An Improvement in Book Holders or Desks.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Nov., 1895-Accepted, 14th Dec.; 1895
An Improvement in Book Holders or Desks.
I, WILLIAM THEODORE JOSEPH PARKES of 31, Store Street, Bloomsbury
London W.C. and 13 Nevill's Court Fetter Lane London E.C. Artist, Medallist,
and Author do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I take two peices of oak say half an inch thick by three quarters of an inch wide,
and three or four inches long, then thro' each centre of the half inch thickness of
said two peices of oak, I cut a slot,-three sixteenths of an inch wide-to within
about half an inch of the end,-which end will form the solid portion of each of
said peices of oak, and which said slotted peices of oak will act as the fingers of
the holder.
I then lay the said slotted peices of oak one and a half inches apart; but parallel
to each other, with their solid ends and slots set each towards each opposite and on
the same plane, end towards end, and slot towards slot, then thro' each solid end of
slotted peices of oak, and each end of said bar as it were binding the bar, and solid
ends of slotted peices of oak together, I run a wire, and form it into a revolving
spring clip, and to the centre base of said bar, I fix a handle, thereby giving to my
invention the character of a fork.
.
The aforesaid invention may also be cut out of the solid oak, or it may be
manufactured of metal, or other suitable material.
I elaborate the aforesaid invention, by fixing a folding support at back of the
slotted peices of oak, thereby forming a combination stand, and holder.
The setting of the book in the holder is effected thus ;-open the covers of the
book horizontal, resting on the second, third, and fourth fingers, of the left hand,
at the same time, pinching the block of leaves between the finger, and thumb, then
keeping the back of the book perpendicular with the centre space of the holder,
slip the covers down into the slots, or fingers-then open the book at required page,
and turn the revolving spring clips over the bottom of each open page.
Dated this 17th day of June 1895.
WILLIAM THEODORE JOSEPH PARKES. ·
An Improvement in BOOK Hours of OSAS.
I WILLIAM THEOodore JOSEPH PARKES of 31 Store Street, London W.C.
and 13 Nevill's Court London, E.C. Artist and Author, 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 relates to an improved device to be used in connection with books,
and like articles, and has for its object to provide a device which can be used in
holding books for reading, and which will be more convenient than the ordinary
arrangement. The usual arrangements for holding books when reading consist of
a desk which takes up considerable room, and is not easily portable, and cannot
be adjusted properly.

page_text: According to my invention the reading desk or book holder is made of the
simplest form and is easily portable, being also adaptable to any requirements of
the reader.
In carrying out my invention a light frame is employed made from wood or other
suitable material, and preferably of rectangular form. The front portion or body
of the frame is formed from two wooden bars connected together by an end. piece,
the two side bars forming supports for the back of the book. The side pieces are
formed with slots extending from the extremities to the closed end or cross piece
to the frame, the slots being parallel with the frame. The side pieces thus form
prongs which can be secured to the back and front of the book, the cover being
placed in the slots. To hold the leaves in place two springs are employed attached
to the end piece and bent over so as to bear upon the side pieces. When a book
is secured in position the ends of these springs will bear upon the leaves as they
are turned over, and thus hold them in the proper position. A handle is secured
to the end piece which can be held by the person, and thus retain the book in the
required position.
According to a slight modification instead of forming slots in the side pieces,
small strips may be secured to the end parallel with the sides, and the cover of the
book is placed between these strips and side pieces. Small blocks are placed at
the ends, and the springs secured to these pieces.
A support may be attached to the ends of the side pieces, which will retain the
device on a table or other article at a suitable angle for reading.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention according to one arrangement,
Fig. 2 is a slightly modified form, and
Figs. 3 & 4 shew a further modification,
Fig. 5 shews a slightly altered construction, and
Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 shew the device applied.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the article is made with the side pieces a formed with
the slots b extending longitudinally. These side pieces are connected by the end
-piece e which as shewn in Fig. 2 is formed in one with them, but is made separate
and attached according to Fig. 1. At the ends of this connecting piece the
springs d are secured, which as shewn, can be turned over upon the sides, and when
the book is secured in place will press upon the leaves. The handle e is secured to
this end piece in any well known manner. These figures shew the simplest
arrangement of the book holder.
According to Figs. 3 & 4 a slightly different arrangement is employed. Instead
of using the slotted side pieces a the device is made from wooden bars b connected
together by the cross piece a the side being made plain. As a substitute for the
slots the wooden strips c are employed fixed to the cross piece, and projecting over
the sides. As shewn in Figs. 6 and 9 these strips retain the cover of the book
which is placed between them and the side pieces. At each end of the cross piece
a small post d is fixed by which the spring e is carried, these springs retaining the
leaves of the book as above described.
a
The extensions g are secured at the ends of the bars and when turned into
extended position increases the size of the support, thus enabling a larger book to
be held with ease.
:
To support the holder on the table or other article the light supporting frame
shewn in this figure is employed, consisting of the side legs hinged to the side
bars, and furnished with the cross strip i. As shown in Fig. 4 these additional
parts can be collapsed to form a compact holder.
The top of the sides of this frame are cut slanting as shewn in Fig. 4 so that it
will bear against the extensions g and thus be held in position.
In addition to these improvements of securing the book, an elastic or rubber
band can be employed in the manner shewn in Fig. 6 retaining the book when
held in any position.

page_text: According to the arrangement shewn in Fig. 5 the retaining strip c is fixed under
the cross piece a the sides being secured a short distance below, all the parts
being rigid.
Fig. 6 shews the book in position, and the device held by means of the handle.
Fig. 7 shews the arrangement supported on the edge of a table, the handle
projecting over the side.
Fig. 8 also shews the device on a table, the handle being used to support it.
Fig. 9 shews the method of fitting the book in position, the back and front being
thrust under the retaining strip.
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 new or improved book holder, consisting of a frame having two forked
sides, between which the covers of the book are gripped, a cross piece securing the
sides together, and two springs bearing upon the leaves of the book when secured
in position, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(2.) An improved holder for books formed from a light frame having two side
pieces, a slot extending longitudinally through the side pieces, a cross piece
connecting the sides, two springs bearing upon the leaves of the book, and a handle
substantially as described and shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 and for the purposes
specified.
(3.) An improved holder for books, consisting of a frame having two side pieces,
a cross piece securing these together, retaining strips attached to the latter, and
retaining the covers of the book, springs attached to the end piece, and a handle
substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(4.) Animproved book holder consisting of a frame having two side pieces, carrying
a book, a cross piece connecting the same, retaining strips attached to the latter and
serving to grip the cover of the book, springs bearing upon the pages, an extension
secured to the side post a collapsible support fitted to the end and an elastic band
securing the book, substantially as described and shewn in Figs. 3 and 4, and for
the purposes specified.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1895.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.