Patent Publication Number: US-6902196-B1

Title: Adjustable bookmarker and reading accessory case

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of my application having Ser. No. 10/041,798, filed Jan. 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,172, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (a) Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to a pencil case that also serves as a bookmarker. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a pencil case that includes an adjustable band that accommodates varied thicknesses of material, and thereby accepts accommodates various numbers of pages to mark a location in a book, for example. 
   (b) Discussion of Known Art 
   When studying from a book, particularly a book that may take many days to read, it is well known that it is convenient to use a book-marking device to keep track of the location in the book where the reader has left off. Additionally, it is convenient for the reader to carry additional materials that are to be used to write or mark the book in order to assist the reader in reviewing the material at a later date. In order to carry all of the materials needed for underlining, highlighting, and jotting down notes about the material being read, the reader has to carry a separate pencil pouch or other device that can hold things such as pencils, markers, erasers, rulers, magnifying glasses, and similar materials. 
   Known devices that serve to mark pages in a book can be found in the following U.S. patents: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               U.S. Pat. No. 
               Inventor 
               Date of Issue 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
               6,109,204 
               Hoey et al. 
               Aug. 29, 2000 
             
             
                 
               5,501,171 
               Leake 
               Mar. 26, 1996 
             
             
                 
               5,456,497 
               Ross, Jr. 
               Oct. 10, 1995 
             
             
                 
               5,325,959 
               Goldberger 
               Jul. 5, 1994 
             
             
                 
               4,162,800 
               Gonot, Jr. et al. 
               Jul. 31, 1979 
             
             
                 
               3,898,951 
               Clare 
               Aug. 12, 1975 
             
             
                 
               D449,648 
               Andler 
               Oct. 23, 2001 
             
             
                 
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   None of these devices, however, allows a user to carry a variety of writing, marking, or reading instruments together at one time. Additionally, most of these devices suffer from limitations associated with the use of non-extendible materials for marking page locations. One significant limitation associated with these fixed-length materials is that they can bind against the pages upon opening the book. The binding is associated with the relative sliding and rearranging of the pages as the book is opened to a particular location in the book, and the pages are turned about the spine of the book. Devices such as the Hoey et al. device, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,204, or the Goldenberger device are made of entirely inelastic material, and do not accommodate the movements of the pages when the book is opened. 
   Still another device, which accommodates movements of the pages of a book, is found in the patent to Ross, Jr. The Ross, Jr., device is designed to hold a book open at a location, and allow one handed support of the book while in the open position. However, this device does little for addressing the need to carry several pens, markers, erasers, and other personal belongings. Furthermore, the Ross, Jr., device includes a small section of elastic material that is used to bridge the ends of a section of inelastic material that is used to support a handle. The handle is used to allow a person to hold the book. 
   Because the Ross, Jr. device is primarily a book support device, the elastic portion is very short in relation to the handle support portion. The length of elastic material to be incorporated in this type of device must be kept at a minimum due to the well known relationship between total elongation or strain and a given amount of stress. Thus, in order to maintain the stability of a device that is used to support a book, these devices must limit the amount of elongation created by the device. This reduction in the amount of elongation limits the versatility of this type of device by limiting the size of a book that can be accommodated by the device. 
   Thus, a review of known devices demonstrates that there remains a need for a device that can be used to mark the reading location in a book and that can accommodate a variety of book sizes. 
   There remains a need for a book marking device that can accommodate a variety of different sizes of books, and that can be used to carry a variety of materials used while reading, for example pencils, highlighting pens or markers, erasers, magnifying glasses, rulers, and the like. 
   There remains a need for a device that can be used in a three-ring binder and which can be easily transferred to a book where the device is used to mark locations in the book. 
   There remains a need for a device that can be used to store materials in a three-ring binder and mark the page location in the binder where the person is to commence taking notes. 
   There remain a need for a device that can be securely supported from a book while carrying a variety of reading materials, and which allows a user to mark a variety of different pages in the book at one time. 
   SUMMARY 
   It has been discovered that the problems left unanswered by known art can be solved by providing a book-marking device for marking a page location in a book the book having a cover of a cover length, the book-marking device includes: 
   An elongated pocket having a first end, a second end, and a mid-section; 
   An elastic strap, the elastic strap extending from the first end of the elongated pocket; and 
   A connector, the connector being attached to the pocket at a location near the second end of the pocket, so that the elastic strap is adapted for extending around the cover to the second end of the pocket, retaining the pocket against the cover. 
   It should also be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it should be clearly understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art. 

   
     DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best mode presently devised for making and using the instant invention, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use on a book, the device being used over the book cover. 
       FIG. 2  is an end view of an example of the invention being used on a ringed binder. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of an example of the invention. The view illustrating the length relationship between the pocket and the elastic strap. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the edge of the example shown in FIG.  3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of another example of the invention. The view also illustrating the divider and sheet of impermeable material used to shield the end of the pocket. 
       FIG. 6  is side view illustrating the cooperation of the elastic strap and the apertures in the anchoring sheet of hook and loop material. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the use of a D-ring to re-direct the tension on the elastic strap and place the hook and loop material on the elastic strap under shear load, reducing out-of-plane loads. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the use of an example of the invention over a section of a book. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another example of an anchoring sheet of hook and loop material, the sheet including tabs with perforations that can accept the rings from a ringed binder. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the use of an aperture to allow retraction of marker ribbons and the placement of a logo on one of the panels. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLAR EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention will be described and disclosed here in connection with certain preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described here, but rather the invention is intended to cover all alternative embodiments and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims included herein as well as any equivalents of the disclosed and claimed invention. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1  where a book-marking device  10 , which is particularly useful for marking a page location  12  in a book  14 , and for carrying a variety of articles used while reading. These articles are well known, and include pencils, highlighters, erasers, mints, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, rulers, paper tissues, and other articles. These articles have not been illustrated, as they are well known. 
   As shown on  FIG. 1 , the book-marking device  10  has been adapted for use with the book  14 , by providing structure that will allow the book-marking device  10  to engage the cover  15  of the book  14 . While it is contemplated that the disclosed device may be used on hard-cover books, it is contemplated that the book-marking device  10  may be used with paper-back books as well as with hard-backed books. When used with paper-back books, the book-marking device  10  would simply be stretched over the read or un-read pages to mark the location where the reader left off. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the book-marking device  10  includes an elongated pocket  16 , an elastic strap  18 , and a connector  20  that is mounted from the elongated pocket  16 . 
   It is contemplated that the book-marking device  10  may be of various sizes, but it is contemplated that it would be advantageous to match the length of the elongated pocket  16  with the length of the spine of the book  14 , which also corresponds with the cover length  22  of the cover  15  of the book  14 . By matching the cover length  22  to the length  24  of the elongated pocket  16 , the user takes advantage of the book&#39;s rigidity to lend support to the elongated pocket  16 . 
   As illustrated in the examples shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the elongated pocket  16  includes a first end  26 , a second end  28 , and a mid-section  30  that is located between the first end  26  and the second end  28 . It is contemplated that that the elongated pocket  16  may be made from a pair of sheets  32  of an inelastic material, such as cloth, leather, and plastics. The sheets  32  should be of a length that is similar to the pocket length  24 , so that the pair of sheets  32  having a pair of edges  33  may be attached to one another to define the first end  26  and the second end  28  of the pocket length  24 , which extends approximately the cover length  22 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 1 through 6  it will be understood that the elastic strap  18  will preferably extend from the first end  26  of the elongated pocket  16  and terminate in a strap end  34 . It is contemplated that the elastic strap  18  will being of a relaxed length that is approximately as long as the pocket length  24 . By providing an elastic strap  18  that is of a length that is nearly as long or longer than the pocket length, the system is capable of accommodating various sized books and accommodate the movement of the pages and variations in the stacking of the pages as the book is opened. The ability to accommodate these movements is due to the fact that the spring force exerted by an elastic body is equal to the spring constant for that body times the amount of elongation. The spring constant is the ratio of change in length as compared to the overall length of the spring, for a given amount of force. Therefore, holding all other variables constant, the longer the spring, the smaller the force required to extend the spring a given distance. Thus, as will be understood from the explanation found below, the disclosed arrangement would provide a very gently force or a very strong supporting force depending on the needs of the user. 
   Also illustrated in  FIGS. 1 , and  3 - 6 , strap end  34  of the elastic strap  18  will cooperate with a connector  36  that is on the elongated pocket  16 , and preferably, near the second end  28  of the elongated pocket  16 . This arrangement will allow the user to extend the elastic strap  18  around the cover, through the desired page, to the second end of the elongated pocket  16 , where it will cooperate with the connector  36  to retain the elongated pocket  16  against the cover  15  of the book  14 . It is important to note that it is contemplated that both ends of the elastic strap  18  may be permanently fastened to the first end  26  and the second end  28  of the elongated pocket  16 . Still further, it is also contemplated that the second end  26  may include an opening or mouth  27 , illustrated in  FIG. 10 , that includes a hook and loop closure on opposing sides of the mouth. This hook and loop closure would then be used to engage strap end  34 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  9 , it is contemplated that the connector  36  will include a sheet of hook and loop material  40  mounted on the elongated pocket  16 . The a sheet of hook and loop material  40  may cooperate with a mating section of hook and loop material  42  found on the strap end  34 . However, as shown in  FIG. 5 , it is contemplated that a buckle  44 , such as a set of D-rings, snaps or other devices may also be used. It is also important to note that while  FIG. 1  illustrates the sheet of hook and loop material  40  on the outward facing panel, it is contemplated that the sheet of hook and loop material  40  may be mounted on the panel  32  that faces the cover  15 . Additionally, by placing the sheet of hook and loop material  40  against the book cover  15 , the user exposes the opposing panel  32 , allowing the placement of advertising material, logos, legends or other indicia on the opposing panel  32 . 
   Also shown in  FIG. 5  is that it is contemplated that the book-marking device  10  may be used with a divider plate  46 , that may be removable, and which mounts within the elongated pocket  16  and extends between the first end  26  and the second end  28  of the elongated pocket  16 . Additionally, a sheet of impermeable material  48  that is adapted for fitting within the elongated pocket  16  at a location near the first end  26  or the second end  28  of the elongated pocket  16 . This sheet of impermeable material will prevent seepage of fluids, such as ink from pens, from within the elongated pocket. Additionally, the sheet of impermeable material  48  will prevent damage to the elongated pocket  16  from pens, pencils, or other sharp objects that may be stored in the elongated pocket  16 . It is also contemplated that this area of impermeable material may be formed by simply coating the material of the elongated pocket  16  with a suitable paint or polymer that will make the section of the elongated pocket  16  impermeable. 
     FIGS. 1 ,  6 - 7 , and  9  illustrate advantages of the cooperation of using and mating section of hook and loop material  42  on the strap end  34  and sheet of hook and loop material  40  as the mating connector  36 . Importantly, the sheet of hook and loop material  40  will benefit from the inclusion of several apertures  50 , and preferably at least two apertures  50  that will allow the elastic strap  18  to be inserted into one of the apertures  50 , under the sheet of hook and loop material  40 , then up through the second of the apertures  50 , so that the mating section of hook and loop material  42  on the end of the elastic strap  18  may then attach to the hook and loop material on the surface of the sheet of hook and loop material  40 . The use of two rows of staggered apertures  50 , as shown on  FIG. 1 , will allow the user to weave the elastic strap  18  through several apertures  50  to take up excess length of elastic strap  18 . 
     FIGS. 6 , and  8  illustrate the cooperation of the apertures  50 , the sheet of hook and loop material  40 , and the elastic strap  18  to ensure that the strap end  34  will not be accidentally released from the sheet of hook and loop material  40 . The hook and loop material found in these connections is particularly strong when loaded in shear, and relatively weak when loaded off-plane, as would be when the sheet hook and loop is peeled away from another sheet of hook and loop material. By passing the section of elastic strap  18  through one of the apertures  50  and then allowing the strap end  34  to extend through the second aperture and engage the sheet of hook and loop material  40 , the load that can be transmitted through the elastic strap  18  can only be in shear, or along the plane of the sheet of hook and loop material  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . It is important to note that while this effect can be accomplished with the use of at least two apertures  50 , it is also contemplated that this effect can be accomplished with a D-ring  52  or another device that would re-direct the angle of the strap end  34 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the routing of the elastic strap  18 , and the expansion  54  or movement of the pages  56  of the book  14  as the book is opened. 
   Turning once again to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , it will be understood that it is contemplated that at least two apertures  56  along an edge  58  of the elongated pocket  16  will allow the use of the book-marking device  10  with a ringed binder  60 . The apertures  56  will accept the rings  62  of the ringed binder  60  and position the book-marking device  10  within the ringed binder  60 , allowing the user to use the elastic strap  18  to mark the location in the loose leafs  64  held by the binder  60 . Additionally,  FIG. 1  illustrated the addition of multiple ribbons  66  to allow the user to mark several locations on the same book. It is further contemplated that the ribbons  66  may extend from an aperture in one of the ends  26  or  28 , and thus allow the ribbons  66  to be retracted by pulling the ribbons into the interior of the elongated pocket  16 , as illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
   Thus it can be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of just a few of the numerous variations of arrangements of the disclosed elements used to carry out the disclosed invention. Moreover, while the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood that the foregoing and other modifications are exemplary only, and that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art.