Display Stand

Abstract

A display stand ( 10 ) for supporting an article ( 31 ) comprises a body of which a primary part ( 12 ) has a primary surface to at least partially support part of such an article ( 31 ), a secondary part ( 13 ) of said body having a secondary surface for contacting a support, and at least one movable support member ( 11 ) connected to the body capable of at least partially supporting another part of such an article ( 31 ), and/or capable of providing a support surface of the stand ( 10 ) for contacting the support. The primary part ( 12 ) and the secondary part ( 13 ) may be generally planar members connected through a hinge ( 17 ), and these may incorporate retractable hinged supports ( 14, 15 ).

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A display stand for supporting an article, the stand comprising a body of which a primary part has a primary surface to at least partially support part of such an article, a secondary part of said body having a secondary surface for contacting a support, a pair of similar movable support members connected to the body capable of at least partially supporting another part of such an article, and/or capable of providing a support surface of the stand for contacting the support, wherein the movable support members are pivotally connected to the secondary part of said body about a common pivot, so as to be turnable towards and away from the secondary part of said body, and are shaped so in a closed position they extend along opposite sides of the secondary part of said body. 
     
     
         2 . A stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the primary part and the secondary part of the body comprise primary and secondary generally planar members connected through a hinge. 
     
     
         3 . A stand as claimed in  claim 2  also comprising a retractable hinged support. 
     
     
         4 . A stand as claimed in  claim 2  wherein each of the primary and secondary generally planar members incorporates a retractable hinged support. 
     
     
         5 . A stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said support is a surface comprising a table, desk, floor, and/or ground. 
     
     
         6 . A stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the part of the article to be at least partially supported is its rearmost surface or the rearmost surface of its case or cover, whilst the said another part is its side or edge or the side or edge of the case or cover. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A stand as claimed in  claim 1  in which the movable support members can move into colinear alignment to extend the length of a channel or groove present in each such support member. 
     
     
         10 . A stand as claimed in  claim 1  in which the movable support members have a feature for retaining pages and/or stabilising feet. 
     
     
         11 . A display stand as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the secondary part comprises an elongate base member with a first surface capable of resting upon the support and the primary part has a second surface capable of at least partially supporting, in use, part of an item to be displayed, wherein the primary and secondary parts are collapsible. 
     
     
         12 . A stand according to  claim 1  wherein the movable support member(s) comprise(s) a channel to contain or otherwise support an edge of the article to be displayed. 
     
     
         13 . A stand according to  claim 1  wherein said primary and secondary parts are hingedly attached at an edge thereof and held apart by a removable structural strut at an opposite edge. 
     
     
         14 . A stand according to  claim 1  which is collapsible to a generally flat condition and wherein the collapsing action of the said stand causes potential energy to be stored in a spring provided in or within the said body. 
     
     
         15 . A stand according to  claim 14  wherein said stored potential energy is adapted to erect the display stand automatically upon actuation of an erection mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . A display stand for supporting an article, the stand comprising a body of which a primary part has a primary surface to at least partially support part of such an article, a secondary part of said body having a secondary surface for contacting a support, a pair of similar movable support members connected to the body capable of at least partially supporting another part of such an article, and/or capable of providing a support surface of the stand for contacting the support, wherein the primary part and the secondary part of the body are generally planar members connected through a hinge, the body also comprising a retractable hinged support between the primary part and the secondary part, and the movable support members are pivotally connected to the secondary part of said body about a common pivot, so as to be turnable towards and away from the secondary part of said body, and are shaped so in a retracted position they extend along opposite sides of the secondary part of said body; wherein the display stand incorporates a first spring to urge the movable support members into an open position; such that the stand is collapsible to a generally flat, closed condition and wherein the collapsing action of the said stand causes potential energy to be stored in the first spring, such that said stored potential energy is adapted to erect the display stand automatically upon actuation of an erection mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . A display stand as claimed in  claim 16  also comprising a second spring to urge the retractable hinged support into an open position that extends between the primary part and the secondary part, such that collapsing of the stand causes potential energy to be stored in the second spring.