GB2338683A - A combined page holding device and bookmark - Google Patents

Abstract

The device 10 is held by the thumb e.g. by means of a loop 14, which is collapsible to permit the device to act as a bookmark. The device comprises a flat banana-shaped strip of rigid or flexible material e.g. plastic. An anti-slip area (18, Fig 2) for the thumb is provided above the loop. The device can be removably attached to a book support stand (50, Fig 10).

Description

BOOK READING AID/BOOKMARK This invention relates to a book reading

aid/bookmark.

2338683 A book is a most common vehicle for presenting reading material. In the main there are two methods of binding together a book and the pages within. They are a book comprising either hardback or paperback outer covering.

The characteristics of a paperback book often cause the pages to have a tendency to spring closed when opened, conversely the pages of a hardback book when fully opened have a tendency to remain open. A paperback book therefore is appreciably more difficult to hold open than a hardback book, especially so if the book is new and/or held with only one hand. The spine of a paperback book can be broken in so as to lessen the springiness of its pages and so making it easier to hold and read, however this would have a detrimental effect upon the appearance of the book and may compromise its function.

Commonly, and of necessity, a paperback book is held for reading by positioning the thumb and fingers of the holding hand in a way to prevent the book from closing, a typical method being the placement of thumb perpendicular over the centre parting of the open book- the other digits of the holding hand serving to support the weight of the book. In this instance the thumb separates the pages and prevents them from closing. However, because the thumb is narrow it cannot exert a very wide lateral downforce upon both open pages and thus it can become quite awkward and difficult to retain the angle at which the pages need to be opened for reading purposes, especially so if the book is new. The thumb may alternatively be placed at an angle over and across the centre parting of the open book, typically at approximately 60' angle. This method inherently widens the thumb's lateral downforce and therefore makes it easier to hold open the book. However this method can become somewhat uncomfortable after a while. Another common method of holding open a book, especially paperback, is to place a little finger and a thumb of the holding hand onto each of the adjacent pages of an opened book. The other digits are placed upon the outer cover or spine to act as support. This method is successful in holding the pages apart at a wider angle, however it can again become uncomfortable after a while. Another common method of holding open a book, especially paperback, is to hold it in two hands, typically the second hand serving to hold the pages open at a wider angle to make reading easier. Alternatively, a device may be used to attach to the book to aid the reader. One of the simplest known methods is to wrap an elastic band around the book and across the page(s) required to be kept open or marked. Such a device, although satisfactory for marking purposes requires constant removal and replacement every time a new page is turned.

An example of a more elaborate device is found in United States Patent No 5, 427, 414. Although such a page holding bookmark serves the purposes of holding a book open without assistance and a page marker, it may be seen as a little cumbersome and impractical for everyday fictional reading for example whereby pages need to be turned over regularly every few minutes or so. As a further example, European Patent Application 0 338 733 comprises a bookmarker with retaining spring that again both assists in holding the pages of a book open whilst acting as a page marker. Although such bookmarker serves its purpose, it is a little impractical requiring some manual dexterity when applying it to everyday fictional reading for example, especially of paperback books. Both of these examples require some amount of practised manual operation for them to function and by their use they inherently make it more probable the likelihood of damaging a book or its pages within.

According to the present invention there is provided a book reading aid/bookmark comprising a rigid or flexible single piece of flat strip material capable of, on placement against the pages of said book, holding open and apart said pages; and an attachment device on said flat strip which is capable of being collapsed to a flattened state so said flat strip can be used as a bookmark.

A book reading aid/bookmark in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 shows a front elevational view of a book reading aid/bookmark; shows a front view perspective of a book reading aid/bookmark with thumb loop attached and anti-slip area., shows a perspective view of a book reading aid/bookmark with thumb loop attached, as placed on thumb and held against an open book; shows a top plan view of a book reading aid/bookmark vMh flattened thumb loop; shows a top plan view of a book reading aid/bookmark with adjustable thumb loop; shows a front view perspective of a book reading aid/bookmark with integral thumb attachment device and anti-slip area; Figure 7 shows a front view perspective of a book reading aid/bookmark with elastic string cord material thumb attachment device and anti-slip area; Figure 8 shows a top plan view of a book reading aid/bookmark with raised thumb loop; Figure 9 shows a front view perspective of a modified form of book reading aid/bookmark with additional spring snap attached made in accordance with the present invention; and FigurelO shows a front view elevation of another modified form of book reading aid/bookmark with spring snap, weighted base and back support attached made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing as shown in Fig 1, the book reading aid/bookmark 10 comprises a single piece of rigid or flexible flat material such as plastic with tip ends 12. The length and width of book reading aid/bookmark 10 is fixed, preferably being shorter in length than the open book width with which it is used.

