Mirror-based reading device

Abstract

A reading apparatus for assisting a person to read or view reading material, including from a lying down position, with the reading apparatus including in a lying down position. The reading apparatus comprises: an optical system including a tray for supporting the reading material, a reflecting mirror and an imaging mirror, said tray, said reflecting mirror and said imaging mirror being mechanically intercoupled in a manner that enables them to be positioned at predetermined, respective angles relative to each other, to enable the reading material located on said tray to be viewed by viewing an image formed by said imaging mirror. A support is configured to enable the optical system to be positioned in front of the person. The tray, the reflecting mirror and the imaging mirror can be folded onto each other.

Claims

1. A reading apparatus for assisting a person to read or view a reading material, including in a lying down position, the reading apparatus comprising: an optical system including a tray for supporting the reading material, a reflecting mirror and an imaging mirror, said tray, said reflecting mirror and said imaging mirror being mechanically intercoupled in a manner that enables them to be positioned at predetermined, respective angles relative to each other, so as to enable an image of the reading material located on said tray to be reflected by said reflecting mirror onto said imaging mirror, to cause a viewable image to be formed by said imaging mirror; said reflecting mirror having a rear surface, and said reflecting mirror being so located relative to said imaging mirror that the viewable image created by said imaging mirror must pass through a front surface and through said rear surface of said reflecting mirror to reach the eyes of said person; a support that is configured to enable the optical system to be positioned in front of the person; and wherein said tray, said reflecting mirror and said imaging mirror can be folded relative to each other.

2. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said tray, said reflecting mirror and said imaging mirror lies in its respective plane in an operative position of the optical system and said planes intersect one another.

3. The reading apparatus of claim 2, wherein the planes intersect at acute angles.

4. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflecting mirror is located in front of the imaging mirror relative to the person and the viewable image formed on the imaging mirror is viewable through the reflecting mirror.

5. The reading apparatus of claim 4, wherein the reflecting mirror is a two-way mirror.

6. The reading apparatus of claim 1, further including a lighting system located in a space defined between the tray, the reflecting mirror, and the imaging mirror.

7. The reading apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lighting system is located on a support that enables the lighting system to be moved to illuminate an area outside of said space.

8. The reading apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lighting system comprises battery operated LED lamps.

9. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging mirror is a magnifying mirror.

10. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray, the reflecting mirror and the imaging mirror are foldable into a table with a top surface which is defined on a support which holds the imaging mirror.

11. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging mirror is a convex mirror.

12. The reading apparatus of claim 1, further including a tabletop located adjacent the optical system.

13. The reading apparatus of claim 12, wherein the optical system is foldable to form an additional tabletop which is co extensive with the tabletop.

14. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support is configured as a hospital table cart.

15. The reading apparatus of claim 14, wherein the hospital table cart support comprises a base, an upright and a horizontally extending upper support.

16. The reading apparatus of claim 15, wherein the optical system is supported on the upper support on a sliding mechanism.

17. The reading apparatus of claim 15, wherein the optical system is rotatably supported on the upper support.

18. The reading apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base is supported on wheels.

19. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reading apparatus is usable as a general purpose tabletop.

20. The reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical system is foldable to cause the reading apparatus to assume the configuration of a lectern.

21. The reading apparatus of claim 1, further including a shade located to block ambient light from shining on the rear surface of the reflecting mirror.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a basic setting for reading in the lying position.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the invention in use.

(3) FIG. 3 is a back view of the invention and of the connection between the stand and the optics box.

(4) FIG. 4 explains a concept of the invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the optics box.

(6) FIG. 6 is a view of the invention adjusted for the reading in a semi-sitting position.

(7) FIG. 7 is a view of the invention adjusted for the reading in a sitting position or as a makeup mirror.

(8) FIG. 8 is a view of the invention folded down completely, as over a bed table.

(9) FIG. 9 is a view of the invention adjusted for use as a lectern.

(10) FIG. 10 shows angular relationships between components of the invention.

(11) Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(12) As shown in FIG. 1, when the person 4 is confined to a bed 3 this invention assists in book reading and general object viewing. The main device consists of a stand 2 and optics box 1.

(13) Referring to FIG. 2, the stand 2 has four wheels 203 that allow easy maneuvering. For improved stability, wheels 203 are attached to four legs 202, which are attached to a horizontal support bar 204. By pressing snap button 215 (FIG. 3), legs 202 can be rotated around pin 214 (FIG. 3) and folded next to a horizontal bar 204, so the whole device will take less room when not in use. Vertical pole 201 is attached to a horizontal support bar 204 as well. On the vertical pole 201 is mounted an L shaped cantilever 207 which allows height adjustments. Vertical adjustments are assisted by the gas spring 205 which is activated by pressing the release button 206. Gas spring 205 is sized in such way that the user does not feel the weight of the optics box during vertical adjustments. The cantilever 207 has an integrated sliding mechanism 210 (FIG. 3) that allows positioning of the optics box in the horizontal direction.

(14) FIG. 2 also shows a coffee table 209 with its support 208. If needed, support 208 can be detached from the optics box support 211 and attached on the opposite side of the optics box to accommodate for left handed operation.

(15) FIG. 3 shows the back side of the optics box. Here can be seen that the optics box is attached to its support 211 by way of two hinges 114. To be able to adjust an angle of the optics box, there is locking mechanism that comprises a release lever 119 and locking pin 118. A user can adjust this angle from zero (horizontal) to 60. For user convenience, hinges 114 comprise springs 117 loaded to reduce the weight of the optics box. If needed, the optics box can be rotated around its vertical axis 212 and it can be moved on the horizontal slide 210 by pressing the release button 213.

