Improvements in Devices for Holding Hand Books.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Holding Hand Books.
I, EDWIN HAPPER KERTLAND, of 9, Chlorine Gardens, Malone Road, Belfast,
Ireland, Damask Linen Factory Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a new or improved device for holding an open
book and is specially designed for use of prayer and hymn books, but applicable
to other hand books, the object being to preserve the latter from the injury
and undue wear consequent on the use of the thumb as a means to keeping the
book open. The holder also materially facilitates the convenience and relative
ease of holding a book because the book may be held comparatively high and
near the eyes without the usual leverage on the forearm as the latter may lie
against and on the side of the reader, so affording comparative rest to the fore-
arm and hand supporting the book.
According to this invention a light framework of wood or hardened and
tempered steel wire is constructed so as to form a support for the book, and a
continuation thereof is narrowed and shaped so as to form a convenient handle,
the open book being held securely on its frame by means of a spring wire, or
other like device which can readily be turned onto the pages when the selected
pages are open. Or the book and pages may be gripped by means of a clip
or clips pressed upon the pages through the action of a sliding ring applied to
and moved along the handle of the book holder.
The frame and handle of the book holder may be constructed of separate parts
hinged or attached to each other so as to be rigid when in the position for use,
but when not in use the parts will fold up so that the holder may be stowed in
little room within an ordinary book box or bookcase.
Dated thin 07th
1000
Improvements in Devices for Holding Hand Books.
I, EDWIN HAPPER KERTLAND, of 9, Chlorine Gardens, Malone Road, Belfast,
Ireland, Damask Linen Factory Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists of a new or improved device for holding an open
book and is specially designed for use of prayer and hymn books, but applicable

page_text: to other hand books, the object being to preserve the latter from the injury
and undue wear consequent on the use of the thumb as a means to keeping the
book open. The holder also materially facilitates the convenience and relative
ease of holding a book because the book may be held comparatively high and.
near the eyes without the usual leverage on the forearm as the latter may lie
against and on the side of the reader, so affording comparative rest to the fore-
arm and hand supporting the book.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, in
which:-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the improved book holding device.
Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1.
•
According to this invention a light framework 1 of wood or hardened and
tempered steel is constructed so as to form a support for the book and with a
step or projections 6 on which the lower edge of the book rests, and a con-
tinuation of the framework or support 1 is narrowed and shaped so as to form
a convenient handle 2, the open book being held securely on' its frame 1'by
means of spring wire 3, 3 or other like device which can readily be turned onto
the front of the book when the selected pages are open. The frame and handle
of the book holder may be in one piece or constructed of separate parts, the
framework 1 being hinged or attached to the handle 2 by the hinges 4, 4 in such
a manner as to be rigid when in position for use, but when not in use the parts
will fold up so that the holder may be stowed in little room within an ordinary
book box or bookcase. 5, 5 are slot holes or recesses through which the page
holders 3, 3 and step or projection 6 may pass when the device is closed or folded.
The framework 1 may be of light steel or metal, and the handle portion 2 of
wood, and made plain or ornamental as desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
(1) The framework 1 and handle 2 combined with devices for holding the
lower edge of the book and holding open the book as herein described and sub-
stantially as illustrated by the annexed drawings.
(2) The framework 1 hinged to the handle 2 combined with devices for hold-
ing the lower edge of the book and holding open the book as herein described
and substantially as illustrated by the annexed drawings.
Dated thin 1-4
1000
EDWIN HAPPER KERTLAND,
By his Agents.
Brierley & Howard,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax.