FR2777666A1 - Magnifier for reading small print - Google Patents

Abstract

The magnifier consists of a body (2) of a transparent material, having an upper surface (2b) with a convex curvature and a flat under surface (2a), with end flanges (3) for resting on the surface being read. The flanges are oval in shape, with flattened edge sections to allow the magnifier to stand unsupported. At least one of the flanges can have a chamfered lower edge to hold two adjacent pages open. A variant of the design can have an adjustable supporting foot.

Description

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  AID READING AID DEVICE

  ENHANCEMENT OF WRITING CHARACTERS

  The invention relates to the technical sector of apparatus and utensils capable of helping the reading of people with visual impairments, having in particular difficulties in reading writing characters in too small characters. It is known on the market to produce reading aid devices in the form of magnifying glasses which are generally used in the form of utensils which can be grasped manually using a lug or a grip handle having boils a transparent useful part having characteristics

  allowing the magnification of the aforementioned characters.

  These utensils are generally small and must be moved by the user as the reading progresses. If these utensils are compact, they nevertheless have the disadvantage of viewing a very small reading area. It is therefore necessary for the user to have very close attention to make the

selected reading.

  Besides the fact that holding it between the fingers of the hand of this utensil is not always practical and tiring for a long period, its usefulness is of

  very limited interest in long reading.

  There are also known utensils in the form of magnifying glasses established in a strip configuration corresponding for example to an A4 format of paper and thus allowing a transverse reading from one to two writing lines. These types of utensils may have a tab or handle

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  gripping to allow movement of the sheet, sheet, book or newspaper

currently playing.

  The disadvantage lies in the fact that this means in the form of a strip requires an attitude of the user which is substantially vertical to the reading area. The user must therefore bow his head or raise the reading support

  read for a better ergonomic position.

  In practice, this type of utensil is of very limited interest. On a plan

  strictly medical, its use is hardly advised.

  Thus, utensils on the market have notable disadvantages for reading practice and its use with non-ergonomic attitudes

  necessary for the user to take a correct reading.

  The aim sought after according to the invention is therefore to design a reading device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by allowing easy reading of the characters to be read, and this, under conditions of improved comfort for the user. Another object sought after according to the invention was to design a reading device which can be perfectly integrated and positioned on reading sheet media, while freeing the hands of the user by facilitating the

  reading of the article or object concerned.

  These and other objects will become apparent from the following description.

  According to a first characteristic of the invention, the device for reading by enlarging the writing characters is characterized in that it comprises a

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  profiled body made of transparent and magnifying material having a configuration with a curved face in the form of a circular arc and a flat underside, said body being braced by flanges having a curvilinear profiled configuration, said flanges being capable of bearing on the reading area or reading support, while allowing, by a rocking effect, an orientation of the curved area allowing a

  display of the characters to be read in any orientation.

  According to another characteristic, the end flanges of the reading device

  1 0 have an ovalized configuration.

  According to another characteristic, at least one of the end flanges of the reading device has a bevelled shape in its support zone to be inserted in particular in the binding parts of the reading means in

  1 5 allowing the spacing of the adjacent pages thereof.

  These characteristics and others will become clear from the rest of the

description.

  To fix the object of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings o: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a magnifying glass according to art

  anterior of small section with a grip handle.

  - Figure 2 is a perspective view according to the prior art of a strip

  forming a magnifying glass according to the prior art.

  - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the reading device according to Il'invention. - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of the device

Figure 3.

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  - Figure 5 is a view illustrating the possible orientation of the reading device

by the user.

  - Figure 6 is a front view of the reading device affixed to a book.

  - Figure 7 is a top view according to Figure 6.

  - Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views illustrating a beveled profile on a

  or two faces of at least one flange at the end of the reading device.

  - Figure 10 is a variant view illustrating the addition of additional means inserted on the body of the device and allowing support on the

reading support.

  - Figure 1i1 is an alternative view of the flange in its circular configuration. - Figure 12 is an alternative view in section illustrating a blocking mode

  in an inclined position of the device of the invention.

  - Figure 13 is a longitudinal view of the variant of Figure 12.

  - Figure 14 is a perspective side view of an alternative embodiment

blocking mode.

  In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described with a

  non-limiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

  The reading device is referenced as a whole by (1). It comprises a profiled body (2) made of organic glass, acrylic resin or similar transparent and allowing, by its configuration, an effect of magnification of the typographical characters of writing. This body (2) has a flat bottom face (2a) and a domed upper face (2b) having the appropriate characteristics to enable the effects of magnification of the characters to be obtained.

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  The length of said body can be established in any suitable manner, but advantageously, it can correspond at least to the width of an A4 format of paper support. At these ends, the body has two end flanges (3) which are attached and fixed by any means of connection to the side edges (2c) of said body. This fixing can be done by gluing, screwing or other. These flanges are made of all materials of the acrylic resin type,

wood, metal or other.

  These flanges have in the upper part of the body a curvilinear configuration (3a) making it possible to ensure the device a tilting effect, thus offering a varied orientation of the device according to the needs for reading. Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures of the drawings, said flanges have an ovalized configuration. The lower edge (3b) of said flanges (3) is thus capable of coming to bear on the reading support,

  books, newspapers or the like, allowing this tipping effect.

  Depending on the dimensions of the reading device and the desired effects, the configuration of the ovalized flanges may be more or less important, thereby giving a tilting and pivoting effect adapted as required. This configuration of ovalized flanges allows the reading device to be positioned in a constant manner with its convex part oriented in an upper plane allowing vertical reading. The convex shape of the body allows continuous reading, with a magnification of the characters to be read for the user in all positions. The latter can advantageously tilt the device forwards or backwards, thus allowing a continuation of

  reading on a larger area to read.

