This invention relates to a device which allows a person with temporary or permanent disabilities of the hands to read a book, once it has been set up by someone else. The device has the ability to move forward or backward through a book and can be actuated by switches each can be operated by the foot or optional by voice.

Devices for enabling the disabled to read books are known to the art but so far as we are aware such devices which we have come across use separate mechanisms for lifting pages and clamping them in place. This means that the cost of the device increases as additional motors and control systems are required for each of the mechanisms.

There are also problems when it comes to turning pages of thick books. Devices for storing books in digital format have been proposed but these have serious shortcomings as most of old literature does not exist in digital format. Whatever does exist is not freely available. Moreover reading books on an LCD screen continuously over long periods leads to eye strain.

The invention proposed herein has the following among other features: > Two actuated L-shaped arms which can perform the actions of both clamping and turning.

> Adjustable link lengths to accommodate different sizes of books
> Limit switch which is to limit the position of the arms during clamping. This helps to accommodate thick books.
> Different options in the lifting mechanism. Both vacuum suction and sticking tape can be used for lifting pages.
> Choice of actuation modes: foot switches, voice recognition, blow-switches can all be used for actuation of the device.
> The whole assembly can fit inside a box, the size of a small suitcase making it easy to carry.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example, and not by way of limitation, one of possible embodiments of the said invention.

The device will be seen to have two L-shaped assemblies for clamping and turning the pages of books.

One L-shaped assembly consists of two links, a small link L1 and a big link L2; similarly the other L-shaped assembly consists of the links R1 and R2 (small and big links) which are movable with respect to each other. The two links are held together by an analog servo motor M1 which is intended for turning the small link with respect to the big link by a pre-determined angle. The whole assembly is rotated by another servo motor M2 to perform the actions of flipping the pages and clamping them. One of the assemblies lifts the page by 90' while the other clamp flips it from its position by first crossing over and then clamping back to position. A limit switch S stops the rotation of the servos when the page is turned.

An opposite series of motions by the same arrangement flip the page in the other direction.

The following actions are performed in sequence during turning of a page
> Page sticks to L2.
> L1 and R2 rotate by 90° and R1 rotates by 100°. The second assembly crosses the first in mid air while R2 is open.
> R2 closes after R1 reaches the 100° position.
> L2 opens and detaches the paper which falls on R2. The long length of R2 helps keep the paper in place. R1 rotates back to its original position carrying the page with it and clamping it in place.
> Meanwhile L2 closes and L1 rotates back to its original place clamping the book in place. The length of the big link is adjustable to accommodate books with different widths. A spring mounted locking pin P is used to fix the length of the big link. The spring mount is necessary because the length of the big link should change slightly during the turning motion. Otherwise the book is lifted slightly during turning.

For accommodating books of different heights holes are placed at regular intervals along the vertical direction on the assembly mount where the servo housings can be fastened.

The proposed device has been constructed to work with both sticky tape and vacuum suction for lifting of pages. This allows the user to choose a specific mechanism for a particular paper type. For example, glossy paper which is non-porous can be lifted with vacuum suction. This old paper which is extremely porous can be lifted with sticky tape.

While turning the pages of a thick book problems occur when there are more pages on one side than on the other. Therefore a limit switch has been fixed to the clamps to stop the clamping motion when the proper height is reached.

We Claim:
1. A hands-free device for enabling the disabled to turn the pages of a book while reading comprising an L-shaped assembly consisting of a big link and a small link movable with respect to each other, said links being held together by an analog servo which is responsible for turning the small link with respect to the big link by a pre-determined angle, the whole assembly being rotated by another servo motor for performing the actions of flipping the pages and clamping the same, one of the assemblies lifting a page by 90° while the other clamp flips it from this position by first crossing over and then clamping back to position; a limit switch for stopping the rotation of the servos after the page is turned; a similar opposite series of movements flip the page in the other direction.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the big link is adjustable to accommodate books with different widths.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a spring mounted locking pin is provided to fix the length of the big link.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein holes are placed at regular intervals along the vertical direction on the assembly mount where the servo housings are fastened.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein vacuum suction is provided for lifting of the pages.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims sticky tape is provided for lifting the pages.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein a limit switch is fixed to the clamps to stop the clamping motion when the desired height is reached.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein foot switches, voice recognition, blow switches are provided for actuation of the said device.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein tactile switches are provided for detecting book height.

10. A hands-free device for enabling the disabled to turn the pages of a book while reading , substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.