CA2512522A1

CA2512522A1 - Bookmark

Info

Publication number: CA2512522A1
Application number: CA 2512522
Authority: CA
Inventors: Nadene Macdonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-20
Filing date: 2005-07-20
Publication date: 2007-01-20

Abstract

The invention is an improved bookmark for marking a location on the pages of a book. The bookmark consists of an elongated flexible elastic loop which is dimensioned to fit snugly around the pages of the book. A marker is mounted to the elastic loop. The marker has a pointer for marking the location on the page where the reader last read. The marker includes a central portion which has an aperture through which the elastic loop passes snugly permitting the marker to move along the elastic loop. The marker is dimensioned and configured to be relatively flat to permit the book to close onto the marker without damaging the pages of the book.

Description

TITLE: BOOKMARK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to bookmarks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bookmarks have been used for generations to permit a reader to keep track of which page or pages the reader last read in a book before closing the book.
Traditionally, bookmarks consisted of a long ribbon or long semi-rigid member which was placed between the pages of the book. The reader could quickly find the page he or she last read by opening the book to where the bookmark was inserted. Generally, to ensure that the bookmark was securely contained in the book, the bookmark was inserted as close to the spine of the book as possible.
While traditional bookmarks were suitable for marking a reader's progress through a book, traditional bookmarks do have certain disadvantages. Firstly, to ensured that the bookmark was securely retained in the book near the spine, the bookmark had to be very thin and flat in order to permit the book to be closed. If the reader attempted to use a thicker object as a bookmark, such as a pencil, this would result in the book being damaged.
Thicker objects inserted very close to the spine of the book will cause damage to the books spine when the book is closed. However, inserting a thick bookmark into the book such that the mark was far away from the spine usually resulted in the bookmark falling out of the book.
Therefore, the decorative nature of the bookmark was necessarily limited to flat elongated members or ribbons.
Furthermore, while the bookmark could indicate which portion of the book the reader last finished reading, the mark was generally not suitable for indicating the exact portion of the page the reader last finished. As a result, people using traditional bookmarks very often have to re-read at least several lines or paragraphs. An improved bookmark which can be securely retained in the book without causing damage to the spine of the book and which can also indicate the exact location where the reader last read is therefore desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved bookmark for marking a location on the pages of a book. The bookmark consists of an elongated flexible elastic loop which is dimensioned to fit snugly around the pages of the book. A marker is mounted to the elastic loop. The marker has a pointer for marking the location on the page where the reader last read.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein 1 S described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1. is a front view of a book mark made in accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 2. is a front view of the book mark shown in figure 1 mounted on a book.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring firstly to figure l, the present invention is a book marker, shown generally as item 10, includes an elastic loop 12 having marker 14 mounted thereon. Marker 14 includes pointer 18 having point 16 and central portion 20. Central portion 20 has an aperture, not shown, dimensioned and configured such that elastic loop 12 passes snugly through central portion 20 to permit the marker to move along loop 12. Loop 12 may be made of rubber or elastic cord which can easily be stretch. The cord forming loop 12 must be sufficiently resilient to permit the loop to return to its original length upon being released. Cord 12 may comprise an elastic cord have a decorative fabric cover over a rubber core. Suitable elastic cords are readily available in the marketplace. Marker portion 14 is preferably made of plastic, but could be made of any material such as wood or metal. Marker 14 is made as flat as possible. Preferably, marker 14 is made from a single sheet of flat plastic having a pair of apertures 27 and 28 located at central portion through which loop 12 is strung.
As best seen in figure 2, marker 10 is used by a reader to mark the position, namely the 15 line of text, the reader last read. The user holds book 21 at page 22, namely the page the reader last read. The user then loops loop 12 around page 22 and cover 24 of book 21 such that marker 14 is positioned to fit between the pages of the book. Elastic loop 12 is dimensioned to ensure that the loop stretches snugly over page 22 of book 21 to secure the marker in position. When the loop is firmly secured to the book, marker 14 may then be moved up or down along page 22 20 such that the pointer is positioned at location 26 corresponding to the last read line of text on page 22. The book may then be closed onto the marker. When next the book is opened, the position of marker 14 will indicate where the reader last left off when reading the book.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bookmark for marking a location on the pages of a book, said bookmark comprising an elongated flexible elastic loop, the loop dimensioned to fit snugly around the pages of the book, a marker mounted to the elastic loop, the marker having a pointer for marking the location on the page.

2. The bookmark of claim 1 wherein the marker is movably attached to the elastic loop such that the marker can be moved up and down loop.

3. The bookmark of claim 1 wherein the marker has a central portion, the central portion having a passage through which a portion of the elastic loop passes, the pointer being mounted to the central portion.

4. The bookmark of claim 3 wherein the passage of the central portion is dimensioned to permit the elastic loop to move snugly through the passage.

5. The bookmark of claim 1 wherein the marker is dimensioned and configured to be relatively flat to permit the book to close completely onto the marker.

6. A book marking device comprising a book having pages between a cover, an elastic loop dimensioned to fit snugly around the pages and cover, a marker mounted to the elastic loop and positioned between the cover, and a pointer on the marker for marking the position of a location on a page of the book.

7. The book marking device of claim 6 wherein the marker is movably attached to the elastic loop.

8. The book marking device of claim 7 wherein the marker has a portion through which the elastic loop passes.

9. The book marking device of claim 6 wherein the marker is dimensioned and configured to be relatively flat to permit the book to close completely onto the marker.

10. The book marking device of claim 1 wherein the marker is made from a sheet of flat plastic having a pair of apertures through which the loop is strung.

11. The book marking device of claim 9 wherein the marker is made from a sheet of flat plastic having a pair of apertures through which the loop is strung.