Patent Application
20120031322
The present invention relates to a bookmark for marking a page in a book. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an automated bookmark that marks successive pages of the book during reading.
The most basic form of a bookmark comprises a single elongate laminar element, cut from a sheet, which can easily be inserted in and removed from a book. Such a bookmark is popular because it is cheap to make, can be made decorative and easy to use. However, the reader has to remove the bookmark when reading and to re-insert the bookmark to mark his most recently read page, and, if he closes the book before moving the bookmark in this manner he loses the most recently read page. Thus successful use of such a bookmark requires some co-ordination and organization by the user.
Many different types of more complex bookmarks have been developed, and these generally comprise a number of working parts which have to be made separately and fitted together during manufacture; a useful review thereof is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,684. A problem with these, and the bookmark forming the subject of this United States patent, is that they are complicated to manufacture and use, expensive to manufacture and are bulky and not particularly easy to carry around when not in use.
There are many bookmarks which include some form of clip which is used to retain a page or set of pages—the clip must be removed and then clipped back to a different position when the marker is to be moved. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,166, which describes various forms of clips. The pages cannot be turned normally whilst the clip is attached to the page currently being read.
There are also automated bookmarks, which do not need to be moved by the user when the bookmark is used. The bookmarks include a page retaining element which has a movement which allows a page to be turned normally, with the page retaining element lifting up and then being rotated away from the current page, thereby to release the page retaining element and then reposition it on the next page. An example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,632; this is a complex mechanical design which is expensive to manufacture and bulky.
In some cases, the bookmark is designed to allow pages to be slipped out from under a clip. An example of this is U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,351. This patent includes two different embodiments. In one embodiment the bookmark includes a metal wire acting as a page retainer clip attached to a metal book cover clip, and this is currently produced for sale as a product called the “Pagekeeper”. In another described embodiment, the bookmark may be formed from a one-piece molded plastic element. A problem with this prior art is that the page must be turned by a user in a given way—it must be turned in such a way as to allow the page to be slipped out from underneath the page retainer clip. Any other kind of turning is likely to damage the page being turned. Also, where the bookmark is formed of molded plastic rather than of metal, the design does not have a workable operation—in particular, the page retainer clip lacks robustness. Furthermore, when the book cover clip is made in the same plastic molding as the page retainer clip, if the plastics material is sufficiently flexible to allow the page retainer clip to be moved to a page being read, the book cover clip lacks grip whilst if the plastics material is sufficiently rigid to provide the book cover clip with grip, the page retainer clip is insufficiently flexible to be moved to a page being read.
Another automated bookmark is shown in European patent EP0816121, also known as a product called the “Automark”. This bookmark is cut out from a single laminar element, and is therefore relatively inexpensive to manufacture. However, the bookmark suffers from a number of disadvantages:
a) it lacks robustness since the arm which attaches the page retaining element to the remainder of the bookmark is deliberately narrowed to enhance the flipping motion of the page retaining element.
b) it is somewhat difficult to position in a book; the positioning is not intuitive, which makes it difficult for normal users to use properly.
c) it does not work particularly well with thick sets of pages, as the page retaining element tends to slip out from the current page.
PCT/GB2005/003325 describes an automated bookmark, which is formed as a laminar element. An arrangement of such a bookmark is shown in
Referring to
The page retaining element 19 comprises a page retaining edge 19a that is arranged to engage the top 7 (or bottom 9) of a page, thereby retaining the page in the back of the book when the book is opened. When the side 15 of the bookmark abuts the spine 3 of the book, at least a portion of the page retaining edge 19a is arranged to make at an angle with the top of the retained page. The angle is such that when the retained page is turned, in order to reveal a next page in the book, the retained page is released and the page retaining edge engages with the next page. Referring specifically to
Thus in summary there are problems which the applicant has identified with respect to the prior art automated bookmarks which are formed as a laminar element. One is that when it is placed in a closed book the pages either side of the page retaining element tend to splay from each other due to the angling of the arm and the page retaining element, and this effect becomes greater the greater the number of pages being held is. Furthermore, the bookmarks only work with a relatively small number of pages gripped therein and a bookmark may need to be moved to different positions in the book several times during reading, since once the page retaining element is disposed on a page relatively remotely from the anchor the page retaining element tends to twist away from the page. The page retaining element tends to slide off the marked page, which is an effect which is desired during releasing of the page being turned but which is detrimental when the bookmark is in its normal page marking state. In essence, the prior art automated bookmarks were either elaborate mechanical devices or did not tend to work well with thick sets of pages, or indeed whole books which are relatively thick.
It would be desirable to provide an automated bookmark that is more effective than prior art automated bookmarks. It would also be desirable to provide an automated bookmark which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and particularly convenient to use.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bookmark for marking pages in a book having a spine and a plurality of laminar book parts attached to the spine, the laminar book parts including front and back covers and a plurality of pages, each laminar book part being planar and having edges including a top, a bottom, a free side edge, and an attached side edge attached at the spine of the book, the bookmark comprising:
a laminar element for insertion between laminar book parts;
a magnetic clip which provides attractive clipping force through a laminar book part for gripping the laminar book part,
abutment means; and
a releasable page holder,
the abutment means being arranged to define at least one abutment area in which the abutment means are adapted to abut against the laminar book part, the at least one abutment area defining a line of abutment along which an edge of the laminar book part is to be aligned when the abutment means is abutted against the laminar book part,
the releasable page holder comprising a flexible element and a page retaining element, the flexible element being attached, at a first end, to the laminar element and, at a second end, to the page retaining element,
wherein the first end of the flexible element is arranged to be located adjacent an edge of the laminar book part and the flexible element is arranged to extend from the first end along an edge of the laminar book part when the abutment means is abutted against an edge of the laminar book part, and
wherein the second end of the flexible element is arranged to be movable with respect to the first end by means of flexing of the flexible element away from the laminar book part towards the second end of the elongate flexible element, to enable the page retaining element to engage and retain the page whilst the bookmark is held in place on the laminar book part by the magnetic clip.
