US20090145864A1

US20090145864A1 - Device and method for organizing materials in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: US20090145864A1
Application number: US11/951,127
Authority: US
Inventors: Sol ORLOV; Darlene Orlov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-05
Filing date: 2007-12-05
Publication date: 2009-06-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle. The method includes affixing a board to the interior of a vehicle and removably attaching paper-like materials to the board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people spend a lot of time in their vehicles, whether for business or leisure. There are a variety of paper-like products that should logically be stored in a vehicle, such as directions, tickets, receipts, notes, coupons, business cards, store ads, and newspaper ads. A typical vehicle has no mechanism in place to store and/or organize these paper-like products. Often, these paper-like products end up strewn in various locations throughout the vehicle, such as the back seat, the console, the floor, the glove box, the door pockets, under the visor, etc. If an item is needed, the driver may not know where it is and may not be able to locate it quickly or safely. There is a need for a method of organizing such paper-like products in one location where they are quickly and easily viewed and accessed by the driver of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a method and a device for organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle. The device includes a board which is capable of being affixed to the interior of the vehicle and fasteners that are capable of removably fastening the paper-like products to the board. The method consists of affixing the board to the interior of a vehicle and removably attaching the paper-like materials to the board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention affixed to the dashboard of a vehicle.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate embodiments of the invention where the board is made of cork and has pushpins.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the board is made of plastic and has clips.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the board is shaped like a car.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the board is divided into 6 equal compartments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the board is divided into 5 unequal compartments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the board is divided into 6 compartments corresponding to various parts of the car.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate embodiments of the invention where the compartments are labeled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For ease of description, a device incorporating this invention is described in the normal (upright) operating (use) position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It is understood, however, that a device incorporating this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described. Figures illustrating the device show some elements that are known and that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. Detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention, and accordingly, are herein presented only to the degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of the present invention.
The invention includes a device for organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle. The device may include a board capable of being affixed to the interior of the vehicle and fasteners capable of removably fastening the paper-like products to the board.
The board may be affixed anywhere inside the vehicle. In one embodiment, the board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle so that it can be easily viewed by the driver of the vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention, the board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle so that it can be easily reached by the driver of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle so that it can be both easily viewed and easily reached by the driver of the vehicle. In a most preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the board is affixed to the dashboard of the vehicle.
As used herein, paper-like materials may be any materials capable of being fastened to the board and may include, but are not limited to, materials made out of paper, cardboard, cardstock, and lightweight plastic. Examples of possible paper-like materials include, but are not limited to, business cards, receipts, tickets, notes, maps, directions, labels, matchbooks, paper mementos, coupons, store ads, and newspaper ads.
The board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle by any mechanism capable of affixing such a board to the interior of a vehicle. Example of possible mechanisms include, but are not limited to, Velcro®, industrial strength Velcro®, adhesive, adhesive tape, bolts, rivets, screws and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the board is affixed to the interior of the vehicle with Velcro®.
The board may be made from any material capable of being affixed to the interior of a vehicle and holding the paper-like products. Examples of possible materials from which the board can be made include, but are not limited to, cork, plastic, acrylic, aluminum, hardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, sisal, wood, and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the board is made from cork. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show examples of a board of the present invention made from cork. FIG. 3 shows an example of a board of the present invention made from plastic.
The fasteners can be any fasteners capable of fastening paper-like products to the board. Examples of possible fasteners may include, but are not limited to, tacks, pushpins, clips, temporary adhesive (such as Post-it® notes), tape, and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners are pushpins. The type of fasteners used will depend to some degree on the material from which the board is made. For example, if the board is made from cork or sisal, then the most appropriate fastener may be tacks or pushpins or a combination of both. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show examples of a board made of cork and having pushpins. If the board is made from a hard material, such as plastic, hardboard, acrylic, or wood, then the most appropriate fasteners may be clips (such as pressure sensitive metal clips). FIG. 3 shows an example of a board made of plastic and having pressure sensitive metal clips. In a preferred embodiment the board is made of cork and the fasteners include tacks and pushpins.
In the embodiment in which clips are used as fasteners, the clips may be coupled to the board by any coupler capable of coupling clips to a board of the invention. Examples include, but are not limited to adhesive tape, snaps, Velcro®, glue, rivets, bolts, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment the clips are removable from the board. In another embodiment, the clips are permanently fixed to the board.
The board may have any shape. Examples of possible shapes include, but are not limited to a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a simulation of another object, or a whimsical shape. FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of a rectangle. An example of a simulation of another object includes, but is not limited to, a simulation of an automobile. Examples of simulations of automobiles include, but are not limited to, the shapes of various types of cars, station wagons, concept cars, SUVs, and trucks. FIG. 4 shows an example of a simulation of a car.
The board may contain a single surface for fastening paper-like products (see FIGS. 1-4) or, in a preferred embodiment, the surface may be divided into two or more compartments. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the compartments may be similarly sized and shaped. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, two or more of the compartments may be differently sized and/or differently shaped. In still another embodiment, which may occur when the board is a simulation of another object, the compartments may correspond to various part of the simulated object. FIG. 7 shows an example of a board in the shape of a car where the various parts of the car are different compartments.
In one embodiment, the various compartments are similarly colored. In a preferred embodiment, two or more of the various compartments are uniquely colored. In one embodiment, one or more of the various compartments are labeled. Examples of possible labels include, but are not limited to, “Shopping List,” “Driving Directions,” “Receipts,” “Appointments,” “Business Cards,” “Notes,” “Tickets,” “Cards,” “Reminders,” “coupons,” “A.M.,” “P.M.,” “Week,” “Weekend,” days of the week (for example “Monday,” “Tuesday,” “Wednesday,” “Thursday,” “Friday,” “Saturday,” “Sunday,” “Weekdays” “Weekend,” etc.), numerals (for example, “1,” “2,” “3,” “4,” “5,” etc.), “Breakfast,” “Lunch,” “Dinner,” “Pick Up,” “Call,” “Meet,” “Buy,” “Do,” “Don't Forget!,” “Kids,” “Work,” and “Sports.” In a preferred embodiment, the board is divided into six uniquely colored, uniquely labeled, compartments. FIG. 8 a shows an example of the invention in a triangular shape divided into six uniquely labeled compartments. FIG. 8 b shows an example of the invention in the shape of a car with 6 uniquely labeled compartments, corresponding to the various parts of the car.
The invention also includes a method of organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle. The method includes affixing a board to the interior of the vehicle and removably attaching the paper-like materials to the board.
The board may be affixed anywhere inside the vehicle. In one embodiment, the board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle so that it can be easily viewed by the driver of the vehicle. In another embodiment of the invention, the board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle so that it can be easily reached by the driver of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle so that it can be both easily viewed and easily reached by the driver of the vehicle. In a most preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the board is affixed to the dashboard of the vehicle.
As used herein, paper-like materials may be any materials capable of being fastened to the board and may include, but are not limited to, materials made out of paper, cardboard, cardstock, and lightweight plastic. Examples of possible paper-like materials include, but are not limited to, business cards, receipts, tickets, notes, maps, directions, labels, matchbooks, paper mementos, coupons, store ads, and newspaper ads.
The board may be affixed to the interior of the vehicle by any mechanism capable of affixing such a board to the interior of a vehicle. Example of possible mechanisms include, but are not limited to, Velcro®, industrial strength Velcro®, adhesive, adhesive tape, bolts, rivets, screws and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the board is affixed to the interior of the vehicle with Velcro®.
The board may be made from any material capable of being affixed to the interior of a vehicle and holding the paper-like products. Examples of possible materials from which the board can be made include, but are not limited to, cork, plastic, acrylic, aluminum, hardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, sisal, wood, and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the board is made from cork. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show an example of a board of the present invention made from cork. FIG. 3 shows an example of a board made from plastic.
The paper-like products are removably fastened to the board by any fastener capable of fastening paper-like products to the board. Examples of possible fasteners may include, but are not limited to, tacks, pushpins, clips, temporary adhesive (such as Post-it® notes), tape, and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners are pushpins. The type of fasteners used will depend to some degree on the material from which the board is made. For example, if the board is made from cork or sisal, then the most appropriate fastener may be tacks or pushpins or a combination of both. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show examples of a board made of cork and having pushpins. If the board is made from a hard material, such as plastic, hardboard, acrylic, or wood, then the most appropriate fasteners may be clips (such as pressure sensitive metal clips). FIG. 3 shows an example of a board made of plastic and having pressure sensitive metal clips. In a preferred embodiment the board is made of cork and the fasteners include tacks and pushpins.
In the embodiment in which clips are used as fasteners, the clips may be coupled to the board by any coupler capable of coupling clips to a board of the invention. Examples include, but are not limited to adhesive tape, snaps, Velcro®, glue, rivets, bolts, and any combination thereof. In one embodiment the clips are removable from the board. In another embodiment, the clips are permanently fixed to the board.
The board may have any shape. Examples of possible shapes include, but are not limited to a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a simulation of another object, or a whimsical shape. FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of a rectangle. An example of a simulation of another object includes, but is not limited to, a simulation of an automobile. Examples of simulations of automobiles include, but are not limited to, the shapes of various types of cars, station wagons, concept cars, SUVs, and trucks. FIG. 4 shows an example of a simulation of a car.
The board may contain a single surface for fastening paper-like products (see FIGS. 1-4) or, in a preferred embodiment, the surface may be divided into two or more compartments. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the compartments may be similarly sized and shaped. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, two or more of the compartments may be differently sized and/or differently shaped. In still another embodiment, which may occur when the board is a simulation of another object, the compartments may correspond to various part of the simulated object. FIG. 7 shows an example of a board in the shape of a car where the various parts of the car are different compartments.
In one embodiment, the various compartments are similarly colored. In a preferred embodiment, two or more of the various compartments are uniquely colored. In one embodiment, one or more of the various compartments are labeled. Examples of possible labels include, but are not limited to, “Shopping List,” “Driving Directions,” “Receipts,” “Appointments,” “Business Cards,” “Notes,” “Tickets,” “Cards,” “Reminders,” “coupons,” “A.M.,” “P.M.,” “Week,” “Weekend,” days of the week (for example “Monday,” “Tuesday,” “Wednesday,” “Thursday,” “Friday,” “Saturday,” “Sunday,” “Weekdays” “Weekend,” etc.), numerals (for example, “1,” “2,” “3,” “4,” 5,” etc.), “Breakfast,” “Lunch,” “Dinner,” “Pick Up,” “Call,” “Meet,” “Buy,” “Do,” “Don't Forget!,” “Kids,” “Work,” and “Sports.” In a preferred embodiment, the board is divided into six uniquely colored, uniquely labeled, compartments. FIG. 8 a shows an example of the invention in a triangular shape divided into six uniquely labeled compartments. FIG. 8 b shows an example of the invention in the shape of a car with 6 uniquely labeled compartments, corresponding to the various parts of the car.

