GB2353607A

GB2353607A - Reflecting system for viewing page and binding of a book simultaneously

Info

Publication number: GB2353607A
Application number: GB9920101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Russell Christie-Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-26
Filing date: 1999-08-26
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Also published as: GB9920101D0

Abstract

A reflective system permits recto and verso of a page and both sides of a binding of a book to be seen simultaneously. The system can contain a reflective surface 1 supported by supports 3 and feet 4 held by studs 5 and screws 6 in holes 7. Figure 6 shows the arrangement of the reflective surfaces 10 to enable simultaneous viewing. Also disclosed is a reflective system for the viewing of a watermark in a page and a binding of a book simultaneously.

Description

2353607 OPTICAL DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE REFLECTIVE SURFACES FOR USE WITH A

PARTIALLY OPEN BOOK This invention relates to a means of allowing books to be examined without damage.

It is necessary to have due regard to the safe handling of books, which have fine bindings, or which have sewings, which result in difficulty in opening the book. Excessive pressure in attempting to force books to open to maximise the page area to be examined is not acceptable. Some books may not be opened more than thirty degrees without risk of damage. Even when opened partially such books may be difficult to read due to factors such as fragility, lack of light and the sight angle. Furthermore two hands may be needed to hold and to open the book. The consequences of such factors are that damage may occur to the book and varying degrees of difficulty may be experienced in examining and in recording the contents of the book.

According to the present invention there are provided reflective surfaces and flat light sources which may be variously configured so as to allow various aspects of a book to be displayed and examined. The modular nature of the system allows a range of configurations to be employed all of which employ the same basic reflective unit of which a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example. Reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is from the side. Figure 2 is a perspective. The reflective unit comprises a reflective surface 1 secured through holes with nuts, washers and bolts 2 to mirror image supports 3. These mirror image supports may be connected to mirror image feet 4. For optimum optical performance the reflecting sur-faces have the reflective material on the front face. Because these 9 reflective surfaces are secured by nuts they can be released and flipped. Thus the reflective surface may either face towards the feet or face away from the feet. In addition it will be noticed that one of the extremities of the feet is at a greater angle than the other. The feet may therefore be removed, rotated, exchanged and reattached thereby causing the angle between the feet and the reflective surface to be altered. In the specific embodiment shown the greater angle is 45 degrees, which ensures that the optical line is such that no convergence of parallels will occur. The feet 4 are secured by studs 5 and retaining screws 6 fitting holes 7.

Figure 3 shows a reflective unit assembled with the reflective surface facing the feet and with the angle set at 45 degrees in place in a book. The arrow shows the light path. In this configuration the image is due to a single reflection and is reversed in disposition. When an illuminated flat light source is placed under the page under the feet 4 light passes through that page and thus information such as watermarks may be viewed and imaged.

Figure 4 introduces a second reflective unit having the reflective surface 1 facing away from the feet 4. In this configuration the image has undergone a double reflection and will therefore be correctly disposed. When an illuminated flat light source is placed under the page under the feet 4 light passes through that page and thus information such as watermarks may be viewed and imaged.

Figure 4shows the third configuration from above. The book stands with the spine vertical and the page to be viewed is sandwiched between two reflective units facing each other. Both these reflective units are assembled with the reflective surfaces facing the feet. A third reflective surface 1 is positioned outside the book so as to enable the images from the two units in the book to be viewed correctly disposed.

3 The fourth configuration is shown from the front in Figure 6 in diagrammatic form. Four reflective surfaces are used so that the contents of a book and the both sides of the binding may be viewed correctly disposed simultaneously. The book is supported by the feet 4 of two reflective units. Both are assembled with the reflective surfaces facing the feet. The images are then reflected by further reflective surfaces positioned as shown 10. The light path from the binding to the observer is shown in Figure 7.

The fifth configuration is shown from the front in Figure 8. in diagrammatic form. Two more reflective surfaces are added to fourth configuration in the manner of the third configuration - one to the right of the page to be viewed 9 and one to the left of the page. Thus recto, verso and both sides of the binding may be viewed simultaneously.

A.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A reflective system permitting recto and verso of a page and

both sides of binding of a book to be seen simultaneously.
2. A device substantially as described herein.

2. A reflective system permitting a verso and the next recto and both sides of the binding of a book to be seen simultaneously and correctly disposed.

3. A reflective system permitting a page and one side of the binding of a book to be seen simultaneously and correctly disposed.

4. A reflective system permitting a watermark in a page and one side of the binding of a book to be seen simultaneously and correctly disposed.

5. A device substantially as described herein.

5- AmendFnents to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A reflective system consisting of two similar units each of which has a plane reflective surface with supporting feet forming a vee shape, which, when used in conjunction with a flat light source and with two plane mirrors, can be variously configured so as to allow the contents of a partially open book, including the watermark, to be viewed either as a mirror image or correctly disposed or which can be so configured that one of the covers and one page of a partially open book, including the watermark, can be viewed correctly disposed, or which can be so configured that the recto and verso of a page can both be viewed either by reflected light or by transmitted light or which can be so configured that both sides of the binding together with the recto of one page and the verso of the following page can all be viewed simultaneously and correctly disposed.