Portable television channel selection station with guidebook attachment slits

The invention provides a generally rectangular planar television channel selection station which comprises an arrangement of three parallel slits for fixing a program schedule guide thereto. These first, second and third slits are generally parallel to, and substantially adjacent to, a first side of the station. The first slit is substantially slightly longer in length than the folded side of a program guide schedule and is spaced the nearest of the three slits to the first side. The third slit is spaced the furthest from the first side. The spacing between the first second and third slits is sufficient to enable the program schedule guide to be fixed to the station when the last page of it is folded to substantially form a triangle having a base attached to the folded side of the program guide schedule and an apex opposite the base; and the triangle is threaded, the apex first, through the first slit; then through the third slit; and, finally through the second slit. Optionally the second slit is wider in the middle of it, in the direction of the first slit, so as to facilitate the final threading of the apex through the second slit. The station also includes a velcro strip for attaching a remote control to it and, indicia for indicating the respective name, call letters and numbers of at least one television station printed on it. The station can be constructed of any common material or combination of materials including but not limited to: fiberboard, cardboard, plastic, wood and plywood. Optionally it can also include printed advertisement indicia.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to aids and apparatus for television channel 
selection and has particular utility for use as an aid to the viewer 
having a television receiver having a large number of available television 
channels. 
In its broadest embodiment, the invention contemplates a compact portable 
station which ensures the proximity of a remote control device 
(hereinafter "RC") to a television program schedule guide. Specifically, 
the instant invention provides a novel arrangement for substantially 
fixing a television program schedule guide to portable television channel 
selection station. 
In recent years, remote-controllable entertainment and other electronic 
appliances, such as televisions, video cassette recorders ("VCR's"), audio 
receivers, etc., have proliferated. Each of these appliances can be 
controlled (i.e., turned on and off, programmed, tuned, and the like) by a 
remote-controlled (RC) device, which usually is a small box with an 
infra-red transmitter inside and various switches on a top surface of it, 
for controlling the transmitter and causing it to transmit selected codes 
to the appliance. 
The users of such appliances, usually keep their RC units on a low table in 
front of a sofa, on an arm of a sofa, on a bedside night table, etc. 
However, as is the usual case, when a user owns several appliances which 
employ an RC unit, the viewer must store each respective RC unit in a 
place and manner so as not to cause confusion between it and RC units for 
other appliances which the viewer might have. Storage of several RC units 
in any of the aforementioned places, thus presents a problem since the 
respective, individual RC units tend to become confused among the others 
and/or lost under other equipment, sofa cushions, books, papers, and the 
like. 
In addition to this problem, users of such RC units typically keep a 
schedule of entertainment programs and other reference materials, such as 
television guidebooks, cable guidebooks, satellite television guidebooks, 
and the like, in proximity to their respective RC units. Thus, the problem 
presented by the storage and retrieval of these printed materials tends to 
compound the posed by plural RC units. 
Various schemes have been proposed to secure a RC to a fixed position to 
provide certainty of access to it by a viewer. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,359 to Galvin, a remote control holder and 
illumination device, for a remote control having a keypad has a base, an 
illumination member and a mirror housing adjustment member. The base has a 
guide passage therein. A fastening member is attached to the upper surface 
of the base to fasten the base to the remote control. The illumination 
member has a support frame slidingly attached to the base. A mirror 
housing is connected to the support frame. A convex mirror is attached to 
the mirror housing. The mirror may be curved in a convex or concave 
manner. A mirror housing adjustment member has a guide tab, connected to 
the support frame, that traverses the guide passage. An actuation member 
extends through the guide passage to allow the user to adjust the position 
of the mirror housing along the length of the base. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,683 to Ferrante, a holder for TV/VCR remote control 
unit is generally rectangular and has one or two remote control unit 
receiving compartments. Variously shaped spacer brackets can be used to 
attach the holder to a support surface such as the housing of a TV or VCR. 
