Abstract:
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a set of desk accessories having a common theme. The theme is chosen to promote certain values in the classroom or office setting. These values may include diversity in the classroom or workplace, the promotion of various roles different members of the community have on the educational environment, etc.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/632,497, filed Dec. 2, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to desk accessories and educational tools.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The invention relates to the field of desktop accessories and the field of educational equipment. There are a large number of items in the classroom that are used throughout the day by students and teachers. Such items include desk accessories such as staplers, scissors, pencil holders, tape dispensers, etc. While these tools may be used in the classroom, the tools do not necessarily teach lessons or promote values. The primary purpose of other items in the classroom may be to promote values and teach lessons, however they are not necessarily used as often as desk accessories and the like and thus may be more easily ignored. What is needed in the art is often-used classroom items such as desk accessories having features that promote values or teach lessons.  
         [0004]     A number of items having secondary features are described in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,821 (Smith) discloses a display container with a group of figurines on the top of the container. The device is intended to be entertaining and to promote health awareness. However, the value of health awareness is promoted by a single item: a container that is designed specifically for prophylactics.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,184 (Fujitani) discloses a school utensil that is a combination of a compass, divider, ball point pen, and a toy such as a robot or doll. Futitani&#39;s utensil is meant to be entertaining, not to promote values or teach lessons.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,146 (Tabachnik) discloses a crayon holder in the shape of a figurine. The figurine may represent common occupations such as a fireman, a policeman, a nurse, etc. The purpose of Tabachnik&#39;s crayon holder is to make it easier for a child to hold a crayon and for the holder to be attractive to a child. There is no educational aspect to the crayon holder.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,035 (Avner) discloses a number of exterior covers in the shape of animals, plants, vehicles, buildings, etc. to be used with medical equipment. The covers are meant to have the affect of reducing the intimidation created by medical equipment, however they do not promote values or teach lessons with everyday classroom items.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,971 (Hazan) discloses a container combined with a figurine and is meant to be entertaining, not educational.  
         [0009]     While the patents described here disclose figurines integrated with containers and utensils such as pens, and Smith&#39;s container is designed to promote awareness of a specific topic, they do not disclose or suggest a plurality of desk accessories that promote educational topics or socioeconomic values.  
         [0010]     Therefore, often-used classroom items such as desk accessories having features that promote values or teach lessons are desired in the art.  
         [0011]     Further, a plurality of various often-used classroom items that promote a common theme is desired in the art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a set of desk accessories having a common theme. The theme is chosen to promote certain values in the classroom or office setting. These values may include diversity in the classroom or workplace, the promotion of various roles different members of the community have on the educational environment, etc.  
         [0013]     In one particular embodiment, the invention comprises an educational assistance set including a stapler that has a clear body portion with an opening, an internal chamber, and a first graphic insert positioned in the chamber so that a first graphical element of a message is presented, a stapler that has a clear body portion with an opening, an internal chamber, and a second graphic insert positioned in the chamber so that a second graphical element of a message is presented, and a stapler that has a clear body portion with an opening, an internal chamber, and a third graphic insert positioned in the chamber so that a third graphical element of a message is presented. The first graphical element represents the role of a teacher in the educational process and the second graphical element represents the role of a parent in the educational process.  
         [0014]     An advantage of the present invention is that it comprises often-used classroom items such as desk accessories that have features that promote values or teach lessons.  
         [0015]     A further advantage of the present invention is that it comprises a plurality of various often-used classroom items that promote a common theme. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of particular embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-6  are several views of a number of desk accessories configured according to a first embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0018]      FIGS. 7-10  are several views of a number of desk accessories configured according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
       [0019]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]     Referring to the figures, there is shown the educational assistance set of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a stapler according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The stapler  100  includes a transparent casing or outer body portion  102  and a chamber  104 . An opening  106  in the outer body portion  102  provides access to the chamber  104 . A first graphical insert  108  is configured to slide through the opening  106  into the chamber  104 . In this particular embodiment, the first insert  108  is a background that abstractly represents a blue sky with white clouds. A second graphical insert  10  is configured to fit in the chamber  104  over the first insert  108 . The second insert  10  depicts a diverse group of kids in this particular embodiment. The inserts promote the idea of accepting diversity in the classroom. Further inserts may also be added to further promote the idea. Alternatively, the inserts could depict other ideas such as an image that depicts a teacher and a parent collaborating in their respective roles in the educational process. In the current embodiment, the inserts  108  and  10  are comprised of a flexible plastic so they may be shaped to fit the contours of the stapler  100 . Further, the second insert  10  and any further inserts included are cut away to expose at least a portion of the first insert  108  as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the second insert  10  is at least partly transparent or translucent to thereby expose at least a portion of the first insert  108 .  
         [0022]     Alternatively to providing the opening  106  in the outer body portion  102 , the outer body portion  102  is removed from the stapler  100  before assembling the inserts  108  and  110 . The inserts  108  and  10  are then affixed to the stapler  100  and the outer body portion  102  is affixed to the stapler  100  over the inserts  108  and  110 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a pencil/paper clip holder  112 . The holder  112  includes an outer body portion  114  and a chamber  116 . An opening  118  provides access to the chamber  116 . Multiple inserts  120  are configured to slide through the opening  118  into the chamber  116 . The inserts  120  depict a background and a scene that coincide with the inserts  108  and  110  in the stapler  100  in order to further promote that idea. In the current embodiment, the inserts  120  are comprised of a flexible plastic so they may be shaped to fit the contours of the holder  112 . Further, the outermost inserts are cut away to expose at least a portion of the innermost insert as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the outermost inserts are at least partly transparent or translucent to thereby expose at least a portion of the innermost insert.  
         [0024]     Alternatively to providing the opening  118  in the outer body portion  114 , the outer body portion  114  is removed from the holder  112  before assembling the inserts  120 . The inserts  120  are then affixed to the holder  112  and the outer body portion  114  is affixed to the holder  112  over the inserts  120 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a tape dispenser  122 . The tape dispenser  122  includes an outer body portion  124  and a chamber  126 . An opening  128  in the outer body portion  124  provides access to the chamber  126 . A first graphical insert  130  is configured to slide through the opening  128  into the chamber  126 . In this particular embodiment, the first insert  130  is a background that coincides with insert  108  used with the stapler  100 . A second graphical insert  132  is configured to fit in the chamber  126  over the first insert  130 . The second insert  132  coincides with the insert  110  used with stapler  100 . In the current embodiment, the inserts  130  and  132  are comprised of a flexible plastic so they may be shaped to fit the contours of the tape dispenser  122 . Further, the second insert  132  and any further inserts included are cut away to expose at least a portion of the first insert  130  as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the second insert  132  is at least partly transparent or translucent to thereby expose at least a portion of the first insert  130 .  
         [0026]     Alternatively to providing the opening  128  in the outer body portion  124 , the outer body portion  124  is removed from the tape dispenser  122  before assembling the inserts  130  and  132 . The inserts  130  and  132  are then affixed to the tape dispenser  122  and the outer body portion  124  is affixed to the tape dispenser  122  over the inserts  130  and  132 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a letter opener  134  having a blade portion  136  and a handle portion  138 . The handle portion  138  includes an outer body portion  140  and a chamber  142 . An opening  144  allows insert(s)  146  to slide into the chamber  142 . The insert(s)  146  coincide with the inserts  108  and  110  to further promote the ideas those inserts promote on stapler  100 . In the current embodiment, the inserts  146  are comprised of a flexible plastic so they may be shaped to fit the contours of the handle portion  138 . Further, the outermost inserts are cut away to expose at least a portion of the innermost insert as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the outermost inserts are at least partly transparent or translucent to thereby expose at least a portion of the innermost insert.  
         [0028]     Alternatively to providing the opening  144  in the outer body portion  140 , the outer body portion  140  is removed from the handle portion  138  before assembling the inserts  146 . The inserts  146  are then affixed to the handle portion  138  and the outer body portion  140  is affixed to the handle portion  138  over the inserts  146 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a pair of scissors  148  having a blade portion  150  and a handle portion  152 . The handle portion  152  includes an outer body portion  154  and a chamber  156 . An opening  158  allows insert(s)  160  to slide into the chamber  156 . The insert(s)  160  coincide with the inserts  108  and  110  to further promote the ideas those inserts promote on stapler  100 . In the current embodiment, the inserts  160  are comprised of a flexible plastic so they may be shaped to fit the contours of the handle portion  152 . Further, the outermost inserts are cut away to expose at least a portion of the innermost insert as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the outermost inserts are at least partly transparent or translucent to thereby expose at least a portion of the innermost insert.  
