US549639A - Book-holder - Google Patents

Description

0.-1 HARRIS. BOOK HOLDER;

Patented Nov. 12, 1895 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. HARRIS, or SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

BOOK-HOLDER,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,639, dated November 12, 1895.

Application filed February 8, 1895. Serial No. 537,698. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES. P. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Book-Holders; and I do. hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to adjustable rests or supports for books, papers, writing materials, &c.; and my object is to provide a convenient and simple device of portable character adjustable in several ways for difierent purposes and capable, according to its adjustment, of use as abook-support in reading, as a level or inclined writing-desk, and as a flattopped table or Stand.

My invention consists in a peculiar construction of the book-holder, its supports, and the means of adjusting it, which is fully hereinafter described and is shown in the accompanying drawings, in connection with which this specification should be read.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the entire device. Fig. 2 is a similar elevation, but enlarged, showing the clamp for securing the book-holder to its standard and the manner of jointing the holder to the clamp to permit of its various adjustments. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectionthrough the support or standard with the clamp shown in plan view and the book-holder removed. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, the book-support being shown in vertical cross-section. Fig. 5 is a broken transverse section through the book holder or table. Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevation of a book board or table. 7 is a modified form of lock for the pivoted board.

A represents a support or standard of wood or metal. It is preferably made of square cross-section, so as to afford a better hold for the clamp, which is connected to the bookholder, but might be made of round tubing. The standard is supported by a tripod base B, one leg 1 of which is made longer than the others, for a purpose hereinafter referred to.

C represents a combined guide and clamp, preferably formed of a single malleable casting. It is composed of guides 2 and 3,which surround the slideIupon the standard, and an intermediate clamp 4. The guides 2 and 3 are far enough apart to give a long bearing on the standard, and thus keep the bookholder steady. The clamp 4, as shown in Fig. 4, does not entirely surround the standard, but has free ends, which can be drawn together by the screw 5 after the clamp has been adjusted to its proper height. The screw 5 passes through threaded holes in parallel ears 6 6, projecting from the clamp. Between these ears and on a transverse pin 7 is pivoted an angular plate 8, which is thus rendered adjustable in the ears and can be held rigidly by being clamped between such ears when the latter are drawn tightly against it by the screw 5. The part 9 of the plate projects at an angle, so as to bring a cylindrical pin 10 (formed with it) out of line with the standard A. This pin, which is the journal for supporting the book-holder, is provided with a groove 11. The book-holder D is a flat board, to which is secured a plate 12, having a sleeve 13. This sleeve forms a bearing when fitted upon the pin 10. It is held at an angle, and also prevented from coming off the pin by the set-screw 14, which passes through a threaded opening in the sleeve or bearing.

The book-holder is now capable of a double pivotal motion for adjustment. Thus taking the device as represented asa whole in Fig. 1 the book-holder can be dropped down sidewise in front of the standard, so as to take up very little room when not in use. By its rotary adjustment on its own axis it can be set and held at any angle desired to suit the convenience of a reader or writer. It can be used fiat as a table, and for this purpose is reversible, so that either side can be employed. The main advantage of the construction shown results from the fact that the book-holder projects sidewise from the standard, and the whole device being portable can be placed conveniently for readers or writers when seated in a chair, so as to bring the book in front of the chair, the standard being placed to one side. The purpose of extending the foot 1 of the tripod support is thus apparent, since the center of gravity is brought beyond the standard, and a long foot extended beneath the center of gravity is required to give perfect support. At the same time the foot goes easily under the chair and is never in the way.

I have shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a supplementary or removable frame or ledge surrounding the book-support and composed of strips 15, hinged together and having pins 16,whieh enter holes in the board and thus hold them in place. This frame forms a ledge around, one side of the board, which particularly adapts it for use as a table for serving meals to invalids. The bottonrpartof theframe; is shown as hinged to the board itself, so that it can be dropped down, if 'desired. WVhere this frame is not used, the board is provided with a rigidledge at the bottom to support the book. For the convenience of writers-a holder F for an inkstand and pens can beattachedto'the guide-el'amp,as shown in Fig. 1.

The modifiedconstruction shown in Fig. 7 may be substitutedforthe set-screw, which holds the book-board when adjusted to the desired angle. A series of shallow holes 17 is formed in-the pivotrpin, and the surrounding sleeve is provided with a short springbolt 18, seating inwardly. \Vhenthispin is withdrawn, the board can be swung on its pivot to the proper angle, the bolt seating itself in the nearest hole and holding the sleeve and board atthc proper angle.

\Vhat I claim is 1. In a book holder, in combination, the standard, the clamp adjustable thereon, the arm pivoted to said clamp and the book holder carried thereby, said holder being adapted to swing in a vertical plane at right angles to the movement of said arm, substantially as stud extending laterally from'the other arm of said piecehaving a groove around its pcriphery,'the book holderythe sleeve carried thereby'adapted to fit 'over said stud, and

the pin projecting through said sleeve into said groove, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 29th day of January, 1895.

CIIARL 1S 1. HARRIS. "\Vitn esses:

.Ii. WJSEELY, II. .T. LANG.

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