Accordingly, this aspect of the present invention provides an automated bookmark having a convenient and reliable clip. The abutment means can abut the book in one or two places, and places the bookmark in the preferred configuration, and the flexible element is arranged so that the page retaining element is positioned on the page in the correct manner in the preferred configuration whilst the magnetic clip releasably holds the bookmark in place.
In a first arrangement the at least one abutment area is arranged, along the line of abutment, to one side of the flexible element. At least two suitable configurations are possible for this arrangement: a first in which the at least one abutment area is arranged relatively close to the first end of the flexible element, and relatively far from the second end of the flexible element, and a second in which the abutment area is arranged relatively close to the second end of the flexible element, and relatively far from the first end of the flexible element. In either configuration the at least one abutment area comprises a single abutment area having a total width of between 2 cm and 7 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm and most preferably of between 4 cm and 5 cm.
As regards the first configuration, namely that in which the abutment area is arranged proximate the second end of the page retaining element, the clip parts can be relatively simple in construction and are readily accessible to the user. This latter advantage results from the fact that it the abutment area can be located relatively close to the free edge of the book cover, meaning that it is easier to operate the clip parts using the hands than when the clip parts are closer to the book spine (where the pages are more closely bunched together and space is more limited.) Also, when the bookmark is correctly placed, and the page retaining element is placed within a book, any movement of the pages is reduced, relative to the page retaining element, than would be the case if the page retaining element were located closer to the spine. As will be appreciated, the free edges of the pages move more than do the edges of the pages attached to the spine (which by virtue of their attachment to the spine do not move at all in the book); thus any means of reducing the movement of the free pages makes the bookmark more reliable than it otherwise would be.
As regards the second configuration, namely that in which the abutment area is arranged proximate the first end of the page retaining element, and thus closer to the spine of a book, the clip parts are readily positionable since the spine of the book provides a natural stop against which the bookmark can be readily located. Further, if the abutment means is arranged on the side of the spine, it may be easier for the user to place the bookmark correctly in the book, providing they do not have any problems opening the book sufficiently for the clip to be placed near to the spine. In addition, the second clip part of the clip parts (namely that located on the outside of the book, when in use) is located further away from the user's fingers when holding the book during reading; this reduces the interference of the bookmark to the correct and comfortable holding of the book during reading.
In a further arrangement the at least one abutment area comprises two abutment areas each arranged, along the line of abutment, to different respective sides of the flexible element. One advantage of this arrangement is that the length of the abutment means, along the line of abutment, is effectively increased to a length greater than the width of the flexible element itself, so that correct positioning of the bookmark (e.g. aligning the abutment means correctly along the top of the back cover) is relatively easy. The arrangement provides two, relatively widely, spaced, points of reference for the easy correct positioning of the bookmark, e.g. on the back cover of the book.
A particular advantage can be gained when the bookmark is used to mark a page of a paperback book: in use one of the clip parts can be located on the outside of the back cover of the book and thus provides a convenient medium for the printing or affixing of graphical images, signs, patterns and the like.
In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention the magnetic clip comprise a pair of magnetic members, or magnetic elements, each affixed to a respective substrate part.
The magnetic clip advantageously provides a means of fixedly and releasably attaching the bookmark to a selected book part and relieve the need for the bookmark to locate against the spine of the book in order to perform correct positioning. In one arrangement the magnetic clip includes a pair of clip parts which are mutually attached via the abutment means, which can comprise a hinge part, configured such that each of the magnetic elements is located either side of the hinge part. Preferably the hinge part comprises a folded part so that the clip parts can be formed from a single sheet piece of cut sheet material. More preferably the folded part is located between two parallel folds formed in an underside of the sheet material such that, in a fully folded position, the first clip part is parallel to, and spaced apart from, the second clip part. The first and second clip parts are spaced apart by a distance directly dependent on the distance between the two folds; this distance is preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm and most preferably 3 mm.
The magnetic clip preferably comprises a matched magnetic pair in the form of magnetic strips, of respective opposite magnetisations (e.g. A Type and B Type magnetisations). The magnetic strips may be adhered to respective substrate parts of the bookmark using a suitable adhesive bonding material. The magnetic strips may for example be formed from magnetic rubber or magnetic plastic (i.e. magnetic powder supported in a rubber or plastic substrate.) Preferably, the magnetic strips have length and width dimensions, parallel to the clipping plane, of at least 1 cm×1 cm and more preferably, at least 2 cm×2 cm, in order to provide sufficient clipping force through the cover of a book whilst securely clamping the bookmark in its correct position, even during use and, in particular during flexing of the flexible element during turning of the pages. Further, the thickness of each of the magnetic strips is preferably at least 0.7 mm; more preferably 1 mm or more and most preferably approximately 1.5 mm; again, this is to provide sufficient clipping force through the cover of a book whilst securely clamping the bookmark in its correct position, even during use and, in particular during flexing of the flexible element during turning of the pages.
