GB2428407A

GB2428407A - Penholder with audio playback unit

Info

Publication number: GB2428407A
Application number: GB0514603A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chih-Yuan Hsueh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-15
Filing date: 2005-07-15
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Also published as: GB0514603D0

Abstract

A penholder or desk tidy with audio playback unit includes a main body 1 divided into an upper chamber 11 for holding stationery such as pens, rulers, knives, and a lower chamber 12; an audio playback unit 3 received in the lower chamber of the main body, and two picture frames 2 pivotally connected to two vertical edges of the main body 1 to be turned between an extended showing position and a folded position. The audio playback unit 3 includes a signal amplifier 31 and at least one speaker 32, and may be electrically connected to an external sound source such as a personal computer to input an audio signal which is then output from the speaker through sound aperture 121. Connection is made by a jack 311.

Description

PENHOLDER WITH AUDIO PLAYBACK UNIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a penholder, and more particularly to a penholder that includes an audio playback unit to input, amplify, and output sound signals, and picture frames to show different pictures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional penholder typically includes a hollow container having a central space and is only used to hold stationery, such as pens, rules, knives, etc. Although the conventional penholder has been constantly changed in its appearance, it fails to include effective means to increase its value to meet the fierce competition in the market. There are manufacturers tried to associate the conventional penholder with some other product, such as connecting a stamp pad to a lower part of the penholder, in an attempt of giving the penholder an increased value. Therefore, it has become an important issue for stationery field to develop penholders associated with other products of different functions, so as to effectively increase the value of the penholders.

it is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved penholder to eliminate the drawbacks existed in the conventional penholders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a penholder with audio playback unit, so that the penholder is able to output souiîd to increase its value.

To achieve the above and other objects, the penholder of the present invention includes a main body internally divided into an open-topped upper chamber for holding stationery, and a lower chamber for receiving an audio playback unit therein. The lower chamber is provided on two lateral walls with a sound aperture each, via which sound output from the audio playback unit may be diffused.

The penholder of the present invention may further include at least one picture frame to increase its value. The picture frame is pivotally connected to a vertical edge of the main body of the penholder, so that the picture frame may be turned between an extended position for showing a picture and a folded position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of a penholder with audio playback unit according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an assembled rear perspective view of the penholder with audio playback unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an assembled front perspective view of the penholder with audio playback unit of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 shows an example of using the penholder of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to Fig. I that is an exploded perspective view of a penholder with audio playback unit according to the present invention, and to Figs. 2 and 3 that are assembled rear and front perspective views, respectively, of the penholder of Fig. 1. As shown, the penholder of the present invention includes a main body 1, two picture frames 2, and an audio playback unit 3.

The main body 1 is internally divided into an upper and a lower chamber 11, 12. The upper chamber II is open-topped for holding stationery, such as pens, rules, knives, etc. The lower chamber 12 is open-bottomed for receiving the audio playback unit 3 therein.

The lower chamber 12 is provided at two lateral walls with a sound aperture 121 each, and at a rear lower edge with a sideward opening 123.

The picture frames 2 are pivotally connected to two rear vertical edges of the main body 1, so as to be pivotally turned between an outward extended position for showing pictures therein, and an inward folded position.

The audio playback unit 3 includes a signal amplifier 31 and at least one speaker 32.

The signal amplifier 31 is provided at a predetermined position with a sound source jack 311, via which a sound signal is input. The audio playback unit 3 is enclosed in the lower chamber 12 of the main body I to associate with the penholder by closing a bottom cover 122 to the open bottom of the lower chamber 12, such that the sound source jack 311 of the signal amplifier 31 is located in the sideward opening 123 and accessible from an outer side of the penholder, and a sound emitting side of the at least one speaker 32 is aligned with the sound aperture 121 formed on the lateral wall of the lower chamber 12.

Fig. 4 shows an example of use of the penholder of the present invention. As shown, the signal amplifier 31 of the audio playback unit 3 may be connected to a personal computer 4 via a cable 5 having an end connected to the sound source jack 311 and the other end to the personal computer 4, so that sound signals, such as MP3, MP4, or other types of audio signals, may be input to the audio playback unit 3 from the computer 4.

In practical application of the present invention, the sound source jack 311 may be a USB socket, an AV terminal jack, etc. for connecting to different types external sound source units.

With the above arrangements, the penholder with audio playback unit according to the present invention effectively provides the functions of holding stationery, amplifying and outputting sound, and showing pictures, and is therefore novel, improved, and industrially practical for use.

Claims

What is claimed is: A penholder with audio playback unit, comprising: a

main body being internally divided into an upper and a lower chamber, said upper chamber being open-topped for holding stationery therein, and said lower chamber being provided at two lateral walls with a sound aperture each; and an audio playback unit including a signal amplifier and at least one speaker, said audio playback unit being received in said lower chamber of said main body with a sound emitting side of said speaker aligned with said sound aperture on each lateral wall of said lower chamber; and said signal amplifier being adapted to receive and amplify an input sound source, and output the amplified sound to said at least one speaker, so that the received sound is diffused from said sound aperture.
2. The penholder with audio playback unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one picture frame pivotally connected to a vertical edge of said main body, so that said picture frame may be pivotally turned between an extended position for showing a picture in said picture frame, and a folded position.
3. The penholder with audio playback unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signal amplifier includes a sound source jack for inputting a sound source, and said lower chamber is provided at a rear lower edge with a sideward opening; and said sound source jack being located in said sideward opening and accessible from an outside of said main body for electrically connecting to a predetermined external sound source.
4. The penholder with audio playback unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sound source jack is selected from the group consisting of a USB socket and an AV terminal jack.