WO1997047218A1

WO1997047218A1 - Flip chart

Info

Publication number: WO1997047218A1
Application number: PCT/FI1997/000341
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reijo Pauli MÄÄTTÄNEN; Yki Miikka Raitanen
Original assignee: Maeaettaenen Reijo Pauli; Yki Miikka Raitanen
Priority date: 1996-06-07
Filing date: 1997-06-02
Publication date: 1997-12-18
Also published as: AU2965297A; FI100512B; FI962385A0

Abstract

A flip chart (1) which can be used standing on its own legs on the floor with the leg mechanism (2, 3, 4) folded open, or suspended on the wall with the leg mechanism folded shut. There are one or several suspension lugs for hanging the chart on the wall. When folded shut, the leg mechanism (2, 3, 4) folds and locks behind the chart. The chart also has a wheel, facilitating the transportation of the folded chart, and handles, facilitating its handling and transportation.

Description

Flip Chart

The object of the invention is a flip chart, the legs of which fold behind the chart. It is possible to draw on the chart with a pen, either directly onto the chart board or else onto a separate chart attached to the chart board.

Flip charts presently in use are either models that are set on the floor on their own legs or models that are secured to a wall, either permanently, or else moving on rails. Many models that stand on the floor have retractable legs, to facilitate transportation and storage, as described in publication US-5518217. The legs may also have a telescopic construction, as described in publication DE-OS-3940350, or legs that are secured by screwing and turning using separate connectors, as described, for example, in DE-OS-27 02 877.

Present models suffer from the following faults: those that are attached to the wall can only be used in the room in which they are installed and always require a separate securing mechanism, onto which they can be set. Models that stand on the floor are typically heavy and require several operations to put their leg mechanisms into the transport position. Because of this, they are difficult to move. In addition, a flip chart that stands on the floor takes up floor space even when it is not being used. Due to high rents, modern office rooms are often very cramped, so that a flip chart should be stored compactly. State-of-the-art leg constructions are also often expensive and some of them are probably liable to malfunction.

A flip chart according to this invention can be used both with the legs folded up and hung on the wall and with the legs folded out, standing on its own legs on the floor. In addition, the flip chart has a wheel to ease transportation, allowing it to be transported when folded up, and handles which allow easier handling and transportati¬ on.

The leg mechanism of the flip chart is constructed in such a way that it can be very easily and quickly folded open or shut. It is possible to fold the leg mechanism in either direction by taking a single hold of the handles attached to the sides of the chart. A flip chart according to the invention decisively remedies the defects described above. The chart can be used and stored in the same place, if folded up and hung on a wall, so that it needs no floor space and does not prevent the room being used otherwise. If required, the flip chart can be lifted off the wall and moved to another room or elsewhere in the same room, because the chart can then stand on its own legs, while no permanent fittings are necessary where the chart is used. The chart can be easily moved, even for long distances, by using the handles and wheel.

The most important advantages of the invention are its flexible multi-purpose operation and ease of transportation. In addition, when the chart is not in use, it can be stored in a very small space.

The aforementioned benefits and advantages of the invention have been achieved in a manner having the characteristics described in the accompanying claims.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the flip chart hung on a wall, with the leg mechanism folded up;

Figure 2 shows the flip chart standing on its own legs, with the leg mechanism folded out;

Figure 3 shows an intermediate stage in folding the leg mechanism;

Figure 4 shows the flip chart with the leg mechanism folded up; and

Figure 5 shows the flip chart in the transportation position.

Figure 1 thus shows flip chart 1 according to the invention folded up, so that it is ready to be hung on the wall. Chart 1 according to the invention has lugs 5, from which the chart can be suspended from attachments 8 on the wall. In the embodiment shown, the loops of the handles 7 form the lugs. It is obvious that many different attachments can be used to hang the chart on a wall. An attachment can be simply a nail or screw set in the wall.

Figure 2 shows how, when it is folded out, a flip chart according to the invention stands firmly on its own legs 2, 3, 4 freely on the floor. The structure of the legs works on the rhomboid principle by being jointed around points 9, 10, 11 , 12. The opening of the rhomboid is restricted by chain 13, or a similar retention device. Because the relative position of the legs affects the height of the chart, the leg structure is set to a suitable relative position to bring the chart to an appropriate height and allow the legs to provide sufficient support to the entire structure.

When a flip chart according to the invention is folded up, folding begins in the direction of the arrow, leg 3 moving essentially into line with, and inside leg 2. The pads 14 shown diagrammatically between the legs and the floor are also used to keep feet 2 and 3 fastened to one another.

Figure 2 also shows a plate-like component, marked with reference number 15, connecting the parts of leg 2 on opposite sides of the chart. This plate 15 is particularly intended to prevent legs 2 and 3 rotating in the wrong direction around joint 12 and hampering the setting up of the chart. Leg 3 now moves without difficulty into a position against plate 15, in line with leg 2, from which it can easily be rotated open.

Figure 3 shows the next stage in folding up. The legs are now essentially inside one another, and must next be moved simultaneously in the direction of the arrow behind the chart 1 , into the position shown in Figure 4. Here the legs 2, 3, 4 remain in the folded position, with the aid of friction clips, such as pads 14. If necessary, the legs can be locked in place with a suitable lock or catch.

Figure 5 shows how a flip chart according to the invention can be moved easily from place to place. There are handles 7 on both sides of chart 1 , which are used to ease opening or closing of the chart, as well as to provide a suitable hold for transportation. Wheel 6, which is in one corner of a chart according to the invention, facilitates transportation, as the chart need not be carried, but may be pulled along lightly and easily.

The invention can be varied in many ways in terms of the shape of the structures, the materials of manufacture and other properties, while nevertheless remaining within the scope of the protection defined by the inventive concept and the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A flip chart, in which there is an essentially flat surface to act as a base for writing, characterized in that chart (1 ) includes both a folding leg construction (2, 3, 4) for placing on the floor, and suspension lugs (5) for suspension from attachments (8) on the wall when the chart (1) is folded up.

2. A flip chart according to claim 1 , characterized in that the suspension lugs (5) consist of handles (7) at the sides of the chart.

3. A flip chart according to claim 1 , characterized in that the leg construction of chart (1 ) consists of two leg constructions (2, 3) jointed (12) to each other like scissors, one of which fits inside the other, one being jointed (11 ) to the edge of the chart and the other jointed (10) to an auxiliary arm structure (4) jointed (9) at the other end to the chart (1 ) at a point farther from its edge.

4. A flip chart according to claim 3, characterized in that the rhomboid formed by the joint points (9, 10, 11, 12) is prevented from opening farther by chains (13) or similar support devices set essentially on one of its diagonals.

5. A flip chart according to claim 3, characterized in that leg constructions (2 and 3) are jointed, one inside the other, to rotate as a unit around a point (11 ) on the edge of chart (1 ), to a position essentially against the rear of the chart.

6. A flip chart according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that it includes clips to keep the legs (2, 3) secured to one another and also clips to hold the leg unit against the rear of the chart.

7. A flip chart according to claim 6, characterized in that the pads (15) fitted to the legs act at least to some extent as the aforementioned clips.

8. A flip chart according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that there is a wheel (6) in one corner of the chart, facilitating transportation.

9. A flip chart according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that on each side of the chart (1 ) there are handles (7) extending essentially over the entire sides of the chart.

10. A flip chart according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that close to their joint the legs have a transverse plate (15) to prevent legs (3), which fold inside legs (2), moving in the wrong direction.