Loop-frame lectern with removable front panel

Abstract

A lectern enhances the ability of a speaker to deliver a presentation to an audience. This invention is a lectern with support, base, and two side components assembled in a loop-frame construction. The loop-frame construction of the lectern minimizes the use of material, provides a functional and aesthetic design, and resists shear stress. A removable front panel can be attached to or removed from the loop frame without disassembling or reassembling the lectern.

1 . A loop-frame lectern comprising:
 a first side panel;   an opposed, spaced-apart second side panel;   a hollow support member disposed intermediate the first side panel and the second side panel; and   a hollow base member disposed intermediate the first side panel and the second side panel.   
   
   
       2 . The lectern of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first fastening member disposing the hollow support member to the first side panel is anchored in a first upper cover plate such that the first side panel is disposed intermediate the first upper cover plate and the hollow support member; and   a second fastening member disposing the hollow support member to the second side panel is anchored in a second upper cover plate such that the second side panel is disposed intermediate the second upper cover plate and the hollow support member.   
   
   
       3 . The lectern of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a third fastening member disposing the hollow base member to the first side panel is anchored in a first lower cover plate such that the first side panel is disposed intermediate the first lower cover plate and the hollow base member; and   a fourth fastening member disposing the hollow base member to the second side panel is anchored in a second lower cover plate such that the second side panel is disposed intermediate the second lower cover plate and the hollow base member.   
   
   
       4 . The lectern of  claim 1 , further comprising a front panel that is removably extended between the hollow support member and the hollow base member. 
   
   
       5 . The lectern of  claim 4 , wherein the hollow support member is adapted to receive-a top end of the front panel. 
   
   
       6 . The lectern of  claim 5 , wherein the top end has an aperture adapted to receive a hook disposed to the hollow support member. 
   
   
       7 . The lectern of  claim 5 , wherein the top end is disposed to the hollow support member with a hook-and-loop fastener. 
   
   
       8 . The lectern of  claim 5 , wherein the top end is adapted to receive a rod retained by the hollow support member. 
   
   
       9 . The lectern of  claim 5 , wherein the hollow support member contains an opening having a width larger than a width of the top end. 
   
   
       10 . The lectern of  claim 4 , wherein the hollow base member is adapted to receive a bottom end of the front panel. 
   
   
       11 . The lectern of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom end has an aperture adapted to receive a hook disposed to the hollow base member. 
   
   
       12 . The lectern of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom end is disposed to the hollow base member with a hook-and-loop fastener. 
   
   
       13 . The lectern of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom end is adapted to receive a rod retained by the hollow base member. 
   
   
       14 . The lectern of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow base member contains an opening having a width larger than a width of the top end. 
   
   
       15 . The lectern of  claim 4 , wherein the front panel is made from a flexible material that facilitates disposition of the front panel between the hollow support member and the hollow base member. 
   
   
       16 . The lectern of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow support member has a substantially triangular cross section. 
   
   
       17 . The lectern of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow base member has a substantially triangular cross section. 
   
   
       18 . The lectern of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow base member is adapted to receive a wheel such that the lectern can be tilted about the wheel. 
   
   
       19 . The lectern of  claim 18 , wherein the wheel is positioned about an axle disposed to the base member. 
   
   
       20 . The lectern of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are shaped substantially similar to each other. 
   
   
       21 . The lectern of  claim 20 , wherein an anterior edge of the first side panel is substantially convex, an anterior edge of the second side panel is substantially convex, a posterior edge of the first side panel is substantially concave, and a posterior edge of the second side panel is substantially concave. 
   
   
       22 . A method of assembling a loop-frame lectern comprising the steps of:
 disposing a hollow support member intermediate a first side panel and an opposed, spaced-apart second side panel; and   disposing a hollow base member intermediate the first side panel and the second side panel.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein a first front panel is removably extended between the hollow support member and the hollow base member. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of disposing the first front panel intermediate the hollow support member and the hollow base member. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the step of disposing the first front panel comprises the following steps:
 suspending a top end of the front panel from the hollow support member using a hook-and-loop fastener; and   securing a bottom end of the front panel to the hollow base member, the bottom end adapted to receive a rod retained by the hollow base member.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the following steps:
 removing the first front panel such that the lectern remains substantially assembled; and   disposing a second front panel intermediate the support member and the base member.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the front panel is made from a flexible material, the flexible material facilitating retention of the front panel between the hollow support member and the hollow base member. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of positioning a wheel about an axle, wherein the axle is disposed to the lectern.