Abstract:
Portable display boards of the type commonly used for business and educational presentations in conferences, trade shows and fairs, for example, that can be made from a variety of materials including foam board and rigid paper pulp are provided with multimedia device mounts for attaching a multimedia device to the front face of a display board, base stands, and protective corners.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 62/144,888, filed on Apr. 8, 2015; Provisional Application No. 62/087,268, filed on Dec. 4, 2014; and Provisional Application No. 62/058,748, filed on Oct. 2, 2014. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to poster or display boards for presentations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Display boards are manufactured in a variety of shapes and styles, the most popular being tri-fold display boards made of rigid paper pulp and/or foam material that is divided into folding panels with single score marks. Collage style display boards are used for the public display of individual pieces of printed information that are adhered to the front surface of the display board in a scrapbook like fashion. 
     Typically display boards are placed on tables and are used for presentations or exhibitions, usually in educational or business settings. In these contexts, the display boards are often accompanied by multimedia devices, such as tablets, e-readers and laptop computers that can display related and/or interactive content. When used in this manner, a multimedia device typically rests separately on a table near the base of the display board, which is often not at eye level. The positioning of the multimedia device on the table does not support its ease of viewing or integration with the other information on the display board. More recently, Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) have been employed to add dynamic content to display materials. This method, while enhancing dynamic content, requires the viewer to take a second step which can result in the viewer losing interest. 
     Other current techniques, such as simply gluing printed materials and a multimedia device to standard display boards can appear less professional and can make it difficult to remove the multimedia device and printed materials from the display board without damage. In addition, when multimedia devices are attached to the display board it can become top heavy and increase the chance of the display falling over and may no longer be able to fold flat. Lastly, display board corners can be damaged during transportation, set up or break down, which can degrade the appearance and limit the life of the display board. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a portable display board for multimedia devices that folds flat and can interface with custom print services. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a portable display board with removable multimedia mounts and washer plates for securing a multimedia device to the front of the display board, base stands for stabilization, and corner protectors to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the display board, dual score marks for folding, and for a technique that determines the mounting method on the display board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the invention principles. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a display board of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of a display board of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a display board of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of base stands of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of display board protective corners. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of bar mounts and washer plates of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another bar mount embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a corner mount of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  a side view of bar mounts and washer plates embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart for a custom print feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart for an aspect of a custom print feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart for another aspect of a custom print feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart for another aspect of a custom print feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  depicts a custom print template for a display board with three panels of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  depicts an example of a custom print template for a portable display board with one panel of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  depicts an aspect of an embodiment of the print/layout feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  depicts an example of a possible outcome of the print/layout feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  depicts an example of a portable display board for multimedia devices using the print/layout feature of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  depicts an in use example of one embodiment of a custom printed and mounted display board of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  depicts an example of how one embodiment of the present invention folds for storage and transportation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Portable display boards for use in presentations and exhibitions are typically constructed of foam board or paper pulp, including cardboard. A common example is a tri-fold board in which the display board has three panels connected by a single hinge or fold so that the board can both be folded up for easier transport and storage and be stood up on a table or other surface while being displayed. 
       FIG. 1  shows an improved tri-fold display board  100  of such type that includes two sets of dual score marks  102   a  and  102   b  that are folded to form a left panel  117 , center panel  116  and right panel  115 , and that includes one set of removable multimedia device mounts ( 101   a ,  101   b ), but it will be understood that display boards of the present invention may have more than one set of multimedia mounts for attaching more than one multimedia device and that display boards may have one or more panels. Multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  are depicted as generally bar like shapes  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  with a somewhat irregular quadrilateral profile, but they can be any shape, depending on the intended use and type of multimedia device and display board. Mounts may have three sides, back  127 , base  128  and front  129 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , back  155 , base  154  and front  153  as shown in  FIG. 9 , and back  142 , base  143 , and front  144  as shown in  FIG. 10  and may include a hinge  131  for device release as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be sized for a variety of kinds of multimedia devices, including tablets and e readers, for example. Multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may include a contoured access carve out  112  (as shown in  FIG. 4   FIG. 5 ) and opening  152  ( FIG. 9 ) and opening  146  ( FIG. 10 ) for allowing access to operational control buttons or power cords on a multimedia device while the device is attached to the display board  100 . Multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of multimedia devices and display boards. Multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may be made of any suitable material, including the display board  100  material, plastic, wood, metals and composite materials including materials with magnetic proprieties. Multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may be mesh, solid, or frames and can be attached to the front of a display board  100  by any suitable mechanism, including adhesives (for example: glue or dual sided tape), threaded pins  FIG. 11, 135 , rivets, hook and loop, via hinges, folds or hooks or self-hooking methods, or magnetically. Further, multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may include a power cord opening  112 , as shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 10 . 
