Abstract:
A book microphone system for allowing children to hear themselves read. The book microphone system includes a combination reading book and microphone system. The microphone system includes an amplifier for amplifying sounds detected by a microphone and a speaker for reproducing said sounds. The inventive device also includes a means for removably attaching the microphone, speaker and amplifier to the book for storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to books in combination with speakers that produce audio message and more particularly pertains to a new book microphone system for allowing children to hear themselves read. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     The use of books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages is known in the prior art. More specifically, books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,511,980; 5,631,883; 5,404,444; 4,809,246; 295,538; and 2,484,895. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new book microphone system. The inventive device includes a combination reading book and microphone system. The microphone system includes an amplifier for amplifying sounds detected by a microphone and a speaker for reproducing said sounds. The inventive device also includes a means for removably attaching the microphone, speaker and amplifier to the book for storage. 
     In these respects, the book microphone system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of allowing children to hear themselves read. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new book microphone system construction wherein the same can be utilized for allowing children to hear the themselves read. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new book microphone system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new book microphone system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a combination reading book and microphone system. The microphone system includes an amplifier for amplifying sounds detected by a microphone and a speaker for reproducing said sounds. The inventive device also includes a means for removably attaching the microphone, speaker and amplifier to the book for storage. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new book microphone system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new book microphone system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art books in combination with speakers that produce audio messages, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new book microphone system that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new book microphone system which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new book microphone system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such book microphone system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new book microphone system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new book microphone system for allowing children to hear themselves read. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is top provide a new book microphone system which includes a combination reading book and microphone system. The microphone system includes an amplifier for amplifying sounds detected by a microphone and a speaker for reproducing said sounds. The inventive device also includes a means for removably attaching the microphone, speaker and amplifier to the book for storage. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new book microphone system that encourages children to enjoy reading. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new book microphone system that amplifies the voice of the person reading the book out loud. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that 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 made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the electronic circuit of the new book microphone system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a book having the present invention mounted thereon. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention with the book in a open position and having a microphone extended therefrom. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the microphone, cord and housing of the present invention disconnected from the book. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new book microphone system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the book microphone system  10  generally comprises a book  11  for reading that has a front cover  12 , a back cover  13  and a spine cover  14 . The spine cover  14  forms a chamber  15  with an opening  16 . The opening  16  has a width and length. 
     The invention also includes a microphone  17  with a first end  18 , a second end  19 , and a middle portion  20  in between the first end  18  and the second end  19  forming a handle. The middle portion  20  of the microphone  17  has a switch  21  for turning on and off the microphone  17 . The middle portion  20  of the microphone  17  is preferably frusto-conical in shape (see FIG.  2 ). 
     A stem  22  for securing the microphone  17  the book  11  is coupled to the middle portion  20  of the microphone  17  (see FIGS.  2 - 4 ). The stem  22  is made of a semi-pliable material. A first end  23  of the stem  22  is attached to the middle portion  20  of the microphone  17  and is narrower than a second end  24  of the stem  22 . The second end  24  of the stem  22  preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of the opening  16  in the spine cover  14  of the book  11 . The width of the second end  24  of the stem  22  is slightly larger than the width of the opening  16  in the spine cover  14  of the book  11  for forming an interference fit between the second end  24  and the opening  16 . The second end  24  of the stem  22  can be forcibly inserted into and removed from the opening  16  in the spine cover  14  for effecting storage of the microphone  17  on the spine cover  14  of the book  11 . 
     A coiled cord  25  is included for electronically transmitting electrical signals representing sounds picked up by the microphone  17  (see FIGS.  2 - 4 ). The coiled cord  25  has a first end  26  and a second end  27 . The first end  26  is connected to the second end  19  of the microphone  17 . 
     The invention also includes a housing  28 . The housing  28  is preferably rectangular in shape and has a depth defined by four edge walls  29 . The housing  28  has a front side  30  and a back side  31 . The housing  28  is substantially hollow with its front side  30  having an opening  32  and a bore  33 . One of the edge walls  29  of the housing  28  also has a bore  34 . 
     An amplifier  35  for amplifying sounds detected by the microphone  17  is located inside the housing  28 . The second end  27  of the coiled cord  25  is connected to the amplifier  35  through the bore  34  in one of the edge walls  29  of the housing  28  (see FIG.  4 ). 
     A volume control knob  36  is provided for controlling the level of amplification, the volume control knob  36  is rotatably attached to the amplifier  35  through the bore  33  in the front side  30  of the housing  28 . The volume control knob  36  is accessible to the operator on the front side  30  of the housing  28  (see FIG.  2 ). 
     A speaker  37  for producing sound from the electrical signals produced by the microphone  17  and amplified by the amplifier  35  is located inside the housing  21 . A cone  38  of the speaker  37  is preferably aligned with the opening  32  on the front side  30  of the housing  28 . The speaker  37  is electronically connected to the amplifier  35  (see FIG.  1 ). Preferably, a standard dry cell battery  38  powers the book microphone system to  10 . 
     A clip  40  for removably securing the housing  28  to the spine cover  14  of the book  11  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . The clip  40  is substantially U-shaped. One side of the U-shape is attached to the back side  31  of the housing  28 . The clip  40  is attachable to an edge of the spine cover  14  of the book  11  for effecting storage of the housing  28  on the spine cover  14  of the book  11  as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. 
     In use, the operator simply detaches the microphone  17  and the housing  28  from the spine cover  14  of the book  11  and turns on the switch  21  on the microphone  17 . The operator then simply reads into the microphone  17  and their voice is amplified. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     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.