WO1983003797A1

WO1983003797A1 - Reading aid apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1983003797A1
Application number: PCT/AU1983/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Helmut Schrodel; Nancy Nugent
Original assignee: Helmut Schrodel; Nancy Nugent
Priority date: 1982-05-05
Filing date: 1983-05-05
Publication date: 1983-11-10
Also published as: EP0120864A1

Abstract

A reading aid for typists and like operators comprising a cylinder (1) adapted to support a sheet of manuscript and having support means (7) for holding said cylinder (1) substantially in the normal line of vision of a typist while typing and permitting rotation of said cylinder (1) about its central longitudinal axis to cause said manuscript to be moved through said normal line of vision. The cylinder may be transparent whereby the manuscript is supported by the interior of the cylinder.

Description

"READING AID APPARATUS"

THE PRESENT invention relates to a reading aid especially copyholder for typewriters and similar office machines.

So-called copyholders are known in the prior art for aidi in the copying work of a typist who has to copy a man script or draft on the typewriter or for holding any oth visual aid that may be needed by the typist. One group such copyholders comprises a flat backing board support by a tripod type holder and provided with a clamp or cl for securing a sheet of paper or manuscript to the backi board. An example of such a manuscript holder is disclos in U.S. Patent 693,124 granted on February 11, 1902.

The copy holding device of U.S. Patent 693,124 is furthe equipped with a ruler secured to the edge of the backi board for sliding up and down along the backing board edge In any event, the ruler marks the line to be copied.

It is further known from U.S. Patent 1,042,373 that a cop or manuscript can be secured to a platen type rolle similar to that in a typewriter. Such a platen type rolle is rotatable relative to a ruler.

Another group of copyholders is disclosed in French Paten 2,277,549 and German Patent 2,640,445. In this type o copyholder the sheet or manuscript to be read or copied i held in a clamped down, slightly bent position so that i maintains a perpendicular or slightly slanted positio relative to the line of view of an observer, especially th typist.

All known prior art copy holding devices must be locate adjacent to or behind a typewriter, a data processin terminal or the like so that the. spacing between the lin to be copied and the eyes of the typist is rather larg and/or the reading of a line requires a lateral movement o the head of the typist.

The copyholder according tc ^he invention comprises hollow cylindrical body over or into which the manuscrip or copy to be read is ihsertable and which may be supporte directly on or directly adjacent of the typewriter, ho ever, in such a position that the copyholder itself located substantially in the line of vision of the typis without the need for head movements in a lateral directio Such a device has the advantage that the sheet with t lines to be read can be brought into the most advantageo reading position relative to the line or range of vision the typist and that the sheet itself may be held in t transparent cylinder in such a manner that the sheet cann fold or roll back or the like. Further, the cylind prevents any fluttering of the sheet. The cylinder may hollow and transparent and constructed in such a mann that not only single sheets, but even stenographic pads m be inserted in the cylinder thereby avoiding the reading the manuscript with the aid of a ruler which normally moved by hand by the typist. This type of arrangeme avoids the lateral shifting of the head and also does n require any changes^' in^" the body posture of the typist- most instances.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the inventi the cylinder is transparent, and is open at one end for t insertion of a sheet to be copied and the other end of t cylinder comprises support means for rotatably supporti the cylinder. According to another embodiment the cylind is open at both ends and supported in a rotatable manner two claw type brackets.

Preferably, the entire copyholder is equipped with one several support means, including a leg and a base plate a pivoting means holding the components together, f example, in the form of a ball and socket structure. Such structure permits a tiltable securing of the rotatab cylinder to the housing of a typewriter or the like. In y another embodiment the support means may comprise a ba plate equipped with so-called velcro-ele ents for securi the base plate, for example, to the housing of a typ writer, to a table or the like. A ruler may be secure preferably in an adjustable or tiltable manner to t support means for indicating a line to be read. T cylinder itself may be rotated by hand or, if desired required, a small drive motor and respective gear means m be provided for advancing the rotation of the cylinder fr line to line. The rotational operation may be controlled a foot pedal switch or by switches which may be securab to the keyboard or next to the keyboard of the typewriter.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light the following description of several embodiments thereo The description is made with reference to the accompanyi drawings of which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of copyholder according to the invention including a suppo structure for securing the entire copyholder to a tab adjacent to the typewriter while positioning the cop holder cylinder directly in the range of vision of t typist;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of ^'a seco embodiment of a copyholder according to the invention; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a copyholder accordi to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows an end view of a copyholder of figure 3; Figures 5, 6, .7 and 8 show a number of differing mounti positions of the third embodiment; Figure 9 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment; Figure 10 is an end elevation of the fourth embodiment; Figure 11 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of t invention;