The preferred design of book reading aid/bookmark 10 is banana-shaped, having lateral symmetry with angles extended from its axis of between 10'45' and includes a device for attaching on to the thumb (or finger) of the user. An example of this is seen in Fig 2 where thumb loop 14 is attached to book reading aid/bookmark 10 through slots 16. The preferred plastic material is shatterproof and transparent, Tip ends 12 have a rounded form and may be provided with rubberised material or the like.

The thumb, of either hand of the user, may be placed through thumb loop 14 and there is provided a thumb anti-slip area 18 as seen in Fig 2. The anti-slip area 18 may be formed by providing a single hole of preferred '/2" diameter onto which the thumb 20 rests.

Thumb loop 14, preferably of elastic material, can be a freely moveable continual loop with each end fed through slot 16 and then attached to one another to form loop. The join 140 of loop ends is preferably retained on the back of book reading aid/bookmark 10, the opposite side of the thumb loop 14 when the thumb 20 is in position, however the thumb loop 14 is free to move, held onto the book reading aid/bookmark only by the slots 16. Therefore the thumb loop 14 can be turned around by pulling through slots 16. Thumb loop 14 may alternatively be a fixed loop with both separated ends attached to book reading aid/bookmark 10 with adhesive, rivets or the like. In this instance, the slots 16 as seen in Fig 2 are not required.

The size of loop 14 or length of fixed loop may be determined by the size of thumb of its intended user.

The thumb 20 as seen in Fig 3 is placed through thumb loop 14. There are no restrictions as to which way round book reading aid/bookmark 10 should be held, ie with tip ends 12 pointing in an upwards or downwards manner, but the preferred design benefits more the user who holds it as seen in Fig 3 with tip ends 12 pointing somewhat upwards. Once the book reading aid/bookmark 10 is attached to thumb 20 it may be positioned over the centre parting on an open book 22 in a horizontal manner as seen in Fig 3. The other digits of the holding hand or another hand may be used to support the weight of book as per common reading practice. The thumb 20 with book reading aid/bookmark 10 attached may now be pressed down upon the centre parting of the book. The positioning of the thumb over the centre parting of a book is a very common and practised known method of holding open and apart the pages of a book, especially paperback. The downward pressure of the thumb 20 upon the centre parting of a book with book reading aid/bookmark 10 attached will cause a lateral downforce as wide as book reading aid/bookmark 10 upon the pages of the open book 22. In this instance the thumb is the only digit required to hold open and apart the pages of a book. Once a page needs to be turned over the thumb 20 with book reading aid/bookmark 10 attached is taken away and the page turned. The procedure may then be repeated.

To enable the book reading aid/bookmark 10 to be used as a bookmark in a closed book, thumb loop 14 may be collapsed to a flattened state as seen in Fig 4. On removal of thumb ftom loop 14 the loop may retain its rounded form to some degree as shown in Fig 8. This may depend upon the material used in making the thumb loop 14 and of the time period that a thumb was inserted for. As preferred design the thumb loop 14 would be made of elastic material. Once the book reading aid/bookmark 10 is placed into a book with the intention of marking a page the weight and the springiness of pages, especially of paperback book, would flatten the loop down and so aiding its purpose of a bookmark. Alternatively, the loop may be flattened manually prior to placing within the book. In the case of a fixed thumb loop attached to book reading aid/bookmark 10 there may be provided an elongate hole in one or both attached loop ends. This would allow the loop to be flattened down to a minimum thickness of that of the loop material thickness. In continual thumb loop method as described and shown in Fig 4 the loop can be flattened to a minimum thickness of twice that of the loop material thickness.

As seen in Fig 3 the thumb 20 is placed through thumb loop 14 and rests upon (hidden) anti-slip area 18 as shown in Fig 2. The area of anti-slip is increased by providing a book reading aid/bookmark 10 with a swollen surface area 126 as shown in Fig 1. The two tip ends 12 and the central outer edge of anti-slip area 126 as shown in Fig 1 all line up lineally.

