US2443216A - Stenographic notebook holder - Google Patents

Description

June 15, 1948. H. J. LARSEN STENOGRAPHIO NOTEBOOK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1946 June, 15, 1948. H. J. LARSEN STENOGRAPHIC NOTEBOOK HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fild Aug. 8, 1946 HERBERTJ- LH/RSE/V,

Patented June 15, 1948 STENOGRAPHIC NOTEBOOK HOLDER Herbert J. Larsen, Chevy Chase, Md., assignor to Larsen & Co. Inc., Washington, D. 0., a corporation of Delaware Application August s, 1946, Serial No. 689,285

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to devices for supporting stenographic notebooks and the like in a suitable position on a desk so that the shorthand ntations may be easily read during transcription on a typewriter.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a device which, unlike the usual cumbersome devices employed for this purpose, is of simple con struction and which will suitably support the notebook in either of two positions. The device secures the covers of the notebook at an acute angle to each other thus permitting the notebook to support itself. In one of its two positions the notebook is adapted to rest on those edges of the cover which are opposite the hinge. In the other position of use, one cover of the notebook rests flat on the desk surface with the hinge edge toward the typist and with the other cover extending upwardly at angle so that the pages supported thereby are within full View of the typist.

The invention has as a further object the provision of a device for holding notebooks in position for the transcription of shorthand notes, which device may be easily manufactured from sheet metal, such as sheet spring steel or the like.

In such form of the invention the device is constructed to perform a second function. When not in use as a notebook holder it may serve to remove staples of the type now commonly employed to secure a number of sheets of paper together. For such purpose the device is formed with a pair of inwardly directed, oppositely disposed, pointed prongs, which, when the device is pressed between the thumb and forefinger are adapted to be inserted between the staple and the paper and to remove the staple. It is an important object of the invention to provide a device capable of performing these two distinct and useful functions.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one form of the device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the device in holding a shorthand notebook in one position for the transcription of the notes.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing how the device holds a shorthand notebook in the other posi 2 as being gripped between the thumb and forefinger for the removal of a staple.

Fig. 8 is horizontal section taken through the device, lookin downwardly as the staple removing prongs of the device are about to enter and remove a staple, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention capable of use as a notebook holder.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the device may be comprised of sheet metal, such as spring steel. It is formed with two flat sides I0 and I2 disposed. in planes which are normally at an acute angle to each other and connected integrally at one end by a curved hinge portion l4.

One side edge of each of the flat sides l0 and I2 is formed with flat cover engaging elements It and I8 respectively. These are integral with-the flat sides and are bent back soas to be disposed in planes substantially parallel to and spaced from the outer surfaces of the fiat sides l0 and I2.

The edges of the fiat sides l0 and I2 opposite the hinge portion 14 are formed with integral, inwardly projecting triangular prongs 20 and 22, which, as will be described hereinafter, are used when the device is employed in removing staples. The tips of these prongs 20 and 22, when the device is in normal inoperative position, are slightly spaced from each other (see Figs. 1 and 4). They extend from opposite ends of edges of the sides l0 and I2 and as will be clear from Fig. 8 are in the form of right angled triangles with their edges 24, 26 parallel, and slightly spaced so as to slide past each other when the tips of the prongs. are

disposedbeneath a staple 28 and the sides l0 and I2 of the device are squeezed toward each other.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the manner in which the device may be employed. to support a stenographic notebook 30 in position on a desk or the like so that the stenographic notes may be easily viewed for transcription. From these figures it will be posed pages of the notebook or the inner faces ofthe covers themselves. Moreover, ,because the sides Ill and I2 themselves are connected'by a hinge portion [4 also of spring material, it will be appreciated that positioning of the device The covers of the book are then In and I2 maybe-disposed closer toithesides than the free ends ofthe elements. In other-words, the

plane of the elements [8 and I8 may diverge slightly outward from the plane of the sides III- I Since the device may .be..con structed.of

and I2. spring steel or the like, it will now 'becle'ar that each side H1 and Hand itsmespective: element:- 116 and I8 is adapted to clamp between themacover of the notebook or the cover and the pages lying there against. 7

In the position shown in Fig. 2 the device holds the covers of the notebook securely so ith'atrt'he.

edges of the notebook opposite the hinge may rest on the surface of =the'desk without slipping apart.

