AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "Paper Holder" Applicant: Nangala Pty Ltd Associated provisional applications: 2009900483 filed 9 February 2009 The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "Paper Holder" 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for holding paper for both writing on and reading. Background to the Invention 10 With the increasing use of electronic devices that consume sheets of paper, such as printers and photocopiers, there is an increasing amount of such paper which ultimately gets discarded. As it is common for only one side of the paper to be used, many people re-use the other side of the paper for general note taking. 15 The present invention relates to a device which can be used for holding paper to allow both note taking on the paper and easy viewing of the information written on the paper. The device is expected to be particularly suitable for holding paper which has been used on one side such that the paper can be 20 re-used by writing on the clean side. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper holder comprising: 25 a base portion; an upper surface supported by the base portion such that when the base portion rests on a surface, the upper surface is angled relative to the surface; and a retaining member including an engaging portion located adjacent the upper 30 surface; wherein the retaining member is resiliently connected to the base member such that the engaging portion can be flexed away from the upper surface by application of a force and the engaging portion moves back towards the upper 3 surface on release of said force to clamp paper placed between the upper surface and the engaging portion. Preferably the retaining member comprises a first portion secured under the 5 upper surface and a second portion extending around a first upper edge of the upper surface, the second portion including the engaging portion. Preferably the retaining member comprises a sheet of material having a J shaped cross section such that the first portion thereof is generally planar and 10 the second portion thereof has a U-shaped cross section. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion of the retaining member extends from a first end thereof secured adjacent a second lower edge of the upper surface at an angle to the upper surface to a second end thereof below the 15 first upper edge of the upper surface and the second portion extends from the second end of the first portion around the first upper edge of the upper surface such that the distal end of the second portion engages with the upper surface to form the engaging portion. 20 The first portion of the retaining member is preferably resilient such that applying an upward force on the second portion of the retaining member flexes the first portion and lifts the engaging portion away from the upper surface. 25 In a preferred embodiment, the first edge of the upper surface includes a first tab extending through an opening in the second portion of the retaining member and a second tab is provided on the second portion of the retaining member such that pressing the first and second tabs together moves the engaging portion away from the upper surface of the paper holder. 30 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper holder comprising: a base portion; 4 an upper surface supported by the base portion such that when the base portion rests on a surface, the upper surface is angled relative to the surface; and a retaining member including an engaging portion located above the upper 5 surface adjacent a first upper edge thereof; wherein the upper surface is resiliently connected to the base member such that the upper surface can be flexed away from the engaging portion by application of a force and the upper surface moves back towards the engaging portion on release of said force to clamp paper placed between the 10 upper surface and the engaging portion. The upper surface is preferably provided on a first planar member and the base portion comprises a second planar member, wherein the first planar member is resiliently connected to the second planar member such that first 15 planar member can be flexed towards the second planar member by pressing downwardly on the upper surface thereof. The retaining member is preferably secured adjacent a first edge of the base portion and includes an opening that receives the first planar member 20 adjacent the first edge thereof such that the edge of the opening above the upper surface forms the engaging portion. In one embodiment, the retaining member comprises: a rectangular upper wall having first and second end walls extending 25 transversely away from opposed ends thereof; the opening into which is received the first upper edge of the upper surface provided on a first side thereof; and a side wall extending away from the upper wall on a second side thereof, opposite the opening. 30 A recess may be provided in the upper wall for receiving stationary items. In a further embodiment, the retaining member comprises a band secured adjacent a first edge of the base portion, the band defining the opening that 5 receives the first planar member adjacent the first upper edge thereof and the base portion. The upper surface may extend through the band and include a recess for 5 receiving stationary items. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper holder comprising: a base portion; 10 an upper surface supported by the base portion such that when the base portion rests on a surface, the upper surface is angled relative to the surface; and a retaining member including an engaging portion located adjacent the upper surface; 15 wherein opposite ends of the retaining member are connected adjacent an edge of the upper surface and the retaining member is flexible such that the engaging portion can be flexed away from the upper surface by application of a force and moves back towards the upper surface on release of said force to clamp paper placed between the upper surface and the engaging portion. 20 The retaining member preferably comprises: first and second end portions extending transversely from opposite ends of an interconnecting portion, the first and second end portions extending under the upper surface adjacent the first upper edge; and 25 lugs provided on upper surfaces of the first and second end portions such that the lugs are received in apertures provided in the planar member; wherein the interconnecting portion extends adjacent and parallel to the first upper edge of the upper surface and extends upwardly from the first and second end portions such that an intermediate portion thereof is located 30 above the plane of the upper surface, the engaging portion extending from the interconnecting portion such that the engaging portion is located above the upper surface.
