CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No. PCT/AU2017/050871, filed on Aug. 16, 2017, titled “Adjustment Mechanism,” which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2016903399, filed on Aug. 26, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism for the pivotal adjustment of elements relative to each other. The mechanism finds particular, though not exclusive, application in slopeboards, also known as angled boards, writing boards, slant boards and document holders, which are used to provide an angled surface for a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Slopeboards sit on a desk surface in front of the user and a user places their paper, books or writing material on top of the slopeboard's surface. The surface is angled, typically at or around 20 degrees. This angle assists the user to maintain an upright sitting posture and a more extended wrist position whilst writing and also assists in the reading of documents or books.

There are numerous slopeboards available on the market, typically fitting into two categories, fixed or adjustable. Fixed slopeboards are those that have a set angle, typically 20 degrees, and are designed to stay stationary on a desk surface. Fixed slopeboards are therefore of a generally more robust construction than adjustable slopeboards.

Adjustable slopeboards are those that allow a user to choose the angle at which the board's working surface is positioned. They often include a hinged writing surface that is adjustable by moving a rear support along a series of notches to raise and lower the writing surface about the hinge. Such adjustable slopeboards typically collapse for storage or transport and may include a handle for carrying. These are usually lightweight to allow carrying by students between classrooms.

Alternative adjustable slopeboards include four screw-in feet that allow the overall height to be raised and lowered, and provide for minor adjustment to the angle of the writing surface. The adjustability of these types of slopeboards is quite restrictive, and adjustment is time-consuming.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative adjustment mechanism that can at least be used with a slopeboard to give the user a more dynamic ability to adjust the height and angle of the writing surface, or at least provide a useful alternative option.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an adjustment mechanism, including:

a first, a second and a third element pivotally connected to each other in series;

locking means to lock the respective elements in a selected position relative to each other; and

a pushbutton actuating mechanism that releases the locking means such that the first, second and third elements are independently pivotal with respect to each other, and release of the pushbutton actuating mechanism re-engages the locking means.

Preferably, the first element is a body, with the second and third elements being legs such that the legs are independently pivotal with respect to each other and to the body, whereby the height and angle of the body can be adjusted.

In a preferred embodiment the body may include a panel having two ends, whereby a set of two legs are connected to each end of the panel.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable slopeboard, including:

a body having a main panel with two shoulders downwardly depending from respective sides of the main panel;

pivotally attached to each shoulder is a first leg and a second leg;

locking means to lock the respective first and second legs in a selected position relative to the body and each other; and

respective pushbutton actuating mechanisms that release the locking means such that the first and second legs are independently pivotal with respect to each other and to the body, whereby the height and angle of the main panel can be adjusted, and release of the pushbutton actuating mechanisms re-engages the locking means.

The slopeboard is preferably symmetrical, such that the arrangements associated with each of the two shoulders are identical but arranged as mirror images.

It is preferable that each locking means includes two locking mechanisms, which may be independently released. Each pushbutton actuating mechanism may therefore have a two-stage depression, a half depression releasing a first locking mechanism and a full depression releasing both locking mechanisms.

The first locking mechanism preferably provides a locking engagement between a shoulder and the first leg, and the second locking mechanism provides a locking engagement between the first leg and the second leg.

Each of the legs may be spring-loaded, such that when a locking mechanism is released the leg is forced in a continuous downward rotation. This results, following full depression of the push button actuating mechanism, in all four legs pointing downwardly allowing the user to then push down on the platform against a table surface to obtain the desired height and angle before releasing the push button to lock the position. The degree of rotation may be limited. The first or second leg may become the forwardly extending leg, with the other leg extending rearwardly.

The locking mechanisms may be spring-loaded, such that they are biased into a locking engagement. The locking mechanisms may be interlocking teeth. The locking mechanisms can be provided as a series of radially arranged teeth.

The inside surface of the shoulder may include a disk having teeth that engage with the teeth of a first side of the first leg. The second leg may include teeth that engage with the second side the first leg. The first leg may include teeth on opposing sides, the first side engaging with the shoulder teeth and a second side engaging with the second leg.

Preferably, the half depression of the pushbutton actuating mechanism pushes the first and second legs away from the shoulder disengaging the interlocking teeth and allowing for rotation. The full depression of the pushbutton actuating mechanism may push the second leg away from the first leg disengaging the interlocking teeth and allowing for rotation.

Advantageously, the slopeboard is made from a thermoplastic polymer, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, more typically known as Plexiglass™. Such polymer may be transparent or opaque.

