One piece fold flat easel

Abstract

In some embodiments a fold flat easel for the display of a device folds open from a flat piece of plastic into an upright standing position. Multiple position notches in the rear of a base accept a kickstand and a foot and varies the resting angle of a backrest. The backrest together with an arresting lip on the base secures the device on the easel. The backrest is attached to the kickstand and the base with flexible and durable living hinges. The entire stand, including hinges, can be easily and cost effectively fabricated from a single piece of plastic. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

1 . A machine, comprising:
 a base sheet of rigid material of predetermined size, said base sheet having a front edge and a top surface; and   at least one lip protruding above the top surface of said base sheet positioned at a predetermined distance from and parallel to the front edge of said base sheet; and   a backrest portion of said base delineated by a flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet at a predetermined distance from said lip; and   at least one elongated kickstand portion of said backrest portion delineated by a second flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet and located at an end of said kickstand portion; and   a plurality of indentations located on the top surface of said base sheet;   whereby said backrest portion may be raised rotationally while pivoting at said flexible joint, said elongated kickstand portion may be rotated under said backrest portion by pivoting at said second joint, said elongated kickstand may rest in one of said plurality of indentations, securing said elongated kickstand and supporting said backrest portion so that an object may be propped up stably by said backrest portion, the top surface of said base sheet, and at least one lip of said base sheet.   
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said base sheet of rigid material is composed of polypropylene plastic. 
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said base sheet of rigid material is composed of polyethylene plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said base sheet of rigid material is manufactured with a single injection molding of plastic. 
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 4  wherein said flexible joint and said second flexible joint are living hinges. 
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said base sheet of rigid material is manufactured with a die-cut pressing of a sheet of plastic. 
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 6  wherein said flexible joint and said second flexible joint are folded under pressure to induce a crease line. 
   
   
       8 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said base sheet, said backrest portion and said kickstand portion lay flat in the same plain. 
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein said kickstand incorporates a foot to assist in aligning with said indentations. 
   
   
       10 . The machine in  claim 9  wherein said foot is cylindrical in cross section; and
 said indentations are half cylindrical;   whereby said foot mates smoothly with said indentations at any angle of said kickstand.   
   
   
       11 . The machine in  claim 9  wherein said foot is rectangular in cross section; and
 said indentations are half rectangular.   
   
   
       12 . The machine in  claim 1  wherein
 whereby said foot mates with said indentations at any angle of said kickstand by catching at least one edge of said foot on at least one surface of said indentation.   
   
   
       13 . A machine, comprising:
 a base sheet of rigid material of predetermined size, said base sheet having a front edge and a top surface; and   at least one lip protruding above the top surface of said base sheet positioned at a predetermined distance from and parallel to the front edge of said base sheet; and   a backrest portion of said base delineated by a flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet at a predetermined distance from said lip; and   at least one elongated kickstand portion of said base delineated by a second flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet and located at an end of said kickstand portion; and   a plurality of indentations located on the bottom surface of said backrest portion; whereby said backrest portion may be raised rotationally while pivoting at said flexible joint, said elongated kickstand portion may be rotated under said backrest portion by pivoting at said second joint, said elongated kickstand may rest in one of said plurality of indentations, securing said elongated kickstand and supporting said backrest portion so that an object may be propped up stably by said backrest portion, the top surface of said base sheet, and at least one lip of said base sheet.   
   
   
       14 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein said base sheet, said backrest portion and said kickstand portion lay flat in the same plain. 
   
   
       15 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein said kickstand incorporates a foot to assist in aligning with said indentations. 
   
   
       16 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein said base sheet of rigid material is manufactured with a single piece of plastic. 
   
   
       17 . A method of supporting a device at various viewing angles, comprising:
 (a) providing a folding stand of the type comprising a flat body of material having at least one vertically oriented lip on one edge thereof, a backrest material subset of said body of material attached via a folding seam, a support leg material subset of said backrest attached via a folding seam, and a plurality of resting wells on the top surface of the flat body of material; and   (b) placing said flat body of material on a stable surface; and   (c) folding said backrest material vertically; and   (d) folding said support leg away from said backrest; and   (e) aligning said support leg with one of said resting wells; and   (f) lowering said backrest until said support leg rests securely in one of said resting wells; and   (g) placing said viewing device so that the rear of said device lays against said backrest, the bottom of said device lays on said flat body of material, and the bottom front of said device lays adjacent to said lip of said body of material;   whereby the display angle of said device can be easily adjusted by varying the position of said backrest by moving said support leg among said plurality of resting wells.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said folding stand is composed of polypropylene. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said folding stand is composed of polyethylene. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said folding stand can be opened from a flat, closed position and said folding stand can be closed flat from an open position.