GB2293575A

GB2293575A - Pop-up book.

Info

Publication number: GB2293575A
Application number: GB9419582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Hawcock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-29
Filing date: 1994-09-29
Publication date: 1996-04-03
Also published as: GB9419582D0

Abstract

A pop-up book (10) comprises sheets (24, 25) defining a three-dimensional form such as a globe (12) which is collapsible to a substantially flat configuration, the sheets being mounted between two surfaces, typically formed by a book leaf (14) and a support post (20) such that when the surfaces are moved apart the sheets are pulled from the flat configuration to define the three-dimensional form. <IMAGE>

Description

POP-UP BOOK This invention relates to pop-up books, and in particular but not exclusively to pop-up books in which opening a book creates a moveable three-dimensional form.

According to the present invention there is provided a pop-up book comprising a sheet defining a three-dimensional form and being collapsible to a substantially flat configuration, the sheet being mounted between two surfaces, such that when the surfaces are moved apart the sheet is pulled from the flat configuration to define the three-dimensional form.

Preferably, at least one of the surfaces is defined by the leaf of the book. The other surface may also be defined by a leaf, but as the supporting surfaces are preferably positioned around 90 degrees apart when the sheet is in the three-dimensional form the leaves would not be fully openable. To avoid this difficulty, the other surface may be defined by a member which is pulled to an upright position by the second leaf on the book being opened. The member may be in the form of a post mounted adjacent the book spine and having a leg attached to the second leaf.

The sheet may be formed as a single sheet or, most preferably, is formed from two sheets cut to define a plurality of interengaging segments, or may also be constructed from a plurality of individual segments.

The sheet may define any suitable shape in the three-dimensional form but preferably defines a globe, such that the sheet may provide a three-dimensional representation of the earth, or another planet.

Preferably, the sheet is mounted between the surfaces to permit the three-dimensional form to rotate.

This may be achieved by mounting the sheet on elongate members such that the three-dimensional form is spaced from the surfaces. Most conveniently this achieved by mounting the sheet on lengths of line.

This and other aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pop-up book in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in the open configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the book of Figure 1, shown part-open; Figure 3 is a plan view of the segments which form the globe of the book of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the segments of Figure 3 when interengaged to define a globe.

Reference is first made to Figure 1 of the drawings, which illustrates a pop-up book 10 which, when opened, reveals a three-dimensional globe 12. The book comprises two relatively stiff leaves 14, 16 joined at a spine 18. A post 20 formed of stiff card extends from adjacent the spine 18, and is held in the upright configuration by a leg 22 attached to the second leaf 16. Two sheets 24, 25 cut to define a plurality of interengaging segments 26, as will be described, are mounted between the post 20 and the first leaf 14 via lengths of string 28, 30.

In a first configuration, as illustrated in Figure 1, the sheets 24, 25 define the globe 12, which may spin on the lengths of string. On closing the book 10 the sheets collapse to a substantially flat circular form 32, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. As may be seen from Figure 2, the leg 22 defines a fold 34 such that the leg 22 may lie flat against the post 20 when the book is closed.

Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, which illustrate the sheet 24 in greater detail. The sheet 25 is of similar form. The sheet 24 is cut to define six segments 26 having fingers 36 spaced along the length thereof for engaging adjacent segments of the other sheet 25. The segments 26 are joined at one end and the other ends are brought together and glued to tabs 27 on the other sheet 25.

The segments 26 also include folds 38, 40 to facilitate formation of a globe shape, and to facilitate folding of the segments into the flat form 32 on closing the book 10.

On closing the book 10, the segments fold along the line 40, at the "equator", and the segments move apart to accommodate the increased diameter of the flat shape.

To ensure that the segments remain linked, the fingers 26 adjacent the equator are relatively long.

In the illustrated example the second leaf includes an envelope 44 to receive an atlas, for use in conjunction with the globe. Also, a clip 42 is provided to hold the leaves 14, 16 closed.

It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above described embodiment is merely exemplary of the present invention and that various modifications and improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pop-up book comprising a sheet defining a three dimensional form and being collapsible to a substantially flat configuration, the sheet being mounted between two surfaces, such that when the surfaces removed apart the sheet is pulled from the flat configuration to define the three dimensional form.

2. The pop-up book of claim 1 wherein at least one of the surfaces is defined by a first leaf of the book.

3. The pop-up book of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the surfaces is defined by a member which is pulled to an upright position by a second leaf of the book on the book being opened.

4. The pop-up book of claim 3 wherein the member is in the form of a post mounted adjacent the book spine and having a leg attached to the second leaf.

5. The pop-up book of any of the preceding claims wherein the sheet is formed as a single sheet.

6. The pop-up book of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the sheet is formed from two sheets cut to define a plurality of inter-engaging segments.

7. The pop-up book of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the sheet is constructed from a plurality of individual segments.

8. The pop-up book of any of the preceding claims wherein the sheet defines, in the three dimensional form, a globe.

9. The pop-up book of any of the preceding claims wherein the sheet is mounted between the surfaces to permit the three dimensional form to rotate.

10. The pop-up book of claim 9 wherein the sheet is mounted on one or more elongate members to space the three dimensional form from the surfaces.

11. The pop-up book of claim 10 wherein the sheet is mounted on lengths of line.

12. A pop-up book substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.