(16) In the cross section of the optics box (FIG. 5) can be seen basic components. Book 101 is placed on the book tray 104. To make sure that book 101 does not fall from book tray 104, book support 113 is added. The support may include a clamp (not shown) to hold the book open at any page. Spring loaded hinges 110 (one on each side of the optics box) holds table 105 in perpendicular position against book tray 104. Table 105 is attached to a book tray 104 by way of hinge 110. Spring 106 (see FIG. 2) installed at the hinge 110 acts as a counterbalance for the table 105. The locking mechanism 112 holds table 105 with concave mirror 103 in the fixed position against tray 104. Two way mirror 102 is mounted in the frame 109 which is attached to a table 105, by two spring loaded hinges 111. Torsion springs 111 (one on each side of the optics box) are used to hold the two way mirror frame 109 at the right position. Two LED spotlights 108 are installed inside the optics box, one on each side of the box. Spot lights 108 are adjusted in such a way that they illuminate the book 101. Since LED spotlights 108 are mounted on the rotatable supports 115 (FIG. 2), the user can use the same optics box lights as a makeup mirror (see FIG. 7). To make reading more enjoyable, shade 116 is installed. This shade 116 will reduce the glare of the bright light in the room.

(17) FIG. 4 also illustrates the concept behind this invention. The book 101 is reflected in the two-way mirror 102. From the two-way mirror 102 the image is reflected and magnified by the concave mirror 103. Since the interior of the optics box is brighter than the exterior, user 4 is able to see through the two-way mirror 102 and is able to see the reflection provided by the concave mirror 103. Concave mirror 103 has a magnification large enough for the user to see the book 101 slightly enlarged. Distances and angles between book 101 and the concave mirror 103, and concave mirror 103 and two-way mirror 102 are adjusted so that user 4 can see the entire page(s) of the book 101. Note that each of the book platform, the mirror 102 and the mirror 103 lies in its respective main plane and that these planes, if extended, intersect, preferably at acute angles.

(18) If user 4 wants to read in a semi-sitting position, the stand 2 can be adjusted by height to accommodate this position. Optics box 1 can be adjusted by angle as needed.

(19) Referring to FIG. 7, if the user 4 wants to read a book in a sitting position (or if one wants to use the mirror for makeup), two-way mirror frame 109 is folded in (closed) and the LED spotlights 108 are turned out on their rotatable supports 115. Because the lights are outside the optics box 1, two-way mirror 102 acts like a regular mirror.

(20) As shown in the FIG. 8, when completely closed, the optics box 1 can be used as an over-bed table. User 4 can adjust the table angle. It is possible to adjust the height of the stand 2 as needed. The optic box 1 can be flush with the side table 209.

(21) Referring to FIG. 9, by adjusting the height of the stand 2 to accommodate the user's height, optics box 1 can be used as a lectern, with the rear side of the table 105 used to support papers and the like.

(22) FIG. 10 shows optional angular and size dimensions (in inches) for the device of the invention.

(23) As can be seen, the patient's hands can easily reach the position of the book to turn pages or to adjust the book on the tray. Reading or viewing of the book or other materials over extended time periods are easily possible, because the book does not have to be supported by hand and the patient does not have to turn on his/her side or lean on his/her arms. Also, the positions of the mirrors and the ledge can preferably be adjusted individually or in tandem in such a way that the leaning position can be adjusted without losing functionality of the system.

Alternate Embodiments and/or Features

(24) The magnifying mirror may have a 2.5 magnification that ensures that reading material is the right size for reading (the user has a feeling that the reading material is closer then it really is).

(25) To ensure that interior of the Box does not get exposed to too much of the ambient light, a black cloth may be provided on both sides of the box. The black cloth may also be placed on the two way mirror to narrow the view so the user can only see the reading material and the tray.

(26) As described above, the purpose of the system is to:

(27) 1Enable and assist an immobile or bedridden or any laying or semi-sitting person to comfortably read and write from a laying or reclining position, and allow for the users to use the book placed in the reading device in both a half-laying (semi-sitting) position and in a fully laying position.

(28) 2Have the book fully within the reach of his/her hands, so he/she can turn a page (thus enabling the user to read and turn the pages by himself).

(29) 3Use one's hands to write a letter while one is in a laying or semi-laying position while having one's hands rest on the tray thus ensuring a more comfortable position while writing.

(30) 4Use an iPad or similar device, and see his/her fingers moving and which buttons he/she is pressing while working.

(31) 5Add additional tray/table space to read/eat while doing any other functions, so the book doesn't get dirty or for any other purpose.

(32) 6Allow for hospital tables to have a built-in reading system as an all-in-one unit (reading, eating, lighting and general table use).

(33) 7Render this product adjusted for the keystone effect.

(34) 8Allow for the person to sit up so he can continue to use the tray while the box is folded away. (The optical device will fold away, and the top surface can be used as a regular table, to eat, read and/or for any other purpose.)

(35) Unlike prism glasses and similar products, the system mirrors herein are sized so that the user sees the tray only and the reading material. (The reason people do not like using those products, is because it has been concluded by various experiments that the user become disoriented while using this system within a matter of seconds/minutes. When looking into the mirror the user will see the entire room behind him upside down. This makes it literally intolerable. The system mirrors herein are sized that the user sees the book only.) The product is designed to be folded away and take up no room at all. Light is built into the device.

(36) Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.