Clip board desk and stand

A clip board with a clip which is convertable into a stand or rest for supporting the board at an inclined angle when laid on a table as a portable desk. A separate stand is provided for supporting the clip board for use as a copy board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to clip boards and more particularly to a clip board 
in which the clip mechanism in convertable into a stand to enable it to be 
turned over and used as a portable desk. The invention also relates to a 
stand for use with the clip board which mounts the same in an upright 
position for use as copy board. 
Heretofore, clip boards have had limited utility, not being adapted to be 
used as portable desks or readily used on a table. Commonly the contents 
of the clip board would be removed and the clip board set aside when used 
on a table is a available. a table. There is, therefore, a need for a new 
and improved clip board which will overcome the above limitations. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS 
In general it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
clip board in which the clip can be adjusted to convert the board for dual 
use so that in one position the board serves as a regular clip board while 
in the other position the clip mechanism is locked up to elevate one end 
of the board in a stable position so that when the board is turned over it 
lies at an inclined angle for use as portable desk. 
A further object is to provide a stand for converting the clip board to use 
as a copy board. 
The clip board is provided with smooth usable writing surfaces both on its 
front and back sides. The front onto the clip is provided with a 
indentation for receiving a support bar which is attached by a pair of 
arms to the clip itself. Thus, with the clip pulled fully open, the 
support bar can be lodged in the indent which then cooperates with the 
clip to serve as a triangular support rest for one end of the board. The 
clip board can then be laid on the desk and will be upwardly inclined at a 
convenient angle for reading and writing at an angle relieving neck 
strain. A paper stop is preferably incorporated at the lower edge of the 
rear surface so that papers and books will not slide off the board when 
used as a desk. 
A separate stand is also provided for enabling the clip board to be posted 
in an upright position for use as a copy board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3 the clip board desk of the present 
invention consists of a board portion having two smooth, flat sides 12,14 
each of which is usable for a writing surface, one side 14 being used when 
being employed as a clip board while reverse side 12 is used as a book 
support or writing surface when employed as a portable desk in the manner 
shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. A clip mechanism 15 is provided at one end of 
the clip board and includes an outer bar 16 connected by arms 18,20 to an 
inner pin 22 mounted for rotation in bracket 24 having a tongue or flap 26 
fastened through one end of the board and secured therethrough with screws 
26,28 to another flap 30 on the other side. The bracket has a U-shaped 
loop circling the pin and is provided with a spring-loaded mechanism (not 
shown) which engages the pin to urge the bar towards surface 14 of the 
board and securely hold the interposed papers, note pads or books in a 
known manner. An ear 32 is formed to extend outwardly as part of flap 36 
for forming a hanging loop as is known. 
Means is provided for securely latching the clip in an open position to 
convert it to a stand extending substantially at right angles away from 
the board. In the present embodiment such means preferably includes a 
metal loop 34 having arms 36,38 at each end extending at right angles to a 
second bar 40, the arms encircling the first bar so that the loop 34 can 
be freely rotated about the first bar and brought from a rest position 
magnetically held to the pin bracket 24. The latter incorporates a magnet 
for capturing the second bar 40 which is made of magnetically attractible 
iron. In the other position the bar may be rotated into alignment so as to 
lie in one of grooves 42a,b,c formed in the surface 14 and extending 
across the width of the board at that end. The grooves are immediately 
underneath the spring clip bar 16. In this way the second bar engages the 
groove and serve to hold the clip bar 16 in an open, fully extended 
position, best shown in FIG. 2. When the clip is extended the board is 
ready to be laid on a table top where it serves as an inclined portable 
desk. An upstanding paper or bookrest 48 is provided at the bottom at the 
end away from the clip mechanism to keep papers and books from sliding 
down or off the board during use. Preferably the clip is constructed to 
open far enough to obtain about a 15.degree. angle of board inclination 
when it is fully extended. At about 15.degree. the angle is sufficient to 
obtain good relief from neck strain commonly associated with reading and 
writing at flat desks or tables. 
FIG. 4 shows the clip board 10 of the invention mounted in a stand 50 for 
use as a copy holder. The stand is made of a solid block of material 
having a pair of projections 52,54 extending from the front along which 
slots 56,58 are formed to receive the bottom edge of the board and to 
support the same with a rearward inclination of about 15.degree.. The 
projections 52,54 are spaced apart far enough to allow the paper rest 48 
on the rear side of the board to fall between them. The stand extends 
rearwardly at 60 far enough to support the board upright without any 
tendency of the same to fall backwards. 
FIG. 8 shows the clip board of the invention in conventional use with a 
Velcro (trademark) elastic strap 62 secured thereabout with an overlapped 
Velcro (trademark) fastener 64 for retaining a book or note pad against 
falling off.