BOOKSTAND FOR AN eREADER

Abstract

A bookstand for an eReader including a center support and a plurality of manipulatable supports coupled to the center support. The plurality of manipulable supports being moveable between at least a first storage position and a second open position for supporting the eReader in a reading position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 180,414, filed May 21, 2009, and entitled “BOOKSTAND FOR AN eREADER”, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 251,295, filed Oct. 14, 2009, and entitled “BOOKSTAND FOR AN eREADER”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed toward a bookstand for an eReader, and more specifically, to a flexible tripod bookstand for an eReader, and more particularly, to a flexible bookstand having a plurality of manipulatable supports for supporting an eReader in an upright or angled position.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Recently, eReaders such as electronic books have become increasingly popular. Such eReaders include a display for displaying the contents of an electronic book. Since the eReader is substantially flat, the user commonly either lays the eReade...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention provides a bookstand that is lightweight, flexible, and compact and that easily and conveniently can be collapsed and stored or transported by the user. The bookstand can provide a stable and secure base for physically holding the eReader in a position that provides optimal visibility for the user. An exemplary embodiment of the bookstand can provide for variable positioning of the eReader, for example, in an upright position or at an infinite number of angled positions with respect to a supporting surface. The embodiments of the bookstand relieve the user from holding the eReader while reading, thereby reducing fatigue on the user and providing a more enjoyable reading experience. The user also can easily stop and start reading without having to pick up or put down the eReader.

[0008]The exemplary embodiments provide further advantages in that the eReader can be positioned on surfaces other than flat or horizontal surfaces, as well as surfaces of various materials and rigidity, by flexing or manipulating the position of the flexible supports (e.g., arm portions and / or leg portions).

[0018]One or more of the grips can be molded from a rubber material or other tacky material to provide a tacky grip. One or more of the grips can include one or more gripping features, such as beads, grooves, ribs, dimples, etc. to improve a gripping action on the mounting surface or on a surface of the eReader, such as the bottom edge of the eReader.

Problems solved by technology

Laying the eReader on a surface, such as a desk or table, may cause the user to look downward for long periods of time, which may lead to fatigue on the user's eyes, neck, etc.

Alternatively, if the user manually holds the eReader in front of the user to position the eReader for optimal visibility for the user, the user may become fatigued from holding the eReader in the desired position, thereby reducing the enjoyment of the reading experience.

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