US20160081476A1

US20160081476A1 - Waterproof Writing Board With Modular Stand

Info

Publication number: US20160081476A1
Application number: US14/858,845
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey A. Meverden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2016-03-24

Abstract

A new reusable sign and support device is described. The device is equipped with a whiteboard and a stand, enabling the present invention to be self-supporting. The stand is equipped with three supports which are equipped to be fitted with interchangeable, spiked or rubberized inserts/caps, providing for the secure and sturdy use of the present invention on a variety of surfaces, including grass, sand, campgrounds, clay, sidewalks, parking lots, flooring, brick, and driveways. The device is equipped with a waterproofed whiteboard to facilitate the creation of custom signs capable of use outdoors, even in the rain. The stand is designed to collapse, as the rear support may be pivoted inward to conserve space. Additionally, the stand may be disassembled to minimize occupied space during transport and storage.

Description

CONTINUITY

This application is a non-provisional application of provisional patent application No. 62/052,113 filed on Sep. 18, 2014, and priority is claimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to signs and writing boards, and more specifically relates to a waterproof, white-board equipped sign configured to be rapidly assembled and disassembled, and has interchangeable support spikes and caps.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Conventionally, signs are bulky items that require a good deal of space in order to transport. Additionally, they are often difficult to set up effectively without a pre-existing pole (such as a telephone pole), sign post, or other means. Additionally, many signs are made of metal, adding to the weight of the sign, and requiring the support post to be sturdy, adding extra heft to the sign. Also, traditional metal signs are designed to only display one thing, and are not configured to be re-written on ad infinitum.
Whiteboard signs are conventionally used as rewritable signs, but are rarely used outdoors, due in part to their conventionally small size, and that they are light weight, and may easily be blown to the side or blown over in a strong wind.
Thus, there is a need for a new white-board sign device equipped with a sturdy, lightweight stand that is easily disassembled for storage and reuse. Such a device is preferably equipped with Velcro TM to facilitate the placement and removal of a large whiteboard on the stand. The stand is also preferably equipped with modular feet, which may be interchanged with smooth or spiked caps to keep the device upright in wind on grass or hard surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a new, reusable whiteboard sign device and method configured to expedite the sturdy positioning and assembly of a written sign. The device is equipped with a waterproofed whiteboard to be written on by a user. A stand is configured to support the whiteboard sign, which is preferably held in the preferred position by Velcro TM or a similar temporary attachment mechanism affixed to a frame.
The stand of the present invention is preferably constructed with a series of cylinders, such as PVC piping, elbow fittings, and T-shaped fittings. The cylinders, elbow fittings, and T-shaped fittings are preferably all fashioned of a light weight polymer, acrylic, or plastic. The series of cylinders are assembled in a specific fashion in order to form the stand and frame of the present invention.
The whiteboard of the present invention is preferably paired with at least one whiteboard marked with which a user may write on the device of the present invention. It is envisioned that the whiteboard surface is waterproofed to help ensure writing scribed on the whiteboard remains in the event that it rains on the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 displays a view of the front of the stand of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 displays a view of the rear of the whiteboard of the present invention.

