[0001] This application for a patent refers to an automatic marker for books, agendas and
the like, appropriate for signalling and provide an easy access to the last page read
in a book or written in an agenda, the special construction, shape and design characteristics
thereof meeting the function for which it has specifically been designed, with maximum
safety and effectiveness.
[0002] The most traditional example of a marker used since ancient times is the classic
strip or cord attached to the book by one end and which is manually placed in the
page of interest to be signalled.
[0003] A system used in some agendas comprises the cut of a little part of a corner, already
marked, of the current page. In this manner all the used pages lack of said paper
portion while the unused ones remain complete thus facilitating to find the current
page in a next use.
[0004] A clamp, a clip or a bit of paper, optionally self-adhesive protruding from a page
edge are, in the largest part of the cases, the practical solutions which are adopted
to solve the problem.
[0005] All the mentioned methods are of a limit efficacy as being dependent of a voluntary
initiative of the book's reader, who in many occasions forgot to change the position
of the marker before closing the book or agenda, this being practically unavoidable
in situations analogous to the one of reading a novel in a subway or bus and it arrives
the moment to step down.
[0006] German Patent DE-A-29 31 263 discloses an automatic marker for books, having a simple
construction, basically including three operating parts: a banderole-like indicator
segment, a flexing arm and a clamp-shaped fixing element, considering the possibility
of being made as a synthetic, metal or cardboard sheet as well as a wire single part.
However said marker has following drawbacks:
- as the assembly is not compact (protruding signalling and fixing end parts and body:
weak intermediate arm) this marker can offer serious difficulties for its packing,
carriage and handling, the arm being easily impaired;
- fixing means are not workable at a profitable economic cost, because the clamp is
not suitably locked or is very expensive and an alternative solution by means of adhesive
rises fabrication cost and, in general, hinders marker correct positioning;
- the limited performances of the flexing arm entailing that if the tab remains fixed
between two pages, the arm is damaged or impaired or the marker skips;
[0007] With the marker disclosed in said patent DE-A-29 31 263, it is advised, for a correct
operation that the marker arm length being the same as the sheet width, because it
is mainly based on the capability a sheet has to bend under the marker arm pressure,
without considering flexing matched with torsion and slippage characteristics which
are included in this invention as stated below. This marker for books therefore has
drawbacks for adapting itself to the book size and significant deficiencies for working
conditions. To overcome the former, in another of the preferred embodiments of this
marker, an extensible arm type is mentioned which is formed by two parts which can
move with respect to each other and which facilitates through this movement the arm
length adjustment, which, however increases the fabrication cost. On the other hand,
it is to be pointed out that no sufficient working surface is available for advertising
purposes. For all the above, said marker could sustain deformations when someone is
glancing through the book from the sheets further to the one bearing the marker or
easily skip it.
[0008] Other embodiments of markers for books or the like, more complex and in general of
a more complicated handling and higher cost, or having lower performances than those
of the marker of this invention are disclosed in following patents: US-A-4793632,
US-A-4869529, US-A-4941684, US-A-5286060, EP-A-0061355, EP-A-0338733, NL-8801567 and
SE-9301681.
[0009] With the invention disclosed herein the usual problem of changing the marker is very
effectively overcame, because this operation is automatically carried out when the
user turns the sheet. At same time, a very simple material embodiment of the invention
is disclosed which as well from the point of view of use as of fabrication, as it
can be made of paper, it can be stacked for its packing and it allows it to be retractile
for its carriage. All of it make the commercial workability of this innovation.
[0010] On the other hand, the disclosed invention results optimally compatible with an advertising
support as it offers sufficient visible surface, providing so the innovation with
double interest and usefulness.
[0011] The automatic marker for books, agendas and the like, object of this invention, can
be described as constituted by three differentiated parts from the functional aspect:
at one end an indicator segment is shaped which is located inwards the current sheet
by one of its edges, provided with sliding properties with respect to the sheet edge.
On the other end there is a fixing element which is placed against one of the covers,
sheets or back of the book close to an edge and which is basically formed in the preferred
embodiment by a surface which acts as a support, its vertical edge distal from the
indicator marker being supported between the sheets of the book against the binding,
remaining fixed by the sheets pressure and the binding in a similar way as a conventional
marker of books is fixed. Finally, an union element between both ends provided with
resilient flexing and torsion properties to produce the indicator segment continuous
pressure on the last sheet being read or written, allowing at same time spontaneous
skip to next sheet when turning the current sheet. This element will be thereafter
called flexing arm.
