Abstract:
An apparatus for holding a book, cell phone, or audio player or other object providing a source of information or entertainment. A flexible tubing having sufficient flexibility for positional adjustment while maintaining the object in a stable position has a proximal end attached to the object holder and a distal portion adapted to be coiled to provide an integral stand for the object holder.

Description:
[0001]    This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/850,974 filed Oct. 11, 2006, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a positionally adjustable support for books and other objects that provide a source of information or entertainment. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    When reading for prolonged periods of time, persons continually change positions, slightly or drastically, requiring that the position of the reading material be adjusted as well, such that a comfortable focal length and orientation of the reading material to the eyes is maintained. When holding a book with the hands, such positional adjustment occurs naturally and without thought. But there are situations in which a reading position can become uncomfortable, or even not possible. Such is the case when a person, lying on his/her back and holding a book above the head, quickly develops fatigue in the arms. Persons recuperating in hospital beds, invalids, and those with handicaps have special needs for supporting reading material. Persons using exercise equipment which include the arms or hands need an alternate means of holding reading material in a comfortable position with respect to the eye. 
         [0004]    Similarly, portable viewable devices which are normally handheld such as audio and video electronic devices, e.g. the iPod, the iPod Nano and similar MP3 players, depend upon the user to hold the device at the appropriate position which for the non-handicapped typically means that both hands are not free for some other activity and for a handicapped persons, the device is either not usable or very inconvenient to use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for holding a book or device, in a fixed position at any angle relative to the eye, without obscuring the printed page or device and while providing a positional adjustment to accommodate normal bodily movements common when, for example, reading a book or viewing a video screen for any extended length of time. Flexible tubing provides for easy positional adjustment and is adapted for forming a coil at one end establishing a stable base and does not require any additional base or apparatus for clamping to a piece of furniture. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, an apparatus holds the pages of the book open without obscuring the present page. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the apparatus hold the pages of the book open and allows for easy turning of the pages. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a bracket provides for convenient attachment and removal of an electronic device. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the apparatus provides a stand-alone tray. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates in perspective a frontal view of one embodiment of a book support apparatus utilizing a bendable flexible tube. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plan front view of the book support apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  illustrates in perspective a rear view showing one embodiment of a swivel bracket and adjusting knob. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  illustrates in perspective a rear view showing an alternative embodiment lacking the swivel and locking feature of  FIGS. 3A and 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side plan view of the bracket and knob shown in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective frontal view showing the flexible tubing forming a base for supporting a book holder in a straight position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective frontal view showing the flexible tubing supporting a book holder in a position bent diagonally to the right. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective frontal view showing the flexible tubing supporting a book holder in a position bent diagonally to the left. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the flexible tubing in a straight up position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the flexible tubing in a position bent backward (away) from the straight up position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the flexible tubing in a position bent forwards with respect to the straight up position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the book holder being supported by the curled flexible tubing in a straight up position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the book holder being supported by the curled flexible tubing in a straight up position, but rotated to the left (clockwise viewed from above) with respect to the position shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the book holder being supported by the curled flexible tubing in a straight up position, but rotated to the right (counterclockwise viewed from above) with respect to the position shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the flexible tubing of the book support apparatus coiled underneath a cushion or mattress. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the flexible tubing of the book support apparatus coiled underneath a cushion or mattress. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of one embodiment book support apparatus wherein the flexible tubing is covered with an aesthetically pleasing synthetic for material. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the covered flexible tube shown in  FIG. 16A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the book support apparatus being used with a couch with the flexible tubing coiled underneath the couch cushion for providing positional stability. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 18A ,  18 B and  18 C are perspective views of the book support apparatus being used on a bed with the flexible tubing coiled underneath the mattress for providing positional stability. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a perspective frontal view of a positionally adjustable book support with a book support shaped like a lion&#39;s head, and material shaped like lion&#39;s paws affixed to either end of a magnifying acrylic rod. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a perspective frontal view of a positionally adjustable support with a book support shaped like a butterfly. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 21A and 21B  are perspective frontal views of a positionally adjustable support with a book support shaped like a moth. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a perspective frontal view of a positionally adjustable support with a book support shaped like a cat&#39;s face. 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is a perspective frontal view of a positionally adjustable support with a book support shaped like a dog&#39;s face. 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is a perspective frontal view of a positionally adjustable support with a book support shaped like a dog&#39;s face. 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a fabric cover which slips over the flexible tube. 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a positionally adjustable support with a book support shaped like a flower. 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a positionally adjustable support for an electronic device. 