6 In a preferred embodiment, the retaining member is constructed of a resilient material such that the interconnecting portion can be pulled upward, thereby lifting the engaging portion away from the upper surface to allow insertion of paper onto the upper surface. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: 10 Figure la is an end view of a first embodiment of a paper holder in accordance with the present invention; Figure 1b is a top view of the paper holder of Figure 1a; Figure 1c is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 1a; Figure 1d is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 1a; 15 Figure le is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 1a showing insertion of paper; Figure 1f is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure la showing insertion of paper; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the paper holder of Figure 1; 20 Figure 3 is a view of the paper holder of Figure 1 showing attachment of feet; Figure 4a is an end view of a second embodiment of a paper holder in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4b is a top view of the paper holder of Figure 4a; Figure 4c is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 4a; 25 Figure 4d is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 4a; Figure 4e is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 4a showing insertion of paper; Figure 4f is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 4a showing insertion of paper; 30 Figure 5 is an exploded view of the paper holder of Figure 4; Figure 6a is an end view of a third embodiment of a paper holder in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6b is a top view of the paper holder of Figure 6a; 7 Figure 6c is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 6a; Figure 6d is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 6a; Figure 6e is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 6a showing insertion of paper; 5 Figure 6f is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 6a showing insertion of paper; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the paper holder of Figure 6; Figure 8a is an end view of a fourth embodiment of a paper holder in accordance with the present invention; 10 Figure 8b is a top view of the paper holder of Figure 8a; Figure 8c is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 8a; Figure 8d is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 8a; Figure 8e is a side view of the paper holder of Figure 8a showing insertion of paper; 15 Figure 8f is an upper perspective view of the paper holder of Figure 8a showing insertion of paper; and Figure 9 is an exploded view of the paper holder of Figure 8. 20 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a paper holder 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. The paper holder 10 includes an upper surface 12 on which paper is to be placed. The paper holder 10 includes a base portion 14 which is to be rested on a 25 surface where the paper holder 10 is to be used. The upper surface 12 is angled relative to the base portion 14 such that when the base portion 14 is placed on the surface, the upper surface 12 is angled relative to the surface. The paper holder 10 can therefore be placed on a surface facing the user of the device such that the paper is angled for easier viewing. 30 In the embodiment shown, the base portion 14 includes a pair of parallel legs 16 being generally triangular in shape. The upper surface 12 is provided as a generally planar member 18 extending across and supported by the legs 16.
8 The planar member 18 in a preferred embodiment is approximately half the size of a standard A4 sheet such that A4 sheets cut or torn in half can be easily placed on the upper surface 12 5 The paper holder 10 includes also a retaining member 20. The retaining member 20 includes an engaging portion 22 located above the upper surface 12 such that a stack of paper 24 can be clamped between the engaging portion 22 and the upper surface 12. 10 In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the retaining member 20 comprises a sheet of material having a generally J-shaped cross section (as best seen in Figure 2). That is, the retaining member 20 includes a first portion 26 being generally planar and a second portion 28 having a generally U-shaped cross section. 15 The first portion 26 of the retaining member extends under the upper surface 12 at an angle to the upper surface 12. The first portion 26 of the retaining member 20 is secured at a first end thereof to the base portion 14 adjacent a second lower edge 32 of the upper surface 12. The first portion 26 extends 20 from the first end thereof to a second end located under the upper surface adjacent the first upper edge 30. The second portion 28 extends from the second end of the first portion 26 around the first upper edge 30 of the upper surface 12. The distal end of the second portion 28 engages with the upper surface 12 to form the engaging portion 22 of the retaining member 20. 25 The first portion 26 of the retaining member 20 is resilient such that applying an upward force on the second portion 28 of the retaining member 20 flexes the first portion 26 and lifts the engaging portion 22 away from the upper surface 12. Release of the force allows the engaging portion 22 to move back 30 towards the upper surface 12 clamping paper placed on the upper surface 12. (as shown in Figures le and 1f). The upper surface 12 includes a first tab 34 extending outwardly from the upper edge 30 thereof. The first tab 34 extends through an opening 36 9 provided in the second portion 28 of the retaining member 20. The second portion 28 of the retaining member 20 also includes a second tab 38 extending generally parallel to and below the first tab 34. The user of the paper holder 10 can hold and press together the first and second tabs 34 and 5 38 thereby flexing the retaining member 20 and lifting the engaging portion 22 away from the upper surface 12 to allow insertion of paper 24. The legs 16 may be provided with apertures for receiving a plurality of feet 40 (as shown in Figure 2). In a further embodiment, the feet 40 may be provided 10 with adhesive pairs of pads 42 comprising hook and loop fastener material. One pad from each pair is then stuck to one of the feet 40 and the other to the surface on which the paper holder 10 is to be used. The feet 40 are then placed on the pads stuck on the surface to secure the paper holder 10 in place. This would allow the paper holder to be used on surfaces that are not 15 level or are moving, such as the dashboard of a vehicle. A further pair of elongate feet 41 are provided under the second lower edge 32 of the base portion 14. The first upper edge 30 of the upper surface 12 may include holes 44 which 20 extend through the upper surface 12 into the base portion 14. The holes 44 may be used to receive and hold a pen or pencil 46 as shown in Figures le and 1f. Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a paper holder 10 in 25 accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The paper holder 10 of Figures 4 and 5 includes also an upper surface 12 on a first planar member 18. The planar member 18 is secured adjacent the 30 second lower edge 32 thereof to the base portion 14 which comprises a second planar member 19. The first planar member 18 is resiliently connected to the base portion 14 such that first planar member 18 can be flexed towards the base portion 14 by pressing downwardly on the upper surface 12 thereof. On release of the force, the first planar member 18 moves again upwardly.
10 The first planar member 18 is angled relative to the second planar member 19 such that when the base portion 14 is placed on the surface, the upper surface 12 is angled relative to the surface 5 The retaining member 20 comprises a member secured to the base portion 14 adjacent a first edge thereof, the first edge of the second planar member 19 being located below the first edge 30 of the first planar member 18. The retaining member 20 comprises a rectangular upper wall 80 having first and second end walls 82 and 83 extending transversely away from opposed ends 10 of the upper wall 80. A first side of the retaining member 20 includes an opening 50 along the length thereof into which is received the first upper edge 30 of the first planar member 18. A side wall 84 extends away from the upper wall 80 on a second side thereof, opposite the opening 50. 15 A portion of the upper wall 80 of the retaining member 20 adjacent the opening 50 comprises the engaging portion 22 as the first upper edge 30 of the upper surface 12 rests against this portion in use. Pushing down on the upper surface 12 flexes the upper surface 12 away from the engaging portion 22 allowing paper to be placed on the upper surface 12 under the engaging 20 portion 22. Releasing the upper surface 12 allows the upper surface 12 to move upwardly clamping the paper 24 between the upper surface 12 and the engaging portion 22 (as shown in Figures 4e and 4f). The retaining member 20 may include a recess 54 in the upper wall 80. The 25 recess 54 may be used for receiving pens, pencils or other small stationary items. Figures 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of a paper holder 10 in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. The third embodiment is 30 similar in function to the second embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The upper surface 12 and base portion 14 of the third embodiment are constructed in a similar fashion to that of the second embodiment. The 11 retaining member 20 comprises a band 56 having a first upper side 58, a second lower side 60 and first and second ends 62 and 64 joining adjacent ends of the upper and lower sides 58 and 60. The lower side 60 is positioned below the base portion 14 and the upper side 58 is positioned above the 5 upper surface 12. That is, the band 56 defines an opening 50 into which is received the base portion 14 and the first planar member 18 adjacent the first upper edge 30 of the upper surface 12. The upper side 58 of the band 56 comprises the engaging portion 22 and the upper surface 12 can be pressed downwardly to insert paper 24 as in the second embodiment. 10 In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the upper surface 12 extends through the band 56 and includes a recess 54 therein for the same purposes as the recess 54 of the second embodiment. 15 Figures 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of a paper holder 10 in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention. The paper holder 10 of Figures 8 and 9 includes again an upper surface 12 supported from a base portion 14 at an angle to the base portion 14. 20 The retaining member 20 includes first and second end portions 70 and 72 having lugs 74 on upper surfaces thereof. The first and second end portions 70 and 72 extend transversely from opposite ends of an interconnecting portion 78. In use the interconnecting portion 78 extends adjacent and parallel to the first upper edge 30 of the upper surface 12. The first and 25 second end portions 70 and 72 extend transversely from ends of the interconnecting portion 78 such that the first and second end portions 70 and 72 extend under the upper surface 12 adjacent the first upper edge 30. The first and second end portions 70 and 72 are located under the upper 30 surface 12 adjacent the first upper edge 30 thereof such that the lugs 74 are received in apertures 76 provided in the planar member 18 such that the retaining member 20 is secured to the planar member 18.
12 The interconnecting portion 78 extends upwardly from the first and second end portions 70 and 72 such that an intermediate portion thereof is located above the plane of the upper surface 12. The engaging portion 22 extends from the intermediate portion of the interconnecting portion 78 such that the 5 engaging portion 22 is located above the upper surface 12 and in engagement with the upper surface 12. The retaining member 20 is constructed of a resilient material such that the interconnecting portion 78 can be pulled upward, thereby lifting the engaging 10 portion 22 away from the upper surface 12 to allow insertion of paper onto the upper surface 12 of the paper holder 10, as shown in Figures 8e and 8f. It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, 15 in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.