When the typist hastranscribedallmfatheshorthandnotes on page 32 =(Flg. 2) the notebook; still clampedby the device, may be -vmoved to the position shown-imFig. 3. Insthat position, page 32 which has just been transcribedis fiat against the surfaceofzthe-desk, and .pagefihs-now positioned in lyiewof the typist =for. transcribing,

In accordance with another feature of the-inventiomthe device is provided-with the-special prongs .20 and 22- -.-(which-havebeen described). Thepurpose of, these prongs is to enable the deviceto -beeemployed. as a staple remover whenyit-is not employed as. a notebook holder. This added feature renders the devicedoub-ly useful ,tothe stenographer, and in .large. o-ffices particularl-y,-:results in saving and efficiency.

1 he-. use=ofthe device .as a-.staple remover isillustrated especiallyi-nFigs-2'7 and:8.- Fig.-'7'shows asheaf.oflpapersdll-secured by the staple 28.. The device; is .shownas. being gripped between; the. thumband forefingerof the user. Whenv so held theydevi-ce iszplaced-on thepazpenso-that the-points of rthe .prongs20.-and-12 2 are positioned on, each s'ide.of .-the.staple 28y (Figs-8).. The sides of the devices aretthenpressed: together causing. the prongs -:2 ti and 2-2 to be inserted between the staple 28:and"the paper; As theprongspassbeneath the staple, the combined width-.ofithe 'prongsbecomeslarger than-thelength of. the-staple. andthe staple is-ssheared: and .freedfromithe'paperi Such actionzds similar -to-: that of: some. staple ."removers nowsfrequent-lyyused and apart from :the tract. that the. present device incorporates the staplerernovingcfeature" along with other ;featunes;,;:no :novelty iscclaimed; for :the shape of the prongs and their function:

Thezelements I 6-: and :I 8 of. the. device-:d'o, how-P. ever;:..periorm a. useful; and? {important function: whenithedeviceds used as .a stapleremover. Itis these elements with which the thumb-:and-iorefinger ofi the user-come in contact-.whemthede, vice -is gripped. 'When-nthestaple is finally' seV-. cred; byr-the "device .the two members, l'flwand. I2 snap together. withia slightv jan- Thisw-jar is not, however-, transmitted: to-:the user since the olements 1 Grand. Hiact fin I'UTB manner of-shock -ab sorbers.-. Thus; the elements. l Brand. l8aperform1- toxin-"inclusive canbe.made from aasinsieunitary Ll-l integral blank of sheet metal such as spring steel, which is then bent into the form illustrated, and if desired, heat treated in a manner to assure the spring character of the material. The spring character of the material insures the clamping action when the device is used as a notebook holder, and when employed as a staple remover causes'the deviceto assume its normal shape after the sides have-been pressed togetherin the staple removing operation.

In addition to the advantages of simplicity of .manufactureandthe capability of the device of performing two functions, both well, the invention .possesses the attribute of being small in size. 4Either when inuse, or when stored ready for use,

it occupies but very little space in contrast to many cumbersome copy book holders.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 9. In this modification the device is not provided with the staple removing feature but serves admirably as a stenographic notebook holdeix. Here :the. device advantageously be. formed .of a relatively thick strip of plastic, suchas transparent Lucite or the like. The strip 42'is bent intermediate its ends so that the resulting opposed sides are disposed at a suitable angle to support anotebook properly. Side edgesof the strip 42. have elements M and d6 securedthereto by rivets 68 or the like. These elements 44 and 46 are then bent back over the edges of the strip and into planes which are spaced from and substantialh parallel to-the sides of the device but die verge slightly from. the planes of the sides. In .1188 thedevice ;is secured to the notebook so that the covers and supported pages of the notebook are clamped between the sides of the device and the elements 44 and 46, similarly to the device in Figs. 2.and 3.- The-elements 4 3 andfifi'are preferably;

of spring metal so as to insure the clamping? ac tion heretofore discussed.

The modification illustrated in Figwfimay be comprisedof anumber of-dirlerent materials;such

as fiber, vulcanized rubber, metal and the like.

Preferably, however, the material of the strip 42 should possess a slight flexible or springquality.

If desired the elements id and 58 may be of; the

same materialas the strip 22 and integraltherewith. In such case the elements M and it will'b-e' po-sed'norrnallyat an acute angle to eachother and joined together by a spring hinge portion, each-member having one side edge which extends from said hinge portion and which side edge has a flat element projecting laterally therefrom and.

bent back over the outer face of the member from which itprojects soar; to be positioned in a plane spaced-fromand ata slight angle from the plane of the member, whereby side edge portionsof :a' oover of a notebook adjacent .the hinge of the notebook may be engaged between said elements and said-flat members and held substantially-tat said acutev angle of the clip thus permitting the; notebook to be supported in such openposition on:

a-deskj-surtace. I 1

2. A clip for-holding stenographic notebooks and the likein position for the transcription of; notes therefrom, said clip being of spring sheet metal and having two flatmembers disposed. normally at an acute angle .:to each other and; joined together; byan integral; spring. hinge. portion.

stenographic notebooks andeach member having one side edge extending from said hinge portion and which side edge has an integral rectangular sheet metal flat element projecting laterally therefrom and bent back over the outer face of the member from which it projects so as to be positioned in a plane spaced from and at a slight angle from the plane of the member, whereby side edge portions of the cover of a notebook adjacent the hinge of the notebook may be engaged between said elements and said members and held substantially at said acute angle of the clip thus permitting the notebook to be supported in such open position on a desk surface.

3. A clip for holding stenographic notebooks and the like in position for the transcription of notes therefrom, said clip having two flat members disposed normally at an acute angle to each other and joined together by a spring hinge portion, each member having one side edge which extends from said hinge portion and which side edge has a flat element projecting laterally therefrom and bent back over the outer face of the member from which it projects so as to be positioned in a plane spaced from and at a. slight angle from the plane of the member, whereby side edge portions of the cover of a notebook adjacent the hinge of the notebook may be engaged between said elements and said flat members and held substantially at said acute angle of the clip thus permitting the notebook to be supported in such open position on a desk surface, the edges of the fiat members opposite the hinge of the clip each having inwardly projecting prongs, whereby the device may also be employed as a staple remover by inserting the tips of the prongs between the staple and the paper and squeezing the members of the clip toward each other.

4. A clip for holding stenographic notebooks and the like in position for the transcription of notes therefrom, said clip being of spring sheet metal and having two fiat members disposed normally at an acute angle to each other and joined together by an integral sprin hinge portion, each member having one side edge extending from said hinge portion and which side edge has an integral rectangular sheet metal flat element projecting laterally therefrom and bent back over the outer face of the member from which it projects so as to be positioned in a plane spaced from and at a slight angle from the plane of the member, whereby side edge portions of the cover of a notebook adjacent the hinge of the notebook may be engaged between said elements and said members and held substantially at said acute angle of the clip thus permitting the notebook to be supported in such open position on a desk surface, the edges of the members opposite the hinge of the clip each having an inwardly projecting flat triangular prong, whereby the clip may also be employed as a staple remover by inserting the tips of the prong between the staple and the paper and squeezing the elements of the clip toward each other.

HERBERT J. LARSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 567,221 Cook Sept. 8, 1896 1,169,869 Richards Feb. 1, 1916 1,242,914 Blatt Oct. 16, 1917 1,321,592 Brown Nov. 11, 1919

Images