           [0039]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing how the electronic device is inserted into, or removed from the holder by bending back the top half of the holder. 
           [0040]      FIG. 29  is a side view of the holder of  FIGS. 32 and 33  as attached to the flexible tube using a swivel bracket. 
           [0041]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the sheet used to form the member holder of  FIGS. 27 ,  28  and  29 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the sheet of  FIG. 30  after it has been bent to form the holder. 
           [0043]      FIG. 32  shows a solid flexible rod being inserted into the hollow flexible tubing to increase overall stiffness. 
           [0044]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view from the rear of the support being supported by the curled flexible tubing in a straight up position. 
           [0045]      FIG. 34  is an exploded view of the components of the swivel bracket, and the v-shaped post which is attached to the flexible tubing. 
           [0046]      FIG. 35  shows a side plan view of the swivel bracket assembly. 
           [0047]      FIG. 36  is a side plan view, with internals shown by dashed lines, of the swivel bracket assembly. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               30  book 
               32  book support 
               34  rubber band 
               36  ½ round clear acrylic rod 
               38  fabric elastic band 
               39  heat shrink tubing 
               40  flexible metallic tubing 
               41  first threaded rod 
               42  swivel bracket 
               43  screw—round head 
               44  screw—flat head 
               45  nut 
               46  knob 
               47  coupling 
               48  cushion 
               49  second threaded rod 
               50  book support shaped like a lion&#39;s head 
               51  mattress 
               52  material shaped like a lion&#39;s paw 
               54  book support shaped like a butterfly 
               55  bracket 
               56 A,  56 B book support shaped like a moth 
               58  book support shaped like a cat face 
               60  book support shaped like a dog face 
               62  book support shaped like a dog face 
               64  fabric covering 
               68  material shaped as a leaf 
               70  book support shaped like a flower 
               72  material shaped as a leaf 
               80  swivel bracket front half 
               82  swivel bracket back half 
               84  groved swivel base 
               86  threaded tubing 
               90  audio or video player 
               92  holder for audio or video player 
               98  heavy gage solid aluminum or copper wire 
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0084]    One embodiment of the positionally adjustable support apparatus is shown in  FIG. 1 . A book support  32  is formed of a flat material such as plastic or plexiglass, rectangular in shape, and bent ninety degrees at one end to form a shelf on which book  30  rests. The pages of the book can be held open by rubber bands  34 R and  34 L which are fitted into notches near the upper corners of support  32 . An alternative embodiment for holding pages open is composed of a ½ round clear acrylic rod  36  to which is affixed an elastic material  38  at each end using glue and short lengths of heat shrink tubing  39 R and  39 L. In one embodiment, rod  36  can be a ½ round clear acrylic rod and act as a magnifier for one line of reading material. 
         [0085]    The book support  32  is attached to a length of flexible metal tubing  40  using swivel bracket  42 , and screws  43  and nuts  45 , as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 4 . The proximal end of the flexible metal tubing  40  is attached to a threaded coupling  47 . Coupling  47  accepts a first threaded rod  41  whereby threaded rod  41  is affixed to the proximal end of the flexible tubing. Advantageously, the threaded rod  41  is retained to the flexible tube such that it cannot be easily unthreaded. Examples of such connections are well known in the art including use of a thread locking material or a locking nut. 
