Abstract:
A bulletin board is provided by a backboard mounted within a frame, with a plurality of semicircular rods successively mounted in a desired spaced apart relationship on said board, the rods being concentric with one another and of successively decreased diameter, with a plurality of alligator-like clips being slideably hung from each of said rods. The spacing of the rods is adjustable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to bulletin boards, and more specifically to bulletin boards providing for clipping on articles such as paper messages, and so forth.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Various bulletin board designs have been developed over the years. Some of the simplest designs utilize cork bulletin boards for permitting memos, messages, or sheet paper for display, to be thumb tacked or pinned onto the bulletin board surface. Other designs have provided message racks, paper racks, and display systems, incorporating slidable clothes pegs, or clips, for retaining messages and memos. There is a need in the art for further development of bulletin boards to facilitate the movement of messages thereon, and the efficient retrieval of a particular one of the messages, memos, or other items attached to the bulletin board for later review or retrieval.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is on object of the invention to provide an improved bulletin board.  
         [0004]     Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable bulletin board that permits efficient display and retrieval of items attached to the bulletin board.  
         [0005]     With these and other objects in mind, a rectangular bulletin board is installed within a frame in a manner permitting the assembly to be hung on a wall, or stood upright on a desk. A plurality of semicircular rods having ends formed for secure attachment to the bulletin board are adjustably spaced apart. A plurality of alligator-like clips are moveably attached to the semicircular rod for holding items such as paper for display, memos, and so forth on the bulletin board. In one embodiment of the invention, the semicircular rods are from the top of the bulletin board down, or vice versa, of successively smaller diameter, whereby the semicircular rods are concentric with one another.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0006]     The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures, in which like items are identified by the same reference designation, wherein:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the present bulletin board invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a partial pictorial view showing one embodiment of the invention for moveably hanging a alligator-like clip on various ones of a plurality of circular rods attached to the bulletin board for an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a front elevational view of a circular rod attached to a portion of the present bulletin board along with a plurality of alligator-like clips moveably attached to the circular hanger rod;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 1 , with the addition of a plurality of alligator-like clips being hung from the three spaced apart concentric circular rods;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a front elevational view of the embodiment of the invention of  FIGS. 1 and 4  with a plurality of messages, memos, and so forth hanging from the alligator-like clips connected to the semicircular bars or rods installed on the bulletin board peg board;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a design for a semicircular rod or bar for one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a partial cross sectional view of the connection of an end of the semicircular rod of  FIG. 6  in a hole of the peg board of the present invention for one embodiment thereof;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention for the design of the semicircular rods thereof; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  shows a partial cross sectional view of an end portion of the semicircular rod of  FIG. 8  connected within a hole of the peg board of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment of the invention a frame  3  is formed to retain a peg board  5 . However, the invention is not limited to use of a peg board. In this example, three circular rods  7 ,  9 , and  11 , respectively, are each formed into a semicircle, with each having their ends configured for permitting the rods to be connected to the peg board  5 , as shown, or other type of board used. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the diameters of the semicircular rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  are successively smaller, whereby the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  respectively, are concentric with one another, as shown in the top view of the bulletin board  1  of  FIG. 4 . Note that more or less than three semicircular rods can be secured to the peg board  5 , whereby the invention is not meant to be limited to the use of three such circular rods each formed into a semicircle as in this example. Also, the semicircular mounting rods  7 ,  9 , and  11 , in this example, can be mounted with rod  11  on the top portion of the peg board  5 , and rod  7  on the bottom portion of the peg board  5 .  
         [0017]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a plurality of alligator-like clips  15  can be moveably hung from each of the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  through use of a hanger wire  13  having one end secured to the alligator-like clip  15 , yet allowing for twisting (turning) it horizontally, and its other end formed to captively fit around the outside diameter of an associated one of rod  7 ,  9 , and  11 , for example. In this manner, the alligator-like clip  15  can be slid along its associated rod to any desired position thereon. Also, in this manner, a plurality of alligator-like clips  15  are hung from each one of the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11 , respectively, in this example. Note that  FIG. 3  shows a portion of the peg board  5  on which a plurality of the clips  15  have been moveably mounted on rod  7 . The clips  15  can be turned, and can be positioned sideways or front ways, for example. The clips  15  are also able to slightly turn horizontally to allow for overlapping of papers and notes. Also note that the top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  also shows a plurality of clips  15  mounted upon each one of the rods  11 ,  9 ,  7 , respectively.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a front elevational view of the embodiment of the invention of  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 , but with items  16 ,  18 ,  20  such as sheets of paper for display, memos, and so forth hung from the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11 . The items  16 ,  18 ,  20  can be positioned overlapping one another, in non-overlapping position, or some overlapping and others not overlapping. More particularly, items  16  are hung from rod  7 , items  18  from rod  9 , and items  20  from  11 . Through use of the successively smaller diameter rods  7 ,  9 , and  11 , for the preferred embodiment of the invention, items hung from the bulletin board via the alligator-like clips  15  can be more readily observed, and recovered for removal and use, in an efficient manner. The spacing between the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  can be adjusted, and the items hung from these rods adjustably spaced along each associated rod, for preventing various of the items from being hidden by overlaying items, thereby permitting rapid retrieval of a given item without having to move the memos around in order to locate the desired one. The easily movable nature of the attachment of the alligator-like clips  15  on the rods  7 ,  9 ,  11  allows for easy movement of items hung allowing for a multitude of items to be stored yet providing unobstructed view when moved.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment of the invention, the semicircular rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  each have their free ends bent into four sections,  4 ,  8 ,  10 , and  12 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , for securement to a peg board  5 , through a hole  6  of the peg board  5 , as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0020]     In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the rods designated as  7 ′,  9 ′,  11 ′, respectively, have their free ends  17  formed into three sections  19 ,  21 , and  23  as shown, for mounting upon the bulletin board  5  as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0021]     Note that the preferred embodiment of the invention for providing the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  in a semicircular form, of successively reduced diameter, respectively, facilitates hanging items from the rods, while minimizing the items from interfering with one another, as previously mentioned. For example, items hung from rod  7  will hang outwardly and spaced apart from items hung from rod  9 , and items hung from rod  9  will extend outwardly and spaced away from items hung from rod  11 . This preferred design facilitates, as previously mentioned, the retrieval of any given item hung from the bulletin board  1 .  
         [0022]     Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described above, they are not meant to be limiting. Those of skill in the art may recognize certain modifications to these embodiments, which modifications are meant to be covered by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  can have other than a semicircular shape. Also, more or less than three rods can be used. Also, means other than the illustrated alligator-like clips can be used for attaching paper messages and like to the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11 . In addition, the rods  7 ,  9 , and  11  can be attached to a backboard other than a peg board  5 , and have appropriate attachment means for the type of board material used. As previously indicated, the invention is not limited to use of a peg board  5 , and the material used whether a peg board or otherwise, can be any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, heavy cardboard, metal, and so forth.