Figure 12 is an isometric view of a sixth embodiment; Figure 13 is an isometric view of a seventh embodiment; Figure 14 is a sectional view of the seventh embodime along line 14-14; and

Figures 15 are six drawings showing the stages of oper tion of the seventh embodiment.

As shown in Figure 1 the copy holding hollow, transpare cylinder 1 is positioned according to the inventi directly in the range of vision of the eye E of a typis whereby a lateral movement of the eye outside of the ran of the typewriter itself, that is movements of the head the lateral right and left directions are avoided, a whereby the typist does not have to take up any unnatur body posture for reading a line to be copied as is neces ary when the material to be copied is located to the le or right of the typewriter. As shown in Figure 1 t typewriter T shown in phantom lines is equipped with keyboard K with a line indicator or display D and t regular platen P. The sheet S* that is being typed ru around the platen P in the conventional manner.

The support means for the hollow, transparent cylinder 1 Figure 1 comprises a flexible holding member 7 which sufficiently stiff to hold the cylinder 1 in a substa tially horizontal position as shown when not acted upo The flexible member 7 is secured to a base plate 10 whi may be similar to any conventional lamp stand or base. T base plate 10 may be located on a table adjacent to t typewriter on one side thereof and the support member 7 long enough to position the cylinder 1 so that its centr - -

rotational longitudinal axis extends substantially horizon ally. The cylinder 1 is then located between the li indicator or display D and the platen P. The cylinder 1 rotatably supported on a shaft 2 to which the cylinder m be attached in a removable manner with the aid of a wi screw 2' or the like. A drive motor 3 is operative interposed between the shaft 2 and a holding member 5 the upper or free end of the support member 7. The shaft may be part of the motor 3 reaching into a bushing formi part of the end structure of the cylinder 1. The holdi member 5 may also support a conventional lamp 6 in such position that its light falls directly onto the cylinder especially where the line presently being copied appears.

The drive motor 3 may be controlled in its operation by pair of switches 8 arranged in the base 10, whereby t rotation of the cylinder 1 in one or the other directi may be caused by pushing the respective switch button. desired, a foot pedal operated or hand operated switchi device may also be combined with the system as is conve tional. Such switching device could be plugged into t r socket 9.

As mentioned, the cylinder 1 is made of a transparen tubular member, one end of which is open and the other en of which is operatively secured to the drive shaft 2 of th motor 3.

The circumference of the cylinder 1 is suitably dimensione so that a sheet, for example of paper S of standard size may be inserted into the cylinder as shown in Figure 1 Thus, the entire surface of the text to be copied i visible and in direct contact with the inner surface of th cylinder 1.

In operation, the reading aid of Figure 1 is positioned a shown in Figure 1 and the operator rotates the cylinder b means of a hand switch or foot pedal switch so that th text is stepped line by line into the viewing range fo copying. If desired, to extend axially along the length o the cylinder, a ruler may be combined with the cylinder t locate each line being copied.

In the second embodiment of Figure 2, the cylinder 11 i substantially of the same construction as the cylinder and is also rotatable about its longitudinal horizonta axis by support means 17 comprising a cylinder holdin member 17a to which the cylinder is rotatably secured. A extension member or leg 17b with a ball and socket joint i secured to the cylinder holding member 17a at the upper en of the extension leg 17b. The lower end thereof i connected to a base plate 17c, whereby again a ball an socket device or several such devices may be used fo interconnecting the base plate 17c with the leg 17b. screw 17d and a further screw 17e are used to fix th cylinder in the desired position. These ball and socke joints are of conventional construction and therefore no shown in further detail. .

