GB2577479A

GB2577479A - Improvements in note pads and portable page supports

Info

Publication number: GB2577479A
Application number: GB1814642.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Parmar Sunjay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-10
Filing date: 2018-09-10
Publication date: 2020-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-10
Also published as: GB2577479B; GB201814642D0

Abstract

A foldable page support (notepad) 1 with belt attachment means 3, insert pockets 10, 12 magnetic holding means and strengthened surface texturing (19, figure 11). It might have a metal disc 17. It may have a removeable magnet 2. The belt clip might have an extending cord which can be attached to the metal disc. The page support might have textured lines on its underside. The folding of the page support might be done by having four equal sized sections 4, 5, 6, 9. The page support might have four equal cresses 7, 8 impacted by a folding and scoring process during manufacture.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

SUNJAY PARMAR

FOR

IMPROVEMENTS IN NOTE PADS AND PORTABLE PAGE SUPPORTS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to note pads or supports onto which a sheet of paper or writing sheet can be placed for note taking or writing.

Background

The use of a note pad for writing down information is known and widely used in many various forms worldwide. Doctors or other professionals such as teachers or Police persons use note pads for taking down important ongoing information and these may include small to large versions, to include clip boards.

In definition; a notebook (notepad, writing pad, drawing pad, legal pad) is a small book or binder of paper pages, often ruled, used for purposes such as recording notes or memoranda, writing, drawing or scrapbooking.

In other uses; artists often use large notebooks, which include wide spaces of blank paper appropriate for drawing. Lawyers use rather large notebooks known as legal pads that contain lined paper (often yellow) and are appropriate for use on tables and desks. These horizontal lines or "rules" are sometimes classified according to their space apart with "wide rule" the farthest, "college rule" closer, "legal rule" slightly closer and "narrow rule" closest, allowing more lines of text per page. When sewn into a pasteboard backing, these may be called composition books, or in smaller signatures may be called "blue books" or exam books and used for essay exams.

In contrast, journalists often prefer small, hand-held notebooks for portability (reporters' notebooks), and sometimes use shorthand when taking notes. Scientists and other researchers use lab notebooks to document their experiments. The pages in lab notebooks are sometimes graph paper to plot data. Police officers are required to write notes on what they observe, using a police notebook. Land surveyors commonly record field notes in durable, hard-bound notebooks called "field books." Colouring enthusiasts use colouring notebooks for stress relief. The pages in colouring notebooks contain different adult colouring pages. Students take notes in notebooks, and studies suggest that the act of writing (as opposed to typing) improves learning.

Notebook pages can be recycled via standard paper recycling. Recycled notebooks are available, differing in recycled percentage and paper quality.

Therefore, variations on note pad and writing supports have been filed as patents and are also known in the prior art.

This is shown in patent US2011/0086335 (ROGERS) wherein a basic solution is shown as a wipe clean note pas which may be worn on the wrist or as a note pad which can attach onto a trouser belt. This provides a place to write directly onto a surface but is limited in its page size and the ability to reduce the size of the item when not in use on the belt is not addressed.

Patent US2011/0024369 (BROWN) discloses a pad and support which is attached to the hand via a strap which passes around the fingers. This enables the user to hold the pad on the flat of an open hand to make notes. The pad also provides means to hold writing utensils such as pens.

Patent US2015/00115004 (FINNEGAN, RILEY) discloses a bracelet device which can be worn on the wrist and written on in a wipe away fashion. The bracelet device also provides two places for writing utensils to be stored.

The prior art therefore shows that a need for a more effective delivery of a portable note pad and page support is required but which is more effective in its ability to reduce in size and less complex than some disclosed previously.

The present invention aims to provide an improved note pad and page support which can be worn on the trouser belt of the user and is able to reduce and expand in size to enable a full A4 sized note sheet of paper to be used. The continued or repeated use of the same writing sheet or form is made possible with this single ongoing sheet being held and stored on the note pad and page support.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided a note pad and page support which is able to be attached to the trouser belt of a user and folded to reduce its size when not in use. The note pad and page support can then be expanded by folding it out to a capacity suitable for, but not restricted to, an A4 sized sheet of paper or similar writing sized surface. The sheet or a paper form can remain on the pad for long periods and when in storage. The note pad itself is made from a single piece of thin but flexibly ridged plastic, which is the exacting size of a sheet or slightly larger. The plastic is a sheet of polypropylene or similar material which is divided into four equal sections which fold over each other. As shown in the accompanying Figures.

The folding of the sections is made possible by a folding and scoring process during manufacture. This results in the polypropylene being able to easily fold but then also be of sufficient rigidness to act as a writing area, when unfolded.

The folded pad is initially kept on the trouser belt of the user, by means of a clip device, as shown in Figure 5, which has a hook to locate and attach to the loop which the belt is fed through on the trousers. The clip has an extending cord which extends in length when pulled and similarly retracts, under continued slight tension, when the pad is moved back toward the belt.

To the end of the extending cord is a metal disc, which the cord is attached to and both are embedded within the plastic in the corner, as shown. This makes the corner slightly thicker in form than the remainder of the pad to accommodate the metal disc and its attached cord.

When closed, the opened corners of the pad are secured and held in a closed manner by means of a small round magnet. The magnet is placed on the corner surface of the pad, inline and over the metal disc within.

This attracts the magnet instantly and holding the corners closed and therefore the group of four folded equal sections. This is due to all of the corner points of the page being aligned together beneath the magnet and in line with the metal disc, which is inside the corner which is in closest location to the user's belt.

The user removes the magnet and opens the pad outward revealing two of the four equal sections to begin with, as shown in Figure 4.

The next two sections are revealed by the remainder of the pad being folded down, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

In Figure 1 the note pad is shown almost fully opened and it is shown fully opened in Figure 8 with a sheet of writing paper inserted and attached.

Once fully opened the note pads plastic sheet provides a sufficiently rigid surface on which to place a piece of paper.

This rigidness can be increased by the thickness of the plastic used to make the pad. Should a thicker plastic be used to make the fold out pad, the folds of the equal sections may require scoring or creasing during manufacture. This ensures that the fold is creased and therefore enables successful folding and opening of the pad sheet repeatedly.

If lines are added to the surface of the pad sheet, such as imbedded and moulded thin lines in the underside surface, which form a texture, this can also strengthen the rigidity of the pad sheet, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The outer surface on which the paper or writing sheet lays remains planar, for more effective use.

Once fully opened, the pad is ready for the paper of wipe clean sheet to be attached.

This is done by inserting the paper or sheet into a pocket along the bottom of the pad sheet, as shown in Figures 7 and with the page fully inserted in Figure 8. Figure 12 shows a page insert pocket on both the bottom and side edge of the pad, for the paper or other sheet to be inserted into.

To hold the paper in place the small round magnet is reinstated at the corner of the page and is held by being drawn onto the underlying metal disc, sandwiching the papers corner onto the plastic surface of the pad, as shown in Figure 8.

The user can then use the unfolded pad sheet with the paper attached to make notes. The paper can also be folded equally into four sections, as is the pad. This enables the pad to be refolded with the paper sheet remaining intact on its surface.

This advantageous action of folding both the note pad and paper sheet together; enables the user to repeatedly fold and unfold the same sheet on the pad, for ongoing notes on the same paper sheet.

The notes may be written on wipe clean sheets also, wherein a wipe clean sheet is suitably able to be applied to the pad for a single use or it may be possible to have a wipe clean sheet that may also be folded and stored on the pad. This ability to fold the page with the pad offers the user an advantage of being able to have a form completed over many days, using the forms columns or sections increasingly and store it on the folded pad.

A pen or other writing implement can be clipped onto the folded note pad, as shown in Figure 5.

It may be possible to construct the note pad from other materials than plastic variants. These may include composites which have lasting abilities under continual use, such as thin boards which are coated or presented in a way that enables them to be repeatedly folded and unfolded.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such; those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based; may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore; that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved note pad and page support which has all the advantages of the prior art note pads and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new note pad and page support which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved note pad and page support which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved note pad and page support which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour; and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved note pad and page support which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of figures

Figure 1 shows a dimensional view of the note pad and page support almost fully opened.

Figure 2 shows a dimensional view of the note pad and page support in the first stage of folding after use.

Figure 3 shows a dimensional view of the note pad and page support in a further stage of folding after use, attached to a trouser belt loop.

Figure 4 shows a dimensional view of the note pad and page support in the final stage of folding following use, attached to a trouser belt loop.

Figure 5 shows a view of the note pad and page support fully folded, attached to a trouser belt loop.

Figure 6 shows the note pad and page su g used by a person Figure 7 shows the note pad and page support fully open with a writing sheet being inserted Figure 8 shows the note pad and page support fully open with a writing sheet fully inserted and attached.

Figure 9 shows a close up expanded side view of the magnet, writing sheet and note pad and page support with metal disc and extending cord.

Figure 10 shows a close up side view of the magnet, writing sheet and note pad and page support, with metal disc and extending cord assembled.

Figure 11 shows a dimensional view of the note pad and page support with a diagonal textured underside surface and vertical sheet insert pocket.

Figure 12 shows a dimensional view of the note pad and page support with a horizontal textured underside surface and vertical sheet insert pocket.