[0012] The three functional parts disclosed will form in the preferred embodiment a whole
integral assembly without welding nor changes of constituting material, i.e., the
automatic marker is constituted by a single part which can be obtained by die-cutting
a plate of a suitable material (plastic, bristol, fiber, plastified paper, etc.) or
by means of plastic injection in a simple and regular mould, in this later case weakening
lines are left. Only in the event book fixing is by adherence, adhesive material would
be a different component to be added.
[0013] According to another characteristic of the invention, the die-cut forming the automatic
marker leaves some small uncut lengths or sections to provide the system with stiffness
in its handling and carriage, the marker user being who manually cut them to definitively
form the marker before its use.
[0014] According to another characteristic of the invention, the die-cut forming the automatic
marker forms at same time, on the fixing element surface, a tab or surface which projects
at the top of the sheet indicating so where the marker fixing element is located,
performing thus as double marker. The cut with the die will be carried out in such
a way that the scraps produced by the cut, with the marker located in the book or
the like, remains folded, with their protruding edges towards the reader.
[0015] According to other characteristics of the invention, the flexing arm comprises, at
the end joined to the supporting element, certain geometrical shapes or cuts facilitating
the flexing path to make possible opening the book from the pages subsequent to the
current one. In a similar way, it can include geometrical shapes or cuts facilitating
the torsion by the end joined to the indicator segment, facilitating the skip from
one sheet to another.
[0016] According to another characteristic of the invention, the fixing element to the book
involves a workable visible surface for advertising, which can be extended up to the
sheet width and length.
[0017] According to another characteristic of the invention, the fixing element to the book
has an extension with workable and visible surface which can be extended up to the
book back allowing that useful indications are engraved as, for example, the title
of the book, the author, a number of order or others.
[0018] According to another characteristic of the invention some or all the surfaces forming
the marker, have a finish in such a way it allows the user handwriting thereon.
[0019] According to another characteristic of the invention, the fixing element to the book
contain a support or clamp for ball point pen or the like.
[0020] According to another characteristic of the invention, the automatic marker indicator
segment comprises an extension which protrudes outwards the book which attempts to
facilitate placing the current sheet and opening the book.
[0021] According to another characteristic of the invention, the automatic marker indicator
segment possess a support, clamp or clip to seize small notes or reminder sheets.
[0022] According to another characteristic of the invention, the automatic marker indicator
segment includes a workable surface for handwriting or inserting advertisements which
will skip from one page to another.
[0023] According to another characteristic of the invention, the automatic marker is die-cut
or fabricated in such a way it forms as a whole a post card, for congratulations or
the like the marker being formed in one of its faces.
[0024] These and other advantages clearly appears from the description below of some embodiment
examples, for illustrative purpose only.
[0025] Figure 1, is a perspective, schematic view, of a first simplified embodiment of the
disclosed marker.
[0026] Figure 2, is a schematic perspective of an alternative embodiment of the marker.
[0027] Figure 3, shows, also in perspective, a preferred embodiment of the marker including
most of the improvements.
[0028] Figure 4, is a schematized perspective of the application to a book of the marker
disclosed where there is no need of adhesive or clamp as fixing means.
[0029] Figure 5, shows in perspective special durability conditions of the marker disclosed,
thanks to flexing and torsion properties of its connection sector with the supporting-fixing
part.
[0030] Figure 6, is another schematized perspective of the application of the marker to
a book cover or page in folded position (inverted lower position) before using it
to pass to a working position when it is used (straight top position). Said marker
can be die-cut on the cover or flap or fixed with adhesive to the book by a part of
its supporting sector.
[0031] Figure 7 is a schematized perspective of the application of the marker to a writing
pad or agenda, by means of a set of markers having different arm lengths.
[0032] Figure 8 shows a congratulation card in which a marker has been formed, providing
the gift with a double value.
[0033] The element indicated with numeral 1 corresponds to what has been mentioned as indicator
segment. This element is approximate rectangular, trapezoid or diamond-shaped, more
o less elongated and it can admit a figure as an arrow or akin and include a printed
message which skips from page to page. The element 1 has advantageously a slight angle
of inclination with respect to the edge of the book, outwards the sheet so as to facilitate
a sliding thereof with the sheet of paper. The indicator segment can constitute an
extension 4 protruding outwards the book with the aim of facilitate to locate the
current page and the aperture of the book. Likewise the indicator segment can include
o build a clamp, clip o adhesive means in order to fix reminder notes (this detail
has not been illustrated in the drawings).
