GB2343659A

GB2343659A - Desk tidy with elastomeric bristles for supporting writing instruments

Info

Publication number: GB2343659A
Application number: GB9824842A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-13
Filing date: 1998-11-13
Publication date: 2000-05-17
Also published as: GB9824842D0

Abstract

A desk tidy is divided into compartments 26 having a base with vertical elastomeric bristles 24 for supporting pens or pencils in an upright, separated manner.

Description

Title: A DESK TIDY.

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an improved desk tidy.

Desk tidies are normally provided in offices for storing pens, pencils, paper clips and other small stationery items all together on an individual's desk. Generally, the desk tidy consists of a container separated into number of compartments which are upwardly open to allow pens or other items to be placed therein for storage purposes. The compartments may be provided in a variety of dimensions to accommodate items of different shapes and sizes, such as tall, thin compartments for receiving pens and pencils or shallow, wider compartments for receiving paper clips, erasers or the like.

Another type of desk tidy consists of a weighted block having a receptacle for receiving a pen. The block acts as a paper-weight and the receptacle consists of an openended tube for receiving a pen of a similar dimension. The receptacle may be pivotably mounted with respect to the weighted block and the pen may be attached to the block by means of, for example, a length of chain.

Whilst the aforementioned storage devices do assist in maintaining a tidy desk and allow easier access to a pen or other writing implement when required, it is often difficult to find and retrieve a particular pen or pencil from a compartment which may house a number of such implements. It can also be difficult trying to insert a pen into a receptacle which is of a similar dimension to the pen, particularly for the elderly or if the individual is in a hurry.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved desk tidy that aims to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a desk tidy comprising one or more compartments for receiving objects, one or more of the compartments being provided with means for supporting said objects in a substantially upright and spaced apart location to assist in the retrieval of an object therefrom.

Preferably, the means for supporting said objects in the compartment is flexible.

In this manner, the object can be inserted at any region of the compartment without having to be carefully placed therein. Preferably, the compartments are provided with a layer of upwardly extending projections, for example in the form of bristles, across a region thereof. Preferably, the projections are provided at the base of the compartment and extend between 25-100mm up the interior of the compartment to receive an object which is inserted therein. The projections may be made of an elastomeric or other suitable material.

A preferred desk tidy according to the present invention is provided with a main body part and a base part. The main body part is preferably provided with the compartments for receiving the objects and the base part is provided with projections extending upwardly therefrom. Preferably, the body part consists of a housing having four peripheral walls in which the two side walls are longer than the two end walls.

Preferably, one or more dividing wall traverses the housing to form two or more compartments. The body part is open at both ends to allow one end to be fitted over the base part such that the projections extend partially up the compartments and to allow objects to be placed in the compartments from the opposite end. However, the base part may also be provided with one or more compartments, for example, in the form of a shallow recess for receiving smaller items.

The body part is preferably provided with two or more tall compartments for receiving pens, pencils and the like. Preferably, it is these compartments which are provided with projections across a region thereof for supporting the pens and pencils and keeping them in a spaced apart location. Preferably, the body part is also provided with a shallow, wider compartment for receiving smaller miscellaneous items, such as paper clips. This compartment may be provided as an extension to one or more of the side walls of the body part.

Preferably, one or more sides of the body part is provided with a recess for receiving an insert, for example in the form of a business card or the like. Preferably, retaining lips extend vertically along the sides of opposite end walls of the body part to form a slot for receiving the card. A slot may also be provided along the base of the section for receiving the bottom edge of the card. Preferably, a transparent sheet of plastics material is also provided in the recess to protect the card. Alternatively, a sticker displaying information may be adhered in the recess of the body part.

The base part is preferably comprised of a flat structure which has projections extending therefrom. The intended lower surface of the base part may be provided with a non-slip surface and may be weighted to increase the stability of the desk tidy.

The desk tidy may be provided with any number of compartments in any desired shape or size. The desk tidy may also be provided with a cover for fastening over the main body part. The components may be made of any suitable material but preferably are made of a plastics material.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a desk tidy according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the main body part of the desk tidy shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the base part of the desk tidy shown in Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a desk tidy according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a desk tidy according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The desk tidy has a main body part 2 and a base part 4. The main body part 2 consists of a rectangular housing having four peripheral walls 7 in which the two side walls are longer than the end walls. Two further walls 9 traverse the housing thereby dividing the interior of the housing into three separate compartments 6. The housing is open-ended to allow insertion of items into the compartments and to enable the housing to be placed over the base part 4.

