Abstract:
An illuminated writing assembly of the present invention includes: a writing surface comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a transparent and a translucent material; a light source that is configured to be mounted on the writing surface; a power source and a switch configured to actuate the power source.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed on Mar. 16, 2001, entitled “Illuminated Writing Pad,” serial No. 60/276,412, inventor James F. Richards, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. The Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a writing surface that may be selectively illuminated by a user.  
           [0004]    2. The Prior State of the Art  
           [0005]    Individuals have traditionally used a variety of surfaces for writing thereon. One such writing surface includes slate, which is a fine-grained rock formed by the metamorphosis of clay, shale, etc. Slate is generally a dull, dark bluish gray rock that when in contact with a light colored limestone allows the limestone to appear on the slate. As such, slate has been used, in combination with limestone, as a writing surface.  
           [0006]    The concept used by the combination of slate and limestone is commonly used today and is referred to as a chalkboard or blackboard. A chalkboard is a surface, commonly green in color, which allows chalk to appear thereon. Furthermore, once used to write on the chalkboard, the chalk can be removed from the chalkboard in order to allow additional writing thereon.  
           [0007]    More recently, “whiteboards” have been employed as writing surfaces. A whiteboard is typically a plastic surface, often white in color, which may be written thereon by marker pens. The marker pens may be wiped off of the whiteboard to allow additional writing thereon.  
           [0008]    Other examples of writing surfaces include paper, which is often manufactured as a pad of paper or alternatively as individual sheets. A variety of writing instruments may be employed to write or draw on the paper.  
           [0009]    While the traditional writing surfaces have proven to be useful in writing thereon, each requires the room or environment where the writing surface is employed to be illuminated. In other words, when a chalkboard, a whiteboard, or a paper is employed, the room or environment is typically lit by natural or electric lights to enable the writing on the surface to be visible. In a room or location that is dim or dark, the writing on the surface is often not visible.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention relates to a writing surface that may be selectively illuminated by a user. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a writing assembly having a smooth surface for writing thereon and at least one light source that may be selectively actuated by a user to provide lighting with respect to the smooth surface, to cause the writing on the surface to be visible.  
           [0011]    Implementation of the present invention includes a transparent or translucent surface and at least one light source. The light source, when actuated, provides lighting to the surface. Therefore, when a user writes with, for example, an erasable marker on the transparent surface, the lighting of the light source enables the writing to been seen in a dim or dark location.  
           [0012]    In one implementation, the light source is electrically coupled to a power source, such as an electrical cord coupled to a cigarette lighter adapter that can be electrically coupled to a battery of a vehicle. A user may then selectively illuminate the writing surface by triggering a switch. Other power sources may be utilized for providing the power to illuminate the one or more light sources, such as one or more batteries or an electrical cord that couples to a wall mounted outlet. Each of these power sources (e.g., electrical cord and battery) are examples of means for providing electrical power to the one or more light sources.  
           [0013]    The present invention is useful in a variety of settings. By way of example, police officers, workers, and/or other individuals who desire to write on a writing surface after dusk may utilize the illuminated writing surface of the present invention to see what is being written on the surface or what has already been written the surface due to the lighting provided by the present invention.  
           [0014]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    In order that the manner in which the above recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the present invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a writing surface of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the writing surface of FIG. 2;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate writing assembly of the present invention mounted on the dashboard of the a vehicle;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the writing assembly of FIG. 5;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8A illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8A;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9A illustrates still another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9A, the phantom lines showing the selective coupling of a housing to a writing surface.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    The present invention extends to a writing surface that may be selectively illuminated by a user. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a writing assembly having a smooth surface for writing thereon and at least one light source that may be selectively actuated by a user to provide lighting with respect to the smooth surface, to cause the writing on the surface to be visible.  
         [0028]    In the disclosure, reference is made to a light source that provides lighting for the writing surface. In the disclosure and in the claims, the term “light source” refers to any component or device that is capable of emitting light, such as, for example, an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent light bulb, other light bulbs, a light emitting diode (“LED”), and/or other light sources, each of which is an example of a means for providing illumination.  
         [0029]    While the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  includes a generally rectangular writing surface, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the writing surface may comprise a variety of different sizes and/or shapes. Furthermore, while the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  includes two light sources that are configured to be in electric communication with a car battery through the use of an electrical cord and an adaptor, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of different means for providing electrical power may be utilized in the present invention, including, for example, an electrical cord which may be mounted in a wall socket, a portable source such as one or more batteries, and/or others. Also, embodiments of the present invention embrace one light source or more than two light sources to provide the lighting. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of different components may be utilized to implement the features of the present invention.  
         [0030]    With reference to FIG. 1, an illuminated writing assembly  10  is illustrated that comprises a writing surface  12  and a cap  14 . Writing surface  12  comprises a transparent or semi-transparent material, such as plexi-glass, glass, plastic, or other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, writing surface  12  is plexi-glass. In one embodiment, cap  14  comprises a non-conductive vacuum formed material, such as plastic. Rubber may also be employed for cap  14 . Cap  14  is an example of a housing that is mounted on writing surface  12 .  
         [0031]    With reference to FIG. 2, writing surface  12  comprises a front face  15 , a bottom edge  16 , a top edge  17 , a first side edge  18 , a second side edge  20 , and a back face  22 , as further illustrated in FIG. 3. By way of example, in one embodiment, the dimensions of the writing surface  12  are about {fraction (5/2)} inches tall, by about 4 inches wide, by about ½ inch thick. Furthermore, writing surface  12  may comprise a clear laser cut plexi-glass material. In one embodiment, the comers of the writing surface are rounded.  
         [0032]    In the illustrated embodiment, edges  16 , 17 , 18 ,  20  and/or back face  22  are first colored a light color (e.g., through painting, staining, or the use of a colored material), such as white, to reflect illumination out of front face  15 . Furthermore, edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  20  and/or back face  22  can then subsequently be colored a dark color (e.g., through painting, staining, or the use of a colored material), such as black to enhance the effect. The black color also prevents light from radiating from anywhere but the front face  15 , thereby maintaining a focused direction of light and allowing the back portion of the assembly to remain more dark (e.g., within a car wherein a dark environment may be preferred except at the front portion of the writing surface).  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 demonstrates a cutaway portion of edge  20  of one embodiment, featuring layers of transparent or translucent material  35 , a colored layer  36 , such as a white paint, and a second colored layer  38 , such as black paint. In one embodiment, the entire portion of edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  20  and back face  22  are first painted white, then painted black to thereby reflect illumination out of front face  15 . In addition, cap  14  may comprise a black material, such as black vacuum formed PVC plastic.  
         [0034]    Front face  15  is left unpainted so as to reflect illumination thereout. Therefore, in one embodiment, the white paint is visible through the remaining clear face  15  and the black paint is visible from the edges and back face covering the white paint on the outside.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 4, and as explained above, writing assembly  10  comprises a cap, which houses an electric circuit comprising a switch  24  and one or more light sources  32 . The switch is made accessible to a user by aperture  25 . In one embodiment, switch  24  is a three way switch (e.g., green/off/red). The switch  24  selectively enables the power source to thereby provide power to the light source.  
         [0036]    Also, in the illustrated embodiment, apertures  31   a  and  31   b  are provided in top edge  17  to respectively house light sources  32   a  and  32   b . Apertures  31   a - b  may be drilled through edge  17 , so that the one or more light sources  32  (e.g., bulbs and/or light emitting diodes) can be placed into respective apertures  31   a - b . Light source  32   a  may be a green emitting bulb and/or diode, for example, while light source  32   b  may be a red emitting bulb and/or diode, for example. In one embodiment, apertures  31   a - b  are drilled after edge  17  is painted such that there is no remaining paint in apertures  31  which might block illumination. The light sources may be electrically coupled to a switch  24  that is electrically coupled to a power source. Thus, when actuated, light emits out from the front face  15  of the writing surface. In one embodiment, painted edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  20  and face  22  do not allow substantially any light to emit outwards. In one embodiment, the light sources may only require a small amount of power, such as 12 volts, for example.  
         [0037]    Cap  14  may selectively slide down over the top of the writing surface  12  (e.g., approximately ½ to approximately 1¼ inch, for example) with the switch housed therein. Cap  14  may serve to cover the light sources, wires, and switch, and to create a finished appearance to writing assembly  10 . Cap  14  may be constructed of a soft or hard elastomeric material. In one embodiment, cap  14  is constructed of a soft polyvinyl material. In another embodiment, cap  14  is constructed of a hardened plastic material. In another embodiment, cap  14  is constructed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber.  
         [0038]    As provided above, writing assembly  10  comprises a switch  24  that selectively enables the power source to provide power to one or more light sources  32 . In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, switch  24  is electrically coupled to a power source in the form of an electrical cord  29  having an adapter  30  (e.g. a vehicle cigarette lighter adapter) electrically coupled thereto, the electrical cord  29  and adaptor  30  collectively serving as an example of a means for providing electrical power to the one or more light sources  32   a - b . Other power sources may include one or more portable batteries and/or an electrical cord configured to be coupled to an electric socket, each of which are also examples of means for providing electrical power to the one or more light sources  32   a - b.    
         [0039]    Optionally, a writing instrument may be coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the writing assembly  10  by a connector such as a two-part connector, e.g, a VELCRO connector comprising (i) a first VELCRO tab  26   a , which is mounted on writing surface  12 ; and (ii) a second corresponding VELCRO tab  26   b , which is mounted on a writing instrument, such as an erasable marker pen  27 .  
         [0040]    As mentioned, the plurality of light sources  32  are electrically coupled to the power source through switch  24 , which can be a variety of different switches such as a toggle switch, a sliding switch, an electric switch, etc. When a user actuates switch  24 , the electrical circuit is closed to cause one or more of the plurality of light sources  32  to emit illumination inside of container  11 . In one embodiment, the illumination is colored. Therefore, by way of example, when switch  24  is triggered to a first position, one of the light sources  32  (e.g. light source  32   a ) is actuated to emit a first colored illumination within container  11 , such as a green illumination. When the switch  24  is subsequently triggered to a second position, both light sources  32  are deactuated so that no illumination is emitted by the light sources  32  in container  11 . When switch  24  is triggered to a third position, another of the second light sources  32  (e.g. light source  32   b ) is actuated to emit a second colored illumination, such as a red illumination. When one or more of the light sources emit illumination, the illumination fills transparent or translucent writing surface  12  and is emitted from writing surface  16  to provide a lighting and thus enable a user to view the writing on writing surface  16 .  
         [0041]    One of the various colors of light sources  32  (e.g. green and/or red) may be preferred by the user to view the writing on writing surface  12 , especially due to the color of the writing on writing surface  16 . In other words, one illumination color may cause the writing on writing surface  16  to be more visible than another illumination color.  
         [0042]    Switch  24  is an example of a means for selectively enabling the power source to illuminate the light source. Furthermore, cap  14  is utilized as a cover over light sources  32  to prevent light from being shown directly into the face of the user from one or more of the light sources  32 . For example, in one embodiment, cap  14  covers over the writing surface  12  until reaching the dotted reference line  34  shown in FIG. 4 to thereby prevent light from being emitted laterally out of face  15  above the dotted line  34 .  
         [0043]    While the illustrated embodiment provides two light sources  32   a  and  32   b , those skilled in the art will appreciate that one light source or more than two light sources may be used. Also, the light sources may be placed in a variety of different locations. Furthermore, illumination colors other that red and green, such as white, etc., may be used.  
         [0044]    While FIGS.  1 - 4  and the corresponding disclosure provide an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated as writing assembly  10 , a variety of embodiments of illuminated writing assemblies having the features of the present invention are available. By way of example, embodiments of the present invention embrace different sizes, thickness, light combinations and power sources, and different ways to mount the assembly  10 .  
         [0045]    An alternative embodiment of the writing assembly of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.  5 - 8 . FIG. 5 depicts a writing assembly  100  mounted to the dashboard  110  of a vehicle. Writing assembly  100  is mounted so as to facilitate easy reach of the writing pen  27 . As shown in FIG. 5, writing assembly  100  is mounted upright. Alternatively, writing assembly  100  may be mounted so as to be more ergonomically aligned with the user by mounting the writing assembly horizontally. Writing assembly  100  is mounted to the dash of a vehicle via a bracket  112 . Bracket  112  has a mounting surface  113 . Mounting surface  113  is attached to dashboard  110  by a set of screw bolts  114 . However, it will be appreciated that bracket  112  may be attached to dashboard  110  by a variety of structures such as adhesive, VELCRO, rivets, welding, and the like. Writing assembly  100  includes a power source comprising (i) electrical cord  29   a  and (ii) adaptor  116 . In one embodiment, adaptor  116  (e.g. vehicle cigarette lighter adapter) allows the light source to be in electrical communication with the battery of the vehicle.  
         [0046]    Turning now to FIG. 6, writing assembly  100  is shown having a writing surface  118  and a cap  120 . Cap  120  is another example of a housing of the present invention. Writing surface  118  comprises a transparent or semi-transparent material, such as plexi-glass, glass, plastic, or other materials. With reference to FIG. 7, writing surface  118  comprises a front face  122 , a bottom edge  124 , a top edge  126 , a first side edge  128 , a second side edge  130 , and a back face  132 . As discussed above, in one embodiment, edges  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  and/or back face  132  are first colored a light color (e.g., through painting, staining, or the use of a colored material), such as white, to reflect illumination out of front face  122 . Furthermore, edges  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  and/or back face  132  can then subsequently be colored a dark color (e.g., through painting, staining, or the use of a colored material), such as black to enhance the effect.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 7, writing surface  118  has an aperture  134  disposed through side  130 . Aperture  134  is shown extending partially through writing surface  118 . Alternatively, aperture  134  may extend completely through writing surface  118 . Furthermore, it will be appreciated that more than one aperture may be formed in writing surface  118  or that the apertures may be formed in any surface of the writing surface  118 . Aperture  134  is configured to receive a light source  136 . As discussed above, light source  136  may be a variety of suitable structures such as a small light bulb or a light emitting diode. In one embodiment, light source  136  is electrically coupled to a switch  138  which is also electrically coupled to cord  29   a . Switch  138  may be a two-way switch or, alternatively, a three way switch (e.g., green/off/red). Thus, when the power source is actuated via switch  138 , light emits out from the front face  122  of the writing surface  118 . In one embodiment, painted edges  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130  and/or back face  132  do not allow substantially any light to emit therethrough, forcing the light to be reflected through front face  122 .  
         [0048]    Cap  120 , is configured to receive a portion of writing surface  118  therein. Thus, cap  120  may selectively slide down over the top of the writing surface  118  (e.g., approximately ½ to approximately 1 ¼ inch, for example) with the aperture  134  and light source  136  housed therein. As shown in FIG. 5 and  6 , cap  120  acts to substantially conceal aperture  134  and light source  136 . Advantageously, cap  120  is utilized as a cover over light source  136  to prevent light from being shown directly into the face of the user. Cap  14  thus serves to create a finished appearance to writing assembly  100 . In one embodiment, cap  120  comprises an elastomeric material such as a soft or hard plastic or rubber. In one embodiment, cap  120  is constructed of a soft polyvinyl. In another embodiment, cap  120  is constructed of a harder plastic.  
         [0049]    As shown in FIG. 6, a writing instrument may be coupled (e.g., removably) to the writing assembly by a connector, such as a two-part connector, e.g. a VELCRO connector comprising (i) a first VELCRO tab  26   a , which is mounted on writing surface  12 ; and (ii) a second corresponding VELCRO tab  26   b , which is mounted on a writing instrument, such as an erasable marker pen  27 .  
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the illumination provided by light source  136  is colored. For example, actuation of switch  134  may produce a green illumination. In one embodiment, green illumination is preferred because it is similar to the color of the lights found on a typical dashboard  110 . Thus, a green illumination reduces distractions as a user is driving or, for example, when a police officer is policing his route in the evening. When one or more of the light sources emit illumination, the illumination fills transparent or translucent writing surface  118  and is emitted through front face  122  to provide a lighting and thus enable a user to view the writing on writing surface  118 .  
