Easel assembly for portable easel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12426712-B2
Application number	US-202318176512-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 1, 2023
Priority date	Mar 1, 2023
Publication date	Sep 30, 2025
Grant date	Sep 30, 2025

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an easel assembly that can provide portability and versatility. The easel assembly can include a recessed docking interface that can allow for a stable and secure engagement with a docking arm or support arm while also enabling the easel assembly to maintain stability when undocked. The easel assembly can allow for easy setup and breakdown, making it easy to transport and use in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. The docking interface can enable attachment to a wide range of vehicles, maintaining a stable interface when attached and providing the convenience of displaying and using various materials while on the go. The easel assembly can include manipulatable features on the support arm, allowing for adjustments to the angle or orientation of the top surface of the easel assembly, making it easy to set up or adjust the easel assembly to a desired angle and orientation. The disclosed easel assembly can provide a versatile and easy-to-use platform for displaying and using various materials in a range of settings and environments.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An easel assembly comprising:
a base supporting a top surface of the base;
a first positioning element engageable with a top portion of the top surface of the base and engageable with a bottom portion of the top surface of the base in lieu of the top portion, wherein while engaged with the top surface of the base the first positioning element extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the top surface of the base,
a second positioning element engageable with a first side portion of the top surface of the base and engageable with a second side portion of the top surface of the base in lieu of the first side portion, wherein while engaged with the top surface of the base the second positioning element extends substantially perpendicular to the first positioning element; and
a docking interface configured to detachably interconnect the easel assembly with a support arm for supporting the easel assembly in a raised upright position, wherein the easel assembly is configured to lays substantially flat on a second substantially planar surface when detached from the support arm, wherein the support arm comprises a cockpit engagement interface, wherein the cockpit engagement interface is configured to mount a rim of a cockpit of a personal watercraft, wherein the rim defines an upper boundary of the cockpit, wherein the cockpit comprises an opening in the personal watercraft for one or more individuals to sit therein,
wherein the easel assembly comprises a stabilization system configured to maintain an orientation of the top surface of the base relative to external forces, including movement of the personal watercraft.

2. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support arm is manipulatable to allow for adjustment of a plane of the top surface of the base.

3. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first positioning element comprises a first holder configured to bias a first edge of a portable member and the second positioning element is configured to bias a second edge of the portable member.

4. The easel assembly of claim 3 , wherein the portable member comprises at least one of a piece of paper, a canvas, a sketchbook, book, an e-reader, or a portable electronic device.

5. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the personal watercraft is a kayak.

6. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the movement is a result of water interacting with the personal watercraft.

7. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support arm is a non-tripod support arm.

8. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the easel assembly is adapted to receive and secure a paint tray accessory.

9. The easel assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot mechanism disposed between the base and the support arm, the pivot mechanism being configured to allow the support arm to be adjusted to different angles.

10. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the docking interface is a recessed female receptacle configured to slidably receive and removably retain a complementary protrusion of the support arm, wherein the docking interface is positioned within a recessed region on the bottom portion of the base.

11. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support arm comprises a disengagement button positioned on the docking interface for release of a connection between the support arm and the easel assembly.

12. The easel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one positioning element comprises a rigid clamping member, the rigid clamping member being configured to securely engage a portion of a portable member against the top surface of the base.

13. An easel assembly comprising:
a base supporting a top surface of the base;
a first positioning element engageable with a top portion of the top surface of the base and engageable with a bottom portion of the top surface of the base in lieu of the top portion, wherein while engaged with the top surface of the base the first positioning element extends substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the top surface of the base,
a second positioning element engageable with a first side portion of the top surface of the base and engageable with a second side portion of the top surface of the base in lieu of the first side portion, wherein while engaged with the top surface of the base the second positioning element extends substantially perpendicular to the first positioning element; and
a docking interface configured to detachably interconnect the easel assembly with a support arm for supporting the easel assembly in a raised upright position, wherein the easel assembly is configured to lays substantially flat on a second substantially planar surface when detached from the support arm, wherein the support arm comprises a cockpit engagement interface for mounting in a cockpit of a personal watercraft, wherein the cockpit comprises an opening in the personal watercraft for one or more individuals to sit therein,
wherein the easel assembly comprises a stabilization system configured to maintain an orientation of the top surface of the base relative to external forces, including movement of the personal watercraft, wherein the stabilization system comprises a self-balancing system configured to automatically adjust an angle of a plane of the top surface of the base responsive to the movement of the personal watercraft.

14. The easel assembly of claim 13 , wherein the cockpit engagement interface is configured to mount to a rim of the cockpit of the personal watercraft, wherein the rim defines an upper boundary of the cockpit.

15. The easel assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first positioning element comprises a first holder configured to bias a first edge of a portable member, and the second positioning element is configured to bias a second edge of the portable member.

16. The easel assembly of claim 15 , wherein the portable member comprises at least one of a piece of paper, a canvas, a sketchbook, book, an e-reader, or a portable electronic device.

17. The easel assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a pivot mechanism disposed between the base and the support arm, the pivot mechanism being configured to allow the support arm to be adjusted to different angles.

18. The easel assembly of claim 13 , wherein the docking interface is a recessed female receptacle configured to slidably receive and removably retain a complementary protrusion of the support arm, wherein the docking interface is positioned within a recessed region on the bottom portion of the base.

19. The easel assembly of claim 13 , wherein the support arm comprises a disengagement button positioned on the docking interface for release of a connection between the support arm and the easel assembly.

20. The easel assembly of claim 13 , wherein the at least one positioning element comprises a rigid clamping member, the rigid clamping member being configured to securely engage a portion of a portable member against the top surface of the base.

Assignees

• Univ East Carolina

Inventors

• Hodge Elizabeth Marie

Classifications

• F16M11/2042

  constituted of several dependent joints · CPC title

• F16M11/10

  around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16M11/26

  by telescoping, with or without folding (details concerning the constructional features of telescoping parts only F16B7/10) · CPC title

• F16M13/022

  repositionable · CPC title

• F16M11/041

  Allowing quick release of the apparatus · CPC title