GB2433729A

GB2433729A - Conference folder with angled writing surface.

Info

Publication number: GB2433729A
Application number: GB0526629A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Gomm
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-31
Filing date: 2005-12-31
Publication date: 2007-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-31
Also published as: GB0526629D0; GB2433729B

Abstract

The conference document folder converts to provide a rigid writing surface. It may be placed on a user's lap during meetings and conferences. It has a base panel 11 and a lid panel 10 connected to a spine 7. The lid provides a writing surface having a ridge (3, figure 4) at its joint with the spine which prevents a sheet of paper sliding off when the lid is inclined. Two rigid side supports (3, figure 3) are attached to lid panel 10. These may be used to support the panels at an inclination of approximately 30{. The supports are attached to the base panel by hook and loop fasteners (4,5 figure 3). A internal document pocket (6, figure 3), gusseted on either side, is mounted on one panel. On this is a business card holder 9. The folder includes a pen holder (8, figure 3). It is closed by an all round zip, the end of which may be tucked into a small pocket in the spine. The folder has gold coloured corner caps.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

CONFERENCE FOLbER & FIXEb WRITING SURFACE bEVICE (Lapdesk" Conference Folder) INVENTOR: Mr P S Gomm 1 Hebden Close Thotchcim Berkshire RG19 3XL bATE: 30 becember 2005 * 2433729 bESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: A light-weight, portable, writing surface device, which functions as a conference folder with the addition of a fixed, angled writing surface. I have called this devise a "Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder is designed for use by people attending meetings and conferences where there is not a suitable writing surface available. In such circumstances, the meeting attendee has to try to create a suitable writing surface on which to make meeting notes. The 1..apdesk" Conference Folder is the unique solution which overcomes this problem.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder looks similar to a traditional conference folder, but it incorporates an internal mechanism to create a fixed, rigid writing surface, angled at approximately 300 to the horizontal.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder comprises a lid and base panels, with two internal side supports, all of which are made from a rigid light-weight plastic which is covered with a matt effect weave style fabric. The lid and base panels are attached to a rigid spine, so that the lid and base hinge off the spine. The spine is made of the same material as the lid and base panels, features a lie-flat handle and is also covered in the same matt finish material.

The Lapdesk" Conference Folder is sealed with an all-round zip to keep contents within the folder. Once the all-round zip is undone and the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder opened, the two internal supports (which are attached lid panel) are fixed to the base panel by matching up the strips of Velcrcflocated on the end of each side support and on the base panel. This action thus creates the fixed, rigid writing surface, angled at approximately 30 to the horizontal.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder can then be placed on the user's lap and used as a writing surface, or an angled surface on which to rest a book or magazine.

In addition, the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder" can be placed on a table, bed or similar surface and used as a desk easel.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder has a pocket to retain a pad of A4 paper and additional information or notes, together with a pen holder and space for the user's business card. This unique adaptation of the traditional style conference / portfolio folder creates a stable, comfortable, angled writing surface, which can be placed on the user's lap and thus avoids the need for the conference / meeting attendee to find another (usually uncomfortable) way to create the ideal writing surface.

I'age 2 bETAILEb bESCRIPTION OF THE bRAWINGS: Figure 1 -A side elevation of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

1. Carry handle.

* This lies flat against the spine of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder, when not in use.

* This presents an uncluttered professional appearance and also allows the user to carry the Lapdesk" Conference Folder comfortably under an arm if preferred.

* The lie-flat handle features gold coloured caps to the handle shoulders to enhance the professional, executive look of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

* The lie-flat handle can also be supplied with black caps on the handle shoulders.

2. Carry Handle -Raised.

* When in use, the carry handle assumes the position as shown by the dotted line.

3. All Round Zip.

* The %%Lupdesku Conference Folder can be sealed using the zip which runs around all 3 sides from one end of the spine to the other.

* The end of the zip, which can be finished with a gold bar to enhance the overall professional, executive look of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder, can be left outside the folder, or retained inside the spine in a purpose made pocket.

4. Surface Corner Caps.

* The front and back panels of the Lapdesk" Conference Folder feature gold coloured corner caps, to enhance the overall professional, executive look of the folder.

5. Ridge of material at join of spine and folder lid and base.

* Where the lid and base of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder have been joined to the spine, a small ridge of material has been formed.

* This ridge is designed to prevent the A4 pad of paper (or a book) sliding off the Lapdesk" Conference Folder onto the user's lap.

6. Outside Fabric.

* The "Lapdesk' Conference Folder has been finished in a mutt weave style fabric which is not smooth and shiny. This enhances the overall professional, executive look of the Lapdesk" Conference Folder, whilst also providing a surface which avoids the Lapdesk" Conference Folder sliding off the user's lap.

* The front and back of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder are finished identically and so the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder can be used either way up with equal comfort and user benefits.

Page 3 Figure 2 -A plan view of the Lapdesk" Conference Folder spine.

1. Carry Handle.

* The Lie-Flat carry handle is made of soft durable plastic, which is comfortable to carry and easy to use.

2. Carry Handle Shoulders.

* The carry handle shoulders can be capped with a gold coloured metal to enhance the overall professional, executive look for the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder, or can be left as black caps, as required.

3. The All-Round Zip.

* The end of the all-round zip, features a gold bar to enhance the overall professional, executive look of the Lapdesk" Conference Folder, or can be left as a black bar, as required.

* The end of the zip can be tucked into a small retaining pocket on the inside of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder spine, or can be left outside the "Lapdesk' Conference Folder as the user prefers.

* The drawing indicates the all-round zip end, when left outside the Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

Page 4 Figure 3 -A Plan view of the Inside of the Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

1. All-Round Zip.

* The zip which seals the Lapdesk" Conference Folder runs all the way round 3 sides of the folder, from one end of the spine to the other.

2. All-Round Zip End.

* The end of the all-round zip, which features a gold bar to enhance the overall professional, executive look of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder, can be tucked into this small pocket on the inside of the spine.

* This pocket is designed to retain the zip end, as the user requires, which will enhance the clutter-free look to the 1'Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

3. Side Supports.

* The two rigid side supports are attached to the Lapdesk" Conference Folder lid (indicated as number 10 on the drawing).

4. Side Supports -Velcro * The side supports feature a strip of Velcro, which is used to attach the side supports to the base panel.

* The side supports are specifically designed to create an angle of approximately 300 to the horizontal, once the Velcro strips are located onto the two strips of Velcro on the base panel.

* The side supports maintain the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder lid at a comfortable angle, which facilitates ease of writing.

* The side supports can be easily and quickly detached from the base panel when not required, to allow the tapdesk" Conference Folder to be closed and sealed with the all-round zip.

5. Base Panel -Velcro * The strips of Velcro on the base panel are attached to the Velcro strips on each of the two side supports, to create the angled writing surface.

6. Internal bocument Pocket.

* The internal document pocket, which is gusseted on either side, spans the width of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

* The internal pocket is designed to have adequate capacity to retain an A4 pad of paper, plus other A4 sized documents and papers.

* This allows the user to be provided with an A4 pad of paper to make notes at the conference / meeting, and somewhere to safely retain notes made and other papers collected at the conference / meeting.

* The internal pocket features a gusset on either side, to facilitate easy insertion and extraction of the A4 pad of paper and documents.

Page 5 7. Spine.

* The spine of the 1tLapdesk" Conference Folder is solid and rigid and has the carry handle mounted to it.

* The internal fabric covers the spine and the all-round zip is fastened to the spine at one end and features the zip end retaining pocket at the other end (indicated as number 2 on the drawing).

8. Pen Holder.

* The base of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder (indicated as number 11 on the drawing), features a writing implement holder in a convenient location to allow ease of use when the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder is opened and assembled, ready for use.

9. Business Card Holder.

* The gusseted internal document pocket features a clear plastic window, open at one end, into which the user can insert a business card.

10. The %Lapdesku Conference Folder Lid.

* One side of the Lapdesk" Conference Folder forms the lid, which can be used as the writing surface of the uLapdesk Conference Folder once the folder is opened and assembled.

* The Lapdesk' Conference Folder is so designed that either the lid or the base may be used as the writing surface.

* When the Lid" is used as the writing surface, the internal document pocket is accessible from inside the panel of the folder which is forming the angled writing surface.

* The writing implement holder is located just inside the base panel, which is on the users lap.

11. "Lapdesk" Conference Folder Base.

* The other side of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder forms the base, which can also be used as the writing surface of the 1tLapdesk' Conference Folder once the folder is opened and assembled.

* The Lapdesk" Conference Folder is so designed that either the base or the lid may be used as the writing surface.

* When the "Base" is used as the writing surface, the internal document pocket would be accessible from the panel of the folder which is forming the base on the user's lap and the writing implement holder would be inside the angled writing surface.

