Container for elongate articles

Abstract

A container for elongate articles, e.g. a pen stand ( 100, 200 ), is disclosed as including a base ( 102, 202 ), a number of platforms ( 108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224 ) engaged with and movable relative to the base ( 102, 202 ), and a number of holders ( 114, 116, 118, 226, 228, 230 ) engaged with each of the platforms ( 108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224 ), each for receiving a stationery item ( 120 ), in which the holders ( 114, 116, 118, 226, 228, 230 ) move relative to the respective platform ( 108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224 ) during movement of the platforms ( 108, 110, 112, 220, 222, 224 ) relative to the base ( 102, 202 ).

1 . A container for at least one elongate article, said container including: 
 a base member;    at least a first platform member engaged with and movable relative to said base member; and    at least one holder engaged with said first platform member and adapted to hold at least part of an elongate article;    wherein said holder moves relative to said first platform member during movement of said first platform member relative to said base member.    
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said first platform member is swivellably movable relative to said base member.  
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said first platform member is engaged with a plurality of holders.  
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said holder moves pivotably relative to said first platform member during movement of said first platform member relative to said base member.  
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 4  wherein, during movement of said first platform member relative to said base member, said holder moves pivotably relative to said first platform member between a first position in which a longitudinal axis of said holder is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said base member, and a second position in which said longitudinal axis of said holder is inclined relative to said longitudinal axis of said base member.  
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 5  wherein when said holder is in said second position, said holder extends generally away from said longitudinal axis of said base member.  
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 4  wherein said holder includes a bent end part received within a channel of said first platform member.  
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 7  wherein said channel of said first platform member is undulating.  
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein said bent end part of said holder moves generally upwardly and downwardly during movement of said first platform member relative to said base member.  
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said first platform member is movable relative to said base member axially.  
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said first platform is movable relative to said base member axially between a lower position in which a longitudinal axis of said holder is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said base member, and an upper position in which said longitudinal axis of said holder is inclined relative to said longitudinal axis of said base member.  
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 1  further including at least a second platform member engaged with and movable relative to said base member, to said second platform member at least one holder is engaged.  
   
   
       13 . A container according to  claim 12  wherein said first platform member and second platform member are engaged for simultaneous movement.  
   
   
       14 . A container according to  claim 12  wherein the holder engaged with said first platform member is positioned at a position generally higher than the holder engaged with said second platform member.  
   
   
       15 . A container according to  claim 12  wherein the holder engaged with said first platform member is positioned at a position closer to the longitudinal axis of said base member than the holder engaged with said second platform member.  
   
   
       16 . A container according to  claim 12  further including at least a third platform member engaged with and movable relative to said base member, to said third platform member at least one holder is engaged.  
   
   
       17 . A container according to  claim 16  wherein said first, second and third platform members are engaged for simultaneous movement.  
   
   
       18 . A container according to  claim 16  wherein the holder engaged with said second platform member is positioned at a position generally higher than the holder engaged with said third platform member.  
   
   
       19 . A container according to  claim 16  wherein the holder engaged with said second platform member is positioned at a position closer to the longitudinal axis of said base member than the holder engaged with said third platform member.  
   
   
       20 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein when said elongate article is held by said holder, a longitudinal axis of said article is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said holder.  
   
   
       21 . A container according to  claim 1  comprising a stand for writing instruments.  
   
   
       22 . A container according to  claim 1  comprising a stand for hand tools.