One side of the housing is also provided with a shallow receptacle 16 for receiving smaller items, such as paper clips and drawing pins. The receptacle may be formed by extending the ends walls of the housing and providing a base section between the extensions of the two walls. A shallow front wall 17 may then be provided extending from each of extensions to form the receptacle. The upper edge of the front wall is curved to enable easy retrieval of the items in the receptacle. The receptacle is preferably formed integrally with the rest of the main body, for example being formed as a single moulded plastics unit. Alternatively, the shallow receptacle may be formed by the provision of a canted side wall of the housing which extends upwardly at its end thereby forming a shallow cup for receiving small items.

It is to be appreciated that the number and shape of the compartments provided in the main body part may be varied. For example, tall cylindrical compartments may be provided for receiving pens and the like.

One wall of the body part 2 is also provided with a recess for receiving an insert, such as a business card 8 or other identification card. Preferably, the insert may be mounted on the wall which will be visible from the front of the desk, thereby enabling the insert to be in the form of an identification card for the occupant of the desk. The card is mounted on the side walls by the provision of retaining lips 10 extending vertically along the sides of opposite end walls to provide a slot for receiving a card or the like. A slot may also be provided along the base of the section for receiving the bottom edge of the card. Preferably, a transparent sheet of plastics material is also provided in the recess to protect the card. Alternatively, a sticker may be placed on the outer side of one or more of the peripheral walls.

The base part 4 of the desk tidy has a section of bristles 14 extending from a flat supporting structure 12. The body part is placed over the base part such that the bristles extend partially up the interior of the compartments 6 of the body part 2 of the desk tidy which is then supported by the provision of the flat structure of the base part.

The bristles serve to hold the pens and pencils in the compartments in an upright and spaced apart location to enable easy and quick access to the pens and pencils, when required. The density and flexibility of the bristles should be such as to allow a pen or other implement to be inserted quickly between the bristles but provide adequate support to an individual pen. Alternative means may be provided across the interior of the compartments to provide support for the pens. The bristles may be made of an elastomeric material to assist in their receiving and supporting the writing implements.

The base part may also be used as a brush when required, by simply removing the body part from the base part. The bristles may be used for example, to brush the surface of the desk or as a clothes brush.

Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings illustrates an alternative embodiment of a desk tidy according to the present invention. The desk tidy 22 has no separate base part but instead has a body part which is sealed across its base to allow the storage of the pens therein. A layer of flexible projections 24 is provided across each of the compartments 26 for supporting the writing implements. A shallow receptacle 28 is also provided extending from one side of the body part for receiving smaller items.

The desk tidy may be made of any suitable material but is preferably made of a durable, lightweight plastics material. The base part may be weighted, for example in the flat supporting structure, to assist in stabilising the tidy on the desk. It is to be appreciated that the shape of the body part and the base part may differ to those shown in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A desk tidy comprising one or more compartments for receiving objects, one or more of the compartments being provided with means for supporting said objects in a substantially upright and spaced apart location to assist in the retrieval of an object therefrom.
2. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting said objects is flexible.
3. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the compartments are provided with a layer of upwardly extending projections for supporting said objects.
4. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 3, wherein the projections are in the form of bristles.
5. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the support means is made of an elastomeric material.
6. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 comprising a main body part and a base part.
7. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 6, wherein the main body part is provided with the compartments and the base part is provided with projections extending upwardly therefrom whereby the body part is fitted over the base part such that the projections extend partially up the compartments.
8. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the body part consists of a housing having four peripheral walls.
9. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one dividing wall traverses the housing thereby forming the compartments.
10. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the body part is provided with two or more tall compartments for receiving pens or the like.
11. A desk tidy as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tall compartments are provided with the support means.
12. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the body part is provided with a further shallow compartment for receiving smaller miscellaneous items.
13. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the base part is a flat structure having projections extending from an intended upper surface thereof.
14. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the compartments is provided with means for receiving an insert.
15. A desk tidy as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cover is provided for fastening over the compartments.
16. A desk tidy substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.