Book holder

A book holder is disclosed which addresses the unique and heretofore unresolved needs of readers of paperback pocketbooks. In its simplest form, the holder consists of two pieces interlocked so that they are capable of sliding lengthwise in relation to one another. One end of each piece is formed so that when the device is laid upon any flat surface and extended to its most open position, and open paperback pocketbook may be laid face up on top, then the device slid closed to such a position that the formed ends cup over the open pages on opposite sides, thus restraining same for easy viewing. The device includes a detent so as to prevent sliding out of the interlock and falling apart, yet this detent needs be such that it can be overcome with reasonable hand force to allow cleaning or removal of foreign objects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to book holders for holding open a book so as to 
facilitate reading of the pages of the book, and, more particularly, book 
holders for holding open paperback pocketbooks which present unique 
problems heretofore not resolved by prior art. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A finely made, well bound book, unless subject to breezes, will lay flat 
when opened at any page without need for a holder of any kind. However, a 
need for a book holder arises from the closing pressure exerted by the 
binding in the spine of lesser quality books. Although hardcover books 
seldom snap shut, they often do flip over pages after opening when left 
unrestrained, thus losing the reader's place in the book. 
Various prior art book holders have addressed this problem. For example, 
United Kingdom Patent No. 6,537 entitled "Improvements in Means for 
Holding Down the Leaves of Books During Use" filed in 1895 by Course 
discloses a means for holding down the leaves of books during use 
comprising a band of steel or any other suitable material long enough to 
reach from one side of the book to the other when the book is open, to be 
placed at the back of the book and to bend over the edges of both sides of 
the book until the ends come into contact with the leaves and thus hold 
them flat. Also provided is adjustment means to vary the width of the leaf 
holder. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,416 entitled "Book Holder" which issued on Aug. 29, 
1995 to Zareck discloses a book holder that has flanges 24 and 26 which 
are transparent so the text can be read beneath them. The book holder of 
Zareck uses spring loaded arms beneath overhanging page retainers capable 
of accepting only a limited range of book width and thickness. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,723 entitled "Book Holder" which issued on Nov. 24, 
1992 to Evans discloses a book holder in which the user bends the overhang 
portions 26AR and/or 26AL and 26BL so that the pages of the book are 
securely retained. However, this device is made of wire which is not 
adjustable as to width but only book thickness. 
U.S. Pat. No. 606,924 entitled "Music Book Holder" which issued on Jul. 5, 
1889 to Hale provides a music book holder in which the pages are held by 
pivoting levers 14. Hale employs a machined fixture whose width is 
adjustable by the interleaving two serrated bars and whose thickness is 
adjustable using spring loaded rocker arms requiring two-handed 
manipulation. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,251 entitled "Book Holder" which issued on Oct. 2, 1984 
to Kikis shows an adjustable book holder with several embodiments. In one 
embodiment, Kikis discloses a book holder comprising clear plastic straps 
adjustable as to width in discrete settings by means of a metal rivet in 
one strap mating with discrete slots in the other strap. Kikis is capable 
of accepting various book thicknesses by means of C-shaped ends. 
Although each foregoing patent discloses a book holder capable of 
performing its claimed function on books of other design, none function 
adequately for paperback pocketbooks due to their light weight, small 
size, fine print, narrow margins and stiff but fragile spines. The 
resultant problems presented by the combination of these realities has not 
been adequately addressed by any prior art. 
Additionally, unlike shelved books, a high percentage of paperback 
pocketbooks are indeed transported in pockets, purses, backpacks, etc., 
where any accompanying book holder is subjected to conditions of pressure, 
distortion, abrasion, etc., that would either damage the book holder or 
cause the book itself or other nearby objects to be damaged by the book 
holder, or both. 
What is needed, therefore, is a book holder which addresses all needs of 
the paperback pocketbook in a simple, light, rugged, affordable manner. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The book holder according to the present invention comprises two strips of 
ductile material strong enough to hold against the spine pressure of 
paperback pocketbooks, that pressure generally being well over one pound 
of force. The ductile material is bendable to allow adjustment for various 
book thicknesses as well as the normal gradual change of thickness right 
to left as a book is read. The ductile material is also durable, 
lightweight and economical. 
The two strips are mutually interlocked, preferably via telescoping, so as 
to be extendible and retractable to accommodate various open book widths 
within a flat between opposing ends of each strip. The opposing ends are 
formed to rise above and over the left and right sides of the book. Each 
such opposing end overhangs and thereby captures the book pages securely 
yet with enough delicacy whereby each page can be easily extracted from 
the right side and inserted beneath the left side using only one finger. 
A further element of the present invention is that words and letters are 
neither obscured nor shadowed by opaque materials of the device, nor 
distorted by parallax or shadowing caused by the thickness of a 
transparent material. This problem arise because of the small type (10 
point is typical) and narrow margins (1/8" or less is common) used in most 
paperback pocketbooks. The present invention uses thin, tough but flexible 
transparent tips affixed to the overhanging ends. By considered geometry 
of angles, reach--and the natural tendency of open paperback pocketbooks 
to fan their pages in the constrained open position, this book holder 
allows unobscured reading of nearly all present paperback pocketbooks. 
A further need of paperback pocketbooks is that as they are often carried 
stuffed into small and tight spaces, particularly when traveling, whereby 
a suitable book holder needs to be small, light, rugged and preferably 
attachable. In the present invention, the paperback pocketbook is closed 
and then rotated 90 degrees. By inserting the closed paperback pocketbook 
in the flat and springing the ends of the book holder over the top and 
bottom ends thereof, the present device is collapsed tight against the 
book--both of which my now be treated as a unit and stored, packed or 
transported as any paperback pocketbook. 
As an accommodation to the rigors of transport and storage unique to 
paperback pocketbooks, this device can be pulled apart for cleaning or 
dislodging any foreign objects, then snapped together again without need 
of tools. 
Also, an upper non-skid pad is affixed to the upper surface upon which the 
book rests so as to prevent the book sliding laterally as pages are 
turned. The pad should, at a minimum, engage the back cover which is the 
right side of an open book as read. This allows the user of the device the 
convenience of using it successfully whether or not the device is tightly 
closed to the page edges. 
Lastly, preferably, a lower non-skid, non-scratch grip pad is affixed to 
the underside of the book holder since, due to the light weight of 
paperback pocketbooks, they will otherwise skid right-to-left as pages are 
turned. This also serves as an anti-scratch grip pad when placed on 
delicate surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a book holder 10 according to the 
present invention in operation in conjunction with a book 11. In FIG. 1, 
book holder 10 is shown in a closed position holding book 11. As shown, 
book holder 10 comprises two interlocking strips 50L and 50R. Book holder 
10 maintains the closed position using friction between the two 
interlocking strips 50R and 50L. In addition, an anti-slip grip pad 24B is 
mounted beneath strip 50R. 
Each strip 50 includes flat rectangular flat portions 17, each portion 17 
having opposing stylized C-shapes 15 mounted at one end thereof. In the 
illustrated embodiment, relative to portions 17, each C-shape 15 comprises 
an outwardly and upwardly extending first portion 52, an inwardly and 
upwardly extending second portion 54 integrally attached to first portion 
52 and a downwardly and inwardly extending third portion 56 integrally 
mounted to second portion 54. Mounted to each third portion 56 and 
extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom is an overhanging ear 13. Each 
ear 13 engages an exposed book page 14 by contact therewith. 
As best seen in FIG. 1, underneath each exposed book page 14 is a typical 
book page fanout 16 created when a paperback pocketbook is laid flat. Book 
page fanout 16 extends underneath C-shape 15. 
In the preferred embodiment, the angles formed between portions 52 and 54 
and that formed between portion 52 and portion 17 is obtuse and is 
manually alterable which permits c-shapes 15 to accommodate variations in 
book thicknesses and change in thickness from left to right as reading 
progresses. 
In addition to being manually alterable as described in the previous 
paragraph, C-shapes 15 are formed of a material which is rigid enough to 
capture and hold book fanout 16 securely therein but flexible enough to 
allow exposed page 14 to be easily extracted from the one C-shape 15 and 
inserted into the opposing C-shape 16, preferably using only one finger. 
The material must also have no latent memory so as to be adjustable to 
accommodate various thicknesses of books as well as the side to side 
thickness change as the book is read. 
One suitable material is anodized aluminum while another is 0.020" thick 
brass sheet. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other materials 
having the above properties are suitable for use with this invention. 
As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, strips 50 telescope into one another. In the 
preferred embodiment, strip 50R comprises only flat portion 17 while strip 
50L has flat portion 17 plus folded over side rails 29 extending from 
opposing long sides of portion 17 and folding over the top thereof. Flat 
portion 17 of strip 50R is telescopically received between flat portion 17 
and side rails 29 of strip 50L. In the preferred embodiment, side rails 29 
are wide enough to constrain the flat portion 17 of strip 50R. 
As best seen in FIG. 4, each portion 17 includes mating detents 28 at the 
end opposite c-shape 15. When strips 50 are slid apart, the sliding halts 
once detents 28 mate. However, when cleaning or removal of trapped 
particles is necessary, a sharp pull will spring the constraining detents 
28 apart thereby allowing strips 50 to completely separate. Strips 50 may 
be rejoined by employing a sharp inward push. 
