US3781844A

US3781844A - Written message receiving and signaling holder

Info

Publication number: US3781844A
Application number: US00246713A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Lowery; R Merchant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-04-24
Filing date: 1972-04-24
Publication date: 1973-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-25

Abstract

A written message receiving and signaling holder is placed on a horizontal structure or secured to a vertical structure in a dwelling to receive an inserted end of a written message, and to be responsive to such insertion creating a signal, such as a flashing red light, to be observed by a person who is to receive the message. Inside the holder an actuating and pivoting lever at one of its ends moves to accommodate the thickness of the paper and at the other end moves to close an electric circuit, inclusive of batteries and a flashing or blinking light observable through a jeweled red lens.

Description

United States atent [1 1 Lowery et al.

1 Dec. 25, 1973 WRITTEN MESSAGE RECEIVING AND SIGNALING HOLDER [76] lnventors: Dennis J. Lowery, 130 Santa Fe Dr.; Robert E. Merchant, 1421 N. 23rd, both of Grand Junction, Colo. 81501 [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 246,713

UNITED STATES PATENTS Story ZOO/61.59 X

Primary Examiner-Donald J. Yusko Assistant Examiner william M. Wannisky Attorney-Roy E. Mattern, Jr.

57 ABSTRACT A written message receiving and signaling holder is placed on a horizontal structure or secured to a vertical structure in a dwelling to receive an inserted end of a written message, and to be responsive to such insertion creating a signal, such as a flashing red light, to be observed by a person who is to receive the message. Inside the holder an actuating and pivoting lever at one of its ends moves to accommodate the thickness of the paper and at the other end moves to close an electric circuit, inclusive of batteries and a flashing or blinking light observable through a jeweled red lens.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures WRITTEN MESSAGE RECEIVING AND SIGNALING HOLDER BACKGROUND OF INVENTION There is always a need for alerting a person upon his return to a written message which awaits his return to be read and acted upon as soon as possible. Many large complex holding and signaling devices have been installed in hospitals for example to alert incoming Doctors to written messages awaiting their arrival. Similar devices have been used in other information centers.

However, no individual message receiving unit to hold an edge portion of a message, is available, where a signal is actuated upon the insertion of the message paper and remains actuated until the written message is withdrawn by the person to whom it has been directed for prompt attention. By use of the individual small message holder located throughout dwellings, such as offices, factories, homes, motels and hotels, an important written message receives prompt attention avoiding its oversight, if for example, it might otherwise be unintentionally covered up or mislaid.

DRAWINGS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the written message receiving and signaling holder with a written message inserted;

FIG. 2 is a front exploded perspective view of the written message holder with portions broken away, indicating how the cover is removed to conveniently view and service the base portions equipped with all the operable components, the positioning pegs on the cover being used during and after assembly;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the base portions of the written message holder with one battery shown removed and the other, broken away, to show terminal contact wiring;

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically show in a partial crosssectional view and partial rear view, the positioning of operating electromechanical components, particularly with respect to switching, prior to entry of a written message into the holder; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically show in a partial crosssectional view and partial rear view, the positioning of operating electromechanical components, particularly with respect to switching, after entry of a written message into the holder.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The written message receiving and signalingholder 10, illustrated in FIG. 1, receives an end portion of a paper 12 hearing an important written message for a person who has this message holder placed on his or her office desk home desk, or other places where important messages are placed for prompt receipt, reading, and consideration, for example, such as a desk or table in a motel or hotel room. The base 14 of holder 10, rests evenly on a horizontal structure such as a table top without additional securement; however it may be secured. Also the message holder 10 is placed adjacent to a wall, on a wall, or on a vertical panel, as a fastening means, not illustrated, is used to secure the base 14 to such a vertical structure. In all its locations, the message holder 10 is placed for convenient viewing by a person entering a room, so a flashing light, as viewed at the jeweled lens 16 on the cover 20, is quickly observed directing a person to a newly arrived written message 12, held at one of its ends in the written message receiving and signaling holder 10.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the overall construction and interior arrangement of the electro-mechanical components are shown which operate to commence the holding and signaling functions of holder It). The cover 20 snaps into place on the base 1 3, as guided by pegs 22 on cover 20 which are received in holes 24 on base 14. The cover 20, also is guided and removably held by the upstanding snap on holders 26 at each end of the base, each holder 26 having a top tapered cam surface structure 28 and a side protruding rounded cam structure 30 to receive and removably hold the ends 32 of the ho]- low cover 20. The cover 20 on its front sloping panel 36 has an opening 38 filled with a jewel lens 16 which is preferably red in color, to transmit a preferably intermittent or flashing light created by the flasher bulb 42, using a bimetal filament.

