TRANSPARENCY ORGANIZER AND STORAGE TRAY

Abstract: A transparency organizer and storage tray (10) adapted to act as a sheet (T) holding, transferring, and repository means for managing the flow control of a plurality of transparency film sheets (T), each generally impressed with indicia creating a discernible image when viewed, characterized by a transparency film sheet carrying region (13) including a first transparency film sheet source holding region (14) adapted to house a plurality of sheets (T) which are to be projected, a second sub-adjacent transparency film sheet storage region (15) adapted to house a plurality of said sheets (T) after projection and, means (M, 24, 31) for holding the transparency film sheet carrying region (13), at an elevation so that the bottom (19) of the second transparency film sheet storage region (15) is at an elevation co-incident with a platen element, actual or imaginary (11, PP) of a transparency projector (P) so that light passes through that transparency sheet (T) for viewing.

Description: TRANSPARENCY ORGANIZER AND STORAGE TRAY This invention relates to transparency organzier and storage tray which is particularly suitable to store transparencies in a convenient and sequential order and, to be used as a retrofit over an overhead transparency film sheet projector allowing the user to simply slide the transparency from the tray onto the projecting surface from which the transparency is viewed, and thereafter, to slide the transparency back into the same storage tray for storage. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION For overhead transparency film sheet projection, one uses an overhead projector which generally has an upper flat glass plate, acting as a translucent platen sized a little larger than 8 by 11 inches, onto which is placed a transparency film sheet which is to be projected by the projector onto a screen overhead. From the underside of the glass platen, is a source of light which passes through the platen, and the transparency film sheet, to reflect off an inclined mirror projecting the light with its latent transparency image onto a screen for view by an assembly of people in a room such as a conference room, meeting room, classroom, and the like. The organization of transparency film sheets for such presentation has been haphazard at best and normally requires a second table adjacent to that of the projector onto which the transparency film sheets are stacked prior to display, requiring individual, sequential transport onto the glass platen, anad then removal onto a collection stack, normally also located on the second table. In that respect, the transparency film sheet to be projected is first removed from the source pile and placed on the glass platen, and then after viewing, is removed from the glass platen to be put onto a collection completion SUBSTITUTESHEET pile adjacent to the source transparency pile. THE INVENTION We have conceived of a simple device which has two juxtaposed internal transparency,, film sheet holding regions, and a movable translucent sub-platen which may be moved into a closing position, to close and overcover each region and thereby constrain any transparencies that are within either region therein; while adapted to be moved into an open operative position exposing one margin of each holding region adjacent to the sub-platen. When in the open operative position, the translucent sub-platen is adapted to overcover the platen of the overhead projector and to permit the simple movement of a transparency film sheet from the uppermost holding tray or transparency film sheet source region onto the sub-platen so that it may be reviewed. In order to move a given transparency film sheet from its upper source transparency film sheet holding region onto the sub-platen, it may simply be moved by pressing down with the index finger and sliding the transparency film sheet onto the sub-platen. When the transparency film sheet, after review, is to be removed from the sub-platen, it may be, in a similar fashion, moved with the index finger, sliding it backward into the lower transparency film sheet accumulation and storage region. The steps are repeated for sequential view of each transparency film sheet in the programme. If another programme review of the transparency film sheets is required, the transparency film sheets accumulated in the stored lower tray are physically moved "en mass" into the upper source tray and the cycle can be simplistically repeated. The invention therefore contemplates a transparency organizer and storage tray (10) adapted to act as a sheet (T) holding, transferring, and SUBSTITUTE SHEET repository means for managing the flow control of a plurality of transparency film sheets (T) , each generally impressed with indicia creating a discernible image when viewed, characterized by a transparency film sheet carrying regj-on (13) including, a first transparency film sheet source holding region (14) adapted to house a plurality of sheets (T) which are to be projected, a second sub- adjacent transparency film sheet storage region (15) adapted to house a plurality of said sheets (T) after projection and, means (M, 24, 31) for holding the transparency film sheet carrying region (13), at an elevation so that the bottom (19) of the second transparency film sheet storage region (15) is at an elevation co-incident with a platen element, actual or imaginary, (11,PP) of a transparency projector (P) so that light passes through that transparency sheet (T) for viewing. The invention contemplates, in its preferred embodiment, the tray (10) as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, including a cover (C) , an anchoring means (47) carried by the tray (10) characterized in that one end of the cover (C) is articulatingly attached through a flexible hinge (12) to the margin of the second transparency film storage region (15L), the cover (C) including a plurality of articulating elements and surfaces (12, 30 through 45), at least one of which (30, 39) is adapted to carry means (50, 55) for removable attachment of the tray (10) to a transparency projector (P), one panel (45) of the cover (C) carrying means (46) for removable attachment to the anchoring means (47) whereby the cover (C) , in its closed position, overcovers and secures closed, the regions (14, 15); and, in an operative position exposes proximate margins of said regions (14, 15) at an operative elevation intersecting the prolongation of the axial plane of the platen (11, PP) whereby to SUBSTITUTESHEET permit slide transport of the transparency (T) into and out of the tray (10) out from the upper region (14), onto the platen (11, PP) , thence, into the lower storage region (15, 15U) in the identical sequential order as when located in the upper region (14). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective of an embodiment of the invention opened, and in operative position, one portion transparently overcovering the projection table of the transparency projector; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of figure 1; Figure 3 is a section along lines 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a closed, non-operative perspective view of the embodiments of figures 1, 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a further alternative embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view, of a further embodiment additionally employing an integral re- positionable cover-support structure, shown postured, in the closed tray, transparency securing position. Figure 8 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 7 with a top cover-support structure postured in its transitional fully flat open position. Figure 9 is an assembled operative perspective view of the embodiments of Figures 7 and 8, the top cover-support structure positioned to support the tray and exposing means for affixing part of the top cover- support structure to a transparency projector. Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 9. SUBSTITUTE SHEET Figure 11 is a side elevational view, similar to that of Figure 10, but wherein the adhesion of the tray to the transparency projector by alternative suction cup means. THE EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Figure 1, and to one embodiment, a transparency organizer and storage tray (10) is shown in its open operative position as (10') and has a translucent sheet glass plate or sub-platen (11) hingeably attached through a flexible hinge (12) to the lower lateral distal margin (12') of a dual tray region (13) of the tray (10); including, and most clearly seen in the cross-section Figure 3, an upper tray region (14) and a lower tray region (15) respectively separated by a lateral separation plate, or partition wall (16). The upper tray region (14) acts as a holding source region for a plurality of transparency film sheets (T) and it has an overcovering sheet plate (17), which in Figure 4 is shown as translucent, with a marginal notch (18) adapted to accomodate the index finger of the operator for the purposes, as will be described, more fully hereafter, to move the topmost transparency (T) from region (14) onto the sub-platen (11) simply by "touch and push". The lower tray region (15) is separated, at its forward end, by a flexible sheet spring (19) as is most clearly seen in figures 1 through 5 and separates the lower tray region (15) into a sub-adjacent lower sub-region (15L) and a super-adjacent lower sub-region (15U). As most clearly seen Figures 1 through 4, the forward margin (19F) of the sheet spring (19) is recessed a small distance from the open proximate margin of the lower tray region (15L), of the dual tray portion (13). In the embodiment shown in figures 1 through 5, the hinge attachment (12) is flexed convex, when in the open position, and is most clearly seen in that configuration in figure 3. In the embodiments of figures 1 through 5, the hinge attachment (12) can be resilient material of a suitable form so that on its one lateral margin, it can be affixed, at 12', to the lower proximate margin of the bottom panel (20) which forms the bottom of the lower tray region (15). The bottom panel (20), as well, acts as the bottom of the dual tray portion (13). The lateral depth of the lower tray (15) can be such that there can be an internal end wall (21), which thereby defines a rectangular laterally oriented plenum (22) along the back margin of the tray (10) into which, can be placed cylindrical articles, seen in figure 5 and noted as (23), being markers, pointers and the like. They can be removed if a sliding side door or panel (24) is provided, seen, unclearly, in the embodiment of figure 5, prior to placing the tray (10) in the open operative position. In the embodiments of figures 1 through 4, in order to counter-lever the mis- distribution of weight, when in the open operative position of figures 1, 2 and 3, the tray (10) is provided with lateral legs (24) which are pivotly hinged by a wing nut means (25) to the distal end of the dual tray portion (13) so as to allow the movement of the legs into a depending position in the open operative position of figure 1; and alternatively, or as seen in the top plan view and perspective views, figures 2 and 4 respectively into the closed collapsed position so as to be juxtaposed to the ends of the dual tray portion (13). It is preferred in the embodiment of Figures 1 through 4 that these legs (24) have an obround race or aperture (26), which is shown in figures 1 and 4 but not in the other figures. This allows for the tray (10) to be positioned at an elevational suitable to that of the projector (P), ITUTESHEET depending upon the projector height (H). Some projectors (P) have a deep height (H) , for instance, those in which the illuminating source is within the projector (P), while others have a thin height (H) as where the illuminating source is adjacent the reflective mirror (R) and shines down onto the platen (PP) of the projector (P) through the transparency (T) and then back up onto the mirror for reflection forward onto a screen. In the latter case, the projector platen (PP) , is a reflective Frenel lense. In the embodiments of the figures l through 4, therefore, the obround aperture (26) is preferred to be defined in the legs (24) for the accomodation of different projector heights (H) . Such legs (24) can be avoided by the embodiment shown in figure 5. In this embodiment, the legs (24) are non-existent. A sheet of flexible sheet of magnetic material (M) has its marginal edge affixed through a second flexible hinge (FH) attached to the distal edge of the sub-platen (11). Generally, the projector body (P) is made of metal and the magnetic sheet (M) , when placed near the projector body (P) fixedly attaches itself, in a removable manner of course, to secure the holder (10) to the projector (P)- In this embodiment, it is necessary to fix the relationship, when in the open position, of the sub- platen (11) with the dual tray portion (13) and this is accomodated by using link chain or other flexible means (29), of a pre-determined fixed length, interconnecting the sub-platen (11) and the dual tray region (13). Thus, when in the fully extended and in the open position, as shown in figure 5, the dual tray portion (13) is fully horizontal, coplanar with, but juxtaposed to, the sub-platen (11). Referring to figure 6 and yet a third embodiment of the invention, the sub-platen (11) is imaginary and is defacto substituted, to be the existing projector SUBSTITUTESHEET platen (PP) , or reflective Frenel lense, of the projector (P). The flexible hinge (12) has, on its distal margin, a lateral strip (30), the lower surface (31) of which is either an adhesive or a strip of Velcro ® . The strip (30) is press fitted onto the lateral edge of platen (PP), actually to the marginal top of the projector (P), see Figure 6 by appropriate means to hold the lower sub-region (15) in a plane that intersects the plane of a platen (PP). The rigidity of the tray (10), and the overlapped region "X", between the hinge (12) and the projector side (PS), holds the tray (10) in the full horizontal position, as shown in this figure. If the tray (10) is composed of paper, then the weight of the tray (10) even with as many as 25 transparencies, is light and the cardboard is sufficiently strong in order to sustain it in the open operative position, shown. In this particular embodiment, the sheet spring (19) is in fact a cut sheet of transparency sheet material whose forward margin (19F, 35) has its underside covered with an adhesive (36) which sticks to the upper surface of a bottom cardboard panel (20). An underlying strip (37) of open-cell foam which acts as a biasing means on the flexible sheet spring (19) is located away from the margin (19F), 35) yet under the sheet spring (19) and is adhesively secured, preferably to the upper surface of the