BACKGROUND
The present disclosure generally relates to a lectern that can be adjusted based on user requirements. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a lectern that includes a worktop that can be moved between a flat position and an angled position by adjusting the position of a movable prop stand.
When a teacher, lecturer or other presenter is presenting material to a group, the presenter may have lecture notes, books or other teaching materials that the presenter needs to view and refer to during the presentation. In many instances when the presenter is standing, it is desirable to have the worktop of the lectern angled to present the materials in a desirable orientation for easy viewing by the presenter. During the presentation, it is also desirable to have the worktop at a height that allows the presenter to stand and present and view the presentation materials.
During many presentations, the presenter will view the presentation material not on printed paper but instead on a screen of a laptop computer. In even other cases, the presenter may use a projector or other presentation equipment that requires a horizontal support surface. In these cases, the presenter may wish to have the worktop in a generally horizontal position to prevent the laptop or projector from sliding off of an angled worktop.
Based on these different requirements for different presenters, it would be desirable to provide a lectern that can be height adjustable and include a worktop that can be adjusted between an angled position and a flat position, Further, it would be desirable to allow such adjustments to occur without the need of any tools such that the worktop could be adjusted even during the presentation.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to a lectern that includes an angle adjustable worktop. The angle of the worktop can be adjusted by a presenter without the use of any tools such that the orientation of the worktop can be easily modified when desired.
The adjustable lectern includes a base that is height adjustable to modify the overall height of the lectern. The base includes a planar top surface that provides a point of attachment for a worktop. The worktop includes a pair of spaced side edges, a first end and a second end. The perimeter of the worktop defines a work surface. The work surface of the worktop is designed to support presentation materials or presentation equipment.
A hinge mechanism is located between the base and the worktop. The hinge mechanism is located near the second end of the worktop and allows the first end of the worktop to move toward and away from the top surface of the base. The hinge mechanism thus allows the worktop to move between a flat position and an angled position. When the worktop is in the flat position, the work surface of the worktop is parallel to the top surface of the base. When the worktop is in the angled position, the work surface is located at an angle relative to the top surface. The movement of the worktop between the flat position and the angled position allows the presenter to configure the lectern depending on the needs of the presenter.
The adjustable lectern further includes a prop stand that is designed to provide support for the worktop in both the flat and angled positions. The prop stand is pivotably mounted to a back surface of the worktop and is pivotably movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. When the prop stand is in the extended position, the prop stand can be moved into contact with the top surface of the base to support the worktop in the angled position. In one exemplary embodiment, the prop stand includes a pair of support arms that each includes an engagement end that is received in one of a pair of receiving slots formed in the top surface of the base. The engagement between the support arms and the receiving slots in the top surface holds the prop stand in the extended position.
When the prop stand is in the collapsed position, the prop stand contacts the back surface of the worktop. When the prop stand is in the collapsed position, the worktop can be moved by the presenter into the flat position in which the work surface of the worktop is parallel to the top surface of the base. In this position, the prop stand support the worktop on the base. In this manner, the prop stand provides support for the worktop in both the flat and angled positions.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the lectern includes an adjustable support cylinder. The support cylinder supports the base and allows the height of the base from the ground to be adjusted by the presenter. In another exemplary embodiment, the lectern includes a storage cabinet that is mounted to the support cylinder and is stationary relative to the movable base.
During or before a presentation, the presenter is able to adjust the planar work surface of the lectern and the overall height of the lectern. If the presenter wishes to adjust the orientation of the work surface, the presenter initially lifts the worktop of the lectern by grasping the worktop and lifting upward. If the worktop is in a flat position, the lifting of the worktop causes the first end of the worktop to pivot upward and away from the top surface of a base of the lectern. During this upward movement, a prop stand mounted to a back surface of the worktop pivots away from a collapsed position and moves toward an extended position.
When the prop stand is in the extended position, the worktop is pivoted downward toward the base and the engagement end of each of a pair of support arms of the prop stand are inserted into receiving slots formed in the top surface of the base. The interaction between the receiving slots and the support arms holds the prop stand in the extended position to support the worktop in an angled position.
If the worktop is currently in the angled position and the presenter wishes to move the worktop to the flat position, the presenter exerts an upward force on the worktop, which causes the first end of the worktop to move upward and away from the base. During this upward movement, the prop stand disengages from the base and pivots from the extended position to the collapsed position. Once the prop stand is in the collapsed position, the worktop can be pivoted into the flat position in which the work surface of the worktop is parallel to the top surface of the base. In this flat position, the prop stand will support the worktop on the base.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the lectern constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the storage compartment of the lectern in an open position;
FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the lectern;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the lectern with the worktop in the angled position;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the lectern with the worktop in the angled position;
FIG. 6A is a view of the support foot in a retracted position;
FIG. 6B is a view of the support foot in an extended position;
FIG. 7 is a back view of the adjustable lectern with the storage compartment removed and the adjustment cylinder extended;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the adjustable lectern with the storage compartment removed and the adjustment cylinder extended;
FIG. 9 is a back view of the adjustable lectern with the storage compartment removed and the adjustment cylinder retracted;
FIG. 10 is a side view of the adjustable lectern with the storage compartment removed and the adjustment cylinder retracted;
FIG. 11 is a section view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 is a partial magnified view showing the worktop supported by the prop stand in the angled position;
FIG. 13A is a section view of the worktop supported in the angled position by the prop stand in the extended position;
FIG. 13B is a side view similar to FIG. 13A showing the upward movement of the worktop and the pivoting movement of the prop stand;
FIG. 13C is a side view showing the worktop in the flat position and supported by the prop stand in the retracted position;
FIG. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 15 is a magnified view showing the receipt of the engagement ends of the support arms in the receiving slot on the top surface of the base;
FIG. 16 is and exploded view of the prop stand; and
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the use of the lectern with a pair of side tables.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable lectern 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The adjustable lectern 10 is designed for use by a presenter and is designed to have an adjustable height such that the lectern can be used by a wide variety of different presenters. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the lectern 10 includes an adjustable worktop 12 that extends from a first end 14 to a second end 16 and is laterally defined by a pair of spaced side edges 18 and 20. The worktop 12 defines a planar work surface 22 that provides a support surface for use by the presenter during a presentation. The planar work surface 22 allows the presenter to support presentation materials or a presentation device, such as a laptop, projector or other similar type device that is used by the presenter during the presentation. In the embodiment shown, the work surface 22 includes an extended book stop 24 that prevents materials from sliding off of the work surface 22 when the worktop 12 is in the angled position shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated, the worktop 12 is formed from a wood or plastic material and includes a laminated work surface 22 that is both durable and visually pleasing.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lectern 10 further includes a storage cabinet 26 that is supported beneath the worktop 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage cabinet 26 creates a completely closed enclosure that defines an open interior 28 that can be used by the presenter or an institution that provides the lectern 10 for use by the presenter. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the open interior 28 of the enclosure includes one or more shelves 30 that are adjustable within the open interior 28. The storage cabinet 26 includes a pair of access doors 32 that can be moved from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer edges 34 of each of the doors 32 are slightly spaced from each other in the closed position to provide a path for airflow into and out of the open interior 28, such as for uses in which electronic components are stored within the open interior 28. A perforated vent panel 36 is shown mounted to one of the doors 32 and covers the opening between the door edges 34 when the doors 32 are in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. The vent panel 36 can be formed from different types of material, such as steel, and includes a series of perforations 38.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both of the side panels 40 of the storage cabinet 26 include a ganging slot opening 42 that allow a ganging hook 44 to extend outward past the flat surface defined by the side panels 40. Tables or desks that are to be ganged to the lectern 10 are fitted with a ganging block on the underside of the worksurface, close to the edge nearest to the ganging hook 44. By lifting the edge of a table and inserting the ganging block into the ganging hook 44, the two pieces are secured together as shown in FIG. 18. It is contemplated that the ganging hook 44 could be eliminated in some embodiments in which the lectern 10 is utilized without any other auxiliary furniture.
As shown best in FIG. 4, the lectern 10 includes a base 46 that is connected to an upper end 48 of an adjustable support cylinder 50, the details of which will be described in much greater detail below. The base 46 is formed from a metal plate 51 that includes a planar top surface 52 that provides a point of attachment for the adjustable worktop 12. The metal plate 51 further defines a pair of side walls 53, a front wall 57 and a rear wall 59. As shown in the view of FIG. 4, the storage cabinet 26 is positioned slightly below the entire base 46 when the support cylinder 50 is in its fully retracted position shown in FIG. 4. When the support cylinder 50 is extended, as will be described below, the base 46 and worktop 12 move vertically relative to the stationary storage cabinet 26. In this manner, the overall height of the lectern 10 can be adjusted while the position of the storage cabinet 26 remain fixed. In this manner, the weight of the storage cabinet 26 does not need to be supported by the support cylinder 50.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a privacy panel 54 is securely mounted to the front wall 57 of the base 46 at its top end 56 by a series of connectors 58. Since the privacy panel 54 is connected to the base 46, the privacy panel 54 will move vertically along with the vertical movement of the base 46. In the embodiment shown, the overall length of the privacy panel 54 is selected such that when the support cylinder 50 is in a fully extended position, the privacy panel 54 covers the gap between the base 46 and the top surface 60 of the storage cabinet 26. In the embodiment illustrated, the privacy panel 54 can be selected from a wide variety of materials that provide a visually pleasing appearance for the lectern 10, especially when viewed by the audience of the presentation.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the lectern 10 is supported by an aluminum base 62 that includes a plurality of individual legs 64. Each of the legs 64 in the embodiment shown includes a caster 66 that allows the lectern 10 to be moved easily throughout a facility and into position for use during a presentation. The series of casters 66 allow the lectern 10 to be easily moved even when the storage cabinet 26 is filled with presentation equipment and materials.
Referring back to FIG. 4, the worktop 12 is mounted to the top surface 52 of the base 46 by a hinge mechanism 68. The hinge mechanism 68 is operatively positioned between the base 46 and the worktop 12 to allow the worktop 12 to move between a flat position and an angled position as desired by the presenter. The hinge mechanism 68 is shown mounted to a back surface 70 of the worktop 12 by a series of connectors. In addition, the hinge mechanism 68 is also mounted to the top surface 52 of the base 46 by another series of connectors. In this manner, the hinge mechanism 68 does not extend into the work surface 22 and is not viewable by a presenter or audience during the presentation.
The lectern 10 further includes a prop stand 72 that is also securely mounted to the back surface 70 of the worktop 12 and is thus movable with the worktop 12 as the worktop 12 moves through the movement of the hinge mechanism 68. The prop stand 72 provides for support of the worktop 12 in the angled position shown in FIG. 4 such that the presenter can position materials on the work surface 22 or rest upon the work surface 22 during the presentation without concern that the worktop 12 will collapse from the angled position to a flat position. The prop stand 72 is pivotally mounted to the back surface 70 such that the prop stand is movable between the extended position shown and a collapsed position which will be discussed in detail below.
Although the first embodiment of the lectern 10 is shown including a series of casters 66, it is contemplated that the casters 66 could be replaced by a telescoping glide option, such as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the telescoping glide 74 is shown mounted to the lower end 76 of one of the legs 64. The telescoping glide 74 includes an outer cylinder 78 and an inner cylinder 80. The inner cylinder 80 is movable into and out of the outer cylinder 78 to selectively modify the overall length of the telescoping glide 74. The adjustability of the telescoping glides allows for leveling of the lectern 10 on uneven surfaces. The inner cylinder 80 is connected to a glide 82 that has a durable floor contacting surface 84. The glide 82 allows the lectern to slide along a smooth floor to allow the location of the lectern 10 to be changed. The use of the casters 66 allow for increased mobility of the lectern 10 while the glides 74 allow the user to adjust the location of the lectern 10 in a room.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-10 a second configuration of the lectern 10 is illustrated. In the second configuration, the storage cabinet 26 shown in FIG. 1 is removed while the remaining components of the lectern 10 remain the same. FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the second configuration of the lectern 10 in an extended position in which the height of the lectern is at a maximum while FIGS. 9-10 illustrate the lectern in a retracted position in which the overall height of the lectern is at a minimum value. In the embodiment illustrated, the maximum height of the lectern shown in FIGS. 7-8 is 49 inches while the minimum height of the lectern shown in FIGS. 9-10 is 34 inches. Although specific values for the maximum and minimum heights of the lectern are described, these measurements are for illustrative purposes and the maximum and minimum heights can be adjusted in accordance with the present disclosure.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the support cylinder 50 is shown in its maximum extended condition. The support cylinder 50 includes lower cylinder tube 86 and an extension tube 88 that is movable into and out of the lower cylinder tube 86. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper end 48 of the extension tube 88 is attached to the base 46. In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the support cylinder 50 is a gas cylinder that uses a contained gas to support the base 46 and allow the base 46 to move between the extended and retracted positions.
As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the lectern 10 is in the retracted position, the extension tube 88 is received within the lower cylinder tube 86 and the lectern is at the minimum height.
In an embodiment in which the storage cabinet is removed, the overall length of the privacy panel 54 can be increased relative to the length of the privacy panel 54 shown in the embodiment including the storage cabinet. Since the storage cabinet provides a visual obstruction when the support cylinder 50 is extended, the increased length of the privacy panel 54 enhances the overall appearance during a presentation.
FIG. 11 provides a cross section view that shows the details of the support cylinder 50 that is used to raise and lower the base 46 between the maximum and minimum heights. Although specific details of the inner workings of the support cylinder 50 are provided, it should be understood that various other different types of height adjustment mechanisms could be used while operating within the scope of the present disclosure.
In the embodiment illustrated, the lower cylinder tube 86 includes an aluminum outer cover 89 that surrounds an internal gas cylinder 90. The internal gas cylinder 90 includes an extension rod 92 that is movable within the open interior of the gas cylinder 90. The extension rod 92 is surrounded by an aluminum outer cover 91 that provides a clean visual appearance for the extension tube 88. The entire extension tube 88 moves along with the movement of the extension rod 92. As described previously, the extension rod 92 is fixed to the upper end 48, which in turn is securely attached to the base 46. As is well known, the support cylinder 50 includes a cylinder actuator 94 that can be actuated to release or fill the gas cylinder 90 with air during movement. The actuator 94 is connected to an actuator handle 96 that is best shown in FIG. 4. When the presenter lifts on the actuator handle 96, the actuator 94 is opened and the presenter can raise or lower the height of the base 46 and the supported worktop 12. When the actuator handle 96 is released, the actuator 94 is closed and the gas pressure within the gas support cylinder 50 retains the height of the lectern in the desired position.
Referring back to FIG. 11, in the embodiment shown, the top wall 98 of the storage cabinet 26 is securely mounted to the top end of the lower cylinder tube 86. In this manner, the storage cabinet 26 remains in a vertically static position as the base 46 moves upward and downward along with the movement of the extension rod 92. As illustrated in the section view of FIG. 11, a grommet 100 can be formed in the wall 98 to provide access for wires to pass from the open interior of the storage cabinet 26 out of the storage cabinet. As can be further seen in FIG. 11, the support cylinder 50 is received within and secured to the base 62 that includes the plurality of support legs 64.
As discussed previously, the worktop 12 is movable between a flat position and an angled position through operation of the hinge assembly. When the worktop 12 is in the angled position (FIG. 4), the worktop 12 is supported by the prop stand 72. FIGS. 12 and 15 provide a magnified view of the prop stand 72 supporting the worktop 12 in the angled position.
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the components that form the prop stand 72. The prop stand 72 includes a bracket frame 102 that includes a pair of spaced support arms 104 mounted to a backing plate 106. The bracket frame 102 is connected to a panel 108 by one or more connectors. The panel 108 is designed as a privacy panel to provide a desirable appearance for the prop stand 72 when it is in the extended, supporting position shown in FIG. 12. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the privacy panel 108 includes a folded top edge 110 and a smooth lower edge 112. The prop stand 72 further includes a pair of engagement brackets 114. The engagement brackets 114 each include a connecting portion 116 and a contact portion 118 that are connected to each other at an angle. The connecting portion 116 includes a mounting hole 120 that provides a point of connection for securing the engagement bracket 114 to the panel 108. The engagement brackets 114 can further include a landing pad 122 secured to the bottom surface of the contact portion 118. The landing pad 122 can be formed from a cushioned material, such as felt, rubber or another type of material that provides a softer point of contact between the engagement brackets 114 and the top surface 52 of the base 46, as best shown in FIG. 12.
Referring back to FIG. 16, each of the pair of support arms 104 is formed from a metallic material and extends between a mounting end 124 and an engagement end 126. The mounting end 124 of each support arm 104 includes an opening 128 that is sized to receive a connector to pivotally mount the prop stand 72 to the back surface 70 of the worktop 12. Referring now to FIG. 14, the worktop 12 includes a pair of pivot brackets 130 that are each mounted to the back surface 70 of the worktop 12 by one or more connectors 132. Each of the pivot brackets 130 includes a mounting tab 134 that provides the point of pivoting connection for the mounting end 124 of the support arm 104. The connector 136 provides the pivoting connection between the support arm 104 and the mounting tab 134.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the mounting end 124 of each support arm 104 includes an engagement surface 138. As shown in FIG. 14, the engagement surface 138 contacts the lower surface 140 of the pivot bracket 130 to limit the amount of rotation of the prop stand 72. In addition, the folded top edge 110 of the panel 108 will contact the back surface 70 to further restrict the amount of rotation of the prop stand 72 in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 14.
Referring back to FIG. 16, the engagement end 126 of each of the support arms 104 includes a receiving notch 142. The receiving notch 142 is recessed inward and is designed to receive a portion of the top surface of the base when the prop stand is being used to support the worktop in the angled position. Referring now to FIG. 15, the top surface 52 of the base 46 includes a pair of receiving slots 144 in spaced locations that align with the support arms 104. As the prop stand 72 is moved into a support position, the engagement end 126 of each support arm 104 enters into the respective receiving slot 144. During further movement, the edge 146 of the receiving slot 144 enters into the respective receiving notch 142 such that the support arms 104 are generally locked into place. In this condition, the landing pads 122 contact the top surface 52 to further support the prop stand 72 as shown.
Referring now to FIGS. 13A-13C, the operation of the prop stand 72 to support the worktop 12 in both the angled position of FIG. 13A and the flat position of FIG. 13C will now be discussed. In the position shown in FIG. 13A, the worktop 12 is shown supported in the angled position by a combination of the hinge mechanism 68 located near the first end 16 and the prop stand 72 located near the second end 14 of the worktop 12. As discussed previously with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the prop stand 72 is securely held in this extended position through the engagement of the ends of the support arms 104 of the prop stand 72 and receiving slots formed in the top surface 52 of the base 46. When the prop stand is in the extended position, the prop stand can be used to hold the worktop 12 in the angled position.
If the presenter desires to move the worktop 12 from the angled position, the presenter initially exerts an upward force on the worktop, as shown by arrow 148. The upward force can be exerted by the presenter by grasping the two side edges of the worktop 12 and lifting upward. The upward movement of worktop 12 is facilitated by the hinge mechanism 68 as previously described. During this upward movement, the engagement ends 126 of each support arm 104 become dislodged from the receiving slots formed in the top surface 52 of the base 46. Once the engagement ends 126 become dislodged, the entire prop stand 72 can pivot toward the worktop 12 as shown by arrow 158.
The prop stand 72 is pivoted in the direction shown by arrow 158 until the edge 152 of the engagement bracket 114 contacts the bottom surface 70 of the worktop 12. The contact between the edge 152 and the bottom surface 70 defines the range of pivoting movement of the entire prop stand 72. Once the prop stand 72 is pivoted to this collapsed position, the worktop 12 is lowered until the worktop 12 reaches the flat position shown in FIG. 13. In this flat position, the panel 108 contacts the top surface 52 of the base 46 to support the entire prop stand 72 in the collapsed position. The back surface 70 of the worktop 12 remains in contact with the edge 152 of the engagement bracket 114 as shown in FIG. 13C. In this manner, the prop stand 72 provides support for the worktop 12 in the flat position.
If the worktop 12 is in the flat position shown in FIG. 13C and the presenter desires to move the worktop to the angled position shown in FIG. 13A, the presenter grasps the side edges of the worktop 12 and lifts up on the worktop 12 in the direction shown by arrow 148. During this upward movement, the weight of the prop stand 72 will cause the prop stand to rotate in the opposite direction as shown by arrow 158. The prop stand 72 can then be pivoted from its collapsed position to the extended position. As discussed with reference to FIG. 14, the contact between the engagement surface 138 and the surface 140 limits the pivoting movement of the prop stand to the extended position.
Once the prop stand is in the extended position, the worktop 12 is lowered until the engagement ends 126 of each of the support ends 104 are again received within the receiving slots formed in the top surface 52 of the base 46.
In this manner, the presenter is able to easily move the worktop between the flat position shown in FIG. 13C and the angled position shown in FIG. 13A without the use of any tools or without removing any external components. Thus, the presenter can easily move the worktop between these two positions during a presentation, before a presentation or after a presentation as desired. It is contemplated that the flat position shown in FIG. 13C would be particularly useful when supporting electronic equipment, such as projectors, laptop computers, or other type of visual display device. The angled position shown in FIG. 13A would be particularly useful when supporting printed materials.
Referring now to FIG. 17, the lectern 10 is shown in an optional use in which the lectern 10 is joined to one or more teachers' desks 154 located on opposite sides of the lectern 10. In this embodiment, the ganging hooks 44 shown in FIG. 2 would be coupled to corresponding ganging blocks formed on each of the pair of teachers' desks 154. The embodiment shown in FIG. 17 would be particularly desirable in situations in which the lectern is designed to be essentially stationary and used repeatedly by presenters from a set position.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Patent Application
20250228360
