US1876387A - bennetch - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 6, 1932. c, BENNETCH 1,876,387

BOOK SUPPORT Filed March 27, 1929 INVENTOR H.C. BENNETCH A T TORNEYS W d/$21M ffiito the reference book,

Patented Sept. 6, 1932 HARRY C. BENNETCH, 02E LOS- ANGELES, CALIFORNIA BOOK surronr 7 his invention relates to a book supporting device, and has foran object the provision of a book support particularly adapted to hold arelatively large reference book such as a dictionary or directory, in such a mannor that the book may optionally be opened or closed.

A further object is the provision of a book supporting device as described, which is 159 adapted to be suspended from above, as for example, from the ceiling.

A still further object is the provision of a booksupport which is not only capable of operating. efficiently to permit ready access but which is also comparts, which is and which is all its desired posed of few and inexpensive of very simple construction, fully capable of carrying out functions The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, 7 those enumerated, will be set'forth in the following description of the inventions par-v ticular embodiment which is illustrated in 3Q the drawing accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the book supporting device, with a book properly dis- 'posed therein, in closed position.

Fig. 2; is an end view, with the book'disposed in open position. Fig. 8 is an end view of the supporting device in open position, but with the book removed. j

In terms of broad inclusion, the book sup portingdevice of the present invention, com-- prises. pair of cover-engaging plates spaced .to receive a book therebetween, and joined at "their lower edges by a preferably flexible 111:8111bGZ,iI1'S11Cl1 amannerthat the plates are capable of. hinging movement about thein lower edges, The device is supported by gmeans of suspending straps preferably flexible v which are'secured to the plates adjacent.

their respective-hinge axes, permitting the plates to. hinge outwards to that position in whichthe book is open, whilethe device and contained book are supported by the straps some of which, with 1 a board reinforced by cross 1 vided by leaving Application. filed March 27', 1929. Serial No, 350,308.

Means are also provided for releasably holding the plates optionally in closed book p0 sition, or open-book position.

Specificallydescribing the preferred embodiment of the invention, the book supporting device comprises a pair of spaced plates 6, substantially corresponding in size to the covers porting device is designed to hold. These plates'G are joined at their lower edges by a preferably flexible member 9 which may conveniently be formed of a sheet of canvas or the like, attached to the lower edges 10 'of the plates 6. The sheet 9 is so proportioned that it substantially corresponds in width to the thickness of the book 8, i. e.,

to the width of the bound edge of the book,

with the result that when disposed vertically, the plates 6 are spaced to receive the book 8 therebetween. v

A projection 11 extends from each end of eachof the plates 6; and inasmuch as the plates 6 may each conveniently be formed of strips 12, the projections 11 may conveniently be proan integral tongue extending beyond each end of the board of'which each plate is made, at the time that the board is cut. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the lower or innermost edge 13 of each projection 11, is at, or slightly spaced from the lower edge of the associated plate 6,

' i. e., the innermost edge 13 of each projection 11, is adjacent the axis of hinging 'movement of the associated plate 6.

A'supporting strap 161s associated with each end of the book support. Each strap 16 is secured adjacent one end to the outer face of the projections 11, passing around the innermost edge 13 thereof; and both straps 16 are supported by means of a rod or bail 17 which is attached at each end to one of the straps '16, intermediate theends of that strap. lhe entire device, with the contained book 8, is adapted to be supported from above, by means of a cord 18 or its equivalent, attached to the. bail 17 above the center of gravity of the: combined hook and holder.

Inasmuch as the straps 16 support the 7 o-fthe book8 which the book'sup In; I

book-holder by passing around the innermost edges 18 of the projections 11 which are adjacent the axes of hinging movement of the plates 6, this means of support of the bookholder, permits the plates 6 to be moved in hinging movement about axes at, or adjacent their lower edges; with the result that the book 8 may optionally be opened or closed while the entire device and book are suspended from above. However, by so proportioning the parts of the device that the innermost edges 13 of the tongues 1.1 are spaced slightly from the axes of hinging movement of their respective plates 6, the points of suspension of the plates by the straps 16, are positioned slightly above the lower portion or back of the book 8. In this manner, each strap is caused to exert a force against the plates in that direction which tends to swing them upwards and toward each other, i. e., to book-closing position, owing to the fact that the book 8 presses downwards against the flexible member 9 and between the points 13 of suspension, thus urging the extreme lower edges of the plates 16 downwards. Releasable means for holding the device in either of its two extreme positions, are provided in the form of a rigid strip 21 secured to preferably each strap 16, upon each side of its point of attachment to the bail 17. The up permost end 22 of each strip 21, is attached to the associated strap by preferably a plurality of rivets 23 or their equivalent; and overlies the associated portion of the strap 16, between the lowermost rivet 23 and the bail 17; with the result that when the lower end 24 of the strip 21, is moved outwards from the strap 16, the upper end 22 of the strip will produce a deflection 25 in the strap, as clearly shown upon Figs. 2 and 3. As a result, the weight of the book 8 and the holder, tends to pull the lower ends 24 of all strips 21, inwards, pressing an ofiset portion 26 of each strip 21, against the associated projection 11 which is disposed between the associated offset portion 26 and the strap 16. Observation of Fig. 1 will disclose that the offset portion 26 is substantially vertical when the book and plates 6 have been moved to closed position; with the result that the outer surface of each projection 11, engages the offset portion 26 of the associated strip 21. It should be observed however, that the outermost edge 27 of each projection 11, is spaced at some distance from the axis of hinging movement of the associated plate 6; with the result that as this plate 6 hinges outward about its lower edge, the edge 27 of the projection 11, frictionally engages the offset portion 26 of the associated strip 21, sliding downwards thereagainst until engaged by a stop 28 which is provided by bending the extreme lower end. of the strip sharply inwards, as best shown upon Figs. 2 and 3. The length of the offset portion 26, should be such that when the stop 28 is engaged, the associated plate 6 is disposed horizontally with the book 8 fully open.

The manner of operation of my improved book-holder, is substantially as follows:

While the book-holder is supported from above, with av closed book 8 disposed between the plates 6, and supported upon the connecting member 9, the plates 6 are held in vertical position 1) by the engagement of the projections 11, with the inner faces of the oifset portions 26 of the strips 21. However, when it be desired to open the book 8 to permit access to the contents thereof, this may be accomplished merely by pressing the upper edges of the plates 6 apart in a motion similar to that inopening the covers of a book. This will cause the upper edges 27 of the projections 11, to press outwards againstthe offset portions 26 of the strips 21, bending the lower ends 24 thereof, outwards, with a consequent production of the deflection 25 in the straps 16. This opening movement of the plates 6, should be continued until the projections 11 engage the stops 28, wher upon the book 8 will be in fully opened position, permitting ready access to its pages. The plates .6 are held in this open I position, inasmuch as in moving thereto, the projections 11 have moved past positions of perpendicularity with the offset portions 26, so that commencement of the moving of the plates 6 to closing position, requires some outward movement of each of the strips 21, producing a greater deflection 25 than that obtaining when the plates 6 are in a true horizontal position.

If desired, protection against abrading of the covers 7 of the book 8 by the inner surfaces of the plates 6, may be reduced to a minimum, by extending the connecting member 9 as at 81, so that the entire inner surfaces of both plates 6, are covered thereby.

Thus it may be readily observed that I have provided a very simple and efliciently operating book support which occupies no floor space, and yet which affords all convenience of access to a relatively large reference book held thereby, which is provided by the conventional book-stand.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A. book supporting device comprising a pair of plates spaced to receive a book therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair of suspending straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, and supporting means connected (it-pair of plates spaced points of between, means oining the lower edges of;

said plates'and hingedly connected thereto, a pair ofssuspending straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swingingsaid plates aboutsaid axes while supported by said straps, and a bail-connected tolboth straps intermediate their points of'attachment to the plates. 1 i

A hook supporting devi comprising a pair of plates spaced'to receive a book therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said. plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair of suspending straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said ares while supported by said straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attachment to the plates, and releasable means for holding said plates optionally in vertical position or swung outward therefrom.

