Book

• US 5,383,684 A
• Filed: 03/28/1994
• Issued: 01/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerome R. Smath
• Original Assignee: Jerome R. Smath
• Inventors: Smath, Jerome R.
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIDIE JR, WILLMON
• Application Number:
  US08/218,422
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 281/29-31, 281/37-51, 281/21.1, 402/80 R, 402/70, 402/73, 446/147, 446/148, 446/149
• US Class Current: 281/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/38 Picture books with additional toy effects, e.g. pop-up or slide displays picture books B42D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 1/00 Books or other bound products match books A24F27/12; picture books with additional toy effects A63H33/38; indexing features B42F21/00; educational or demonstration appliances G09B, e.g. textbooks for teaching foreign languages G09B19/08

Abstract

By providing a foldable portion in association with the cover of a book with the cover and foldable portion incorporating coordinated indicia thereon, a unique book construction is achieved which provides a readily deployable, enlarged, visually stimulating display associated therewith. Preferably, the foldable portion is mounted or cooperatingly associated with the lower or bottom edge of the cover and incorporates an integrally formed fold line therein. In this way, the cover in combination with the foldable portion establishes an elongated, substantially continuous overall configuration which enables the book to be vertically mounted on a supporting surface with the folded portion extending therefrom. In the preferred arrangement, the book is mounted on a support surface in an up-right, self-standing position, with the folded portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the book cover presenting the visual impression that the book and/or the indicia appearing thereon is physically sitting on the support surface.

Claims

1. A novelty book for providing enhanced interest and excitement, said novelty book comprising

A. a first cover incorporating visually stimulating indicia appearing thereon;

B. a plurality of pages attached to the cover along one edge thereof; and

C. a movable portion

a. pivotally mounted to the first cover along an integrally formed first fold line for pivotal movement relative thereto,

b. incorporating visually stimulating indicia appearing thereon directed to the same subject as the indicia appearing on the cover,

c. movable from a first stowed position to a second displayed position wherein said movable portion is directly associated with the cover to provide an enlarged visual display of a desired subject, and

d. comprising two sections integrally connected to each other and incorporating a second fold line formed between said two sections, with said second fold line being parallel to the first fold line;

whereby a novelty book is attained which incorporates an enlarged, integrated display structure capable of being presented quickly and easily and maintained in a fully displayed configuration with ease for providing added interest and excitement to the book.

2. The novelty book defined in claim 1, wherein said movable portion is further defined as being mounted along the bottom edge of the first cover.

3. The novelty book defined in claim 2, wherein said first cover is further defined as comprising the front cover of the book.

4. The novelty book defined in claim 2, wherein said indicia appearing on the first cover and the movable portion is further defined as comprising one selected from the group consisting of a character, element, and feature contained in the book.

5. The novelty book defined in claim 4, wherein said indicia is further defined as comprising a visual representation of a principal character referred to in the book.

6. The novelty book defined in claim 5, wherein said indicia is further defined as visually representing the principal character depicted from head to toe, with the indicia appearing on the first cover representing the head and upper body portion of the character.

7. The novelty book defined in claim 6, wherein said movable portion is further defined as being constructed for cooperative visual integration with the first cover for enabling the book to be positioned on a supporting surface and provide the visual impression that the character depicted thereon is physically sitting on the supporting surface.

8. The novelty book defined in claim 1, wherein said book further comprises a second cover associated therewith.

9. The novelty book defined in claim 8, wherein said second cover comprises the rear cover and is further defined as incorporating a movable support portion formed therein for providing an easily employed support stand for maintaining the book in the fully displayed configuration whenever desired.

10. The novelty book defined in claim 6, wherein said movable portion is further defined as comprising indicia representing the lower body and legs of the character depicted thereon.

11. The novelty book defined in claim 10, wherein the lowermost section of the movable portion is further defined as comprising a visual representation of the legs below the knees of the character with the knee position of the leg being located substantially along the fold line formed therein, whereby the lowermost portion, when displayed on a support surface, provides the impression of a character sitting on the support surface with the legs, below the knees, extending therefrom.

12. The novelty book defined in claim 11, wherein the indicia appearing on the cover and movable portion are further defined as being in the same relative proportions, thereby representing a full display of the character when said movable portion is fully extended from the first cover.