[0034] The numeral 2 corresponds to what has been mentioned as support-fixing element. As
it can be appreciated in Fig. 3 it essentially has a rectangular shape and it may
include, although in general it is unnecessary, a fixing means such as an adhesive
material in one of its faces, while the face o faces which are visible can be used
as a support for an advertising message. By means of extensions of this fixing element,
or through attached fittings it can incorporate other useful elements such as a support
for a ball-point pen, glasses, notes, etc. and also a surface to be marked with some
interesting data such a set number, title, etc. Mentioned fittings are not disclosed
in the drawings.
[0035] Both elements 1 and 2 previously disclosed are connected by an elongated member which
has been beforehand referred as flexing arm 3. Thanks to its bending and torsion properties
the indicator segment remains pressed on the current page and skips to the next page
when manually turning said page. With the aim to ameliorate the action of said element
3, it can be devised with two transversal differentiated sections, a narrow one in
the part 3a adjoining the element 1 which assist in the torsion moment of said part
3a and the part immediate to the element 2 having a wider section in order to resist
the flexion stress. Instead of having two sections of different extent the arm 3 can
entail a similar shape in which the section changes in a continuous way from one end
of great extent, adjacent the fixing element, towards one small section in the part
3a contiguous to the indicator element 1.
[0036] At the end of the flexing arm which connects with the fixing element several geometrical
profiles or cuts 5 and 7 can be provided giving an elbow portion which facilitates
the flexion movement of the automatic marker while providing a feature of torsion-flexion
(see Fig. 5). This elastic feature allows the opening of the book for the pages following
the current one, without causing distortion in the material of the marker. Neither
is the arm 3 damaged as a result of being substantially bent if by an error is pulled
while retained between two pages of the book 10.
[0037] The skip of the pages is in part assisted, thanks to the lower stiffness of a single
page of paper which slightly turn under the pressure of the flexing arm 3 allowing
the skip of the indicator segment 1 to the next page. Another important factor in
the features of the skip is the torsion ability of the flexing arm 3 with regard to
the indicator segment. This torsion ability can be increased and to be controlled
by using geometrical shapes o cuts alike to the referred buy the numerical references
6 and 8 or as it is shown in Fig. 2, through weakening of the flexing arm 3 produced
through holes on said arm. The last meaningful component which contributes to the
page skip conditions is due to the sliding of the indicator segment 1 over the page
edge when one tries to turn said page. Said sliding can be assisted by a particular
angle of inclination of the indicator segment 1 with respect to the page.
[0038] In order to obtain an accurate location of the marker by the user when said marker
is not already included in the book the fixing element can include at its left top
corner a protuberance 9 with link through a step, said step when being supported against
an end or the back or pages of the book allow an alignment and a suitable location
with respect to the edge of the pages, of the assembly arm 3 and marker 1.
[0039] Another form to adapt the marker to the book consist in incorporate the marker to
the book in such a way that the support part 2 of the piece 20 can be folded on itself
and remain the marker folded in the cover of the book 10 when this is in a bookshop
to be marketed and when in use it can be unfolded and placed in a working position
as it is indicated in Fig. 6, so that the marker is incorporated to the book and can
be employed when the user operates it.
[0040] Another alternative embodiment of the automatic marker is the one illustrated in
Fig. 7. In this case a set of several markers having different arm lengths are stepwise
placed in a writing pad 10a in each of the departments thereof in such a way that
said markers also act as classifiers of the different matters.
[0041] Once described in a sufficient way the features of this invention subject, as well
as the way to be put into practice, it is declared that all which does not change,
alter or modify its chief principle, can be submitted to a feasible modifications.
1. Automatic marker for books, agendas and the like, used for signalling last page read/written
by the user, of the type basically constituted by three functionally differentiated
parts: an indicator segment (1) which is introduced inwards the current sheet, by
one of its edges, with a portion which projects from the page to be signalled, provided
with sliding properties with respect to said page edge, a fixing element (2) placed
against one of the covers, pages or back of the whole and a means of union or flexing
arm (3) between said segment (1) and said fixing element, provided with flexing properties
to produce the indicator segment (1) continuous pressure on the sheet which is being
read or written, allowing at same time spontaneous skip to next page when the current
page is turned
CHARACTERIZED in that:
- said three parts (1, 2, 3) are formed from a single piece (20), the indicator segment
(1) and flexing arm (3) parts being obtained by weakening - pre-cut lines separation
or cut, of an area of the piece (20) outline, with at least a fixing point, removable
in the moment of using the marker, the rest of said piece (20) forming the part (2)
or fixing element constituted as a support and its fixing to the assembly may be carried
out intercalating said piece (20) between the pages of the whole sheets, in such a
way that a vertical edge of said piece (20), distal from the indicator segment (1),
is supported against the back of the whole, remaining fixed by the sheets pressure,
a stop reference or member (9) having been provided for a suitable positioning of
its top edge, where it integrates the arm (3) and the indicator segment (1), allowing
its movement.
2. Marker for books, according to claim 1 characterized in that the flexing arm (1) include
at the end joined to the fixing element (3), an elbow shaped portion, with a sector
of said elbow entering in the piece (20) body, delimited by cuts which allow a torsion
(15) (Fig. 5) and increase the extent of the flexing arm (3) possible angular path
without this arm sustains deformations or breakages.
3. Marker for books, according to preceding claim characterized in that the indicator
segment (1) of the automatic marker has a certain angle of inclination with respect
to the arm (3), in such a way that it remains slant oriented, outwards the sheet to
help sliding between both of them, said indicator segment (1) being constituted by
a tab or banderole of different shapes.
4. Marker for books, according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexing arm (3)
possesses at the end sector (3a) which is joined to the indicator segment (1) cuts,
thinings or narrowings which increase the torsion capacity of said sector (3a) when
said indicator segment (1) tilts, facilitating the arm (3) flexion, including namely
at least two sectors of different extent, one close to the indicator segment (1),
having a narrow section and another close to the fixing part (2) having a larger section
which provide strengthness, the variation between both sectors being gradual or continuous,
progressive.
5. Marker for books, according to claim 4, characterized in that the die-cut or weakening
lines forming the automatic marker form at same time on the top edge of the piece
(20) a tab or surface (12) which projects at the top part of the book (10) sheet or
the like, allowing thus to easily locate where is placed the main marker support part
the tab (12) of which can be obtained at the expense of said shorter section of the
end close to the indicator segment (1) of the flexing arm (3), at the die-cut or separation
by weakening lines of the piece (20).
6. Marker for books, according to preceding claims, characterized in that at a top summit
of the part (20) a protuberance (9) has been provided with link through a step which
is supported against the end of the back or set of sheets constituting said stop reference
or member for suitably positioning the top edge of said piece (20) which integrates
the arm (3) and indicator segment (1), in order to allow its movement when turning
the pages.
7. Marker for books, according to preceding claims, characterized in that it is integral
to the book (10) or the like the supporting part (2) of the piece (20) having in an
area far from parts (1 and 3) an horizontal folding line or fold, in such a way that
the marker may be folded outwards the book (10) for its carriage and to be unfolded
outwards when the marker is to be used, parts (1 and 3) may be constituted by simple
die-cut of a flap or page of the book (10) or the like, or to be joined to it through
a part under said folding line or fold fixed on the book (10) with an adhesive.
8. Marker for books, according to preceding claims, characterized in that it has available
a set of several markers having different arm lengths, which are stepwise placed in
a book (10), writing pad, notebook (10a) or the like, at each section thereof, in
such a way that the markers also act as classifiers of the different matters.
9. Method to fabricate an automatic marker for books (10), agendas and the like characterized
in that the three functional parts (1, 2, 3) integrating the marker are formed in
a single piece (20) to provide the system with stiffness in its handling and carriage,
the indicator segment (1) and the flexing arm (3) may be separated by a cut line,
breaking at least one union point between said three parts (1, 2, 3) in the moment
of using the marker, said piece (20) having a regular and simple shape and said division
in three parts (1, 2, 3) is obtained by means of a simple fabrication process such
as die-cutting a flexible material plate, such as plastified paper, bristol, plastic
or the like, of opaque, translucent or transparent character or by the plastic injection
of a suitable material, and in that in the case of die-cut, the cut with the die is
made in such a way that the scraps produced by the cut, with the marker located in
the book (10) or the like, remain folded with their protruding edges towards the user.
10. Method, according to the claim 9, characterized in that the automatic marker is die-cut
or fabricated in a way that the whole forms a postal card, for congratulation, diptych,
triptych or the like (14) the marker remaining formed on one of its faces, the positioning
stop or reference element may be formed of one face or sheet different from the flexing
arm.