     In operation, a multimedia device  109  can be attached to the front of a display board  100  by first using techniques described below or any other way for locating the desired placement of the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  on the display board  100 . Once multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  locations are determined, the multimedia device mount method for example holes ( 137   a ,  137   b ,  137   c ,  137   d , as shown in  FIG. 17 ) are prepared using a suitable tool like a punch or drill. Any suitable mechanism, for example a threaded pin  139  as shown in  FIG. 11 , is inserted through the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b , the holes  137   a ,  137   b ,  137   c  and  137   d  in the display board  100 , and the multimedia washer plates  118   a  and  118   b  and secured with a nut type fastener  140 . The multimedia device  109  is then slid into the multimedia mounts  101   a  and  101   b . Other methods for insertion and attachment of the multimedia device  109  into the multimedia mounts  101   a  and  101   b  on to the display board  100  may be used, for example dual sided tape may be first attached on to the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b , followed by the insertion of the multimedia device  109  into the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b . Then the tape backing paper is removed and the mounted multimedia device is then adhered the display board. However, it will be understood that the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may be affixed to the display board  100  by any suitable mechanism, including adhesives, threaded pins, rivets, hook and loop, hooks or self-hooking, hinges or folds, or magnetically. Or the multimedia device mount can be first fixed to the display board and then the device can be slid into the mounts. In addition, an access hinge  131  can be added (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) and a locking mechanism can be used to prevent unwanted or accidental removal of device  109  from the display board  100 . 
     Various methods can be used for the safe removal of the multimedia device  109  from the display board  100 . For example, the device can be slid out of the mounts  101   a  and  101   b  or a front hinge  131  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) can be opened and the device removed. Alternatively, the nut and bolt like mechanism  140  can be removed from the mounts  101   a  and  101   b , and the washer plates  118   a  and  118   b  can be detached allowing for the multimedia mounts  101   a  and  101   b  to be lifted off the display board  100 . Then the device  109  is removed from the mounts  101   a  and  101   b.    
       FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of the display board  100  with display board base stands  110   a  and  110   b  (also shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6  and described in more detail below). The base stands  110   a  and  110   b  orient right panel  115  and left panel  117  for balance and provide additional stability to the display board  100 , which may be top heavy when a multimedia device is inserted in multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b . The bottom of display board  100  is inserted into the groove  120  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the base stand  110   a  and  110   b  when the display board  100  is in a standing position. The base stands  110   a  and  110   b  extend away from the display board  100  on both the front side  122  and back side  121 . Preferably, the base stands  110   a  and  110   b  could be detached from the display board  100  so that the display board can be folded flat for ease of transport and storage. The dual scores  108   b  (as shown in  FIG. 22 ) allow for the display board to be folded flat over the mounts  101   a  and  101   b  with our without the device  109  inserted for storage and transportation. 
     Protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d  are attached to the outside corners of display board  100  via a slot  124  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) to increase the life of the display board  100 . The protective corner covers  119   c  and  119   d  can be sized in conjunction with base stands  110   a  and  110   b  to allow the display board  100  to remain level when in a standing position. 
