US3684831A

US3684831A - Portable lecturn unit

Info

Publication number: US3684831A
Application number: US81648A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard K Fullmer
Original assignee: ELECTRONIC DEV CORP
Current assignee: ELECTRONIC DEV CORP
Priority date: 1970-10-19
Filing date: 1970-10-19
Publication date: 1972-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-15

Abstract

A portable lecturn consisting of a hinged lecturn platform support constructed and arranged to be locked into the latching mechanism of an open hinged container such as an attache case, whereby a rigid, box-like housing affording access to sound receiving and transmitting equipment therewithin and mounting a microphone stand assembly is provided. When not in use, the hinged platform-support folds and is stored within the case along with the microphone stand assembly and the sound receiving and transmitting equipment.

Description

P'A'TENIEDAums 1912' 3.684.831

INVENTOR. RICHARD K. FULLMER 67 flemazea ATTORNEY PORTABLE LECTURN UNIT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to lecturns or stands such as are commonly used by public speakers. It is particularly concerned with portable type lecturns and with lecturns having a built-in means for voice reception, amplification and transmission.

There is presently a growing need for a mobile lecturn that is lightweight, attractive in appearance and easily transported and which will provide astable platform for use by a speaker. There is also a definite need in many of the cases where such a mobile lecturn is needed for a means to effectively amplify the speaking voice of a public speaker using the lecturn and of participants in the audience.

It is well recognized that in our fast moving society, it is becoming increasingly important to properly communicate. The need for communication is today found in places where facilities for communication are absent. The college president addressing anassembled body of students, the businessman addressing a luncheon group in a restaurant or many other persons required to address public gatherings in situations where proper speaker facilities are not normally available, are typical of those for whom a mobile lecturn with self-contained voice, reception, amplification and transmission equipment is highly useful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit that can be easily and compactly stored and transported in an attractive housing and that can be readily set up for use as a speakers lecturn.

Another object is to provide such a unit with a housing containing an electrical signal reception and trans mission unit arranged to be easily controlled by a speaker using the set-up lecturn.

The present invention utilizes conveniently available components in a novel and unique assembly. The preferred embodiment utilizes a standard attached type carrying case as a storage and carrying housing and as a lecturn base; a solid state electrical signal reception and transmission unit for amplification; a dismountable microphone assembly arranged to be electrically coupled to the reception and transmission unit and to extend upwardly from the opened housing lid during use and to be stored within the housing when not in use; a portable,.cordless microphone for use by audience participants and arranged for storage within the housing; and a platform-support comprising two pieces of lightweight wood, pressed board, plastic, or the like which are hinged together and which have attachment means at their outer edges to be coupled with the latching assemblies mounted on the top and bottom parts of the housing. In one preferred form of the invention the platform-support has hooks on an edge of the platform portion to slide under latch catch assemblies provided on the lip of the lid of the housing used. Hooks are provided on an outer edge of the support portion of the platform-support to be inserted downwardly into a latching mechanism on the upstanding lip of the bottom part of the housing, when the bottom part is being used as a support base. The platformsupport, when not in use, can be stored within the housing but it can be rapidly assembled for use when needed. Remotely positioned speaker units can be connected by wires, plugged into receptacles in the unit for voice reception and transmission. Power can either be supplied from an external source or the unit can be self contained. The entire assembly presents a versatile solution to problems frequently encountered in public speaking and public communication.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings.

THE DRAWINGS In the drawings FIG. I is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention set up for use as a speakers lecturn;

FIG. 2, a perspective view of the platform-support of the invention and showing the hooks which are adapted to be connected to the locking mechanism on the bottom of the housing;

FIG. 3, a similar view of the platform-support, but turned to show the pins which fit under the latching hooks on the lid of the housing;

FIG. 4, a fragmentary perspective view showing how the platform-support is locked into the bottom of the housing;

FIG. 5, a view like FIG. 4, but showing how the pins of the platform-support engage the latching hooks of the housing lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings In the illustrated preferred embodiment the portable lecturn unit of the invention, shown generally at 10, includes a housing 11 made up of a top 11a that is connected by a hinge 11b to a bottom 11c. Conveniently, the housing may be of attache case style, and a case currently produced and sold by the Samsonite Corporation under the tradename Samsonite has been found ideally suited for the purpose. However, other housings can also be used.

A platform-support, shown generally at 12, is made up of a platform portion 12a and a support portion 12b, interconnected by a hinge 14. The hinge 14 is mounted such that one edge of support portion 12a abuts the support portion adjacent to, but not at, one edge thereof. Thus, when the platform-support is in use as a lecturn an upstanding lip 12c is provided to hold materials in place on the platform portion. This arrangement also limits rotation of the platform portion 12a from a position flat against support portion 12b to an essentially normalposition with respect to the support portion, as shown in FIG. 1. The dimensions of the platform-support are such that it will fit within the top 1 la when the platform portion and the support portion are pivoted about the hinge 14 to be in face to face relationship.

As shown, the housing has a latching mechanism comprising a pair of spaced oppositely directed hooks l5 and 16 projecting from the lip of the top remote from hinge 11b and respectively arranged to project into

openings

17 and 18 in the lip of bottom remote from hinge 11b when the top is closed against the bottom.

Sliding bars

19 and 20, operated by

pivoted levers

21 and 22, respectively slide to positions above the hooks and 16 to hold the hooks in place in

openings

17 and 18 and thereby holding the lid closed. The latching mechanism also includes springs to move the levers quickly between latched and unlatched positions, but the mechanisms are conventional and are not detailed here. The latching mechanism used on the aforementioned Samsonite attached type cases has been found to be very satisfactory, but others can be used, if desired.

The platform portion 12a has

projections

23 and 24 spaced along its edge that is opposite hinge l4 and extending upwardly from the face opposite support portion 12b, when the portions are in face to face relationship. These projections are adapted to be inserted upwardly into the

hooks

15 and 16 such that a downward tilt of the platform portion, away from the lid, pulls the projections against the hooks while at the same time forcing the edge of the platform portion remote from the hinge against the lip of the lid. This binding action securely holds the platform portion in place when the unit is being used. In addition, the platform portion can be supported by a projecting ridge 11d on the lip 11a.

The support portion has a pair of spaced hooks and 26, similar to the

hooks

15 and 16, extending from its edge remote from hinge 14 and spaced such that they can be inserted into the

openings

17 and 18 to be locked therein by operation of

levers

21 and 22, in the same manner as

hooks

15 and 16 are locked after the lid is closed.

The length of the support portion 12b is such that when the

hooks

25 and 26 are locked in

openings

17 and 18 the platform portion slopes downwardly from the lid towards the hinge, so that the platform portion will be securely held against the lid.

The usual collapsible knee braces 27, connecting the bottom and lid at each side of the housing lock the lid in its fully opened position, with respect to the bottom.

Support portion 12b is cut away at 28 so that when the platform-support is in place to be used, a user can easily reach through the cut-out portion to regulate the control knobs 29 of a voice receiving and transmitting unit shown at 30, mounted within the bottom 11c of housing 1 l.

The receiving and transmitting unit shown generally at 30 comprises a receiver, amplifier and transmitter of conventional type, connected by a cord 31 to a speaker 32. The speaker 32 is also adapted to fit and to be stored within the bottom 11c of housing 11 adjacent to the receiving and transmitting unit. Similarly, when the platform support is not being used as a lecturn, it can be conveniently folded and positioned within the lid 11a for storage above the voice receiving and transmitting unit 30 and the speaker 32.

As illustrated, the receiving and transmitting unit is of conventional AC powered construction. Wires 33, passed beneath a fabric 34 covering the interior of the housing 11 interconnect the receiving and transmitting unit and a conventional quick disconnect coupling 35 in the lip of lid 11a. A conventional, flexible, but semirigid goose neck 36 having a microphone 37 on one end, has a connector 38 on the other end adapted to be secured to coupling 35 so that an electrical connection is provided from the microphone to the receiving and transmitting unit. A user's voice, picked up by the microphone is thus passed to the receiver and transmitting unit, from where it is transmitted to the speaker unit, from which it is broadcast in amplified form.

While the voice receiving and transmitting unit is here shown as being AC powered and the microphone 37, voice receiving and transmitting unit and speaker are all wire connected, it should be obvious that DC power and/or wireless units could be used.

A pocket 40 is formed in the voice receiving and transmitting unit to receive a portable, cordless microphone transmitter 41. The microphone transmitter 41 is tuned to be received by the receiving and transmitting unit and it can be moved among an audience to allow for voice transmission and broadcasting of participating audience members.

In the present invention, a system is provided wherein a user may carry a loud speaker and lecturn inconspiciously and easily, and may set them up at any desired location for use. The lecturn is sturdy and the unit is arranged such that easy access is afforded to the controls of the loudspeaker system.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been herein described, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible, without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subject matter I regard as my invention.

1 claim:

1. A portable lecturn unit comprising a housing having a lid portion connected by a first hinge to a bottom portion, means for holding said lid portion in an open position extending upwardly and substantially normal to the plane of the bottom portion when said bottom portion is resting on a substantially horizontal surface;

a platform-support member including a flat platform portion, a support portion, and a second hinge interconnecting the platform portion and the support portion;

means for releasably securing the edge of the platform portion remote from the second hinge to the top of the housing at its edge most remote from the first hinge; and

means for releasably securing the edge of the support portion remote from the second hinge to the edge of the bottom portion most remote from the first hinge.

2. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 1, wherein the housing has latch means on the edge of the bottom portion opposite the first hinge and latch means on the edge of the top portion remote from the first hinge, said latch means on the top portion being cooperable with the latch means on the platform portion for engaging the latch means on the top portion.

3. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 2, wherein the means for releasably securing the edge of the support portion to the bottom portion includes means on the support portion for engaging the latch means on the bottom portion.

4. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 3, wherein the support portion has an opening therethrough to provide access to the interior of the housing.

5. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 1, further including an electrical signal receiving and transmitting unit in the housing;

a speaker adapted to be stored in the housing and coupled to the receiving and transmitting unit; and

a microphone adapted to be connected to the housing and to be supported thereby, and coupled to the receiving and transmitting unit, whereby a voice picked up by the microphone is transmitted to the receiving and transmitting unit and then is broadcast through the speaker.

6. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 5, wherein the support portion of the platform-support member is cutaway to provide access to the interior of the housing and controls of the receiving and transmitting unit.

7. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 6, wherein the housing has latch means on the edge of the bottom portion remote from the first hinge, a latch means on the top portion being cooperable with the latch means on the bottom portion to hold the top portion against the said bottom portion when the housing is closed; and wherein the means for releasably securing the edge of the platform portion to the top of the housing includes means on the platform portion for engaging said latch means on the top portion.

8. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 7, wherein the means for releasably securing the edge of the support portion to the bottom portion includes means on the support portion for engaging the latch means on the bottom portion.

9. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 8, wherein the latch means on the lid portion and the latch means on the support portion are of similar configuration.

10. A portable lecturn as in claim 9, wherein the support portion extends slightly above the platform portion when the platform portion is connected to the top portion and the support portion is connected to the bottom portion whereby the unit is ready for use as a lecturn.

Claims

1. A portable lecturn unit comprising a housing having a lid portion connected by a first hinge to a bottom portion, means for holding said lid portion in an open position extending upwardly and substantially normal to the plane of the bottom portion when said bottom portion is resting on a substantially horizontal surface; a platform-support member including a flat platform portion, a support portion, and a second hinge interconnecting the platform portion and the support portion; means for releasably securing the edge of the platform portion remote from the second hinge to the top of the housing at its edge most remote from the first hinge; and means for releasably securing the edge of the support portion remote from the second hinge to the edge of the bottom portion most remote from the first hinge.

5. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 1, further including an electrical signal receiving and transmitting unit in the housing; a speaker adapted to be stored in the housing and coupled to the receiving and transmitting unit; and a microphone adapted to be connected to the housing and to be supported thereby, and coupled to the receiving and transmitting unit, whereby a voice picked up by the microphone is transmitted to the receiving and transmitting unit and then is broadcast through the speaker.

6. A portable lecturn unit as in claim 5, wherein the support portion of the platform-support member is cut away to provide access to the interior of the housing and controls of the receiving and transmitting unit.