GB2407297A

GB2407297A - Book or manuscript support with flexible page support

Info

Publication number: GB2407297A
Application number: GB0324437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Robert Drage
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-20
Filing date: 2003-10-20
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-20
Also published as: GB0324437D0; GB2407297B

Abstract

A reading aid comprising an elongate member, left-and-right-handpage-retaining portions. Integral with said elongate member, arranged such that in use a book may be held in an open, reading, position by the aid with the elongate member extending transversely to the spine of the book, adjacent the cover. Each page-retaining portion being in folded form extending around the respective edge of the open book and having a resilient page-contacting portion. The page-retaining portions are asymmetric, with one thereof when in a relaxed position extending further from the page edge back towards the spine than the other page-retaining portion. The page-contacting portion of said one page-retaining portion also being spaced closer to the elongated member than the other page-contacting portion.

Description

Page 1 A reading aid or device 2407297

Background

On opening a book the potential energy in the spine naturally causes the book to close of its own accord; likewise, once opened, the potential energy in the cover and pages also naturally causes the book to close.

There are three main positions one adopts when reading a book:- One lying the book's spine on a surface, egg. a table top or the ground, to support the book, then forcing the book open with hands to allow visible text.

Two - forcing the book open with hands to reveal the text, then supporting the base of the spine on a surface e.g. table top or knee, whilst keeping the book open with (a) handts) or the use of other aids.

Three - forcing the book open with hands to allow readable text at the same time supporting the book with the hands and arms.

There are many applications where a user finds keeping a book open whilst reading is awkward and uncomfortable. Reading a book held open with hands or other aids can also be restrictive since invariably the pages are not flat and square on to the eyes.

Whilst holding a book open the hands and fingers need to exert a certain amount of force to prevent the book from closing and they therefore reduce the readable area of the page. Not only can this become uncomfortable both over short and long periods of time, but for the both elderly and disabled, the force needed to keep a book open can even restrict their reading ability. Cramping in the hands is also a problem for some people when holding a book open for a prolonged period of time.

The use of other objects to keep the book open can reduce the readable area of the page and also prevent the fuming of pages with ease.

In position Three the energy needed to support a book at a point where it is near enough to the eyes for readable text can soon become uncomfortable as a humans arms naturally tend to travel in the direction of gravity.

When some one is reading a marker is required to show the reader which page the are up to.

Although there are similar devices that have been proposed generally they Obscure text, Require two-handed operation, Lack adequate control of page tension and movement, Require moving parts, Do not allow for expansion to increase the usability.

Page 2

Summary of the Invention

I have therefore designed an asymmetric reading device that keeps a book open without the need for hands or other devices and acts as a page marker to overcome the problems aforementioned.

Accordingly this invention provides a reading aid comprising an elongate member and left-and-right-handpage-retaining portions, integral with said elongate member, arranged such that in use a book may be held in an open, reading, position by the aid with said elongate member extending genuinely transversely to the spine of the book, adjacent the cover, and each page-retaining portion being in folded form extending around the respective edge of the open book and having a resilient page-contacting portion, wherein the page-retaining portions are asymmetric, with one thereof when in a relaxed position extending further from the page edge back towards the spine than the other page-retaining portion, and the page-contacting portion of said one page-retaining portion also being spaced closer to said elongated member than the other page-contacting portion.

The illustrated embodiments of this invention provide a method of keeping a book open and supporting it without the need for hands or other non specific devices.

They therefore provide the means for a more comfortable reading position which frees the hands up and does not require the use of other objects to hold the book open, only requiring the use of one hand to turn the page.

This reading aid can also be used as a page marker without folding pages and using other devices.

Page 3

Description

Figure 1. Shows plan,end and side view Compn'sing an elongated X shaped beam running across the spine of the book in a transverse direction, being of a width that allows the open book to fit within the maximum length of the reading device.

Figure 2. Shows the reading device in use with a book Figure 3. Shows selection of attachments/accessofies Figure 4. Show reading device used as a page marker.

Detailed description of drawings

Figure 1. of the drawings shows an lateral elongated member 1 made of a rigid plastic material which in cross section is an extended X shape 2 towards the end of the lateral member the cross section changes to a U shape in cross section 3,4 the end of the member terminates in curved end pieces forming arms 5,6 which protrude vertically and narrow in cross section 15,16, then turn inwardly 7,8 narrowing in cross section 17,18 whilst changing cross section to elliptical and then downward in a curve 9,10 towards the centre of the elongated member 1 towards the end of the arms they turn upward terminating 11,12 in a rounded cross section 13,14. and rounded ends 19,20.

The narrowing of the cross section creates flexibility in the arms.

There is a distinct difference in the left hand arm and the fight hand arm due to the different forces needed to accommodate the different forces required to control the pages of a book through the actions of reading. The left arm is longer 21 and vertically shorter 23 than the fight 22,24.

Claims

Page 4 Claims 1. A reading aid comprising an elongate member and

left-and-right-hand page-retaining portions, integral with said elongate member, arranged such that in use a book may be held in an open, reading, position by the aid with said elongate member extending genuinely transversely to the spine of the book, adjacent the cover, and each page-retaining portion being in folded form extending around the respective edge of the open book and having a resilient page-contacting portion, wherein the page- retainine portions are asymmetric, with one thereof when in a relaxed position extending further from the page edge back towards the spine than the other page- retaining portion, and the page-contacUng portion of said one page- retaining portion also being spaced closer to said elongated member than the other page-contacting portion.
2. A reading aid according to Claim 1, wherein each of said pagecontacting portions is of flexible tail form, being of generally Circular cross section.
3. A reading aid according to Claim 1 and Claim 2, wherein each pagecontacting portion is generally curved, to provide a lead-in portion for the edge of a turned page to be slid thereunder against a resilient bias.
4. A reading aid according to any of the preceding Claims, due to its cross sections can connect to a releasable attachment.

4. A reading aid according to any of the preceding Claims, adapted for releasable attachment to a support means.

5. A reading system comprising a reading aid according to any of the preceding claims, and a support means.

6. A reading system according to Claim 5, wherein said support means includes a location means or rest for supporting the lower edge of a book in use, thereby to locate the book vertically with respect to said support means.

7. A reading system accordingly to Claim 5 and Claim 6, wherefin said support means includes at least one support region for engaging the spine region of a book.

8. A reading system according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein said support means is adapted to be hand held and includes a manually grippable stem.

9. A reading system according to Claim 8, wherein said reading aid and said support means are adapted to be capable of being clipped together in a compact configuration for storage.

10. A reading system according to Claim 8 and Claim 9, which further includes at least one optionally removable support wing adapted in use to support the system, with a book attached, in a reading position on a flat surface.

11. A reading system wherein said support means comprises a support arm having one end for connection to said reading aid and the other end for attachment to an anchorage.

12. A reading system according to Claim 11 wherein said arm is articulatable.

13. A support means for a reading system according to any of Claims 5 to 11.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A reading aid comprising an extended elongate beam, having an X shaped cross section with resilient and flexible left and right hand page retaining portions of a generally round cross section, located at opposite ends of the beam, so that in use a book may be held in the open, reading position where the extended elongate beam being located adjacent and transverse to the spine and to the cover of the book? where each of the page retaining portions arena a folded,rorrn so that they extend armed the cover and the pages of the book, initially in a generally upward direction then both curving inward and downward towards each other and towards the spine of the book, the page retaining portions further being asymmetrically spaced in a vertical plane, with respect to the transverse member; so that rme page retaining norhon 'S Mated further vticalb', wait from the trnSvee beam than the other page retaining portion, the page retaining portions having a resilient lead-in page contacting portion.

2. A reading aid according to Claim 1, wherein each of said pagecontacting portions is of flexible tail form, being of generally circular cross section.

3. A reading aid according to Claim 1 and Claim 2, wherein each pagecontacting portion is generally curved, to provide a lead-in portion for the edge of a fumed page to be slid thereunder against a resilient bias.