Claims

1. A device for organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle comprising:

(a) a board capable of being affixed to the interior of said vehicle; and

(b) fasteners capable of removably fastening said paper-like materials to said board.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said board is affixed to the interior of said vehicle so that it can be easily viewed by the driver of said vehicle.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said board is affixed to the interior of said vehicle so that it can be easily reached by the driver of said vehicle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said board is affixed to the dashboard of said vehicle.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said paper-like materials are selected from the group consisting of business cards, receipts, tickets, notes, maps, directions, labels, matchbooks, paper mementos, coupons, store ads, and newspaper ads.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said board is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cork, plastic, acrylic, aluminum, hardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, sisal and wood.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said board is affixed to the interior of said vehicle with a mechanism selected from the group consisting of Velcro®, industrial strength Velcro®, adhesive, adhesive tape, bolts, rivets and screws.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said fasteners are selected from the group consisting of tacks, pushpins, clips, temporary adhesive, and tape.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said clips are attached to said board by a coupler selected from the group consisting of adhesive tape, snaps, Velcro®, glue, rivets, and bolts.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said clips are pressure sensitive.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the shape of said board is selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a square, a triangle, a circle, a whimsical shape, and the shape of an automobile.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said board is divided into two or more compartments.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said compartments correspond to parts of said automobile.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said compartments are unique colors.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein said compartments contain labels.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said labels are selected from the group consisting of shopping list, driving directions, receipts, appointments, business cards, notes, tickets, cards, reminders, coupons, A.M., P.M., Weekday, Weekend, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Pick Up, Call, Meet, Buy, Do, Don't Forget!, Kids, Work, and Sports.

17. A method of organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle comprising:

(a) affixing a board to the interior of said vehicle; and

(b) removably fastening said paper-like materials to said board.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said affixing occurs at a location that allows said board to be easily viewed by the driver of said vehicle.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said affixing occurs at a location that allows said board to be easily reached by the driver of said vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said affixing occurs on the dashboard of said vehicle.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said paper-like materials are selected from the group consisting of business cards, receipts, tickets, notes, maps, directions, labels, matchbooks, paper mementos, coupons, store ads, and newspaper ads.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said board is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cork, plastic, acrylic, aluminum, hardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, sisal, and wood.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said affixing is accomplished with Velcro®, industrial strength Velcro®, adhesive, adhesive tape, bolts, rivets and screws.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein said fastening is accomplished with fasteners selected from the group consisting of tacks, pushpins, clips, temporary adhesive, and tape.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said clips are attached to said board by a coupler selected from the group consisting of adhesive tape, snaps, Velcro®, glue, rivets and bolts.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said clips are pressure sensitive.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the shape of said board is selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a square, a triangle, a circle, a whimsical shape, and the shape of an automobile.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said board is divided into two or more compartments.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said compartments correspond to parts of said automobile.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said compartments are unique colors.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein said compartments are labeled.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said labels are selected from the group consisting of shopping list, driving directions, receipts, appointments, business cards, notes, tickets, cards reminders, coupons, A.M., P.M., Weekday, Weekend, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Pick Up, Call, Meet, Buy, Do, Don't Forget!, Kids, Work, and Sports.

33. A method of using a board for organizing paper-like materials in a vehicle, comprising:

(a) affixing said board to the interior of said vehicle,

(b) removably fastening said paper-like products to said board.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said interior is easily viewed by the driver of said vehicle.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said interior is easily reached by the driver of said vehicle.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said interior is the dashboard of said vehicle.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein said paper-like materials are selected from the group consisting of business cards, receipts, tickets, notes, maps, directions, labels, matchbooks, paper mementos, coupons, store ads, and newspaper ads.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein said board is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cork, plastic, acrylic, aluminum, hardboard, fiberboard, cardboard, sisal, and wood.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein said affixing is accomplished with the use of a mechanism selected from the group consisting of Velcro®, industrial strength Velcro®, adhesive, adhesive tape, bolts, rivets and screws.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein said removably fastening is accomplished with fasteners selected from the group consisting of tacks, pushpins, clips, temporary adhesive, and tape.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said clips are attached to said board by a coupler selected from the group consisting of adhesive tape, snaps, Velcro®, glue, rivets and bolts.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said clips are pressure sensitive.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein the shape of said board is selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a square, a triangle, a circle, a whimsical shape, and the shape of a automobile.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said board is divided into two or more compartments.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said compartments correspond to parts of said automobile.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein said compartments are unique color.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein said compartments are labeled.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said labels are selected from the group consisting of shopping list, driving directions, receipts, appointments, business cards, notes, tickets, cards reminders coupons, A.M., P.M., Weekday, Weekend, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Pick Up, Call, Meet, Buy, Do, Don't Forget!, Kids, Work, and Sports.