Abstract:
This invention relates generally to boards for writing or display, and more particularly to reusable, double sided, reorientable, portable and reconfigurable boards that permit writing to be easily removed. In one embodiment, a writing board comprises a frame, a front panel and a rear panel mounted in the frame, wherein the front panel comprises a first writing surface and the rear panel comprises a second writing surface opposite the first writing surface, wherein the first writing surface and the second writing surface are each adapted to erasably receive writing thereon. The writing board is reorientable to receive erasable writing on the first writing surface and the second writing surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/910,756 filed on Apr. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to boards for writing or display, and more particularly to reusable, double sided, reorientable, portable and reconfigurable boards that permit writing to be easily removed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In one embodiment of the invention a writing board comprises a frame, a front panel and a rear panel mounted in the frame, wherein the front panel comprises a first writing surface and the rear panel comprises a second writing surface opposite the first writing surface, wherein the first writing surface and the second writing surface are each adapted to erasably receive writing thereon. The writing board is reorientable to receive writing on the first writing surface and the second writing surface. At least one of the front panel and the rear panel may comprise a magnetic property. 
         [0004]    The writing board may include a wall mount for hanging the writing board on a wall. In one embodiment, the wall mount may comprise a mount ring releasably affixed to the wall and a hanger releasably affixed to the mount ring. The hanger comprises a protrusion extending away from the mount ring. In another embodiment, the wall mount may comprise a hanger releasably affixed to the wall. In this embodiment, the hanger comprises a protrusion extending away from the wall. The writing board further comprises a receiver mounted in the frame and forming a passage through the writing board for receiving the protrusion of the hanger. 
         [0005]    A writing utensil holder may be integrally formed with the frame for releasably securing a writing utensil to the writing board. The receiver may form a bottom surface of the writing utensil holder and may include a non-slip surface for mating with the writing utensil and for mating with the protrusion of the hanger. 
         [0006]    The frame of the writing board may comprise a front frame member connected to a rear frame member, wherein the front panel may be mounted to the front frame member and the rear panel is mounted to the rear frame member. The frame may include a plurality of nubs mounted in the frame and protruding therefrom to minimize movement, rocking or rattling of the writing board during use. 
         [0007]    The writing board of this embodiment may also include a plurality of legs, which may be extendable from and retractable into the frame. The plurality of legs may be rotatable over a range exceeding 180° and/or positionable to tilt the writing board to at least one predetermined angle. Each of the plurality of legs may include at least one keeper for releasably holding the legs in any one of a number of predetermined angles or to releasably secure the legs within the frame. In addition, each of the plurality of legs may include an end cap to minimize movement, rocking or rattling of the writing board during use. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a writing board comprises at least one writing panel mounted to a frame where the writing panel is adapted to erasably receive writing thereon, a writing utensil holder integrally formed with the frame for releasably securing a writing utensil to the writing board, and a plurality of legs extendable from and retractable into the frame, the plurality of legs positionable to tilt the writing board to at least one predetermined angle. 
         [0009]    The writing board may be reorientable to receive writing on a first and a second side of the at least one writing panel. The writing board may further include a film adapted to erasably receive writing thereon, the film being affixed to at least one of the first and second sides of the at least one writing panel. The at least one writing panel may comprise a magnetic property. 
         [0010]    The writing board may include a wall mount for hanging the writing board on a wall. In one embodiment, the wall mount may comprise a mount ring releasably affixed to the wall and a hanger releasably affixed to the mount ring. The hanger comprises a protrusion extending away from the mount ring. In another embodiment, the wall mount may comprise a hanger releasably affixed to the wall. In this embodiment, the hanger comprises a protrusion extending away from the wall. The writing board further comprises a receiver mounted in the frame and forming a passage through the writing board for receiving the protrusion of the hanger. 
         [0011]    The hanger may be fastened to the wall using a hook and loop fastener. The writing board may include a core comprising one of a solid, corrugated, porous, or hollow structure. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, a writing board comprises at least one writing panel mounted to a frame, where the writing panel is adapted to erasably receive writing thereon, and a receiver mounted in the frame and forming a passage through the writing board for receiving a hanger. The writing board is reorientable to receive writing on a first and a second side of the at least one writing panel. 
         [0013]    The frame may include a writing utensil holder integrally formed with the frame for releasably securing a writing utensil to the writing board. The frame may also include a plurality of receptacles for housing a plurality of legs, wherein the plurality of legs are extendable from and retractable into the plurality of receptacles, the plurality of legs being positionable to tilt the writing board to at least one predetermined angle. The writing board may further include a hanger releasably affixed to a wall, where the hanger may comprise a protrusion having a non-slip surface for releasable mating with the receiver. The at least one writing panel may comprise a magnetic property. 
         [0014]    A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to preferred embodiments shown in the following drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a right front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a right side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the legs in a fully articulated position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top front perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top right perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  showing the legs in a fully articulated position and the invention in use on a horizontal surface; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6   a  illustrates a partial perspective view of the invention showing one leg in the stowed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6   b  illustrates a partial perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6   a  showing one leg in its fully extended position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   c  illustrates a partial perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6   a  showing one leg in a partially articulated position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6   d  illustrates a partial perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6   a  showing one leg in a fully articulated position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7   a  illustrates an exploded front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0027]      FIG. 7   c  illustrates a right side elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0028]      FIG. 8   a  illustrates a front perspective view of the dry erase panels shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0029]      FIG. 8   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the dry erase panels shown in  FIG. 8   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 8   c  illustrates a right side elevational view of the dry erase panels shown in  FIG. 8   a;    
           [0031]      FIG. 9   a  illustrates a front perspective view of the front frame member shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0032]      FIG. 9   b  illustrates a front perspective view of the rear frame member shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0033]      FIG. 9   c  illustrates a front elevational view of the rear frame member shown in  FIG. 9   b;    
           [0034]      FIG. 9   d  illustrates right side elevational view of the rear frame member shown in  FIG. 9   b;    
           [0035]      FIG. 9   e  illustrates a front elevational view of the front frame member shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0036]      FIG. 9   f  illustrates a right side elevational view of the front frame member shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0037]      FIG. 9   g  illustrates a top plan view of the rear frame member shown in  FIG. 9   b;    
           [0038]      FIG. 9   h  illustrates a top section view taken from  FIG. 9   d;    
           [0039]      FIG. 9   i  illustrates a partial detail view taken from  FIG. 9   h;    
           [0040]      FIG. 10   a  illustrates a front perspective view of the grommet shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0041]      FIG. 10   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the grommet shown in  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0042]      FIG. 10   c  illustrates a right side elevational view of the grommet shown in  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0043]      FIG. 10   d  illustrates a top section view taken of  FIG. 10   b;    
           [0044]      FIG. 10   e  illustrates a top plan view of the grommet of  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0045]      FIG. 11   a  illustrates a top perspective view of one leg shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0046]      FIG. 11   b  illustrates a top plan view of the leg shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0047]      FIG. 11   c  illustrates a right side elevational view of the leg shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0048]      FIG. 11   d  illustrates a left side elevational view of the leg shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0049]      FIG. 11   e  illustrates a front elevational view of the leg shown in  FIG. 11   a;    
           [0050]      FIG. 12   a  illustrates a front perspective view of one end cap shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0051]      FIG. 12   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the end cap shown in  FIG. 12   a;    
           [0052]      FIG. 12   c  illustrates a bottom plan view of the end cap shown in  FIG. 12   a;    
           [0053]      FIG. 12   d  illustrates a right side elevational view of the end cap  FIG. 12   a;    
           [0054]      FIG. 12   e  illustrates a front section view taken of  FIG. 12   d;    
           [0055]      FIG. 13   a  illustrates a side perspective view of one nub shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0056]      FIG. 13   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the nub shown in  FIG. 13   a;    
           [0057]      FIG. 13   c  illustrates right side elevational view of the nub shown in  FIG. 13   a;    
           [0058]      FIG. 13   d  illustrates top plan view of the nub shown in  FIG. 13   a;    
           [0059]      FIG. 14   a  illustrates a front perspective view of the hanger shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0060]      FIG. 14   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the hanger shown in  FIG. 14   a;    
           [0061]      FIG. 14   c  illustrates left side section view taken of  FIG. 14   b;    
           [0062]      FIG. 14   d  illustrates a left side elevational view of the hanger shown in  FIG. 14   a;    
           [0063]      FIG. 15   a  illustrates a front perspective view of the mount ring shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0064]      FIG. 15   b  illustrates a front elevational view of the mount ring shown in  FIG. 15   a ; and 
           [0065]      FIG. 15   c  illustrates a right side elevational view of the mount ring shown in  FIG. 15   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0066]    An understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
         [0067]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated herein. 
