U.S. patent application number 11/198954 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for document display and retention device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Corbitz, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Bennett, Richard A., Bing, Howard M..
Application Number | 20050268508 11/198954 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28675274 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050268508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bing, Howard M. ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
Document display and retention device
Abstract
A device for displaying and exchanging a plurality of documents
of various shapes and sizes and for organizing the same. The device
of the present invention comprises at least two layers of pliable
sheet material. If multiple sheets are used, the sheets may be
nested together. The sheets may then be inserted into a binder
mechanism where the binder mechanism compressibly engages the
layers to create a pressure region adjacent thereto. The frictional
force between the sheet material and the inserted document retains
a document inserted into the pressure region formed between two
adjacent layers.
Inventors: |
Bing, Howard M.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Bennett, Richard A.; (Edmonds, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 6300
SEATTLE
WA
98104-7092
US
|
Assignee: |
Corbitz, Ltd.
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
28675274 |
Appl. No.: |
11/198954 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11198954 |
Aug 8, 2005 |
|
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10394537 |
Mar 20, 2003 |
|
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60366697 |
Mar 22, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/658 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1611 20130101;
A47B 2200/0094 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
040/658 |
International
Class: |
B42F 013/00; G09F
003/20 |
Claims
1. A device for releasably retaining a plurality of documents, the
device comprising: a first sheet having a first edge opposed from a
first free edge; a second sheet having a second edge opposed from a
second free edge, the first edge coupled to the second edge along a
common joint; and a binder mechanism having a slot to receive the
first edge of the first sheet and the second edge of the second
sheet, the slot sized to force at least a portion of the first
sheet into contact with at least a portion of the second sheet when
the sheets are received in the slot of the binder mechanism,
wherein the force generated against the first sheet and the second
sheet by the binder mechanism creates a pressure region proximate
and adjacent to the binder mechanism, and where the force is
sufficient to retain the first sheet and the second sheet in the
slot of the binder mechanism without additional mechanical
engagement between the sheets and the binder mechanism, and wherein
at least one document is retainable in the pressure region without
the at least one document being inserted into any portion of the
binder mechanism.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second sheets are
slideably releasable from the binder mechanism.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first edge of the first sheet
is integrally formed with the second edge of the second sheet.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first free edge of the first
sheet is located at a distance farther from the common joint than
the second free edge of the second sheet.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the binder mechanism comprises a
binding bar having a pair of biasly opposed sidewalls that define
the slot.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the binder mechanism is made from
a plastic material.
7. The device of claim 5 wherein the binder mechanism is configured
to operate as a desk display item for holding writing utensils.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the first sheet is the same size
as the second sheet.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the sheets is
transparent.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sheets is
made from plastic, vinyl, Lexan, Lucite, or Acrylic.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the first sheet is a different
color than the second sheet.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sheets has an
average thickness in the range of about 0.0050-0.020 inches.
13. A device to releasably retain a document, the device
comprising: at least two sheets having a common edge; and a binder
mechanism having a slot configured to receive at least the common
edge of the at least two sheets and to supply a compressive force
on the at least two sheets to retain the document therebetween in a
region proximate to the binder mechanism, but not within any
portion of the binder mechanism.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least two sheets are
nested with respect to one another.
15. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least two sheets are
different sizes, respectively.
16. The device of claim 13 wherein the binder mechanism includes a
mounting portion attachable to a vertical surface.
17. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least two sheets are
slideably releasable from the binder mechanism.
18. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least two sheets are
integrally formed along the common edge.
19. The device of claim 13 wherein the binder mechanism includes a
pair of biasly opposed sidewalls that define the slot and supply
the compressive force on the at least two sheets.
20. The device of claim 13 wherein a combined thickness of the at
least two sheets is larger than a width of the slot in the binder
mechanism such that the compressive force on the at least two
sheets is generated when the common edge of the at least two sheets
is forcefully positioned in the slot of the binder mechanism.
21. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least two sheets are
different sizes.
22. The device of claim 13 wherein the at least two sheets are
transparent.
23. A device to releasably retain a document, the device
comprising: at least two sheets arranged together with a common
edge; a binder mechanism having two biasly opposed sidewalls
connected by a backing member, the sidewalls defining a slot sized
to releasably retain at least the common edge of the at least two
sheets; and a first region located proximate to, but not between
the two biasly opposed sidewalls of the binder mechanism, the first
region formed between the at least two sheets based on an amount of
biasing force applied by the biasly opposing sidewalls of the
binder mechanism, wherein the biasing force is sufficient to
releasably retain at least a portion of the document in the first
region.
24. The device of claim 23 wherein the at least two sheets are
nested with respect to one another.
25. The device of claim 23 wherein the at least two sheets are
different sizes, respectively.
26. The device of claim 23 wherein the binder mechanism includes a
mounting portion attachable to a vertical surface.
27. The device of claim 23 wherein the at least two sheets are
integrally formed along the common edge.
28. The device of claim 23 wherein the amount of biasing force
applied by the biasly opposing sidewalls of the binder mechanism is
sufficient to releasably retain the at least two sheets in the
binder mechanism without another form of mechanical engagement.
29. The device of claim 23 wherein the at least two sheets are
different sizes.
30. The device of claim 23 wherein the at least two sheets are
transparent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/394,537, filed Mar. 20, 2003, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/366,697 filed on Mar.
22, 2002, wherein these applications are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to devices, systems and
methods for retaining and displaying documents, photographs and the
like.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] People often need to view messages, refer to notes, lists,
or schedules, display pictures of loved ones, or view multiple
documents simultaneously. Consequently, it is not surprising that a
variety of ways exist in the prior art for displaying documents,
written messages, and even small photos; for example, self-adhesive
"Post-it" notes, easels, clips, and cork boards. However, each of
these devices has its drawbacks. Self-adhesive "Post-it" notes do
not adhere well to the fingerprint resistant finish of a computer
workstation, cannot be re-posted several times, easily drop off the
monitor, and may be easily lost or misplaced. Clips are limited in
the number of documents that can be simultaneously displayed.
Easels take up precious desktop space and are also limited in the
number of documents that can be simultaneously displayed.
[0006] A paper channel containing tubular inserts, such as the one
shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,800, issued to Junius et
al. and incorporated herein by reference, permits more flexibility
than the above examples with respect to the number of documents
that can be simultaneously displayed; however, such a paper channel
physically captures a portion of the document itself. This contact
with the document can tear or bend documents or leave impression
marks on the documents. The impressions are undesirable on photos
and other important documents. Consequently, there is a need for an
improved device or system for simultaneously displaying documents,
photos and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed toward devices, systems
and methods for displaying and organizing documents of various
shapes and sizes. In one embodiment described herein, the device of
the present invention incorporates a transparent sheet folded to
form two layers having a common edge. The common edge of the sheet
or layers is then inserted into a binder mechanism, where the
binder mechanism urges the layers together to create a pressure
region proximate thereto. The adjacent layers of the transparent
sheets retain a document inserted therein by electrostatic and
frictional force between the sheet material and the document. In
another embodiment, several layers of transparent sheets are used
to separately hold several documents. In still other embodiments, a
wide variety of binders and mounting mechanisms are envisioned.
[0008] The device may be used in a variety of locations and
orientations, such as along an edge of a computer monitor or other
office furniture, in kitchens, automobiles or almost any other
location. The layers may be tabbed and/or colored to provide for
more efficient organization and access to documents. Additionally,
the binder mechanisms used to bind the sheet or sheets may be
removable to allow a user to easily and quickly reconfigure or
clean the sheets.
[0009] A significant advantage of the present invention is that the
binder mechanism does not hold the documents. Instead,
electrostatic forces and a pressure region adjacent to the binder
mechanism combine to retain the documents. Therefore, the
containment of the documents does not rely on gravity, on an active
mechanical clipping mechanism, or on an adhesive. The device
permits easy insertion and removal of the documents without
damaging the documents in any manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a computer monitor having
display devices according to an embodiment of the present invention
attached thereto FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a display device
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an end view of the device of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded, isometric view of the device of FIG.
2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of sheets from the device of FIG. 2,
in a first configuration.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an end view of the sheets of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the sheets of the present invention
nested together in an alternate configuration.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an end view of the sheets of FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a plan view of one sheet from the device of FIG.
2, unfolded.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a plan view of another sheet from the device of
FIG. 2, unfolded.
[0019] FIG. 11 is an end view of a display device according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 is an end view of the device of FIG. 11 in an
alternate configuration.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a computer keyboard with an embodiment of the
present invention attached thereto.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a wall mounted telephone with an embodiment of
the present invention attached thereto.
[0023] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a display device according
to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 16 is an exploded side view of the device of FIG.
15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention is generally directed toward devices,
systems and methods for retaining and displaying documents. The
documents may be retained between two sheets of the device by
electrostatic forces and/or by pressure created by binding the
device with a binder mechanism. A pressure region exists adjacent
to the binder mechanism such that no manipulation of the binder
mechanism is necessary to insert or remove a document. The term
"documents" as used herein includes anything flat and thin, such as
cards, appointment cards, credit cards, pictures, 3.times.5 cards,
receipts, tickets, postage stamps, instructions, "Post-it" notes,
recipes, coupons, sports schedules, lottery tickets, drawings,
correspondence, letters, post-cards, flyers, school menus,
announcements, lists, and warning documents.
[0026] The present invention provides document display options for
work, a home office, home, or virtually anywhere else; it can be
used vertically, horizontally, angled or even upside down. The
device may be attached to the surface of a variety of products such
as a computer monitor, computer keyboard, printer, lamppost,
cabinet, appliance, telephone, shelf and/or a desk. The present
invention also permits the documents to be easily inserted,
removed, and/or exchanged with new documents. Further, the device
can be easily and quickly reconfigured to place more important
documents in constant view without hindering or obscuring the view
of other documents. Many specific details of the present invention
are set forth in the embodiments described and illustrated herein
to provide an understanding of the invention. One skilled in the
art, however, will understand that the present invention may have
additional and alternative embodiments, or may be practiced without
several of the details described in the following description.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention mounted
to the vertical sidewalls of a computer monitor. The illustrated
device 100 is primarily composed of at least two sheets 102, 104 of
sufficiently rigid and preferably, transparent material attached at
a common edge by a binder mechanism 106. The illustrated binder
mechanism 106 pinches together the sheets 102, 104, and also acts
as an interfacing component to attach the display device 100 to the
sidewalls of a monitor 101. The binder mechanism 106 may be
attached through a variety of means, such as adhesive, foam tape,
magnetic strips, or Velcro.
[0028] The binding of the sheets 102, 104 creates a region
proximate to the binder mechanism 106 wherein documents 107 can be
retained solely between the sheet layers themselves by
electrostatic and frictional forces. The frictional forces are
created in a region proximate to the binder mechanism 106 due at
least in part to the pressure exerted by the binder mechanism 106
in conjunction with the rigidity of the sheet material. The binder
mechanism 106 may be integrally formed from a variety of materials
such as plastic, wood, plastic reinforced composite material,
ceramic, or glass with extending flanges biasly separable to
releasably receive the sheets.
[0029] The sheets 102, 104 may be made from a variety of materials
such as plastic, vinyl, Lexan, Lucite, Acrylic, or any other
similar material and may come in a variety of sizes, for example
81/2.times.11 inches can be a typical size and 51/2.times.8 inches
can be for a mini version of the device. Additionally, the sheets
102, 104 may be color coded to efficiently organize the documents
placed therein. The rigidity of the sheet material must be
sufficient to create a requisite amount of biasing force between
the sheets 102, 104 proximate to the binder mechanism 106 to hold a
document therebetween. Simultaneously, the sheets must be flexible
enough at their free ends to permit a user to easily insert and/or
remove a document 107 without having to manipulate the sheets 102,
104 or the binder mechanism 106 in anyway.