The second embodiment of Figure 2 may be located in th same manner as shown with the first embodiment in Figure or the base plate 17c may be provided with means fo securing the base plate to the housing surface of a type writer, for example, by means of velcro-elements. The bas plate 17c may also be secured to a stand or to an extensio plate placed under the typewriter. Further, the centra extension leg 17b may be of the telescoping kind so tha the exact position of the cylinder 11 relative to the rang of vision of the typist may be adjusted as desired in a easy manner and also with due regard to different models o typewriters and data processing terminals. The cylinde holding member 17a supports a ruler 12 which extend

OMPI axially across the face of the cylinder and remains statio ary while the cylinder 11 rotates in one or the oth direction as indicated by the double arrow 11* .

If desired, the drive motor 3 could be insLάiled insL<_c_ for example directly in the housing of a typewrite whereby the output shaft of the motor would be connect through a flexible shaft or the like for driving t cylinder 1 or the cylinder 11. In any event, it practical to add to the keyboard of the typewriter t required keys for operating motor control switche Further, it is possible to install the rotatable cylind within the housing of the typewriter or within the housi of the typewriter keyboard, especially where the keyboa is separate from the printout means of the typewriter.

In such a case the respective housing is provided with view window which makes visible a portion of the cylind surface for reading the text to be copied. In bo instances, where the cylinder is installed in the typ writer housing, or where it is installed in the keyboa housing, the motor drive and the control keys would also installed in the respective housing.

The third embodiment as shown at Figures 3 and 4 comprise cylinder 11 rotatably received in a support 13 mounted to base 14. The cylinder is formed by a pair of transpare rings 15 held in spaced relation by a strip 16 to define cylindrical space between them. In use a sheet of co material is supported between the rings 15 and takes t configuration of a cylinder. If desired the cylinder 11 m be replaced by a tubular transparent member or a cylind of the form described in relation to the fourth embodime shown at Figures 9 and 10.

The support comprises a pair of part circular claws

OMI - -

having a circular dimension corresponding with the externa dimensions of the rings 15. The claws 18 are formed of resiliently flexible material whereby the free ends 19 o the claws may be separated to permit removal of th cylinder 11 fr*_.r_ι engagement with the claws. The claws 1 are held in spaced relation by a tubular support 20 suc that the spacing between the claws corresponds substan tially with the spacing between the rings 15 of th cylinder 11. One free end 19a of each of the claws support between, themselves a transparent ruler 12 which provides reference for the typist. The outer ends 21 of the rule are turned downwardly and serve to prevent lateral displace ment of the cylinder 11 within the support 13. One end o the tubular support 20 has an electric motor therein (no shown) supporting a drive wheel 22 which is in frictiona engagement with one of the rings 15 in close proximity t the other end 19b of one of the claws 18. To preven frictional engagement of the outer surface of the ring 1 with the inner surface of the claw a freely rotating rolle 23 is ^* mounted to the ruler 12 in opposed relation to th drive wheel 22 to engage the ring 15 and maintain it i spaced relation from the claw 18. In addition, the othe end 19b of the claw adjacent the drive wheel 23 supports set screw 24 having an inner end of the low frictio material such as nylon teflon or the like which engages th ring 15 to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the rin from the claw 18 due to excessive torque being applied t the ring 15 by the drive wheel 23. The tubular support 2 further contains the electrical terminals for the motor an if desired can support the batteries for the motor. Contro of the motor is effected from a key or switch on o adjacent the keyboard of the typewriter or by a foot peda control.

The support tube is located on the base 14 by a pair o spaced semicircular brackets 25 and a clip 26. The clip 2 encircles the tubular support 20 and is formed with extension 27 which is adapted to engage one side of t base 14. The side of the base 14 is divergent from t tubular support 20 and the clip is slidable on the tubul support whereby movement o.C the ^"clip 26 along the . tabul support and side of the base increases the clamping engag ment of the clip 26 therebetween and enhances the retenti of the support 13 on the base 14 while allowing pivot movement of the support about the central axis of t tubular support.

The base 14 can be fixed to any surface on or adjacent typewriter or typing station. Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 illus rate a variety of mounting means for the reading a according to the third embodiment. In the case of Figures and 7, the base 14 is removed from the support 13 and t tubular support 20 is engaged directly with a suitab mounting member 28.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated Figures 9 and 10. This embodiment is suitable for attac ment to the housing of a typewriter or other typi automats. The transparent cylinder 30 is made out of sheet of transparent synthetic material open at both end The transparent sheet of synthetic material may be made an acetate synthetic material and by overlapping the edg of the rolled up sheet a gap is formed, the lower end which may be reinforced, for example, by a wire or li means (not shown). Thus, individual sheets may be quick inserted into the cylinder from its front face and t sheets may be removed laterally out of the cylinder. flange 31 also made of transparent material surrounds t cylinder adjacent at each end thereof preferably adjace both ends for preventing a lateral shifting of the cylinde 30 in its support structure which comprises two claw typ

OMPI - 10 -

holding brackets 60, each having a lower holding arm 60 and an upper holding arm 60". These holding arms 60' an 60" are suitably made of synthetic material or metal an are sufficiently flexible to permit the easy insertion an withdrawal of the cylinder 30 into the g'ip of thes holding arms 60' and 60". By making the insertion an withdrawal of the cylinder easy as just described, it i possible to insert a sheet to be copied even where there i not sufficient lateral space available for such purpose an even where the sheet must be inserted with its long edg extending horizontally. In any event, the transparent hollow cylinder will be constructed to be rigid enough s that an entire stenographic pad may be inserted. Th inwardly facing surface of the holding arms 60 may be face with a sliding improving or low friction material 57 suc as Nylon or Teflon for facilitating the rotational movemen of the cylinder 30. The two flanges 31 which may also b faced with a friction reducing material on the side facin the respective holding arm.

A ruler 34, for example in the form of a piece of wire o metal strip is held in position by clamps 59 secured to th holding arms 60". The wire ends 35 of the ruler 34 ar insertable into holes in the holding 60" so that upo release by the clamps 59 the ruler 34 may be pivotte upwardly out of the way.

For rotating the cylinder 30 in the direction of the doubl arrow 54 there is provided a drive motor 50 having attache to its shaft a drive wheel such as a friction wheel 4 which contacts the cylinder surface as seen in Figure 10 The motor 50 is secured to the holding bracket 60 by conventional angle member 36 or the like. If desired, th cylinder may also be rotated by hand.

The lateral support brackets 60 are rigidly interconnecte with each other by a tubular member 38 which is in tu held by a clamp type slotted pipe section 39 secured to support plate 40 equipped with velcro-ele ents 61 for c operation with further velcro-elements 62 on a suppo surface 63 such as a portion of a typewriter housing. T slotted pipe section 39 may also be made of relative elastic synthetic material, whereby it is possible to ti the support structure holding the cylinder 30 up or down the direction of the double arrow 55a. Further, it possible to shift the entire support structure and thus t cylinder 30 axially to the right or left as desired, and indicated by the arrow 55 in Figure 9.

The tubular member 38 may be constructed as a batte holder for operating the motor 50. For this purpose t tubular member 38 is provided with an opening 41 for t insertion or removal of the batteries. Electrical contact 52 are arranged at the end of the tubular member 38 and ar electrically connected to a socket 42 for cooperation wit an electric plug 43 connected through a multicore cable 4 to a control panel 45 equipped with keys 46 and 47 fo controlling the operation of the motor 50 in one or th other direction. The motor 50 is connected through wire 50' to the plug-in socket 42. The control panel 47 may b secured directly to the typewriter housing, adjacent to th keyboard K thereof, however it may also take the form of foot pedal switch arrangement.

Figure 11 illustrates a fifth embodiment similar to tha shown in Figures 9 and 10. Therefore, the same component in Figure 11 are provided with the same reference number as in Figures 9 and 10. The difference the copyholder show in Figure 11 resides in the mounting of the drive motor 8 directly to the tubular member 38 so that the frictio drive wheel 81 cooperates with the right-hand flange 3 which is rigidly secured to the cylinder 30 for rotatio with the cylinder 30. A friction control wheel 81' i rotatably secured in the holding bracket 60 and bear against the flange 31 substantially opposite the frictio wheel 81. The electrical connection to the motor 80 for it forward and -reverse dι.ive cont___^l is accomplished by socket 82 connected through wiring 83 to the motor 80 an to batteries which may be held in the tubular member 38. plug-in socket 84 of conventional construction may b provided for a single pin double pole power supply plug t be used instead of the battery power supply.

The ruler 85 is secured to the upper arms 60" as shown i Figure 11 by respective wires 86 extending through a clamp ing groove 87 and provided with a handle 88, whereby th position of the ruler 85 is adjustable up and down. I desired, the ruler may also be secured to the lower holdin arm (not shown) in a similar manner.

It will be appreciated that the circumference of the dru and the length of the drum will depend upon the size of th sheets carrying the textual material. In order to be abl to accommodate different sized sheets, a number of differ ing drum sizes may be made available.

It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiment described above, the paper or manuscript may be affixed t the exterior of the cylinder in which case the cylinder, i desired could be opaque.

The sixth embodiment, which is the subject of Figure 1 comprises an opaque cylinder 111 rotatably supported withi a cylindrical housing 130. The housing 130 is formed wit an axial slot shaped opening 131 which provides acces visually and physically into the interior of the housin and the surface of the cylinder 111. The housing is itsel supported upon a support 113 by a pair of central axi threaded pins (not shown) extending from the ends of t housing and supported on upstanding brackets 132 at ea end of the support 113. The brackets 132 are clamping engaged with the end faces of the housing by knurled nu 133 threadably engaged with the pins. A ruler 112 mounted between each end face of the housing by a pair arms 134 pivotally mounted at their ends to the end fac of the housing 130. The ruler 112 extends across t opening 131 to provide a reference for the typist.

The cylinder is open ended and is slidably supported with the housing. One end of the housing supports a drive mot (not shown) which is located within the cylinder and has drive wheel which bears against the interior to drive t cylinder in either direction around the housing.

In use a manuscript is inserted into the opening betwe the cylinder 111 and the interior of the housing 130 and o rotation of the cylinder 111 it is carried around t housing to be supported on the cylinder. If desired, t ends of the manuscript may be fixed to the exterior of t cylinder 111.

The seventh embodiment of Figures 13, 14 and 15 comprise an opaque cylinder 211 rotatably supported within a trans parent substantially cylindrical housing 230. A roller 24 is mounted below the cylinder 211 in closely space parallel relationship therewith. Both the cylinder 211 an roller 240 are rotatably supported between end plates 24 and the lower roller 240 is associated with a drive mean (not shown) to drive the roller in either direction. Th roller 240 and cylinder 211 are gearingly interconnected t cause rotation of the cylinder 240 in the opposite direc tion to the roller on rotation of the roller 211. Th roller 211 is surrounded by a lower extension 230a of th housing to define a housing having a cross-sectional config uration resembling the figure 8 with an opening 231 betwee the lower termination of th.tr upper portion and the front o the lower portion 230a. The lower portion of the housing i slidably and rotatably supported in a support 213 whereb the housing is movable between a first forward uprigh position and a second rearwardly inclined position. When i the first position the upper edge of the opening 23 engages with the upper portion of the front of the suppor 213 to close the opening and in the second position th opening 231 is open. In addition, the upper housing 230 can be disengaged from the end plates 241 at its edg defining the upper edge of the opening to be raised fro the cylinder 211 (see Figure 15F).