Page 6 Figure 4 -A side elevation of the Open Assembled "Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

1. Angled Lid / Writing Surface.

* This drawing shows the open "Lapdesk" Conference Folder once the side supports have been attached to the Velcro on the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder base.

* Once the side supports are in place the angled writing surface is created.

* The internal gusseted document pocket is located on the inside of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder lid.

2. Side Supports.

* The side supports have been specifically designed to create an angle of approximately 30 to the horizontal when the base is on a user's lap or on a similar level surface such as a table, or bed.

3. Ridge of material at join of spine and folder lid and base.

* This ridge is designed to prevent the A4 pad of paper (or a book) sliding off the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder onto the user's lap.

4. Base panel * The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder base panel sits comfortably on the user's lap or can be placed on a desk, table or other similar horizontal surface and used as a desk easel.

5. Writing Implement Holder * The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder base panel features a holder for a writing implement.

6. Carry Handle * The lie-flat carry handle is mounted on the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder spine and thus does not form part of the panel which sits on the user's lap. This avoids an uncomfortable lump in the user's lap, when using the Lapdesk" Conference Folder in the open position.

7. All-round Zip * The zip which seals the Lapdesk" Conference Folder, runs all the way round 3 sides of the folder, from one end of the spine to the other.

8. All-Round Zip End.

* The end of the all-round zip, which features a gold bar to enhance the overall professional, executive look of the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder, is shown as being left outside the folder. The zip end can also be tucked into a small pocket which is located on the inside of the spine.

* The zip end pocket is designed to retain the zip end, as the user requires, and when used, will enhance the clutter-free look to the tapdesk" Conference Folder Page 7 BACKGROUNb: When people attend meetings and conferences, they may be issued with a traditional conference folder to make notes about the meeting / conference content.

Although there are many designs of conference folders, they all principally follow a universal format. The folder consists of two panels comprising a front and back, covered in some suitable material, with a material spine allowing the front and back panels to hinge closed and open.

The front panel of the folder may also be folded back, to lie flat against the back panel, forming a flat surface on which to write.

The folder usually includes an A4 pad of paper and a pen holder and perhaps a pocket to retain papers. Such pockets traditionally are attached to, and form part of, the inside of the front panel. In some case there may also be a space to retain business cards.

Whilst this type of conference folder is useful and provides a facility to record notes about the meeting / conference, it is a flat surface which then has to be adapted to form an angled surface, which is more comfortable for the user to make notes on.

The creation of a suitably angled writing surface may involve the user crossing their legs to achieve the correct angle, or placing something on their lap to create a correct writing angle, such as a bag or a briefcase for example.

This inevitably becomes uncomfortable for the conference folder user with time and thus makes the task of recording notes about the meeting / conference, much less appealing.

This invention, the Lapdesk" Conference Folder, seeks to provide a suitable, comfortable, angled writing surface for the meeting / conference attendee, whilst retaining the light-weight, inexpensive, portable benefits of a traditional conference folder.

Page 8

STATEMENT OF INVENTION:

The tapdesk" Conference Folder looks similar to a traditional conference folder, but it incorporates a mechanism to create a fixed, rigid writing surface, angled at approximately 300 to the horizontal.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder features a lid, a base and two side supports, which when assembled, create an angled writing surface. This can be placed comfortably on the user's lap, or on any another surface. The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder is sealed with an all-round zip to keep contents within the folder.

Once the zip has been undone and the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder opened, the two side supports, which are attached to the folder lid, can be temporarily attached to the folder base, thus creating the fixed, angled, comfortable writing surface. These two side supports can then be folded away when the user wishes to close and seal the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder.

The uLapdeskhl Conference Folder has a pocket to retain a pad of A4 paper and additional information or notes, together with a pen holder and space for the user's business card.

This unique adaptation of the traditional style conference / portfolio folder creates a stable, comfortable, angled writing surface, which can be placed on the user's lap and thus avoids the need for the conference / meeting attendee to find another (usually uncomfortable) way to create the ideal writing surface.

Page 9 AbVANTAGES: The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder is as light-weight, portable and presentable as a traditional conference / portfolio folder.

However, it's uniquely designed internal support mechanism transforms a simple two sided conference folder into a convenient, comfortable, angled writing platform.

