US20080121775A1

US20080121775A1 - Book holding device

Info

Publication number: US20080121775A1
Application number: US11/605,863
Authority: US
Inventors: Marjorie C. Terry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-28
Filing date: 2006-11-28
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

A book holding device (1) comprising a planar back section (2) having a top surface (21) and a bottom surface (22), at least one extension (5), an angled section (6) and (7) extending from each side of the flat back section (2), an edge (8, 9) of a predetermined height (15) extending from each angled section (6, 7) and an arm (10, 11) extending from each edge (8, 9). Each arm (10, 11) includes an angled end (12, 13) having a predetermined angle so as to extend away from a book (16) when the device (1) is in use. A user first places a book (16) of a predetermined thickness such that a spine (18) is adjacent to at least one of the extensions (5). Then, the user opens the book (16) to the desired pages (17) and places the pages (17) and covers of the book (19, 20) within the confines of the edges (8, 9) such that the book (19) is held open to the desired pages (17).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to book holding devices, more particularly, a book holding device that permits a user to easily maintain books of various sizes in an open position while permitting a user to view the desired pages.
When one is reading a book in order to perform a certain task, such as cooking or typing, it is often desired that the book be opened to and maintained on a certain page without the person having to manually hold open the book. However, oftentimes the reader is using his or her hands to simultaneously perform the task while reading, thus making it difficult to perform the task while reading a book.
Even if a person need not perform a particular task while reading a book, it is often difficult for a person to hold open a book due to physical limitations, such as arthritis, lack of dexterity or lack of strength. In addition, even a person without a physical disability, finds it uncomfortable to hold open a book for an extended period of time, especially while reading in bed, on the beach, etc.
Although there currently exist book holding aids that maintain a book in an open position, many easily break during use as they are not able to withstand books having greater thicknesses due to the volume of pages. In addition, many book holding aids are difficult to use as one must continuously re-position the holding arms of the book holding aid as they tend to block portions of the text. Moreover, many book holding aids do not permit a person to quickly and easily turn the pages of the book without damaging the pages of the book.
Thus, there exists the need for a book holding device that is easy to use and maintains a book in an open position while permitting the user to read the book.
The relevant prior art includes the following patents:


Patent No.
(U.S. unless stated otherwise)	Inventor	Issue/Publication Date

4,767,094	Brown	Aug. 30, 1988
5,797,631	Lander	Aug. 25, 1998
2005/0035588	Rickards	Feb. 17, 2005
Des. 341,159	Watson et al.	Nov. 09, 1993
3,076,285	Sparkman	Feb. 05, 1963
6,109,658	Moore	Aug. 29, 2000
5,246,251	Evans	Sep. 21, 1993
5,165,723	Evans	Nov. 24, 1992
4,474,383	Kikis	Oct. 02, 1984
Des. 414,211	Williams	Sep. 21, 1999
GB 2 222 386 A	Sherburn	Mar. 07, 1990

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a book holding device that permits a user to easily hold open a book to a desired page.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a book holding device that may be used on books of varying thicknesses.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a book holding device that does not block portions of textual matter of a book.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a book holding device that permits a person to quickly and easily turn pages of the book without damaging pages of the book.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a book holding device that is easy to use.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a book holding device that is durable.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a book holding device comprising a planar back section having at least one perpendicular extension, an angled section extending from each side of the planar back section, an edge of a predetermined height extending from each angled section and an arm extending from each edge. Each arm includes an angled end having a predetermined angle so as to extend away from a book when the device is in use.
To use the present invention, a user places a book of a predetermined thickness such that a spine of the book is adjacent to at least one of the extensions. Then, the user opens the book to a desired page and places the pages and cover of the book within the confines of the edges such that the book is now held open to the desired page. Because the spine is held against at least one extension, the book does not shift within the device. In addition, because the edges are of a predetermined thickness, books of varying thicknesses may be accommodated. Finally, because the arms of the device, rather than the ends of the device, come into contact with the pages of book, the user need not worry about the pages of the book becoming ripped or damaged by the ends of the device during use.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1. book holding device, generally
2. back section
3. back section first end
4. back section second end
5. extension
6. first angled section
7. second angled section
8. first edge
9. second edge
10. first arm
11. second arm
12. first end
13. second end
14. predetermined angle
15. predetermined height
16. book
17. book pages
18. book spine
19. book front cover
20. book back cover
21. top surface
22. bottom surface

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, varying views of the present invention are shown. The book holding device 1 of the present invention includes a substantially planar back section 2 having a top surface 21 and a bottom surface 22, a first end 3 and a second end 4 and at least one extension 5 located on the top surface 21. A first angled section 6 extends from the back section first end 3 while a second angled section 7 extends from the back section second end 4. The angled sections 6 and 7 extend from the back section ends 3 and 4 at predetermined angles 14, which are preferably acute angles. A first edge 8 having a predetermined height 15 connects a first arm 10 to the first angled section 6 while a second edge 9 having a predetermined height 15 connects a second arm 11 to the second angled section 7. The arms 10 and 11 are formed such that the first arm 10 extends over the first angled section 6 and the second arm 11 extends over the second angled section 7. The first arm 10 may include a first end 12 that angles away from the first angled section 6 and the second arm 11 may include a second end 13 that angles away from the second angled section 7. The extensions 5 may be of varying heights, such as ¼″, and of varying thicknesses so as to provide a variety of locations in which to position the book within the book holding device 1. The back section 2, angled sections 6 and 7, edges 8 and 9, arms 10 and 11 and ends 12 and 13 are preferably constructed of a single piece of flexible plastic material so as to be of a predetermined thickness and width. The book holding device 1 is preferably transparent so as to permit a user to view textual matter of a book even when the arms 10 and 11 are covering portions of the pages of the book.
In FIG. 3, a top view of the present invention in use is shown. To use the book holding device 1 of the present invention, a user first positions a book 16 within the book holding device 1 such that a book spine 18 is adjacent to at least one extension 5. Then, the user opens the book 16 to a desired page and secures a book front cover 19 and desired book pages 17 between the first angled section 6 and the first arm 10 and the book back cover 20 and desired book pages 17 between the second angled section 7 and the second arm 11. Finally, the user turns the book pages 17 as desired by removing the book pages 17 from the second arm 11 and inserting the book pages 17 into the first arm 10.
The arms 10 and 11 are permitted to flex away from the angled sections 6 and 7, thereby causing the arms 10 and 11 to exert pressure onto the book pages 17 and thus holding the book 16 open. Because the edges 8 and 9 are of a predetermined height 15, a book 16 having a large number of book pages 17 and thicker book covers 19 and 20 are also able to held within the book holding device 1. Although the book pages 17 should easily be withdrawn from the arms 10 and 11, because the ends 12 and 13 are angled away from the angled sections 6 and 7, the user is permitted to easily lift up the arms 10 and 11 of the book holding device 1 if needed to turn the book pages 17. Because the ends 12 and 13 are not in direct contact with the book pages 17, the user need not be concerned that the portion of the book holding device 1 exerting force on the book pages 17 will damage the book pages 17. Finally, because the book spine 18 is positioned adjacent to at least one extension 5, the book 16 is prevented from shifting within the book holding device 1.
The use of the present invention will provide a person to easily maintain books of various sizes in an open position while permitting a user to view the desired pages.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A book holding device comprising:

a substantially planar back section having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end;

said bottom surface is flat;

at least one rigid perpendicular extension having a predetermined height permanently located on the top surface of the back section for positioning a book spine thereagainst to prevent lateral movement of a book;

a first angled section extending upward from the first end of the back section at a predetermined angle;

a second angled section extending upward from the second end of the back section at a predetermined angle;

a first arm connected to said first angled section by a first edge such that said first arm extends over said first angled section;

said first edge having a predetermined height;

a second arm connected to said second angled section by a second edge such that said second arm extends over said second angled section; and

said second edge having a predetermined height.

2. The book holding device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first end connected to said first arm, said first end angled outwardly from the first arm to allow easy insertions of a book; and

a second end connected to said second arm, said second end angled outwardly from the second arm to allow easy insertion of a book.

3. The book holding device of claim 1 wherein:

said book holding device is plastic.

4. The book holding device of claim 2 wherein:

said book holding device is plastic.

5. The book holding device of claim 1 wherein: said book holding device is transparent.

6. The book holding device of claim 2 wherein: said book holding device is transparent.

7. The book holding device of claim 3 wherein: said book holding device is transparent.

8. The book holding device of claim 4 wherein: said book holding device is transparent.

9. The book holding device of claim 1 wherein: said at least one extension is ¼″.

10. The book holding device of claim 1 wherein: said predetermined angles are acute angles.

11. A book holding device comprising:

said bottom surface is flat:

three rigid perpendicular extensions of ¼″ permanently located on the top surface of the back section for positioning a book spine thereagainst to prevent lateral movement of a book;

said first edge having a predetermined height;

a second arm connected to said second angled section by a second edge such that said second arm extends over said second angled section;

said second edge having a predetermined height;

a first end connected to said first arm, said first end angled outwardly from the first arm to allow easy insertion of a book; and

12. The book holding device of claim 11 wherein:

said book holding device is plastic and transparent.

13. A method of maintaining a book in an open position utilizing a book holding device comprising a substantially planar back section having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end; said bottom surface is flat; at least one rigid perpendicular, extension having a predetermined height permanently located on the top surface of the back section for positioning a book spine thereagainst to prevent lateral movement of a book; a first angled section extending upward from the first end of the back section at a predetermined angle; a second angled section extending upward from the second end of the back section at a predetermined angle; a first arm connected to said first angled section by a first edge such that said first arm extends over said first angled section; said first edge having a predetermined height; a second arm connected to said second angled section by a second edge such that said second arm extends over said second angled section; and said second edge having a predetermined height., said method comprising the steps of:

a. inserting a book front cover between said first angled section and said first arm; and

b. inserting a book back cover between said second angled section and said second arm.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step after step a of: inserting at least one book page between said book front cover and said first arm.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step after step b of:

inserting at least one book page between said book back cover and said second arm.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising a step after step b of: