Abstract:
A removably attachable manual support for a binder, folder or book and adaptable for outwardly extending, one-hand support of a binder and its contents when in use by soloists, choir members or lecturers. The manual support further includes an articulated rest structure for supporting the lower marginal edges of the spine and of each of the laterally extending cover panels of the binder or folder.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a manual supporting device for a folder, notebook, binder, book, or the like, and more particularly relates to a removably attachable support for manually supporting a folder or book with one hand and for an extended period of time. 
   The present device finds particular application in connection with one-hand manual support of folders or binders containing sheet music for choir or choral groups, and for folders or binders holding lecture material. There has long been frustration among choir members or lectures when, in the absence of music stands or supporting lecturers, they are forced to stand and balance and hold music binders one hand outwardly extended for extended lengths of time. This is particularly true when the person suffers from even minor arthritis or other infirmity that may lead to cramping, or other painful affliction. In the case of three-ring, loose-leaf binders, the operating mechanism for support and operation of the retaining rings adds additional weight to the already heavy binder components. 
   There have been past efforts to provide manually supported binders, such as the folder holders disclosed in each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,417,456 and 5,421,616, each granted to Morgan K. Laubacher. Neither of these disclosures, nor other known prior art, would appear to disclose the added improvement of providing cooperating rest structures having articulately connected elements for individual support of a folder or binder having a spine and oppositely disposed, hingedly supported cover panels extending laterally relative to the spine. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides both a novel detachable manual support for a folder or binder, as well as a novel rest support for material, such as loose leaf bound music or lecture sheets. 
   A preferred embodiment of the manual support includes a flat, relatively rigid, bar, or upright member, facing the outer surface of the spine of a binder or folder, and extending upwardly for a preselected distance from the lower marginal edge thereof. The distal end of the bar is preferably fastened to an extendable, elasticized, stretchable band having its opposite end fastened to a flattened, hook-like, member arranged for releasable attachment to the uppermost end of the folder or binder spine. 
   The outwardly facing surface of the rigid bar includes a flexible length of nylon strapping cooperating with the outwardly facing surface of the upright bar member to provide manual support means for receiving the hand of the singer or lecturer. The flexible hand strapping is of conventional nylon strapping with cauterized edges and forms a closed loop when fastened at opposite ends to the upright bar member. The loop may be conveniently sized to receive and conform to a single hand of a user holding the binder. 
   The rigid upright bar member is preferably pivotally attached to an articulated rest structure, the elements of which are each preferably formed from extruded flat stock, aluminum. The rest structure includes pivotally attached individual elongate elements, or sections, each having an L-shaped cross-section and being respectively arranged to accommodate the binder spine and each of the laterally extending back and front cover panels, in addition to music or other sheet materials contained therebetween. The bifurcated arms of each of the L-shaped extrusions include an inwardly extending base portion and an upwardly extending back portion cooperating to provide an integrally formed seat or rest at the lower marginal edge of each of the components of the folder or binder. 
   In addition, the base portion of each of the L-shaped components of the rest structure includes one or more upwardly bent picket portions which act as a barrier for resisting outward movement of respective binder components resting on and supported by the base portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective interior elevated view of the various assembled components of the manual support of this invention, including its preferred components arranged and assembled in accordance with the disclosure of the present invention, and ready to receive a binder or folder to be supported thereby. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the manual support illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and further disclosing the support in use with a binder (shown in phantom) and being held with one hand of singer or lecturer, and without need for further mechanical support, such as an upright lectern or conventional music stand. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the manual support illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and detached from a binder or folder to be supported thereby. 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the support of  FIG. 1 , and showing the novel rest structure in extended support position and poised for retention of a binder or folder, and further illustrating, via phantom lines, the closed position of the rest structure being folded on its pivotal support to minimize overall size for ease in transporting the device to and from choral performances or lectures. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As will be apparent from the various drawing  FIGS. 1-4 , inclusive, the manual support  10  of this invention may be readily attached to, or be detached from, a book or binder  12  (see  FIG. 2 ) having an elongated spine  14  and laterally extending cover panels  16  hingedly sewn or otherwise hingedly attached to the side edge margins  18  of the spine  14 . 
