U.S. patent application number 11/113886 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for double-handled clipboard.
This patent application is currently assigned to Wolff Medical Marketing and Design, LLC. Invention is credited to Aubrey Jones, Stephen H. Wolff.
Application Number | 20060237621 11/113886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37185883 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolff; Stephen H. ; et
al. |
October 26, 2006 |
Double-handled clipboard
Abstract
The present invention can be practiced as a clipboard that has a
flat rectangular board with contoured side edges containing an
element for holding papers or other thin items and two indented
apertures for holding the board with four fingers. The surface of
the clipboard may be magnetic, contain magnetic strips or buttons,
a dry erase board, or a combination of the surfaces mentioned. Each
aperture may be located on opposite or adjoining side edges and is
surrounded by a rubber gripping surface to facilitate gripping and
comfort. The clipboard also may include a second paperclip for
securing papers or other thin items and a pen clamp for securing
pens, dry erase markers, or other writing utensils at the bottom of
the board.
Inventors: |
Wolff; Stephen H.; (New
Rochelle, NY) ; Jones; Aubrey; (New Rochelle,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Wolff Medical Marketing and Design,
LLC
New Rochelle
NY
|
Family ID: |
37185883 |
Appl. No.: |
11/113886 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F 9/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/452 |
International
Class: |
A47B 97/04 20060101
A47B097/04 |
Claims
1. A clipboard comprising: i. a substrate with a planar back and a
planar front and defined by four edges; ii. an element for holding
sheets of paper or other thin items to the substrate; and iii. two
apertures indented from edges of said substrate, said apertures
being sized so that a person can hold the clipboard with four
fingers extending through either aperture.
2. The clipboard as recited in claim 1, wherein the element for
holding paper to the substrate is selected among a group consisting
of a clip, adhesive, magnet, or magnetic substrate material.
3. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the two apertures indented
from the edges of said substrate are about 3.25-5.50 inches or
greater in length and about 0.75-2.50 inches or greater in
width.
4. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the two apertures indented
from the edges of said substrate are opposite one another.
5. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the two apertures indented
from the edges of said substrate are on adjoining edges.
6. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the planar front is magnetic,
and includes a rubber gripping surface surrounding the apertures to
facilitate gripping and comfort.
7. A double-handled clipboard comprising: i. a flat board having:
1. a top edge; 2. a bottom edge opposite said top edge; 3. a left
side edge; and 4. a right side edge opposite said left side edge;
and ii. a paperclip on the board; iii. a first aperture indented
from one of the edges; and iv. a second aperture indented from an
edge opposite the first aperture.
8. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein the paperclip
is located at the top edge of the board, and the first and second
apertures are indented from the left and right side edges.
9. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein a pen clamp is
located adjacent the bottom edge of the board.
10. The double-handled clipboard in claim 9, wherein the board has
contoured about the periphery defined by the edges.
11. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein one aperture
indented from the contoured board is located on the left side edge
and the second aperture indented from the board is located on the
right side edge.
12. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein each aperture
is about 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and 0.75-2.50 inches
or greater in width, and a magnet is provided on the back surface
so that the clipboard can be magnetically held to a metal
surface.
13. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein the flat board
is at least partially magnetic.
14. The double handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein the flat board
has raised and rounded edge surfaces with a recessed writing
surface.
15. A clipboard comprising: i. a substrate with a planar back and a
planar front and defined by four edges; ii. an element for holding
sheets of paper or other thin items to the substrate; iii. two
apertures indented from edges of said substrate, said apertures
being sized so that a person can hold the clipboard with four
fingers extending through either aperture; and iv. writable surface
is a dry erase board.
16. The clipboard as recited in claim 15, wherein the element for
holding paper to the substrate is selected among a group consisting
of a clip, adhesive, magnet, or magnetic substrate material.
17. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the two apertures indented
from the edges of said substrate are about 3.25-5.50 inches or
greater in length and about 0.75-2.50 inches or greater in
width.
18. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the two apertures indented
from the edges of said substrate are opposite one another and
include a rubber grip surface in the area of the apertures.
19. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the two apertures indented
from the edges of said substrate are on adjoining edges and include
a rubber grip surface in the area of the apertures.
20. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the clipboard is a
combination of dry erase and magnetic or partially dry erase.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of an application
entitled "Double-Handled Clipboard" filed on Apr. 22, 2005, which
is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/227,875, filed on
Apr. 15, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
29/218,504, filed on Dec. 3, 2004, the disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a flat board with openings
that serve as handles.
[0003] Clipboards have applicability in a variety of activities in
any industry and in connection with educational purposes.
Typically, clipboards are held around an edge when being carried or
used. A clipboard in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,730 includes two thumb
holes for the left and right thumbs that allow a person to hold the
clipboard while writing. The thumb extends from below the board and
is pressed against the front surface of the board while writing. A
hand cannot fit in the thumb holes.
[0004] There remains a need for a clipboard that allows for options
to hold the clipboard, whether being used intermittently or just
carrying. The present invention gives one the option of placing
their hands in one of at least two openings while carrying or
holding the clipboard.
[0005] The clipboard in accordance with the present invention can
be picked up in at least one of two ways, whether for ease and
quickness, or purposely, for instance to hide or show a particular
side of the clipboard when held. It is less burdensome to carry or
hold because the openings in the clipboard enable the person to
carry the clipboard at their side like a laptop computer or purse,
and to do so from both sides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention can be practiced as a clipboard with a
rectangular board containing contoured top, bottom, left, and right
side edges for holding paper or other thin items with two indented
apertures for holding the clipboard with four fingers.
[0007] A clip, adhesive, magnet, magnetic substrate material or
other means may be used to attach the paper or other thin items to
the clipboard.
[0008] In one embodiment, each indented aperture is preferably 3.25
inches or greater in length, and is preferably 0.75 inches or
greater in width.
[0009] In another embodiment, it is preferable that the apertures
are approximately 3.25-5.50 inches in length and 0.75-2.50 inches
in width.
[0010] The apertures can be located opposite one another or on
adjoining edges. There may also be more than four apertures (e.g.,
three or four in number). Each aperture can be located, as
indented, on the right and left edges or top and bottom edges and
additionally the top and right edge, the top and left edge, the
bottom and right edge, and the bottom and left edge. In the case of
three apertures, the apertures can be located on the right, left,
and bottom edges, the right, left, and top edges, the top, bottom
and left edges, or the top, bottom, and right edges.
[0011] In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to the
clip, the front of the clipboard can be magnetic or magnetic strips
or buttons can be provided.
[0012] In further embodiments, instead of or in addition to the
clip or magnetic strips or buttons, the front of the clipboard can
be a dry erase board or a combination of a magnetic and dry erase
board, a partially magnetic board or a partially dry erase
board.
[0013] The invention in other embodiments may contain a second
paperclip for securing papers or other thin items and pen clamp for
securing pens, dry erase markers, magnetic pens, or other writing
utensils connected directly to the bottom of the board.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the present invention is embodied in a clipboard having a substrate
with a planar back and a planar front. Four edges define the
substrate. An element for holding sheets of paper or other thin
items to the substrate is provided. Two apertures indented from
edges of the substrate are provided, with such apertures being
sized so that a person can hold the clipboard with four fingers
extending therethrough.
[0015] The above aspect of the present invention may also be
characterized in that the element for holding the paper to the
substrate is a clip (spring actuated or other), adhesive (as in a
releasable adhesive as used on Post-it.RTM. brand pads), magnets or
a magnetic substrate material.
[0016] Preferably, the clipboard includes apertures that are
approximately 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and
approximately 0.75-2.5 inches or greater in width.
[0017] The apertures indented from the edges of the substrate are
preferably opposite one another. However, the apertures may be on
adjoining edges.
[0018] The clipboard may have a magnetic substrate such that
magnets or metal elements may be used to hold the sheets of paper
there against.
[0019] A rubber gripping surface is preferably provided in the area
of the apertures, and most preferably surrounding the apertures.
This facilitates gripping of the clipboard, as well as comfort.
[0020] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the
clipboard may be a flat board having a top edge, a bottom edge
opposite the top edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge
opposite the left side edge. A paperclip is provided on the board
in any appropriate location, preferably at the top. First and
second apertures are provided at indented position from two
different edges, preferably with the second aperture being indented
from an edge opposite the first aperture.
[0021] The above embodiment may include a paperclip at the top edge
of the board and the first and second apertures may be indented
from left and right side edges.
[0022] The above embodiment may include a pin clamp located
adjacent the bottom edge of the board. Preferably, the board has
contoured about the periphery defined by the edges.
[0023] In connection with the above aspect of the present
invention, one aperture is located on the left side edge and a
second aperture is located on a right side edge.
[0024] This aspect of the present invention may include apertures
that are approximately 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and
0.75-2.5 inches or greater in width.
[0025] The flat board in this aspect of the present invention may
be at least partially magnetic.
[0026] In another embodiment, particularly smaller versions, a
magnet or magnets can be provided on the back surface so that it
can be magnetically held to a filing cabinet or other metal
surface.
[0027] The flat board in this aspect of the present invention may
have raised and rounded edge surfaces with a recessed writing
surface. The recessed writing surface may be at least partially
magnetic, made of a dry erase board material, made of metal, made
of plastic, made of a substrate with openings for receiving
elements to hold papers or create a design or some indicia,
etc.
[0028] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the
clipboard may have a substrate with a planar back and a planar
front being defined by four edges. An element for holding sheets of
paper or other thin items is provided, along with two apertures
indented from edges of the substrate. The apertures are sized so
that a person can hold a clipboard with four fingers extending
through either aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the clipboard embodying the
principles of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the clipboard is generally designated
as 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the clipboard 100 is substantially a
flat rectangular board 102 with contoured side edges and a
paperclip 104 is disposed at the top of the board 102.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the paperclip 104 in this
embodiment is attached by engaging integrally formed tabs 105 with
corresponding tabs on a clip structure that includes a spring. The
integrally formed corresponding tabs 105 enable the paperclip 104
to be securely attached to board 100. Any suitable means of
attachment may be used to attach or hold the clip to the board,
including adhesive, magnets, magnetic substrate materials such as
strips or buttons, etc, as will be discussed further below.
