The present invention pertains to reading and content viewing, and more particularly to a cushioning platform for supporting hand-held print media and electronic devices resting on the body of a user.
Many people read a book or other print media (hereafter “book”) or look at a tablet or laptop computer, e-reader, mobile telephone, or similar electronic device (hereafter “device”) while reclining, for example while relaxing on a sofa, or in bed before falling asleep. The people often lay on their back, hold or support the book or device with their hands, and rest the book or device on their body, for example on their chest or stomach. In this situation, two issues may arise. The combined weight of the person's hands and the book or device is focused on the bottom edge of the book cover and spine, or on the device's narrow edge, potentially causing discomfort, particularly over time.
A second problem may arise if the person rests the book or device on their clothes, a blanket, or a pillow or other soft object. In these instances, the book or device can sink into the person's clothes, blanket, or soft object, and the clothes, blanket or soft object can interfere with page turning, or it can obscure the bottom of the device screen and hamper use of the home button.
Accordingly, there is a need for a cushioning platform (hereafter “platform”) that can be placed between the user's book or device and the user's body and on top of any clothes, blanket or soft object. The platform distributes the weight of the hands and book or device over a larger area, reducing discomfort, and the platform places the bottom of the book or device above the clothes, blanket or soft object and so facilitates page turning, viewing the bottom of the device screen and access to and use of the home button.
The present invention is a semi-rigid planar cushioning platform to be used by people who read a book or look at a device while reclining. The user places the platform on their body and on top of any clothes, blanket or soft object, and the book or device rests on the platform. The user maintains the book or device in the desired position with their hands.
The platform is not designed or intended to support a book or device by itself. This allows the user to hold their book or device in any position that is comfortable for them while resting the book or device on the platform. The platform takes the combined weight of the user's hands and their book or device and distributes it over an area that is larger than the bottom edge of their book or device, and so decreases any discomfort associated with that focused weight. The platform is semi-rigid, allowing it to substantially conform to moderately irregular surfaces and so distribute weight over a larger supported area to maximize comfort.
The top surface of the platform has a friction-enhancing property to reduce the likelihood that the bottom edge of the book or device will slip while resting on the platform. The bottom surface also has a friction-enhancing property to help reduce the likelihood that the platform will slip while in use. The bottom surface is also skin-friendly, allowing the user to place the platform on bare skin.
The platform also locates the bottom of the book or device above the user's clothing, blanket or soft object so book pages turn easily, the device screen is not obscured, and the device home button is visible and readily accessible.
The platform's planar top surface allows it to be used with books and devices of varying sizes, including those whose width exceeds that of the platform such that the ends of the book or device overhang the ends of the platform.
The platform is relatively small, thin and lightweight, making it easy to transport and store. The platform will easily fit in most backpacks, messenger and computer bags, handbags, briefcases, totes, and other common means of transporting books and personal devices.
In one aspect of the disclosure, the platform has a semi-rigid planar body comprising a skin-friendly material, the top and bottom surfaces of which possesses friction-enhancing properties.
In another aspect of the disclosure, the platform comprises a semi-rigid top member, the top surface of which possesses friction-enhancing properties. The top member is adhered or otherwise suitably attached to a lower member possessing cushioning properties, the bottom surface of which is skin-friendly and possesses friction-enhancing properties.
In another aspect of the disclosure, the platform has a semi-rigid planar body comprising a top member, the top surface of which possesses friction-enhancing properties, a bottom member, the bottom surface of which is skin-friendly with friction-enhancing properties, and a thin, semi-rigid stiffening insert that is disposed between the top and bottom members. The stiffening insert is adhered or otherwise suitably attached to the top and bottom members, which are further attached together around the periphery by adhesive and/or stitching with thread, or other suitable means.
Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the platform. By way of example and not limitation, the corners need not be radius shaped. A loop to hold a writing instrument or a device stylus might be added to one edge of the platform. The bottom surface of the platform may be textured or shaped to aid ventilation.
The following description provides numerous specific details for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the embodiments. The description is not intended to be limiting and should not be construed in a limiting sense.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/825,280 filed Mar. 28, 2019 by the present inventor.
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210298469 A1 | Sep 2021 | US |