     In operation of an embodiment involving custom print and multimedia device positioning, as outlined in  FIGS. 12-19 , a user can input information about the multimedia device to be mounted on the display board. A user may, for example, select an identifying name for the multimedia device at step  221 . The user may alternatively select a numeral system and input the size (length and width) of the multimedia device to be mounted at  222 . The user may then select multimedia device orientation (e.g., landscape or portrait) at  223 . A user may then input the number of multimedia devices to be mounted at  224 . The user may then choose the multimedia device mount style (cut out, bar or corner) at  225 . The user may then choose the attachment method (cut/drill, adhesive or hardware) at  226 . As outlined in  FIG. 14 , the user may then select a display board size (e.g., small, medium, large or custom) at  231 . The user then may select a display board type (e.g., one panel, two panels, three panels or custom) at  232 . The user may then select a display board theme (e.g., templates or custom) at  233 . The user can input the quantity of display boards at  234 . As outlined in  FIG. 15 , a template builder module  240  determines an appropriate template or templates based on the prior user inputs. The template includes locations for multimedia device mounts, including top media mounts ( 101   a ) at  242  and bottom mounts ( 101   b ) at  242 . Data is merged, converted, compiled, and graphically illustrates information from  241  and  242  to generate a preview, such as depicted in  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 . The data output dimensions in  FIG. 15  for example are generated for display board attachment locations at  244 , including base stands  110   a  and  110   b  at locations  138   a  and  138   b , multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  at locations  134   a  and  134   b , display board drill holes at locations  137   a ,  137   b ,  137   c , and  137   d  and protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d  at locations  136   a ,  136   b ,  136   c  and  136   d . The template example, as shown for example in  FIG. 16 , can be exported and merged into a preferred design software program at  245 . 
     An example of an implementation of the custom print/layout feature could be as follows: A 24 inch by 36 inch tri-fold display board is selected that has folds 9 inches from the edges, and a tablet is selected that has dimensions of 6 inches by 9 inches and is to be displayed in a portrait orientation on the center panel. A default positioning could be to have the tablet centered midway within the upper half of the center panel. Therefore, the top of the tablet would be at a point 6 inches from the top of the display board and the center 9 inches from both folds. An appropriate multimedia display mount could include a top portion and a bottom portion of approximately 6 inches in length each. If both portions include two fastener elements spaced one inch from the ends of the portions, drill holes could be made in the display board at the following four locations, starting from the top of the display board at the rightmost fold: 6 inches down, 7 inches to the left of the fold; 6 inches down, 11 inches to the left of the fold; 15 inches down, 7 inches to the left of the fold; 15 inches down, 11 inches to the left of the fold. In addition, space for print or pasting a title could be allotted a rectangular space of 5 inches high by 17 inches long positioned with % inch margins from the top of the display board, each fold, and above the top portion of the multimedia device mount on the center panel of the display board. 
     The components of the improved display board will now be described in greater detail. Multimedia device mounts are used for removably attaching multimedia devices to a display board. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  can have a profile that resembles a trapezium which is shown in  FIG. 8  as a curved arch trapezium  127  or as shown in  FIG. 9  as a short-lipped slanting trapezium  153 . This shape allows the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  to retain and support tablets of various dimensions. Both an angled corner  145  ( FIG. 10 ) and bar fasteners ( FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) can be formed using a profile shape of this type or similar. The multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  can be constructed with two or three sides: left  127 , right  129  and bottom  128 . The right or left sides may be solid with a curve, with the opposite side straight with holes ( 133   a  and  133   b ) to accommodate a suitable attachment method to the display board and the bottom  128  having opening  112  (as seen in  FIG. 8 ), opening  152  (as seen in  FIG. 9 ) and opening  146  (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) for the insertion of multimedia device cords. The front position  135  acts as a location for a multimedia device  109 . The left side holes  133   a  and  133   b  can be used for holding and coupling multimedia devices to display boards with, but not limited to, various threaded pins fasteners ( 137   a , 137   b , 137   c  and  137   d ), rivets ( 137   a , 137   b , 137   c  and  137   d ), adhesive ( 134   a  and  134   b ), hook and loop ( 134   a  and  134   b ), and magnetically ( 134   a  and  134   b ). The front device location  135  may be any shape and for example in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  is shown as a rectangle. Locations  135 ,  137   a ,  137   b ,  137   c ,  137   d ,  134   a  and  134   b  all provide template locations for methods of placement, attachment and or viewing of multimedia devices on display boards. These methods can involve, cutting, adhesion, and hardware type fasteners. The multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  can have bent corners  130  as shown in  FIG. 10  or straight bars as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , as necessary to accommodate various multimedia devices. The multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  can be made from many materials that are solid and/or mesh, including but not limited to plastics, metal, wood, carbon fiber and composite materials including those with magnetic properties. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the forward portions of device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  may be connected via a hinge to facilitate the insertion and removal of multimedia devices. 
