thereto;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing a partial opening of the lectern and being in an operational mode;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing the lectern in a fully closed position and being in an operational mode;

FIG. 6a is a partial perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing magnetic pins of an aligned support leg and interior surface of the upper frame member being in a closed leg position;

FIG. 6b is a partial perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing magnetic pins of an aligned support leg and interior surface of the upper frame member going from a closed leg position to an open leg position;

FIG. 6c is a partial perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing magnetic pins of an aligned support leg and an interior bottom surface of a ledge support member of the intermediate frame member being in a closed leg position;

FIG. 6d is a partial perspective view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention showing magnetic pins of an aligned support leg and an interior bottom surface of a ledge support member of the intermediate frame member going from a closed leg position to an open leg position; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the portable and collapsible lectern of the present invention taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows showing each of the upper, intermediate and lower frame members in the closed position;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The portable and collapsible lectern 10 and its component parts of the preferred embodiment are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 7 of the patent drawings. The lectern 10 of the present invention is used as a tabletop lectern for reading, studying, addressing an audience when in the open position P₂ and the lectern 10 can also be used as a briefcase for holding a laptop computer, papers and books therein when in a closed position P₁. Additionally, the lectern 10 can also be used as an artist's easel when in the open position P₂ and for holding art supplies within the lectern when in the closed position P₁. The lectern 10 includes a frame 12 having an upper frame member 14, an intermediate frame member 16, and a lower frame member 18.

Further, the upper frame member 14 is pivotally connected to intermediate frame member 16 by opposing first hinge members 20a and 20b and the intermediate frame member 16 is pivotally connected to the lower frame member by opposing second hinge members 22a and 22b. The pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members 14, 16 and 18 form a Z-shaped configuration (Z) when in the open position P₂; and the pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members 14, 16 and 18 form a rectangularly-shaped briefcase C when in the closed position P₁, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings.

The upper frame member 14 includes an interior surface 24, and an upper holding surface 26 having a bookrest support bracket 28 thereon. The upper surface 26 and the bookrest support bracket 28 are used in conjunction with each other for holding of papers A and/or books B thereon. The upper holding surface 26 includes a first opening 30 for receiving a battery-operated clock member 32 therein, as well as a name plate 33 thereon. The upper frame member 14 also includes pair of lectern support legs 34a and 34b for supporting the upper frame member 14 when in the open position P₂. Each of the lectern support legs 34a and 34b are hingedly connected by first leg hinges 36a and 36b on opposing sides 38a and 38b of the interior surface 24 of upper frame member 14, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6b of the drawings.

The intermediate frame member 16 includes a pair of opposing outer support members 50a and 50b for fixedly attaching a first pair of opposing support receiving brackets 52a and 52b thereon. Each of the support receiving brackets 52a and 52b are positioned on a top surface 54a and 54b of each opposing (ledge) outer support members 50a and 50b, respectively, thereon. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 each of the support receiving brackets 52a and 52b include a plurality of holding slots 58, such that one of the holding slots 58 is selected for receiving each end 35 of the lectern support legs 34a and 34b of upper frame member 14 thereto.

Further, the upper frame member 14 is detachably connected to the intermediate frame 16 by a first latching member 62 being positioned on adjacent sides 42a and 64a of the upper and intermediate frame members 14 and 16, respectively, when in the closed position P₁, as depicted in FIG. 1. Additionally, the intermediate frame member 16 also includes a handle member 66 having ends 68a and 68b attached to side 64b of the intermediate frame member 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Additionally, the intermediate frame member 16 also includes a second pair of lectern support legs 70a and 70b for supporting the intermediate frame member 16 in the open position P₂. Each of the lectern support legs 70a and 70b are hingedly connected by second leg hinges 72a and 72b on each bottom surface 56a and 56b of each of the opposing (ledge) outer support members 50a and 50b, respectively.

The lower frame member 18 includes an outer bottom surface 80 and an inner bottom surface 82, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The interior surface 82 on opposing sides 84a and 84b include a second pair of opposing lectern support receiving brackets 86a and 86b being positioned thereon. Each of the opposing lectern support receiving brackets 86a and 86b include a plurality of holding slots 88, such that one of the holding slots 88 are selected for receiving each end 71 of the lectern support legs 70a and 70b of intermediate frame member 16 thereto. The bottom surface 82 further includes a fabric or felt layer 90 for holding of papers A and/or books B thereon, as well as a storage compartment area for general office supplies, pen and pencils, a cell phone and the like. Also, the intermediate frame member 16 is detachably connected to the lower frame member 18 by a second latching member 92 being positioned on adjacent sides 64c and 94c of the intermediate and lower frame member 16 and 18, respectively, when in the closed position P₁, as shown in FIG. 5.

Also, each of the first pair of lectern support legs 34a and 34b and opposing sides 38a and 38b on the interior wall surface 24 include a first pair of closing elements 96 being adjacent with each other; and each of the second pair of lectern support legs 70a and 70b and opposing bottom surfaces 56a and 56b on each of the opposing ledge support members 50a and 50b include a second pair of closing elements 98 being adjacent with each other.