[0030] Sufficient rigidity of the sheets 102, 104 may be achieved
by using the above described sheet material or a substantially
similar material having an average thickness in the range of 0.0075
inches to 0.020 inches. A sheet thickness of 0.010 inches may be
adequate for sufficiently retaining most documents 107. However, it
is contemplated that the thickness may be increased when large
documents 107 or engineering drawings, for example, are to be
displayed. Likewise, the device may be sized down such that an
average sheet thickness of approximately 0.0050 inches could be
adequate when there is only a need to support the display of very
small documents 107 or notes. One skilled in the art, however, will
recognize that the amount of retaining pressure needed is dependent
on the type of sheet material used, the size (i.e., width and
length) of the sheet material used, the thickness of the sheet
material, and the force exerted by the binder mechanism 106.
Likewise, the force caused by electrostatic energy is a function of
the size of the sheets. The present invention anticipates that
these parameters may be varied to achieve a custom display device
for a specialized purpose other than those discussed herein.
[0031] Once the binder mechanism 106 has been attached to a
structure, the sheets 102, 104 of the display device 100 may be
slidably inserted therein. A user may then quickly and easily slide
a document 107 between two adjacent sheets 102, 104 such that the
region proximate to the binder mechanism 106 receives and captures
at least one edge or corner of the document 107.
[0032] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the display device 100 is
capable of retaining multiple documents 107 or retaining just a
single document. Mounting more than one display device 100 to a
computer monitor 101, for example, can allow the user to readily
display important messages, family photos, or other information
while simultaneously displaying a working document.
[0033] FIGS. 2 through 8 illustrate another display device 200
according to another particular embodiment of the present
invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the display device 200
has two folded sheets 202, 204 formed to create four sheet layers
203, 205, 207, and 209. Each sheet layer 203, 205, 207, 209 has a
free end 208. The unequal distances between the respective free
ends 208 of adjacent layers forms a tab-offset 214 between each
pair.
[0034] The sheet layers 203, 205, 207, and 209, when nested
together, have a common edge 210. The illustrated common edge 210
is releasably insertable into the binder mechanism 206. As stated
above, the binder mechanism 206 can exert a compression force on
the sheet layers, thereby creating a retention region 212 for
releasably retaining the documents. The inclusion of more sheets
and subsequent nesting thereof is fully contemplated by the
applicant.
[0035] The binder mechanism 206 may be removable from the sheets
202, 204 to permit the user to reconfigure the tab offsets 214, as
illustrated by comparing FIGS. 6 and 8. The binder mechanism 206
may be integrally formed with a forward flange 216, an aft flange
218, and a backing 220 wherein the forward and aft flanges form the
retention portion of the binding mechanism and are biasly separable
to releasably receive the sheets 202, 204. The backing 220 may act
as the mounting portion of the binder mechanism 206. The binder
mechanism 206 may be made from a variety of materials such as
plastic, wood, plastic reinforced composite material, ceramic, or
glass, for example.
[0036] An advantage of the present embodiment is that the sheet
layers may be differentially colored. The coloring, combined with
the tab offset, permits a viewer to organize and easily locate
documents placed between the adjacent sheet layers. Additionally,
the free ends 208 may have rounded corners to provide an aesthetic
appearance as well as ease the insertion of a document. The
inventors appreciate that many of these details can be varied
without deviating from the spirit of the invention; for example,
the free ends 208 of the respective sheet layers 203, 205, 207, and
209 can be aligned with each other to eliminate the tab-offset 214.
Further, more than two sheets may be nested together and the sheets
may be different lengths and/or widths in the same set.
[0037] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate two possible configurations of this
particular embodiment of the present invention, wherein the nesting
of the sheets 202 and 204 permits the tab offsets 214 to be
reconfigured according to the user's desires. In the embodiment of
FIGS. 7 and 8, a user could place a larger document between layers
207 and 209 and smaller documents between layers 209 and 203, and
between layers 203 and 205. Such a configuration permits the user
to maintain their small documents between layers 209 and 203, and
between layers 203 and 205, while retaining a large "working"
document between layers 207 and 209. The configuration illustrated
in FIGS. 7 and 8 allows easy insertion and removal of the large
"working" document, which is amply supported by layer 209, without
disturbing the smaller documents located between the other
layers.
