Portable collapsible variable height book stand

A book stand comprising:

• a bottom section, a middle section, and a top section, each section being generally planar and having a first height, a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• and
• a strut mounted on the middle section, having a length, a first side and a second side, the first and second sides defining therebetween a thickness that is less than or equal to the first height of said middle section, a first plurality of notches on the first side of the strut and a second plurality of notches on the second side of the strut;
• a first end of the top section being pivotally secured to a first end of the middle section, the second end of the middle section being pivotally secured to a first end of the bottom section;
• the top section further comprising a first aperture having a first edge and a top section stem having a length, a first end and a second end, the first end of the top section stem being pivotally connected to the first edge of the top section, the second end of the top section stem having a contoured surface for engaging at least one of the first plurality of notches, the top section stem being pivotably moveable between a closed state wherein the top section stem is recessed within the first aperture of the top section, and an open state wherein the top section stem is engaged in one of the first plurality of notches;
• the bottom section further comprising a first aperture having a first edge and a stem having a length, a first end and a second end, the first end of the bottom section stem being pivotally connected to the first edge of the bottom section, the second end of the bottom section stem having a contoured surface for engaging at least one of the second plurality of notches, the bottom section stem being pivotably moveable between a closed state wherein the bottom section stem is recessed within the first aperture of the bottom section, and an open state wherein the bottom section stem is engaged in one of the second plurality of notches;
• wherein the book stand further comprises a closed state with the bottom, middle and top sections superimposed with their planar surfaces in parallel, and an open state having a book stand height selectable in response to the top section stem being engaged with one of the first plurality of notches and the bottom section stem being engaged with one of the second plurality of notches.

A method comprising:

• providing a book stand with a bottom section, a middle section, and a top section, each section being generally planar and having a first height, a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• providing a strut mounted on the middle section, having a length, a first side and a second side, the first and second sides defining therebetween a thickness that is less than or equal to the first height of said middle section, a first plurality of notches on the first side of the strut and a second plurality of notches on the second side of the strut;
• wherein a first end of the top section is pivotally secured to a first end of the middle section, the second end of the middle section being pivotally secured to a first end of the bottom section;
• wherein the top section further comprises a first aperture having a first edge and a top section stem having a length, a first end and a second end, the first end of the top section stem being pivotally connected to the first edge of the top section, the second end of the top section stem having a contoured surface for engaging at least one of the first plurality of notches, the top section stem being pivotably moveable between a closed state wherein the top section stem is recessed within the first aperture of the top section, and an open state wherein the top section stem is engaged in one of the first plurality of notches;
• wherein the bottom section further comprises a first aperture having a first edge and a stem having a length, a first end and a second end, the first end of the bottom section stem being pivotally connected to the first edge of the bottom section, the second end of the bottom section stem having a contoured surface for engaging at least one of the second plurality of notches, the bottom section stem being pivotably moveable between a closed state wherein the bottom section stem is recessed within the first aperture of the bottom section, and an open state wherein the bottom section stem is engaged in one of the second plurality of notches;
• adjusting the book stand between one of a closed state with the bottom, middle and top sections superimposed with their planar surfaces in parallel, and an open state having a book stand height selectable in response to the top section stem being engaged with one of the first plurality of notches and the bottom section stem being engaged with one of the second plurality of notches.