US3730077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible lapboard structure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-05-12
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1992-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible lapboard structure has a base, a spacer member hingedly joined thereto, and a support member in turn hingedly joined to the spacer member. When the structure is in its erected position the base member and support member extend perpendicularly from one side of the spacer member, and the hinges employed cooperate therewith to maintain that relationship against downward force on the support member. The base member is adapted to rest upon a seat so as to position the support member over the lap of a person seated thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 B Selden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:47
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B23/00; A47B19/00; A47B19/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
368 words
A collapsible lapboard structure comprising a base member adapted to rest upon a seat and extend beneath a person seated thereon; a generally elongated spacer member; a first hinge joining said spacer member adjacent one end thereof to an edge portion of said base member; a support member; and a second hinge joining said support member to said spacer member adjacent the other end thereof, said first and second hinges permitting pivotal movement of said base member and said support member, respectively, in opposite directions from a collapsed position of said lapboard structure in which they lie adjacent one face of said spacer member through about 270* angles to a substantially rigid, erected position of said lapboard structure wherein said base member and said support member extend generally parallel to each other and perpendicularly to said spacer member from the face thereof opposite that to which they are adjacent in said collapsed position, at least one of said hinges having a barrel and leaves which are pivotable with respect to each other to an angle greater than 270* and both said spacer member and the cooperating one of said support and base members affixed to said one hinge being positioned on the same side of said leaves of said one hinge to provide two leaf subassemblies, one of said leaf subassemblies abutting against a surface on the other of said leaf subassemblies spaced inwardly from the adjacent side surface of the member affIxed to the leaf of said other leaf subassembly and the other of said leaf subassemblies having an edge surface thereon spaced from the barrel of said one hinge and abutting against a side surface on said one leaf subassembly in the erected position to locate said spacer and cooperating members in a substantially 90* position relative to each other, said hinges and members thereby cooperating to prevent pivoting of said base member and support member beyond said 270* angles and further toward one another so that, with said base member extending beneath a seated person and said spacer member extending upwardly therefrom, said support member extends toward the person from said spacer member and over his lap to afford firm support against downward force thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
368 words
A collapsible lapboard structure comprising a base member adapted to rest upon a seat and extend beneath a person seated thereon; a generally elongated spacer member; a first hinge joining said spacer member adjacent one end thereof to an edge portion of said base member; a support member; and a second hinge joining said support member to said spacer member adjacent the other end thereof, said first and second hinges permitting pivotal movement of said base member and said support member, respectively, in opposite directions from a collapsed position of said lapboard structure in which they lie adjacent one face of said spacer member through about 270* angles to a substantially rigid, erected position of said lapboard structure wherein said base member and said support member extend generally parallel to each other and perpendicularly to said spacer member from the face thereof opposite that to which they are adjacent in said collapsed position, at least one of said hinges having a barrel and leaves which are pivotable with respect to each other to an angle greater than 270* and both said spacer member and the cooperating one of said support and base members affixed to said one hinge being positioned on the same side of said leaves of said one hinge to provide two leaf subassemblies, one of said leaf subassemblies abutting against a surface on the other of said leaf subassemblies spaced inwardly from the adjacent side surface of the member affIxed to the leaf of said other leaf subassembly and the other of said leaf subassemblies having an edge surface thereon spaced from the barrel of said one hinge and abutting against a side surface on said one leaf subassembly in the erected position to locate said spacer and cooperating members in a substantially 90* position relative to each other, said hinges and members thereby cooperating to prevent pivoting of said base member and support member beyond said 270* angles and further toward one another so that, with said base member extending beneath a seated person and said spacer member extending upwardly therefrom, said support member extends toward the person from said spacer member and over his lap to afford firm support against downward force thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said support member includes a board with a substantially planar upper surface and extending generally perpendicularly to said spacer member with said lapboard structure in said erected position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said base member and said spacer member are substantially planar and form, with said support member, three layers in said collapsed position of said structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said support member additionally includes a spring clip mechanism mounted upon said board and acting against said planar upper surface to provide means for disengageably securing an element thereunder for support thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said support member comprises at least a partial frame and means thereon for disengageably clamping an element thereto for support thereby.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said support member is of generally L-shaped configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said base member and support member are dimensioned and configured for nesting in said collapsed position of said structure to lie in substantially the same plane, and wherein each of said members is substantially planar so as to form two layers therefrom in said collapsed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the one of said members joined to one leaf of said one hinge providing said one leaf assembly has a rectilinear edge aligned substantially with the barrel thereof, and wherein the other of said members joined to the other leaf of said one hinge providing said other leaf subassembly has a rectilinear edge which is parallel to said edge of said one member and is spaced from said barrel a distance substantially equal to the thickness thereof, said rectilinear edge of said one member abutting against said other leaf of said one hinge in said erected position of said structure, and said rectilinear edge of said other member abutting against said one member therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |