Improvements in Means for Holding Down the Leaves of Books during Use.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 11th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Holding Down the Leaves of Books
during Use.
FREDERICK COURSE 63 Tudor Road Hackney London N.E. Wood Carver
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A band of xylonite steel or any other suitable material; long enough to reach
from one side of a book to the other, when the book is open, to be placed at the
back of the book and to bend over the edges of the book both sides, until the ends
come in contact with the leaves and thus holds them down flat.
The band can be cut in two pieces and connected in such a way that the distance
between the two bent ends can be increased or decreased at pleasure, to hold books
of various sizes.
This invention is for holding the leaves of a book down flat while open for
reading; thus preventing the leaves from flying up and also keeping the book
clean.
As it only covers the margin of the book it is not any inconvenience to the
reader, nor does it prevent the leaves of the book from being turned over eitber
singly or a number at once.
It can be made to slide or fold in several different ways, as illustrated in the
drawings which accompany this description.
It may be made of xylonite steel or any other suitable material.
Fig. 1 is a plan showing two bands A and B with projections C on each band,
band A is laid on band B as described in Fig. 1, the projections on band B are
bent round band A, and the projections on band A are bent round band B; by
this means the two bands are connected, and will slide one along the other, see
Fig. 2. The ends marked D are bent to the shape shown in Fig. 3 or any other
shape that will answer the purpose of holding the leaves of the book down.
By holding the two ends D one in each hand, and pulling them the book holder
will extend enough to hold a book; and by pushing the ends D it will slide in to
fit a small book, see Fig. 4.
It is not necessary to make it to slide with friction, but it is preferable to do so
to keep it on the book in the right position.
Fig. 4 shows the end of the book held in position for reading.
Another way of making it is seen in Fig. 5; the two bands A and B have no
projections, but have a strap instead fixed to each band, the strap fixed to band A
passes round band B, and the strap fixed to band B passes round band A see plan
Fig. 5, showing the slide only.
Fig. 6 illustrates the following way, the two bands A and B with slots in the
ends C large enough for the other ends of the bands to pass through these bands
are then bent at E see Fig. 7, the ends D are passed through the slots C, and both
the ends D are then bent into shape, as described in Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 describes another way it can be made; the two bands A and B have a
long slot in each marked C, leaving a space at the ends D for a pivot or button or
any other suitable connection. The pivot fixed to band A passes through band B,
and the pivot fixed to band B passes through band A; the pivots will then slide in
the slots C. Fig. 9 shows the elevation.
Fig. 10 describes a folding book holder; band B is made to fit inside band A,
then both bands are pivoted together at the end C; they will then open, to hold

page_text: any size book by placing the two pieces at different angles; see Fig. 11
elevation.
Fig. 12. is made in one piece and will only fit one or two sizes of books; it
consists of one band A bent at both ends, as described in Fig. 12 and 13.
It is not necessary to make the book holder exactly to any of these shapes
described as it will answer the purpose for which it is inevented if it is slightly
altered.
I claim the right to fix to it a light stand to raise the book at the top end, as
described in Fig. 14.
A shows the end of the book-holder B is the piece attached to it to raise it,
and C is the book.
1005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Holding Down the Leaves of Books
during Use.
FREDERICK COURSE 63 Tudor Road Hackney London N.E. Wood Carver
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:-
A band of xylonite steel or any other suitable material; long enough to reach
from one side of a book to the other, when the book is open, to be placed at the
back of the book and to bend over the edges of the book both sides, until the ends
come in contact with the leaves and thus holds them down flat.
The band can be cut in two pieces and connected in such a way that the distance
between the two bent ends can be increased or decreased at pleasure, to hold books
of various sizes.
As this holder only covers the margin of the book it does not cause any
inconvenience to the reader, nor does it prevent the leaves from being turned over
either singly or a number at once.
It may be made to slide or fold in several different ways by connecting it as
illustrated in drawing which accompanies this description.
Fig. 1 shows the elevation of the book-holder the dotted lines are the section of
the book, describing the position when open.
Fig. 2, band A is made to slide on band B in the following way one end of each
band is made to the shape described in Fig. 3, they are then bent at C at right
angles, each band will then slide in the spaces marked E, being gripped at each
side. The ends of the bands not connected are then curved as described in Figure 1
marked D. F. H.
Figure 4 describes another way of connection for sliding, the two bands A and B
have a strap fixed to each band the strap fixed to band A passes round band B, and
the strap fixed to band B passes round band A.
Fig. 5 shows two bands both made the same with projections, marked C on each
band; band A is laid on band B and the projections are bent round band B, and
the projections on band B are bent round band A. The two bands being connected
by this means will slide one along the other.
Fig. 6. The two bands A and B have slots in the ends C large enough for the
other ends to pass through, these bands are then bent at right angles at D. The
ends that have no slots are passed through the slots and bent as described in Fig. 1
marked D. F. H.
Fig. 7 describes a folding book-holder; band B is made to fit inside band A,
both bands are then pivoted together at the end C, they will then open to hold any
size book, by placing the two bands at different angles.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The method of manufacturing book-holders in one piece, which consists of one
band of xylonite, metal, or any other suitable material about twenty inches long
bent into a hook at both ends in such a way that when the straight part of the
band is placed at the back of the open book the two bent ends will bend round on
to the leaves of the book, as described at D in Fig. 1.
2. Also to manufacture them to slide in each different way described in drawing,
either with or without friction. Or to combine either of these means of connecting
the two bands, for instance, to make one connection with a strap as described in
Fig. 4; and the other connection on the same book-holder with projections, as
described in Fig. 5.
3. To make them to fold as described in Fig. 7.
Dated this 11th day of November 1895.