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  The reading device thus produced according to the invention offers numerous advantages. It is easy to handle, covers a larger reading space and without reflections. It allows an orientation facilitating the comfort of the user who can thus, by taking ergonomic poses, read in good conditions. The reading device thus described can be translated onto the reading support

  from top to bottom or vice versa by a simple manual movement.

  In an advantageous configuration, one or less of the end flanges has a complementary profile for cooperating with the reading support, namely a beveled configuration (3c) on its edge on one or both sides (Figures 8 and 9) which is likely to allow it to be positioned in the middle fold of a book, directory or other medium intended to be read, of volume

  important and including a multitude of sheets.

  Due to this embodiment, the reading device is perfectly guided along the junction line of the book for example, so that it is constantly and suitably well placed and that the reader does not have to reposition it each time

times when needed.

  Incidentally, it can be envisaged to have on the body a complementary means (4) forming a cursor capable of partially surrounding said body from the outside and having bearing zones (4a) on the reading support. This accessory can be added by sliding, snap-fastening and can

  be positioned anywhere along the length of the reading device.

  To facilitate gripping and handling of the aforementioned device, the flange (s) (3) may have externally one or more projections (3d) forming

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  legs likely to be caught between the thumb and index finger of the user's hand. The device thus described can be made in one piece. As a variant and depending on the desired decorative effect, the flanges can be made of noble materials, of the brass, aluminum or other type, which can contribute to

  give aesthetic effects complementary to said product.

  Without departing from the scope of the invention, the flanges can have a disk configuration (3e) (FIG. 11) allowing the device to pivot and tilt However, to limit the movement of the device, one or more protrusions can be provided ( 3f) stroke limiter of said tilting, so that the magnification zone is always in the

  best possible orientation for the user.

  According to another arrangement of the invention, the reading device is arranged with stabilizing means allowing adjustment in the temporary position

according to a chosen inclination.

  Referring to Figures 12-13, the flange (s) (3) can be arranged with a recess (3g) curved profile in a plane parallel to the profile of said flanges. This oblong recess allows the positioning of a lug (5) associated with a U-shaped jumper (6) surrounding the wall of the facing flange capable of bearing on the reading reference plane. Thus, the orientation of said jumper will allow the reading device to be fixed in position. The operator can read with his hands free. All he has to do is move the device. Lifting the jumper allows the device to resume its

initial function.

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  With reference to FIG. 14, another variant of locking in position of the reading device is proposed. The flanges are arranged on their visible external faces with a plurality of grooves or recess (7), along a part of the zone in contact with the support plane. The flange is arranged with a hole (8) allowing the positioning of a rod forming a jamb (9). The latter has a branch (9a) penetrating into said hole, with an inclined middle branch (9b) capable of being opposite one of the grooves to become embedded therein by elasticity, and a part (9c) in support. on the reference plane. This rod is thus articulated and adjustable in position. It allows the reading device to be fixed at an angle chosen by

according to needs.

  The advantages emerge clearly from the invention. We emphasize the simplicity of its manufacture, the ease of use of the device on larger reading areas, the absence of reflections, the best comfort of use.

  by the operator, good light transmission.

  Furthermore, the device allows a remote reading aid by the prism effect which is made possible by tilting the device. You can indeed read the top of a newspaper placed on a table or a document placed at the end of a desk, which is impossible with other forms of magnifying glass

according to the prior art.

  We also emphasize the fact of being able to pass a sheet of A4 format by

  example without having to move the device.

  Another advantage of the invention also lies in the fact that the shadow zone cst is rectilinear ct follows Ic tcxtc with the device of the invention thanks to the

configuration of the magnifying glass part.

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  In normal magnifiers, the shadow area is distributed in curve by the

  configuration of the magnifying glass, which does not facilitate reading.

  Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the light is focused on a line also parallel to the text and not at the center according to the prior art.

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Claims (1)

  - - Reading device by enlarging the writing characters, characterized in that it comprises a body (2) profiled in transparent and magnifying material having a configuration with a curved upper face (2b) in the form of a circular arc and a flat bottom face (2a), said body being braced by flanges (3) having a curvilinear profiled configuration, said flanges being capable of bearing on the reading area or reading support, while allowing, by an effect of balancing, a 1 0 orientation of the convex area allowing a visualization of the characters to be read in any orientation.   -2- Reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the   end plates (3) of the reading device have an ovalized configuration.   -3- Reading device according to any one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that at least one of the end flanges of the reading device has a bevelled shape (3c) in its support zone to be inserted in particular in the binding parts of the reading means by allowing   the spacing of the adjacent pages thereof.   -4- Reading device according to any one of claims 1 and 3,   characterized in that the body receives a complementary means (4) partially surrounding it from the outside and having bearing zones (4a) on the support   reading, said means being adjustable in position.   -5- Reading device according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4,   characterized in that the flanges have a disc configuration and   have one or more projections (3f) for stroke and tilt limiters. 1il 2777666   -6- Reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the flanges have one or more protrusions on the outside (3d) forming gripping tabs.   -7- Reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that it comprises stabilizing means allowing the   adjustment in temporary position according to a chosen inclination.   -8- Reading device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the flanges is arranged with a recess (3g) curvilinear profile allowing the insertion of a lug (5) associated with a jumper (6 ) U-shaped profile surrounding the wall of the facing flange resting on the reference plane   reading, said jumper being adjustable in position.