WO2009017727A1

WO2009017727A1 - Arm board

Info

Publication number: WO2009017727A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/009159
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hussein Aboul-Ezz
Original assignee: Hussein Aboul-Ezz
Priority date: 2007-08-01
Filing date: 2008-07-30
Publication date: 2009-02-05

Abstract

The arm board 10 attaches removably to the forearm of the user to enable the user to take notes thereon and store certain information therein. The arm board 10 includes a base panel having a forearm attachment band or strap assembly extending therefrom. An upper panel 12 overlies the base panel and is attached thereto along a common edge of each panel, enabling the upper panel 12 to fold open relative to the base panel. The facing surfaces of the two panels 12 include windows therein, with the space behind each window being accessible for the removable insertion of an information card or the like therein. The upper panel 12 includes a retainer for holding one or more sheets of notepaper or a notepad N thereon.

Description

ARM BOARD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to note pads and to armbands, wristbands, bracelets, and similar devices for removable attachment to the human body. More specifically, the present invention relates to an arm board for removable attachment to either forearm of the user as desired, enabling the user to take notes thereon and access other information or articles contained therein.

BACKGROUND ART

There are a number of professions and activities in which it is important for the participant to be able to take brief notes during the course of the activity, and/or refer to information or access other articles. A prime example of such, although by no means the only example, is found in aviation. Pilots and flight crewmembers at all levels, i.e., from the professional pilot down to the student pilot in a light aircraft, must periodically take notes of various communication frequencies and transponder codes assigned, etc. This is particularly true of the more advanced pilot receiving an instrument clearance, either on the ground prior to flight or an amended clearance in the air. The pilot will be expected to note his or her clearance limit, route of flight, assigned altitude, communications frequency or frequencies, a transponder code, and perhaps other critical matters. Pilots must then read back clearances accurately in order to confirm their accurate receipt of the information. While it is possible to commit most of the items of a standard clearance to memory if a pilot regularly receives the same clearance and the same route, most clearances are such that they must be recorded by the pilot or flight crew in some manner for recall, as the pilot often cannot remember everything. Conventionally, this is accomplished by a pilot using a "kneeboard," which is actually a device that straps to the thigh of the seated pilot. Such devices universally have at least one sheet of paper thereon to allow the pilot to note clearances, weather, etc., and generally include storage space for various objects (e.g., a small, handheld flight computer or calculator, a penlight, etc.). The problem with such kneeboards is that they tend to be somewhat bulky, and can interfere with control operation and/or access in a small cockpit. This is more likely to be a problem in smaller aircraft, but there are many medium size, high performance aircraft (e.g., corporate jets, etc.) that have relatively small cockpits with limited space in order to reduce weight and frontal area. Thus, an arm board solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The arm board is a relatively small and compact device that attaches removably to either forearm of the user. The device includes a base panel having one or more attachment straps extending therefrom, e.g., a closed, continuous elastic loop or two opposed straps attachable to one another by hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buckles, etc. An upper panel is attached to the base panel along a common edge therebetween, with their common attachment edge forming a hinge, thereby allowing the upper panel to pivot relative to the base panel. The upper face of the base panel and the lower face of the upper panel, i.e., the two facing surfaces when the two panels are closed, each have an open or transparent window therein and an access slot for the interchangeable insertion of various cards or the like having various items of information thereon. The two panels are releasably secured to one another by hook and loop fasteners, snaps, magnetic latches, etc., which are disposed opposite their common attachment edges. The edge of either panel may include one or more additional storage loops or the like for removably holding a pencil or pen, a penlight, etc.

In one embodiment, the upper face of the upper panel includes a second or retaining sheet thereacross, with a peripheral slot or opening between the sheet and the underlying upper face of the upper panel. The backing sheet of a writing pad is inserted between the retaining sheet and the underlying upper face of the upper panel to secure the writing pad to the arm board. In another embodiment, the upper face of the upper panel includes a peripheral retainer therearound, with an opening slot between one edge of the retainer and the underlying upper face of the upper panel and a central opening through the retainer to the underlying surface. One or more sheets of writing paper may be inserted through the opening slot and accessed through the central opening to allow the user to take notes. These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an arm board according to the present invention, illustrating its function as a writing surface. Fig. 2 is an environmental perspective view of the arm board according to the present invention, showing the user opening the upper and base panels to view information stored therein.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an arm board according to the present invention, showing the insertion of an information card in the display window of the upper panel.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an arm board according to the present invention, showing the installation of a notepad to the upper panel of the device.

Fig. 5 is an environmental perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an arm board according to the present invention that has a peripheral retainer on the upper panel for holding a writing sheet therein, showing its use.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The arm board is attachable to the forearm of the user, enabling the user to access information contained therein and to take notes on a notepad or other paper attached to the upper panel of the device. The arm board is particularly useful to pilots for copying clearances, frequencies, etc., but is also useful in a variety of other professions and activities.

Fig. 1 of the drawings provides an environmental perspective view of the arm board

10 in use. The arm board 10 is secured to the forearm of the non-favored hand of the user, e.g., the left forearm LF for a right handed user, thus allowing the user to take notes on the notepad installed upon the upper panel of the arm board 10 by using his or her favored hand, e.g., the right hand RH. The arm board 10 may be applied to or worn on either forearm, depending upon the wishes of the user. Fig. 2 shows the upper panel 12 pivoted along its connecting joint or hinge line to the opposite base panel 14, exposing the respective facing display surfaces 16 and 18 of the two panels 12 and 14 to allow the user to observe various items of information that may be placed upon or in the display surfaces 16 and 18.

Fig. 3 provides a detailed perspective view of the arm board 10 from below, showing the forearm attachment means and the insertion of an information card in the upper panel display surface 16. The base panel 14 of the arm board 10 includes a first edge 20, an opposite second edge 22, a forearm contact surface 24, and the display surface 18 shown in Figs. 2 and 4 opposite the forearm contact surface 24. A forearm attachment band (or bands) is attached to the opposite first and second edges 20 and 22 of the base panel 14, and extends across the forearm contact surface 24. The forearm attachment band may comprise one or more continuous elastic loops or separate band portions 26 and 28 having mating hook-and- loop fastening material portions 30 and 32 thereon. Alternatively, two (or more) such band portions may be attached to the base panel 14. Also, alternatively, buckles, snaps, or any other practicable conventional fastener(s) may be substituted for the hook-and-loop fastener material.

The upper panel 12 is a substantially rigid structure having a first edge 34 (shown in Fig. 4), an opposite second edge 36, the previously noted display surface 16, and an upper surface 38 (shown in Fig. 4). The two panels 12 and 14 are secured to one another along their adjacent first edges 20 and 34, e.g., by stitching, etc., to form a flexible joint or hinge 40 therealong. The peripheries of the two panels 12 and 14 provide sufficient flexibility to allow the panels 12 and 14 to be opened along the stitched hinge line 40 to reveal or display their two display surfaces 16 and 18, as the panels 12 and 14 are preferably formed of reasonably flexible materials, such as fabric, plastic, and/or leather. The rigidity of the upper panel 12 may be provided by the installation of a relatively stiff sheet of material (e.g., plastic, etc.) between the display and upper surfaces 16 and 18 during manufacture. The base panel 14 may be constructed in a similar manner, but is preferably at least slightly more flexible in order to at least partially conform to the contour of the forearm of the user of the device. Alternatively, the hinge 40 or joint may be formed by other conventional structure, e.g., a pintle hinge(s), spiral binding, rings, etc. The two panels 12 and 14 are releasably secured to one another along their second edges 22 and 36 by mating strips or portions of hook-and-loop material 42 and 44 when closed together. Alternatively, other securing means, e.g., snaps, magnetic clasps, etc., may be used to releasably secure the second or opening edges 22 and 36 of the two panels 12 and 14 to one another. A pull-tab 46 may be installed along the second or opening edge 36 of the upper panel 12, to facilitate separation of the closure fasteners 42 and 44 when opening the two panels 12 and 14 is desired.

Each of the panels 12 and 14 includes a display surface 16, 18, as noted further above. Each display surface 16, 18 comprises a transparent display window 48, 50 having an access slot 52, 54 extending thereacross and preferably adjacent one end or edge of the surface. The slot, e.g., slot 52 of the first display window 48, enables the user of the arm board 10 to insert or remove cards or the like containing important information, reference materials, etc. thereon. In the example of Fig. 3, a card C containing equipment suffix codes for flight plans and a table of common communications frequencies is shown partially inserted into the access slot 52 of the display window 48. The display surface 18 of the base panel 14 and its window 50 operate substantially similarly.

The upper surface 38 of the semi-rigid upper panel 12 is sufficiently firm to provide a good backing or writing surface when one or more sheets of paper or the like are placed thereon. Accordingly, the arm board 10 includes means for retaining one or more sheets of writing paper on the upper surface 38 of the upper panel 12, as shown in Fig. 4. A retainer sheet 56 extends across the majority of the upper surface 38 of the upper panel 12, and is secured to the upper surface 38 along the second edge 36 and the two opposite lateral edges of the upper panel 12. However, the retainer sheet 56 does not extend completely to the panel joint or first edge 34, but terminates short of that edge at an open retainer edge 58. The retainer sheet 56 thus defines a pocket 60 between the sheet 56 and the underlying upper surface 38 of the upper panel 12. The pocket 60 serves to retain the backing sheet B of a notepad N therein, with such a notepad N being shown installed in the arm board 10 of Fig. 1 and separated away from the arm board 10 in Fig. 4 to show the installation procedure. A retaining strap 62 (e.g., elastic band, etc.) may be provided extending across the retainer sheet 56 and generally opposite the open retainer edge 58. The retaining strap 62 may be attached to the opposite lateral edges of the upper panel 12 as shown in Fig. 4. The retaining strap 62 is passed over the top of the sheets of paper of the notepad N to hold those sheets flat against the underlying upper panel 12. An article retaining loop 64 that is formed of an elastic band or other suitable material may be provided. The retaining loop 64 may extend peripherally from the first or joint edges 20 and 34 of the two panels 12 and 14, or some other convenient edge of either panel. Properly configured, such a retaining loop 64 is well suited for retaining a pencil, pen, or other writing implement readily at hand. Optionally, one or more secondary loops 66 may be added to any convenient location of the arm board 10 for holding a penlight L or other accessory, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 provides an environmental perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the arm board 10a, wherein the means for retaining writing paper differs from the arm board 10 of Figs. 1 through 4. The arm board 10a includes a notepaper retainer 68 disposed peripherally about the upper or writing surface 38a of the upper panel 12a. The retainer 68 includes an open center 70, exposing the writing surface 38a when no paper is placed thereon. The retainer 68 is preferably secured (e.g., by stitching 72 or other means.) to the underlying writing surface 38a along the majority of its sides or edges, but one edge 74 remains unattached to the underlying writing surface 38a to provide an opening slot 76 therebetween for the removable insertion of one or more sheets of writing paper therein. The upper or outer surface of the writing paper placed within the retainer 68 is thus exposed through the central opening 70 of the retainer 68, thus allowing the user of the arm board 10a to take notes thereon. It will be seen that the arm board 10a of Fig. 5 does not specifically show an upper panel flexibly or pivotally attached to a lower panel along one common edge therebetween, as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 4. The arm board 10a of Fig. 5 may include such a hinged or flexibly attached upper panel with the writing surface 38a and retainer 68 installed thereon, or may comprise a single panel having the forearm attachment band(s) extending from the forearm contact surface thereof, as in the case of the base panel 14 of the embodiment 10 of Figs. 1 through 4. Alternatively, the arm board 10 of Figs. 1 through 4 may be configured to eliminate the hinged or flexibly attached upper panel 12, instead having the notepad retainer sheet 56 and notepad retaining strap 62 attached directly to the base panel 14. Either embodiment provides a much needed compact accessory for the pilot or flight crew member to record and access required information and clearances during flight or ground operations without having to resort to a bulky and constricting kneeboard. The arm board will also be useful to a great many others in various professions and activities.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An arm board, comprising: a base panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a forearm contact surface, and a display surface opposite the forearm contact surface; a forearm attachment band extending from the first edge to the second edge of the base panel, and across the forearm contact surface thereof; a substantially rigid upper panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a display surface, and an upper surface opposite the display surface; a flexible joint permanently connecting the first edges of the panels together; mutually mating first and second panel closures disposed along the second edges of the base panel and upper panel, the closures releasably securing the second edges of each panel to one another; and a display window disposed across the display surface of each of the panels, the display windows having an access slot.

2. The arm board according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the upper panel comprises a writing surface having means for removably securing at least one sheet of writing paper thereon.

3. The arm board according to claim 2, further comprising a retainer disposed across the writing surface of the upper panel, the retainer having at least one open edge, the retainer defining a pocket for removably accepting the backing sheet of a notepad therein.

4. The arm board according to claim 3, further comprising a retaining strap disposed across the retainer opposite the open edge thereof.

5. The arm board according to claim 2, further comprising a retainer disposed peripherally about the writing surface of the upper panel, the retainer further having an edge and an opening slot between the edge and the writing surface for the removable insertion of at least one sheet of writing paper therein, and a central opening therethrough exposing the at least one sheet of writing paper when inserted in the retainer.

6. The arm board according to claim 1, further comprising at least one article retaining loop disposed on the band.

7. The arm board according to claim 1, wherein at least the base panel and the upper panel are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, plastic, and leather.

8. An arm board, comprising: a base panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a forearm contact surface, and a second surface opposite the forearm contact surface; a forearm attachment band extending from the first edge to the second edge of the base panel, and across the forearm contact surface thereof; a substantially rigid upper panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, an upper writing surface having means for removably securing at least one sheet of writing paper thereon, and a second surface opposite the writing surface, the second surface of each of the panels facing one another when the base panel and upper panel are closed together; a flexible joint permanently connecting the first edges of the panels together; first and second panel closures disposed along the second edges of the base panel and upper panel, the closures releasably securing the second edges of the panels together; and a display window disposed over the second surface of at least one of the panels.

9. The arm board according to claim 8, wherein said display window comprises a pair of display windows, each of the panels having one of the display windows disposed over the second surface thereof, the display windows having an access slot.

10. The arm board according to claim 8, further comprising a retainer disposed across the writing surface of the upper panel, the retainer having at least one open edge, the retainer defining a pocket for removably accepting the backing sheet of a notepad therein.

11. The arm board according to claim 10, further comprising a retaining strap disposed across the retainer opposite the open edge thereof.

12. The arm board according to claim 8, further comprising a retainer disposed peripherally about the writing surface of the upper panel, the retainer having an edge defining an open slot between the edge and the writing surface for removable insertion of at least one sheet of writing paper therein, and defining a central opening therethrough exposing the at least one sheet of writing paper when inserted in the retainer.

13. The arm board according to claim 8, further comprising at least one article retaining loop disposed peripherally on the band.

14. The arm board according to claim 8, wherein at least the base panel and the upper panel are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, plastic, and leather.

15. An arm board, comprising: a base panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a forearm contact surface, and a second surface opposite the forearm contact surface; a forearm attachment band extending from the first edge to the second edge of the base panel, and across the forearm contact surface thereof; a substantially rigid upper panel having a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, an upper writing surface having means for removably securing at least one sheet of writing paper thereon, and a second surface opposite the writing surface, the second surface of each of the panels facing one another when the base panel and upper panel are closed together; a retainer disposed across the writing surface of the upper panel, the retainer having at least one open edge defining a pocket for removably accepting a backing sheet of a notepad therein; a flexible joint permanently connecting the first edge of each of the panels together; and first and second panel closures disposed along the second edges of the base panel and upper panel, the closures releasably securing the second edges of the panels together.

16. The arm board according to claim 15, further comprising a display window disposed over the second surface of each of the panels, the display windows having an access slot thereacross.

17. The arm board according to claim 15, further comprising a retaining strap disposed across the retainer opposite the open edge thereof.

18. The arm board according to claim 15, further comprising at least one article retaining loop disposed peripherally on the band.

19. The arm board according to claim 15, wherein at least the base panel and the upper panel are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, plastic, and leather.