CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to copending US provisional application tentitled â€œBook-Holding Device,â€ having Ser. No. 60/720,105, filed on Sep. 22, 2005.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to devices that hold books, and more specifically to book-holding devices that are suitable to be held in one hand.

BACKGROUND

Anyone who has read a book has experienced some kind of fatigue after reading for a period of time: hand fatigue, arm fatigue, neck fatigue, back fatigue, etc. Similarly, it is often difficult to find a comfortable reading position while holding a book's pages open by hand.

Other book holders exist. But those book holders tend to be heavy and/or cumbersome, which makes them difficult or impossible to hold by hand. No known book holders disclose the aspects of the current invention.

SUMMARY

The invention summary that follows is only for purposes of introducing embodiments of the invention. The ultimate scope of the invention is to be limited only by the claims that follow the specification.

The invention is summarized as an elegant, compact, portable and enjoyable way to hold a book that provides a user greater freedom to find and enjoy a comfortable reading position. More specifically, the book-holding device comprises the following elements: a handle, a spine-holder, a binding strap, a pair of arms, and a spring-loaded wire connected to each of the pair or arms. The top of the handle is rigidly connected to the top of the spine holder. The spine-holder has a ledge at the bottom. One end of the binding strap is connected to the ledge. The other end of the binding strap has a knob that can be releasably connected to the top of the spine-holder. The pair of arms are rotatably connected to a middle of the spine-holder.

To use the book-holding device, the spine of a book is placed on the spine-holder, with the bottom of the book's spine resting on the bottom ledge. The book is then opened approximately in the middle and the elastic binding strap is pulled over the top of book and releaseably connected to a receiving slot at the top of the spine-holder. The pages of the book are supported by the pair of arms below and the pages are held in place by the spring loaded wire on the top. With a reasonably-sized book attached, the book-holding device can be held in one hand by gripping the handle. Alternatively, the book-holding device can be placed on the base unit for hands-free viewing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a comfortable way to hold a book under almost any circumstance: in bed, at the table, sitting, standing, traveling or studying.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hands-free way to hold a book.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device with foldable, extendable arms, along with the custom-designed, spring-loaded, page holders to firmly hold the pages while still allowing for easy page turning.

It is an object of the present invention to allow a reader to raise his reading material to eye level while hands and shoulders remain relaxed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sleek, simple, yet stylish design that can also hold a book open for display purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device that is lightweightâ€”preferably less than â…“ lb.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for holding sheet music.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device with an ergonomic, telescopic handle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device suitable for use by older users, those who suffer from arthritis, or anyone else who has a condition that would make holding a book difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device that is portable, foldable and durable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device that allows the reader to remain comfortable, even when reading for long periods.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device that allows for hands-free reading, while also light enough to be held in one hand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device than can be used as a typing stand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device that would make an elegant display with or without a book mounted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a book-holding device that includes a universal clamp that allows the book-holding device to be mounted on most any objects, such as an exercise bike, treadmill, countertop, etc.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words â€œfunctionâ€ or â€œmeansâ€ in the Description of the Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. Â§112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Â§112, paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases â€œmeans forâ€ or â€œstep forâ€ and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function.

Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Â§112, paragraph 6 are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5.

FIG. 2 shows a different perspective view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5 holding a book.

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5 holding a book.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5 with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5 with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5 with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position and where the pair of arms can be optionally extended.

FIG. 8 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the book-holding device 5 with the pair of arms rotated toward a closed position and where the handle can be optionally extended.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a base unit.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The descriptions that follow are intended to aid in the understanding but not limit the actual scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the descriptions below are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims. The descriptions that follow describe the intended and preferred use of each embodiment of the book-holding device.

The preferred embodiment of the book-holding device 5 comprises a handle 10, a spine-holder 20, a binding strap 30, a pair of arms 40, and a spring-loaded wire 50 connected to each of the pair or arms 40. The handle 10 further comprises a top end 12. The spine-holder 20 further comprises a top 22 and bottom. The top 22 of the spine-holder 20 further comprises a first receiver 24 and a second receiver 26 and the bottom further comprises a bottom ledge 28. The first receiver 24 receives the top end 12 of the handle 10 to form a rigid connection between the handle 10 and the spine-holder 20.

It is preferred that the binding strap 30 be elastic. The binding strap 30 further comprises a first end 32 and a second end 34. The first end 32 is connected to the bottom ledge 28. The second end 34 is connected to a knob 36.

It is preferred that the pair of arms 40 be rotatably connected to a middle 24 of the spine-holder 20 and that the pair of arms 40 be extendable. This can be accomplished by constructing the pair of arms from square tube metal and inserting a smaller size square tube into the pair of arms 40 to serve as an extension arm 42. It is preferred to connect beads 52 to the ends of each spring-loaded wire 50.

It is also preferred that the handle 10 have a telescoping end 14 so that the length of the handle can vary. It is preferred that the telescoping end 14 be able to be locked in place by a knurled nut 16. The knurled nut 16 can be loosened to extend or retract to the desired position, then lightly tightened to hold in desired position. It is also preferred that the handle 10 have a comfort grip 14.

An alternate embodiment of the book-holding device includes a base unit 60. The base unit can be made from plastic and be releasably connected to a bottom of the handle 10 as shown in FIG. 3 and 4. In another alternative embodiment, the book-holding device includes a universal clamp that allows the book-holding device to be mounted on most any object, such as an exercise bike, treadmill, or countertop.

It is preferred to use the book-holding device 5 when reading paperback books or small to midsize hardcover books. For the embodiment shown in the attached drawings, it is preferred that the book being held weigh no more than 1.5 lbs and that the book height not exceed 10 inches.

The preferred steps to use the book-holding device 5 are as follows. First, place a book 70 on the book-holding device 5 with the book's 70 spine resting on the spine-holder 20. Next, open the book 70 to the approximate center page and pull the binding strap 30 over the book 70 and secure the knob 36 in the second receiver 26, located on the top 22. Then, with the pair of arms 40 in the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3 and 4, extend the extension arms 42 ends out and place the two beads 52 on the pages desired for reading. It is preferred to use the extension arms 42 to position the beads 52 about 1â€³ to 1 Â½â€³ in from the edge of the page. If difficulty is encountered when turning the page, it is suggested that the beads should be manually adjusted outward.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to one or more particular preferred embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow. For example, accessories such as a light, a shade or a magnifier could be added to the book-holding device 5 for additional functionality.