GB2326087A

GB2326087A - A book-end

Info

Publication number: GB2326087A
Application number: GB9712190A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Joscelyn Clerk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-11
Filing date: 1997-06-11
Publication date: 1998-12-16
Also published as: GB9712190D0

Abstract

A book-end 1 comprises a base and a prop 2, with the base being made of two sections 3,4. Section 3 is constructed of a deformable material which will, under the weight of books placed on it, deform to grip the surface on which the book-end is placed. This section may be connected to the prop by means of a hinge. The deformable material may be a leatherette material, a sheet of plastics material or may be a fluid-filled or thixotropic jelly-filled material.

Description

A Book-End This invention relates to a book-end comprising a base which is deformable.

Conventionally, book-ends consist of a base with a prop perpendicular to the base and the prop segmenting the base into two base sections. One of the base sections usually has an ornament on it, for example an animal or a golf club bag etc. This ornament adds weight to the book-end and helps keep the bookend from slipping along the surface where it rests. The other section of the base is usually flat and rests under the books and helps in stabilising and fixing the book-end in a set position on the place where it rests. The function of book-ends is to provide support to books standing on their edge so as to keep the books in a fixed position. The base section which rests under the books, usually consists of a piece of rigid material, for example wood or metal, often this base section consists of a segment of material which is substantially cut from the prop and bent out of the plane of the prop, to a position which is substantially perpendicular to the prop.

However, book-ends where the base comprises rigid material are prone to slipping on the surface where they rest and are often not effective in keeping books in a fixed position once the books are at an angle to the prop. According to the present invention there is provided a book-end comprising of a base wherein the base comprises a deformable material so as to grip the surface on which the book-end is placed, when books are placed on the base.

Preferably, the deformable material may be a piece of resiliently deformable fabric, such as leatherette material. Alternatively the deformable material may be a sheet of deformable plastic sheet hinged to the remainder of the base. Alternatively the deformable material may be a fluid-filled, or thixotropic jelly - filled material. The base can be engaged with the prop by a hinge means.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a book-end with a leatherette base; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a book-end with a hinge.

With reference to Figure 1, a book-end 1 comprises a prop 2 and base sections 3 and 4, where base section 4 is a solid weighted block, while base section 3 comprises a sheet of resiliently deformable leatherette fabric.

With reference to Figure 2, a book-end 5 comprises a prop 6 and base sections 7 and 8, the book-end having a hinge 9 joining one of said base sections 7 to prop 6.

Claims

1. A book-end for supporting books in a fixed position, comprising a base and a prop, wherein the prop is substantially perpendicular to the base and wherein the base extends on both sides of the prop so as to provide a section to lie under the books and a section to lie on the opposite side of the prop from the books, said base section to lie under the books being constructed of a deformable material, such that when the books are placed on the base, the base deforms so as to grip the surface on which the book-end is placed.

2. A book-end as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said deformable material is leatherette material or the like.

3. A book-end as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said deformable material is plastic material.

4. A book-end as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the deformable material is fluidised material.

5. A book-end as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base engages with the prop by a hinge.