Reading-Apparatus

This invention is a reading-apparatus with an adjustable panel on which a book can be fixed. The panel is connected via a flexible support to a fastening. Some existing reading apparatus assemblies have a movable rod and an adjustable panel. Others have a flexible rod and an adjustable panel. But all these known apparatus assemblies are restricted in their movements and adjustments. Also existing assemblies have proven less than satisfactory in the manner a book is fastened on the panels, because the panels ae usually not suitable for all sizes of books. In comparison the adjustable panel reading-apparatus constituting the present invention, allows an unlimited adjustment of the panel and is suitable for all sizes of books, which nowadays on the market.

According to the present invention, unlimited adjustment of the panel is obtained by its linkage, which linkage consists of a swivelling rod positioned around a vertical axis and a swivelling connection of the panel. The suitability for all books is obtained by two special frames which can be drawn out and pushed into a guide of the panel, at its right and left side. The panel of the reading-apparatus forming the present invention is always rectangularly adjustable relative to the person who is reading. Also every lateral adjustment is possible by selective movement of the swivelling rod.

The adjustable panel reading-apparatus can be fixed to every wall, and is very suitable for reading in bed, in the livingroom or in the office. It is also a very good help for sick and handicapped persons. The reading-apparatus allows a very relaxed bearing on posture while reading, thereby allowing a reader to reduce stress on his eyes.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a preferred embodiment of the reading apparatus fixed to a wall;

FIG. 2 shows a section through a flexible joint portion employed in the preferred embodiment taken along line II--II of FIG. 1, but in a larger scale;

FIG. 3 shows a section through a clamp employed in the preferred embodiment taken along line III--III of FIG. 1, but in a larger scale wherein the clamp is shown in a closed position; and

FIG. 4 shows the clamp of FIG. 3, but in open position.

A horizontal bearing rod 1 is at one end connected via a clamp 4 to a console 3. The bolt of an adjusting screw 5 connects clamp 4 with being rod 1 and allows a vertical movement of the rod, while the vertical axis 2 of the console allows a horizontal movement of the rod. The console can be mounted to the wall. The friction of the adjusting screw 5 against clamp 4 prevents an unallowable swivelling of the rod 1. The other end of the bearing rod is also connected with a clamp 4' which is attached to a vertical build-up axis 2' of a panel assembly 6. The panel 6 can move around its vertical axis 2' and around the bolt of an adjusting screw 5' extending between and connecting rod 1 to clamp 4. A strip 7, which keeps the book at its lower side forms an integral part of the panel 6. A pair of frames (8,9) can slide in a guide portion 10 of the panel 6 and can be fixed in preselected positions via screws 11 after adjustment. The immovable parts of the clamps 19 are mounted at the lower corners of the frames. The movable parts of the clamps 20 move in slits 14, which are milled in a pair of hollow rods 12. A pair of pushers 13, which carry the movable clamps 20 extend into hollow rods 12 and are protected from turning within the hollow rods by small cross pins 15 which extend into the slits 14 and a separate spring 16 is positioned within each hollow rod 12 and is clamped between a small disk 17 and the front wall 18 of a respective rod 12.

The immovable parts 19 of the clamps are each arranged in a plane with the panel 6, so, that a book, when laying on panel 6, also is laying on the immovable clamps 19, and can be kept in position by the movable clamps 20, which press by spring force.

To clamp a book 26 on the reading-apparatus, one has only to push the pushers forward by means of the crosspins into the open position as shown in FIG. 4.

Before clamping the book 26, the frames 8,9 have to be adjusted to the width of the book. A spot light 21, which is conveniently mounted on the bearing rod 1, lights the book, which is clamped on the panel 6. The lamp can be turned on by putting the plug of the electric cable 22 into a socket. An elastic wire 23, connected with one end in a hole of the strip 7, is put over the middle of the book, to keep the middle of the book fixed to the panel 6 and can be attached to panel 6 via a hook 24 at its other end which can be extended into a hole 25 of the panel.

Additionally the side parts of the book have to be clamped between the clamps 19 and 20. By means of the possibility of turning the panel 6 round axis A--A and the possibility of swivelling bearing rod 1 round axis B--B, panel 6 can be brought into a most favourable position for the reader. It is not necessary to detach the elastic wire 23, when turning over the leaves of the book. It is enough to open the clamps 19.20, one after the other. Large newspapers should be fold to the right size, and they can be kept in position with only the clamps 19.20.

The reading-apparatus comprising the present invention is especially designed for the reading of small, large, stable and unstable materials, such as books, newspapers etc. and by means of the manifold adjustments of the panel assembly it is possible to arrange the reading material in a very comfortable way.

The apparatus consists mainly of following parts. The panel assembly 6, including sidewardly extensible frames (8.9) which carry clamps (19.20). The panel (6) is connected with a bearing rod (1), which in turn is connected with a console (3). Special clamps (4 and 4') with adjusting screws (5 and 5') allow swivelling movement of the panel and bearing rod in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

(The clamps (19 and 20) are plates, from which the immovable part (19) is fixed to the frame (8) and the movable part (20) is extensible and can be pressed against the immovable part (19) by spring force.