Adjustable width bookend construction

Abstract

An adjustable width bookend construction ( 10 ) including a pair of generally L-shaped bookend members ( 20 )( 20 ) each having a side wall ( 22 ) provided with a slot ( 24 ) and a rear wall ( 21 ) provided with a support member ( 23 ) wherein, the bookend members ( 20 )( 20 ) are operatively and slidably associated with one another via a cross-member ( 31 ) dimensioned to be slidably received within the slots ( 24 )( 24 ) and be slidably supported on the support members ( 23 ). Furthermore, the cross-member ( 31 ) is optionally provided with a pair of end cap members ( 32 )( 32 ) that prevent lateral displacement of the bookend construction ( 10 ) relative to and resting upon an elevated level surface. Furthermore, holding block assemblies ( 40 ) are optionally provided to prevent aftward displacement of the bookend construction ( 10 ) relative to a collection books.

1 . An adjustable width bookend construction comprising 
 a pair of mirror image bookend members each having at least one vertically disposed wall provided with a slot;    a cross-member dimensioned to be slidably received in said slots in each of said bookend members; and,    means associated with each of said bookend members for vertically supporting portions of said cross-member.    
   
   
       2 . The construction as in  claim 1;  wherein, said bookend members each have a generally L-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The construction as in  claim 2;  wherein, said bookend members each have a vertically oriented rear wall and a vertically oriented side wall.  
   
   
       4 . The construction as in  claim 3;  wherein, said side walls are each provided with a slot.  
   
   
       5 . The construction as in  claim 4;  wherein, said rear walls are each provided with an inwardly projecting support member.  
   
   
       6 . The construction as in  claim 5;  wherein, said inwardly projecting support members support a spanner unit, wherein, said spanner unit comprises said cross-member and an optional pair of end cap members affixed on each of the opposite ends of said cross-member.  
   
   
       7 . The construction as in  claim 6;  wherein, means for linearly clutching said cross-member comprises each of said vertically oriented rear walls laterally offset from each of said slots in said bookend members, wherein, the aft face of a portion of said cross-member contacts the inside forward edge of said vertically oriented rear wall, and the forward face of another portion of said cross-member contacts the forward edge of said slot.  
   
   
       8 . The construction as in  claim 7;  wherein, means for linearly clutching said cross-member comprises each of said inwardly projecting support members laterally offset from each of said slots in said bookend members, wherein, the lower edge of a portion of said cross-member contacts said support member, and the upper edge of another portion of said cross-member contacts the upper edge of said slot.  
   
   
       9 . The construction as in  claim 8;  wherein, means for freely assembling each of said bookend members to said cross-member comprise said inwardly projecting support member laterally offset from said vertically oriented side wall by a clearance slightly greater than the vertical dimension of said cross-member, and said slot is open.  
   
   
       10 . The construction as in  claim 6;  wherein, optional means associated with said spanner unit for limiting travel of said bookend members along said cross-member comprise said end cap members.  
   
   
       11 . The construction as in  claim 10 , wherein, each of said end cap members comprises an end plate, an optional support leg, and an optional capture arm.  
   
   
       12 . The construction as in  claim 11;  wherein, each of said end plates includes a centerward facing vertical groove dimensioned to slidably receive said support leg, said capture arm, and one end of said cross-member.  
   
   
       13 . The construction as in  claim 12;  wherein, said capture arm is positioned to rest affixed on said cross-member, said cross-member is positioned to rest affixed on said support leg, said support leg is positioned to rest freely on an elevated level surface, and said end plate rests freely on said elevated level surface.  
   
   
       14 . The construction as in  claim 13 , wherein, the forward and aftward projections of said end plate, and the upward projection of said capture arm, each provide said means as limit stops at each of the opposite ends of said cross-member for each of said bookend members.  
   
   
       15 . The construction as in  claim 1;  wherein, a spanner unit comprises said cross-member and an optional pair of end cap members affixed on each of the opposite ends of said cross-member.  
   
   
       16 . The construction as in  claim 15;  wherein, optional means associated with said spanner unit for preventing lateral displacement of said bookend construction relative to and resting upon an elevated level surface comprise said pair of end cap members.  
   
   
       17 . The construction as in  claim 16 , wherein, each of said end cap members comprises an end plate and an optional support leg.  
   
   
       18 . The construction as in  claim 17;  wherein, each of said end plates includes a centerward facing vertical groove dimensioned to slidably receive one end of said cross-member and said support leg.  
   
   
       19 . The construction as in  claim 18;  wherein, said cross-member is positioned to rest affixed on said support leg, and said support leg is positioned to rest freely on said elevated level surface.  
   
   
       20 . The construction as in  claim 19;  wherein, said cross-member has a predetermined length whereby the centerward face of each of said end plates clears the edges of said elevated level surface, wherein, the lower edge of each of said end plates is elevated below said elevated level surface.  
   
   
       21 . The construction as in  claim 1;  wherein, optional means for preventing aftward displacement of said bookend construction relative to a collection of books comprise at least one holding block assembly.  
   
   
       22 . The construction as in  claim 21;  wherein, said holding block assembly comprises a thin base mat and a rear block, wherein, means for attaching said base mat to said rear block comprise an attaching element.  
   
   
       23 . The construction as in  claim 22;  wherein, said base mats lie flat on a level surface, and said rear blocks abut aft faces of said bookend construction, wherein, means associated with said base mats to firmly position said holding block assemblies on said level surface utilize part of said collection of books as weights when said base mats are positioned between said bookend members, or utilize any weighted objects when said pair of bookend members are positioned between said base mats.  
   
   
       24 . The construction as in  claim 23;  wherein, said attaching element comprises a rectangular plate, wherein, the aft edge of said base mat is tightly sandwiched between said rectangular plate and said rear block.