         [0086]    The exposed end of threaded rod  41  is threaded into bracket  42 . The book support  32 , and bracket  42  to which the book support  32  is affixed, can thus rotate with respect to the flexible tubing  40 , but the rotational position can be fixed by tightening adjustment knob  46 . Knob  46  is attached to a second threaded rod  49  which is also threaded into bracket  42  through a threaded opening orthogonal to and terminating at the threaded opening accepting the first threaded rod  41 . Accordingly, rotating knob  46  in one direction will cause the end of the second rod  49  to physically engage the first threaded rod  41  and set the position of the book support  32  relative to the tubing  40 . Rotation of knob  46  will release the friction applied to rod  41  and allow rotation of the book support  32  to a different position with respect to the tubing  40 . 
         [0087]    The flexibility of tubing  40  provides for substantial positional adjustment of the support  32 . An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3B  which utilizes this flexibility. In this embodiment, the proximal end of flexible tubing  40  is fixedly attached to the book support by a bracket  55  lacking the swivel and locking feature of bracket  42 . 
         [0088]    Book support  32  can be constructed in a plurality of sizes to fit the particular reading material, for example, a smaller width support for paper back books and a wider support for magazines. For those embodiments employing a rod as  36  as the book holder, the length of this rod used can be varied to fit the particular width of the support  32 . Advantageously, as described above, the support  32  is easily detached from the distal end of tubing. For example, this can be accomplished by simply unscrewing threaded rod  41  from bracket  42  or bracket  55  and substituting a different sized support  32  by screwing the threaded rod into the bracket of the selected support. Alternatively, the bracket  42  or  55  remains attached to the tubing  40  and instead the support  42  is detached from the bracket  42  or  55  and a different sized support  42  attached to the bracket. 
         [0089]    By way of specific example, suitable flexible tubing  40  is sold by the Spiral Metal Products Division of Uniprise International, Inc. located in Terryville, Conn. As shown, the tubing  40  can be substantially the same diameter along its entire length between the book support  42  and the distal end  51  of the tubing. 
         [0090]    To increase the overall stiffness of the flexible tubing, a solid but flexible rod  98 , such as aluminum or copper wire of suitable gauges, can be inserted into the hollow flexible tubing as shown in  FIG. 32 . 
       Operation 
       [0091]    The positionally adjustable book support can be used in many different situations where hands free reading is desired, or required. The length of flexible tubing  40  can be bent into any number of positions to establish a stable position for the reading material, and once positioned, can be easily re-positioned to accommodate changes in body or head position. One feature of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 - 13  is that the book support  32  does not require any additional support apparatus, e.g., a base, for maintaining the book  30  stable for the reader. Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  6 - 13 , the length of the tubing  40  at its distal end  51  can be easily bent into a coil to form and function as a stable base, with an almost infinite range of positions as shown in  FIGS. 6-13 . The coiled distal end  51  can, for example, be placed on the floor, ground, beach, table or counter. 
         [0092]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 4 , the book support is easily adjusted with respect to the flexible tubing by adjustment knob  46  which, when loosened, allows the book support to be clockwise or counterclockwise rotated, after which knob  46  is then tightened in the new position. 
         [0093]    The book support can be advantageously used in conjunction with furniture such as chair, couch, or bed.  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  17  and  18 A,  18 B and  18 C show the distal end  51  of the flexible tubing coiled beneath a cushion  48 , or mattress  51 , upon which the reader is seated or lying. The weight of the cushion, as well the weight of the person reading, serves to anchor the flexible tubing  40  to provide a stable support for the reading material. In this configuration, the reading material may be held in a comfortable position with respect to the eyes. As shown in  FIGS. 18A , and  18 B, the book support allows for a reading position in which the book is suspended above the reader&#39;s head, a position which is extremely difficult to maintain if using only one&#39;s arms because fatigue occurs quickly. A need to hold reading material in such a position of often associated with recuperation in a hospital bed.  FIG. 18C  illustrates how the flexible tubing  40  allows support  21  to be held in a substantially vertical position to position the book in alignment with the person&#39;s eyes when they are reading while lying on one side. 
