GB2119147A - Concertina-folded map - Google Patents

Abstract

The map comprises a sheet printed on both sides and folded along fold lines (12-16). Key maps on a top cover (25) bear indicia which correspond to indicia provided on exposed margins (21) to direct a user to a desired map. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Map or chart This invention relates to a map or chart and one object is to provide a large map or chart which is folded in such a manner that access to any selected section of it is very easy.

According to the present invention, a map or chart comprises a single sheet printed on both sides, and folded concertina fashion about a number of parallel axes, alternately at one side and the opposite side, the folds being so positioned that at each side a fold (or an edge of the sheet) is spaced from the neighbouring folds (or edge) to leave a margin for identifying matter. The identifying matter could be a numeral or a descriptive legend or a colour in a colour code for example.

The space between adjacent folds at either side can constitute one section of the map or chart, which is sub-divided into a number of sections, and then a diagram of the layout of all the sections can appear on the front part of the sheet which will be the narrowest part.

The map is particularly simple to use, because you can identify the section you want by reference to the identifying matter, and then immediately open at that section or page by opening in the manner of a book to right or to the left about an appropriate one of the fold axes. There are no transverse folds.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and one embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which the single Figure is a perspective view of a map embodying the invention.

The map consists of a single horizontal strip folded about what will be called "vertical axes" such as 12 and 13 in concertina type folds, so that between each pair of folds, there is a different section of the map.

By opening the map about the left hand fold axes 14, 15, and 16, three different map sections can be revealed whereas by opening in the manner of a book about the axes 12 and 13, to the right hand side two further sections of the map can be revealed.

It will be seen that the first right hand fold 12 is inset from the right hand edge 11, and that the second fold 13 is inset an equal amount from the first fold 12, and that the outer edge 17 is inset an equal amount from the fold 13. Similarly, the left hand folds 14, 15, and 16 are equally spaced horizontally from each other.

That method of stepped folding enables an edge of each map section to be exposed, even when the map is folded flat, as indicated at 21, and that edge is marked with a numeral, such as 1,2,3,4, or 5 and writing or other means of identifying the subject of the particular map section as shown for example at 24. The means could consist of illustrations.

Also the relative dispositions of the five sections, 1,2,3,4, and 5 are displayed on the top cover 25.

It will be appreciated that the map sections are printed on both sides of the paper, cloth, or plastics material from which the strip is made, and that access to a particular page is very easy, first because you only have to open about a single one of the axes 12-16, and secondly because of the easy means of identifying which section you have to open. Opening is quite like opening a book, and there are no transverse folds. It will of course open to either side.

1. A map or chart comprising a single sheet printed on both sides and folded concertina-fashion about a number of parallel axes alternately at one side and the opposite side, the folds being so positioned that at each side a fold (or an edge of the sheet) is spaced from the neighbouring folds (or edge) to leave a margin for identifying matter.

2. A map or chart as claimed in Claim 1 in which the identifying matter comprises numerals, legends or colours in a colour code, or pictorial matter.

3. A map or chart as claimed in either of the preceding claims in which parts of the sheet between adjacent folds are progressively narrower from the back to the front.

4. A map or chart as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the various sections between adjacent fold axes are printed with different sections of the material to be displayed on the map or chart.

5. A map or chart as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the front part of the sheet between one edge and the first fold axis bears a pictorial display of the relationships of the other sections to each other, or an index to them.

6. A map or chart constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Map or chart This invention relates to a map or chart and one object is to provide a large map or chart which is folded in such a manner that access to any selected section of it is very easy. According to the present invention, a map or chart comprises a single sheet printed on both sides, and folded concertina fashion about a number of parallel axes, alternately at one side and the opposite side, the folds being so positioned that at each side a fold (or an edge of the sheet) is spaced from the neighbouring folds (or edge) to leave a margin for identifying matter. The identifying matter could be a numeral or a descriptive legend or a colour in a colour code for example. The space between adjacent folds at either side can constitute one section of the map or chart, which is sub-divided into a number of sections, and then a diagram of the layout of all the sections can appear on the front part of the sheet which will be the narrowest part. The map is particularly simple to use, because you can identify the section you want by reference to the identifying matter, and then immediately open at that section or page by opening in the manner of a book to right or to the left about an appropriate one of the fold axes. There are no transverse folds. The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and one embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which the single Figure is a perspective view of a map embodying the invention. The map consists of a single horizontal strip folded about what will be called "vertical axes" such as 12 and 13 in concertina type folds, so that between each pair of folds, there is a different section of the map. By opening the map about the left hand fold axes 14, 15, and 16, three different map sections can be revealed whereas by opening in the manner of a book about the axes 12 and 13, to the right hand side two further sections of the map can be revealed. It will be seen that the first right hand fold 12 is inset from the right hand edge 11, and that the second fold 13 is inset an equal amount from the first fold 12, and that the outer edge 17 is inset an equal amount from the fold 13. Similarly, the left hand folds 14, 15, and 16 are equally spaced horizontally from each other. That method of stepped folding enables an edge of each map section to be exposed, even when the map is folded flat, as indicated at 21, and that edge is marked with a numeral, such as 1,2,3,4, or 5 and writing or other means of identifying the subject of the particular map section as shown for example at 24. The means could consist of illustrations. Also the relative dispositions of the five sections, 1,2,3,4, and 5 are displayed on the top cover 25. It will be appreciated that the map sections are printed on both sides of the paper, cloth, or plastics material from which the strip is made, and that access to a particular page is very easy, first because you only have to open about a single one of the axes 12-16, and secondly because of the easy means of identifying which section you have to open. Opening is quite like opening a book, and there are no transverse folds. It will of course open to either side. CLAIMS

1. A map or chart comprising a single sheet printed on both sides and folded concertina-fashion about a number of parallel axes alternately at one side and the opposite side, the folds being so positioned that at each side a fold (or an edge of the sheet) is spaced from the neighbouring folds (or edge) to leave a margin for identifying matter.

2. A map or chart as claimed in Claim 1 in which the identifying matter comprises numerals, legends or colours in a colour code, or pictorial matter.

3. A map or chart as claimed in either of the preceding claims in which parts of the sheet between adjacent folds are progressively narrower from the back to the front.

4. A map or chart as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the various sections between adjacent fold axes are printed with different sections of the material to be displayed on the map or chart.

5. A map or chart as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the front part of the sheet between one edge and the first fold axis bears a pictorial display of the relationships of the other sections to each other, or an index to them.

6. A map or chart constructed and arranged substantially as herein specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawing.