FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus which is used for turning pages, the pages being bound at one edge.

BACKGROUND The problem of page turning faced by musicians when playing a piece of music which spans numerous pages is well-known. This problem arises because the musicians use both their hands to play their instruments and have to rely on a score with numerous pages. It would be generally very disruptive for the musicians if they were to use one of their hands to turn the page. In addition, the aforementioned problem is also encountered by individuals whose hands are occupied carrying out other activities like cooking and/or are incapacitated.

It may be possible to employ human page turners to overcome the page turning problem. Unfortunately, a presence of human page turners would be visually unappealing, human page turners take up space which may be limited, human page turners may not turn pages in a desirable manner, and human page turners may be an unwelcome distraction.

Many solutions have been proposed to resolve the page turning problem. However, most existing electronic page turners are overly complex stemming from the use of motors and electronically-operated gears (eg. US 7,238,872). This results in a higher cost of production and correspondingly, a higher retail price. For instance, there are electronic page turners which are priced around US$2000 to US$3000. Correspondingly, the high cost makes such page turners rather inaccessible. Moreover, the reliability of some electronic page turners is also questionable. Furthermore, the manual page turners which have been provided (eg. US 3,343,776) are also mechanically complex as they involve use of elastic springs and rotating gears. These manual page turners are typically also bulky and heavy. In this regard, the convenience and reliability of the manual page turners are also questionable. In view of the preceding issues, it is evident that an improved apparatus for turning pages would be desirable. SUMMARY

There is provided an apparatus for turning pages. The apparatus includes a cord coiling mechanism; a cord for use with the cord coiling mechanism; and a plurality of page fasteners located along the cord, each page fastener using a hook-and-loop securing mechanism. It is preferable that the cord coiling mechanism is configured to allow coiling of the cord with the plurality of page fasteners located along the cord, the cord being made from either string or nylon.

The cord coiling mechanism includes: a spindle; a cord guide structure; and a base structure. The cord guide structure may be configured to ensure that the cord does not get entangled and can be coiled back to the spindle at a subsequent juncture. The base structure may include a pedal, the pedal being configured to be attached to the spindle with a secondary cord. In addition, the spindle may be configured in a manner where a centre of gravity of the spindle is not at the physical centre while the base structure may be configured to be foldable.

The plurality of page fasteners may be movable along the cord, with each of the plurality of page fasteners being detachable and re-attachable to the cord.

The apparatus may further include a score stand, the score stand including a rest board. The apparatus may also include a clip board, the clip board being for placement on the rest board, the clip board including a board guide structure, the board guide structure being configured to maintain tension in the cord during use of the apparatus. There may also be a plurality of clips for securing a cover of the book to the clip board.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for turning pages. Figure 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of an apparatus for turning pages. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus for turning pages.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the second embodiment of an apparatus for turning pages. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of an apparatus for turning pages. Figure 6 shows sequential front views of the third embodiment of an apparatus for turning pages.

Figure 7 shows an illustration of the apparatus of any of the aforementioned embodiments during use. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to a various embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanied drawings. Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an apparatus 20 for turning pages. The apparatus 20 includes a cord coiling mechanism 22, a cord 24, a cord guide structure 27, a base structure 28 and a plurality of page fasteners 26.

The cord coiling mechanism 22 includes a spindle 23, the spindle 23 being for coiling the cord 24. The spindle 23 is mounted (using a frame 21) to a top surface 36 of the base structure 28, and the base structure 28 includes a plurality of stoppers 30 at a bottom surface 38. It should be appreciated that the plurality of stoppers 30 can be replaced with a plurality of lockable rollers such that the apparatus 20 is able to roll from one location to another location. Exposed surfaces of the spindle 23 can be made to have a higher coefficient of friction by applying a layer of high friction material like, for example, silicone, rubber, and the like. The high friction material will aid in a user's efforts to rotate the spindle 23 using the user's foot.

The cord guide structure 27 is also mounted to the top surface 36 of the base structure 28. The cord 24 can be either string or nylon. In addition, the page fasteners 26 can rely on hook-and-loop securing mechanisms, with the plurality of page fasteners 26 being either located at fixed positions or movable along the cord 24. It is appreciated the plurality of page fasteners 26 are movable as each page fastener 26 can be detached from the cord 24 and subsequently re-attached to the cord 24. When the plurality of page fasteners 26 are located at fixed positions along the cord 24, the distance between each of the plurality of page fasteners 26 is consistent and at least a length of two page widths. For example, the distance will be 44 cm if each page is of A4 size. Alternatively, the cord 24 can be replaced with a different cord with the plurality of page fasteners 26 positioned for different consistent distances for use with different sized publications. Moreover, the use of hook-and-loop securing mechanisms for the plurality of page fasteners 26 is desirable as such mechanisms are lightweight and visually unobstrusive.

Figure 1 shows the apparatus 20 being set up for use with a book 52 located at a clip board 54 which may not be part of a score stand 50. The clip board 54 is positioned in a manner whereby it rests on a rest board 56 of the score stand 50. Further details pertaining to the set up and use of the apparatus 20 will be provided in a later section of the description.

Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of an apparatus 60 for turning pages. The apparatus 60 includes a cord coiling mechanism 62, a cord 64, a cord guide structure 67, a base structure 68 and a plurality of page fasteners 66.

The cord coiling mechanism 62 includes a spindle 63, the spindle 63 being for coiling the cord 64. The spindle 63 is mounted to a vertical wall 76 of the base structure 68, and the base structure 68 includes a plurality of stoppers 70 at a bottom surface 78. It should be appreciated that the plurality of stoppers 70 can be replaced with a plurality of lockable rollers such that the apparatus 60 is able to roll from one location to another location. The spindle 63 is designed in a manner where it returns to an initial position after undergoing a revolution. This is achieved by shifting a centre of gravity of the spindle 63 below its physical centre. One way to shift the centre of gravity is to attach at least one weighted component (not shown in Figures) to one part of the spindle 63.

An exposed face 69 of the spindle 63 is attached (using a secondary cord 82) to a pedal 80 of the base structure 68 at a position off the physical centre of the spindle 63. The secondary cord 82 can be either string or nylon and should not be stretchable as a tensional force needs to be transmitted to the spindle 63. In this regard, when a force is exerted on the pedal 80 in a manner where the pedal 80 moves towards the bottom surface 78 of the base structure 68, the spindle 63 undergoes rotation. A distance which the pedal 80 travels is dependent on a length of the secondary cord 82. Subsequently, when the spindle 63 returns to the initial position after undergoing a revolution, the pedal 80 also returns to its initial position. The cord guide structure 67 is also mounted to the vertical wall 76 of the base structure 68. The cord 64 can be either string or nylon. In addition, the page fasteners 66 can rely on hook-and-loop securing mechanisms, with the plurality of page fasteners 66 being either located at fixed positions or movable along the cord 64. It is appreciated the plurality of page fasteners 66 are movable as each page fastener 66 can be detached from the cord 64 and subsequently re-attached to the cord 64. When the plurality of page fasteners 66 are located at fixed positions along the cord 64, the distance between each of the plurality of page fasteners 66 is consistent and at least a length of two page widths. For example, the distance will be 44 cm if each page is of A4 size. Alternatively, the cord 64 can be replaced with a different cord with the plurality of page fasteners 66 positioned for different consistent distances for use with different sized publications. Moreover, the use of hook-and-loop securing mechanisms for the plurality of page fasteners 66 is desirable as such mechanisms are lightweight and visually unobstrusive. Figure 3 shows the apparatus 60 being set up for use with a book 52 located at a clip board 54 which may not be part of a score stand 50. The clip board 54 is positioned in a manner whereby it rests on a rest board 56 of the score stand 50. Further details pertaining to the set up and use of the apparatus 60 will be provided in a later section of the description. Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of an apparatus 100 for turning pages. The apparatus 100 includes a cord coiling mechanism 102, a cord 104, a cord guide structure 107, a base structure 108 and a plurality of page fasteners 106.

