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Magnifier

Reader apparatus of various types have been utilized to enhance readability of various printed material and the like otherwise difficult to read. The usefulness of magnifying devices is widely recognized, whether for making small objects and details visible, or simply for the convenience of reducing eye strain. For this reason, viewing magnifiers have been developed which enclose a magnifying lens in a retracted position to protect it from damage during nonuse, while allowing a person to access the magnifier whenever needed. Difficulties in clearly seeing small print or fine configurations are frequently overcome by use of eyeglasses or other magnifying devices. Reading glasses, or magnifiers, have been both of the hand held type and of a kind that is supported on a reading surface over the material to be read. The latter type has included lenses mounted for use in spaced relation to a reading surface and some where a magnifying lense lies directly on the reading material for magnifying a line or two at a time. These lenses were largely elongated so as to extend over the width of the page being read, but others were of a shorter length for shifting along as the material was read. There are various types of magnifiers available to the public. Magnifiers can be used for reading, craftwork, material inspection and the assembly of small parts. Some are hand held while others are mounted on stands. Magnifying lenses of various types have been mounted on self-supporting frames, often also carrying a light for improved illumination. Such lenses are generally of small size and useful only for viewing relatively small objects without continually moving the object relative to the magnifying lens.

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