[0034] Contoured side edges in the preferred embodiment are raised
and rounded about the periphery of the board. The edges contoured
with a radius about the periphery, leaving a substrate having
raised surfaces about the periphery. Thus, a recessed writing
surface 103 is provided in the central region of the board.
[0035] In one embodiment, the paperclip 104 has a spring-loaded
construction and is pivotally moveable from a normally closed
position at which it can hold papers against the board 102 to an
open position at which there is an opening between paperclip 104
and the board 102 so that papers can be inserted or removed.
[0036] Design U.S. Pat. Nos. D 406,168 and D 406,171 show
paperclips of suitable construction and the disclosures therein are
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
[0037] In other embodiments of the present invention, magnets,
adhesive, or other expedients for holding papers or other thin
items to the board 102 can be employed. The adhesive for holding
papers to the board is preferably releasable such as the adhesive
used for Post-It brand notepads. Magnets can be used to hold paper
to the board or accessory metal or magnetic pieces can be used on
the board. Board 102, the substrate, in a preferred embodiment may
be magnetic or may include magnetic strips, buttons, etc. of any
dimension. Such magnetic strips or buttons can be moveably attached
to the board (such as slideable) or may be stagnate and moveable
anywhere on the board. Board 102 can be a board with an erasable
marker surface such as a dry erase board. The clipboard can also be
a combination of boards such as a dry erase board and magnetic
board, a partially dry erase board, or a partially magnetic board.
A clipboard having a pad pocket is also contemplated. Such a
clipboard would have an opening in which a cardboard backing of a
pad can be slid. The adhesive for holding papers to the board is
preferably releasable such as the adhesive used for Post-It brand
notepads.
[0038] A second paperclip 106 is located at the bottom of board
102. The second paper clip 106 is connected directly to board 102
and has a pen clamp 107. The second paperclip 106 is pivotally
moveable from a normally closed position at which it holds papers
against the board 102 to an open position at which there is an
opening between the second paperclip 106 and the board 102, and
thus papers can be inserted or removed. Of course, a second
paperclip or pen clamp can be provided independently of one
another.
[0039] The second paper clip 106 allows paper or thin items to stay
securely in place while holding or moving clipboard 100. The pen
clamp 107 ensures that the pen or other writing utensil will stay
securely attached to board 102 while clipboard 100 is being held or
carried.
[0040] An indented aperture 108 is located on the left and a second
indented aperture 110 is located on the right. The distance to
which the aperture is indented should be approximately 3.25-5.50
inches in length and 0.75-2.50 inches in width, and may vary
depending upon the size of the aperture, which may vary in size
depending upon the application. For a children's clipboard, the
apertures will be smaller than a clipboard designed for an adult
sports team. It is important that the apertures be sized for
comfort based on the average size of the individual's hand, taking
into account the age for which a clipboard in accordance with the
present invention is designed.
[0041] Preferably, the apertures 108 and 110 range from
approximately 3.25-5.50 inches in length and approximately
0.75-2.50 inches in width and allows a person to grip the clipboard
with four fingers. Each of the indented apertures 108 and 110
enable a person to carry the clipboard with ease and quickness or
to hide or show a particular side of the clipboard when held.
[0042] Instead of placing the indented apertures 108 and 110 on the
right and left of clipboard 100, the present invention contemplates
placing apertures on the top edge and the bottom edge; or on
adjoining edges such as the top edge and left edge, the top edge
and right edge, the bottom edge and the right edge, and the bottom
edge and left edge. Apertures can also be provided on three edges,
most preferably on the left, right and bottom edges.
[0043] Surrounding apertures 108 and 110 is a rubber gripping
surface to facilitate gripping and comfort. The gripping surface
may extend 0.5-2.5 inches from the width of the aperture and
0.1-1.0 inches from the length of the aperture. The surface area of
each gripping surface will depend on the length and width of
apertures 108 and 110. For aesthetic purposes the gripping surface
may be a different color than clipboard 100.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of clipboard 100 is
substantially a flat rectangular board 102 with contoured side
edges and a paperclip 104 is disposed at the top of board 102. A
second paperclip 106 is located at the bottom of board 102. The
second paperclip 106 is connected directly to board 102 and has a
pen clamp 107.
[0045] The second paperclip 106 is pivotally moveable from a
normally closed position at which it holds papers against board 102
to an open position at which there is an opening between the second
paperclip 106 and the board 102, and thus papers can be inserted or
removed.
[0046] In another embodiment, particularly smaller versions, a
magnet or magnets can be provided on the back surface so that it
can be magnetically held to a filing cabinet or other metal
surface.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that clipboard 100 is
substantially a flat rectangular board 102 with contoured side
edges and a recessed writing surface.
[0048] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made and are
encouraged to be made to the illustrative embodiments, and that
other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims
below.
* * * * *