The cord coiling mechanism 102 includes a spindle 103, the spindle 103 being for coiling the cord 104. The spindle 103 is mounted to a vertical wall 116 of the base structure 108, and the base structure 108 includes a plurality of stoppers 110 at a bottom surface 118. It should be appreciated that the plurality of stoppers 10 can be replaced with a plurality of lockable rollers such that the apparatus 100 is able to roll from one location to another location. The spindle 103 is designed in a manner where it returns to an initial position after undergoing a revolution. This is achieved by shifting a centre of gravity of the spindle 103 below its physical centre. One way to shift the centre of gravity is to attach at least one weighted component (not shown in Figures) to one part of the spindle 103.

An exposed face 109 of the spindle 103 is attached (using a secondary cord 132) to a pedal 130 of the base structure 108 at a position off the physical centre of the spindle 103. The secondary cord 132 can be either string or nylon and should not be stretchable as a tensional force needs to be transmitted to the spindle 103. In this regard, when a force is exerted on the pedal 130 in a manner where the pedal 130 moves towards the bottom surface 118 of the base structure 108, the spindle 103 undergoes rotation. A distance which the pedal 130 travels is dependent on a length of the secondary cord 132. Subsequently, when the spindle 103 returns to the initial position after undergoing a revolution, the pedal 130 also returns to its initial position.

In the third embodiment, the secondary cord 132 may be removed from the exposed face 109 of the spindle 103. It should be appreciated that when the secondary cord 132 is removed, the user is able to pull the cord 104 from the spindle 103 easily and quickly if necessary (for example, during set-up of the apparatus 100). Figure 6(a) shows the secondary cord 132 still attached to the exposed face 109 of the spindle 103. Figure 6(b) shows the secondary cord 132 being removed, the pedal 130 being rested on a horizontal wall 140 of the base structure 108, with the horizontal wall 140 being folded about at least one hinge 150. Figure 6(c) shows the horizontal wall 140 in a fully folded position, whereby the apparatus 100 is regarded as being in a folded configuration. During instances when the secondary cord 132 is not removed from the exposed face 109, it is still possible for the apparatus 100 to be set in the folded configuration by rotating the spindle 103 with the secondary cord 132 still attached to the exposed face 109 before causing the horizontal wall 140 to be in the fully folded position. Furthermore, changing a position of the pedal 130 may also be possible to remove a need to remove the secondary cord 132 prior to causing the apparatus 100 to be in the folded configuration.

The cord guide structure 107 is also mounted to the vertical wall 116 of the base structure 108. The cord 104 can be either string or nylon. In addition, the page fasteners 106 can rely on hook-and-loop securing mechanisms, with the plurality of page fasteners 106 being either located at fixed positions or movable along the cord 104. It is appreciated the plurality of page fasteners 66 are movable as each page fastener 106 can be detached from the cord 104 and subsequently re-attached to the cord 104. When the plurality of page fasteners 106 are located at fixed positions along the cord 104, the distance between each of the plurality of page fasteners 06 is consistent and at least a length of two page widths. Alternatively, the cord 104 can be replaced with a different cord with the plurality of page fasteners 66 positioned for different consistent distances for use with different sized publications. For example, the distance will be 44 cm if each page is of A4 size. Moreover, the use of hook- and-loop securing mechanisms for the plurality of page fasteners 66 is desirable as such mechanisms are lightweight and visually unobstrusive. Figure 5 shows the apparatus 100 being set up for use with a book 52 located at a clip board 54 which may not be part of a score stand 50. The clip board 54 is positioned in a manner whereby it rests on a rest board 56 of the score stand 50. Further details pertaining to the set up and use of the apparatus 100 will be provided in a later section of the description.

