Improvements connected with Reading Glasses and Graphoscopes.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Reading Glasses and Graphoscopes.
I JOHN WILLIAM FORAN, of Water Street, St. Johns Newfoundland Gentleman
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 my invention has for its object the providing of a simple device which shall
be more efficient, convenient and easy for the eyes or less objectionable than a pair of
spectacles for reading purposes either in a sitting room at home in reading room or
elsewhere.
"
The invention consists of a device which I term an "Optiscope" for such and
other purposes which comprises a specially constructed lens holder having an attached
lens and adapted to be readily secured to a table chair or other support subject to
different universal adjustments substantially as hereinafter described and pointed out.
in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Fig. 1 represents a view in elevation of my improved device with lens forming a
part of the same attached, and Figs. 2 & 3 mainly sectional elevations of those
portions of the device which form the joints which provide for the different
adjustments of the lens relatively to the reader or reading matter.
A indicates the lens which is of an enlarged size to take in a large field or
extended range of vision; and which lenses may be of any desired focus to suit
various eye-sights. This lens is connected to a base B by means of two rods or
arms C. D. in jointed connection with each other by a ball and socket joint E the
one arm C being attached at its outer end to the rim of the lens, and the other arm D
being attached to the base B by another ball and socket joint F.
This construction provides for a double universal adjustment, that is a universal
adjustment, at two distinct points, which is very important and whereby greater
convenience is afforded, and capacity of adjustment is secured to adapt the lens to
different distances from the reading matter and to different heights and angles to suit
the reader..
The base B of the instrument has an attached, suitably bent or shaped, side
bracket G arranged to project downward from the base, and provided with a thumb-
screw H whereby the base portion of the instrument, which is designed to have a
fixed position may be readily secured to any suitable support such for instance as a
table, arm, b of an easy chair in which the reader may sit with the lens facing the
book or paper to be read which he may hold in his hands at the back of the lens or
may be otherwise held.
which
This said bracket or clamp G may however be made in various ways to suit
different pieces of furniture. If desired also the clamp or clamps may by any simple
device be made detachable from the base B., and be supplied separately to the
purchaser who may wish to adapt the instrument to any particular chair table or other
article.
By the aid of this instrument the smallest print may be read with perfect ease to
the sight.
This instrument essentially differs both in its construction, double universal
adjustibility and use from certain adjustable reading desks or book holders, adjustable
supports for dentist's use, opitical attachments for printing telegraphs, adjustable
mirror supports for ships use, and various other structures of like character, each
applicable only for a specific purpose and unsuitable for the one for which my instrument
is designed. My device is especially intended to enable a person to read a book or

page_text: paper with perfect ease without the aid of spectacles and will be found very con-
venient in reading rooms parlours and other places, especially by those who object to
using spectacles also for photographers for retouching; and its special construction
makes it a very perfect yet simple instrument for the purpose for which it is
designed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declaro that what I
claim is
1. A reading glass or graphoscope for reading and other purposes consisting of a
lens, an arm attached thereto, a second arm having a ball and socket connection with
said lens arm, and a base having a ball and socket connection with the lower end of
said second arm and provided with means for securing it to a suitable support
essentially as set forth.
2. In a reading glass or graphoscope for reading and other purposes, the com-
bination of the lens A, the base B, having any suitable bracket or clamp G, and
holding screw H, and the arms C and D uniting the lens with the base and connected
with each other, and with the base by ball and socket joints E & F, substantially as
shown and described.
Doted th: 111
1000