The present invention relates generally to the field of book accessories and more specifically relates to a bookmark and reading ring system as a page turning assist tool.
Many people have access to and read books in modern society. A book is a set of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of ink, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one (1) side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf, and each side of a leaf is called a page. A set of text-filled or illustrated pages produced in electronic format is known as an electronic book, or e-book. Pages of books may be difficult to turn as an individual reads the book; this is not desirable.
Bookmarks may be used to mark a position in the book as the reader pauses. A bookmark typically is a thin marker, commonly made of card, leather, or fabric, used to keep the reader's place in a book and to enable the reader to return to it with ease. Other frequently used materials for bookmarks are paper, metals like silver and brass, silk, wood, and cord. Many bookmarks can be clipped on a page with the aid of a page-flap. Bookmarks are generally singular in purpose. A suitable solution is desired.
Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in book accessory art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,225; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2008/0018123; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,683. These prior art references are representative of book accessories.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable bookmark and reading ring system, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a system for assisting in marking and turning pages, comprising a bookmark and a ring. The book mark comprises a tractable portion located on a front side and adjacent a top side and also has a line marker which is movable relative to a longitudinal line marker channel while being subjacent to the tractable portion. The ring may be of unitary or aggregate construction and is capable of being worn about a digit of a user. The tractable portion and ring are capable of temporarily contacting an individual element from a stack of such elements for the purpose of subsequent removal and/or repositioning.
The line marker may comprise a channel guide, a front tab secured superjacent to the channel guide, a first rear tab secured subjacent to the channel guide and a second rear tab secured subjacent to the channel guide and adjacent the first rear tab. The front tab is moveably secured over a front side portion of the channel while the channel guide is moveably secured within the channel and while the first rear tab and the second rear tab are each secured over a rear side portion of the channel.
The ring may comprise a first arch, a second arch secured under the first arch, a top ring secured to each bottom end of the first arch and the second arch and a bottom ring secured to the top ring by a first vertical support, a second vertical support and a half helix support. The first arch, the second arch, the top ring, the bottom ring, the first vertical support, the second vertical support and the half helix support define a having an inner cavity capable of being friction fit about a digit. The bookmark may comprise plastic, wood and metal and the ring comprises rubber. The tractable portion may comprise a material capable of generating static cling or a reusable and temporary adhesive.
The system may be utilized for marking and turning pages in the following manner: firstly, obtaining a book mark having a tractable portion located on a front side and adjacent a top side thereof; secondly, obtaining a ring; thirdly, securing the ring about a digit; fourthly, obtaining a book; fifthly, utilizing the tractable portion to remove or reposition pages of the book; sixthly, utilizing the finger sock to remove or reposition pages of the book; seventhly, aligning the line marker to a desired position within the book; seventhly, closing the book about the bookmark; and lastly, removing the ring. As an additional step, the ring may also be utilized to remove or reposition pages of the book.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms βaβ and βanβ herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
The present invention is directed to a book accessory. Referring now to the drawings,
Depicted within
The line marker is secured within the line marker channel 29 with the front tab 31 secured over the bookmark front side 13 of the line marker channel 29 and the first rear tab 32 and the second rear tab 33 secured over the bookmark rear side 14 of the line marker channel 29. A channel guide 34 slidably resides within the line marker channel 29 and secures the front tab 31 superjacent to the first rear tab 32 and the second rear tab 33. The first rear tab 32 is secured to the channel guide 34 and is adjacent to the second rear tab 33 which is likewise secured to the channel guide 34.
The preferred embodiment of the reading ring 11 is also depicted within
The reading ring 11 and finger sock 12 may comprise pliable plastic and be of unitary and molded construction or with respect to the finger sock 12, constitute a plurality of the aforementioned sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and/or 28, being permanently bonded to each other in the positions described above. Certain embodiments of the bookmark 10 may comprise wood, plastic, metal or other suitable materials. The bookmark 10 may be produced in various sizes for various sized books. The reading ring 11 and finger sock 12 may also be produced in various sizes for different finger or thumb 20 sizes. This invention will provide a more efficient and precise means for page turning of books, stacks of paper or money for better paper management and control. Thus, the system reduces the frustration associated with these tasks.
As previously discussed, the reading ring 11 and finger sock 12 may be sufficiently tight to provide comfort and friction fit to the finger or thumb 20. It is not desirable for the reading ring 11 or finger sock 12 to be too tight or loose for proper use. For example, the finger sock 12 and reading ring 11 combination may be used when opening shopping bags to place groceries items inside. The finger sock 12 may be used on different fingers or thumbs 20 or in a combination. Finger socks may cover the entire finger or thumb 20 or portion thereof.
The preferred method of utilizing the bookmark 10, reading ring 11 and finger sock 12 comprises a user firstly obtaining a bookmark 10, reading ring 11 and finger sock 12 having the appropriately sized finger ring 11 and finger sock 12 for the user's finger or thumb 20. Secondly, the user secures the finger ring and/or finger sock 12 about a desired finger or thumb 20. Thirdly, the user begins to read a book 30 and may turn pages of the book 30 as desired using either the tractable portion of the bookmark 10, the reading ring 11 or finger sock 12. Fourthly, the user, upon cessation of reading, slidably aligns the line marker 17 with the last sentence read in the book 30. Lastly, the user closes the book 30 while leaving the bookmark 10 within the book 30 and removes the reading ring 11 and/or finger sock 12.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/160,073, filed May 12, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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