When the closing elements 96 and 98 are in contact with each other, the support legs 34a and 34b, and 70a and 70b are maintained in closed leg positions P₃; such that the upper surface 26 and the bottom surface 80 serve as outer walls for the briefcase when in the closed position P₁, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings. Closing elements 96 and 98 can be in the form of magnetic pins, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive contact pads, snaps and the like.

Lectern 10 can be made from natural woods such as maple, oak, cherry and ash and the like; light-weight metals such as titanium, stainless steel and aluminum; or durable and rigid plastics such as lucite. Lectern 10 can vary in size depending upon its day-to-day usage by the user. Optionally, the bottom outer surface 80 can include a plurality of rubber or felt contact pads 100 or a felt pad layer 101 thereon for preventing the marring or scratching of the bottom outer wall surface 80 of the lectern 10. Additionally, the upper holding surface 26, the bottom outer surface 80, as well as all perimeter edges can include leather coverings in order to look like a leather attache case/briefcase. Further, the upper holding surface 26 can optionally include a second opening 102 for receiving a compass device 104 therein, and a cup holder opening 106 for a drinking cup D, as depicted in FIG. 2. The upper frame 14 can also optionally include a book light (battery-operated) device 108 having a clamping member 110 thereon for detachably connecting to a perimeter edge 42a or 42c using clamping member 110 (see FIG. 2) thereto.

In an alternate design, the lectern 10 can include expandable and extendable legs mounted to a floor stand, such that the floor stand is detachably connected to the bottom outer surface 80 of the lower frame member 18 of lectern 10.

Operation of the Present Invention

During operational use as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the user initially opens each of the latches 62 and 92 in order to open the upper and intermediate frame members 14 and 16 relative to the lower frame member 18, such that each of the lectern support legs 34a and 34b, and 70a and 70b of the upper and intermediate frame members 14 and 16, respectively, are detachably released from their closing elements 96 and 98 going from their closed leg positions P₃ to their open leg positions P₄. When each of the lectern support legs 34a and 34b, and 70a and 70b are in the open leg positions P₄, as shown in FIGS. 6b and 6d, they are then to be received within one of the four receiving slots 58 and 88 of each of the support receiving brackets 52a and 52b, and 86a and 86b of the intermediate and lower frame members 16 and 18, respectively, for positioning the lectern 10 in its open position P₂.

Also, it is understood that the user may select and place the support legs 34a and 34b in one of the four slots 58 of each of the support receiving brackets 52a and 52b, respectively, of the intermediate frame member 16 in order to adjust the position of upper frame member 14 in multiple positions for reading by a user. Also, the user may select and place the support legs 70a and 70b in one of the four slots 88 of each of the support receiving brackets 86a and 86b, respectively, of the lower frame member 18 in order to adjust the position of the upper frame member 14 in multiple positions for reading or lecturing to an audience by the user. Therefore, lectern 10 may be placed in at least eight (8) different positions when in operational use by the user. Also, it is understood the lectern 10 is placed on a tabletop 102 of a table 104 for proper use thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

Lectern 10 converts between a lectern when in the opened position P₂ and a briefcase C when in the closed position P₁. In either position, P₁ or P₂, the lectern 10 and briefcase C can hold papers A and/or books B or other personal items therein by the user.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that is capable of converting between a tabletop lectern for reading, studying or addressing an audience when in an open position; and a briefcase/attache case for holding papers, books and personal items therein when in a closed position. In either position the lectern and briefcase can hold papers, books and other personal items by the user.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that has two (2) pivoting platforms/frame members being hingedly attached with each other at opposite ends relative to a base platform/frame member.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that includes an upper frame member, an intermediate frame member and a lower frame member, such that the upper frame member is pivotally connected to the intermediate frame member by first hinge members, and the intermediate frame member is pivotally connected to the lower frame member by second hinge members for forming a collapsible structure.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern having pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members for forming a Z-shaped configuration when in the open position for use as a tabletop lectern.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern having pivotally connected upper, intermediate and lower frame members for forming a briefcase when in the closed position for holding and storing of books, paper and other personal items therein by the user.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern including a first set of lectern support legs each being hingedly attached to the upper frame member in order to adjust the position of the upper frame member to different reading position when the lectern is in the open position.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern including a second set of lectern support legs each being hingedly attached to the intermediate frame member in order to adjust the position of the intermediate frame member to different support positions when the lectern is in the open position.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that includes an opening for receiving a battery-operated clock member within the upper frame member for timing the user when using the lectern in an operational mode.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that includes a second opening for receiving a compass device therein.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that includes a cup holder opening for a cup or glass for the speaker when using the lectern in an operational mode.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that has a lower frame member that functions as storage compartment for office supplies, pens, pencils, a cell phone and the like.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern wherein each of the first and second set of support legs include first and second closing elements for maintaining each set of the first and second support legs in a first and second closed leg position relative to the upper and intermediate frame members, respectively. The closing elements are in the form of magnetic pins, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive contact pads, snaps and adhesive strips.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that is easy to use, and is durable and easily cleanable for repeated use by the user.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a portable and collapsible lectern that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.