US2117667A - Book holder - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1938'.

w. v. JOHNSON BOOK HOLDER Filed July 2, 1956 Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOOK HOLDER William V. Johnson, Washington, D. 0.

Application July 2, 1936, Serial No. 88,642

1 Claim.

This invention relates to book holders, and it is an object of the invention. to provide a device of this kind which can be employed to advantage to support a book in position for reading and which can also be adjusted to permit it to be conveniently used as a book end.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved book holder whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a View in perspective of a book holder constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the device as illustrated in Figure l with an applied book in elevation;

Figure 3 is a View in top: plan of the device as illustrated in Figure 2 with an associated book diagrammatically indicated by broken lines;

Figure 4 is a view in end elevation illustrating the device in position to be used as a book end, an associated book being indicated by broken lines.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, my improved holder comprises two plates I and 2 preferably formed from one sheet of material and in right angular relation. The plate I constitutes a back plate and the plate 2 a foot plate. These plates I and 2 are of preferred dimensions and configuration but are preferably broad so that they may co-operate to the best advantage to hold a book in open position. The foot plate 2 has: its side Walls forwardly disposed in convergence and secured to the outer end portion of the plate 2 and extending transversely thereacross is a pad 3 of sponge rubber or other readily yielding material. The inner face 4 of this pad 3 is substantially at right angles to the foot plate 2, thus assuring the pad 3 serving as an effective medium or stop for coaction with the pages of an open book to hold such pages in proper position for reading. When it is desired to turn a page such page will readily pass over this pad 3.

The rear portion of the foo-t plate 2 has secured thereto the lower portion of a flat leaf spring 5 which is positioned closely adjacent to the back plate I and coacts therewith as illustrated in Figure 2 to clamp a book cover 6 of a book to the back plate I. This spring 5, as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, substantially conforms to the dimensions and configuration of the plate I.

The outer or free end portion of the back plate I has hingedly connected thereto, as at I, a prop 0 plate 3 of a length greater than the length of the plate I and substantially triangular in form.

The outward swinging movement of the plate 8 as afforded by this hinged connection I is limited by a rearwardly directed stop lug 9 ex- 15 tending rearwardly from the upper end of the back plate I. When the device is to be used for supporting a book for reading, the prop plate 8 is swung out tothe limit of its movement away from the back plate I and the heel Ill provided at the junction of the plates I and 2 is rested upon a suitable supporting surface as is also the outer or free end of the prop plate 8 as illustrated in Figure 2. This maintains the foot plate 2 on an upward incline with the applied book in a convenient position for readmg.

It is also to be stated that the outer or free edge II of the prop plate 8 is straight from end to end and substantially parallel to the heel I0 whereby is facilitated the maintenance of the device in position when used for holding a book.

The outer end marginal portion II is also returned to provide a bead affording a stop for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. 5

When it is desired touse the device as a book end the plate 8 is swung into closed position against the plate I with the plate 2 extending upwardly. The free end portion of the plate 8 extends a distance beyond'the upstanding plate 2 and a book is adapted to be rested upon said extended portion. The bead II provides a stop for coaction with the book to prevent the same from falling in the event an intermediate book within a row of books should be removed. 45

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a book holder constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be as- 50 sembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself 55 plate is folded against the back plate and the foot plate is in a position to permit the device to be used as a book end, and means associated with the back plate for clamping the back of a book to said back plate when the device is in adjustment for use as a book holder, the foot plate being provided with means for holding coaction with the leaves of the boo-k, the outer end portion of the prop plate being provided thereacross with a bead to provide a stop for coaction with a book when the device is being used as a book end.

WILLIAM V. JOHNSON.

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