     Multimedia mount washer plates  118   a  and  118   b  (shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ) are used for attach when pins are preferred for attachment of the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  to the display board. Washer plates  118   a  and  118   b  ensures a tight connection between the display board and the multimedia device mount. The multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  are attached to the front of the display board  100  and washer plates  118   a  and  118   b  are placed behind the display board  100  and connected to the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b  to secure the multimedia device to the display board  100  and to distribute the weight of the multimedia device  109  evenly across that portion of the display board. Washer plates  118   a  and  118   b  can be made from many materials that are solid and/or mesh, including but not limited to plastics, metal, wood, carbon fiber and composite materials including those with magnetic properties. 
     The life of a display board is often shortened by damage to the edges and corners. Protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d , as can be seen in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 , can be placed over the corners of display boards to limit wear and damage. The protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d  can be shaped somewhat like right angles in order to fit on the corners of display boards. Protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d , may be used such that when attached to the display board  100  the bottom protective corner covers  119   d  and  119   c , lift the display board to the same height as base stands  110   a  and  110   b , which are attached to the bottom of the display board  100  and are discussed in more detail below. Protective corner protectors  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d  can be made from many materials that are solid and/or mesh including but not limited to plastics, metal, wood, carbon fiber and composite materials including those with magnetic properties. 
     The added weight of the multimedia device when attached to a display board, especially when attached toward the top of the display board, can make the display board prone to toppling over. Display board base stands can assist in stabilizing display boards with multimedia devices attached. The base stands are preferably positioned below the folds on a tri-fold display board, as shown for example in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The base stands  110   a  and  110   b  include a slot  120  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) for the insertion of the display board. The front portion of the base  122  can be somewhat shorter than the back portion  121 . The base stands  110   a  and  110   b  can be made from many materials that are solid and or mesh including but not limited to plastics, metal, wood, carbon fiber and composite materials including those with magnetic properties. 
       FIG. 22  shows how the dual score  108   b  marks are used to fold of the display board  100  around the multimedia device  109  when mounts  101   a  and  101   b  are attached to the display board  100 . 
     Custom Print/Layout Feature 
       FIG. 12  is an overview of a process for determining the location and method for attaching a device to display boards. When using mounts  101   a  and  101   b  the method for attaching the mounts to the display boards is based on factors such as the identity of the multimedia device (and thus its size, shape and orientation), the size and shape of the display board to be used, and the number, size and style (e.g., number of display boards to be printed, the size and shape of the display board and the style of the display board). In addition, appropriate number and locations for base stands  110   a  or  110   b  and protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d , can be determined. For example, at  220 , a user could input a type of multimedia device to be mounted on a display board, or particular characteristics, such as size, of a multimedia device or devices to be mounted on the display board, as shown in more detail in  FIG. 13 . Then, at  230 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 14 , a user could input information and choices regarding the display board to be used, i.e., to have the multimedia device(s) mounted on and other media attached and/or be printed on. At  240 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 15 , inputs from steps  220  and  230  are used to select or recommend templates and/or additional hardware such as base stands  110   a  and  110   b  and protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d . The resulting final output would include locations for the multimedia device mounts  101   a  and  101   b , size and location for static media to be attached to and/or printed on the display board, and types and locations for other hardware such as base stands  110   a  and  110   b  and protective corner covers  119   a ,  119   b ,  119   c  and  119   d . A preview may be provided such as depicted in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , and a user could optionally input changes to the preview that fall within possible variances as illustrated in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 . An example of a display board layout using this feature of the present invention can be seen in  FIG. 20 .