Patent US3954246A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3954246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Book holder
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-12
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Granted: 1976-05-04
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Expires: 1994-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A stand for supporting an open book in an upright reading position on a horizontal surface, includes a base frame and a book support assembly together defining a book supporting plane supported at a desired angle relative to the table. The support assembly is pivotally supported on the base frame about a generally vertical axis, and includes structure for supporting the weight of the book. The base frame includes page holding arms, pivotable in the book supporting plane to be engaged by the open pages of the book; and the support assembly includes spring arm means engaging the backs of the book covers to urge the covers and pages into engagement with the page holding arms. The support assembly is rotatable 180° relative to the base frame to support the book in either of two alternative positions in the book supporting plane, the book being rearwardly inclined in one position and forwardly inclined in the alternative position. The stand is foldable to a generally flat condition for convenient storage and transport.
Inventors
- 👤 Virgil M. Sparkman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:51
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B23/00; A47B23/04; A47B23/042; A47B23/043; A47B2023/045; A47B23/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A holder for supporting a book in open reading position comprising a base assembly comprising a horizontally elongated frame defining a supporting plane for an open book, including pivot means disposed in a central upright axis in said supporting plane; and support means mounted on said frame for supporting said frame, on a horizontal surface, in a reading plane inclined from a vertical plane; a pair of page holding arms pivotally mounted adjacent to respective ends of said frame, to swing within the book supporting plane; said arms being disposed and formed to extend upward from said frame for engagement with the side marginal edges of the open pages of the book; a book support assembly rotatably mounted on said base assembly for supporting a book in the book supporting plane; said book support assembly including means for supporting the spine portion of the book, and spring means having laterally extending arms for urging the book covers toward said page holding arms in the book supporting plane; said book support assembly including pivot means disposed in a central upright axis; and said support assembly pivot means and said base assembly pivot means coacting to provide a rotary mounting for said support assembly through 180° relative to said base assembly; said holder being thereby adapted to support a book in the book supporting plane in either of oppositely facing directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A holder for supporting a book in open reading position comprising a base assembly comprising a horizontally elongated frame defining a supporting plane for an open book, including pivot means disposed in a central upright axis in said supporting plane; and support means mounted on said frame for supporting said frame, on a horizontal surface, in a reading plane inclined from a vertical plane; a pair of page holding arms pivotally mounted adjacent to respective ends of said frame, to swing within the book supporting plane; said arms being disposed and formed to extend upward from said frame for engagement with the side marginal edges of the open pages of the book; a book support assembly rotatably mounted on said base assembly for supporting a book in the book supporting plane; said book support assembly including means for supporting the spine portion of the book, and spring means having laterally extending arms for urging the book covers toward said page holding arms in the book supporting plane; said book support assembly including pivot means disposed in a central upright axis; and said support assembly pivot means and said base assembly pivot means coacting to provide a rotary mounting for said support assembly through 180° relative to said base assembly; said holder being thereby adapted to support a book in the book supporting plane in either of oppositely facing directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 1 including a book supporting center pin projecting upwardly from said frame in said central pivot axis, for engagement with the open face of the book between the pages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 1 said frame being fabricated from wire members; said support means comprising a generally curved wire member having its ends pivotally connected adjacent to the ends of said frame; and a wire support arm pivotally connected between said curved member and said frame, intermediate the ends thereof, for propping said frame at a predetermined angle relative to said support means to define the angle of the supporting plane for said book holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 1 said page holding arms comprising curved wire members pivotally mounted at one end on said frame, and curving toward each other at the distal ends for engagement with the pages of the book.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 1 said book support assembly including means defining a central pivot axis, and a pair of oppositely extending wing members hingedly mounted about said central pivot axis; said wing members including means for supporting the lower edges of the book and respective panels for supporting the book covers; and said spring means coacting with said wing members to urge said wing members toward said page holding arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 5 a book supporting center pin projecting upwardly from said frame in said central upright axis, for engagement with the open face of the book between the pages; said pin defining said frame pivot means, and said wing members and said spring means being rotatably mounted on said center pin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 6 said wing member panels being spaced laterally from each other defining parallel confronting edges to accommodate and support the spine of a book; and said frame center pin being disposed to engage the open face of the book between the pages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 6 said wing members including integral, horizontal laterally facing channel portions at the lower edges defining a lower supporting shelf; each of said channel portions having transversely aligned holes at one end thereof for receiving said center pin, and defining hinge means for said wing members; said spring means comprising a helical coil and integral oppositely extending transverse arms; and said spring means coil being received on said center pin with said spring arms being received within respective channel portions of said wing members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 1 said support assembly including a generally vertical spine having lower and upper hook means for engaging respective lower and upper edges of said book at the spine thereof; said upper hook means being slidable on said spine relative to said lower hook means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A book holder as set forth in claim 9 said spring means comprising a helical coil and integral oppositely extending transverse arms; and said spring means being rotatably mounted on said support assembly spine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-04 | 1979-11-03 | 1980-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-04 | 1983-11-03 | 1984-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-11-03 | 1988-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |