WO2012018575A2

WO2012018575A2 - Multipurpose collaboration article

Info

Publication number: WO2012018575A2
Application number: PCT/US2011/045144
Authority: WO
Inventors: James E. Nash
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2010-07-26
Filing date: 2011-07-25
Publication date: 2012-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-26
Also published as: WO2012018575A3; TWM427281U

Abstract

An illustrative multipurpose collaboration article comprising: (a) a writing member having a rewritable surface, (b) a support member having a front surface and adapted to receive and releasably support replaceable writing media (not shown), and (c) a frame to which each of the writing member and the support member is attached.

Description

MULTIPURPOSE COLLABORATION ARTICLE

Field

The present invention concerns multifunctional collaboration articles, in particular a combination dry erase board and easel pad surface.

Background

Chalk boards, dry erase boards, and other rewritable surfaces are well known, being used in offices, class rooms, conference rooms, etc. where information is written, often for discussion or consideration by multiple persons, and then the information is erased or changed. In view of their relative advantages and utility, dry erase boards are widely used in a variety of collaborative settings.

US Patent Nos. 5,527,568 (Boone et al.), 5,948,498 (Bianco et al.), 5,987,825 (Rosen), and 6,837,715 (Beno) are illustrative examples of multipurpose articles that combine the advantages of dry erase boards with other elements. Illustrative examples of other elements that have been combined with dry erase surfaces include cork boards and flip chart pads.

Despite these and other variations, the need exists for improved multipurpose collaboration articles. Summary

The present invention provides a novel multipurpose collaboration article that will facilitate collaborations and discussions, e.g., during meetings, work group sessions, etc.

Briefly summarizing, collaboration articles of the invention comprise: (a) a writing member having a rewritable surface, e.g., a dry erase surface; (b) a support member having a front surface and adapted to receive and releasably support replaceable writing media, e.g., easel pads, loose leaf papers sheets, etc.; and (c) a frame to which each of the writing member and the support member is attached.

Articles of the invention can be used to enhance the effectiveness of group discussion, interaction, and collaboration.

Brief Description of Drawing

The invention is further explained with reference to the drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front of an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the top edge of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the right edge of the embodiment shown in Fig 1.

These figures are not to scale and are intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting. Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments

An illustrative multipurpose collaboration article of the invention is shown in Fig. 1 wherein is shown article 10 comprising: (a) a writing member 12 having a rewritable surface 14; (b) a support member 16 having a front surface 18 and adapted to receive and releasably support replaceable writing media (not shown); and (c) a frame 20 to which each of the writing member 12 and the support member 16 is attached.

Enabled in part by the novel close proximity of the rewritable surface and the support surface on which other replaceable writing media can be secured, articles of the invention provide several heretofore unattained advantages and benefits. The easy rewritability enables easy recording and changing of information as a meeting or discussion proceeds, then, when desired, information can recorded on an easel pad from which one or more pages can be taken away as needed.

The frame is attached to both the writing member and support member, securing them together. If desired, the writing member and support member may be separate members that are each independently secured only to the frame without being attached to one another.

Typically the frame is adapted to facilitate securing the collaboration article to a vertical support, e.g., with hangers, clips, etc.

The frame should be strong enough to securely support both the writing member and support member during use (as well as the replaceable writing media), such as when the collaboration article is secured to a vertical support and is being written on, erased, replaceable media is being attached to and/or removed from the support member, etc. Illustrative examples of materials which can be used in the frame include aluminum, steel, wood, polymer members, etc.

The writing member has a rewritable surface. By rewritable is meant that the surface can be readily written on and erased. Illustrative examples of such surfaces include chalk boards and, preferably, dry erase surfaces (sometimes referred to as white boards).

