Abstract:
A foldable media holder for blocking wind includes a foldable frame and a flexible sheeted material. The foldable frame has an erect configuration and a folded configuration and the flexible sheeted material is attached to the foldable frame. The foldable frame includes first, second, third, fourth, and central elongated support members, each having first and second ends. The first and second elongated support members have first and second pivots, respectively. The first end of the central elongated support member is operatively connected to first end of the first elongated support member and the second end of the central elongated support member is operatively connected to the first end of the second elongated support member. When the foldable frame is in the erect configuration the central elongated support member is positioned substantially parallel to the third and fourth elongated support members and is about centrally positioned therebetween.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a media holder, and, in particular, to a foldable media holder and related method for blocking wind. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Outdoor leisure time is scarce for certain portions of the population. Although the demands of modern commerce and the reduction of outdoor recreational spaces have reduced recreational opportunities in certain locations, the general population continues to use their leisure time outdoors reading media in breezy areas. Large portions of the population are flocking to beaches and other breezy areas to read books, newspapers, magazines, and the like for recreation and/or to read about current events. 
         [0005]    Normally, comfortable reading requires minimal distractions from the wind. Without adequate wind protection, a person&#39;s enjoyment of the outdoors may be diminished greatly. One common cause of discomfort while reading on the beach or other outdoor location is the wind&#39;s blowing of pages making it more difficult to hold up the media for reading, e.g., holding up a newspaper is very difficult in strong winds. However, winds can also increase outdoor enjoyment by keeping the reader cool. 
         [0006]    Winds vary greatly by region. According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), some of the mean wind speeds recorded in various regions are shown in Table 1 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 State 
                 Location 
                 Recorded Mean Wind Speed 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 New York 
                 Islip 
                 9 to 10 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 JFK airport 
                 11 to 13 
                 mph 
               
               
                 New Jersey 
                 Atlantic City 
                 8 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                 North Carolina 
                 Cape Hatteras 
                 10 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Wilmington 
                 8 to 10 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Connecticut 
                 Bridgeport 
                 10 to 13 
               
               
                 Florida 
                 Daytona 
                 7 to 10 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 beach 
               
               
                   
                 Jacksonville 
                 7 to 9 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Key West 
                 10 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Miami 
                 8 to 11 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Pensacola 
                 9 to 11 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Tampa 
                 7 to 9 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 W. Palm 
                 8 to 11 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Hawaii 
                 Barbers Point 
                 9 to 10 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Kaneohe Bay 
                 9 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Honolulu 
                 11 to 13 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Kahului 
                 13 to 17 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Lihue 
                 11 to 14 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Pearl Harbor 
                 10 to 13 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Illinois 
                 Chicago 
                 9 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Maine 
                 Bangor 
                 7 to 9 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Portland 
                 8 to 9 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Maryland 
                 Baltimore 
                 8 to 11 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Massachusetts 
                 Boston 
                 11 to 14 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Falmouth 
                 8 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Milton/Blue Hill 
                 13 to 17 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Rhode Island 
                 Providence 
                 9 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Quonset Point 
                 8 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                 South Carolina 
                 Charleston 
                 8 to 10 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Myrtle Beach 
                 3 to 7 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Texas 
                 Corpus Christi 
                 10 to 14 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
                 Galveston 
                 9 tp 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Virginia 
                 Norfolk 
                 9 to 12 
                 mph 
               
               
                 Washington 
                 Seattle 
                 8 to 10 
                 mph 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0007]    However, not all types of media are affected equally by the wind. Books with hard outer coverings are easier to grasps than newspapers; and several pages of the book may simply be held between several fingers and a thumb. The fingers can grasp onto the hard book covering while the thumb may hold open the current page. The rigid covers provide some support for the pages and thus mitigate some of the wind&#39;s undesired effects. However, because of a book&#39;s relative small dimensions, wind may still affect the pages. 
         [0008]    Newspapers tend to be larger, less rigid and contain thinner pages than books. Additionally, the pages are not usually bound together to the same extent as books. The lightweight thin pages, large surface area, and the lack of a binding, makes newspapers especially susceptible to high winds. There is a need to assist in supporting newspapers with something other than the reader&#39;s hands. Also, using only hands to hold media can be a tiring experience. Because of age or illness, wind may also cause certain readers additional difficulties in supporting a newspaper for prolonged periods of time. 
         [0009]    Thus, a cheap, light, and compact media holder is needed by the average person while reading outdoors. The media holder should also double as a wind barrier as well. The media holder should be lightweight, collapsible, and supported by an appropriate support structure. A person taking trips outdoors should also not be burdened by heavy, clumsy, or non-portable contraptions. Thus, there is a need for a lightweight, easily foldable, media holder for transporting to and from outdoor areas that can sufficiently block wind. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present disclosure relates to a media holder, and, in particular, to a foldable media holder and related method for blocking wind. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable media holder for blocking wind includes a foldable frame and a flexible sheeted material. The foldable frame has an erect configuration and a folded configuration. The foldable frame includes first, second, third, fourth and central elongated support members, which may be dimensioned for holding a newspaper. The first elongated support member has a first pivot defining first and second ends, and the second elongated support member has a second pivot defining first and second ends. When the foldable frame is in the erect configuration, the second elongated support member is substantially parallel to the first elongated support member defining a planar area. 
         [0011]    The third elongated support member also has first and second ends. The first end of the third elongated support member is operatively connected to the first end of the first elongated support member; and the second end of the third elongated support member is operatively connected to the first end of the second elongated support member. The fourth elongated support member has first and second ends. The first end of the fourth elongated support member is operatively connected to the second end of the first elongated support member; and the second end of the fourth elongated support member is operatively connected to the second end of the second support member. When the foldable frame is in the erect configuration the fourth elongated support member is substantially parallel to the third elongated support member. 
         [0012]    The central elongated support member has first and second ends. The first end of the central elongated support member is operatively connected to first end of the first elongated support member; and the second end of the central elongated support member is operatively connected to the first end of the second elongated support member. When the foldable frame is in the erect configuration, the central elongated support member is positioned substantially parallel to the third and fourth elongated support members and is about centrally positioned therebetween. The central elongated support member may include one or more clipping members attached thereto that are configured to secure media. 
         [0013]    The flexible sheeted material is attached to one or more of the first, second, third and fourth elongated support member; and when the frame is in the erect configuration the flexible sheeted material is substantially parallel to the planar area, e.g., the flexible sheeted material may be connected to all four elongated support members and is “stretched out” when the foldable frame is in the erect configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the flexible sheeted material may be attached to the central elongated support member as well. 
         [0014]    The first and second pivots may define a first folding axis. The first folding axis may be adjacent to the central elongated support member and may be configured for preventing the third and fourth elongated support members from contacting when folding the foldable frame along the first folding axis. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, the first or second pivots may be a living hinge. Living hinges are thin sections of plastic (or other material) that connect two segments of a part to keep them together and allow the parts to pivotable relative to each other. Additionally or alternatively, one of the elongated support members may define a longitudinal axis, a first plane, and a second plane. The first plane is parallel to the longitudinal axis and intersects a pivot; the second plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects the pivot. The pivot extends outwards from the first plane, and the pivot at least partially slopes convexly parallel to the first plane towards the second plane. 
         [0016]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, the third elongated support member includes a third pivot pivotally connecting the first and second ends of the third elongated support member. The fourth elongated support member includes a fourth pivot pivotally connecting the first and second ends of the fourth elongated support member. And the central elongated support member includes a fifth pivot pivotally connecting the first and second ends of the fourth elongated support member. 
         [0017]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, one of the elongated support members is substantially cylindrically shaped. The foldable frame further include a hollow slider having an inside dimensionally configured to concentrically surround the elongated support member. The foldable media holder may further include first and second travel slider stops on the outside surface of the elongated member. The first travel slider stop is positioned to lock the pivot of the elongated support member whereby facilitating the erect configuration of the foldable frame, and the second travel slider stop is positioned to facilitate pivoting of the pivot whereby facilitating the folded configuration of the foldable frame. 
         [0018]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, one of the elongated support members has a substantially H-shaped cross-section. The foldable frame may include a hollow slider having an inside dimensionally configured to substantially surround the elongated support member. Additionally or alternatively, the foldable frame includes a means for locking the pivot of the elongated support member. 
         [0019]    In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first elongated support member has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and the foldable frame further includes a hollow slider having an inside dimensionally configured to substantially surround the first elongated support member. Additionally or alternatively, the foldable frame may further include a means for locking the first pivot of the first elongated support member. 
         [0020]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, the central elongated support member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section along a substantial portion thereof. The foldable media holder may include an attachable elongated holder bar. The holder bar may have first and second snap-on securing members positioned on opposite ends thereof that are dimensioned to snap-on to the central elongated support member and/or is configured to secure media to the foldable media holder. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the attachable elongated holder bar may have first and second metallic members at opposite ends thereof while the attachable elongated holder bar has first and second magnetic members positioned on opposite ends thereof. The first and second magnetic members are positioned to magnetically attach to the central elongated support member thus securing media to the foldable media holder. 
         [0022]    In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the foldable frame includes an elongated accessory attachment member having first and second ends. The first end of the elongated accessory attachment member may be operatively connected to the first, second, third, or fourth elongated support members. A c-clamp may be operatively connected to the second end of the elongated accessory attachment member. Additionally or alternatively, the elongated accessory attachment member may be configured to operatively connect to one or more of the following: a chair, an umbrella, a table, or a car window. 
         [0023]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for blocking wind to read media is provided herein. The method includes providing a foldable media holder for blocking wind and securing the media to the foldable media holder. The foldable media holder of the method may be an embodiment disclosed herein. The method may include folding the frame along the first folding axis as disclosed supra and also as discussed in more detailed below. 
         [0024]    In another aspect of the present disclosure, a foldable media holder for blocking wind includes a support means for supporting flexible sheeted material, a folding means for folding the flexible sheeted material, a locking means for holding the flexible sheeted material erect, and a securing means for securing the media. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a foldable media holder having one folding axis and an attachable elongated holder bar in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of a portion of  FIG. 1  that includes a close-up view of a pivot in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the foldable media holder of  FIG. 1  partially folded along the folding axis in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a foldable media holder having two folding axis and two clipping members attached to a central elongated support member in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a exploded view of the foldable media holder of  FIG. 4  in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6   a  is a close-up perspective view of a substantially cylindrically shaped elongated support member having a pivot and a hollow slider with an inside dimensioned to concentrically surround the elongated support member in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6   b  is a top-view of a living hinge assembly including a pinched hinge region and a hollow slider with an inside dimensioned to concentrically surround the elongated support member in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6   c  is a side-view of the living hinge assembly of  FIG. 6   b  in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a foldable media holding that includes two elongated accessory attachment members attached to a chair via c-clamps in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of foldable media holder  100 . Foldable media holder  100  is shown in the erect configuration and includes elongated support members  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 . Central elongated support member  110  is connected to elongated support members  102  and  106 . Elongated support members  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  and central elongated support member  110  together form the frame of foldable media holder  100 . Elongated support member  102  includes pivot  112  and elongated support member  104  includes pivot  112 . Pivots  112  and  114  may be a living hinge. Flexible sheeted material  116  is shown and is connected to elongated support members  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 . When foldable media holder  100  is in the erect configuration, flexible sheeted material  116  may be stretched thus assisting in the wind blocking capability. 
         [0036]    Central elongated support member  110  has a substantially u-shaped cross-section. The u-shape of central elongated support member  110  assists in mechanically securing media for reading. Foldable media holder  100  also includes attachable elongated holder bar  118  that includes snap-on securing members  120  and  122  located on opposite ends thereof. Each of snap-on securing members  120  and  122  is configured to secure the attachable elongated holder bar  118  to the central elongated support member  110 . For example, a newspaper may be opened and attachable elongated holder bar  118  can be placed within the opened pages; then the user of the device can snap-on the snap-on securing members  120  and  122  onto elongated support member  106  thus securing the newspaper for reading. In another embodiment contemplated, the attachable elongated holder bar is magnetically connected to the central elongated support member. The snap-on action is discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . In yet another embodiment, attachable elongated holder bar  118  may be replaced with a bungee cord, a flexible cord, a rubber cord, other elastic-material based cord, and/or the like. 
