Foldout information book and method for making the same

A book assembly and method of making the same, made of at least one generally planar sheet having an upper side and a reverse side with writing thereon. The sheet is provided with a plurality of primary folds, secondary folds and slits or cuts forming a series of panels that are arrange to be folded one on top of another in an accordion fashion. The panels are formed in adjacent sets of two with the width of each panel in a given set is the same and respective panel sets have widths that progressively decrease to expose a margin area on an outer edge of the panel set immediately therebelow. The margin area is sufficient in size to permit printed indicia. The book assembly has folded sections that can be selectively opened in several different directions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to information books, and more particularly 
information books having folded pages and margins that permit easy access 
to desired information about a particular topic. The present invention is 
particularly useful as a guide book for travelers featuring sites, maps 
and other information on particular cities. 
2. Description of Related Art 
When touring to various cities or countries around the world, travelers 
often use a variety of maps and books to locate various landmarks, sites 
and other features or items of interest, and to obtain information 
concerning maters such as local transportation, lodging, eating, 
telephones, customs, etc.. Frequently, all of the information a traveler 
may desire is not contained in a single, easily carried book. Thus, 
multiple books and maps are required, each for a different topic. In 
addition, it is often times difficult to match certain information on 
sites with locations on a map, as well as to find certain information of 
interest with ease. 
For example, when trying to locate desired information for instance on a 
conventional folding map or compendium of maps and local information, 
there is no way to determine, before opening the map, on what part of the 
map the desired area is printed. Further, even if the particular area is 
known, it is usually necessary to unfold a large part, if not all, of the 
map in order to locate and view the desired area. Also, refolding a 
conventional folding map after it has been unfolded is notoriously 
difficult. 
There are two common types of maps. The first type consists of a relatively 
large sheet of paper on which the map is printed. The sheet is folded into 
a convenient size for storage. This type of map is relatively inexpensive 
to produce, but has a distinct disadvantage in that the user must open the 
map out fully if he or she is to comprehend the meaning of any particular 
part of the map. Quite often this disadvantage is emphasized because the 
index is printed on the reverse side of the map. Consequently the map is 
inconvenient both when the map is used in a confined space such as in a 
car and also when it is used outside where wind would tend to make it 
impractical. Further, once the map has been used it must be folded and 
quite often the user finds it difficult to refold the map into its 
original folded condition. As a result the map is folded improperly. Soon 
the paper weakens, and the map begins to disintegrate. 
A second type of map is in the form of a paperback pocket book. This type 
of map is more convenient than the first type, but is relatively more 
expensive to produce. It also suffers from the disadvantage that the 
convenient size of the book limits the page size and consequently the 
amount of information carried by each page. Metropolitan areas must be 
broken down into a large number of smaller areas so that quite often the 
user will find that the particular part of the map required lies partly on 
one page and partly on another in a different part of the book. This makes 
the book somewhat awkward to use and requires that the user relates the 
pages mentally. 
It is also desirable that a map or guide book have an index, and that the 
index be in a form which is readily understood and remembered by the user 
so that items found in the index can then be found on the map. The first 
type of map discussed has a distinct advantage in this respect because 
generally the index refers only to two grid references. This contrasts 
with a book which generally requires firstly a page number, and then two 
grid references. Often a street will run through several pages so at a 
minimum the user of the book must remember three references in order to 
locate something found in the index on one page but may have to refer to 
several pages each requiring use of three references. 
Several folding maps or information sources have been designed to overcome 
these drawbacks. One such map, shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,210,347, is made up of a sheet which has a plurality of alternating 
accordion-like folds of decreasing width. The map is split into a north 
half and a south half, with each half having a plurality of panels which 
represent contiguous areas. The map further has a key and a color-matching 
system which allows for identification of the panel representing the 
desired area. However, the map described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,347 
suffers from several disadvantages. Namely, a user often will not want to 
take the time to use the color-matching identification system, desiring 
instead a more direct way to identify what area is represented on a given 
panel. Further, by printed contiguous areas on adjacent panels, the map is 
restricted to extended representation in only one direction (i.e., 
east-west), and cannot represent an area extending in more than one 
direction (i.e., both east-west and north-south). Also, the printing of 
contiguous areas from panel to panel precludes the use of the exposed edge 
portions of each panel for printing information concerning the panels 
thereon. 
One effort to overcome these problems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,801,157. This map is made a single sheet which is folded in an 
alternating accordion-like fashion. A plurality of panels are defined 
between the folds, each panel having a map portion and an 
information-bearing portion. The panels are of decreasing width so that 
the information bearing portion of each panel are visible when the map is 
completely folded. The map can further include a key printed on the front 
panel, and a color-matching system and/or a mark system which facilitate 
location of a desired area on the map. However, this map booklet uses an 
accordion fold system that allows pages to be turned in only one 
direction. Such a fold decreases the amount of information space 
available. If additional information about a particular area were to be 
included, the booklet described in this patent would become large and 
cumbersome. 
A similar map is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,038. This booklet 
contains an accordion folded sheet that allows margins on pages to be 
visible without fully opening the map. In addition, other information on 
various sites and attractions are also indexed and visible to the user. 
However, like U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,157, the pages fold out in only one 
direction. Information contained in the book is, therefore, limited. 
The present invention is intended to provide an improved information source 
having the advantages of a book while at the same time providing a simple 
index system, and pages which are folded such as in a map, to provide a 
larger format than that normally found in a book. The folded pages are 
arranged so they cannot be readily damaged by incorrect folding and yet 
the pages can be inter-related imperfectly without damage and without 
affecting the index arrangement. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the 
deficiencies associated with the prior known types of maps and guide books 
by providing an information book having a dual folded pages formed out of 
a single sheet. The information book according to the present invention 
contemplates a plurality of primary accordion-like alternating folds of 
decreasing spacing which define a plurality of panels of decreasing width 
therebetween, each of the panels comprising markings thereon 
representative of a given area. In addition, because of their decreasing 
width, when the panels are folded, an information-bearing margin is 
provided at the edge area of each panel containing indicia concerning 
various informational aspects of the particular geographical area or other 
information represented in the book. This indicia is printed along an edge 
of the panel of an adjacent fold, the information-bearing portions 
together forming a visible index. 
Because of the decreasing width of each panel, the information-bearing 
portion of each panel is visible when the sheet is folded. Therefore, the 
user can easily identify and refer to the panel which contains the 
information desired concerning the area of interest. Further because of 
the accordion-like folds, only a single pair of adjacent panels need be 
unfolded or flipped open. Thus, there is no complicated unfolding and 
refolding process. Also, the map can be opened to the desired area using 
only one hand. 
In addition, at least one secondary fold is provided approximately 
perpendicular to the primary fold, and a cut is made along sides of 
adjacent pairs of primary folded panels, thereby producing additional 
panels that can be unfolded perpendicularly to the primary panels. This 
arrangement allows for additional information to be provided on a given 
page, that is, by opening a particular pair of adjacent primary panels. 
Also, maps and other information can be matched allowing the user to 
obtain desired information using a single source. The resulting 
information book can be made of any size, but is particularly useful; when 
made as a small, pocket-sized book. 
To obtain these and other advantages, one aspect of the present is a book 
assembly made of at least one generally planar sheet having an upper side 
and a reverse side with writing thereon. The sheet is provided with a 
plurality of primary folds forming a series of panels that are arrange to 
be folded one on top of another in an accordion fashion. The panels are 
formed in adjacent sets of two with a primary fold therebetween. The width 
of each respective panel progressively decreases to expose a margin area 
on an outer edge of the panel set immediately therebelow. The margin area 
is sufficient in size to permit printed indicia. 
In addition, the present invention is also provided with a series of 
secondary folds and slits are formed along side edges of selected panel 
sets. The secondary slits and folds are generally perpendicular to the 
primary folds such that each selected panel set further defines two 
additional panels, and that permit the additional panels to be unfolded 
upwardly or downwardly (or both) perpendicularly to the primary folds. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following is a brief description of the basic embodiments of the 
present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, sheet 10 is generally 
rectangular, and includes a plurality of folds running generally parallel 
to each other, perpendicular to the long side of sheet 10. In the 
illustrated embodiment, eight primary folds, 1a-1h are formed in the along 
the short side of sheet 10. Primary folds 1a-1h form a series of primary 
panel sets 2a-2e (2a having a single panel in the illustrated embodiment). 
Five primary panel sets are illustrated here, however, the number of sets 
can be selected at any number, provided the number allows the 
accordion-type primary fold to occur. 
As seen in FIG. 1, the primary panel sets starting at 2b are formed of two 
adjacent panels, e.g., 2b' and 2b". Viewing FIG. 1 from panel 2a toward 
panel 2e, the panels increase in width. Primary folds 1a-1h are folded in 
an accordion fashion such that panel 2a will sit on top of panel 2b which 
is folded along primary fold 1b, and so on. When folded along primary 
folds 1a-1h, because of the increasing size of panel width, margin areas 
3a-3d are formed as seen in FIG. 2. These margin areas are designated 
space for indexing information concerning the material printed on a 
particular panel. 
Returning to FIG. 1, also illustrated are a series of slits or partial cuts 
along selected primary folds 1a-1h. In FIG. 1, the slits or cuts are shown 
on dotted lines along portions of primary folds 1a, 1c, 1e and 1g. The 
number of slits or cuts depends on the number of panels to be formed. As 
illustrated, the slits or cuts are provided along every other primary 
fold, thereby defining an upper and lower panel part for each primary 
panel. 
In addition, two additional or secondary folds 4a and 4b are provided. 
Secondary folds 4a and 4b are generally parallel to one another and 
perpendicular to the primary folds. FIG. 3 illustrates sheet 10 when 
folded first along the secondary folds and then along the primary folds. 
Due to the placement of primary folds, slits or cuts, and secondary folds, 
each panel part of a panel set is divided into three parts 5, 6 and 7. 
Lower panel part 7 is folded along secondary fold 4b such that in a closed 
position, it overlays middle panel part 6. Upper panel part 5 is folded 
along secondary fold 4a such that when it is closed it overlays lower 
panel part 7 and middle panel part 8. 
As shown in FIG. 4, when opening the pages, upper and lower panel parts 5 
and 7 are turned upwardly and downwardly, respectively, perpendicularly to 
secondary folds 4a and 4b. Accordingly, each panel forms a page with six 
surfaces for information to be recorded, the front and back sides of 
panels 5, 6 and 7 respectively. 
As shown FIG. 5, the information book according to the present invention 
has a plurality of panels that can be opened from two or more directions. 
Because of the placement of the slits or cuts, each panel set can be 
turned in a page fashion from right to left or left to right. In this 
particular embodiment, when the panel 2a is turned from the right edge 
toward the left, panel set 2b will be exposed (See FIGS. 1-3). From this 
position, the upper panel and lower panel of panel set 2b can be opened. 
If panel 2a is turned from the left edge toward the right, the back side 
of panel set 2b is opened. In this arrangement, the upper and lower panel 
parts of panel 2b cannot be opened. 
In addition, a cover and back page can also be formed by adding an 
additional panel sections 2f and 2g, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3a-c. 
The cover section 2f is formed by an additional set of primary and 
secondary folds, and can be opened and closed as illustrated by the arrows 
in FIG. 3b. In addition, because of the primary and secondary folds, when 
the information book is turned over, as illustrated in FIG. 3c, additional 
panel segments can be unfolded and additional information can be provided. 
Because of the decreasing width arrangement of panels, indexing or 
cataloging indicia may be printed on the margin areas 3a-3d. This allows 
the user to easily open to the desired page to obtain specific 
information. Because of the increasing size of each panel, several 
different types of information can be provided in one easy and convenient 
book, such as street maps, dictionaries, sites, restaurant guides, etc. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, 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, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.