Dry erase marking boards typically comprise a generally rigid substrate such as fiberboard or metal having a surface coated with smooth, hard material such as enamel or the like. The substrate imparts desired dimensional stability to the writing surface during use. The coating operates to receive and releasably retain a marking composition thereupon. The marking composition typically comprises solvent-based ink, and the marker board surface has only a modest affinity for the dried ink; therefore, the ink can be easily removed from the surface by wiping with an eraser, sponge or cloth. Dry erase marking boards have a number of advantages over heretofore employed chalkboards, and their use has steadily increased in recent years.

Many dry erase materials are known and can be used herein. A number of dry erase materials with enhanced properties including but not limited to, for instance, low glare, low ghosting, smudge resistance, easy cleaning, optimized writability and/or erasability with select writing fluids, etc. are known. In some instances, the dry erase surfaces have suitable or optimized projection properties such that the board can also be used as a projection screen. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, such dry erase materials can be efficaciously used in the present invention depending upon the desired application of the resultant collaboration article.

Some illustrative examples of dry erase materials that can be used in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,620,500 (Sweet et al.), 6,945,785 (Sohl et al.), and 7,713,375 (Schneider).

The article, e.g., the support member or frame, is adapted to receive and releasably support replaceable writing media. Illustrative examples include flip charts, easel pads, and single sheets of paper. Typically the media is secured to the article with clips, pegs on which the media is hung, etc.

The article is adapted to receive and releasably support replaceable writing media. In some instances, the frame and/or support member will include clips, mounting pegs 21, etc. which can releaseably retain and support a flip chart or pad on the front face of the support member. For example, the article may comprise protruding tabs 21 upon which a pad having corresponding slots may be hung. Illustrative media include 3M™ Post-it™ Easel Pads.

In some embodiments, the front surface of the supporting member is simply substantially planar. In other embodiments, such as shown in Fig. 1 or 2, front surface 18 of support member 16 defines a plane on which replaceable writing media (not shown) such as an easel pad can be supported and also has one or more cavities or depressions 22, 24 formed therein. Depressions 22, 24 can be sized to serve as storage areas, e.g., for writing instruments, erasers, adhesive flags, note pads, or other tools and supplies can be stored.

In a preferred embodiment, the front face of the support member defines a plane that is inclined with respect to a plane defined by the frame such that when the article is mounted in a substantially vertical orientation the bottom edge of the front face extends or protruded out somewhat from the plane of the frame farther than does the top edge. As a result, when a multipage media such as a flip chart or easel pad is mounted on the support member, the bottom edges of the pages of the pad will tend to remain unseparated. In some embodiments, retainer bars 30 or other means may be used to restrict separation of the bottom edges of pages as desired.

It will typically be preferred that the article be configured to be mounted on a vertical support. For example, the frame may be provided with one or more openings which will engage with hooks, screws, nails, etc. on a wall.

In a typical embodiment, articles of the invention have a substantially rectangular shape and in use are oriented with the writing member and support member positioned to one side of one another. As will be understood, other configurations, e.g., with one of the writing member and support member positioned below the other, with two writing members and a single support member, a single writing member positioned between two support members, etc. may be constructed in accordance with the invention.

In some instance, it will be desired for the article to further comprise one or more storage shelves

26, 28, e.g., extending from the bottom or side of the frame, edge(s) of the writing member and/or support member, etc. Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. The complete disclosure of all patents, patent documents, and publications cited herein are incorporated be reference. The foregoing detailed description and examples have been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose collaboration article comprising: (a) a writing member having a rewritable surface; (b) a support member having a front surface and adapted to receive and releasably support replaceable writing media; and (c) a frame to which each of said writing member and said support member is attached.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein said rewritable surface is selected from the group consisting of a dry erase surface and a chalkboard.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein the bottom edge of said support member protrudes farther from the plane defined by said frame than does the top edge of said support member.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein said replaceable writing media is selected from the group consisting of flip charts and easel pads.

5. The article of claim 1 further comprising an easel pad releasably supported on said support member.

6. The article of claim 1 wherein said front surface is substantially planar.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein said front surface has at least one cavity therein.

8. The article of claim 1 wherein said writing member and said support member are independently connected to said frame.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein said article is adapted to be mounted on a vertical support.