Inclined reading magnification stand

A portable magnification stand includes a lower inner plane area surrounded by and held in place by a lower coplanar support material. A back pair of adjustable arms and a front pair of adjustable arms are mounted to the lower planar base unit and an upper planar lens unit that holds a lens for magnifying objects. The back pair of adjustable arms are longer than the front pair of adjustable arms causing the magnification of objects to appear greater near the front portion of the upper planar lens unit compared with objects near the near the back portion of the upper planar lens unit. Swingable extensions shaped as trapezoidal planar materials can be used in lieu of the adjustable arms to provide the appropriate magnification in a more compact and lighter weight design.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to magnification devices. Magnification devices are useful for people with limitations in seeing certain items or objects of interest. In the scientific arena, a great number of magnification devices have been created to see areas that a person could not see even with perfect vision. For example, the telescope and microscope are examples of magnification devices used for viewing either very distant or very small objects.

Another set of devices have been developed for people interested in looking at the details of more conventional objects that are otherwise visible. In some cases, these magnification devices can also be helpful for people with limited or less than perfect vision. For example, these magnification devices are useful in reading, identifying small items, or inspecting small parts. The typical magnification device has a magnification lens held in place using some type of frame or handle. To use these magnification devices, a user holds the handle or frame over an object to be viewed and uses the magnification offered by the device to increase the apparent size of the object. If the magnification of the lens in the handle is appropriate then the user is able to view the enlarged object more clearly and identify one or more details on the object they were otherwise unable to see.

Unfortunately, these existing magnification devices do not work well in every situation. Handheld magnification devices are difficult to use over time as the person may get tired of holding the device or, in some cases, may be unable to hold the device steady. In addition, a user may not be able to hold the magnification device at a fixed distance from the object thus causing the object to appear smaller, larger or out of focus over time. This could make the object difficult to view and possibly make the user of such a magnification device light-headed or dizzy from the rapid changes in the apparent size of the object.

Conventional magnification devices fixed in frames hold a magnification lens at a fixed distance from an object but are problematic in other ways. These magnification devices tend to be heavier and not easily adjusted for a variety of situations. For example, a user may be required to hold both the object in place with one hand while using the other hand to position the frame over the object. Further, the lens is held at a fixed distance from the object being viewed and cannot be easily modified for objects needing greater or lesser degrees of magnification.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention feature a portable magnification stand apparatus. This magnification stand includes a lower planar base unit having a a lower inner plane area surrounded by a lower coplanar support material. The lower inner plane area may be left open or optionally may have transparent material inserted therein and held in place by the lower coplanar support material; the transparent material may or may not also provide some degree of magnification. Preferably the entire lower planar base unit is constructed from transparent or translucent material to increase the overall viewing area and facilitate ease of viewing the subject matter held in place under the lower planar base unit.

In addition, the magnification stand further includes a back pair of adjustable arms mounted at a lower end of the arms near a back portion of the lower base unit to the lower coplanar support material and a front pair of adjustable arms mounted at the lower end of the arms near a front portion of the lower planar base unit to the coplanar support material. The front pair of adjustable arms are longer than the back pair of adjustable arms allowing for a person to view the underlying subject matter at an angle. For example, this would be particularly well suited for reading from an inclined position in a reclining chair or bed.

An upper planar lens unit typically holds a lens for magnifying objects in an upper inner plane area. The lens is surrounded by and held in place by a coplanar support material mounted near the front portion of the coplanar support material to the front pair of adjustable arms and mounted near the back portion of the coplanar support material to the back pair of adjustable arms. The difference in length between the front pair of adjustable arms and the back pair of adjustable arms facilitates the magnification of an object to appear greater near the front portion of the upper planar lens unit compared with the portion of the object near the near the back portion of the upper planar lens unit. This optical characteristic of the magnification stand advantageously facilitates inclined reading of subject material as often needed when a person cannot sit upright comfortably or for long periods of time and the subject material is lying on flat surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a reading magnification stand100designed in accordance with implementations of the present invention has several parts including a lower planar base unit108, an upper planar lens unit104, a front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D and a back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C between the lower planar base unit108and the upper planar lens unit104.