Preferably, the abutment line has a first side and a second side, the flexible element being arranged on the second side of the line of abutment and the page retaining element being arranged on the first side of the line of abutment, the flexible element including an inner edge, which is relatively close to the line of abutment, and an outer edge, which is relatively far from the line of abutment, the first and second ends of the flexible element being separated with respect to each other along the line of abutment by an end separation distance of at least 1 cm. The end separation distance of the flexible element is preferably at least 3 cm and less than 9 cm, more preferably between 4 cm and 8 cm and most preferably between 5 cm and 7 cm. The page retaining element preferably extends from the line of abutment by an extension distance of between 1 cm and 3 cm; most preferably the extension distance is 2 cm.
The bookmark is preferably formed from cut and folded sheet material, and the bookmark can be formed from a single-sheet cut and folded blank to which said magnetic elements may be applied. The flexible element is preferably an elongate, rounded element, and the page retaining element is preferably an elongate element. In terms of preferred dimensions of the page retaining element the average width, measured parallel to the line of abutment, of the page retaining element is less than 1.5 cm, and its maximum width is less than 1.5 cm; preferably the average width is less than 1 cm.
The flexible element is preferably arranged so that the maximum vertical distance between the inner edge of the is flexible element and the line of abutment is preferably less than 2 cm and at least 3 mm; most preferably the distance is between 5 mm and 1.5 cm. This means that the moment imparted to the flexible element when the page is turned in use is sufficient to cause the flexible element to twist and thereby allow the page to be released readily when turned.
The average width of the flexible element is preferably less than 1.5 cm. This allows the flexible element to be flexed relatively easily by turning the page in use. Preferably the average width of the flexible element, averaged along the extent of the separation distance, is more than approximately 5 mm, to provide the flexible element with sufficient robustness in use. Further, the thickness of the flexible element, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment, is less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.
In preferred embodiments the page retaining element comprises a page retaining edge, facing the first end of the flexible element, at least part of which is angled such that an angle between said part of the edge and the line of abutment is less than 90°, when measured from the side of the first end of the flexible element. More preferably the angle is between 60° and 80°; arranging for the angle between the page retaining edge and the line of abutment, or edge-of-page line, to be less than 90° means that when the bookmark is inserted into a relatively thick book, so that the page retaining element is positioned relatively far from the abutment means, the page retaining edge does not excessively lift up from the page of the book; i.e. the effect of the free end of the page retaining element lifting up from the page, due to the fact that the flexible element of the bookmark twists, is reduced.
Preferably, the angling of the page retaining edge is selected such that the effect of free end of the page retaining element lifting up from the page of the book is substantially compensated by the angling of the page retaining edge. More preferably, the compensation effect is such that the free end of the page retaining element is preferably located within 2 mm of the page of the book when a 1 cm thickness of pages is held within the bookmark. Even more preferably, the compensation effect is such that the free end of the page retaining element is preferably located within 2 mm of the page of the book when a 2 cm thickness of pages is held within the bookmark. More preferably, the free end is within 1 mm of the page in each of these configurations. The exact angle which the page retaining edge should take will depend on the exact material and configuration of the flexible element, but generally the preferred angle is between 55° and 85°; more preferably the angle is between 60° and 80°; most preferably the angle is between 65° and 78°.
This angling of the force-receiving edge assists the force-receiving edge of the page retaining element to translate horizontal force into vertical force, so that the act of releasing the page retaining element is facilitated. This effect is especially important for a flexible element formed from sheet material, since it is preferable to cause the flexible element to twist in order to release the page which is being held. Thus, the force-receiving edge imparts a force having a vertical component which causes the flexible element to twist.
Furthermore, this angling means that the force-receiving edge of the page retaining element does not extend significantly above the surface of the page when the bookmark is in its preferred configuration.
Conveniently the page retaining edge is shaped such that a variable angle is provided between the page retaining edge and the line of abutment along a length of the page retaining edge, said variable angle decreasing, when measured from the side of the first end of the flexible element, as the page retaining edge extends away from the line of abutment.
As regards overall dimensions of the bookmark, the width of said bookmark, measured parallel to the line of abutment, is within a range of between 7 cm and 16 cm, preferably between 9 cm and 13 cm, and most preferably between 10 cm and 12 cm. These dimensions allow the bookmark to be used in a range of paperback books, some of which typically have a width of 13 cm or less, without the bookmark protruding from the side of the book.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a bookmark comprising:
a clip for holding the bookmark on a book part;
abutment means; and
a releasable page holder,
the abutment means being arranged to define at least one abutment area in which the abutment means are adapted to abut against a book part, the at least one abutment area defining a line of abutment along which the book part is to be aligned when the book part is abutted against the abutment means, the abutment line having a first side and a second side, the clip parts being arranged on the first side of the line of abutment, and
the releasable page holder comprising a flexible element and a page retaining element, the flexible element being arranged on the second side of the line of abutment and the page retaining element being arranged on the first side of the line of abutment, the flexible element being formed as a sheet-like element including an inner edge, which is relatively close to the line of abutment, and an outer edge, which is relatively far from the line of abutment, the flexible element being attached, at a first end, to the bookmark and, at a second end, to the page retaining element, the second end of the flexible element being movable with respect to the first end by means of flexing of the flexible element,
wherein the first and second ends of the flexible element are separated with respect to each other along the line of abutment by an end separation distance of at least 1 cm,
wherein the flexible element has an average width, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and averaged along the extent of said end separation distance, of at least 0.3 cm, and
wherein the page retaining element comprises a page retaining edge, facing the first end of the flexible element, at least part of which is angled such that an angle between said part of the edge and the line of abutment is less than 90°, when measured from the side of the first end of the flexible element.
