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You can create a simple paper holder for side-lying by making a little hook or two
to go over the side of the keyboard part of your laptop which is in the laptop
holder; fasten a clipboard to it/them that will cover most of the keyboard. Documents
will get inserted sideways. But I don't recommend doing this because it
requires two hands to use, and I've found that using the arm you're lying on
for such tasks is stressful. You may have a different experience. You can even put papers between the laptop keyboard and the dowels of the laptop holder, although the LittleFingers keyboard you type on will be somewhat in the way. But if you want a paper holder that you can use with one hand, start with a Curtis document holder (CCP94940 Copy Clip) and toss the L-shaped part that fastens it to a computer (it yanks off). Now grab an old yardstick or any type of stick that you can cut off. Duct tape the Curtis securely to the end of the stick and hold the other end of the stick against the wall. Use a tape measure and find out how much too long the stick is. I'm assuming the head of your bed is against the wall, so if it isn't then go move it until it is. Cut off the stick so that the Curtis centers over your screen—which I assume is sideways at your bedside. Put a piece of paper in the Curtis sideways, not the normal way, and hold the stick against the wall so the bottom edge of the paper is just at the top of the screen. This is your document position, so mark the wall, buy a hinge with at least one long wing, drill the screw holes on the wall and on the stick (or duct tape the hinge's long wing to the stick), and fasten your new paper holder to the wall. You'll swing it out of the way when not in use. The Curtis can be used with one hand, which is good since only one of your hands will reach it since you're side-lying. The two reasons I chose not to mount a paper holder on the unused keyboard part of the laptop I use as a monitor are: 1. I put a macro chart and remapped keyboard diagram there, and 2. It might stop circulation of my laptop and let it overheat. You may mount one there if you like, however. To use this paper holder: • Insert paper so the middle of the side goes in the roller clip. • Insert paper that you're holding bowed to match the curve of the Curtis. • Push the paper all the way up into the roller clip and pull it back so the roller catches; if the roller won't let the paper in, it's wedged and needs a finger to free it. • To remove paper from the roller, pull it sideways, not downward, which only wedges it tighter and threatens to break your stick. To get a Curtis, you can go on-line and search for Curtis Copy Clip—or check your local office supply store. |
Building a Paper Holder |
