Abstract:
An annotation apparatus for written material has an elongated support. At least one annotation device is secured to the support. The annotation device can include writing implements, place markers, and removable notes. The elongated support can be weighted. A method for annotating at least one sheet of written material is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to annotation devices for books, periodicals, newspapers, stationery, and the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The practice of reading, conducting scholarly research, fact gathering, and generally working with written material frequently involves annotating the written material by highlighting, noting, or marking pertinent portions and passages. The process can require a variety of writing, marking, and note-taking implements. Assembling these implements and keeping pages and sheets of written material in place during the process can be difficult. There is a need for apparatus that will facilitate the annotation process.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A book annotation apparatus comprises an elongated support and at least one book annotation device secured to said support. At least one weight is preferably fixed to the support. At least two weights can be secured to opposing ends of the elongated support.  
           [0004]    The support preferably has at least one side straight edge portion. The support can be substantially rectangular. The elongated support can have a substantially flat bottom portion. The support can be flexible. In one aspect, the support is made of leather.  
           [0005]    The annotation device can be a writing implement. The support comprises a structure for securing a writing implement. The writing implement can be a pen, pencil, highlighter, or any other suitable writing or marking implement. The structure for securing the writing implement can be a loop for encircling and securing the writing implement.  
           [0006]    The annotation device can be removable place markers. The annotation device can also include stationery. The stationery can be removable adhesive notes. The annotation device can be other suitable devices such as magnifiers, letter openers and the like.  
           [0007]    A method for annotating written material includes the steps of providing an elongated support with at least one annotation device secured thereto. The elongated support is placed on at least one sheet of written material so as to hold the sheet in place. The annotation device is used to annotate the written material.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    There are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities, wherein:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a book annotation apparatus according to the invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a bottom view.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a front elevation.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a rear elevation.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a right side elevation.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a left side elevation.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    A book annotation apparatus  10  according to the invention includes an elongated support  14 . The support  14  can have a variety of different shapes and sizes. In the embodiments shown, the support  14  is substantially rectangular and has a flat bottom portion  18 . The flat bottom portion  18  permits the support  14  to rest evenly on a sheet of written material, book, or periodical. The support  14  has a top surface  22  to which at least one book annotation device can be secured. The support  14  can have at least one straight edge portion, such as along the front side edge  26  or rear side edge  30 . The straight edge portion allows the support  14  to be used as a place holder, indicating a line of written material which is being reviewed.  
         [0017]    The support  14  can have sufficient weight to be useful for holding at least one sheet of written material in place, or for holding a book open. Weight can be added to the support  14 . The weight can be provided in a variety of locations on or within the support  14 . As shown in the figures, weights  34  can be provided at opposing ends of the elongated support  14 . The weights  34  can be of any suitable dense material, such as metal. The weights  34  can be provided in pockets formed in the support  14  by appropriate stitching or sewing.  
         [0018]    The support  14  can be substantially flexible. Flexibility permits the support  14  to conform to contours of an opened book or periodical, and also to lie flat against flat sheets of written material. The support  14  can be made of any suitable material. It is preferable that the material be durable yet without sharp rigid edges such as might tear sheets of written material. It is also desirable that the material be aesthetically pleasing. Leather and plastics are currently preferred materials.  
         [0019]    The annotation devices can be selected from many suitable annotation devices. A writing implement  40  such as a highlighter, pen, or pencil can be provided. The writing implement  40  can be secured to the support  14  by suitable structure. In one embodiment, a loop  44  is provided into which the writing implement  40  is placed for securing the writing implement  40  to the support  14 . Other annotation devices can also be provided or can be alternatively provided. Place markers  50  are known annotation devices which are commonly made from thin plastic films and include a mild adhesive for securing the place marker to a sheet of written material so as to indicate a particular portion or passage to which the user wishes to refer in the future. Such place markers  50  can be provided on a base  54  that is secured to the support  14  by suitable means such as positioning a flap provided with the base  54  in a pocket provided on the support  14 . Stationery can also be provided and secured to the support  14  by suitable structure. The stationery can, in one aspect, be notes  58  with a weak adhesive for securing the notes to each other for storage, and to the written material or other object when in use. The notes  58  can be secured to the support  14  by suitable structure such as a pocket, or can be adhered to an area  62  using the weak adhesive of the notes. Other suitable annotation devices can include magnifiers, letter openers and other annotation instruments.  
         [0020]    In use, the support  14  is placed on the written material which is to be annotated. The written material can be any suitable sheet material, such as an open book, printed pages, newspaper, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, posters, and the like. The weight of the support  14  holds the written material in place. In the case where the written material is a book, the support  14  is laid across the pages of the opened book and will hold the book open to the appropriate pages in the manner of a book weight or book mark. The annotation devices can then be used to annotate the written material in any desired fashion.  
         [0021]    The support  14  can be of any suitable size. The size can vary depending upon the size of the sheets which are to be used. In one aspect, the support  14  has the dimensions of approximately 2¾″W×½″D×9″H.  
         [0022]    This invention can be provided in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be had to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.