         [0068]    Turning now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  reorientable dry erase writing board  10  incorporating the improvements of the present invention. As best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , writing board  10  may be mounted or hung on a wall using an apparatus of the present invention. Alternatively, writing board  10  may be used on any generally flat surface or even on one&#39;s own lap, for example. Owing to its versatility, writing board  10  may include dry erase writing panel  60  on one or both the front and rear sides of writing board  10 . Thus, a user may flip writing board  10  over, whether writing board  10  is mounted on a wall or not, and use the opposite side of writing board  10 . 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , writing board  10  may include the following aspects: one or more dry erase writing panels  60  positioned on one or both of the front and rear sides of writing board  10 , hanger  20 , legs  30 , and writing utensil holder  40 . To ergonomically adjust writing board  10  for users, legs  30  may extend from bottom edge  14  of writing board  10  and be rotatably positionable, as best shown in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d , to cause writing board  10  to lie at one of a plurality of a predetermined angles with respect to the wall, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Legs  30  may articulate and/or rotate more than 180°, as illustrated in  FIG. 6   c , to permit use of the other side of writing board  10  at a predetermined angle with respect to the wall. 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , writing board  10  may also be portable in that it is not necessary to use writing board  10  while mounted on a wall. For example, writing board  10  may be set on a table, floor, or other generally flat, horizontal surface and oriented so that top edge  12  of writing board  10  is pointed toward the user. Legs  30  may also be extended and rotated in much the same way as described above to cause writing board  10  to lie at a predetermined angle with respect to the table, etc. Writing board  10  may be caused to lie flat on the table, etc. by rotating legs  10  to lie generally in the same plane of writing board  10 , or further, by retracting legs  10  into receptacle  51  of writing board  10  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6   a , and  7   a ) if the user does not wish to elevate bottom edge  14  of writing board  10 . 
         [0071]    To hang or mount writing board  10  on a wall, hanger  20  may be used, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  14   a - 14   d . Hanger  20  includes protrusion  21  to connect with writing board  10  for mounting or hanging on a wall. Hanger  20  may be made from a plastic, such as ABS, high impact polystyrene, or polycarbonate, or a metal, such as aluminum, for example. 
         [0072]    Hanger  20  may be permanently, temporarily, or releasably affixed to a wall using mount ring  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 15   a - 15   c . In one embodiment, mount ring  24  may be affixed to a wall temporarily or permanently using, for example, adhesives or fasteners. To releasably affix hanger  20  to a wall, hanger  20  and mount ring  24  may together be used in combination with hook and loop fastening tape or fabric that is adhesively or otherwise secured to flange  23  of hanger  20  and mount ring  24 . Thus, for example, the hook side of the fastening tape or fabric may be affixed to wall side  22  of hanger  20  (as shown in  FIGS. 14   c - 14   d ) while the loop side of the fastening tape or fabric may be affixed to hanger side  25  of mount ring  24  (as shown in  FIGS. 15   a - 15   c ), or vice versa. In operation, hanger  20  may be releasably secured to mount ring  24  by meshing the respective sides of the hook and loop fastener. 
         [0073]    In another embodiment, hanger  20  may be permanently, temporarily, or releasably affixed to a wall without using mount ring  24 . In this embodiment, one side of hook and loop fastening tape may be adhesively or otherwise secured to flange  23  of hanger  20  while the other side of hook and loop fastening tape may be adhesively or otherwise secured to the wall. In operation, hanger  20  may be releasably secured to the wall by meshing the respective sides of the hook and loop fastener. 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , with hanger  20  releasably affixed to a wall, writing board  10  may be mounted onto hanger  20  by inserting hanger  20  through grommet  16 , which is mounted in frame  50  of writing board  10 . Grommet  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 - 5 , and  10   a - 10   e  may be made from a non-slip, resilient material, such as rubber or any elastomeric material, to easily grip and retain hanger  20 . Moreover, grommet  16  and protrusion  21  of hanger  20  may each be sized to further assist in positively, yet releasably, securing writing board  10  on a wall. 
         [0075]    As shown in the figures, one or more dry erase panels  60  may be mounted in frame  50  to enable a user to use one or both of the front and rear sides of writing board  10 . Dry erase panel  60 , as best shown in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c , may range in thickness from 0.003″ to 0.050″ thick, depending on its inherent dry erase properties. 
         [0076]    A user using one side of writing board  10  while writing board  10  is mounted on hanger  20  may easily demount writing board  10  by decoupling writing board  10  from protrusion  21  of hanger  20 , flip writing board  10  over, remount writing board  10  upon hanger  20 , and use the other side of writing board  10 . Similarly, a user using one side of writing board  10  while demounted from a wall may simply turn writing board  10  over and use the other side of writing board  10 . 
         [0077]    Frame  50  may be injection molded and may comprise a clamshell formed from front frame member  52  and rear frame member  53 , as shown in  FIGS. 7   a , and  9   a - 9   i . Frame  50  may be made from any one of a variety of materials of construction, such as plastic, including ABS, high impact polystyrene, polycarbonate, or polypropylene, for example. Alternatively, frame  50  may be made from metal, such as aluminum. Although shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  9   a - 9   i  as having an internal grid-like, semi-hollow structure, the internal grid-like portion of frame  50  may be replaced with a separate structure (with frame  50  mounted on its perimeter) that is formed in the shape of solid, corrugated, porous, or hollow structure or substrate, such as an I-beam structure, a honeycomb structure, a cellular structure, or any one of a number of other structural forms to provide a lightweight, strong, and inexpensive structure. This internal portion within frame  50  may provide a single structure in which both the front and rear sides may have dry erase properties. If this internal portion does not have dry erase properties, then film  80  (as described below) or other dry erase treatment or coating may be applied to one or both of the front and rear sides of this internal portion to give the internal portion dry erase properties. In this way, a single inner core could replace each of dry erase panels  60 , yet still provide writing board  10  with dry erase properties on both of its sides. 
         [0078]    Frame  50  may be designed to support and securely retain one or more dry erase panels  60 , grommet  16 , and one or more nubs  90  (as shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  13   a - 13   d ). Front frame member  52  and rear frame member  53 , as shown in  FIG. 7   a , may be snapped or clipped together to form a stable support for one or more dry erase panels  60  and to encase and secure grommet  16  and one or more nubs  90  within respective receptacles formed in frame  50 . 
         [0079]    Dry erase panel  60  may be formed from a plastic, such as ABS, high impact polystyrene, or polycarbonate, or may be formed from other common materials of construction, such as corrugated paper or foam core. Dry erase panel  60  may be formed with a solid, corrugated, porous, or hollow structure, such as an I-beam structure, a honeycomb structure, a cellular structure, or any one of a number of other structural forms to provide a lightweight, strong, and inexpensive structure. 
         [0080]    If dry erase panel  60  does not itself have dry erase properties, dry erase panel  60  may be configured to include film  80 , as shown on  FIG. 8   a . Film  80  may comprise any biaxially-oriented polyester film, UV cured polyurethane, polypropylene, or any other product, surface treatment, or coating that may provide dry erase panel  60  with dry erase properties. Dry erase panel  60 , film  80 , or such other products, surface treatment, or coating may have magnetic properties or non-magnetic properties. Film  80  may act as a carrier for the application of dry erase treatments or coatings if film  80  itself does not have dry erase properties. Depending on the chosen material of film  80  or the subsequent treatment or coating that may be applied to film  80 , if any, the thickness of film  80  may range from approximately 0.0005″ thick to approximately 0.050″ thick. Film  80  may be laminated, deposited, or adhered to dry erase panel  60  using conventional techniques known to one of skill in the art. 
         [0081]    As shown in Figs.  FIGS. 7   a  and  13   a - 13   d , writing board  10  may include one or more nubs  90  to help prevent movement, rocking or rattling of writing board  10  against a wall when writing board  10  is mounted on a wall. Nubs  90  may be mounted in frame  50  so as to protrude rearwardly towards the wall so as to rest against the wall to minimize any movement, rocking or rattling of writing board  10  during use. Nubs  90  may also be configured to protrude forwardly from frame  50  in like manner, and may simultaneously protrude forwardly and rearwardly from frame  50  to provide the user versatility of using either side of writing board  10  while minimizing any movement, rocking and rattling of writing board  10  during use of either side of writing board  10 . Nubs  90  may also function to resist any unwanted or unintended rotational motion that may occur between writing board  10  and the wall during use. 
         [0082]    Alternatively, if writing board  10  is used on a table, for example, nubs  90  may serve to stabilize writing board  10  to minimize any movement, rocking or rattling against the table and also to resist any unwanted sliding of writing board  10  relative to the table during use. Nubs  90  may be formed from rubber or any other elastomeric material suitable for these functions. 
         [0083]    As described above, writing board  10  may include legs  30  for ergonomically angling writing board  10  for use. As shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   e , legs  30  may include one or more keepers  31  usable for releasably holding each of legs  30  in any one of a number of predetermined positions and/or angles relative to the plane of writing board  10 , or to releasably secure legs  30  within receptacles  51  of writing board  10 . Guides  33  are retained by receptacles  51  of frame  50  and are designed to permit legs  30  to slide within receptacles  51 . Legs  30  may be made from a plastic, such as ABS, high impact polystyrene, or polycarbonate, or a metal, such as aluminum, for example. 
         [0084]    To assist in preventing relative movement (i.e., sliding and/or rotational motion) between legs  30  and the wall or tabletop when legs  30  have been articulated in one of the chosen angles, each of legs  30  may also include end cap  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6   b - 6   d ,  11   a - 11   c ,  11   e , and  12   a - 12   e . End cap  32  may be formed from rubber or any other elastomeric material suitable for this purpose. 
         [0085]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  7   a - 7   c , writing board  10  may include writing utensil holder  40  for releasably securing writing utensil  41 . When grommet  16  is installed in frame  50 , top surface  70  of grommet  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   c , may form grip  42  to aid in gripping and/or securing writing utensil  41  in writing utensil holder  40 . 
         [0086]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular method disclosed is meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.