Also the cover 20 has a beveled raised entry portion 44 along the entire bottom 46 of its front panel 36, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, to aid in the insertion ofa written message 12 into the written message receiving and signal holder 10. Such convenient insertion ofa written message 12 is further insured because the base 14 has a full width sloping entry surface structure 50 which in conjunction with the full width beveled raised entry portion 44 along the bottom 46 of the front cover 36, completes an overall guiding entry to receive the inserted end of the written message 12. This overall guiding entry is positioned to receive papers of several different thicknesses from very thin onionskin to light cardboard. However, it is restricted sufficiently in most embodiments to prevent the forceful entry of heavier cardboard or other material which might damage the interior components of the written message holder 10.

As particularly shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, upon the entry of the end portions of the written message paper 12, a beveled structure 54 on the front pressure foot 56 ofa sensing and holding lever 60, continues guiding the written message 12 until it stops against the abutment 62 on the lever 60. During this entry, the lever is raised to accommodate the thickness of the message paper 12, at its pressure foot 56. Then at its circular opening 64 it also pivots about an axle or pin 66 serving as a fulcrum, which in turn is secured to base 14, being located near the front end of a centered and transverse elongated slot 68 formed in base M to partially receive and guide the lever 60 during its pivoting motions.

The rear end 72 of lever 60 extends much farther to the rear then the pressure foot 56 extends to the front, in reference to the location of axle or pin 66 about which lever 60 pivots upon the entry of message paper 12. Therefore there is considerable more arcuate movement of the rear actuating end 72 of lever 60 down into slot 68 of base 14. This movement is utilized to close an overall electrical circuit 76 and cause the flasher bulb 42 to operate creating a light signal to be observed at jeweled lens 16 on cover 20.

To this rear actuating end 72, a multiply bent electrical wire 78 is secured and guided by the lever 60 and a cutout 82 in base 141. Above its securement location, wire '78 formed first in an upright portion 84 and then in an overcenter bend portion 86 to serve as a contact spring of high tensile strength, and thereafter it extends downwardly to the base 14 where it is held by receiving portions 88 and then positioned for connection above to the terminal 92 on ,the clip-bracket 94, which supports the light bulb socket 98.

. Upon the downward movement of actuating end 72 of lever 60, the overcenter bend portion 84 of wire 78 makes a sliding electrical contact witha horizontal contact portion 100 of a multiply bent electrical wire 102, also serving as a contact spring of high tensile strength. This wire 102 is thereafter bent at a right angle a'nd sloped, downwardly in a leg portion E04, which is held by receiving portions 108 of base 14 and then positioned for continuing on above through a positioning bent portion 110 to terminate in a spring contact coil 112.

This spring contact coil 112 is contacted by a battery 116 used in series with another battery 116, which contacts the turned down contact portion 120 of the clip-bracket 94. These batteries 116, the clip-bracket 94, and the spring contact coil 112 are all positioned relative to the base 14, and all the other components by the two upstanding three wall open top compartments, left 124, and right 126. These compartments 125 and 126 are often formed integrally with the base 14, as are the wire receiving portions, which are non-conducting materials and suitable for molding as one unit, preferably using plastic materials.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES The written message receiving and signaling holder is conveniently placed in quickly observable locations where important written messages are left for immediate attention of persons soon to arrive, firmly holding the written message'and maintaining a continuing visual signal until the message is observed, and withdrawn to be read by the recipient. It is compactly arranged and very portable, yet of sufficient size to be effective. It is quickly serviced upon the snap off removal of a cover, resulting in the balance of the components being readily observed and serviced.

Preferably, the base is molded to include positioning structures for all the electromechanical components. The wires'and the axle or pin may be inserted in cavities in the molded base, being snapped into such positioning structures, or preferably being placed there and then subsequently covered with compatible material to substantially permanently install them. By such construction, the'overall message holder may thereafter sustain a reasonable amount of abrupt handling and yet remain operable.