   With particular reference to the views of  FIG. 1 ,  3 - 4 , inclusive, it will be observed that the support  10  is preferably assembled from several components, each being fabricated from a lightweight material such readily available 1/16 inch thick aluminum flat sheet stock. The manual support  10  includes an upright support member  20  fabricated from a preselected length of rigid, flat stock of aluminum sheet metal, which is readily available from home improvement stores. It is particularly convenient because of the relatively lightweight of the conventional 1/16 inch thick stock. The preferred width of the bar  20  is ½ inch, but this may be varied as desired by the fabricator of the device. It is also preferred to maintain the width of the supporting bar  20  to be less than the width of the spine  14 . As shown, the bar  20  is fastened to an articulated rest structure  22  including a centrally located elongate rest element  24  extending crosswise relative to the bar  20  and being pivotally fastened by means of a rivet  26  to the lower end of the bar  20 . The length of the rest element  24  is preferably chosen to provide adequate support to the spine portion  14  of the folder, binder or book. Also pivotally attached to the articulated rest structure  22  are oppositely disposed, laterally extending rest elements  28  and  30 . The rest element  28  preferably supports the front cover panel  16   a , whereas the oppositely ending rest element  30  is arranged to support the lower edge margin of the rear cover panel  16   b . It will be apparent that the centrally located rest element  24  is intended to provide support of the lower marginal edge of the spine  14 . Each of the elements  24 ,  28  and  30  are formed with an L-shaped cross section to provide inwardly extending base portions  36 ,  32  and  34 , respectively, and with upstanding back portions  41 ,  42  and  44 , respectively. 
   It will be further noted that base portions  32  and  34  of the laterally extending elements  28  and  30  overly base portion  36  of the centrally located element  24 , and further are pivotally attached to a respective base portion  36  of the element  24  by means of rivets  38  and  40 , respectively. This overlying or overlapping arrangement of the elements  28  and  30  with respect to the element  24  provides freedom in outward rotation of each of the elements  28  and  30  with respect to the supporting central element  24 . With particular reference to  FIG. 4 , it will be noted that the laterally extending rest elements  28  and  30  may be rotated on their pivoting supporting rivets  38  and  40 , respectively, to a position favored by the user of the binder and of the present supporting device  10 . It will be apparent that the pivoted ends of the elements  28  and  30  may be arcuately or otherwise formed to permit the elements to be estopped from further movement by contact of the upstanding back portions  42  and  44  of the respective laterally extending elements  28  and  30 . Portions of the structure may be cut away to allow for further freedom of motion, or for estopped of motion beyond a certain designated position. 
   It will also be noted that each of the elements  26 ,  28  and  30  are slit on the respective base portions to provide a means of upwardly bending tabbed areas  46 ,  48  and  50  for retention of the cover panels  16   a  and  16   b  and the spine  14  in the respective articulated rest elements  26 ,  28  and  30 . These tabs  46 ,  48  and  50  act to restrain the respective cover panels  16   a  and  16   b  and spine  14  from lateral movement outwardly relative to the upright supporting bar member  20 . 
   As stated previously, the manual support  10  is preferably made to be removably attachable with respect to a binder, and as such, the support  10  is provided with the bar member  20  being of a predetermined length and attachable at its distal end portion to a longitudinally extendable, elasticized biasing element  52  having its opposite end attached to a hook-like fastener  54  having an overhang portion  56 . The portion  56  is longitudinally moved against the bias of the extendable member  52  to grasp the top marginal edge of the spine  14 . 
   With particular reference to the view of  FIG. 3 , it is to be noted that the elasticized, extendable biasing element  52 , also shown in phantom on  FIG. 3 , may be stretched against its inherent bias to provide longitudinal movement upwardly of the hook  54  for releasable fastening to the upper marginal edge of the spine  14 . 
   Further with regard to the views of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , it will be noted that the hand support  58 , made of conventional strapping material, is formed as a continuous, closed loop dimensioned to receive the contour of the hand by simply positioning opposite ends of a given length of the flexible strapping material being fastened to the upright bar supporting member  20 . This is accomplished by using longitudinally spaced, rivets  62  inserted in longitudinally spaced predrilled apertures (not specifically shown) in the upright bar member  20 . It will be further noted that predrilled openings or slotted opening may be provided, though also not shown, for receiving conventional nut and screw fasteners if circumstances permit. The main thing is that a loop may be formed by cooperation of the upright bar  20  and the flexible strap hand support  58  to receive and conform to the middorsal fascial surface of the human hand supporting the binder  12 . As disclosed herein, an adjustable feature is not used in this preferred embodiment, but the dimensions are preselected to receive a particular sized hand, just as gloves are fitted by size to a hand. It is also preferred to mount the flexible nylon strapping to a position on the upright bar  20  located just below the center of gravity of the binder and its contents as an additional means of comfortable support of the folder or binder. 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.