         [0051]    In one embodiment, writing assembly  100  is removably attached to bracket  112 , e.g., through two-part connector, so that the writing assembly  100  can be used in the car or removed and carried with the user. In FIG. 7, a VELCRO tab  140  is attached to back face  132  of writing assembly  100  and a corresponding VELCRO tab  142  is attached to the front of bracket  112 . Thus, writing assembly  100  can be easily attached and removed from bracket  112 . It will be appreciated that other ways may be employed to attach writing assembly  100  to bracket  112  such as magnets, adhesive, welding, and the like.  
         [0052]    Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, cap  120   a  may include a clip  150  such that a sheet  156  (e.g., a sheet of paper) is secured to writing assembly  100 . As shown in FIG. 8A, the user may desire to place a sheet  156  of paper on the writing surface  118  to use the writing surface as a hard surface. For example, the user may want to place a map on the writing surface to make notations or simply to be able to secure the map while the user is driving.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 8A shows that sheet  156  is secured under clip  150 . FIG. 8B shows clip  150  in additional detail. Clip  150  may has a first end  152  and a second end  154 . As shown in FIG. 8B, first end  152  of clip  150  is formed integrally with the body portion  121  of cap  120   a . Body portion  121  mounts onto sheet  118 . Optionally, the housing of the present invention comprises a clip that is mechanically coupled to the cap body. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, clip  150  is resilient such that the clip  150  is biased toward the body  221  of cap  120   a  and rests closely against the body  221  of cap  120   a . Thus, when a thin sheet  156  is placed between the clip  150  and cap body  221 , the thin sheet is held in frictional engagement. Thin sheet  156  may be opaque or transparent. As shown in FIG. 8A, VELCRO tab  26   a  may be located on clip  50  to keep the writing surface  118  free from obstructions. In another embodiment, clip  150  is a standard metal clip which is attached to a cap such as cap  120  of FIG. 5 through adhesive, riveting, or other mechanical devices. Cap  120   a  is thus another example of a housing of the present invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 9A and 9B depict an alternative power source and an alternative housing which allow the user to have an interchangeable writing surface. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, writing assembly  200  has a writing surface  202  and a housing  204  that is selectively mounted onto writing surface  202 . Writing surface  202  is configured similar to that discussed above with respect to writing assemblies  10  and  100 . Thus, one or more side of the writing surface may have a light-colored layer and a subsequent dark-colored layer. As shown in FIG. 9B, an aperture  206  is formed in a top edge  208  of writing surface  202 . A light source  210  can be disposed within aperture  206 . Light source  210  is connected by wires to a battery  212 . Battery  212  is electrically coupled via wires to the light source  210  and a switch  213 .  
         [0055]    As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, housing  204  selectively houses writing surface  202 . Housing  204  has a front surface  214 , a back surface  216 , a top edge  218 , a bottom edge  220 , a first side edge  222 , and a second side edge  224 . Housing  204  comprises an aperture  224  formed in front surface  214  which is configured to receive writing surface  202  therethrough. Housing  204  also houses battery  212  and switch  213 . Preferably, access to the battery is provided through a door  226  on the back surface  216  or top edge  218  of housing  204 .  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 9B, writing surface  202  can be selectively inserted and removed from housing  204 . Such insertion and removal is depicted in the phantom lines of FIG. 9B. In one embodiment, at least the bottom portion of housing  204  is constructed from a soft elastomeric material (e.g., rubber or plastic) to facilitate removal or insertion of writing surface  202  therefrom. For example, the bottom portion of housing  204  could be constructed of a polyvinyl material. The top portion of housing  204  can be made from a hardened elastomeric materials (e.g., rubber or plastic) so as to house the battery  212 . Advantageously, when light source  210  needs to be replaced, writing surface  202  can be easily removed, displacing light source  210  from aperture  206 . Similarly, battery  212  (e.g., a AAA battery) can be easily replaced through door  226 . It will be appreciated that such a configuration allows the user to transport writing assembly  200  easily. Writing assembly  200  may also be mounted to a bracket for placement in the car or in a residence.  
         [0057]    Thus, the present invention relates to a writing surface that may be selectively illuminated by a user. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a writing assembly having a smooth surface for writing thereon and at least one light source that may be selectively actuated by a user to provide lighting, with respect to the smooth surface, to cause the writing on the surface to be visible. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.