Lower planar base unit108includes a lower coplanar support material109and is attached to the lower end of both front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D and back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C. Optionally, lower coplanar support material109may be open in the interior area or optionally may include a lower transparent material110with or without the ability to magnify the subject being viewed. All components of lower base unit108(i.e., lower coplanar support material109and optional lower transparent material110) can be made of various transparent materials including plastics, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyvinylchloride, Lucite, glass and many other materials or combinations thereof. These materials allow a user to view through upper planar lens unit104and see an object118for viewing underneath. If it is implemented, the material used for lower transparent material110should be strong and sufficiently flexible to hold down object118during viewing as pressure is applied from the upper portion of reading magnification stand100.

As illustrated in this example, coplanar support material109surrounds optional lower transparent material110and holds it in place in a lower inner plane area. Various implementations of the present invention can use glue or other similar material to secure lower coplanar support material109to lower transparent material110. For added security, lower transparent material110can be pressure fitted to fit into lower coplanar support material109as well as secured using lower clips111A/111B. Constructing lower coplanar support material109from one or more transparent materials previously described allows for a larger viewing area for object118. To keep reading magnification stand110sturdy, lower coplanar support material109should be made of a thicker/stronger material compared with that selected for use in lower transparent material110.

Each of the front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D and back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C may be held in place using a pair of thumb screw fasteners114B/F and a pair of thumb screw fasteners114C/G respectively as illustrated in this example. In various implementations, the thumb screws are tightened through a thread passing through the lower end of the arms and into the side of lower planar base unit108. Adjusting the thumb screws allows the adjustable arms to be adjusted radially as needed for viewing object118. Alternate implementations of the present invention can also use rivets, pins, bearings, and other devices other than thumb screws that allow the adjustable arms to be secured and/or radially adjusted.

Upper planar lens unit104includes a lens106, an upper coplanar support material105, lighting devices116A/116B and is attached to the upper end of both front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D and back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C. Lens106can be a fresnel lens, a concave lens or any other type of lens that may be useful in viewing object118below. It is also contemplated that lens106may come in traditional round, oval or even rectangular shapes or any combination thereof. Materials used to construct lens106include any one or more of the transparent material previously described and may also include glass if any added weight is not a concern. The magnification strength of the lens selected can vary depending on the particular use and the amount of magnification required by the user. Because the lens can be changed out, different types of lens (i.e., fresnel or concave) may be used as well different strengths allowing a single reading magnification stand100to be used by different people or for different purposes. If it is cost-effective to do so, the lens may also be manufactured to provide increasing or decreasing amounts of magnification along a linear gradient measured along the length of the lens. For example, this would assist in reading at an inclined position such as from viewpoint102.

Like the lower planar base unit108, upper coplanar support material105surrounds lens106and secures it in place. Various implementations of the present invention can use glue or other similar material to secure upper coplanar support material105and lens106. For added security, lens106can be pressure fitted to fit into upper coplanar support material105as well as secured using upper clips111C/111D. Using upper clips111C/111D alone to secure lens106, allows for easier removal and changing out of lens106as needed. In general, upper coplanar support material105can also be constructed from one or more transparent materials previously described to allow for a larger viewing area for seeing object118. To keep reading magnification stand100sturdy, upper coplanar support material105can also be made of a thicker/stronger material compared with that selected for use in lens106.

Lighting devices116A/116B provide additional illumination for easier viewing of object118being magnified. Illustrated inFIG. 1are two lighting devices116A/116B mounted along the front and back width portions of upper planar lens unit104however greater or fewer lighting devices could be included and mounted at various positions on reading magnification stand100. For example, a single lighting device can be mounted along the length of one side of upper planar lens unit104or four lighting device units could be mounted along both lengths and widths of upper planar lens unit104. Further, lighting devices116A/116B can also be mounted in a similar manner and with a similar variety of configurations onto lower planar base unit108instead. Lighting devices can use lower power fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LED)or any combination thereof. Further, each lighting device can be powered by disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries, an alternating current and transformer providing direct current or any combination of these power sources.