         [0037]    However, when foldable media holder  100  is being transported in either the folded or the erect configuration, attachable elongated holder bar  118  may be held by holder  124 . Holder  124  is designed to ensure that attachable elongated holder bar can be pressed into a receiving area and held into place by the elasticity of the material. 
         [0038]    As mentioned above, foldable media holder  100  has a folded configuration and an erect configuration.  FIG. 1  shows foldable media holder  100  in the erect configuration. Foldable media holder  100  may be folded along axis  126  defined by pivots  112  and  114 . However, elongated support members  102  and  106  are not shown as being locked. Pivot  112  may be locked by moving hollow slider  128  over pivot  112 , thus locking pivot  112 . Additionally, hollow slider  130  can be moved over pivot  114 , thus locking pivot  114  as well. Note that elongated support members  102  and  106  have an H-shaped cross section and that hollow sliders  128  and  130  have an inside dimensioned to substantially concentrically surround elongated support members  102  and  106 , respectively. 
         [0039]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of a portion of foldable media holder  100  that is also shown in  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the “snap-on” action of snap-on securing member  120  that can secure media, such as a newspaper, for reading by the user. Also, note that hollow slider  128  is shown as locking pivot  112 , thus partially showing the erect configuration of foldable media holder  100 . However, in another embodiment (not shown) and as mentioned above, snap-on securing member  120  may be replaced with a bungee cord, a flexible cord, a rubber cord, other elastic-material based cord, and/or the like. 
         [0040]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 3  shows foldable media holder with hollow sliders  128  and  130  as not locking pivots  112  and  114 , respectively. Additionally,  FIG. 3  shows foldable media holder  100  as partially folded along axis  126 . Note that axis  126  is not exactly half-way between elongated support members  104  and  108 , thus, when foldable media holder is fully folded along axis  112 , elongated support members  104  and  108  do not contact each other when fully folded. 
         [0041]    Referring simultaneously to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , foldable media holder  100  has a frame that includes elongated supports members  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108 , central elongated support member  110 , and attachable elongated holder bar  118  that may be made from wood, metal, plastic, a polymer, or the like; additionally or alternatively, the components may be made utilizing injection molding. Flexible sheeted material  116  may be made from any flexible, tear-resistant material such as a polymer, canvas, a flexible rubber, Tyvec, and/or the like. For example, flexible sheeted material  116  may be made from North 1.5 oz. ripstop Grade A. 
         [0042]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of a foldable media holder in accordance with the present disclosure. Foldable media holder  400  is shown and has a frame that includes elongated support members  402 ,  404 ,  406 , and  408 , and central elongated support member  410 . Elongated support member  402  has pivot  412  that can be locked by hollow slider  414 . Elongated support member  406  has pivot  416  that may be locked by hollow slider  418 . Pivots  412  and  416  define an axis  420  in which foldable media holder  400  may be folded. 
         [0043]    Additionally, elongated support members  404  and  408 , and central elongated support member  410  each have a pivot, i.e. pivots  420 ,  422  and  424 , respectively. Pivot  420  is lockable by hollow slider  426 ; pivot  422  is lockable by hollow slider  428 ; and pivot  424  is lockable by hollow slider  430 . Pivots  420 ,  422 , and  424  define axis  432 . Foldable media holder  400  may be initially folded along axis  420  and thereafter, further folded along axis  432 , placing foldable media holder  100  in a folded configuration. Compare the dual folding axes of foldable media holder  400  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to the single folding axis of foldable media holder  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The choice of using a dual folding axes foldable media holder as compared to using a single folding axis foldable media holder depends on several factors, including, the size of the media to be held, the type of media to be held (e.g. paper tabloid, magazine, etc.), the position the media&#39;s crease for folding, the portability desired, the cost of manufacturer, and the like. Additionally, the cost of flexible sheeted material  434  may be considered. 
         [0044]    Foldable media holder  400  includes clipping members  436  and  438  for securing media, such as a newspaper. Clipping members  436  and  438  may include a torsion spring attached to a securing bar to secure the media. Additionally, the securing bar may include materials to increase the friction, and thus the effectiveness, of securing media to the device. 
         [0045]    Foldable media holder  400  is shown in exploded view in  FIG. 5  to illustrate that many of the parts may be made from a single mold used in an injection molding process, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Injection molding may use thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic materials. The most commonly used thermoplastic materials are polystyrenes, co-polymers, e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , elongated support members  402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408 , and central elongated support member  410  all may be made from a single “mold” used in an injection molding process because the majority of the parts are connected. Additionally, pivots  412 ,  420 ,  416 ,  422 , and  424  are all, in this embodiment, living hinges and are thus easily manufactured during an injection molding process. A single mold process may be used and/or foldable media holder  500  may be partially molded and partially assembled. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 1-5 , although foldable media holders  100  and  400  are shown having multiple elongated support members with an H-shaped cross section, it is contemplated in other embodiments that the elongated support members be substantially cylindrically shaped, such as a hollow tube with or without internal support by members. Additionally or alternatively, foldable media holders  100  and  400  may include one or more elongated support members with a C-shaped cross section with or without support members. One type of support member is referred to as a “support rib”, similar to the internal support ribs found in aircraft wings. 
         [0047]    Additionally or alternatively, although foldable media holders  100  and  400  are shown as having multiple living hinges as pivots, it is contemplated that a yoke and pin assembly be used to provide the pivots of the respective pivotable elongated support members. For example, pivot  112  of  FIG. 1  of foldable media holder  100  may use a yoke a pin assembly to facilitate elongated support member  102  to be pivotable along axis  126 , as an alternative to as shown in  FIG. 1   
         [0048]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 6   a  shows a close-up view of a portion of elongated support member  600  with pivot  602 . Elongated support member  600  may be part of an embodiment of a foldable media holder. Elongated support member  600  is substantially cylindrically shaped and can be pivoted along pivot  602 . Hollow slider  604  has an inside dimensionally configured to concentrically surround elongated support member  604 . Arrows “A” illustrates the directions that hollow slider  604  may travel. However, the movement of hollow slider  604  is curtailed by travel slider stops  606 ,  608 ,  610 , and  612 . 
         [0049]    Travel slider stops  610  and  612  are positioned to stop hollow slider  604  from sliding too far away from pivot  602 , thus facilitating the user in finding the travel slider stop to lock pivot  602 , e.g., when changing the foldable media holder from the folded configuration to the erect configuration. Travel slider stops  606  and  608  are positioned to properly position hollow slider  604  over pivot  602  in a locked position, thus facilitating the erect configuration of the foldable media holder. 
         [0050]    Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c  show a top-view and a side-view of living hinge assembly  614 , respectively. Living hinge assembly  614  includes pinched hinge region  616  that includes protrusions  618  and  620  that protrude from axis  622 . Protrusions  618  and  620  are dimensioned to frictionally lock hollow slider  604  when hollow slider  604  is positioned to surround pinched hinge region  616 . A friction lock prevents hollow slider  604  from moving along the directions as indicated by Arrows A unless a threshold force is applied along one of the directions indicated by arrows A. Once the threshold force is applied, hollow slider  604  may be moved. Referring now to the  FIG. 6   c , pinched hinge region  616  is shown from a side view. Note that the dimensions of pinched hinge region  616  allows living hinge assembly  614  to pivot. Living hinge assembly  614  may be pivots  112  and/or  114  of  FIGS. 1 through 3 ; or may be pivots  412 ,  416 ,  420 ,  422 , and/or  424  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0051]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of foldable media holder  700 . Foldable media holder  700  includes accessory attachment members  702  and  704  for attaching to a chair. Accessory attachment member  702  has one end attached to the frame of foldable media holder  700  and the other end has c-clamp  706 . C-clamp  706  is shown as attached to a chair. Additionally, accessory attachment member  704  has one end attached to the frame of foldable media holder  700  with the opposite end attached to c-clamp  708 . C-clamp  708  is also attached to the chair. Accessory attachment members  702  and  704  may be configured to attach to other devices as well. For example, accessory attachment members  702  and  704  may be designed to attach foldable media holder  700  to a chair, an umbrella, a table and/or a car window. 
         [0052]    It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.