GB2228406A

GB2228406A - Book rest

Info

Publication number: GB2228406A
Application number: GB9004394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Gervase Mckeown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-28
Filing date: 1990-02-27
Publication date: 1990-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-27
Also published as: GB8904586D0; GB2228406B; GB9004394D0

Abstract

A support apparatus comprises a book rest (10) and a support structure (12). The rest (10) has two leaves (14, 16) to support the open book, one leaf for each side of the book and each leaf having means (28) to hold a side of the book thereagainst. The support structure (12) has retaining means (36, 38) to support the rest (10) in an upright attitude above the structure (12). The structure (12) is elongate and has depending sides (18, 20) at both ends. The book-rest may be used to support other publications besides books. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR A NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE, BOOK OR OTHER PUBLICATION.

This invention relates to a support apparatus for holding open a newspaper, magazine, book or other publication (hereinafter referred to simply as "support apparatus"). The support apparatus is particularly, but not necessarily, for use by people incapacitated physically or through illness.

Accordingly, the present invention is a support apparatus comprising a publication rest and a support structure, the rest having two leaves to support open the publication, one leaf for each side of the publication and each leaf having means to hold a side of the publication thereagainst, and the support structure having retaining means to support the rest in an upright attitude above the structure.

Preferably, the structure is elongate and has depending sides at both ends. The structure has desirably a portion on each lateral side of the rest when mounted thereon for use as a shelf. The structure is desirably of openwork, and preferably a tray is provided to locate in each portion and be supported by surrounding components of the structure.

Preferably also, the leaves of the rest are of openwork having a rectangular boundary, and are desirably hinged together. The holding means on each leaf is preferably an elasticated strap extending across the respective leaf desirably between two angular components thereof at or near to the top outside corner.

Preferably further, the part of the structure supporting the rest is downwardly sloped, front to back, to impart to the rest, when supported, a raked backward attitude.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which shows a perspective view from the front and one side of a support apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, a support apparatus comprises a publication rest 10 and a support structure 12.

The rest 10 has two leaves 14, 16 to support open a publication. One leaf is provided for each side of the publication and each leaf has means to hold a side of the publication thereagainst. The leaves 14, 16 of the rest 10 are of metal wire openwork having a rectangular boundary 26 as shown, and are hinged together as shown or in any other suitable manner. The holding means on each leaf is an elasticated strap 28 extending across the respective leaf between two angular components 30, 32 of the boundary 26 thereof at or near to the top outside corner. The rest 10 can be stored in a flat state with one leaf overlying the other.

The support structure 12 has retaining means to support the rest 10 in an upright attitude above the structure 12. The structure 12 is elongate and has depending sides 18, 20 at both ends. The structure 12 has a portion 22 on each lateral side of the rest 10 when mounted thereon. The portions 22 are for use as shelves. The structure 12 is of metal wire openwork. A tray (not shown) is provided to locate in each portion 22 and be supported by surrounding wire components 24 of the structure 12. The part of the structure 12, ie.

three central cross-members 34, supporting the rest 10 is downwardly sloped, front to back, to impart to the rest 10, when supported, a raked backward attitude.

The retaining means comprises a strut 36 upstanding from the middle cross-member 34 about two thirds of the distance from the front to engage through an aperture provided in a bottom hinge of the rest 10.

The retaining means also comprises two slip-in hooks 38 provided as shown at the front of the structure 12 on the two components 24 parallel and next to the crossmembers 34.

In use, the rest 10 is positioned on the structure 12 with the aperture threaded over the strut 36 and the bottom of the boundary 26 located into the hooks 38 as shown. A publication is placed on the rest 10 with its spine against the hinge of the leaves 14, 16 and opened with part against each leaf. The straps 28 of the holding means are lifted over the pages of the publication and released to hold the pages against the respective leaf 14, 16.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention above described.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A support apparatus comprising a publication rest and a support structure, the rest having two leaves to support open the publication, one leaf for each side of the publication and each leaf having means to hold a side of the publication thereagainst, and the support structure having retaining means to support the rest in an upright attitude above the structure.

2. Support apparatsu as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the structure is elongate and has depending sides at both ends.

3. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the structure has a portion on each lateral side of the rest when mounted thereon for use as a shelf.

4. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the structure is of openwork.

5. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a tray is provided to locate in each portion and be supported by surrounding components of the structure.

6. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the leaves of the rest are of openwork having a rectangular boundary.

7. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the leaves are hinged together.

8. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the holding means on each leaf is an elasticated strap extending across the respective leaf between two angular components of the boundary.

9. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the angular components are at or near to the top outside corner.

10. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the part of the structure supporting the rest is downwardly sloped, front to back, to impart to the rest, when supported, a raked backward attitude.

11. Support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.