Collapsible Book Support and Organizer

The present invention relates to multipurpose pocket size fold-up devices. In particular the device relates to a hinged three-leaf device which is foldable into a book prop and notepad and for other uses.

Prior book props have been of designs which do not adapt themselves to multiple use and to being folded up into a size which permits them to be carried in a breast pocket. For example, book props of conventional design are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,105,182, 2,080,591, and 1,923,351. One reason that book props have not been widely used heretofore is that they are not easily carried from place-to-place without the use of a carrying case or the like as they are too bulky to be carried in a pocket or pocket book; another is that they are separate items so that other items to be used therewith must be carried separately.

Accordingly, it is a principal purpose of the present invention to provide a compact pocket size device which may be opened to a book prop and may also be utilized for a multitude of associated other purposes.

The device of the present invention includes three rectangularly shaped rigid leaves which are hingedly connected end-to-end so that they may be folded flat in a "Z" configuration. The device folds out into a combination book prop, and notepad and may also serve one or more other functions. Two of the hinged leaves may be releasably fixed in an inverted "V" orientation as by a latch so as to serve as the vertical support of the book prop. In this orientation, the third leaf, which may be extended horizontally from the base of the central leaf includes a clip for pad of paper. The back side of the clip serves as a horizontal support holding the base of the book against the upright central leaf. The width of horizontal support provided by the central leaf may be extended with slide members which slide horizontally to the sides from within the central leaf. In one embodiment of the invention, a wafer-thin electronic calculator is mounted into the front face of the central leaf beneath the slide members, and to the side of the calculator, a holder for a flat combination pen/pencil is provided.

By the provision of each of these features in a single compact device, the present invention provides several advantages which permit a number of time saving conveniences not available in prior devices. For example, when the invention is being utilized as a book prop, a notepad is conveniently located in front of the book for notetaking using a writing utensil which is also carried by the invention. When the electronic calculator of the invention is being used, it may be propped up for convenient viewing the pad and writing utensil are available for notetaking. By providing all of these features in a single compact device which may be small enough to be inserted in a breast pocket, the inconvenience of carrying a separate pen, calculator, book prop and notepad are avoided.

Other features of the invention include an alphabetized directory printed on at least one rear surface of the device and two flexible flaps fixed to another one of the rear surfaces so that the device can also serve the function of a wallet for carrying money or other miscellaneous items.

Still further aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front side of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rear side of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the present invention set up for use as a book prop; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the present invention folded up in a "Z" orientation.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device includes three rectangular leaves A, B and C, respectively, hingedly connected end-to-end at the top and bottom edges 12 and 14 of rectangular leaf B. The top surfaces of leaves A, B and C will hereinafter be identified by A-1, B-1 and C-1; the corresponding rear surfaces will be identified by A-2, B-2 and C-2, respectively. Leaves A, B and C are suitably composed of tin, aluminum or plexiglass. Hinges 13 and 15, respectively at edges 12 and 14 permit the leaves A, B and C to fold flat against one another in a "Z" orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and also to open into a single plane, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In order to be used as a book prop, leaves A and B are folded into an inverted "V" orientation with the C leaf laying flat on a horizontal surface with its C-1 surface facing upward as illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, in order to fix the A and B leaves in the inverted "V" orientation, a catch rod 16, pivotally connected to A leaf side surface 18 has a free end 24 which may be inserted into one of catch rod receiving holes 20 formed in B leaf side surface 22. Catch rod receiving holes 20 permit the A and B leaves to be fixed at a number of different heights. In some alternate embodiments of the invention, catch rod 16 may be replaced by any one of a number of adjustable or nonadjustable latch devices. However, in still other embodiments of the invention, the latch device does not completely rigidize the A and B leaves but merely prevent their collapsing from the inverted "V" orientation shown in FIG. 3.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in order to support an open book against the B-2 surface or the B leaf, elongated planar extension members 26 and 28 are respectively slidably mounted to the B leaf at the upper end thereof in elongated slots 30 and 32 so as to respectively open at opposite side surfaces 22 and 38 of the B leaf. Note pad 40 is secured to front face C-1 of leaf C by a spring clip 42 mounted to leaf C adjacent to hinge 15. A book catch 44, which may be formed integrally with the clip 42, is also mounted to leaf C adjacent to hinge 15. Book catch 44 extends sufficiently across leaf C and vertically upward therefrom so as to catch the bindings of books placed against surface B-1 and prevent the supported book from sliding horizontally on leaf surface C-1. In accordance with one use of the device, a person may read a book propped against the C-1 surface while taking notes on the pad 40 which is secured to the A-1 surface by clip 42. A slot 46 is formed in the B-1 surface of leaf B for receiving clip 42 and book catch 44 when the device is folded into its closed "Z" position, thus permitting the B-1 and C-1 surfaces to lie flush against one another when the device is closed.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, calculator 50 is mounted within leaf B with its front face exposed at the B-1 surface between extender 28 and slot 46. The calculator is preferably very thin, e.g., 1/3-inch, since it is desirable that the total thickness of the device when in its folded-up condition be no more than 3/4 to 1 inch. By adjusting catch rod 16, the inclination of the calculator may be adjusted to suit the user. Again, the notepad is conveniently located to jot down calculations made with the calculator. In order to complete the package necessary for note taking when either the calculator or book prop functions of the leaf are being utilized, a flat pen or pencil or dual purpose pen-pencil writing utensil 45 may be retained against the B-1 surface by loop holder 48 mounted to leaf B adjacent to calculator 50.

The remaining surfaces of the device may also be functionally utilized. For example, the A-2 and B-2 surfaces may be utilized for holding small objects and/or displaying imprinted information. In the present embodiment, surface A-2 is a writing surface 52 on which indicia of an alphabetized directory are imprinted. On the B-2 surface, wallet flaps 54 and 56 are fixed for holding money or other small objects. The C-1 surface upon which paper pad 40 is disposed, could have any useful printed matter disposed thereon as for example, a metric equivalence table. Although surfaces A-1 and C-2 could also be functionally utilized, the preferred embodiment includes a vinyl or other protective covering since the surfaces are exposed when the device is in a folded-up condition.

Although only one exemplary embodiment of this invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiment without materially departing from the novel teaching and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. For example, if desired, the device may be provided with snaps or other simple means for holding the leaves in their folded-up position.