The user can sit in a conference or meeting in comfort, recording and storing notes, without having to create an angled writing platform by crossing their legs or by placing a bag or briefcase on their lap throughout the conference / meeting.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder features an internal pocket to retain an A4 pad of paper, notes and other A4 sized documentation, plus internal holders for a pen and business cards.

Externally, the Lapdesk" Conference Folder features a lie-flat handle and is finished with gold fittings to create a truly professional, executive finish.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder's unique design makes it particularly beneficial to users in a wide variety of alternative situations, such as: * Writing a letter or document whilst the user is seated comfortably in an easy chair. This situation requires not only a non-flexible writing surface on which to bear, but additionally, a surface which can be secured at a suitable and comfortable angle for the user.

* A bed-bound user, who may have to spend time in a semi-reclined position, would greatly benefit from not only having a surface on which to rest a book at the correct angle, but also a surface on which to write if required.

* When travelling in an aircraft, a train, coach or car, the "Lapdesk" Conference Folder will create a comfortable surface to rest a book on, or for writing during any journey.

* The Lapdesk" Conference Folder could also be used on a desk, table or similar flat horizontal surface, as a desk easel on which to place a book, or to allow the user to create a suitable, angled writing / drawing surface.

Page 10 Some attempts have been made in the past, to create a portable, light-weight, inexpensive work surface. Many of these devises have been cumbersome to use and look like a portable desk, which is inappropriate for people attending conferences or meetings.

The "Lapdesk" Conference Folder combines the light-weight, inexpensive, professional practicalities of a traditional conference folder and also provides the user with the unique design benefits of having an easy-to-use, conveniently angled writing surface, which can sit comfortably on the user's lap throughout a conference or meeting, or during a journey.

I'agc II

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A conference folder lap desk consisting of two rigid panels

joined to a rigid central spine which, by means of an internal support mechanism attaching the two panels to each other, converts into a fixed, angled, non-flexible writing surface which can be located on a user's lap, or other surface, and which is both comfortable to use and transport and is also light weight, portable and has a professional appearance.

2. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises a rigid internal support mechanism which permanently fixes the inside of one panel to the other and which fixes the supports to each panel in such a way that the supports will not easily become detached whilst the Lapdesk Conference Folder is being used, but which also allows the supports to be detached when the Lapdesk Conference Folder is closed.

3. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises a small ridge of material created at the join of two the panels to: ..

the central spine of the Lapdesk Conference Folder which prevents papers, documents, books and other materials from sliding off the fixed, angled writing surface, when the Lapdesk Conference Folder is assembled as the angled writing device. : 4. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further....* S...

comprises an internal gusseted document pocket, which is fixed to the **:* inside of one panel and which is of sufficient size to accommodate A4 sized documents and an A4 sized pad of note paper.

5. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises at least one holder for writing devices, such as pens or pencils for example, which is attached to the inside of the panel which does not have the document pocket attached to it, in such a position which is convenient for the user to access the said writing devices when the Lapdesk Conference Folder is unzipped and either used as a simple conference folder or assembled as the angled writing device.

6. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises a clear pocket affixed to the gusseted document pocket, which is fixed to the inside of one of the panels, being of sufficient size to accommodate a traditional business card and which will allow the business card to be viewed though the clear material, when the Lapdesk Conference Folder is unzipped and open.

7. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises an external handle which, when not in use lies flat to the outside of the spine of the Lapdesk Conference Folder and when in use can be raised by the user to form a carry handle, is affixed to the outside of spine of the Lapdesk Conference Folder.

8. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises a zip which is attached to one end of the spine and runs around all three sides of each of the two panels and finishes at the other end of the spine, allowing the Lapdesk Conference Folder to be completely sealed when not in use, protecting and retaining the contents within.

9. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises a pocket on the inside of the spine, into which the end of the all-round zip can be retained if the user so desires.

10. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, is finished in a smooth matt effect material which completely covers the two panels and the adjoining spine, both externally and internally, enhancing the Lapdesk *.

Conference Folder's professional appearance and helps to prevent the Lapdesk Conference Folder from slipping off the surface it is placed on.

11. The Lapdesk Conference Folder as referred to in claim 1, further comprises metal gold effect caps on the shoulders of the lie-flat handle which is mounted on the Lapdesk Conference Folder spine, metal gold effect corner caps on the rounded corners of the lid and base panels of the Lapdesk Conference Folder and a metal gold effect bar on the end of the all-round zip, enhancing the overall professional appearance of the Lapdesk Conference Folder.