EP0020166A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible support structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-06-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible binder or the like, which is self-sustaining in a predetermined configuration when unfolded and extended to sit upon a flat surface, comprises an elongate central panel (18) flanked by a pair of generally quadrilateral flanking side panels (20, 22) with a rearwardly located collapsible support having an upstanding elongate rear central panel (34) flanked by a first pair of upstanding rear-side panels (44, 46) of substantially right-angled triangular configuration the latter side panels terminating along their respective hypotenuses remote from said upstanding rear central panel in a second pair respectively of flanking side panels (48,50) extending in coplanar relation behind the flanking side panels of said binder, and slidingly fixed thereto; and with all panels being so hingedly connected together that the structure may upon being unfolded extend into its self-sustaining predetermined configuration and may be compactly folded up when collapsed for storage or for carrying.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Burton Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:31
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F1/00; G09F1/04; G09F1/06; B; B42; B42F; B42F13/00; B42F13/40; B42F13/402; A; A47; A47B; A47B2220/00; A47B2220/0016; A47B2220/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A collapsible support structure characterised by a combination of a cover formation including a stiff central panel portion (18) of generally uniform quadrilateral perimetral configuration arranged so as to present upper, lower and side edges and a pair of stiff side panel portions (20,22) flanking said central panel portion and hingedly connected thereto along opposite side edges for swinging movement from a closed position with side panel portions in opposed relation to a substantially fully extended open position in side-by-side coplanar relation with said stiff central panel portion and reversely; and means for supporting said cover formation in inclined relation from below with said aforementioned panel portions (20,22) disposed in said substantially fully extended open position, said supporting means including stiff central strut (34) having upper, lower and side edges hingedly interconnected adjacent its upper edge (32) to said central panel portion (18) to swing from a position thereagainst to a substantially upright position therebelow and shiftable stiff side struts (36,38) extending between each said side panel portions of said cover and said central strut and means for releasably anchoring said shiftable side strut means against relative displacement with said side panel portions, when said side panel portions are disposed in substantially coplanar side-by-side inclined relation with said stiff central panel portions,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A collapsible support structure characterised by a combination of a cover formation including a stiff central panel portion (18) of generally uniform quadrilateral perimetral configuration arranged so as to present upper, lower and side edges and a pair of stiff side panel portions (20,22) flanking said central panel portion and hingedly connected thereto along opposite side edges for swinging movement from a closed position with side panel portions in opposed relation to a substantially fully extended open position in side-by-side coplanar relation with said stiff central panel portion and reversely; and means for supporting said cover formation in inclined relation from below with said aforementioned panel portions (20,22) disposed in said substantially fully extended open position, said supporting means including stiff central strut (34) having upper, lower and side edges hingedly interconnected adjacent its upper edge (32) to said central panel portion (18) to swing from a position thereagainst to a substantially upright position therebelow and shiftable stiff side struts (36,38) extending between each said side panel portions of said cover and said central strut and means for releasably anchoring said shiftable side strut means against relative displacement with said side panel portions, when said side panel portions are disposed in substantially coplanar side-by-side inclined relation with said stiff central panel portions,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
A collapsible support structure as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that each said shiftable side strut includes a panel portion (48,50) hingedly supported along a fold axis lying substantially in the plane of its respective side panel portion of the cover and remote from said first mentioned central strut means so as to slidingly abut its respective side panel portion from below over the range of movement of said central strut from a folded position against said central panel portion and with said cover formation in the closed position to said substantially upright position therebelow and with said cover formation in the fully open position, with said anchoring means being presented by and extending between said hingedly supported panel portions (48,50) and said respective side panel portions (20,22).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A collapsible support structure as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that each said shiftable side strut means includes a gusset panel portion (44, 46) hingedly interconnecting said hingedly supported panel portion (48, 50) to said central strut (34),
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
A collapsible support structure as claimed in Claim 3 characterised in that said anchoring means comprises a contoured slot (28, 30) and a slot follower (60, 62) for engaging in said contoured slot and following same under relative-displacement, said contoured slot having an extent and configuration such that with relative movement of said central and shiftable side struts of said supporting means the same are displaced uniformly under swinging movement into and out of said substantially fully extended open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
A collapsible support structure as claimed in Claim 4 characterised in that each of said side panel portions (20,22) presents a contoured slot (28,30) and each of said hingedly supported panel portions (48, 50) presents said slot follower (60,62). 6. A collapsible support structure as::claimed in Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that each of said contoured slots (28, 30) is provided with anchoring pockets (28a, 28b, 30a, 30b) at its remote ends and offset in relation to the general direction of said slots whereby said slot followers (60,62) are anchorable in said pockets when said cover formation is closed and when said cover formation is fully opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A collapsible support structure as claimed in any preceding c laim, characterised in that said stiff central strut (34) is hingedly interconnected to the upper edge (32) of said first mentioned stiff central panel portion (18).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A collapsible support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said cover formation and associated supporting means comprise a one-piece layout derived from suitable sheet material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3990669A
Cited
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