         [0094]    A feature of the invention is that it does not impinge on the individual&#39;s freedom of movement in contrast, for example, with a rigid bed tray that hinders movement of the body and legs. Typically, such a rigid based tray must be physically removed from the bed in order for the person to change position or get out of bed. In contrast, the apparatus shown can be easily moved aside when not in use by simply pushing on the support  32  or tubing  40  to bend the flexible tubing so that the book support and the tubing are out of the way, eliminating the need for assembly and un-assembly before and after use. 
         [0095]    When anchored under a cushion or mattress as described above, the support  32  can also be positioned horizontally and used as a positionally adjustable table or tray. 
         [0096]    The bracket  42 , which enables the book support to rotate with respect to the flexible tubing, as well as adjusting the rotational position, may be implemented using other apparatus and methods which allow for connection of the book support to the flexible tubing such that the book support can be rotated with respect to the flexible tubing, and fixed in rotational position. One such alternative method is described below. 
         [0097]    The flexible tubing can be covered in various fabrics  64  to change the aesthetics, or the feel of the tubing, as shown in  FIGS. 16A , and  16 B. 
         [0098]    Children can be encouraged to read by providing a book support shaped like an animal, or animal head, as shown in  FIGS. 19-24 . Animal paws may be affixed to either end of the magnifying rod  36  as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         [0099]    When the book support is shaped like an animal, the fabric covering  64 , covering the flexible tubing  40 , can be advantageously various synthetic fur fabrics, such that the flexible tube resembles an animal&#39;s tail. 
         [0100]    An alternative embodiment of the swivel bracket which allows the book support to rotate with respect to the flexible tubing is shown in  FIGS. 33-36 . The swivel bracket includes two halves, swivel bracket front half  80 , and swivel bracket back half  82 . The front half includes holes for mounting the bracket to the book support. The swivel bracket front half is molded such that it can accept the screw from knob assembly  46  which is inserted through the swivel bracket back half. Both the front and back halves of the swivel bracket are molded such that a semicircular v-shape exists, which will accept v-shaped post  84 . The v-shaped post  84  is affixed to the flexible tubing using a threaded tube  86 , threaded into both the v-shaped post and the threaded end of the flexible tubing. When knob  46  is tightened, the two halves of the swivel bracket are drawn together, creating a friction between the v-shaped bracket halves and the v-shaped post, thus locking the book support in rotational position with respect to the axis of the flexible tube. 
         [0101]    An alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 27-31  provides a positionally adjustable support  92  for an audio or video player device  90 . Typical examples of such devices are the popular iPod and iPod Nano. In one embodiment, a sheet of material such as acrylic plastic shown in  FIG. 30 , is bent, using heat, into the holder  92  shown in  FIG. 31 . The holder  92  is affixed to a swivel bracket assembly  80 ,  82 ,  46 , using screws  44 R and  44 L and nuts  45 R and  45 L. 
         [0102]    The holder  92  is advantageously shaped such that it will hold the audio or video device in a fixed position, but such as to not interfere with viewing of the display screen, using the front mounted controls, or interfere with electrical connections, such as for a headset. It is adjustable in the entire range of positions as have already been described when used with reading material. Because the holder is formed of light gauge plastic, to insert or remove the device  90 , simply bend the top of the holder backwards as shown in  FIG. 28 . When the unbent position, the tabs on the top and bottom of the holder prevent the device  90  from moving up, or down, and the wrap-around sides prevent side-to-side motion, such that the device  90  is held in place. 
         [0103]    Other embodiments of the book support  32  and holder  92  can be constructed by injection molding plastic or bending sheets of metal. 
         [0104]    The above-described embodiments have one or more of the following features, advantages and aspects:
       Stability is provided using the flexible tube itself, without the need for an additional base or clamping device. Positional adjustment is not limited to a range of a fixed set of angles.   There is no complicated positioning required in order to start or stop using the device.   The aesthetic appearance of the bed or furniture is not affected by the adjustable support.       
 
         [0108]    The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated for the apparatus and methods of manufacturing and using the apparatus in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to produce these apparatus and practice these methods. These components and methods are, however, susceptible to modifications that are fully equivalent to the embodiment discussed above. Consequently, these apparatus and methods are not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, these apparatus and methods cover all modifications coming within the spirit and scope of the present invention.