WO2003092437A1

WO2003092437A1 - Portable display board system

Info

Publication number: WO2003092437A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/013935
Authority: WO
Inventors: James C. Richardson
Original assignee: Richardson James C
Priority date: 2002-05-03
Filing date: 2002-05-03
Publication date: 2003-11-13
Also published as: AU2002308573A1

Abstract

A portable display or corporate board has a collapsible presentation surface that is supported by length adjustable legs (20, 24, 26). The display board also includes an integral handle (14). The display board has a first panel (12) that is attached to a second panel (16) such that the first and second panels form an essentially contiguous and continuous presentation surface when the first and second panels (12, 16) are in an extended, presentation, or open position. In a closed position, the first and second panels (12, 16) abut one another. The presentation surface may be any writing surface such as dry-erase, chalk or otherwise. The length adjustable legs (20, 24, 26) may constitute a tripod of telescoping rods pivotally attached to one of the first and second panels (12, 16).

Description

PORTABLE DISPLAY BOARD SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to display boards and, more

particularly, to a foldable and portable display and/or writing board system.

Background of the Invention

There are many types of display boards that may be used for

presentations such as dry-erase or "white" boards, chalkboards, and/or the like.

However, heretofore designed display boards are difficult to move from location

to location. This is particularly true if the board must be carried onto an airplane

or placed into an automobile. A primary reason for this is the size of a typical

display board.

In view of the above, various display boards have been designed that are

collapsible or foldable. To this end, these previous display boards typically have

a plurality of hinged panels that can fold together in order to alleviate the size problem. Some of these display boards include a handle that allows the display

board to be portable. A major drawback with these type of display boards is that

they are designed for table top use only, or must be used in conjunction with an easel or the like. The easel poses another problem, namely, having to carry

another piece of equipment with the display board. Another problem with previous display boards is that there is little to no writing surface. Most previous display boards are adapted to receive pictures,

charts and the like mounted thereon. When there is a writing surface, a small

board or portion of a board is provided. These display boards fall short in cases

where it is necessary to have a large writing area.

Yet another problem with the above-referenced display boards and other

types of display boards, is that they are either too light, being made of cardboard

or similar material, or are too heavy.

In view of the above shortcomings, it would thus be desirable to have a

portable display board that is height adjustable using its own height adjustment

mechanism.

Given the above, it would thus be further desirable to have a portable

display board that has a large writing surface.

Still given the above, it would thus be even further desirable to have a

display board that incorporate features that alleviates all of the above

shortcomings/problems associated with previous display boards.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is a portable display board. The portable display

board includes an integral height adjustable stand, carrying handle, and two panels that are connected to one another so as to form an essentially continuous

and/or contiguous presentation surface when in an open position. In one form, the present invention is a display board having a first panel, a second panel, a handle, and a set of length adjustable legs. The first and

second panels each have a presentation side and a non-presentation side. The

first and second panels are pivotally attached to one another such that the first and second panels are selectively positionable into first and second positions,

wherein when the first and second panels are in the first position, one of the

sides of the first panel abuts one of the sides of the second panel,

and wherein when the first and second panels are in the second position, the

presentation side of the first panel forms a contiguous presentation surface with

the presentation side of the second panel. Further, the handle is attached to one of the first and second panels, while the set of length adjustable legs are

pivotally attached to the non-presentation side of the first panel.

In another form, the present invention is a portable writing board that

includes a first board having a writing surface on a first side thereof, and a

second board having a writing surface on a first side thereof. The first and

second boards are pivotally coupled to each other and selectively positionable in

and between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when

the first and second boards are in the open configuration the writing surface on a

first side of the first board and the writing surface on a first side of the second

board contiguously meet at mutual edges thereof forming a substantially

continuous writing presentation surface, and when the first and second boards

are in a closed position, the writing surface on a first side of the first board abuts

the writing surface on a first side of the second board. The portable writing board also includes a height adjustable stand mounted to a second side of the

first board, and a handle coupled to one of the first and second boards.

In yet another form, the present invention is a transportable corporate

board. The transportable corporate board includes a first panel and a second

panel, with the first and second panels hingedly coupled to one another at a mutual edge thereof. The first panel defines a first writing surface while the

second panel defines a second writing surface. The first and second panels are

selectively positionable into a presentation configuration and a closed position,

wherein when the first and second panels are in the presentation position the

first writing surface is contiguous and coplanar with the second writing surface

together defining a presentation surface, and when the first and second panels

are in the closed position the first writing surface abuts the second writing

surface. The transportable corporate board further includes a handle coupled to

one of the first and second panels, and a plurality of height adjustable legs

attached to one of the first and second panels at a rear surface thereof opposite

the respective first and second writing surfaces.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this

invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of

embodiment(s) of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying

drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment of a portable display board

system in accordance with the principles of the present invention in a closed,

collapsed, or folded state;

Fig. 2 is a rear plan view of the portable display board system of Fig. 1 in

the closed, collapsed, or folded state;

Fig. 3 is a side plan view of the portable display board system of Figs. 1

and 2 in the closed, collapsed, or folded state;

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the portable display board system of

Figs. 1 -3 in an open and extended position;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the portable display board system of Figs. 1 -4

illustrating the manner in which the display board extends;

Fig. 6 is a rear plan view of another embodiment of the present portable

display board showing one set of extendable legs in an extended position and

the board in an open position;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the one set of extendable legs;

Fig. 8 is a front plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 6, with the board in an

open position but no legs extended;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the present portable display board taken along line

9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an outside surface of one panel of the portable

display board of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the panel of Fig. 10 taken along line 11 -11 of Fig.

10; Fig. 12 is a plan view of an inside surface of the panel of the portable display board of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the portable display board of Fig. 12 taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the portable display board of Fig. 6

with the extendable legs in a closed or collapsed position;

Fig. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the portable display board of Fig. 6

with the extendable legs in an extended position; and

Fig. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the portable display board of Fig. 6

with the extendable legs in an extended and open position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts

throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the

present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this

disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses,

of adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this

application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as

come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention

pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a portable

display or corporate board, generally designated 10, per the principles presented herein. The portable display board 10 includes a first panel or board 12 and a second panel or board 16. The panels 12 and 16 are preferably the same size

and composition, but may vary in size and/or composition. The outside surface

13 of the panel 12 may be covered with a leather, vinyl, or similar aesthetically

pleasing and/or durable material, particularly to look like a briefcase or the like

when the display board 10 is carried. Likewise, the outside surface 17 of the

panel 16 may be preferably covered with a leather, vinyl, or similar aesthetically

pleasing and/or durable material, for the same reasons as for the outside surface

13 of the panel 12.

A set of length adjustable legs 19 is provided on the outside surface 17 of

the panel 16 that provide a height adjustment mechanism for the first and second

panels 12 and 16. The set of length adjustable legs 19 is attached to the outside

surface 17 via a bracket 18. The bracket 18 may provide for one, some or all of the legs 19 to pivot in some manner with respect to the panel 17. Pivoting may

include motion away from the outside surface 17 in a perpendicular direction

relative to the outside surface 17 and/or motion along the outside surface 17 in a

coplanar direction relative to the outside surface 17. In the embodiment shown,

three legs, 20, 24, and 26 forms the set of length adjustable legs 19, each of

which is formed of a plurality of telescoping rods. The telescoping rods are

length adjustable into an infinite number of selectable positions of course, other

manners of adjustable legs may be used. The legs 20, 24 and 26 form a tripod

with the center leg 20 operative to rotate, swing, or pivot outward from the

outside surface 17, and the outside legs 24 and 26 operative to rotate, swing, or pivot along or essentially coplanar with the outside surface 17. Again, other

configurations of legs that provides a stable platform for allowing the display

board 10 to freely stand.

It should be appreciated that the set of adjustable legs 19 may be formed

by any number of individually adjustable legs, in any configuration, that allow the

display board 10 to be free standing such as that shown in Fig. 4. As well, the

legs forming the set of length adjustable legs 19 may utilize a manner of

adjustment other than by interconnected, telescoping rods as indicated above. As shown in Fig. 2, it is preferable that the set of adjustable legs 19 collapse or

reduce in length such that the individual legs do not extend beyond the ends or

edges of the panel 16 when the display board 10 is in a carrying or

transportation mode. Clamps or clips may be provided on the outside surface 17

to help retain the legs when not in use.

The display board 10 also includes a handle 14 disposed on an upper end

or edge of the panel 16. It should be appreciated that while the handle 14 is

shown on the panel 16, it can be disposed on an upper end or edge of the panel 12, or any edge or end of either board. The display board 10 further includes a

first clasp or latch generally designated 32 having two components 32a and 32b

that are disposed on the ends of the respective panels 16 and 12. The display

board 10 also includes a second clasp or latch generally designated 34 having

two components 34a and 34b that are disposed on the ends of the respective

panels 16 and 12. It should be appreciated that there may be only one clasp or

latch, that the clasp or latch may be formed by a single piece or more than two pieces, and that various types of devices are operative and contemplated to

perform clasping or latching of the two panels 12 and 16 together in a face-to- face relationship. The clasp(s) aid in retaining the panels 12 and 16 together

(abutting) or in a side-to-side relationship when the display board is in a

collapsed or folded state as depicted in Figs. 1-3.

