GB2375734A

GB2375734A - Bookmark with adjustable loop(s)

Info

Publication number: GB2375734A
Application number: GB0112629A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anna Bouvie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-05-23
Filing date: 2001-05-23
Publication date: 2002-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-23
Also published as: GB0112629D0; GB2375734B

Abstract

Bookmark 1 comprises first loop 2 which is adjustable in size by slider 5 to fit around a page(s) to secure the bookmark. The bookmark may also have a second loop 4 which secures tab 3 and a third loop 8 which secures tab 9.

Description

BOOKMARK AND METHOD This invention relates to a bookmark for example for marking a desired page in a book. The invention further relates to a method of bookmarking.

A wide range of bookmarks have previously been proposed. The majority fall in to one of two classes. In the first class the bookmark is clipped to the page. Such clips risk damage to the book. The second class, exemplified by US 5,458, 081, merely lie between the pages and are liable to fall out of the book during handling.

The invention seeks to reduce the problems of the prior art.

According to the invention there is provided a bookmark comprising a band of flexible elongate material carrying a slider mounted on the band to form a first loop and a second loop the slider being movably mounted on the elongate material to allow the relative sizes of the first and second loops to be varied.

Embodiments of the inventions will be described by way of non-limiting example by reference to the accompanying figures of which Fig 1 is a perspective view of an open book with a book mark of the invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of a bookmark of the invention in a closed book; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bookmark of the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bookmark of the invention in a closed book; Fig. 5 is a scrap view of a bookmark of the invention showing attachment of a tab; and

Fig. o is a partially sectioned scrap view of a tab secured to a loop.

Bookmark 1 comprises a first loop 2 of elongate flexible material. By way of nonlimiting example the elongate flexible material could be string, cord, heather or cotton thread, waxed thread, twine, leather, plastics, nylon, polyester, satin, silk or wire.

A first tab 3 is captive on the first loop. In the illustrated embodiment the first tab 3 is secured to the first loop 2 by second loop 4. It is not essential to do this and the first tab could if desired be secured to the first loop in other ways such as gluing or stapling. In other embodiments of the invention the first tab while captive on the first loop is slidably moveable on the loop.

Desirably the first tab 3 is of aesthetically pleasing appearance. By way of nonlimiting example it could be made from leather, metal, plastics, mother of pearl, wood or glass optionally decorated.

In the embodiment of Figs 3 and 6 the first tab 3 comprises a bead. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing the bead allows the knot 20 of the second loop to be hidden from view enhancing even further the aesthetic appeal of the design.

A slider 5 is provided on the first loop. Slider 5 allows the size of the first loop to be varied by sliding the slider along the first loop. Slider 5 is provided with a hole 16 passing therethrough. The hole should be dimensioned such that the slider can be easily slid along the material of the loop but tending to remain in position when released.

Slider 5 is desirably of aesthetically appealing form. There is little criticality to the materials of which it is made but examples include leather, metal, plastics, mother of pearl, wood or glass optionally decorated. In the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 6 the first tab 3 comprises a bead. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing the bead allows the knot 20 of the second loop to be hidden from view enhacing even further the aesthetic appeal of the design.

In the embodiment of Fig 3, tails 6,7 of the elongate flexible material extending from the slider 5 away from the first loop are joined to form a third loop 8. While many embodiments of the invention are constructed in this way it is not essential to do so.

In many embodiments of the invention as shown in Fig. 3 a second tab 9 is captive on the third loop. It is not essential to do this and the second tab 9 could be omitted.

Where present the second tab could be secured to the third loop by fourth loop 10. In other embodiments of the invention the second tab is secured to the third loop by gluing or stapling. In other embodiments of the invention the second tab while captive is free to move along the third loop. Desirably the second tab is of aesthetically pleasing appearance.

By way of non-limiting example it could be made of leather, metal, plastics, mother of pearl, wood, or glass optionally decorated.

In some embodiments tails 6,7 are not joined. For example each tail could terminate in a tab secured by knots. These tabs could, as could the other tabs, be formed integrally. Desirably the tabs are of aesthetically pleasing appearance and could for

example be made from leather, metal, plastics, mother of pearl, wood or glass optionally decorated.

In use the book 30 is opened at the page it is desired to mark. One strand of the first loop is laid within the spread of the book. The other strand, 6 of the first loop can either be laid between two other pages (thereby allowing two pages to be marked) or outside the book for example along the spine.

The slider can then be slid towards the book securing the bookmark in position without damaging the leaves.

The tabs can be used to help retrieve the book from a bookshelf thereby reducing the

I likelihood of damage to the spine of the book.

Furthermore by positioning the loop2 toward the outer edge of the book 30 that is to say away from the spine 31 it is possible to restrain the pages on that side of the book from fanning thereby making the book easier to read.

Claims

1. A bookmark comprising a band of flexible elongate material carrying a slider mounted on the band to form a first loop and a second loop the slider being movably mounted on the elongate material to allow the relative sizes of the first and second loops to be varied.

2. A bookmark as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first loop is provided with a tab.

3. A bookmark as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second loop is provided with a tab.

4. A bookmark substantially as described herein by reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2.

5. A method ofbookmarking a book comprising the steps of i) providing a bookmark comprising a loop of flexible elongate material the size of which is adjustable by a slider mounted on the elongate material; ii) positioning the bookmark such that only one strand of the loop lies between a pair of adjacent pages of the book and optionally; iii) adjusting the slider to secure the bookmark.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the other strand of the loop is positioned between a second pair of adjacent pages.