In addition to preventing accidental separation of strips 50, detents 28 
contacts the flat portion 17 of the opposing strip to offer sliding 
resistance to separation even when not mated with the other detent 28. The 
clearance left when bending side rails 29 and the depth of detent 28 
determines the sliding resistance between strips 50. Altering the slide 
resistance can be accomplished by opening or closing slide rails 29. Such 
opening or closing is performed with any suitable tool such as a table 
knife or a flat rubberized shoe heel, respectively. 
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the invention at fullest extension with a 
cutaway showing two detents 28 dimples engaged to stop further separation 
of strips 50. FIG. 3 also shows one c-shape 15 corresponding to strip 50R 
is bent to be lower than c-shape 15 corresponding to strip 50L. Such an 
arrangement corresponds to the starting a paperback pocketbook whereby 
only a few pages lie to that side. As reading proceeds the end pieces may 
be repositioned by bending as needed for ease of reading and ease of 
removal and insertion of pages. 
For example, in the reading of a very thick (2-) paperback pocketbook at 
the start it may be necessary to change the angle between portions 52 and 
54 to nearly 90 degrees relative to flat portion 17 on thick side while at 
the same time bending the opposing angle from obtuse to acute to minimize 
the distance between ear 13 and flat portion 17 on that side to capture 
exposed page 14 on the thin side. As discussed previously, the bending is 
easily accomplished manually without need of tools. 
The transparent ears 13 comprise a thin, clear, flexible, durable and 
reasonably scratch resistant material. In placing book pages under ears 
13, care must be taken to assure that words and/or letters are not 
obscured or distorted. This is difficult in the case of paperback 
pocketbooks as print is commonly 10 point type and is printed as close as 
1/8" to the page edge, with 1/4" being common. Compounding this difficulty 
is the strength of the bindings--exerting closing forces approaching four 
(4) pounds. Yet the spines are fragile as they are glued, not sewn, and so 
if flexed hard enough to reduce closing pressure will often crack and come 
apart. 
To restrain this force against the narrow (4" typical width) pages of 
paperback pocketbooks requires an overreach of at least one inch. A lesser 
reach requires compensating downward force and produces pressure too high 
for easy removal and insertion of turning pages. 
If more than 1/4" of the overreach is opaque, letters are obscured. Even if 
wire as thin as 1/16" diameter is employed as the overreach restraint, 10 
point type letters are approximately 1/16" in size and so are obscured. 
Further, any clear material not completely flat to the underlying page 
will cast a shadow with its edge. This shadow is magnified as height above 
page increases and darkened as lighting changes from diffuse daylight to 
single point reading light. In addition, any clear material will refract 
light across its thickness and result in dislocation of image whenever 
viewed through the edge. Any clear material rigid enough to be used for 
the entire body of the invention must be at minimum 1/8" thick for 
strength. This thickness, even 1/16", causes irritating dislocation of 
letters unless viewed perpendicular to the page which is awkward and 
impractical in most cases. 
Even when used only for the overreaching portion of the invention, any 
rigid clear material thin enough to avoid the foregoing problems, would be 
too fragile for practical use. Therefore, this material needs to be thin 
(0.020" or less), and sufficiently flexible to restrain the open pages of 
a book while also allowing insertion of a turned page beneath the ear as 
well as durable and stiff enough to hold against spine force. The cold 
formable, glueable, stiff, clear, durable, economical 0.020" polycarbonate 
sheet is one plastic product which meets these needs. Those skilled in the 
art will recognize that other materials will meet these needs. A variation 
of ear 13 is shown in FIG. 3 in which the distal end 13a of the left ear 
13 is upturned slightly. It has been found that this upturn facilitates 
insertion of the pages when said pages are being turned. 
Mounted atop sliding rails 29 and underneath flat portion 17 of strip 50L 
are thin non-skid, non-slip grip pads 24T and 24B, respectively. Grip pad 
24T is used to prevent skidding of book 11 while, for example, page 
turning. Grip pad 24B is used to prevent skidding of the entire book 
holder 10 and to protect any surface book holder 10 is resting thereon. 
FIGS. 5 and 6 show a book holder 10 of the present invention in a closed 
position for transport, not reading. In this position book 11 is closed 
and rotated 90 degrees about a vertical axis from the reading position. 
Book 11 is laid flat upon grip pad 24T and book holder 10 is closed 
whereby C-shapes 15 engage book 11. In this position, book holder 10 holds 
book 11 firmly for transport and storage. Use in this manner takes up very 
little extra space as compared to the paperback pocketbook 11 itself. 
Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it 
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and 
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the 
invention or from the scope of the appended claims.