[0038] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate two examples of pre-formed sheets
202 and 204. The pre-formed sheets 202 and 204 schematically
represented may be for a mini-version of the device. As discussed
above, the sheets 202 and 204 may be folded along a pre-determined
crease line 216 to create two sheet layers. Alternatively, the
sheets layers may be fabricated by splicing the sheets along the
crease line 216 into separate layers. Perforating or scoring the
sheets to ensure the accuracy of the folding splicing operation may
create the crease line 216. One skilled in the art, however, will
recognize that the sheets may vary in size and be creased either
widthwise or lengthwise. It will further be appreciated that these
options allow a large variety of configurations.
[0039] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another embodiment of a display
device 300 releasably inserted into a binder mechanism 307. In this
embodiment, the sheet layers 302, 304, 306, and 308 can be formed
from separate sheets bonded together along the respective spliced
edges 310. Thermally sealing ultrasonic welding, or mechanically
affixing the spliced edges 310 together, for example, may
accomplish the bonding operation. Bonding the spliced ends 310
together, in bulk, can provide a more efficient and economic mode
of manufacturer.
[0040] FIGS. 11 and 12 further illustrate two various ways of
mounting the device 300 with the binder mechanism 307. FIG. 11
demonstrates that the backing 320 of the binder mechanism 307 may
be secured horizontally to surface 301. FIG. 12 demonstrates that
one of the flanges 316 may be used to mount the device vertically
to surface 301. Additionally, the mounting flange, for example the
aft flange 316, may be oriented to project normally from the
backing 320 to ensure that the sheets 302, 304, 306, and 308 are
substantially parallel to the adjacent vertical surface 301 when
mounted. As previously noted, the binder mechanism 307 may be
secured to the surface 301 by a variety of means such as adhesive,
foam tape, magnetic strip, or Velcro.
[0041] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate alternate applications for the
display device 100. For example, FIG. 13 demonstrates the device
100 horizontally attached to a top portion of a computer keyboard
400. The keyboard 400 may have a built-in channel (not shown) or a
separate binder mechanism 106 may be used to attach the device to
the keyboard. FIG. 14 demonstrates the device 100 as attached to a
wall mounted telephone base 401 for home or home office use with
the binder mechanism 106.
[0042] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate another embodiment of the present
invention wherein the display device 500 incorporates a folded
sheet 502 which can be slidably inserted into an object having a
channel 504. As such, the channel 504 provides the binding and
compression means in a substantially similar manner to the binder
mechanism 106 discussed above. The width of the channel 504 may be
adjusted using spacers; thus allowing the insertion of only one
sheet or multiple sheets. Alternatively, the channel 504 may be
formed to receive the binder mechanism 106 of FIGS. 11 and 12. As
one skilled in the art will understand, the object 500 may be any
number of home or office items such as a pen holder, a name plaque,
or virtually anything with a channel 504 formed therein.
Additionally, the object 500 may be mounted or placed in a
horizontal, vertical, or other non-orthogonal orientation.
[0043] The present invention provides an inexpensive means of
displaying a plurality of documents of various shapes and sizes and
for organizing the same. A significant advantage of any of the
foregoing embodiments is that the binder mechanism does not engage
the documents. The device permits easy insertion and removal of the
documents without damaging the documents in any manner. The device
permits the insertion and removal of individual documents without
disturbing the other documents. The device can be configured to
place larger documents in full view of the user without disturbing
smaller documents retained by the device. The sheet layers
extending from the binder mechanism provide protection for the
documents retained therein and provide an efficient method of
sorting and organizing documents.
[0044] An additional advantage of the present invention is the
ability to attach the device to any number of objects. Even with
the binder mechanism attached to an object, the sheets may be
slidably releasable to permit quick and easy reconfiguration.
[0045] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *