US1621632A - Book rest - Google Patents

Description

A. GRUMBLES BOOK REST Filed June 5, 1925 2 Sheets-heet 2 anemia Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR GRUIVJIBLES, 0F FORT WORTH, TEXAS.

BOOK BEST.

Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to an improved book rest, and has reference to the type particularly adapted for holding a book in an open position while reading, to obviate the necessity of holding the same in the hand as is customary.

The invention has more particular reference to a book holder, which may be said to be convertible in that it is adaptable to be rested upon a desk, table, or the like, to support the book in an inclined reading position, or is adapted to be propped in ones lap while reclining in bed, to permit convenient and effective holding of the book when reading, the device being such that it supports a book at an angle to obviate leaning forwardly and downwardly too much, whereby to eliminate stiff neck, cramped muscles, eye strain, and other disadvantageous results.

The structural details and their relative arrangement, providing a novel association will be taken up in order in the detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a front view of a book rest constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the same as it appears when resting upon a table or the like.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary de' tails section of the same.

Figure 3 is also a sectional and elevation al view taken through the central portion of the device for showing the book leaf clamp in its inoperative position.

Figure 4. is a view showing detachable supporting legs provided for supporting the holder at a comparatively great elevation.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view showing the method of detachably connecting the supporting legs.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates a backing plate against which the book is rested, and this is preferably of a size to permit it to eflectively support the halves of the book when open for reading. Extending forwardly from the bottom of this plate is a shelf 2 upon which the book is rested. From Figure 3 it will be seen that the central portion of the shelf is cut away to provide an opening 8 through which a spring pressed book clamp d is adapted to move. The clamp comprises a 1925. Serial No. 35,172.

plate 5 having laterally extending arms 6 rotatably mounted upon a pin 7 appropriately supported beneath the bottom of the shelf 2. A coiled spring is wrapped about this pin and confined between the arms and the free end portion 8 bears against the plate 5 so as to normally hold the clamp in the position shown in Figure 3. A wire handle 9 is fastened to the plate and serves as a means for swinging the clamp downwardly and through the opening to permit the book to be placed between the clamp and the backing plate 1. It should be noted that the intermediate portion 10 of the handle is substantially U-shaped and constitutes a stop for engaging the shelf as shown. Attention is also called to the fact that the forward edge of the shelf is rolled as at 11 to provide a tubular bearing for recep tion of one of the side pieces of a substantially rectangular supporting frame 12. The frame may be swung down to right angular supporting position indicated in Figures 1 and 2, or may be swung beneath the shelf and out of the Way as desired. Connected to the rear side of the backing plate is diagonal depending tube 13, in which a standard .14 telescopes, there being a suitable clamp 15 by means of which the standard is clamped in various adjusted positions. The standard is formed with a base 16 adapted to rest on the table or other support upon which the device is placed. It. is by means of the frame 12, and the telescoping prop formed by the parts 13 and 141 that the device may be conveniently supported upon a desk or the like. It is frequently desirable however to support the same at a little higher elevation, particularly when it is used by a person confined to a bed. In carrying out this end I provide two pairs of attaching brackets 17 on the bottom of the shelf and attach detachable legs 18 to these. The legs are each; formed from a single length of wire bent between its ends to provide a substantially triangular rest 19, the free end portions being twisted together as at 20, and then extending in divergent relation as at 21 with the extremities bent angularly and seated in the brackets 17 as shown in Figure 5. A. pair of hooks 22 are swingably mounted upon the shelf, and are adapted to engage with the apices of the triangles in order to support the legs in the position shown in Figure 1. These hooks may also be swung to the position shown in Figure 2 for preventing forward and outward swinging of the supporting frame 12.

In practice, the handle 9 is grasped and pulled downwardly. This swings the clamp 4 outwardly upon the rod 7 and provides a space therebetween for reception of the book. Now the book is placed against the backing plate 1, and upon the resting shelf 2. Upon releasing the handle, the clamp is swung by this spring inwardly and presses against the open leaves of the book to hold them against accidental turning. l/Vith the leaves thus held and the book in the proper inclined position, it is supported either upon a desk, table or the like, or is placed in the bed, so that invalids and persons confined to a bed may conveniently support the book without the use of their hands. The frame 12 and hooks 22. may be used if desired, or the frame may be swung out of the way, and the legs 18 attached as shown in Figure 5, and used. Circumstances will regulate the use of these convertible supporting devices. Whenever it is desired to turn a leaf, the handle is simply pressed downwardly to swing the clamp through the opening 3 in the shelf so that it literally disappears and swings out of the path of movement of the leaf to be turned.

No doubt, a careful considerationof the description in connection with the drawings will enable persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the'preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A book rest comprising a backing plate, a right-angular shelf carried thereby, said rolled to provide a bearin shelf being provided with an opening, a rod supported on the under side of the shelf and located beneath said opening, a substantially U-shaped clamping member, the arms of said member extending downwardly through said opening and being pivotally mounted upon said rods, a spring coiled around said rod and having one end bearing against the bight portion of the U-shaped member for maintaining it in a predetermined position, and a handle connected with the intermediate portion of the U-shaped member, said handle extending downwardly through said opening and terminating in an upwardly projecting hand-grip, whereby to limit the movement of the U-shaped member in one direction and permit it to be pulled down wail'illy through said opening and below said s e 2. A book rest comprising a backing plate, a right-angular shelf carried thereby, said shelf being provided with an opening, a rod supported on the under side of the shelf and located beneath said opening, a substantially U-shaped clamping member, the arms of said member extending downwardly through said opening and being pivotally mounted upon said rods, a spring coiled around said rod and having one end bearing against the bight portion of the U-shaped member for maintaining it in a predetermined position, and a handle connected with the intermediate portion of the U-shaped member, said handle extending downwardly through said opening and terminating in an upwardly projecting hand-grip, whereby to limit the movement of the U-shaped member in onedirection and permit it to be pulled downwardly through said opening and below said shelf, said shelf having its free outer edge a substantially rectangular wire supporting frame having both side portions journaled for rotation in said bearing, and an adjustable prop carried by said backing plate.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature,

ARTHUR GRUMBLES.

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