GB2282782A

GB2282782A - Re-useable writing medium.

Info

Publication number: GB2282782A
Application number: GB9416060A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwin Thomas Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-13
Filing date: 1994-08-09
Publication date: 1995-04-19
Also published as: GB9321161D0; GB9416060D0

Abstract

A reuseable writing medium comprises a substrate 2 which has a dark surface, and a sheet 4 of translucent or transparent plastics material which overlies at least some of the substrate 2, and which may be releasably adhered to the substrate by the application of pressure to one or more areas of the sheet so that the sheet appears darker in those areas. The sheet 4 is provided with pre-printed text or graphics markings which define regions of the writing medium where particular information is to be recorded. Writing is effected by means of a writing implement 6 which causes the sheet 4 to adhere to the substrate 2 wherever it is pressed by the writing implement. Erasure is effected by separating the sheet 4 from the substrate 2. The writing medium may be used for recording contract bridge or golf scores, or shopping lists. The device may comprise a housing having a separator past which the recording elements can be withdrawn to effect erasure. <IMAGE>

Description

WRITING MEDIUM The present invention relates to a re-usable writing medium for use particularly, but not exclusively, in the recording of contract bridge scoring.

Typically contract bridge scores are recorded on preprinted pieces of paper or card which are used once and then discarded. The use of such pre-printed score cards wastes natural resources and is also relatively expensive.

According to the present invention there is provided a writing medium comprising: a) a substrate which has a dark surface; and b) a sheet of transparent or translucent plastics material which overlies at least some of the substrate, and which may be releasably adhered to the surface of the substrate by the application of pressure to one or more areas of the sheet so that the sheet appears darker in those areas; wherein the sheet is provided with pre-printed markings which define regions of the writing medium where particular information is to be recorded.

The invention therefore provides a re-usable writing medium for use with games or other activities which require the recording of information in a pre-defined format.

In a preferred embodiment the pre-printed markings comprise a rubber bridge score card. However the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and other markings may also be used; for example a duplicate bridge score card, a golf score card, or a shopping list. The markings may comprise text and/or graphics according to the specific application for which the writing medium is to be used.

The pre-printed marking may be printed directly onto either surface of the sheet. Alternatively, a second translucent or transparent sheet may be provided which overlies the first sheet and on which is carried the preprinted markings. If a second sheet is used, it is preferably releasably mounted in relation to the first sheet so that it may be removed and replaced with a sheet carrying different pre-printed markings. This allows the writing medium to be used for recording more than one type of game or other activity.

The substrate is preferably of card or plastics material, and its surface may be coated with a wax, resin, or other compliant coatings so as to aid releasable adhesion between the substrate and the sheet. Such substrates are well known to those skilled in the art. The term "dark" is used herein to refer to a surface which is darker than the sheet, so that when the sheet adheres to the substrate there is a visible contrast between the areas of adhesion and surrounding areas.

Writing is effected by pressing on the sheet with a writing implement so as to cause the sheet to adhere to the substrate wherever pressure is applied. Typically the writing implement is a pencil-shaped piece of wood or plastics material. However almost any implement with a writing point of suitable dimensions may be used.

Preferably the writing medium is provided with means for separating at least part of the sheet from the substrate.

The separation means may comprises a strip of material which is mounted between the substrate and the sheet. By moving the strip relative to the substrate and the sheet so that the strip travels partially or entirely through regions of adhesion (writing), the substrate and the sheet may be separated and hence the writing erased. However it would also be possible to separate the sheet from the substrate manually, by pulling the two apart.

In a preferred embodiment the writing medium is mounted in a housing, and the housing may optionally be provided with printed information or instructions. For example the housing may have printed on it the rules for bridge scoring, a summary of a bidding system, or a table for converting aggregate points into IMPs for contract bridge duplicate match scoring.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a writing medium in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view of a writing medium in accordance with a second embodiment on the invention; and Figure 3 is a view of the writing medium of Figure 2 during the erasure process.

The writing medium shown in Figure 1 comprises a substrate 2 which is a piece of dark card coated with a wax or resin. Overlying the substrate 2 is a sheet 4 of a translucent plastics material. The sheet 4 has permanently pre-printed on it a rubber bridge score card.

When the sheet 4 is flat against the substrate 2 rubber bridge scores may be eraseably recorded by means of a writing implement 6. By pressing with the writing implement 6 on the sheet 4 the sheet is caused to releasably adhere to the substrate 2, and it appears darker in those regions where it is adhered. When desired the scores may be erased, either by pulling the sheet away from the substrate by hand, or by sliding a strip of card or the like between the substrate 2 and the sheet 4. The bridge score card may then be re-used.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the substrate (not shown) and pre-printed sheet 4 are fixed together at their top 18 and bottom 20 edges and mounted in a housing 8, which is decorated with various indicia 10. A rest 12 is provided to retain a writing implement when it is not being used. The housing is provided with a strip 14 of card which is disposed between the substrate and the sheet 4. The substrate and sheet 4 are provided with a handle 16. By pulling the substrate and sheet 4 in the direction of the arrow 22 the strip 14 separates them and thereby erases writing to allow the score card to be re-used. The inside of the back of the housing 8a is visible when the substrate and sheet 4 are pulled out of the housing.

The housing has printed on its back (not shown) the rules for rubber bridge scoring.

The above drawings are provided as illustration only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments described.

Once the invention is properly understood, many other embodiments will be apparent within the scope of the invention. For example it is not necessary that the substrate and/or the sheet be moved to effect erasure.

The substrate and/or the sheet could remain stationary and a strip could be passed between them.

Claims

1. A writing medium comprising: a) a substrate which has a dark surface; and b) a sheet of transparent or translucent plastics material which overlies at least some of the substrate, and which may be releasably adhered to the surface of the substrate by the application of pressure to one or more areas of the sheet so that the sheet appears darker in those areas; wherein the sheet is provided with pre-printed markings which define regions of the writing medium where particular information is to be recorded.

2. A writing medium as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-printed markings comprise a rubber bridge score card.

3. A writing medium as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pre-printed markings are carried by a second sheet which is releasably mounted in relation to the first sheet.

4. A writing medium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for separating at least a part of the sheet from the substrate.

5. A writing medium as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate and the sheet are mounted in a housing.

6. A writing medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing is provided with printed information or instructions.

7. A writing medium substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in any one of the drawings.