Like lower planar base unit108, the example illustrates a pair of thumb screw fasteners114A/E and a pair of thumb screw fasteners114D/H to hold front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D and back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C in place respectively. In various implementations, the thumb screws are tightened threw a thread passing through the upper end of the arms and into the side of upper planar lens unit104. Adjusting the thumb screws allows the adjustable arms to be adjusted radially as needed for viewing object118. Alternate implementations of the present invention can also use rivets, pins, bearings, and other devices other than thumb screws that allow the adjustable arms to be secured and/or radially adjusted.

In operation, a user places reading magnification stand100over object118for reading from viewpoint102. If object118is an open book or is not quite flat, the user can apply some pressure to reading magnification stand100to flatten object118and make it easier to read. Reading magnification stand100is designed with the pair front adjustable arms112A/112D to be longer than the pair of back adjustable arms112B/112C to provide a magnification of object118more suitable for viewpoint102.

For example, a user who is seated or in bed typically does not look directly down onto reading magnification stand100and therefore needs to have greater magnification for portions of object118a further distance away. By increasing the length of front adjustable arms112A/112D compared with the back adjustable arms112B/112C the desired magnification level is achieved. Moreover, the user may be able to read or view object118at an angle relative to the object118being held in a flat position. To view object118from viewpoint102at a greater angle, the user would increasingly adjust the length of front adjustable arms112A/112D compared with the back adjustable arms112B/112C until the proper magnification is achieved.

Changes in the focal length and magnification is made possible by adjusting both front adjustable arms112A/112D and back adjustable arms112B/112C axially. In various implementations, each adjustable arm has an inner sleeve fitted inside of an outer sleeve with sufficient clearance that the friction between the sleeves holds the inner sleeve in place with respect to the outer sleeve. To help ensure the adjustable legs do not lose position, implementations of the present invention can also include an adjustment thumb screw that passes through the outer sleeve and presses against an inner sleeve to also keep the inner sleeve in place with respect to the outer sleeve. Adjustment thumb screws113A/113B appear inFIG. 1on adjustable arms112A/112B respectively while adjustment thumb screws113D/113C are associated with adjustable arms112D/112C but are out of view. An alternative implementation described later herein and illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 5Butilizes a pair of hinged and swingable flaps to introduce a difference in height between the front and back portions of the upper planar lens unit104. Both the former and latter alternative case effectively enable viewing at an angle relative to the subject118held in a flat position.

FIG. 2is a top view of reading magnification stand100designed in accordance with implementations of the present invention. From this perspective, lens106in upper planar lens unit104can be seen as it is surrounded by upper coplanar support material105. Upper clips111C/111D hold lens106in place in various implementations such as that illustrated however lens106can be otherwise affixed using glue, pressure fitting techniques or other securing methodologies. Both front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D and back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C are visible and secured on the upper end by pair of thumb screw fasteners114A/E and a pair of thumb screw fasteners114D/H respectively as previously described.

FIG. 3is a left side elevation view of the reading magnification stand designed in accordance with implementations of the present invention. In this figure, the side of upper coplanar support material105is seen in upper planar lens unit104. Front adjustable arm112A is longer than back adjustable arm112B and secured on their upper and lower ends by pair of thumb screw fasteners114A/114B and114D/114C respectively. To secure the different lengths of front adjustable arm112A and back adjustable arm112bare adjustment thumb screws113A/113B. Lower planar base unit108as seen in this left side elevation provides a side view of lower coplanar support material109.

FIG. 4is a frontal perspective view of the reading magnification stand100designed in accordance with implementations of the present invention. This frontal perspective view represents reading magnification stand100as seen from a user at viewpoint400. A user at this viewpoint400looks through lens106in upper planar lens unit104at an angle and, optionally, through lower transparent material110. The user preferably also sees through the material surrounding lower transparent material110as this should also made of a transparent material to increase the overall viewing area.

By the design of reading magnification stand100, the magnification of an object appears greater near the front portion of upper planar lens unit104compared with the portion of the object near the back portion of upper planar lens unit104. As previously described, this difference in magnification is due to the difference in length between front pair of adjustable arms112A/112D (not visible inFIG. 4) and back pair of adjustable arms112B/112C. This magnification helps a user at viewpoint400see at an angle as they are further away from the farthest portion of the object being viewed and therefore need additional magnification to see clearly.

Overall, the design and construction of reading magnification stand100provides an improved comfort level for a user to read and view. For example, the angled position of upper planar lens unit104and lens106obviates the need for a user to bend or “crane” ones neck and head during reading. Keeping the head and neck in a more natural position by way of reading magnification stand100thereby increases the comfort level and, in turn, the time one can read and view. Of course, this is a great advantage for individuals having general neck/back pain or suffering from more acute disorders due to arthritis, bone spurs, spinal/nerve damage and other conditions.

In one implementation, an object (not illustrated) below and held in place by reading magnification stand100can range in size from 6 inches to 12 inches in height and 4 inches to 24 inches in width. If the width and height of lower transparent material110covers at least the dimensions of the object then the user does not need to slide reading magnification stand100over object to see any portion of the image magnified. It is contemplated that objects larger than 12 inches in height and 24 inches in width could also be viewed using a reading magnification stand of corresponding larger dimensions. Accordingly, the only limitation on the size of reading magnification stand100is the corresponding practicality and cost associated with making a larger stand that may be heavier and more cumbersome to handle.

FIG. 5Ais a left side elevation view of the reading magnification stand elevated with a pair of swingable extensions or flaps designed in accordance with implementations of the present invention. In this alternate implementation, the height of the upper planar lens unit104is fixed in position using non-adjustable arms and then modified by swinging the extensions in a downwardly position as illustrated. In this figure, the side of upper coplanar support material105is positioned in upper planar lens unit104. Front arm504A is not adjustable in length but designed to be longer than back arm504B and secured on their upper and lower ends by pair of thumb screw fasteners114A/114B and114D/114C respectively. Another front arm and back arm operate in a similar manner but are not visible in this particular elevation view ofFIG. 5A.

In this implementation, the height of upper planar lens unit104is modified by either extending a trapezoidal planar material502downward or retracting it upward. Trapezoidal planar material502is swingably attached along parallel lengths of the lower base unit108and capable of being positioned downwardly in a perpendicular position to the lower base unit108in order to increase a height of the front portion of the lower base unit108a greater amount compared with an increase in height of the back portion of the lower base unit108.

This increases the differential in height of the front portion of upper planar lens unit104compared with the back portion of upper planar lens unit104according to an angle α or β. Trapezoidal planar material502configured with angle α tends to increase the differential in height more than trapezoidal planar material configured with angle β since α sweeps a smaller angle compared with β. Moreover, α may provide higher magnification at the top portion of upper planar lens unit104compared with the back portion of upper planar lens unit104depending on the construction of the magnifying lens and other aspects of the present invention. Further, it is contemplated that trapezoidal planar material502can be created having multiple selectable angles α, β or other angles and folded depending on the magnification and angle of viewing. It should be understood that trapezoidal planar material502can be made of Plexiglas, plastic, metal or any other material capable of supporting the weight when extended in a downward position. It is also contemplated that various hinges and other similar devices could be used to attach trapezoidal planar material502to other portions of the device as well as facilitating folding to achieve various different angles for the device.

FIG. 5Bis another left side elevation view of the reading magnification stand with the pair of swingable extensions retracted in accordance with implementations of the present invention. The pair of trapezoidal planar materials502each swingably attached along parallel lengths of the lower base unit108is further capable of being positioned upwardly in a perpendicular position to the lower base unit to reduce the overall profile of the apparatus. Essentially, the height of the upper planar lens unit104is reduced by swinging the extensions in an upwardly position as illustrated inFIG. 5B. Even with the trapezoidal planar materials502positioned upwardly, the front arm504A is designed to be longer than back arm504B and secured on their upper and lower ends by pair of thumb screw fasteners114A/114B and114D/114C respectively. Once again, the other pair of front arm and back arm operate in a similar manner but are not visible in this particular elevation view ofFIG. 5B.

Yet another implementation illustrated inFIG. 5Cprovides a more simplified and compact design. From the left side elevation view of this implementation inFIG. 5Cit can be seen that a pair of trapezoidal planar materials502are directly attached to upper planar lens unit104by way of a pair of hinges. This design accentuates the portability and storage advantages of using the swingable extensions or flaps as they can be made to collapse and render reading magnification stand100almost completely flat.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the above-described implementations, but instead is defined by the appended claims in light of their full scope of equivalents.