Adjustable reading and viewing support apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for holding a book, cell phone, or audio player or other object providing a source of information or entertainment. A flexible tubing having sufficient flexibility for positional adjustment while maintaining the object in a stable position has a proximal end attached to the object holder and a distal portion adapted to be coiled to provide an integral stand for the object holder.

1 . A holder for an object providing a source of information or entertainment especially adapted for use by a handicapped individual, said holder (i) providing easy positional adjustment and (ii) not requiring any floor stand or additional apparatus for clamping to a piece of furniture said holder comprising:
 a support adapted for holding said source of information or entertainment,   a flexible tubing having a substantially uniform configuration throughout the length of said tubing, said tubing having sufficient flexibility for positional adjustment while maintaining sufficient rigidity for maintaining said object in a stable position,   a swivel attaching the proximal end of said flexible tubing to said support for enabling rotation of said support relative to said flexible tubing to allow said support to be positioned to accommodate the position of the viewer's eyes,   a locking device attached to said swivel for locking said support to said proximal end at the desired position, and   said distal portion of said flexible tubing being adapted to be coiled to provide an integral stand for said holder for maintaining said support in a stable position.   
   
   
       2 . A holder for an object providing a source information or entertainment, said holder (i) providing easy positional adjustment and (ii) not requiring any floor stand or additional apparatus for clamping to a piece of furniture said holder comprising:
 a support adapted for holding said source of information or entertainment,   a flexible tubing having a substantially uniform configuration throughout the length of said tubing, said tubing having sufficient flexibility for positional adjustment while maintaining sufficient rigidity for maintaining said object in a stable position,   a proximal end of said flexible tubing attached to said support, and   said distal portion of said flexible tubing being adapted to be coiled to provide a stand for said holder for maintaining said support in a stable position.   
   
   
       3 . The holder of  claim 2  having a fabric covering said flexible tubing. 
   
   
       4 . The holder of  claim 3  wherein said support is shaped like an animal head and said fabric covering resembles an animal's tail so that the holder encourages children to read. 
   
   
       5 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said support is shaped like a lion's head. 
   
   
       6 . The holder of  claim 5  wherein said support includes the shape of a lion's paws affixed to either end of a magnifying acrylic rod. 
   
   
       7 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said support is shaped like a butterfly. 
   
   
       8 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said support is shaped like a moth. 
   
   
       9 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said support is shaped like a cat's face. 
   
   
       10 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said support is shaped like a dog's face. 
   
   
       11 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said support is shaped to removably support an electronic device having a visual display. 
   
   
       12 . The holder of  claim 2  having,
 a swivel attaching the proximal end of said flexible tubing to said support for enabling rotation of said support relative to said flexible tubing to allow said support to be positioned to accommodate the position of the viewer's eyes,   
   
   
       13 . The holder of  claim 12  having a locking device attached to said swivel for locking said support to said proximal end of said tubing at the desire position. 
   
   
       14 . The holder of  claim 13  wherein said swivel comprises a bracket having a first threaded opening and a second threaded opening in communication with said first threaded opening,
 a first threaded rod attached to the proximal end of said flexible tubing and adapted to be threaded into said first threaded opening of said bracket,   said locking device comprising a knob attached to a second threaded rod adapted to be threaded into said second threaded opening of said bracket so that rotation of said knob in one direction frictionally engages said first and second rods and fixedly engages said book stand to said flexible tubing.   
   
   
       15 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said swivel comprises
 a two piece bracket having a first piece mounted to said support and a second piece, said two pieces providing semicircular V-shaped openings, and   a V-shaped post attached to the proximal end of said flexible tubing and adapted to be engaged within the semicircular V-shaped openings of said two piece bracket.   
   
   
       16 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said object is a book. 
   
   
       17 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said object is an audio player device. 
   
   
       18 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein said object is a video display device. 
   
   
       19 . The holder of  claim 2  wherein the distal portion of said flexible tubing is adopted to be coiled into a partial or substantial complete circle beneath a chair cushion or bed mattress. 
   
   
       20 . The holder of  claim 2  having a flexible rod running substantially through said flexible tubing for increasing the stiffness of said tubing. 
   
   
       21 . A method for providing a stable support for a viewable object comprising
 attaching the proximal end of a length of flexible tubing to a holder for said object, and bending the distal end of said tubing into a partial or substantially circular coiled shape.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  including the step of placing said coiled distal end of said flexible tubing beneath a bed mattress. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19  including the step of placing said coiled distal end beneath a chair cushion. 
   
   
       24 . The method of making a stable adjustable holder for a viewable object comprising,
 attaching a length of flexible tubing to an apparatus adapted to support said viewable object by bending the distal end of said tubing into a coiled shape.