Detailed description of figures

A typical embodiment of the note pad and page support 1 is shown in Figure 1. It comprises a magnet 2 and a metal disc 17 (not shown) which is underneath the magnet and is attached to a belt clip 3, the metal disc 17 (not shown) being encased within the corner of pad section 4. The note pad and page support 1 is divided into four equally sized sections 4, 6, 5 and 9 which are able to fold by way of inward folding crease 8, inward folding crease 7 and outward folding crease 11, as shown.

A sheet insert pocket 10 and 12 is located along the full width the bottom edge of the note pad and page support 1.

The belt clip 3A has an extending cord 13, as shown in Figure 2. Further folding of sections 4A, 6A, 5A and 9A is also shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 3 the belt hook 16 attaches to the trouser loop 15 which has a belt threaded through 14. The extending cord 13B enables the note pad and page support 1B to be pulled to a suitable position for writing, as shown in Figure 6. Further folding of sections 5B and 9B are shown also in Figure 3.

Figure 4 shows further folding of sections 9C and 6C onto the face of 5C.

The fully folded note pad and page support 1D is shown in Figure 5 with the magnet 2D being placed over the metal disc 17D. A writing implement 22 is clipped over the outer facing surface of section 6D.

Figure 6 shows a person using the note pad and page support 1E, with extending cord 13E attached to the belt clip 3E. The cord extending means enables the note pad and page support to retract fully to the users hip when either in use or when folded for storage (not shown).

A writing sheet 18 (such as paper or a wipe clean sheet) is inserted into sheet insert pocket 1OF and 12F, to be further held in place by means of the magnet 2F and the metal disc 17F.

Writing sheet 18G is shown fully held on top of the note pad and page support 1G by means of the magnet 2G and the sheet insert pocket 1OF and 12F, in Figure 8 therefore.

Figure 9 shows the magnet 2H being placed onto the writing sheet 18H in line with the metal disc 17H which is encased within the corner of pad section 4H. Extending cord 13H is also shown extending from its anchor point under metal disc 17H.

Figure 10 shows the magnet 21; the writing sheet 181; the metal disc 17H encased within the corner of the pad section 41; with the extending cord 131, collectively attached together. This arrangement is common to when the pad is being used or is folded for storage.

The note pad and page support 1J may have a diagonal textured underside surface 19 to increase rigidity for writing sheet support. The page may also be further aided by the vertical sheet insert pocket 20 as shown in Figure 11.

The note pad and page support 1K may have a horizontal textured underside surface 19K to increase rigidity for writing sheet support. The page may also be further aided by the vertical sheet insert pocket 20K as shown in Figure 12.

Claims

Claims 1) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet, which folds both for storage and has belt loop attachment means, having magnetic and insert pocket holding methods for the writing sheet and strengthened surface texturing, together defining the invention.
2) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises a plastic polypropylene or other material sheet of suitable thickness.
3) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises a metal disc encased inside a corner of the plastic or material page support sheet.
4) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises a belt clip with extending cord attached to said encased metal disc.
5) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises a removable magnet.
6) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises writing sheet insert pockets.
7) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises textured lines on the page support sheets underside surface.
8) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises four equal folding creases in the page support sheets surface.
9) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, a note pad and page support comprises four equally sized folding sections in the page support sheet surface.
10) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and claim 8 wherein, four equal creases in the note pad and page support sheet enable folding.
11) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and claim 9 wherein, four equally sized sections fold over each other for folded storage of the note pad and page support.
12) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and claim 8 wherein, holding of the folded note pad and page support sections is provided by a magnet and the encased metal disc.
13) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and claim 4 wherein, a belt clip provides attachment of the folded note pad and page support onto a user's trousers.
14) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and 4 claim wherein, said belt clip has an extending cord to enable the user to pull the pad to a suitable position when writing on it.
15) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and 4 claim wherein, said extending cord retracts fully to enable the note pad and page support to remain on the hip of the user between use and when folded.
16) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and 4 claim wherein, said belt clip has an extending cord to enable the user to pull the pad to a suitable position when writing on it.
17) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the note pad and page support is folded outward and opened to form a surface on which a writing sheet is placed.
18) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 claim wherein, a writing sheet may be paper or a wipe clean surface.
19) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and 5 claim wherein, a removable magnet is placed over the writing sheet corner to hold it in place.
20) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and 5 claim wherein, the writing sheet bottom is inserted into sheet insert pockets.
21) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as claimed in claim 1 and 5 claim wherein, the writing sheet side may also be inserted into sheet insert pockets.
22) A note pad and page support for supporting and storing a writing sheet as substantially herein described with reference to the figures.