Advantageously, resilient members, such as springs or foam pads are placed 
into the receiving compartments to selectively elevating the remote 
control units above the holder to facilitate gripping and provide 
protection to the units against mechanical shock. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,609 to Meghnot, an adjustable device for holding 
together any two remote television (TV), stereo and video cassette 
recorder (VCR) monitor control units. The device consists of two 
interconnecting pieces having sides with gripping means for firmly holding 
the monitors in place, bottom portions which interconnect by tongue and 
groove means and upper portions having matching teeth and grooves for 
adjustably interconnecting the two pieces to hold any two sizes of 
controls. The device can be easily held in one hand, thereby leaving the 
other hand free to operate the TV, stereo and VCR remote control units at 
the same time. This device prevents remote control units from being 
misplaced and protects said units from damage due to dropping. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,222 to Mintzer, an illumination device for use with 
a hand-held remote control unit comprising a base and a projection 
extending from the base and the projection is exposed to a space formed by 
the base and contains an illumination source which is directed toward the 
space. The space is configured to accommodate receipt of at least a 
portion of the hand-held remote control unit in the space so as to return 
the hand-held remote control unit in a position to subject a selected 
surface thereof to the illumination source for facilitating illumination 
thereof while permitting actuation and operation of the hand-held remote 
control unit. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,746 to Wells, et al, a remote control unit 
orientation and storage device (18) includes four wall members (20A, 20B, 
20C, and 20D) that define both a plurality of open cells (84A, 84B, 84C, 
and 84D) for selective engagement of remote control units (81A, 81B, 81C, 
and 81D) and an internal cell (86) in which accessories (92, 94) are 
storable. Fastener means (80) provided on wall members forming the cells 
facilitate secure mounting of remote control units within the cell, and 
also permit selective removal of remote control units. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,658 to Novak, a holder assembly for remote control 
units used with television sets, recorders, stereos, home entertainment 
centers and the like and comprising an adjustably sized control unit 
holder adapted to be interconnected with other similarly constructed 
holders. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,897 to Butler, a holder for a remote control unit is 
provided and consists of a floor panel disposed between and spanning a 
pair of spaced side panels, a front panel and a rear panel forming 
therebetween a remote control unit receiving compartment to receive and 
position the remote control unit. A lower compartment is formed beneath 
the floor panel so that batteries for the remote control unit can be 
stored within. A pair of holders can be secured together in a back-to-back 
relationship for holding two remote control units. 
Other schemes have been proposed to secure both an RC and a television 
program schedule guide in a fixed location within the viewing area. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,615 to Jones, a holder for accessories for 
electronic equipment, such as remote controls (RCs) (30) for televisions, 
VCRs, audio receivers, etc., and schedule or guidebooks (62) for such 
equipment comprises a cradle (56) of variable width and length for holding 
one or more RCs and an underlying holder (34) for the guidebook. The 
cradle comprises a plurality of L-shaped members (10U, 10L, 80U, 80L) 
whose long portions (12, 82) overlap to form the bottom of the cradle and 
are clampable together in a range of positions, e.g., by means of screws 
(18) or hook-and-loop (H&L) fasteners (22) or double-stick sided tape. The 
short portions (14, 84) of the L-shaped members stand upright in a spaced 
relation to form the sides of the cradle. Plural shorter L-shaped members 
can be used with a provision for adjustable spacing so that the length of 
the cradle can also be adjusted. The RC units are positioned on the floor 
of the cradle, side-by-side, and may be held thereto by means of H&L 
fasteners (24). The underlying guidebook holder may be used alone or it 
may be attached to the RC-holding cradle by H&L fasteners (32, 54, 79), 
double-stick-sided tape, or integrally. Additional holders may be stacked 
below the first one. It comprises a plurality of plates (36, 37, 38) with 
attached sides so as to form a rectangular cavity. The bottom of the 
cavity may be closed by end flaps (42, 46, 68) of the plates or by a clamp 
(70) or a torsion spring. The plates may be hinged and held together by a 
coil or torsion spring (72) such that they can be opened in clamshell 
fashion. 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,887 to Beach, a rack is specially designed for 
holding stereo and television remote control devices. The rack includes 
horizontally adjustable shelves and may further include either a fixed or 
swivel base. The rack also includes a special holder for a television 
guide book or the like. 
In addition to the problems cited above, none of the prior art schemes 
provides common portable television channel selection station by which the 
proximity of a given RC devise to a given program schedule guide may be 
ensured. Nor does any of the prior art schemes provide any means by which 
a program guide schedule might be easily fixed to such a portable 
television channel selection station. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The instant invention broadly provides an improvement to a portable 
television channel selection station. Specifically, the invention provides 
a novel arrangement to fix at least the last page of a television program 
schedule guide to a portable television channel selection station. 
The invention provides a generally rectangular planar television channel 
selection station which comprises an arrangement of three parallel slits 
for fixing a program schedule guide thereto. These first, second and third 
slits are generally parallel to, and substantially adjacent to, a first 
side of the station. The first slit is substantially slightly longer in 
length than the folded side of a program guide schedule and is spaced the 
nearest of the three slits to the first side. The third slit is spaced the 
furthest from the first side. The spacing between the first, second and 
third slits is sufficient to enable the program schedule guide to be fixed 
to the station when the last page of it is folded to substantially form a 
triangle having a base attached to the folded side of the program guide 
schedule and an apex opposite the base; and the triangle is threaded, the 
apex first, through the first slit; then through the third slit; and, 
finally through the second slit. Optionally the second slit is wider in 
the middle of it, in the direction of the first slit, so as to facilitate 
the final threading of the apex through the second slit. The station also 
includes a velcro (e.g., a hook and loop-type fastener) strip for 
attaching a remote control to it and, indicia for indicating the 
respective name, call letters and numbers of at least one television 
station printed on it. The station can be constructed of any common 
material or combination of materials including but not limited to: 
fiberboard, cardboard, plastic, wood and plywood. Optionally it can also 
include printed advertisement indicia. 
Accordingly, the invention provides various objects and advantages 
including a conspicuous easily locatable device storing and keeping at 
least One (1) RC unit in an organized, neat, and easily accessible manner. 
At the same time, the invention also provides a way to store and keep at 
least One (1) television program guide associated with such RC unit, in 
the same manner. Still further at the same time, a novel mode for 
substantially fixing at least One (1) television program guide to a 
readily conspicuous station which also embodies a arrangement for affixing 
an RC unit, is provided. Still further at the same time, a mode for 
presenting television channel call letters/channel number key is provided 
to the viewer. Still further at the same time, a mode for presenting 
advertising indicia to the viewer is provided. 
The more important features of the invention have been broadly outlined 
above, in order that the detailed description that follows may be better 
understood; and in order for the present contribution to the art may be 
better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that 
will be described hereinafter and which form the subject matter of the 
appended claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that 
the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized 
as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for 
carrying out the several purposes of the instant invention. It is 
important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such 
equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and 
scope of the instant invention. 
Further, the purpose of the instant abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection of it, the technical disclosure of the patent 
application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of 
the instant patent application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it 
intended in any manner to be limiting as to the scope of the instant 
invention. 
It is an object of the instant invention to provide a portable television 
channel selection station which, although portable, is sufficiently 
conspicuous so as to not be easily misplaced, which has a novel 
arrangement for fixing a television program schedule guide to it. 
It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a portable 
television channel selection station which can be used as a low cost 
advertisement promotional gift. 
It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a portable 
television channel selection station which can be used as a low cost 
method of presenting a television viewer with printed advertisement 
indicia. 
Other objects, features, and advantages of the instant invention, in its 
details of construction and arrangement of parts, will be seen from the 
above, from the following description of the preferred embodiment when 
considered in light of the drawings and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
As shown in FIG. 1, the invention provides a generally rectangular planar 
television channel selection station (1) which comprises an arrangement of 
three parallel slits (2-4) for fixing a program schedule guide thereto. 
These first (2), second (3) and third (4) slits are generally parallel to, 
and substantially adjacent to, a first side of the station (1). The first 
slit (2) is substantially slightly longer in length than the folded side 
of a program guide schedule and is spaced the nearest of the three slits 
to the first side. The third slit (4) is spaced the furthest from the 
first side. As shown in FIG. 2, the spacing between the first (2), second 
(3) and third (4) slits is sufficient to enable the program schedule guide 
(5) to be fixed to the station (1) when the last page of it is folded to 
substantially form a triangle having a base attached to the folded side of 
the program guide schedule and an apex opposite the base; and the triangle 
is threaded, the apex first, through the first slit (2); then through the 
third slit (4); and, finally through the second slit (3). Optionally the 
second slit (3) is wider in the middle of it (6), in the direction of the 
first slit (2), so as to facilitate the final threading of the apex 
through the second slit. As shown in FIG. 1, the station (1) also includes 
a velcro strip (7) for attaching a remote control to it and, indicia (9) 
for indicating the respective name, call letters and numbers of at least 
one television station printed on it. The station (1) can be constructed 
of any common material or combination of materials including but not 
limited to: fiberboard, cardboard, plastic, wood and plywood. As shown in 
FIG. 1, the station (1) can also optionally include printed advertisement 
indicia (8). 
FIG. 2 shows the station (1) after a program guide schedule has been 
threaded through the three parallel slits, explained above. 
As previously noted the station can be constructed of any common material 
or combination of materials including but not limited to: fiberboard, 
cardboard, plastic, wood and plywood. 
When cost is the controlling factor of consideration, heavy cardboard and 
fiberboard the preferred materials of construction. 
The preferred process when constructing the station from heavy cardboard, 
fiberboard or plastic, is press stamping. Typically in such a process, a 
rotary printing press is provided with a blanket cylinder and an 
impression cylinder. The blanket is removed and replaced by a base sheet. 
Arranged strips are provided on this base sheet. The arrangement of the 
strips corresponds to the slit perforations or stamping to be produced in 
the paper, cardboard or fiberboard passing through the rotary printing 
press. A smooth protective sheet is arranged on the impression cylinder. 
Both sheets can be used several times and can be installed or removed 
rapidly by means present on the machine. After a station is produced in 
this manner it is thereafter finished by applying desired printed indicia 
by any conventional method. Decaled indicia is preferred when cost is the 
limiting consideration. Where cost is overridden by the desire for 
esthetics, silk-screening is preferred. 
When cost is not a controlling factor of consideration, plastic, wood and 
plywood are the preferred materials of construction. 
When a plastic material of construction is used, the preferred method of 
manufacture is hot stamp pressing. Typically in such a process, a blank is 
machined from the sheet of plastic to a predetermined precompensated size 
larger than desired to accommodate normalizing shrinkage. Typically, the 
blank is normalized by heating the blank in a vacuum oven. The vacuum is 
released from the oven by introducing dry nitrogen. A stamping die is 
provided. An embossing surface of the stamping die is contoured as a 
physical negative of the instant station and bears a physical negative of 
the desired surface structure of the station. The embossing surface of the 
stamping die is forced into engagement with the surface of the blank at a 
predetermined stamping pressure and for a predetermined stamping dwell 
time. Sufficient heat or ultrasonic energy is applied to the station 
generation area of the blank to provide the desired station. The embossing 
surface of the stamping die is removed from the station following the 
expiration of the stamping dwell time. The station is then removed and 
excess plastic is removed. As noted above, the desired printed indicia is 
thereafter applied by any conventional method. Decaled indicia is 
preferred when cost is the limiting consideration. Where cost is 
overridden by the desire for esthetics, silk-screening is preferred. 
As an alternative but more expensive method of production for forming a 
somewhat more decorative station, when a plastic is selected as the 
material of construction, a method can be employed for producing a molded 
station in a predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration. This 
method involves feeding the plurality of respectively dissimilar fluid 
components, mutually separated, into the molded article-forming structure, 
which contains a plate flow distributor and a non-fiber-forming shaping 
section. The flow distributor is made up of at least one distribution 
plate which is preferably thin and has micromachined on at least one 
facial surface of it, multiple distribution flow paths having a flow 
pattern effective to distribute and combine the plurality of components in 
the predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration. The mutually 
separated components are directed through the multiple distribution flow 
paths sufficient to distribute and arrange the components to form a fluid 
structure containing the plurality of components in the predetermined 
spatial, non-laminate configuration. The fluid structure is then subjected 
to a non-fiber-forming shaping process in the shaping section to form the 
molded station from it. 
Because of the added costs of necessary hand work in their use, plywood and 
wood are the least preferred materials of construction. When they are 
selected as the material of construction, conventional sawing and milling 
processes are employed. 
Although the invention has been described with reference to certain 
preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations and 
modifications may be made within the scope of the broad principles of the 
invention. Hence, it is intended that the preferred embodiments and all of 
such variations and modifications be included within the scope and spirit 
of the invention, as defined by the following claims.