FIG. 3 displays a flow chart of the process of assembly and use of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a reusable, self-supported sign device configured for use indoors or outdoors. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is equipped with a whiteboard (10), a frame (15) and a stand (20). The whiteboard (10) is preferably removably attached to the stand (20) via Velcro™ or a similar temporary attachment mechanism.
The stand (20) of the present invention is preferably constructed of cylindrical piping or square poles. The preferred embodiment of the present invention employs PVC piping and fittings to construct the stand (20). The stand includes: a first 90 degree elbow fitting (30), a second 90 degree elbow fitting (40), a first T-shaped fitting (50), a second T-shaped fitting (60), a third T-shaped fitting (70), a rear support (80) preferably measuring 35 inches in length, a first front support (90) preferably measuring 20 inches in length, a second front support (100) preferably measuring 20 inches in length, a left frame border (110) preferably measuring 12¾ inches in length, a right frame border (120) preferably measuring 12¾ inches in length, a bottom frame border (130) preferably measuring 15⅞ inches, a first top frame border (140) preferably measuring 7 5/16 inches in length, and a second top frame border (150) preferably measuring 7/ 5/16 inches in length. Additionally, a first stake (170) and a second stake (180) are disposed within the bottom of the first front support (90), the second front support (100), and the rear support (80) to facilitate placement of the present invention on soft surfaces such as grass, mulch, campgrounds, sand, etc. Similarly, the present invention is also equipped with a first end cap (190) and a second end cap (200) for use at the bottom of the of the first front support (90), the second front support (100), and the rear support (80) to facilitate placement of the present invention on hard surfaces such as floors, driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Velcro (160) is affixed to consistent sides of the first 90 degree elbow fitting (30), the second 90 degree elbow fitting (40), the first T-shaped fitting (50), and the second T-shaped fitting (60), as seen in FIG. 1. Similarly, Velcro (160) is also present on the rear of the whiteboard (10). This facilitates the attachment of the whiteboard (10) to the stand (20) of the present invention.
The process of assembly of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 3, is preferably as follows:
First, the frame is constructed by connecting the bottom frame border (130) to the perpendicular portion of both the first T-shaped fitting (50) and the second T-shaped fitting (60). (300) Next left frame border (110) is installed to the first T-shaped fitting (50), and the right frame border (120) is installed to the second T-shaped fitting (60). (310) Then, the first top frame border (140) is connected to the third T-shaped fitting (70) and to the first 90 degree elbow fitting (30). (320) The second top frame border (150) is then attached to the third T-shaped fitting (70) and to the second 90 degree elbow fitting (40), forming the frame (15). (330) Then, the first front support (90) is connected to the first T-shaped fitting (50), and the second front support (100) is connected to the second T-shaped fitting (60). (340) The rear support (80) is then connected to the third T-shaped fitting (70), completing construction of the frame. (350) The whiteboard (10) may then be written on with a dry-erase marker, and mounted to the stand (20) via Velcro (160). (360) If the present invention is to be placed on a soft surface such as grass, the first stake (170) should be inserted into the bottom of the first front support (90) and the second stake (180) should be inserted into the bottom of the second front support (100). (370) A third stake may employed as well, for especially windy conditions, and is configured to be placed within the bottom of the rear support (80). If the present invention is to be disposed on a flat, hard surface, the first end cap (190) and the second end cap (200) should be installed in lieu of the first stake (170) and second stake (180). (380)
It should be noted that the components of the present invention may be glued together to help ensure the sturdiness of the stand. Additionally, it is envisioned that the whiteboard marks made by a dry-erase marker are scraped gently off of the whiteboard (10) after use to help preserve the waterproof qualities of the whiteboard (10).
Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

I claim:

1. A method for the construction and use of a reusable sign comprising:

connecting a bottom frame border (130) to the perpendicular portion of a first T-shaped fitting;

connecting the bottom frame border to the perpendicular portion of a second T-shaped fitting;

connecting a left frame border (110) to the first T-shaped fitting;

connecting a right frame border to the second T-shaped fitting

connecting the first top frame border to the third T-shaped fitting

connecting the first top frame border to a first 90 degree elbow fitting

attaching the second top frame border to the third T-shaped fitting;

attaching the second top frame border to the second 90 degree elbow fitting;

connecting the first front support to the first T-shaped fitting

connecting the second front support to the second T-shaped fitting;

connecting a rear support to the third T-shaped fitting;

writing on a whiteboard with a marker;

mounting the whiteboard to the first elbow fitting, the second elbow fitting, the first T-shaped fitting, and the second T-shaped fitting via Velcro;

inserting a first spike into the bottom of the first front support; and

inserting a second spike into the bottom of the second front support.