         [0030]     Alternatively to providing the opening  158  in the outer body portion  154 , the outer body portion  154  is removed from the handle portion  152  before assembling the inserts  160 . The inserts  160  are then affixed to the handle portion  152  and the outer body portion  154  is affixed to the handle portion  152  over the inserts  160 .  
         [0031]     It should be noted that the use of multiple inserts in the current embodiment gives the scenes a small amount of depth to thereby give them a somewhat three-dimensional look. It should be further noted that when the outer body portion is configured to be removable, it may comprise multiple pieces for easier assembly.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 6-10  show another embodiment of an educational assistance set. In this particular embodiment, the stapler  200 , shown in  FIG. 6 , is molded to include an integral apple shape  202  at one end to promote the education aspect of the idea being promoted. A background  204  is painted on the stapler  200  and a scene  206  depicting a diverse group of kids is painted on the sides of the stapler  200 . The stapler  200  may be molded such that the kids in the scene  206  extend beyond the edges of the stapler  200  in order to give them a somewhat three-dimensional look.  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a pencil/paper clip holder  214  according to the present embodiment. A background  216  is painted on the holder  214  and a scene  218  depicting a diverse group of kids is painted over the background  216  to further promote ideas that coincide with those of the stapler  200 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a tape dispenser  226  according to the present embodiment. The tape dispenser  226  is molded to include an integral apple shape  228  at one end to promote the education aspect of the idea being promoted. A background  230  is painted on the tape dispenser  226  and a scene  232  depicting a diverse group of kids is painted on the sides of the tape dispenser  226 . The tape dispenser  226  may be molded such that the kids in the scene  232  extend beyond the edges of the tape dispenser  226  in order to give them a somewhat three-dimensional look. Alternatively, the body of the tape dispenser  226  may be molded into a second apple shape  234  as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  shows a letter opener  240  having a blade portion  242  and a handle portion  244 . The handle portion  244  is molded to include an integral apple shape  246  at one end to promote the education aspect of the idea being promoted. A background  248  is painted on the handle portion  244  and a scene  250  depicting a diverse group of kids is painted on the sides of the handle portion  244 . The handle portion  244  may be molded such that the kids in the scene  250  extend beyond the edges of the handle portion  244  in order to give them a somewhat three-dimensional look.  
         [0036]      FIG. 10  shows a pair of scissors  258  having a blade portion  260  and a handle portion  262 . A background  264  is painted on the handle portion  262  and a scene  266  that coincides with the scene  206  is painted on the sides of the handle portion  262 . The handle portion  262  may be molded such that the kids in the scene  266  extend beyond the edges of the handle portion  262  in order to give them a somewhat three-dimensional look.  
         [0037]     In the present embodiment, the backgrounds and scenes are painted onto the desk accessories. Alternatively, the backgrounds and the scenes are stickers that are adhered to the outer surfaces of the desk accessories in the education assistance set.  
         [0038]     The themed items described in the embodiments serve to reinforce ideas such as the acceptance of diversity in the classroom and the importance of the roles different people play in the educational process when the items are used by children and other individuals. Examples of important roles that may be depicted include the obvious role of the teacher, the parents&#39; role in supporting their child, and the administrations role in discipline and providing a safe educational environment. Further themes may be imagined, such as a flowers theme including a variety of flowers and possibly the names of the flowers.  
         [0039]     It should be particularly noted that while certain desk accessories have been described in the embodiments, other desk accessories and classroom materials may also be used in the invention. Examples include a ruler, a calculator, a dry erase board, pens and pencils, a book cover, a bank, a trash bin, a tissue dispenser, book ends, and portfolios.  
         [0040]     It should be further particularly noted that the themed items described in the embodiments may be molded to include other shapes besides an apple shape. The shapes may reinforce the idea promoted by the theme of the desk set and may be in the form of flowers, sports equipment, cartoon characters, or any symbol associated with a particular theme.  
         [0041]     While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0042]     Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.