Character-shaped book holder

Abstract

A book holder for holding a book in a position for substantially hands-free reading that is shaped as a character, such as an animal, human, hero or fantasy object, and adapted for allowing the reader to read the book while sitting or laying down. In the preferred embodiment, the book holder has a character body with upper appendages, which can be shaped like arms, and lower appendages, which can be shaped like legs. At least the upper appendages are flexible and adjustable to grasp the book and hold it in a upright, reading position towards the reader. The lower appendages support the book in this position. Preferably, the book holder has a book support holder to assist in holding the book open and one or more lights to illuminate the reading pages. The lights are electrically connected to a source of electrical power, such as one or more rechargeable batteries.

1 . A book holder in combination with a book, said book holder comprising, a character body having a front side and a back side and one or more upper appendages attached to said character body and extending generally outward of said front side of said character body, said one or more upper appendages configured to engage said book so as to support said book in a generally upright position.  
   
   
       2 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more upper appendages are adjustable.  
   
   
       3 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said book holder further comprises one or more lower appendages attached to said character body, said lower appendages configured to support said book in said upright position.  
   
   
       4 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said character body is in the shape of an animal.  
   
   
       5 . The book holder according to  claim 4 , wherein said animal is a bear.  
   
   
       6 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said character body is in the shape of a human body.  
   
   
       7 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said character body is in the shape of a robot.  
   
   
       8 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said character body further comprises a book support holder attached to said character body, said book support holder configured to hold said book in a generally open position.  
   
   
       9 . The book holder according to  claim 8 , wherein said book support holder extends generally downward from a head of said character body.  
   
   
       10 . The book holder according to  claim 1 , wherein said character body further comprises one or more lights electrically connected to a source of electrical power.  
   
   
       11 . The book holder according to  claim 10 , wherein said source of electrical power is one or more rechargeable batteries.  
   
   
       12 . The book holder according to  claim 10 , wherein said character body further comprises a switch operatively interconnecting said one or more lights and said source of electrical power.  
   
   
       13 . The book holder according to  claim 10 , wherein said character body further comprises a book support holder configured to hold said book in a generally open position.  
   
   
       14 . The book holder according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said one or more lights is attached to said book support holder.  
   
   
       15 . A book holder in combination with a book, said book holder comprising: 
 a character body having a front side and a back side;    one or more upper appendages attached to said character body and extending generally outward of said front side of said character body, said one or more upper appendages adjustable and configured to engage said book so as to support said book in a generally upright position; and    one or more lower appendages attached to said character body, said lower appendages configured to support said book in said generally upright position.    
   
   
       16 . The book holder according to  claim 15 , wherein said character body further comprises a book support holder attached to said character body, said book support holder configured to hold said book in a generally open position.  
   
   
       17 . The book holder according to  claim 15 , wherein said character body further comprises one or more lights electrically connected to a source of electrical power.  
   
   
       18 . The book holder according to  claim 17 , wherein said character body further comprises a switch operatively interconnecting said one or more lights and said source of electrical power.  
   
   
       19 . A book holder in combination with a book, said book holder comprising: 
 a character body having a front side and a back side;    one or more upper appendages attached to said character body and extending generally outward of said front side of said character body, said one or more upper appendages adjustable and configured to engage said book so as to support said book in a generally upright position;    one or more lower appendages attached to said character body, said lower appendages configured to support said book in said upright position;    a book support holder attached to said character body, said book support holder configured to hold said book in a generally open position; and    one or more lights attached to said character body and electrically connected to a source of electrical power.    
   
   
       20 . The book holder according to  claim 19 , wherein said character body further comprises a switch operatively interconnecting said one or more lights and said source of electrical power.