As assembled and ready for operation, this written message receiving and signaling holder is used in homes, offices, motels, hotels, and all other places where written messages must be left to await the subsequent arrival of the person to whom the message is directed. It is an individual unit to create a signal and to hold a written message or messages directed to an individual who must be informed quickly upon his or her return so his or her needed consideration and action may proceed promptly, eliminating any possibility of the loss, misplacement or covering over, of the very important writen message.

We claim:

l. A self contained written message receiving, gripping, and signaling holder for presenting an important written message for prompt and effective finding and observation by an intended receiver upon his or her return, comprising:

a. a housing having a base, a removable cover, and an entry for an edge portion of a sheet of paper;

b. a self contained electrical circuit inclusive of batteries, switch and signal all mounted on the base of the housing to fit within the removable cover of the housing;

c. a non conducting gripping lever pivotally secure to the base of the housing to fit within the removable cover of the housing, having at its front end a beveled structure to guide an incoming edge portion of a paper, on which a message has been written, through the entry of the housing and between the top of this base of the housing and this beveled structure of the lever, causing the front end of this lever to tilt upwardly and, yet while doing so, to grip this incoming edge portion of the paper between itself and the top of the base of the housing, and causing the rear end of this lever to tilt downwardly to contact and to close the switch of the self contained battery powered electrical circuit and thereby energize the signal indicating the presence of the important message to the intended receiver.

2. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base of the housing has a sloping edge portion to guide the incoming edge portion of a paper, on which a message has been written, into the entry of the housing.

3. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover of the housing has a sloping edge portion to guide the incoming edge portion of a paper, in which a message has been written, into the entry of the housing.

4. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover of the housing has a sloping edge portion and wherein the base of the housing has an oppositely sloping edge portion which together guide the incoming edge portion of a paper, on which a message has been written, into the entry of the housing 5. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front end of the lever at the inward termination of the beveled structure has an abutment structure to stop the incoming edge portion of the paper on which the message has been written, leaving the major portions of the paper in full view.

6. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non conducting gripping lever is pivotally secured to the base of the housing nearer the beveled structure so the lever movements caused by the incoming edge portions of a written message are more effective in closing the electrical switch located near the other end of this lever.

7. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal of the self contained electrical circuit utilizes an electric light.

8. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the removable cover of the housing has a small light transmitting structure for observation of the signal light operations and the remaining portions of the cover and all of the base block the passage of light.

wires which are also wires of the electrical circuit, and

they are moved into sliding contact with each other upon pivotal movement of the non conducting gripping lever when an edge portion of a paper is inserted into the entry of the housing.

Claims

1. A self contained written message receiving, gripping, and signaling holder for presenting an important written message for prompt and effective finding and observation by an intended receiver upon his or her return, comprising: a. a housing having a base, a removable cover, and an entry for an edge portion of a sheet of paper; b. a self contained electrical circuit inclusive of batteries, switch and signal all mounted on the base of the housing to fit within the removable cover of the housing; c. a non conducting gripping lever pivotally secured to the base of the housing to fit within the removable cover of the housing, having at its front end a beveled structure to guide an incoming edge portion of a paper, on which a message has been written, through the entry of the housing and between the top of this base of the housing and this beveled structure of the lever, causing the front end of this lever to tilt upwardly and, yet while doing so, to grip this incoming edge portion of the paper between itself and the top of the base of the housing, and causing the rear end of this lever to tilt downwardly to contact and to close the switch of the self contained battery poweRed electrical circuit and thereby energize the signal indicating the presence of the important message to the intended receiver.

4. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover of the housing has a sloping edge portion and wherein the base of the housing has an oppositely sloping edge portion which together guide the incoming edge portion of a paper, on which a message has been written, into the entry of the housing

5. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front end of the lever at the inward termination of the beveled structure has an abutment structure to stop the incoming edge portion of the paper on which the message has been written, leaving the major portions of the paper in full view.

6. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, weerein the non conducting gripping lever is pivotally secured to the base of the housing nearer the beveled structure so the lever movements caused by the incoming edge portions of a written message are more effective in closing the electrical switch located near the other end of this lever.

9. A self contained written message, receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 8, wherein a flasher filament is incorporated into the signal light.

10. A self contained written message receiving, gripping and signaling holder, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is composed of spaced high tensile wires which are also wires of the electrical circuit, and they are moved into sliding contact with each other upon pivotal movement of the non conducting gripping lever when an edge portion of a paper is inserted into the entry of the housing.