GB2327600A - Book support - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for supporting a book comprises a book support in the form of a board 2 with a shelf 4 and a clip 3, a mounting plate 5 and an extensible arm 6. The extensible arm is hinged to the book support by a bushing which enables the book support to be adjusted to the convenience of the user. When in use the plate 5 may be mounted on a wall beside a bed or chair and an open book can be placed on the board with the bottom of the book resting on the shelf and the top of the book held in clip 3. The device may also be used for writing as well as reading. It can be folded away when unused by contracting the arm 6.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a book whilst it is being read.

Many people read in bed. When lying down or even sitting up in bed trying to read a book, arms and hands become tired holding the book up in the air. Some people, such as the elderly, disabled or infirm, find reading particularly difficult The invention seeks to provide a device which avoids this difficulty.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for supporting a book comprising: a) book support b) a base fixing, and c) an arm between the base fixing and book support to hold the book support to the base.

Preferably the arm is movable relative to the base fixing and/or the book support to adjust the position of the book support relative to the base fixing. The arm may be adjustable in length.

The arm may be hinged to the base fixing and/or book support.

The book support may be a board. The board may include a clip to hold a book onto a board.

The board may include a shelf, e.g. formed by a rubber strip, along one edge to support the base of a book.

The base fixing may be a wall fixing, such as a plate for securement to the wall.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a perspective view of a book support.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a device 1 for supporting a book. Device 1 includes a book support in the form of a board 2 having a clip 3 and a shelf 4 along a bottom edge. Shelf 4 may be a strip of rubber or the like.

Board 2 is connected to a wall fixing in the form of a plate 5 by an extendible arm 6. Plate 5 may be secured to a wall by screws (not shown) which pass through holes 7A,7B,7C,7D. Arm 6 is made up of a lattice of strips of metal 8.

The arm 6 is hinged to the board 2 by a bushing 9. Arm 6 may also be hinged to plate 5.

In use, the plate 5 may be mounted on a wall, e.g. by a bed or chair. An opened book can be placed on the board with the base of the book resting on the shelf 4 and the top of the book held in clip 3. A person lying in bed or in a chair can position the book into a desired position by extending the arm 6 and hinging the board relative to the arm (and the arm relative to the plate 5, if hinged to the plate). The book can be read without having to hold the book with hands. Obviously the pages of the book need to be turned periodically by removing the book from the clip 3. When not in use, the arm can be contracted so that the board is adjacent the fixing with only the board visible. The invention thus folds away neatly when not in use.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the arm could be in the form of a flexible "gooseneck" or other device. The base fixing could be other than a wall plate. For example it could be a clamp for securement to an item of furniture such as a bed head, a table or chair arm. The book support could be other than a board with a clip and shelf.

The invention could be made of any suitable material/s and of any colour.

The invention may be particularly useful for the disabled or the elderly, or even the infirm in hospitals.

The invention may also be used in transport vehicles such as planes, cars, trains and ships.

The invention may also be used for writing as well as reading. Writing paper may be placed on the book support. In the example specifically described, the rubber shelf may be used to support the arm, such as the elbow, whilst writing. This may relieve a tired arm or an arm in pain. The shelf may also support a pen or pencil when not in use.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. A device for supporting a book comprising a book support, a base fixing, an extensible arm between the base fixing and book support, holding the book support to the base fixing The extendible arm hinged to the book support by a bushing or the like enables the book support to be rotatable or adjustable 360 degrees from a sitting or lying position.

2. A device for supporting a book as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a base fixing enables the device to be stable while in use thereof.

3. A device for supporting a book as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the book is held in place on the book support by the clip or the like and the book support.

4. A device for supporting a book as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the shelf on the book support enables the user to write apart from reading.

5. A device for supporting a book as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base fixing could be other than a wall plate and the book support could be a board or the like.

6. A device for supporting a book as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when not in use, extendible arm could be contracted thereby making book support adjacent to the base fixing with only book support visible enabling folding away neatly.

7. A device for supporting a book as claimed in any preceding claim wherein it can be made from any suitable materials and of any colour.

8. A device for supporting a book substantially as described herein with reference to fig 1 of the accompanying drawing.