Adjustable reading bookstand

Abstract

A collapsible bookstand which is easily used by individuals with limited or no dexterity in one of the hands/arms. The apparatus includes a spine member defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal section and distal section that may be interconnected by an intermediate section. The distal section defines a first thickness region of attachment for a pair of independently pivotable book trays, while the proximal section defines second regions of attachment for ends of a pair of two member linkages. The thicknesses of the attachment regions and link members permit respective link members to remain in common planes regardless of book tray orientation. Each book tray has a page retention clip having a hand graspable region dimensioned and arranged such that an individual with impaired dexterity may slip one hand underneath each page retention clip without first moving the page retention clip relative to the book tray.

1 . A collapsible bookstand apparatus, comprising:
 a spine member defining a central, longitudinal axis and having a proximal section, and a distal section, said distal section having a first attachment region characterized by a first thickness, and said proximal section having a second attachment region characterized by a second thickness greater than said first thickness;   a first book tray and a second book tray, each of said first and second book trays being pivotably secured to said second attachment region of said central spine member along an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis,
 wherein said first book tray defines a first book support surface and wherein said second book tray defines a second book support surface, and 
 wherein said each respective book tray is dimensioned and arranged for independent angular movement between an orientation in which a corresponding book support surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spine member and a second orientation in which a corresponding book support surface is substantially parallel to and aligned with the longitudinal axis of said spine member; 
   a first two-member linkage, said first two-member linkage having a first link member pivotably secured at one end to said first attachment region of said spine member and a second link member pivotably secured at one end to said first book tray; and   a second two-member linkage, said second two-member linkage having a first link member pivotably secured at one end to said first attachment region of said spine member and a second link member pivotably secured at one end to said second book tray,   wherein each second link member of said first and second two-member linkages is dimensioned and arranged to remain within a first common plane during angular movement of one or both of said first and second book trays are and wherein each first link member of said first and second two-member linkages is dimensioned and arranged to remain within a second common plane substantially parallel to said first common plane during angular movement of one or both of said first and second book trays.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second book trays has a first tray section defining a surface for pivotable attachment of a corresponding two-member linkage and a second tray section defining a surface for supporting a book edge. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each respective first tray section is perpendicular to a corresponding second tray section. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of said first and second book trays further includes a spring-biased page retention clip pivotably secured to a respective first tray section. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each page retention clip defines a page engaging surface separated from a point of pivotable connection to a corresponding said first tray section by a hand graspable region dimensioned and arranged such that an individual with impaired dexterity may slip one hand underneath each page retention clip without first moving the page retention clip relative to the book tray. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including first and second spring-biased page retention clips pivotably secured to said first and second book trays, respectively. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each page retention clip defines a page engaging surface separated from a point of pivotable connection to a corresponding book tray by a hand graspable region dimensioned and arranged such that an individual with impaired dexterity may slip one hand underneath each page retention clip without first moving the page retention clip relative to the book tray. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including first and second adjustable legs pivotably secured to the distal section of the spine member, said adjustable legs being manipulable into a desired angular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the spine member so as to support a retained book at a desired angular orientation. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second adjustable legs are further manipulable into a folded condition, said adjustable legs being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis while in said folded condition. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein surfaces of said adjustable legs and said book trays define high friction regions to aid in stability while on smooth, planar surfaces. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spine member further defines an intermediate section interconnecting said proximal section and said distal section, said intermediate section having a region characterized by a third thickness greater than said first thickness and less than said second thickness. 
   
   
       12 . A collapsible bookstand apparatus, comprising:
 a spine member defining a central, longitudinal axis and having a proximal section, and a distal section, said distal section having a first attachment region characterized by a first thickness, and said proximal section having a second attachment region characterized by a second thickness greater than said first thickness; and   a first book tray and a second book tray, each of said first and second book trays being pivotably secured to said second attachment region of said central spine member along an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis,
 wherein said first book tray defines a first book support surface and wherein said second book tray defines a second book support surface, and 
 wherein said each respective book tray is dimensioned and arranged for independent angular movement between an orientation in which a corresponding book support surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spine member and a second orientation in which a corresponding book support surface is substantially parallel to and aligned with the longitudinal axis of said spine member. 
   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the spine member further defines an intermediate section interconnecting said proximal section and said distal section, said intermediate section having a region characterized by a third thickness greater than said first thickness and less than said second thickness. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of said first and second book trays further includes a spring-biased page retention clip pivotably secured to a respective book tray. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each page retention clip defines a page engaging surface separated from a point of pivotable connection to a corresponding book tray by a hand graspable region dimensioned and arranged such that an individual with impaired dexterity may slip one hand underneath each page retention clip without first moving the page retention clip relative to the book tray. 
   
   
       16 . A collapsible bookstand apparatus, comprising:
 a spine member defining a central, longitudinal axis and a first attachment region;   a first book tray and a second book tray, each of said first and second book trays being pivotably secured to said first attachment region of said central spine member along an axis transverse to said longitudinal axis,
 wherein said first book tray defines a first book support surface and wherein said second book tray defines a second book support surface, a spring-biased page retention clip being pivotably secured to each of said first and second book trays; 
 wherein said each respective book tray is dimensioned and arranged for independent angular movement between an orientation in which a corresponding book support surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spine member and a second orientation in which a corresponding book support surface is substantially parallel to and aligned with the longitudinal axis of said spine member; and 
 wherein each page retention clip defines a page engaging surface separated from a point of pivotable connection to a corresponding book tray by a hand graspable region dimensioned and arranged such that an individual with impaired dexterity may slip one hand underneath each page retention clip without first moving the page retention clip relative to the book tray. 
   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further including first and second adjustable legs pivotably secured to the spine member, said adjustable legs being manipulable into a desired angular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the spine member so as to support a retained book at a desired angular orientation.