Stands and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

The invention is directed to stands and methods for making the same. The stand is provided to hold an item such as an electronic device and/or a document. The stand may include (1) a base plate provided to support the stand on a support surface and/or by a user holding the base plate; (2) a plurality of hinge assemblies connected to the base plate; and (3) a platform assembly pivotally connected to the hinge assemblies, such that the angular disposition of the platform assembly is adjustable relative to the base plate.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A stand for holding an item, the stand comprising:
 a base plate provided to support the stand;   a plurality of hinge assemblies connected to the base plate; and   a platform assembly pivotally connected to the hinge assemblies and supported by the hinge assemblies, such that the angular disposition of the platform assembly is adjustable relative to the base plate, the platform assembly including:
 a main platform section that includes a platform section; and 
 a support assembly connected to the platform section, the support assembly having opposing ends, and the support assembly pivotally connected to a respective hinge assembly, of the plurality of hinge assemblies, at each such end of the support assembly; and 
   each hinge assembly including:
 a base pin housing that includes a bore, the base pin housing mounted upon the base plate, and 
 a pin assembly that includes a pin portion, the pin portion extending out from an end, of the opposing ends, of the support assembly and into a respective bore of the base pin housing, and 
   such that two opposing pin portions are provided that respectively extend out from an opposing end, of the opposing ends, of the support assembly to be supported by and secured within respective base pin housings; and
 the pin assembly at each end of the support assembly being engaged within a respective base pin housing, of the base pin housings, such engagement providing resistance to rotation of the support assembly relative to each base pin housing; and 
   the platform assembly including a structure to support an item.   
     
     
         21 . The stand of  claim 20 , each pin portion is threaded. 
     
     
         22 . The stand of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of each base pin housing is secured between a respective end, of the opposing ends, of the support assembly and a respective fastener. 
     
     
         23 . The stand of  claim 22 , wherein each fastener is a nut. 
     
     
         24 . The stand of  claim 23 , each fastener constituted by a lock nut and a plurality of washers. 
     
     
         25 . The stand of  claim 24 , the plurality of washers is constituted by a lock washer and at least one spring washer. 
     
     
         26 . The stand of  claim 20 , wherein each pin portion extending into the support assembly less than half the length of the support assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The stand of  claim 20 , each pin portion constituting a section of a threaded bar. 
     
     
         28 . The stand of  claim 27 , the threaded bar including an unthreaded section. 
     
     
         29 . The stand of  claim 20 , each pin portion including a threaded bar that is threadably disposed within each end of the support assembly, and a securement mechanism disposed on each threaded bar. 
     
     
         30 . The stand of  claim 29 , the securement mechanism is a lock nut. 
     
     
         31 . The stand of  claim 29 , each base pin housing comprising a counterbore arrangement, the counterbore arrangement including:
 a small bore to frictionally engage a respective hinge knob disposed on each end, of the opposing ends, of the support assembly;   a large bore to enclose a respective pin assembly, of the pin assemblies.   
     
     
         32 . The stand of  claim 20 , each base pin housing secured to the base plate via screws. 
     
     
         33 . The stand of claim  1 , the platform assembly including a channel, the channel adapted to support an edge of an item. 
     
     
         34 . The stand of  claim 33 , the channel including a curved surface. 
     
     
         35 . The stand of  claim 34 , the support assembly including a lower surface, the lower surface constituted by a curved surface. 
     
     
         36 . The stand of  claim 20 , the base plate including a base hole to assist in securing the base plate. 
     
     
         37 . The stand of  claim 20 , the stand adapted to hold an electronic device or a document.