bottom panel (20) rather than to the under surface of the sheet spring (19) . In each of the aforesaid three embodiments disclosed, it will noted that the forward margin (19F) of the flexible hinge (19) is at an elevation at, or preferably marginally below the sub-platen (P) or imaginary sub-platen (PP) , see the cross-section Figure 3. Thus, and now referring to the flow of transparencies (T) , and the cross-section Figure 3, when the uppermost transparency (T) in the upper SUBSTITUTE SHEET region (14), is touched with the human index finger extending into the slot (18) and moved laterally in the directon of the arrow (A) in Figure 3, the uppermost transparency (T) is slipped onto the platen (P) , shown in phantom in that figure as (T v ) and referred to as transparency being viewed. After viewing, that transparency (T v ) is moved with the index finger, in the direction of arrow (B) and on movement, it rises over the convex hinge (12) to index itself onto the upper surface of the flexible hinge (19) and to seat itself, as the first transparency, in the super-adjacent lower sub-region (15U). The forward face (19F) of the hinge being recessed away, distance (D) in Figure 3, from the proximate open faces of regions (14) and (15) allow that transparency (T B ) , when seated in the super-adjacent lower sub-region (15U), to "overhang" the forward face (l9F)of the hinge (19) so that when the next transparency on the platens 11, P) is moved in the direction (B) from the platens (11,P) , that transparency (T B 2), indexes underneath the first transparency (T β ) yet enters the super-adjacent lower sub-region (15U). In this way, after complete viewing of all those transparencies (T) that were in the upper region (14), the transparencies are organized and stacked in the super-adjacent lower sub-region (15U) in the identical viewing sequence, as they had existed in the upper tray region (14). For a second viewing of the sequence of transparencies (T) , the group of the transparencies located in the super- adjacent lower sub-region (15U), maybe collectively pulled out of that sub-region (15U) and placed into the upper region (14). Sequential viewing can then simplistically take place repeating the above steps. The sub-adjacent lower sub-region (15L) acts as a plenum reservoir to the super-adjacent lower sub- region (15U). Referring yet to a further embodiment, which is SUBSTITUTESHEET depicted in Figures 7 through 11, the transparency organizer and storage tray (10) is shown in its closed position in Figure 7; in its transitional fully flat open position, as (10T) in Figure 8, and in the assembled operative position, adher4ng to a transparency projector (P), as (10') in Figure 9. This tray (10, 10T, 10') is preferably made of cardboard and the flexible hinge (12) of Figure 6 is now referenced the same as in Figure 6, but in Figures 7 and 8 now also acts as the lowest most hinge interconnecting through to the front lateral strip (30) both being integral elements of an integral cover-tray support structure (C) , comprising integral articulating elements, (12, 30) through 45). In the closed position of Figure 7, the cover sheet (C) closes the tray (10) to contain any transparencies (T) located in either of the upper tray region (14) or in the lower tray region (15), yet each of the regions (14,15) is still respectively separated by the partition wall (16), the lower tray region (15) also having the sheet spring (19) sub-partitioning the lower tray region (15) into its sub-adjacent lower sub-region (15L) and the super adjacent lower sub- region (15U). The cover (C) is thus a plurality of sheet elements (12, 30 through 45), and includes the hinge (12) as the lower margin of the front lateral strip (30) which, as its upper margin, is a fold mark (38), and margin to a flat upper forward sheet (39), the opposite side of which is a top lateral fold mark (40) integral to an upper rear flat sheet (41); an upper rear corner fold mark (42) that in fact is the upper rear corner of the tray (10) when in the closed storage position of Figure 7. From this fold mark (42), there is a lateral rear sheet panel (43), then a rear bottom fold mark (44); and finally, a distal panel (45) which, on its inside surface, has a rectangular Velcro ® strip (46) which co-acts with a SUBSTITUTE SHEET Velcro ® strip (47), seen in phantom in Figure 8 that is affixed to the bottom surface of the bottom panel (20) of the tray (10). This Velcro ® strip (47) is rectangular and long; centered with its longitudinal axis oriented in the lateral direction, as shown in phantom in Figure 8, so that the other rectangular Velcro ® strip (46) can, when in the closed position, as in Figure 7, mate with a portion of the Velcro ® strip (47) and, when to be in one of the open assembled positions of Figure 9 and subsequent, can be released, located and re-attached to the same Velcro ® strip (47) thus, respectively holding the tray, either in the closed storage position of Figure 7 or in one of the open operative positions of Figures 7 through 11. Referring to Figure 8, on the inner surface of the upper panel (39) are affixed three rectangularly shaped flexible composite magnetic magnetic flat strips (50) that extend between fold marks (38 and 40). They are depicted again in Figure 9 and provide means for magnetic adhesion of the tray (10) to a magnetizable metallic side of the projector body (P), holding the tray (10), generally parallel to and at an elevation, relative the platen (PP), so that the plane of the platen (PP) intersects the lower tray region (15), particularly sub-adjacent lower sub-region (15L) . The panel (30) is also provided with at least two obround apertures (55), more clearly seen in Figures 7, 8, 9 and elevational cross-sectional Figure 11. Through each aperture (55), a suction cup (60) can be pressed fit since the cup (60) normally has an integral stem with bulbous distal end (65). By inserting such suction cup (60) in each of the obround apertures (55), the tray (10'), when in its open operative position, as shown in Figure 11 can be suitably secured to the side of a projector (P) whose SUBSTITUTESHEET body is not composed of a magnetized material such as steel or the like, but of a non-metallic material, aluminum, plastic or other composites. It will be apparent from the foregoing, that variations to the invention may be made without deviating from the embodiments disclosed or claimed herein. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: WE CLAIM : 1. A transparency organizer and storage tray (10) adapted to act as a sheet (T) holding, transferring, and repository means for managing the flow control of a plurality of transparency film sheets (T) , each generally impressed with indicia creating a discernible image when viewed, characterized by: (a) a transparency film sheet carrying region (13) including, (i) a first transparency film sheet source holding region (14) adapted to house a plurality of sheets (T) which are to be projected, (ii) a second transparency film sheet storage region (15) adapted to house a plurality of said sheets (T) after projection; and, (b) means (M, 24, 31) for holding the transparency film sheet carrying region (13), at an elevation so that the bottom (19) of the second transparency film sheet storage region (15) is at an elevation co-incident with a platen element, actual or imaginary, (11,PP) of a transparency projector (P) so that light passes through that transparency sheet (T) for viewing. 2. The tray (10) as claimed in claim 1, additionally characterized by the first transparency film sheet holding region (14) being super-adjacent to that of the second transparency film sheet storage region (15) . 3. The tray (10) as claimed in claim 2, additionally characterized in that the second transparency film sheet storage region (15) has a biasing means (19S, 19F, 37) subdividing said region (15) into a super-adjacent second region (15U) and a sub-adjacent second region (15L). SUBSTITUTE SHEET 4. The tray (10) as claimed in claim 3, additionally characterized by the biasing means (19S), (19F) and (37), includes a flexible sheet (19). 5. The tray (10) as claimed in c aim 3, wherein said flexible sheet is a single cardboard sheet (19), with a forward bend (19F), and a forward seam (19S). 6. The tray (10) as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, including a cover (C), an anchoring means (47) carried by the tray (10) characterized in that one end of the cover (C) is articulatingly attached through a flexible hinge (12) to the margin of the second transparency film storage region (15L), the cover (C) including a plurality of articulating elements and surfaces (12, 30 through 45), at least one of which (30, 39) is adapted to carry means (50,55) for removable attachment of the tray (10) to a transparency projector (P) , one panel (45) of the cover (C) carrying means (46) for removable attachment to the anchoring means (47) whereby the cover (C) , in its closed position, overcovers and secures closed, the regions (14, 15); and, in an operative position exposes proximate margins of said regions (14, 15) at an operative elevation intersecting the prolongation of the axial plane of the platen (11, PP) whereby to permit slide transport of the transparency (T) into and out of the tray (10) out from the upper region (14), onto the platen (11, PP) , thence, into the lower storage region (15, 15U) in the identical sequential order as when located in the upper region (14). 7. The tray (10) as claimed in the aforesaid claims and as disclosed in the description and shown in the drawings herein. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: HODGSON DAVID S, NICHOLSON PATRICK S, HODGSON, DAVID, S., NICHOLSON, PATRICK, S.
Applicants: HODGSON DAVID S, NICHOD INC, NICHOLSON PATRICK S, HODGSON, DAVID, S., NICHOD INC., NICHOLSON, PATRICK, S.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G03B21
IPC codes: G03B21