In embodiments of the invention the abutment means and the releasable page holder are formed as a unitary piece from cut and folded sheet material. Accordingly the invention further provides a method of manufacturing an automated bookmark according to the above aspects, said method comprising cutting said bookmark from a laminar substrate.
It has been found that embodiments of bookmark arranged according to this aspect of the present invention can be used to mark at least double, and in some cases at least four times, the number of pages that prior art automatic bookmarks formed from laminar elements can mark, which is a significant gain in effectiveness.
According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a bookmark for marking pages in a paperback book having a spine, front and back covers and a plurality of pages, each cover and each page being planar and having edges including a top, a bottom, a free side edge, and an attached side edge attached at the spine of the book, the bookmark comprising:
a clip for gripping the back cover of a paperback book,
abutment means; and
a releasable page holder,
the abutment means being arranged to define at least one abutment area in which the abutment means is adapted to abut against a part of the paperback book cover, the at least one abutment area defining a line of abutment along which the paperback book cover is to be aligned when the abutment means is abutted against the paperback book cover,
the releasable page holder comprising a flexible element and a page retaining element, the flexible element being attached, at a first end, to the bookmark and, at a second end, to the page retaining element, the second end of the flexible element being movable with respect to the first end by means of flexing of the flexible element in a curve which bends away from the paperback book cover towards the second end of the flexible element,
wherein the clip is a magnetic clip which provides attractive clipping force through the back cover of the paperback book.
In some embodiments of the invention, the part of the paperback book cover with which the abutment means aligns is the top edge of the paperback book cover (the book cover having a top edge, a bottom edge and a free side edge); in these embodiments, the magnetic clip may be arranged to be placed over the book cover by putting it into place over the top edge of the paperback book cover. In embodiments of the invention the same, or a similar, arrangement may be used, alternatively, by placing the magnetic clip over the book cover by putting it into place over the bottom edge of the paperback book cover, in which case the part of the paperback book cover with which the abutment means aligns is the bottom edge of the paperback book cover. Yet further, in embodiments of the invention the same, or a similar, arrangement may be used, alternatively, by placing the magnetic clip over a page of a hardback or paperback book by putting it into place over the top or bottom edge of a page, or set of pages, in the book, in which case the part of the book with which the abutment means aligns is the bottom edge of a page, or set of pages, of the book.
In other embodiments of the invention, the part of the paperback book cover with which the abutment means aligns is the free side edge of the paperback book cover (the book cover having a top, a bottom and a free side edge); in these embodiments, the magnetic clip may be arranged to be placed over the book cover by putting it into place over the free side edge of the paperback book cover. Yet further, in embodiments of the invention the same, or a similar, arrangement may be used, alternatively, by placing the magnetic clip over a page of a hardback or paperback book by putting it into place over the free side edge of a page, or set of pages, in the book, in which case the part of the book with which the abutment means aligns is the free side edge of a page, or set of pages, of the book.
By positioning the abutment means in relation to the free side edge of the book cover, or a page (or set of pages), the advantage is achieved that the positioning of the page retaining element with respect to the free side edge is conveniently, and reliably achievable. This positioning may, in some embodiments, assist with the functioning of the bookmark, since the positioning of the page retaining element with respect to the free side edge correctly can assist with the releasing of the page when a page is turned, particularly if the book is relatively large, and therefore the top edge of the page is wide and without such positioning with respect to the free side edge being defined, the bookmark might otherwise be positioned anywhere along the top edge and, if placed too close to the spine of the book, the functioning may not be optimal.
According to a yet further embodiment of the invention there is provided a bookmark comprising:
a pair of clip parts adapted to clip over the back cover of a book such that a first clip part of said pair is located to the front of the back cover and a second clip part of the pair is located to the back of the back cover, the pair of clip parts defining a clipping plane corresponding to a plane of the back cover of the book when the back cover is clipped between said clip parts;
abutment means; and
a releasable page holder,
the abutment means being arranged to define at least one abutment area in which the abutment means are adapted to abut against a book part, the at least one abutment area defining a line of abutment along which the book part is to be aligned when the book part is abutted against the abutment means, the abutment line having a first side and a second side, the pair of clip parts being arranged on the first side of the line of abutment,
the releasable page holder comprising a flexible element and a page retaining element, the flexible element being arranged on the second side of the line of abutment and the page retaining element being arranged on the first side of the line of abutment, the flexible element including an inner edge, which is relatively close to the line of abutment, and an outer edge, which is relatively far from the line of abutment, the flexible element being attached, at a first end, to the bookmark and, at the second end, to the page retaining element, the second end of the flexible element being movable with respect to the first end by means of flexing of the flexible element, wherein the first and second ends of the flexible element are separated with respect to each other along the line of abutment by an end separation distance of at least 1 cm,
the flexible element having an average width, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and parallel to said clipping plane, averaged along the length of the end separation distance, of at least 3 mm, and
the first and second clip parts each having lengths, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and parallel to said clipping plane, which are greater than a maximum separation between the inner edge of the flexible element and the line of abutment.
The first and second clip parts preferably each have lengths, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and parallel to said clipping plane of at least 2 cm, while the maximum separation between the inner edge of the flexible element and the line of abutment is preferably less than 2 cm.
