Reading aid or device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reading aid which is able to hold a book, of varying size and thickness, open in a natural reading position without the need for hands or other devices and comprises a non-linear, book supporting member each end of which is angled between 160 degrees and 60 degrees from the centre of said member with resilient asymmetric flexible left and right hand page retaining portions at opposite ends of said member which narrow along their length to less than a 12 point font size to fit between the text. Different book sizes are accommodated by different sized devices and a telescopic version. When not being used to read books the device wraps around the spine acting as a page mark.

1 . A reading aid comprising a non-linear, book supporting member having at each end a page retaining portion, said page retaining portions each having an outer surface and an inner, page contacting surface.  
   
   
       2 . A reading aid as defined in  claim 1  wherein the space between the page contacting surface on one page retaining portion and said non-linear, book supporting member differs from the space between the page contacting surface on the other page retaining portion and said member.  
   
   
       3 . A reading aid as defined in  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein said page retaining portions are resilient.  
   
   
       4 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claims wherein said page retaining portions are curved.  
   
   
       5 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein said page retaining portions have a circular cross section.  
   
   
       6 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein said page retaining portions narrow along their length.  
   
   
       7 . A reading aid as defined in  claim 6  wherein said page retaining portions narrow to a size less than a 12 point text font size.  
   
   
       8 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein one or both page retaining portions are separable from the non-linear book supporting member.  
   
   
       9 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein one or both page retaining portions are telescopically adjustable in length.  
   
   
       10 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein each end of the non-linear book supporting member is angled in the range of between 160 degrees and 60 degrees from the centre of said member.  
   
   
       11 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein the non-linear book supporting member may be hinged at or near its centre.  
   
   
       12 . A reading aid as defined in  claim 11  wherein the hinge is integral.  
   
   
       13 . A reading aid as defined in  claim 10  where the hinge is an addition to the non-linear book supporting member.  
   
   
       14 . A reading aid as defined in any of  claims 11  to  13  wherein the hinged points may incorporate a friction or snap fit or catch mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim wherein the non-linear book supporting member has a rectangular, V, X or circular shaped cross section.  
   
   
       16 . A reading aid as defined in  claim 15  wherein said cross section changes along its length.  
   
   
       17 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim that consists of more than one piece linked together.  
   
   
       18 . A reading aid as defined in any preceding claim which is constructed from a resilient plastic or metal material having a shape memory.