Angle adjustable lectern top

Abstract

A lectern that is height adjustable and includes a worktop that can be adjusted by a presenter. The lectern includes a worktop that is mounted to a base. The angle of the worktop relative to the base can be adjusted between a flat position and an angled position. When the worktop is in the angled position, a prop support can be used to provide support for the worktop. The prop support is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. When the prop support is in the extended position, the prop support supports the worktop in the angled position. When the prop support is in the collapsed position, the prop support supports the worktop in the flat position. Support arms of the prop support are received in slots formed in the base to retain the prop support in the extended position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An adjustable lectern, comprising:
 a base including a planar top surface;   a worktop including a pair of spaced side edges, a first end and a second end that define a planar work surface;   a hinge mechanism operatively positioned between the base and the worktop to allow the worktop to move between a flat position in which the work surface is parallel to the top surface and an angled position in which the work surface is located at an angle relative to the top surface;   a prop stand pivotably mounted to the worktop and movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein when the prop stand is in the extended position the prop stand engages the base to support the worktop in the angled position and when the prop stand is in the collapsed position, the prop stand supports the worktop in the flat position.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 1  wherein the prop stand is pivotably mounted to a back surface of the worktop. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 2  wherein the hinge mechanism is mounted to the back surface of the worktop near the first end of the worktop and the second end of the worktop is movable toward and away from the planar top surface of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 1  wherein the prop stand includes a bracket frame including a pair of support arms and a panel supported on the bracket frame. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 4  wherein an engagement end of each of the pair of support arms is received in a receiving slot formed in the top surface of the base when the prop stand is in the extended position. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 5  wherein each of the pair of support arms includes an engagement surface on a mounting end of the support arm, wherein the engagement surface contacts the back surface of the worktop to limit the pivoting movement of the prop stand to define the extended position. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 4  further comprising a plurality of landing pads connected to the panel, wherein the plurality of landing pads contacts the top surface of the base when the prop stand is in the extended position. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 4  wherein the panel of the prop stand contacts the top surface of the base when the prop stand is in the collapsed position and the worktop is in the flat position. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 8  wherein the work surface of the worktop is spaced from the top surface of the base when the prop stand is in the collapsed position and the worktop is in the flat position. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 4  wherein the pair of support arms are pivotably mounted to a back surface of the worktop to allow the prop stand to move between the collapsed position and the flat position. 
     
     
         11 . An adjustable lectern, comprising:
 a base including a planar top surface;   a support cylinder mounted to the base, wherein the support cylinder is operable to adjust the height of the base from a support surface;   a worktop including a pair of spaced side edges, a first end and a second end that define a planar work surface;   a hinge mechanism operatively positioned between the base and the worktop to allow the worktop to move between a flat position in which the work surface is parallel to the top surface and an angled position in which the work surface is located at an angle relative to the top surface;   a prop stand pivotably mounted to the worktop and movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein when the prop stand is in the extended position the prop stand engages the base to support the worktop in the angled position and when the prop stand is in the collapsed position, the prop stand supports the worktop in the flat position.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 11  wherein the prop stand is pivotably mounted to a back surface of the worktop. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 12  wherein the hinge mechanism is mounted to the back surface of the worktop near the first end of the worktop and the second end of the worktop is movable toward and away from the planar top surface of the base. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 1  wherein the prop stand includes a pair of support arms and a panel. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 14  wherein an engagement end of each of the pair of support arms is received in a receiving slot formed in the top surface of the base when the prop stand is in the extended position. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 15  wherein each of the pair of support arms includes an engagement surface on a mounting end of the support arm, wherein the engagement surface contacts the back surface of the worktop to limit the pivoting movement of the prop stand to define the extended position. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable lectern of  claim 11  wherein the work surface of the worktop is spaced from the top surface of the base when the prop stand is in the collapsed position and the worktop is in the flat position. 
     
     
         18 . A method of adjusting a planar work surface of an adjustable lectern, the method comprising the steps of:
 lifting a worktop of the lectern from a flat position to cause a first end the worktop to pivot upward and away from a top surface of a base of the lectern;   pivotally moving a prop stand from a collapsed position to an extended position; and   inserting an engagement end of each of a pair of support arms of the prop stand into receiving slots formed in the top surface of the base such that the prop stand is supported in the extended position by the base and the worktop is supported by the prop stand in the angled position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the steps of:
 lifting the worktop of the lectern from the angled position; 
 removing the engagement ends of the pair of support arms from the receiving slots; 
 pivotally moving the prop stand from the extended position to the collapsed position; and 
 lowering the worktop toward the tope surface of the base until the prop stand contacts the top surface to support the worktop on the base.