To this end, the panels 12 and 16 are joined or attached to one another at complementary ends thereof, as best seen in Fig. 3, in a manner that allows the

panels 12 and 16 to move, swing, or pivot relative to one another. Referring to

Fig. 3, the panels 12 and 16 may be attached via a hinge 30 or other device that

allows the panels 12 and 16 to pivot or move relative to the other. In particular,

the panels 12 and 16 are attached to one another such that the panels 12 and

16 define and are movable between an extended/opened position and a

collapsed/folded position. In Figs. 1-3, the display board 10 is shown in a

folded, collapsed, or carrying position or state.

In Fig. 5, the legs 20, 26, and 24 (not seen) are extended in a tripod

configuration with an extension 22 extending from the leg 20 and the outside

surface 17 for support, such that the display board 10 may freely stand and the

panels 12 and 16 may be opened. In Fig. 5, the panels 12 and 16 are shown

being opened from the closed or collapsed position (as in Figs. 1 -3) as

represented by the two-headed arrow, into a fully open position (see Fig. A).

In Fig. 4, the portable display board 10 is shown in a fully open and

extended position. In particular, the legs 24 and 26 are extended downwardly a

given distance to set the height of the panels 12 and 16, while the hinged/middle leg 20 is likewise extended downwardly a given distance and pivoted outwardly to form the tripod. The panel 16 also defines a presentation side or surface 40 that are opposite the outside surface 17, while the panel 12 also defines a

presentation side or surface 42 that is opposite the outside surface 13. The

presentation sides may comprise a writing surface such as a "white" or dry-erase

board, a chalkboard, or any other type of surface on which one may write and,

preferably, erase. The presentation sides may be magnetic and/or may

alternatively comprise another type of display and/or presentation surface.

When the panel 12 is pivoted downward such that the writing surface 42

is exposed, the writing surface 40 of the panel 16 is also exposed. In particular,

an edge of the panel 12 that is attached to the hinge 30 and the edge of the

panel 16 that is attached to the hinge 30 abuts one another such that the writing

surfaces 40 and 42 form a continuous or contiguous presentation and/or writing

surface. In this manner, the presentation or writing surface is doubled over

conventional "one-panel" devices.

Because the stand (i.e. the set of adjustable legs 19) of the display board

10 is integral with or attached to the panel 16, the handle 14 can not only be

used to transport the display board 10 when it is in a folded or collapsed state or

position as in Figs. 1 -3, but can be used to carry the display board 10 when it is

in an open or extended state or position as in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 also shows an optional supply holder 50 formed as a pouch or

pocket. The holder 50 holds several markers, erasers, and the like (collectively,

"board tools") for writing on the writing surfaces 40 and 42 of boards 16 and 12. The pocket 50 is designed to hold the board tools even when the display board

10 is in the folded or collapsed state ready for transporting or carrying.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown another embodiment of the present portable display or corporate board, generally designated 100. The display board 100 is a modular version that is preferably manufactured from

plastic such as an injection-molded plastic. In particular, the display board 100

includes a body 102 defined by a first panel 104 and a second panel 106, here

shown in an open position with the rears thereof facing outward. The first panel

104 includes a handle portion 108 that is integral therewith. The second panel

106 includes a handle portion 110 that is integral herewith. The handle portions

108 and 110 cooperate when the first and second panels 104, 10δare in a

closed position to provide an integral carrying handle for the display board 100.

The display board 100 further includes an extendable stand 112 that is

partially seated in a channel 114 in the second panel 106. Referring additionally

to Fig. 7, the extendable stand 112 is formed of a first U-shaped rod or member

116 that is disposed in the channel 114. A rod 118 of a slightly smaller diameter

than the U-shaped rod 116 is disposed in one "arm" of the U-shaped rod 116

such that the rod 1 18 can slide or telescope into the arm of the U-shaped rod

116. A rod 122 of a slightly smaller diameter than the rod 118 is disposed in the

rod 118. The rod 122 can thus slide or telescope into the rod 118. In like

manner, a rod 120 of a slightly smaller diameter than the U-shaped rod 116 is disposed in another "arm" of the U-shaped rod 116 such that the rod 120 can

slide or telescope into the arm of the U-shaped rod 116. A rod 124 of a slightly smaller diameter than the rod 120 is disposed in the rod 120. The rod 124 can

thus slide or telescope into the rod 120. Further, a second U-shaped rod or member 126 has first and second arms of a smaller diameter than rods 122 and

124 that fit into the rods 122 and 124 such that the U-shaped rod 126 can slide

or telescope into the rods 122 and 124. The U-shaped rod 126 provides a

support surface for the display board 100 and is pivotal with respect to the panel 106.

While not specifically shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the display board 100

preferably includes a second extendable stand (see Figs. 14-16) that is

substantially the same in configuration and operation as the first extendable

stand 112. The second extendable stand fits into and is retained by the first

panel 104 in the same manner as the first extendable stand 112 fits into and is

retained by the second panel 106.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the display board 100 is shown in an open position. The

first panel 102 includes a writing or display surface 132, while the second panel

106 includes a writing or display surface 134. Together, the writing surfaces 132

and 134 define a contiguous and/or continuous writing surface 130 that is

integral with or part of the body 102. The first panel 104 and the second panel

106 are pivotally coupled to one another via hinges 128 and 129 such that the

panels 104 and 106 can selectively be in a first or open position as depicted in

Fig. 8, or in a second or closed position wherein the writing surfaces 132 and

134 are abutting. As best seen in Fig. 9, the first panel 104 includes a channel

136 for the second extendable stand (not shown). Referring to Figs. 10-13, there is shown the first panel 104. The first panel 104 is preferably made of a suitable plastic such as an injection-molded plastic, or any other suitable material. The writing surface 132 is preferably a dry or wet erase marker type board, a "white" board, chalkboard, and/or any other

suitable surface for writing on and, preferably erasing.

Figs. 14-16 shows the rear of the display board 100, with the body 102 in

an open position. It should be appreciated that the display board 100 is also

moveable into a closed position wherein the panels 104 and 106 close on or abut each other and the extendable stands are collapsed into their respective

panels. In particular, Fig. 14 shows the extendable stands for both the first panel

104 and the second panel 106 (wherein the extendable stand 112 thereof is

labeled) in a closed or retracted (collapsed) position. Fig. 16 shows both of the

extendable stands in an open or extended position, while Fig. 15 shows the

extended stands in an open display position, wherein the extended stands are spread away from each other and a middle support bar is positioned

therebetween. The middle support bar provides stability for the extendable

stands/display board in general.

Because of the extendable stand structure, configuration, pivoting

manner, and/or placement thereof, the display board 100 may be used with

either end up or down. Additionally, the extendable stand structure allows the

display board to be in varying degrees of angles. Further, the display board is

height adjustable. While this invention has been described as having a preferred design and/or configuration, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to

cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general

principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to

which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the claims.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A display board comprising:

a first panel having a presentation side and a non-presentation side;

a second panel having a presentation side and a non-presentation side;

a handle integral with one of said first and second panels; and

an adjustable support structure pivotally attached to at least one of said

first and second panels;

said first and second panels attached to one another via a pivot such that

said first and second panels are positionable into first and second configurations

wherein when said first and second panels are in said first configuration one of

said sides of said first panel is coplanar with one of said sides of said second

panel, and wherein when said first and second panels are in said second

configuration said presentation side of said first panel forms a contiguous presentation surface with said presentation side of said second panel.

2. The display board of claim 1 , further comprising a latch having a first latch

component attached to said first panel and a second latch component attached

to said second panel, said latch operative to releasably retain said first and

second panels in said first position.

3. The display board of claim 1 , wherein said first and second presentation

surfaces each comprise a writing surface.

4. The display board of claim 3, wherein said writing surfaces are one of a chalkboard and a dry-erase board.

5. The display board of claim 1 , wherein said support comprises an extendable

and collapsible tripod arrangement of length adjustable legs.

6. The display board of claim 1 , wherein said adjustable support structure

comprises:

a pair of telescoping legs pivotally attached to said non-presentation side

of said first panel;

a middle telescoping leg pivotally attached to said non-presentation side

of said first panel between said pair of telescoping legs; and

wherein said middle telescoping leg is operative to form a tripod with said

pair of telescoping legs when said first telescoping leg and said pair of

telescoping legs are in an open position.

7. The display board of claim 1 , further comprising an accessory pocket

disposed on one of said presentation sides.

8. The display board of claim 1 , wherein said non-presentation sides are

covered in one of leather, a synthetic material, and a combination of leather and

synthetic material.

9. A portable writing board comprising:

a first board having a writing surface on a first side thereof; a second board having a writing surface on a first side thereof; said first and second boards pivotally coupled to each other and

selectively positionable in and between an open configuration and a closed

configuration, wherein when said first and second boards are in said open configuration said writing surface on a first side of said first board and said

writing surface on a first side of said second board contiguously meet at a mutual

edge thereof forming a substantially continuous writing presentation surface, and

when said first and second boards are in a closed configuration, said writing

surface on a first side of said first board is coplanar with said writing surface on a

first side of said second board; an integral height adjustable stand operative to support said first and

second boards; and

a handle coupled to one of said first and second boards.

10. The portable writing board of claim 9, further comprising:

a clasp having a first clasp component attached to said first board and a

second clasp component attached to said second board, said clasp operative to

releasably retain said first and second boards in the closed configuration.

11. The portable writing board of claim 10, further comprising: a second clasp having a first clasp component attached to said first board

and a second clasp component attached to said second board, said second

clasp operative to releasably retain said first and second boards in the closed

configuration.

12. The portable writing board of claim 9, wherein said writing surfaces comprise

one of a dry-erase surface and a chalkboard surface.

13. The portable writing board of claim 9, wherein said integral height adjustable

stand comprises a plurality of height adjustable legs pivotally attached to said

second side of said first board.

14. The portable writing board of claim 13, wherein said plurality of height

adjustable legs forms a tripod.

15. The portable writing board of claim 4, wherein said plurality of height

adjustable legs are each formed of a plurality of telescoping rods.

16. The portable writing board of claim 9, wherein said handle is disposed on an edge of said first or second board opposite to where said first and second boards

are coupled to one another.

17. A transportable corporate board comprising: a first panel; a second panel; said first and second panels hingedly coupled to one another at mutual edges thereof; said first panel defining a first writing surface; said second panel defining a second writing surface; said first and second panels selectively positionable into a presentation position and a closed position, wherein when said first and second panels are in said presentation position said first writing surface is contiguous and coplanar with said second writing surface together defining a presentation surface, and when said first and second panels are in said closed position said first writing surface abuts said second writing surface; a handle coupled to one of said first and second panels; and a plurality of height adjustable legs operative with said first and second panels at a rear surface thereof opposite the respective first and second writing surfaces to provide a height adjustable stand for said first and second panels.

18. The transportable corporate board of claim 17, wherein said plurality of

height adjustable legs are pivotally attached.

19. The transportable corporate board of claim 18, wherein said plurality of

height adjustable legs are each formed of a plurality of telescoping rods and

define a tripod.

20. The transportable corporate board of claim 17, further comprising a first

clasp disposed on one side of mutual edges of said first and second panels, and a second clasp disposed on another side of said mutual edges of said first and

second panels, said first and second clasps each having a first clasp component

attached to said first board and a second clasp component attached to said

second board, each said first and second clasps operative to releasably retain said first and second boards in said closed position.

21. The display board of claim 1 , wherein said first and second panels are each

fabricated from plastic.

22. The display board of claim 1 , wherein said adjustable support structure

comprises: a first telescoping member pivotally coupled to said non-presentation side

of said first panel; and

a second telescoping member pivotally coupled to said non-presentation

side of said second panel.

23. The display board of claim 22, wherein said first and second telescoping members each comprise a plurality of U-shaped members.

24. The portable writing board of claim 9, wherein said first and second boards

are fabricated from plastic.

25. The portable writing board of claim 9, wherein said integral height adjustable stand comprises:

a first telescoping member pivotally coupled to said non-presentation side

of said first panel; and

a second telescoping member pivotally coupled to said non-presentation

side of said second panel.

26. The portable writing board of claim 25, wherein said first and second

telescoping members each comprise a plurality of U-shaped members.

27. The transportable corporate board of claim 17, wherein said plurality of

height adjustable legs comprises:

a first telescoping member pivotally coupled to said first panel opposite

said first writing surface thereof; and

a second telescoping member pivotally coupled to said second panel

opposite said second writing surface thereof.

28. The transportable corporate board of claim 27, wherein said first and second

telescoping members each comprise a plurality of nested U-shaped members.

29. The transportable corporate board of claim 17, wherein said first and second

panels are fabricated from plastic.