The operation of the seventh embodiment will be more full understood as a result of references to Figure 15 whic relates to a modification of the seventh embodiment i which an opening is formed at the rear junction between th upper and lower portions of the housing and the rear uppe edge of the support 213 extends through the opening whe the housing is in the second position. To insert a manu script (see Figure 15A) the housing is pivotted to it second position to display the opening 231 and the rolle 240 is rotated in a clockwise direction such that th manuscript is rolled onto it. When the manuscript has bee fully rolled the housing is moved to the second positio (see Figure 15B) and the roller is rotated anticlockwise As a result, the leading upper edge of the manuscript i engaged by the upper edge of the opening which now bear onto the roller 240 and is caused to enter the uppe portion of the housing 230b and roll around the cylinde 211 which is rotating clockwise. While the manuscript i rolling around the cylinder 211 its contents can be rea through the transparent housing. On completion of the re ing of the manuscript, it is completely rolled onto cylinder 211 as shown at Figure 15C.

To remove trie manuscript, the housing is moved to second position and the roller is caused to rotate an clockwise. As a result, the leading edge of the manuscri engages the rear upper edge of the support 213 and ent the lower portion of the housing 230a to pass around roller and out of the opening 231 as shown in Figure 15D.

If the paper is not to be discharged but is to be stor only, the housing 230 is moved to the first position a with rotation of the roller clockwise the paper will unro from the cylinder 211 onto the roller 240 (see Figure 15E)

A further means of facilitating removal of the paper fr the roller 240 is shown in Figure 15F where the front ed of the upper housing is disengaged from between the e plates 241 and is pivotted clear of the cylinder 211 provide access to the roller 240. On rotation of the roll 240 anti-clockwise the manuscript can be unrolled from t roller 240.

If desired the upper portion of the housing 230b may separate from the lower portion 230a and may be mov between the first and second position over the seco portion. As a result of its movement to the second positi the rear upper edge of the lower portion of the housi bears against the cylinder 211 to facilitate transfer the manuscript from the cylinder as the cylinder rotat anticlockwise (see Figure 15D) . On movement of the upp housing to the first position, its lower front edge bea on the roller to facilitate transfer of the manuscript the cylinder in anti-clockwise rotation of the roller (s Figure 15B). Alternatively any other suitable means may b provided for bearing against the cylinder or roller whe the housing is in the second or first position respectivel to -FPΓ-Ϊ _' itatp transfer of the manuscript from or to th cylinder respectively.

It should be appreciated that while each of the abov embodiments have been described as attachments to type writers and the like, if desired such embodiments may b modified to be integrally part of the typewriter mounted t the exterior thereof or to the interior thereof and asso ciated with a viewing window.

Although the invention has been described with reference t specific example embodiments, it will be appreciated, tha it is intended to cover all modifications and equivalent within the scope of the appended claims..

OMPI

Claims

- 17 -THE CLAIMS defining the invention are as follows:

1. A reading aid apparatus, comprising a cylinde adapted to support: '"' sheet of m^anuscript to be copie insert means forming^" part of said cylinder and suppo means for operatively holding said cylinder substantial in the normal line of vision of a typist while typing a permitting rotation of said cylinder about its centr longitudinal axis to cause said manuscript to be mov through said normal line of vision.

2. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 1 where said cylinder is transparent and said sheet is to inserted within the cylinder to lie in close contact wi the interior thereof.

3. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 2, wherei said insert means comprises an open end at one end of sai cylinder, to allow insertion of the sheet into the cylinde and wherein said support means comprises a cover means a the opposite end of said cylinder and a mounting mean rotatably supporting said cylinder through the cover means.

4. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 2, wherei said insert means comprises an open end at both ends o said cylinder, and wherein said support means comprise cla shaped bracket for rotatably holding said cylinder.

5. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 4, wherei said claw .shaped bracket comprises two claw arms which ar sufficiently flexible for inserting or removing th cylinder between or from said claw arms.

6. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at any one o claims 2 to 5 wherein said cylinder is made of an initiall flat sheet of transparent plastics material which is rolle - -

up so that the ends of said sheet extending in parallel t the central axis of the cylinder overlap to form a ga through which a sheet to be copied is insertable into th cylinder.

7. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 6 wherei reinforcing means is formed or located substantially alon its edge.

8. A' reading aid apparatus as claimed at any one o claims 2 to 5 wherein the cylinder comprises a pair of rin shaped members held in spaced coaxial relation.

9. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at any one o claims 2 and 3 and any one of claims 6, 7 and 8 a dependent on claims 2 or 3 wherein said support mean comprise leg means, a base plate and pivot means fo pivotally securing the leg means to the base plate, an means for securing the base plate to a typewriter or th like, whereby the cylinder is pivotally adjustable in it position relative to such a typewriter.

10. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at any one o claims 2 to 9 wherein said support means includes a bas plate and velcro-type fastening means operatively arrange for securing said base plate to a typewriter or the like.

11. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at any one o claims 2 to 10 further comprising ruler means, rule support means operatively arranged for holding the rule means in a fixed position extending axially along th cylinder.

12. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 11 wherein said ruler support means are adjustable for adjust ing the position of the ruler relative to the circumferenc of said cylinder.

13. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 11 or 1 wherein said ruler support means permits pivotal movemen of the ruler away from said cylinder.

14. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at any one o claims 2 to 13 comprising a motor drive means operativel arranged for rotating said cylinder, and control mean operatively connected to said motor drive means for enabl ing a typist to control the rotation of said cylinder.

15. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 14 wherein said cylinder comprises a drive shaft forming par of said support means and wherein said motor drive mean are operatively connected to said drive shaft.

16. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 14 wherein said motor drive means comprises a friction driv wheel arranged for driving said cylinder.

17. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 16 wherei said cylinder is formed with a radial flange and wherei said friction drive wheel bears against said flange.

18. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 17, further comprising a friction control wheel rotatably hel in said support means for cooperation between said frictio control wheel and said flange substantially opposite sai friction gear wheel.

19. A reading aid apparatus as claimed., at claim 16 wherei the friction drive wheel bears directly onto the exterio of the cylinder and a friction control wheel is rotatabl held in said support means to bear on the surface of th cylinder in opposed relation to the friction drive wheel.

20. A reading aid apparatus as claimed at claim 1 wherei said cylinder is supported in a cylindrical housing where said sheet is supported over the cylinder within t housing, said housing being adapted to permit viewing said manuscript as it moves through said normal line vision.

21. A reading aid as claimed at claim 20 wherein sa housing is formed with an axial slot extending substa tially the full length of said cylinder in the region said normal line of vision.

22. A reading aid as claimed at claim 21 wherein sa housing supports a drive having a drive wheel which bea against said cylinder to cause rotation thereof.

23. A reading aid as claimed at claim 20 wherein sa cylinder is mounted in parallel closely spaced relationsh with a roller rotatably supported in said housing a drivingly interconnected with the cylinder, input mea associated with said roller to enable said sheet to rolled onto said roller and to enable extraction of sa sheet from said roller, and transfer means to cause t sheet on said roller to be rolled onto and from sa cylinder wherein said manuscript moves past said norm line of vision during said transfer and/or when such she is on said cylinder.

24. A reading aid as claimed at claim 23 wherein sa input means comprises a slot in said housing through whi said sheet is inserted.

25. A reading aid as claimed at claim 23 or 24 where said transfer means comprises a first edge movable adjace the roller to engage the leading edge of said sheet wh said sheet is on said roller on movement of said leadi edge towards said first edge to cause said leading edge - -

engage with said cylinder and a second edge to engage t leading edge of said sheet when sheet is on said cylind on movement of the leading edge towards said second edge cause said leading edge to engage with said roller, a means to move said first edge or aaid second edge in engagement with said roller or cylinder respectively.

26. A reading aid as claimed at claim 25 wherein sa housing has a first part cylindrical portion accommodati said cylinder and a second cylindrical portion accommoda ing said roller and said housing has the cross-section configuration resembling the figure 8 and is flexib wherein the reduced width portion of the housing compris the first edge and second edge and can be deformed engage said roller or cylinder respectively.

27. A reading aid apparatus substantially as here described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A typewriter or like apparatus incorporating a readi aid apparatus of the form as claimed at any one of t preceding claims.