Details will now be provided with regard to the setting up of the apparatus 20/60/100. Firstly, a user has to secure the book 52 to the clip board 54 using a plurality of clips 55. Each of the plurality of clips 55 can be any binding instrument. The function of the plurality of clips 55 on the clip board 54 is to secure a cover of the book 52 to the clip board 54. The plurality of clips 55 is used to locate the book 52 at a position of at least one centimetre above the rest board 56 when the clip board 54 is resting on the rest board 56. When the book 52 is located at the position of at least one centimetre above the rest board 56, resistance/friction generated when the pages of the book 52 undergo flipping is substantially minimised since there is no contact with the rest board 56. The use of the clip board 54 and the plurality of clips 55 ensure that the resistance encountered by the pages is insignificant (only air resistance and inertia due to mass of each page). Furthermore, the use of the plurality of clips 55 also reduces audible noise resultant from contact of the pages with the rest board 56 during flipping of the pages. Subsequently, the user has to extend the cord 24/64/104 from the spindle 23/63/103. When the user extends the cord 24/64/104 from the spindle 23/63/103, the cord 24/64/104 should be threaded through the cord guide structure 27/67/107. The cord guide structure 27/67/107 ensures that the cord 24/64/104 does not get entangled and can be coiled back to the spindle 23/63/103 at a subsequent juncture. Next, the user also has to thread the cord 24/64/104 through a board guide structure 59, the board guide structure 59 being part of the clip board 54 and being for ensuring that tension is maintained in the cord 24/64/104 and that the cord 24/64/104 is pulled in an appropriate direction to ensure the turning of pages of the book 52. Next, the user has to secure the page fasteners 26/66/106 to the pages of the book 52 in a sequence from a last turning page (not necessarily a final page of the book 52) to a first desired turning page (not necessarily a front page of the book 52). The page fasteners 26/66/106 may be either hook or loop portions of a hook-and-loop securing mechanism. Each page of the book 52 would have a corresponding portion to couple with the page fasteners 26/66/106.

Figures 1 , 3 and 5 show a state upon completion of the aforementioned process. Figure 7(a) shows an enlarged view of the clip board 54 of the score stand 50 in Figures 1 , 3 and 5. Upon completion of the aforementioned process, the user is ready to start turning the pages of the book 52 when desired.

Referring to Figure 7(b), when the user induces the spindle 23/63/103 to rotate in a first direction 10 as indicated in Figures 1 , 3 and 5, the cord 24/64/104 will be coiled back to the spindle 23/63/103. Simultaneously, the page fasteners 26/66/106 attached to the first turning page will turn a page 57 as illustrated in Figure 7(b). This results in flipping of the page 57 and when the page 57 is about to come to rest after being flipped, the page fasteners 26/66/106 is detached from the page 57. This process repeats when the user induces the spindle 23/63/103 to rotate in a first direction 10. It should be noted that this setup will allow pages to be turned in one direction once. This is typically sufficient for a reader of books, and for a musician who is playing music while reading from a score.

It should be appreciated that while the apparatus 20/60/100 is described as a standalone device, it is possible that the apparatus 20/60/100 is incorporated together with a score stand 50 or with a table. This is possible since the apparatus 20/60/100 does not require a separate power source in order to operate in a desired manner.

The apparatus 20/60/100 provides a manual mechanically operated device that provides a solution to the page turn problem such as, for example, musicians when they play a piece of music that spans more than two pages from a book/folder, disabled people who faced difficulties with flipping magazines/books and the like. It is evident that the apparatus 20/60/100 is mechanically uncomplicated, and this leads to a robust and low maintenance device. The apparatus 20/60/100 does not require a separate power source in order to operate, and it should also be appreciated that the apparatus 20/60/100 can be operated without generating excessive noise. Furthermore, the apparatus 20/60/100 allows pages to be turned at varying speeds depending on how fast the spindle 23/63/103 is rotated. This is important for musicians as it allows them to turn the pages at a speed which synchronizes with their speed of playing the music. For a piece of music with higher tempo or speed, the musician can induce the spindle 23/63/103 to rotate faster to result in faster flipping of the pages. Conversely, for a slower piece of music, the musician can induce the spindle 23/63/103 to rotate slower to result in slower flipping of pages.

Finally, even though apparatus 20/60/100 is shown to be used with a score stand, it should be appreciated that the apparatus 20/60/100 can also be used with a music rack which is integrated with a piano. In such an application, the clip board 54 is positioned on the music rack, and the appearance and operations would be akin to that shown in Figure 7.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.