Abstract:
A foldable portfolio organizer having a plurality of board stiffeners arranged in rows and columns and covered by an inner and an outer sheet of flexible fabric material so that folds or plications separate the rows and columns permitting folding the board stiffeners into a storage and carrying position and unfolding into an operative position. Pads of data recording forms are disposed on said inner sheet associated with each board stiffener and clip devices are employed to releasably retain each pad in place. An accordion fold brief case is included on a central column and a hard surface board is included in the central column separated by a longitudinal fold plication. The pads and associated board stiffeners are disposed laterally of the central column. A hanger strap is included for hangably supporting the organizer and separate pouches and sleeves are provided for holding writing implements and ancillary items, such as pins, labels, stickers, etc.

Description:
Priority based on Ser. No. 60/244,585 filed Oct. 31, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of an organizer for holding a plurality of selected items such as forms, writing implements, selected papers, etc., and more particularly to a novel organizer having an open or operative position exposing a plurality of specialized forms and working surfaces as well as providing an accordion style briefcase and which further has a storage position when folded over upon itself permitting the organizer to be readily carried from one place to another and which may be particularly useful in emergency situations where data recording is essential. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     In the past, it has been the conventional practice to provide an organizer such as a carrying case, pocketbook, or other type of organizer apparatus which holds a plurality of papers or selected items relevant to the recording and storage of data. Such examples of prior item organizers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,401; 5,020,673; and 5,984,092. 
     Difficulties and problems have been encountered with such conventional item organizers which stem largely from the fact that while these devices or apparatus include either multiple pockets and/or foldable multi-dash panel construction, the organizers are either too complicated for convenient use especially for display and equally inconvenient is the ability to lay the organizer in a flat orientation such as on the hood of a vehicle so that the user may readily enter proper information on necessary documents. Also, many of the previous foldable portfolios or organizers are unable to hold thicker and substantially non-planer items which are normally held in a carrying bag or briefcase. More recent portfolios, organizers or cases typically are comparatively complex and expensive and are cumbersome for an organized, appealing display during use. For example, at the scene of an emergency such as an accident or catastrophe, individuals of all types of occupations and employments need to enter pertinent information onto document forms for subsequent processing at base stations or operations. Such occupations include primarily law enforcement, fire department, military organizations, search and rescue units as well as commercial sales people. In emergencies, it is especially important that the proper forms or documents be filled out and usually personnel will work from the top of their vehicle hood or certainly in outdoor environments. 
     Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide an item organizer which can hold documents or papers needed to be filled out in an emergency so that the papers or documents will not blow away and which will provide a working area for such personnel in the field. The organizer should be readily foldable for storage and for transport from place to place without disrupting official&#39;s procedures or operations. The organizer can also be completely folded for storage in transport as well as unfolded so that a variety of documents or forms are displayable and which further includes a hardboard for supporting papers needed to be written upon and preferably a briefcase for holding books, pamphlets, procedures or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides an item organizer of unitary construction which includes a plurality of panels arranged in side-by-side relationship and wherein the panels include a central panel joining a pair of lateral or intermediate panels. Each panel is divided into an upper section and a lower section, separated by a major or longitudinal fold or plication extending along the length of the organizer. The lateral panels are joined on opposite sides of the central panel by folds or plications extending normal or perpendicular to the longitudinal major fold or plication. 
     Selected sections are provided with pockets, clips, hardboard working surfaces, an accordion folder and other implement holding portions. A variety of form pads pertaining to documents requiring official information and pertaining to the collection of specific information are provided on the selected sections in addition to some sections which are provided with pockets. The organizer may be folded along the plications from an open, opposite position into a closed storage position suitable for carrying. Grommets are provided on corners for attachment with a hanger for supporting the organizer on a wall when in its operative position. 
     Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide an item organizer adapted to assist any and all types of occupations or individuals and especially those persons in the profession of law enforcement, fire department, military organizations as well as search and rescue units. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a novel item organizer which may be unfolded from a stored position at the site of an emergency and may be placed on the top or hood of a vehicle so that the user may have a variety of official documents and forms exposed preparatory for entry of pertinent information. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel item organizer which may be unfolded from a storage position into an operative position exposing an interior composed of panels and sections on which a variety of pads of document forms are placed and which further includes an accordion-type briefcase as well as a hardboard working surface. 
     Still another object of the invention resides in providing a novel item organizer having at least three to six panels which are readily foldable with respect to one another in order to fold into a storage condition for readily transport from one place to another or for readily unfolding into an operative position which will expose and display a variety of documents, forms, writing implements and storage compartments whereby the user may have ready access thereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the novel foldable portfolio organizer incorporating the present invention and illustrated in its folded or storage position; 
     FIG. 2 is a reduced plan view of the interior of the folding portfolio organizer shown in FIG. 1 when it is unfolded into its operative position; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective layout view of the folding portfolio organizer and illustrating the organizer in its unfolded position exposing a variety of pads, accordion case, hardboard surface working area, and other features; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the item organizer shown in FIG. 3 as taken in the direction of arrows  4 — 4  thereof; and 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a hook and hanger arrangement useful in supporting the folding portfolio organizer on a wall. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the novel folding portfolio organizer incorporating the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow  10  and is shown in FIG. 1 in its folded or storage position. In FIG. 2, the organizer is illustrated in its unfolded or open position exposing the interior of the organizer. 
     In FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the organizer includes a main or central panel  11  having a first lateral or intermediate panel  12  and a second lateral or intermediate panel  13 . Each of the respective panels includes sections. For example, panel  12  is divided into an upper and lower section indicated by numerals  16  and  17  respectively while panel  13  is divided into upper and lower sections  20  and  21  respectively. The main or central panel  11  includes an upper central section  23  and a lower section  24 . 
     The lateral panels  12  and  13  are disposed on opposite sides of the central panel  11  and are joined to the sides by means of folds or plications  25  and  26 . However, the upper sections of panels  11 ,  12 , and  13 , are hingably joined with lower sections  17 ,  24  and  21  by means of a longitudinal fold or plication  27 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1 in detail, the organizer is illustrated in its folded condition so that it may readily be transported from one place to another. In this position, a carrying strap arrangement is illustrated in which straps  30 ,  31 ,  32 , and  33  are drawn together and detachably connected together by means of a hand grip  34 . It can be seen that the strap arrangement is attached to the outside of the organizer and includes reinforcing straps  35  and  36  which are fixly attached to the outside of central panel  11 . Also, it can be seen that a closure flap indicated by numeral  37  is provided and is illustrated in broken lines in its open position so that the organizer may be unfolded along the longitudinal or central fold or plication  27  in the direction of the arrows  38  and  39  respectively. When the organizer is unfolded or deployed into its operative position from that shown in FIG. 1, the interior is exposed as illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, the central panel has been fully deployed and the lateral or intermediate panels  12  and  13  have been fully deployed so as to totally expose the interior. The interior surface of the organizer includes a plurality of pads, such as indicated by numeral  40  and  41 , which are carried on the upper and lower sections  12  and  17  on the first intermediate panel  16 . It can also be seen that the intermediate panel  13  includes at least four (4) pads indicated by numerals  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and  45  respectively. Each of the pads contains a plurality of information sheets intended to be filled out by the user in the procedure of collecting information during an emergency situation. Pad  40  may contain sheets pertaining to a particular phase of the situation while pad  41 ,  42 ,  43  may relate to collection of other information pertaining to formalities. Pads  44  and  45  may contain sheets still relating to further collection of data which may or may not include diagrams, statements or the like. A special feature of the present invention resides in providing the lower section  24  of panel  11  with a hard surface board  46  that is detachably connected to the section  24 . This represents a hard surface on which various pages or sheets from the pad may be placed in order to provide a hard surface for writing or inscribing information. Also, the upper section  23  of panel  11  includes an accordion-type case  47  having an opening  48  so that materials may be introduced into the case or withdrawn therefrom. Also, it is to be noted that the various sections include clips, such as clip  50  associated with pad  43 , which permits the pads to be interchanged or to be readily removed at the selection of the user. 
     It is to be understood that FIG. 2 illustrates a general layout for the organizer when the organizer is deployed into its operative or open position. The organizer can then be laid on the top or hood of an automobile and the user can readily fill out the form for collection of pertinent information. Also, if it is desirable to hang the organizer from a wall, such as indicated by numeral  51 , the corners of the organizer are provided with grommets  52  and  53  which insertably receive hook  54  and  55  that are attached to opposite ends of a wire or cord  56 . The wire or cord may be placed about a suitable hook or nail  57  which is in the wall  51 . 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 3, a more detailed layout of organizer components is illustrated wherein it can be seen that the central panel having sections  23  and  24  are in the center between lateral or intermediate panels  12  and  13 . The lateral or intermediate panels have been opened or deployed outwardly to expose the case  47  and the hard surface board  46 . The board  46  may be detachably connected to the section  24  by means of hook and pile fasteners  58  and  59  and it can be seen that the accordion type folder or case  47  has been deployed into its operative position so that an entrance leading through opening  48  is available. Also, it can be seen that the opening can be closed to the case  47  by means of a two-component hook and pile fastener indicated by numeral  60  and numeral  61  taking the form of a strap which folds over and mates with a second component carried on the outside of the case adjacent to the opening  48 . Furthermore, when the panels  12  and  13  are folded inwardly, as shown in the direction of the arrows, and the panels are then folded along fold line  27 , the panel can be maintained in the storage position by means of folding the flap  37  over the folded panels so that a hook and pile two-component fastener can be indexed and brought together. One component is indicated by numeral  62  while the second component is indicated by numeral  63  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 further illustrates that the pads  40 - 45  inclusive may be retained in position, particularly during the folding and unfolding procedures, by means of straps such as strap  64 . Also, pockets may be formed in which to receive the pads, and preferably the pockets are composed of a transparent material, such as indicated by a pocket enclosure  65 . In some instances, fasteners may be employed to secure the pocket and/or the pads in position and such a hook and pile component is indicated by numeral  56 . A soft, auxiliary pouch  67  may be carried in a marginal region between the board  46  and the bottom of the case  47  and auxiliary buttons, pins, and other small items may be kept in the pouch. In a similar fashion, an elongated pouch  68  is provided on the outside of the case  47  and papers represented by numeral  70  may be tucked into the pouch or pocket as needed. The pocket also includes a plurality of elongated tubular sleeves, such as indicated by numeral  71 , into which various writing implements can be releasably held. The various clips, such as clip  50 , releasably holds the pads  40 - 45  inclusive in position on the respective panel sections. The clips are manually operated and can be employed to permit full removal of the pads from their stored position. All of the clips are manually operated. 
     Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the construction of the organizer is based on providing stiffening boards such as board  72  with respect to section  17  that is covered by fabric layers  73  and  74  respectively. The layers are joined together by a reinforcement member  75  which is stitched along the edge marginal region of the sheets  73  and  74 . On top of the inner sheet  74 , a pocket is defined having an interior  75  and a hook and pile closure along the sides thereof represented by numeral  76 . To enter the pocket, the hook and pile fastener is released so that entrance is gained to the interior storage cavity  75 . The side of the pocket, indicated by numeral  77 , may be a sheet of transparent material on which the pad  41  rests and is held in position by the strap  64  as well as the clip  78 . In this fashion, the pad may be stored on top of the pocket and entrance to the pocket is through the bottom once the two-component fastener  76  has been released. Construction and arrangement of pockets and pads is the same as carried on sections  16 ,  20  and  21 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the hanger strap  56  is elongated having attachment rings  80  and  81  on its opposite end. The pair of hooks such as indicated by hook  54  is carried on the ring and the hook portion is passed through the grommets  52  and  53  at the corners of the organizer. 
     Therefore, it can be seen that the folding portfolio organizer of the present invention provides a convenient means for carrying from place to place and when not in use the organizer can be stored in the trunk of a car or other convenient location. Furthermore, when in actual use, the organizer can be carried to an emergency site and deployed into its operative condition by unfolding the panels and the entire organizer can be laid on the hood of a car or other vehicle so that the user has a spread layout of all of the forms and implements needed to collect and note pertinent information pertaining to the emergency situation. A sufficient number of pockets, sleeves, pouches are available to store loose papers and pads of forms or other documents can be easily carried on top of pockets and maintained in position by the variety of manual clips. The hard working surface is available so that good record keeping can be maintained and the accordion style case provides an enlarged area for books, pamphlets or other material. The intended purpose of the present invention is to assist the collection of pertinent information gathered by individuals in emergency situations, such as law enforcement, fire department, military, search and rescue units and the like. The organizer may also be used for commercial purposes, such as for sales people as well as in the construction industry. The organizer can hold many papers so that the papers are not blown away and will provide a working area for the user in the field. The organizer can be readily folded and moved from place to place without disrupting the operation. Likewise, the organizer can also be compactly folded for easy storage and transport. The pad of forms can be specifically inserted into different pockets or maintained on top of the pockets so as to make them available by the user and the forms relate to different and specific occupation or situation requirements ready for insertion or inscribing of pertinent information thereon. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.