Patent Publication Number: US-2012037781-A1

Title: Ergonomic Support For Reading

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of international patent application Serial No. PCT/PL2010/050008 filed 1 Mar. 2010, which published as PCT Publication No. WO 2010/101486 on 10 Sep. 2010, which claims benefit of Polish patent application Serial No. 387388 filed 2 Mar. 2009. 
     The foregoing applications, and all documents cited therein or during their prosecution (“appln cited documents”) and all documents cited or referenced in the appln cited documents, and all documents cited or referenced herein (“herein cited documents”), and all documents cited or referenced in herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer&#39;s instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention. More specifically, all referenced documents are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject of the present invention relates to an ergonomic support for reading documents or books, in particular during work on a computer workstation or in a reading room, designed for attachments to computer screen risers (monitor holders, platforms, supports), desks, tables, shelves, bookshelves, cabinets and other furniture. The computer has become a popular tool for working, used in libraries, reading rooms, schools, computer labs, offices and home offices. At all of these locations, computer usage should occur in accordance with the rules of ergonomics which help prevent scoliosis. During long-term work with a computer, the maintenance of a healthy, anatomically correct posture is requisite. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Polish patent description number PL.179187 relates to a pulpit for reading and writing. This pulpit encompasses a usable surface movably mounted on a base and a movable support with a support for books which forces one to assume a correct posture during reading and writing. 
     A supporting holder, particularly for books, from Polish patent description number PL.178592 encompasses a shaft in the front part of the arms of the base. On the shaft there is a movably mounted, elongate supporting element, onto which on one side rod-like holders for books are mounted removably along its long axis, which are connected with transverse walls found at both ends of the element. In one of the transverse walls there is a blockade for the rod-like holders, and in the middle upper portion of the back wall of the base there is a friction delimiter of the variability of the position of the support (over an angle of 180 degrees) and apertures are made in this wall for mounting the supporting holder. 
     A pulpit for reading and writing known from Polish patent description number PL167069 relates to a usable surface, whose plane forms an angle with the horizontal plane of the base. Attached directly or indirectly to the usable surface is a movably mounted support in the form of a scaffold equipped with a support for books and possibly writing implements, wherein the usable surface is connected to the base with inclined mounting brackets. 
     Another pulpit for reading from Polish patent application P.327126 has two brackets mounted onto an inclining plate along its sides, in which are set movable sliders with handles. A board with a support is attached to the sliders. The board possesses two lengthwise perforations through which are threaded elastic elements which attach the book, and the brackets are equipped with indentations for setting the position of the board. To the sides of the base there are attached sliding and rotating legs, and the bottom of the base is finished with a material increasing the friction coefficient. 
     A stand for holding books during reading is known from Polish patent application P.292268, and has a multipartite arm comprising a first arm and a second arm interconnected via a rotating coupling. On one end of the arm is a first rotating coupling connected to the folding support. The second end of the arm is equipped with a third rotating coupling to which is attached a mounting apparatus for mounting on a base in any orientation. The stand is designed to hold books or notes in any chosen conditions. 
     A corrective pulpit for reading and writing is known from Polish utility model PL63983, and has an element in the form of an L-beam with two arms attached to the upper portion of the scaffold. The edge of the usable surface is superimposed on one of these arms and forms a trough between the edge of the usable surface and the second arm of the L-beam. The bottom part of the support has a movably mounted footrest. In school conditions, this pulpit ensures the correct posture of the user, preventing scoliosis. 
     An ergonomic universal pulpit known from Polish utility model PL.114070 has a base of the pulpit made of a board or particleboard, to which a usable surface is attached, interconnected with a furniture hinge. A lath is attached to the usable surface at an angle of 60° in order to keep book pages open. The lath is also attached to the usable surface with a hinge. When the pulpit usable surface is being written on, the lath is kept closed using magnetic locks. The base and usable surface are prevented from opening during pulpit transport by a magnetic lock. The usable surface is maintained at a desired angle by a single friction lock or on both sides, in the case of pulpit formats larger than ordinary. 
     Another book support is known from Polish utility model application PL112245. The support is made of laths constituting the main frame and supporting part. A book can be set into several positions/inclinations as appropriate to the placement of the reader&#39;s eyes with the aid of a wire frame. The pages of the book are prevented from closing by appropriate pegs and, additionally, a spring. The support can be mounted permanently to a desktop through suction cups or circles of mounting tape. Books of any format can be placed on the support. 
     A reading pulpit described in Polish utility model application PL103339, comprises a rectangular portion hinging transversally at three points. The element joins a portion of the pulpit with its after wall, forming an angle of 45° between the part and the plane of the horizontal base through the selection of the appropriate length of this element. These elements join a portion of the pulpit with the part, at the same time maintaining the part in a position facilitating the retention of the text from the bottom. Attachments make it possible to detach the elements and collapse the pulpit. 
     Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an ergonomic support for reading, characterised in that it may be made in the form of a mobile pulpit ( 3 ) attached so as to enable sliding and rotational movement through at least one positioning element ( 6 ) with at least one mobile element of the mounting guide ( 5 ), wherein the positioning element ( 6 ) may be set onto the mobile element of the pulpit guide ( 9 ). 
     In one embodiment, in the mobile element of the pulpit guide ( 9 ) there may be set a regulator of pulpit elevation ( 8 ), which determines the elevation of the mobile pulpit ( 3 ) which acts together with the positioning element ( 6 ). Alternatively, in the mobile element of the mounting guide ( 5 ) there may be set a regulator of the inclination ( 10 ) of the mobile pulpit ( 3 ) which acts together with the positioning element ( 6 ). 
     In another embodiment, the positioning element ( 6 ) may be in the shape of a half-circle, along the perimeter of which there may be an arc-like indentation for the regulator of the inclination of the pulpit ( 10 ). Alternatively, the positioning element ( 6 ), in the proximity of its diameter, there may be an aperture for the regulator of the elevation ( 8 ). 
     In another embodiment, in the upper part of the mobile pulpit ( 3 ) may be set a sliding frame ( 11 ) with catchments for documents ( 12 ). 
     In another embodiment, the mobile element of the mounting guide ( 5 ) may be set into the immobile element of the mounting guide ( 4 ) attached stably near the reading station. Alternatively, the immobile element of the guide ( 4 ) may be set into a support for a monitor. Alternatively, the support for the monitor may have a usable surface ( 1 ) mounted on four legs ( 2 ) with regulated elevation. 
     In another embodiment, the lower part of the mobile pulpit ( 3 ) there may be a shelf ( 13 ) which supports the materials being read. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to not encompass within the invention any previously known product, process of making the product, or method of using the product such that Applicants reserve the right and hereby disclose a disclaimer of any previously known product, process, or method. It is further noted that the invention does not intend to encompass within the scope of the invention any product, process, or making of the product or method of using the product, which does not meet the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph) or the EPO (Article 83 of the EPC), such that Applicants reserve the right and hereby disclose a disclaimer of any previously described product, process of making the product, or method of using the product. 
     It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. 
     These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by, the following Detailed Description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows the positioning element set into the mobile element of the pulpit guide set into the lateral wall. 
         FIG. 2  shows the positioning element set into the mobile element of the pulpit guide set into the back wall. 
         FIG. 3  shows the pulpit in lateral view. 
         FIG. 4  shows the ergonomic support for reading mounted on a support for a computer monitor seen from the front. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An ergonomic support for reading according to the present invention may be made in the form of a mobile pulpit mounted such that it is mobile in a sliding and rotating motion through at least one positioning element with at least one mobile element of a mounting guide. In the support, the positioning element may be set into the mobile element of the pulpit guide, and this element in the immobile element of the pulpit guide located in a wall of the pulpit, preferably its lateral wall. Preferably, an elevation regulator may be set into the mobile element of the pulpit guide, which determines the positioning elevation of the mobile pulpit, and which cooperates with the positioning element. Preferably, a regulator of the inclination of the mobile pulpit may be set into the mobile element of the pulpit guide, which cooperates with the positioning element. Preferably, the positioning element may be in the form of a half-circle, on whose perimeter there is an arc-like indentation for the regulator of pulpit inclination, and near its diameter there is a perforation for the elevation regulator. Preferably, a frame with catchments for documents may be set above or in the upper part of the mobile pulpit. Moreover, in the support, the mobile element of the mounting guide may be set into the immobile element of the mounting guide, mounted permanently near the reading area. In the support for the computer work station, the immobile element of the mounting guide may be set into monitor support, whereas the monitor platform has a usable surface affixed on four legs with adjustable elevation. Preferably, there may be a shelf supporting the read materials in the lower part of the pulpit. 
     The support makes it possible to place the document or book at an appropriate distance from the eyes, under an appropriate angle and an appropriate elevation. The regulated positioning of the pulpit makes it possible to greatly increase the working comfort, particularly with a computer, without undue stress on the muscle, skeletal and visual systems. The support fulfils the ergonomic requirements of adapting a workplace to the anthropometric characteristics of the user. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     The present invention will be further illustrated in the following Examples which are given for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Ergonomic support for reading meant for a computer work station on which documents are placed for reading is stably mounted on a monitor support. The monitor support is equipped with a usable surface  1  mounted on four legs  2  with adjustable elevation. Under the usable surface  1  there is a mounting guide, in which the pulpit  3  so as to enable it to slide and rotate. The mounting guide is equipped with an immobile element of the guide  4  mounted underneath the usable surface  1 , which acts together with the mobile element of the guide  5 . The mobile element  5  is connected with the pulpit  3  through a positioning element  6 , which facilitates the sliding, rotation and immobilisation of the pulpit  3  in a position determined for and matched to the height of the user. Wherein the pulpit  3  after determining its elevation as matched to the height of the user is blocked in the immobile element of the pulpit guide  7  by a elevation regulator  8 , set into the mobile element of the pulpit guide  9  which acts together with the positioning element  6 . Whereas the angle of inclination of the pulpit  3  is locked using the regulator of pulpit inclination  10  set into the mobile element of the mounting guide  5  which acts together with the positioning element  6 . Wherein the positioning element  6  is in the shape of a half-circle, along the perimeter of which is an arc-like indentation for the regulator of the inclination of the pulpit  10 , and an aperture for the regulator of the elevation  8  near its diameter. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     An ergonomic support for reading made as in example 1 with the difference that it is designed for use in an archive, wherein the immobile element of the guide  4  is mounted on a storage shelf immediately above a writing station or to its shelf. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     An ergonomic support for reading made as in example 1 or 2, with the difference that in the upper part of the pulpit  3  there is a sliding frame  11  with catchments for documents  12 . 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     An ergonomic support for reading made as in example  1  with the difference that a shelf  13  for supporting reading materials is located in the bottom part of the pulpit  3 . 
     FIGURE LEGEND 
     
         
           1 . usable surface of support for a computer monitor, 
           2 . legs of the support for a computer monitor, 
           3 . mobile pulpit, 
           4 . immobile element of the mounting guide, 
           5 . mobile element of the mounting guide, 
           6 . positioning element, 
           7 . immobile element of the pulpit guide, 
           8 . regulator of pulpit elevation, 
           9 . mobile element of the pulpit guide, 
           10 . regulator of the inclination of the pulpit, 
           11 . frame, 
           12 . document catchments, 
           13 . shelf.