4. A. book supporting device comprising a pair or plates spaced to receive a hook therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said plates and. hingedly connected thereto, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attach- ,ment to the plates, and a rigid strip secured to at least one of said straps upone'ach side of the supporting means, each strip slidably engaging the adjacent plates at a point spaced from its hinge axis,

5. A book supporting device comprising a pair of plates spaced to receive a book therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attachment to the plates, and a rigid strip secured to at least one of said straps upon each side of the supporting means, each strip slidably ss engaging the adjacent plate at a point spaced from its hinge axis and being adapted to deflect the associated portion of its strap as the plate is pivoted outwards.

6. A boolr supporting device comprising a t receive a book there between, means joining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said arms while supported by said straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attachment to theplates, and arigid strip secured to at lGEuStfOIlG of said straps upon each side of the supporting means, one end of each strip cverly ing its strap between said supporting means and the point of attachment of the strip to the strap, and the other end friction'ally engaging the associated plate at a point spaced frcm its hinge axis,

7; A'bo'ok supporting device comprising a pair of plates spaced to receive a heel: therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair ofstraps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attach mentto the plates, a rigid strip secured to at least one of said straps upon each side of the supporting means, one end of each strip over-' lying its strap between said supporting means and the: point of attachment of the strip to the strap, and the other end frictionally engaging the associated plate at a point spaced from its hinge axis, and means limiting the outward movement of said plates.

I 8. A hook supportin device COTH ISTIIg a pair of plates spaced to receive a hold: therebetween, means oining the lower'edges of said plate'sand hingedly connected thereto, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinn D movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, supporting means "connected to said straps intermediate their points 'of'attachment to the plates, a projection extending from each end of each plate, and a rigid strip :secured to each strap upon each side of said supporting means, one end of each strip overlying the strap between said suportin'g means I of'the strip to the strap, the other end frictionally engaging the associated proj'ec tion at apoint spaced from the hinge axis of its plate.

.9; A book supporting device comprising a pair of plates spaced to receive a book therebetween, means oining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected there to, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attachment to theplates, a projection extending from each end of each plate, and a rigid strip secured to each strap upon each side of said supporting means, one end of each strip overlying the strapbetween said supportand the point of attachment TTO ing means and the point of attachment of the strip to the strap, and the other end frictionally engaging the associated projection at a point spaced from the hinge axis of its plate, said other end also having an offset portion thereon for the reception of said projection between said offset portion and the associated strip when the plate is disposed vertically.

10. A book supporting device comprising a pair of plates spaced to receive a book therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hinging movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said.

straps, supporting means connected to said straps intermediate their points of attachment to the plates, a projection extending from each end of each plate, a rigid strip secured to each strap upon each side of said supporting means, one end of eachstrip overlying the strap between said supporting means and the point of attachment of the strip to the strap, and the other end frictionally engaging the associated projection at a point spaced from the hinge axis of its plate, said other en-dalso' hav ing an oifset portion thereon for the reception of said projection between said ollset portion and the associated strip when the plate is disposed vertically, and said offset portion also forming a stop on said other end adapted to engage the associated projection and limit opening movement of the associated plate.

11. A book supporting device comprising a pair of plates spaced to receive a book therebetween, means joining the lower edges of said plates and hingedly connected thereto, a pair of straps, each connected to both plates adjacent their respective axes of hingin movement to permit swinging said plates about said axes while supported by said straps, a bail connected to both straps intermediate their points of attachment to the plates, and a rigid strip secured to at least one of said straps upon each side of said bail, one

" end of each. strip overlying the strap between said bail and the point of attachment of the strip to the strap, and the other end frictionally engaging the associated plate at a point spaced from its hinge axis.

12. A book supporting device comprising means for suspending a book from above with its covers extending substantially vertically from its back, said suspending means being adjustable to permit opening said covers to substantially horizontal position against tension imposed upon said suspending means by the weight of the book, and means for increasing said tension as said covers move through a predetermined are from the vertical and for decreasing said tension upon continued movement of-said covers beyond said are and toward the horizontal.

13. A book supporting device comprlslng a pair of plates spaced to receive a book therebetween and hingedly' joined adjacent their lower edges, means connected to said plates above their lower edges for supporting the plates and a book retained therebetween, and suspensory means providing additional support for each of said plates

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