When book reading aid/bookmark 10, attached to thumb, is held in the hand away from a book the thumb is given more freedom of movement by providing book reading aid/bookmark 10 with a reduction of surface area. This reduction of surface area 128 as shown in Fig 1 takes a similar rounded form to anti-slip swollen surface area 126.

The thumb loop as shown in Fig 5 comprises a modified form of the present invention. The thumb loop is adjustable and can be made bigger or smaller in width/diameter. As preferred design, the adjustable loop 24 would be made of elastic material. The adjustable thumb loop 24 would attach to the book reading aid/bookmark 10 through slots 16; one end 26 of adjustable thumb loop 24 would be adhered to book reading aid/bookmark 10 and the other end 28 would remain loose. Loop end 28 may be at-fixed to loop end 26 with Velcro@ or the like. This enables 1 o n,28 to be easily attached or detached to or from loop end 26. The thickness of VelcroY tor example, would prevent loop end 28 from being pulled through slot 16 when adjustments to the loop size are made. The adjustable thumb loop 24 is collapsable and book reading aid/bookmark can therefore be used as a flat bookmark in a closed book.

The thumb attachment device as shown in Fig 6 comprises a modified form of the present invention. Two rectangular strips are cut out of book reading aid/bookmark 10 but with the shorter sides, furthest from the central position, left uncut. The two rectangle pieces 30 are angled away from the surface of book reading aid/bookmark 10 in the direction of the user. This leaves behind two rectangular open slots 32. The thumb may then be inserted between rectangle pieces 30 and open slots 32. There may be provided cushioning pads beneath rectangle pieces 30. The thumb attachment device as shown in Fig 6 is collapsable and book reading aid/bookmark can therefore be used as a flat bookmark in a closed book.

The thumb attachment device as shown in Fig 7 comprises a modified form of the present invention. The thumb attachment device comprises two, preferably elastic material string cords 34 and 35 and a central joining piece 36. Four holes 38 are drilled through book reading aid/bookmark 10, slightly larger in diameter than that of elastic material string cords 34 and 35. The two elastic material string cords 34 and 35 are threaded through central joining piece 36 which has a position generally central of drilled holes 38. The ends of both elastic material string cords 34 and 35 are fed through drilled holes 38 and are knotted, melted or the like on the opposite side to central joining piece 36 so they are prevented from being pulled through. The thumb attachment device as shown in Fig 7 remains flat to book reading aid/bookmark 10 when not in use. The book reading aid/bookmark can therefore be used as a flat bookmark in a closed book. When in use as a book reading aid the thumb Is placed beneath and through central joining piece 36. The two elastic material string cords 34 and 3 5 hold the book reading aid/bookmark 10 on to the thumb.

The book reading aid/bookmark 10 as shown in Fig 9 comprises a modified form of the present invention. A spring snap 40 is fixed to book reading aid/bookmark 10. The spring snap 40 comprises a coiled or tensioned spring 42, return arm 44 and push plate 46. Return arm 44 may be angled and pre-sprung so that it touches upon the surface of book reading aid/bookmark 10 when idle. There may be provided a depth adjustment device to spring snap 40 to allow use with different thicknesses of books. Spring snap 40 may be permanently attached to book reading aid/bookmark 10 with adhesive, moulding or the like, or spring snap 40 may be removable, allowing book reading aid/bookmark 10 to be also used solely by manual thumb method with attachment device or thumb loop additionally attached. The spring snap 40 attached to book reading aid/bookmark 10 is attached to the centre parting of an open book either at the top or at the bottom of the book. The return arm 44 is positioned up from the bottom or down from the top of the spine of a book and book reading aid/bookmark 10 is positioned over and across the pages as required. The coiled or tensioned spring 42 will of its own device hold book reading aid/bookmark 10 firmly against the open pages and the distribution of closing force along book reading aid/bookmark 10 to tip ends 12 will hold the pages of a book open and apart. Once this device is attached to a book the coiled or tensioned spring 42 keeps book reading aid/bookmark 10 clamped to the book without assistance. Push plate 46 may be pushed or pulled against to release the tension of coiled or tensioned spring 42 to remove book reading aid/bookmark 10 from the book. Alternatively, book reading aid/bookmark 10 may be pulled or dragged off in one go from the book without releasing coiled or tensioned spring 42.

The different types of thumb attachment device as shown in Fig 2, Fig 5, Fig 6, Fig 7 in accordance with the present invention are positioned in a generally central position on the book reading aid/bookmark 10 so that the thumb pressure is initially exerted generally between tip ends 12 and edges 126 and 128 as shown in Fig 1.

The book reading aid/bookmark 10 as shown in Fig 10 comprises a modified form of the present invention. A spring snap 40, attached to book reading aid/bookmark 10 is also attached to a weighted base 48 via an elongate arm 52. Attached to weighted base 48 is a back support 50. Book reading aid/bookmark 10 may be removed from elongate arm 52 and spring snap 40 so that it may be also used solely by manual thumb method with attachment device or thumb loop additionally attached. Book reading aid/bookmark 10 with spring snap 40 attached, in turn attached to elongate arm 52, in turn attached to weighted base 48 and in turn attached to back support 50 will support the weight of a book if it is to be held at an angle greater than 0' to the horizontal. Elongate arm 52 and back support 50 may be hinged to weighted base 48 by friction hinges so that a book may be supported at an angle range 0'-90' to the horizontal. Weighted base 48 may be provided with an adjustable extension to widen its centre of gravity and to support a book held close to or in an horizontal angle. The adjustable extension of weighted base 48 will prevent the device from toppling over under the different ranges of book weight distribution. Attached to weighted base 48 and to elongate arm 52 there may be provided a cam type hinge so that book reading aid/bookmark 10 may be levered forward to release the book, without necessity of pushing or pulling against push plate 46.

It is to be understood that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, but not by way of limitation, the book reading aid/bookmark 10 may be made in any desired shape and size whose length and width is fixed, thumb attachment device may vary in design and size, or be adjustable in size, type of plastic material may be used for the book reading aid/bookmark 10 as desired, type of fabric or other material may be used for thumb attachment device or thumb loop 14 and 24 or holder 36 as desired, method or materials may be used for producing anti-slip area 18 as desired, materials may be used for producing spring snap 40, elongate arm 52, weighted base 48 and back support 50 as desired, method may be used for attaching thumb loop 14 and 24 or thumb attachment device to book reading aid/bookmark as desired and the method may be used for joining loop ends on the thumb loop 14 as desired.

CLAMS 1 A book reading aid/bookmark for use with a book comprising:

a rigid or flexible single piece of flat strip material capable of, on placement against the pages of said book, holding open and apart said pages; and an attachment device on said flat strip, which is capable of being collapsed to a flattened state so said flat strip can be used as a bookmark.

Claims (1)

1. 2 A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an anti-slip

   area is provided in a generally central lateral position on the flat strip.

   3 A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a spring snap is provided to hold said flat strip against pages of an open book.

   4 A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said spring snap comprises a depth adjustment device, coiled or tensioned spring, return arm and/or push plate.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said spring snap is attached to a weighted base via an elongate arm.

   8 9 11 12 13 6 A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said elongate artn is hinged by a friction hinge to said weighted base.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein said spring snap is attached to the flat strip by means of a cam type hinge, allowing said flat strip to be levered forward to release the book without pushing or pulling upon the push plate.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 or Claim 7, when dependent upon Claim 5, wherein a back support is attached to said weighted base.

   A book reading aid/bookinark as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said back support is hinged by a friction hinge to said weighted base.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said flat strip is of fixed length and width.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said flat strip comprises shatterproof transparent plastic.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said flat strip is banana-shaped.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said bananashape of flat strip has lateral symmetry.

   14 16 17 is 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said banana- shape of flat strip has angles extended from its axis in the range of W- 45'.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said attachment device is positioned in a generally central position on the flat strip.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said attachment device is adjustable in size.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said attachment device is adjustable by means of loop ends which are joined together with Velcro@.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said attachment device comprises elastic material.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 2 or any of Claims 3 to 18 when dependent thereon, wherein said flat strip comprises a swollen surface area around said anti-slip area.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 19, wherein said flat strip comprises a reduction of surface area opposite said anti-slip swollen surface area.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 20, wherein said antislip swollen surface area and said reduction of surface area have a similar rounded form.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the central outer edge of said swollen anti-slip area lines up lineally with both tip ends.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said bananashape of flat strip has tip ends which have a rounded form.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 23, wherein said rounded form tip ends are provided with rubberised material or the like.

   A book reading aid/bookmark as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said anti-slip area is formed by a single hole on said flat strip.

   A book reading aid/bookmark according to any preceding claim, wherein said attachment device is a thumb or finger loop.

   A book reading aid/bookmark substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.