More preferably, the first and second clip parts preferably each have lengths, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and parallel to said clipping plane, which are greater than at least twice the maximum separation between the inner edge of the flexible element and the line of abutment. In a particularly advantageous arrangement the first and second clip parts preferably each have lengths of at least 3 cm, while the maximum separation between the inner edge of the flexible element and the line of abutment is preferably less than 1.5 cm.
According to a yet further embodiment of the invention there is provided a bookmark for marking pages in a paperback book having a spine, front and back covers and a plurality of pages, each cover and each page being planar and having edges including a top, a bottom, a free side edge, and an attached side edge attached at the spine of the book, the bookmark comprising:
a laminar element for insertion between the back page and the back cover of a paperback book;
a clip for gripping the back cover of the paperback book,
an abutment part; and
a releasable page holder,
the abutment part being arranged to define at least one abutment area in which the abutment part is adapted to abut against the free side edge of the paperback book cover, the at least one abutment area defining a line of abutment along which the paperback book cover is to be aligned when the abutment part is abutted against the paperback book cover,
the releasable page holder comprising an elongate flexible member and a page retaining element, the elongate flexible member being attached, at a first end, to the laminar element and, at a second end, to the page retaining element, the second end of the elongate flexible member being movable with respect to the first end by means of flexing of the elongate flexible member away from the paperback book cover towards the second end of the elongate flexible member, and
wherein the first end is arranged to be located adjacent the top edge or the bottom edge of the paperback book cover when the abutment part is abutted against the free side edge of the paperback book cover and the bookmark is correctly positioned in a book, such that the elongate flexible member extends along the top edge or the bottom edge of the paperback book, and the page retaining element may be extended over at least the respective top edge or bottom edge of a page, to engage and retain a page when the bookmark is in use.
Preferably, in embodiments in which the abutment means, which in preferred embodiments associated with the magnetic clip, is arranged to be abutted against a free side edge (of the book cover or a page, or set of pages of the book), the bookmark also includes an alignment edge, marking or other delineation which provides a guide allowing the user to correctly position the bookmark with respect to the top edge of the book cover or a page, or set of pages of the book), or allowing the user to correctly position the bookmark with respect to the bottom edge of the book cover or a page, or set of pages of the book.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given by way of example only.
a and 1b are schematic diagrams showing a known bookmark, which is described in PCT/GB2005/003325, in first and second positions in a book;
a shows a plan view of the bookmark shown in
b shows further details of the known bookmark shown in
a shows a further plan view of a laminar sheet blank cut-out for a bookmark according to the first embodiment of the invention, in unfolded form;
b shows topside and underside plan views of a laminar sheet blank cut-out for a bookmark according to the first embodiment of the invention having a double-creased hinge, in unfolded form;
c shows a side view of the bookmark shown in
d shows a perspective view of the bookmark shown in
a shows a schematic side view of the bookmark of
b shows a schematic top view of the bookmark of
c shows a schematic perspective view of the bookmark of
a shows a schematic side view of the bookmark of
b shows a schematic top view of the bookmark of
In the Figures, the various features of the invention are enumerated and referred to as such in the description of same. The invention is described with reference to several embodiments, each being depicted in a respective figure. For clarity, where a particular feature is common to the various embodiments, the reference numeral assigned to the feature in its first occurrence is used in subsequent figures.
In all of the embodiments described below there is provided an automated bookmark for marking a page in a book having a spine, laminar book parts in the form of planar rectangular front and back covers and a plurality of planar rectangular pages. The laminar book parts each have edges including a top, a bottom, a free side edge, and an attached side edge attached at the spine of the book.
Embodiments of the invention are particularly, but not exclusively, designed to be clipped to the top, bottom or free side of the back cover of a paperback book, but can also be clipped to a set of one or more pages within the book, in the case of particularly thick paperback books, or to a set of one or more pages within a hardback book, of which the cover may be too thick for an effective attachment to be achieved. In a particularly advantageous arrangement, the bookmark is designed to be clipped to the top of the back cover of a paperback book, but can also be clipped to pages within a book.
The invention may be embodied in a large number of ways, and in relation to each of the embodiments described below the bookmark may be formed by cutting and punching from a laminar substrate, such as plastic sheet material. The cutting can be performed by die cutting or laser cutting. Other methods of manufacture may also be used, such as injection molding.
a pair of clip parts 21 adapted to clip over the back cover of a book such that a first clip part 41a of said pair is located to the front of the back cover and a second clip part 41b of the pair is located to the back of the back cover, the pair of clip parts 21 defining a clipping plane corresponding to a plane of the back cover of the book when the back cover is clipped between said clip parts 41a, 41b;
abutment means 23; and
a releasable page holder,
the abutment means being arranged to define at least one abutment area 24 in which the abutment means are adapted to abut against a book part, the at least one abutment area 24 defining a line of abutment 25 along which the book part is to be aligned when the book part is abutted against the abutment means 23, the abutment line having a first side 27a and a second side 27b, the clip parts being arranged on the first side of the line of abutment 25, and
the releasable page holder comprising a flexible element in the form of a flexible arm 29 and a page retaining element 31, the flexible arm 29 being arranged on the second side 27b of the line of abutment and the page retaining element 31 being arranged on the first 27a side of the line of abutment, the flexible arm 29 including an inner edge 33a, which is relatively close to the line of abutment 25, and an outer edge 33b, which is relatively far from the line of abutment 25, the flexible arm 31 being attached, at a first end 35a, to the bookmark and, at the second end 35b, to the page retaining element 31, the second end 35b of the flexible arm being movable with respect to the first end 35a by means of flexing of the flexible arm 31, wherein the first and second ends of the flexible arm are separated with respect to each other along the line of abutment by an end separation distance 37 of at least 1 cm,
the flexible arm 29 having an average width, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment 25 and parallel to said clipping plane, averaged along the length of the end separation distance, of at least 3 mm, and
the first and second clip parts 41a, 41b each having lengths 42a, 42b, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment 25 and parallel to said clipping plane, which are greater than a maximum separation 30 between the inner edge 33a of the flexible arm and the line of abutment 25.
The first and second clip parts 41a, 41b are each laminar elements. Each have lengths measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and parallel to said clipping plane, which are greater than at least twice the maximum separation between the inner edge of the flexible arm and the line of abutment 25. The first and second clip parts 41a, 41b preferably each have lengths of at least 2 cm, while the maximum separation 30 between the inner edge of the flexible arm and the line of abutment is preferably less than 2 cm. In a particularly advantageous arrangement the first and second clip parts 41a, 41b preferably each have lengths of at least 3 cm, while the maximum separation 30 between the inner edge of the flexible arm and the line of abutment is preferably less than 1.5 cm. By arranging the first and second clip parts 41a, 41b to have lengths of at least 3 cm, there is provided an arrangement in which the clip parts can carry magnets which may each have a width, measured along these lengths, of at least 1 cm, and in which the magnets can each be spaced away from the hinge, thereby avoiding strain on the hinge. More preferably, each of the first and second clip parts 41a, 41b preferably each have lengths of at least 4 cm, although a length of at least 2 cm each may be practicable.
Preferably the first clip part 41a has a greater length than the second clip part 41b —this provides an arrangement wherein the clip may be readily manually opened—namely the magnetic clip may be readily opened by placing a finger or thumb against the first clip part 41a, and engaging end of the second clip part 41b with the finger or thumb, a user can readily open the clip. In this arrangement, the first clip part 41a preferably has a length of at least 4.5 cm, more preferably at least 6 cm, whist the second clip part preferably has a length of at least 3 cm, more preferably at least 4 cm. In this arrangement, the difference between the lengths of the first and second clip parts 41a, 41b, the first clip part 41a being greater in length than the second clip part 41b, is preferably at least 0.5 cm, and more preferably at least 2 cm.
In these arrangements, the magnets are preferably spaced at least 1 cm away from the hinge.
In preferred arrangements the length of the first end 35a is less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 2 cm, while the length of the second end 35b is preferably less than 1.5 cm, more preferably less than 1 cm.
As can be seen from
The flexible arm 29 has an average width, measured perpendicular to the line of abutment and parallel to said clipping plane, and averaged along the extent of said end separation distance, of at least 0.3 cm.
For example, in other embodiments the thickness of the flexible arm 29 varies along its length between the first and second ends 35a, 35b such that the width of the flexible arm (measured perpendicular to the line of abutment 25), where it meets the first end 35a, is approximately 1.5 cm; the width of the flexible arm at the point of maximum separation of the inner edge 33a of the flexible arm from the line of abutment 25 (approximately the middle of the flexible arm) is approximately 0.9 cm; the minimum width of the flexible arm 29 from the line of abutment 25 (some distance from the middle of the flexible arm toward the second end 35b of the flexible arm) is approximately 0.7 cm; while the width of the flexible arm (measured perpendicular to the line of abutment 25), where it meets the second end 35b, is approximately 1.0 cm. As a result the average width of the flexible arm, averaged along the line of abutment, is therefore more than 0.7 cm, and is in fact, in this embodiment, more than 1 cm (and less than 1.2 cm)—in particular approximately 1.1 cm.
In most embodiments of the invention (other than that shown in
Note that the predefined line of abutment 25 is consistently denoted in the Figures for various different embodiments by a dotted line A-A. The line of abutment is defined by an abutment area 24, or one or more abutting edges, in each case. In different embodiments of the invention such edges, or area, are embodied as a side edge of the abutment means and/or a lower surface of the arm and/or a hinge part. By means of such abutting edges, or abutment area 24, correct positioning can be achieved simply by positioning with respect to the top 7 of a page or the book cover.
In arrangements in which the line of abutment is defined by an abutment area, comprising a hinge part, the hinge part can be embodied either as a single part, arranged one or another side of the releasable page holder or indeed either side of the releasable page holder. In these arrangements the book cover clip can include a pair of magnetic elements, which, as will be described in detail below are adapted to clip over a book cover; the magnetic elements provide a means of fixedly and releasably attaching the bookmark to the book cover and relieve the need for the bookmark to be located against the spine of the book in order to perform correct positioning. Such arrangements are shown in
In arrangements in which the line of abutment 25 is defined by abutting edges, there are at least two abutting edges, which provide accurate locating ability—with two such edges it is possible to accurately locate the bookmark in a predefined preferred position without needing to perform further positioning steps. More preferably, the at least two abutting edges include two laterally separated and substantially parallel edges located towards the top of an anchor portion of the bookmark—in which case it will not be necessary to push the bookmark into the spine of the book in order to perform correct positioning (although this can assist in correct positioning and keeping the correct position). Such an arrangement is shown in
Referring back to
In subsequent figures the abutment means 23 is shown as a single line; however, it is to be understood that in any of the embodiments having a hinge part as the abutment means, this part can be embodied as a single crease or as a double crease, per
Each of one of the pair of clip parts 21 can be considered to be one of the front 41a or rear 41b flaps, which are both arranged to one side of the flexible arm 29 when the bookmark 10a is in the folded position. In the arrangements shown in
As regards the width of the flexible arm 29 in relation to the second embodiment shown in
It will be appreciated from
Turning to
As regards the width of the flexible arm 29 in relation to the third embodiment shown in
As mentioned briefly above, in particularly preferred embodiments, and indeed shown in each of
In the foregoing embodiments the bookmark 10a, 10b, 10c is preferably formed from a single-sheet cut and folded blank to which the magnetic elements have been applied. More specifically, in one arrangement the clip parts 21 and flexible arm 29 can be unitarily formed from a single cut-and-folded sheet material blank. That the bookmark can be formed from a single-sheet in each embodiment is evident from the plan views shown in
Referring to
Operation of a bookmark according to the afore-described embodiments of the invention will now be described. In use, the page retaining edge 32a contacts the page currently being read or marked, thus retaining the page in the back of the book. When the current page is turned the page retaining element 31 and the arm 29 are lifted up by the action of turning the page, and the arm 29 twists, so that the page retaining edge 32a is disengaged with the page, allowing the page to turn. The page retaining element 31 then springs back to the proceeding page, where the page retaining edge 32a engages with the page.
Thus the page retaining element 31 can remain in the book whilst the book is being read, and, since it automatically engages with successive pages during reading of the book, the page retaining element 31 does not need removing from the book either during reading or when the user has finished reading and wishes to close the book. When the bookmark is formed from a flexible material, the page retaining element 31 is effectively biased towards the plane of the abutment means 23 when it is pushed out of the plane. The automatic page following functionality results, at least in part, from the magnitude of the biasing force between the abutment means 23 and the page retaining element 31. The appropriate flexibility is provided at least in part by the arm 29 being wider, on average, than the page retaining element 31.
On the other hand, the arm 29 has flexibility which is sufficient to ensure that the page retaining element 31 does not damage a page in an average paperback book when the page is turned, and the retained edge of the page is moved from the back of the book towards the front of the book, when the bookmark is correctly positioned.
A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
a, 11b and 11c show the bookmark 10e of
When the bookmark is located in the preferred configuration in the book the x axis is parallel to the top surface of the page 5. The rotation about the x axis tends to rotate the top edge of the arm 29 towards the back cover of the book, causing the page retaining element 31 to point towards upwards. When the bookmark 10e is located in the preferred configuration in the book the y axis is parallel to the spine 3 of the book. The rotation about the y axis tends to rotate the free end of the arm 29 away from the back cover of the book. The component of the force tending to twist the arm 29 towards the top of the pages, i.e. causing the rotation about the x axis, causes the page retaining edge 32a of the page retaining element 31 to lift up from the surface of the page it is marking by an angle φ, as shown in
By having the turning of a page causing the arm to twist in order to tilt the page retaining element thereby to release the current page, a function is achieved which has many competing requirements—e.g. on the one hand the page retaining element should retain the page during reading, but release the page when a page is turned. Further, the page retaining element should ideally not tear or otherwise harm the page during reading—when a single page is being used to lift the page retaining element from the back of the book—if the tension is too great, the page will easily tear.
The embodiments of
In order to consider the rotation of the page retaining element 31 of the bookmark in more detail a discussion of the operation of the page retaining element 31 shown in
As the book is read and the pages are turned successively, the half of the book being held by the page retaining element 31 has successively fewer pages as shown in
When the end of the book is reached the arm 29 will be virtually flat, and the bookmark will have substantially the planar shape shown in
In addition to a page-engaging, or page retaining, edge 32a, the page retaining element 31 comprises a force-receiving edge 32b disposed opposite the page retaining edge 32a. The page retaining element 31
The distance d1 is the minimum vertical distance between the line of abutment 25 (line A-A) and the maximum height of the inner edge 33a of the arm. Preferably the distance d1 is at least 3 mm—and less than 2 cm—most preferably between 5 mm and 1.5 cm. This provides additional leverage to enhance the releasing operation of the page retaining element when the page retaining element to be moved by the retained edge of the current page away from the back of the book towards the front of the book. Such movement of the page retaining element 31 causes the arm 29 to twist in order to tilt the page retaining element 31 and thereby to release the current page and then, in response to reposition the page retaining element 31 on the next page; increased height of the highest point of the lower edge of the arm increases the twisting force on the arm.
The distance d2 is the minimum vertical distance between the line of abutment 25 (line A-A) and the maximum height of the outer edge 33b of the arm. Preferably the distance d2 is less than 5 cm—most preferably less than 2.5 cm. Increasing the distance d3 between the top of the arm 29 and the top of the page has the effect of increasing the moment which can be imparted to the arm 29 by the action of turning the page. How much the arm is twisted by a given moment depends on the stiffness of the arm. This is affected by the width of the arm. Hence, by altering the width of the arm the effect that the moment has on the arm can be altered, and increasing the distance d1 will have the effect of weakening the arm, so that it may be twisted more easily by turning a page. However, if the arm 29 becomes too thin the page retaining element will not retain the page correctly, since the arm will not bias the page retaining element into the plane of the abutment means 23 sufficiently. The distance d3, being the distance between the line of abutment 25 and the bottom of the rear flap 41b (line D-D), is preferably less than 9 cm and most preferably less than 6 cm, but in any event greater than 2 cm. The distance is selected so as to limit the extent to which the flap 41b covers the book part when the bookmark 10a-10e clips over the back of the book.
In this embodiment the bookmark also includes, in addition to the abutment means, an alignment edge 49 (which may in alternative embodiments be a marking or other delineation) which provides a guide allowing the user to correctly position the bookmark with respect to the top edge of the book cover or a page, or set of pages of the book), or allowing the user to correctly position the bookmark with respect to the bottom edge of the book cover or a page, or set of pages of the book. Correct positioning is achieved when the alignment edge 49 and the top, or bottom, edge of the book cover are substantially parallel. The alignment edge 49 and the abutment means 23 are in this embodiment arranged substantially perpendicular to one another so at to be positioned against, or in relation to, the respective free side edge and a respective top edge or bottom edge of a book part.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
Note that the above embodiments are exemplary only. In a preferred embodiment, the material is polypropylene. However, bookmarks according to different embodiments of the invention can be fabricated out of any flexible material. Examples include plastic, metal, and card.
In preferred embodiments, the bookmark is cut from sheet material. For example, the bookmark may be die cut or laser cut. An advantage of cutting from sheet material is that it is inexpensive; hence any design which allows for cutting as a unitary element from sheet material will have significant cost advantages. Furthermore, the sheet material is preferably printed with graphics before being cut.
Where the marker is formed from cut sheet material, the thickness of the material is preferably less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1.2 mm. Where the material is plastic, the sheet material preferably has a thickness of more than 0.3 mm, since any less thickness is likely to be insufficiently rigid to provide for an adequate automated bookmark function. A thickness of between 0.4 mm and 1 mm is preferred, most preferably a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm.
In some preferred embodiments, the material of at least the page retaining element is at least partially transparent so as to reduce obscuration of any part of the retained page during reading thereof. In an envisaged embodiment, the page retaining element may be more transparent than other parts of the bookmark, thereby providing the above advantage whilst allowing the remainder to carry relatively opaque graphics and coloring.
The Figures show bookmarks for use in left-to-right reading books. The bookmarks according to embodiments of the present invention would work for books which are intended to be read right-to-left, if they were a mirror image of those shown in the foregoing figures, and inserted in the back of the book with the page retaining element extending to the left of the spine when the book was being read.
Since the arm is formed of a material such as plastic, which may lack the longevity of other materials such as metal, it is important for robustness, particularly given that with some books there will be a large amount of pages to be gripped and in that case a large degree of flexing in the arm, not to concentrate stress in one part of the arm. Hence the width of the laterally-extending part, i.e. that part between the upwardly-extending part above the attachment point and the downwardly-extending part forming the page retaining element, should preferably not vary significantly—preferably this variation is less than a ratio of 4:1 at any point along the flexible arm, more preferably the variation is less than 2:1.
Furthermore, the average width of the arm is preferably greater than the average width of the page retaining element. Again, with a material such as plastic, particularly relatively thin plastic, this assists with longevity as it increases the robustness of the arm where it is needed, particularly when the arm is flexed considerably.
In alternative embodiments, the marker may include one or more non-laminar features, for example, a non-planar clip which is used to attach the marker to the book in its correct position. Further, whilst in the above embodiments, the marker is formed of just one element, it is possible that the marker could be made from two or more elements connected together; e.g. one laminar element may be used as the abutment means whilst another laminar element may include the arm and page retaining element; and/or the arm and page retaining element may be formed of separate laminar elements which are attached to each other. Where the arm and page retaining element are be formed of separate laminar elements are attached together, they are preferably solidly connected, for example by means of adhesive bonding or heat bonding. However, where the arm and the abutment means are formed of separate elements they may they are preferably solidly connected, for example by means of adhesive bonding or heat bonding, but alternatively may be connected together by other attachment methods, such as snap-fitting and/or interlocking engagement. The page retaining element of the releasable page holder may be free, i.e. unattached to anything other than the flexible element of the releasable page holder, or may be attached to a further element, for example a further flexible element.
Note in relation to the above that the main body of the bookmark, referred to above in the folded embodiments of bookmark as clip part 41a, which is typically inserted between the back page of the book and the back cover of the book, is often referred to as a clip part 41a—however it should be understood that this laminar element 41a may have various functions, as described, and the magnets may be, as described, applied to this laminar element to form a clip. The laminar element also provides other functions, including the function of providing support, and attachments means, for first end of the flexible arm, and holding the first end of the flexible arm in place when the laminar element is held between the back page of the book and the back cover of the book.
It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and the invention extends to modifications, variations and improvements thereto, and that any features described of the different embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention. In particular, whilst embodiments of the invention have been described in relation to paperback books, a bookmark according to an embodiment of the invention can be utilized in hardback books: in use, the pair of clip parts 21 would most conveniently be located either side of a set of one or more pages, preferably selected from pages located towards the back of the book. In this way the bookmark, or more specifically the line of abutment 25, is aligned with the top, or bottom, of the pages of the book, enabling the bookmark to operate as described above.
Note that the features, dimensions, operating modes and other characteristics described or shown in the Figures in relation to any embodiment described above should be understood also to apply in relation to other embodiments, unless they are clearly incompatible due to a difference in features, dimensions, operating modes which is otherwise described or shown in the Figures. It should be further understood that measurements, both absolute and relative, can be taken from the figures, to provide additional information about the features described above in relation to the embodiments of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0904961.0 | Mar 2009 | GB | national |
| 0906655.6 | Apr 2009 | GB | national |
| 0919911.8 | Nov 2009 | GB | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2010/053788 | Mar 2010 | US |
| Child | 13239686 | US |
