Abstract:
Adjustable display board for attachment to a monitor housing so that items such as notes, calendars, nameplates, pads, mirrors, writing implements, and keys can be mounted adjacent to a monitor screen. The display board can be constructed from molded parts which can flex and/or be molded to fit the contours of various monitor housings. The display board includes a left side frame, a right side frame and a top holder panel that interconnects upper horizontal legs of the left and right side frames. The top holder panel slides along the upper horizontal legs of both the left and right side frames providing the ability to adapt to different monitor sizes and shapes. The top holder panel has retaining edges molded for the purpose of holding various objects such as photographs, messages and other indicia on both of its sides. The left and right side panels provide a surface that functions as a decorative message board and provides a means to attach various other objects temporarily or permanently to it. Additionally, the board surface can be written on and erased similar to a blackboard.

Description:
This invention relates to display boards and display panels, and in particular to a display board that can be attached to a monitor housing of a PC computer, a laptop computer, and a television, and used for organizing, advertising or adding visual appeal to the monitor housing, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/162,733 filed Oct. 29, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Since the advent of computer monitors being used on most desks, it has become increasingly popular for the computer user to attach reminder notes, information and other items on the computer monitor. In addition, users also prefer to personalize their areas with pictures, photographs and other personal items. Many users attach items around their monitor&#39;s bezels, but due to limited space, these items do not fit and usually extend into the viewable portion of the monitor screen or protrude into the air space around the monitor. 
     With the increased size of computer monitors having fourteen inch screens, 17 inch screens, and the ever more popular 20 inch screens there is less and less surface space about the perimeter edges of the monitor screens. 
     Thus, there is a need to increase their usable space to accommodate these items. A display board which attaches to a monitor housing would provide extra space and functions as a messaging/personalization area for the user. 
     Over the years, various ideas have been proposed to solve these problems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,565 to Bachman discloses an adjustable display apparatus which consists of several pieces, between five and seven that must be separately mounted to the top and sides of the display monitor. Although, the device is entitled a “universally adjustable display apparatus”, the device have several problems and deficiencies. The Bachman device is not aesthetically pleasing because the display surfaces  14 ,  16  shown in side view of FIG. 2 are in two different planes, and could either show a gaping hole in the front view of FIG. 1, or an over-lapping surface. Additionally, the user will always be able to see the several mounting channels that must be used to hold the display panels. The design also places the usable surface away from the user. Also, the variable pieces and attachments for the monitor housing would be costly to manufacture and difficult to assemble by a novice user. The stability of the unit is also compromised by the single dimension mounting surface, and being a substantially flat surface requires all accessories to be somehow attached to the display board. Furthermore, the four channel members  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  would need to be rigid for attaching the L-shaped members  14  and  16 . Thus, the rigidity of the channels would preclude the Bachman device from conforming to display monitors having curved side and front edges. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,087 to Wentzloff discloses a fixed display board holder with inserted display panels. This design is also difficult to assemble, costly to construct and provides a flat surface back away from the plane of the display screen. In addition, it is not adjustable to fit various sized monitor housings. Instead, the Wentzloff device would require different size display boards for each different size monitor housing. 
     Screenies is a another type of display panel, a flat, non-adjustable panel which attach to the front of monitor housing, and has been marketed for a number of years now. U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,096 to Schwartz describes a flat multilayered device that attaches to the front of a monitor housing. This device is inexpensive to produce, but since it surrounds the monitor it obscures many of the monitor controls which are usually located at the bottom of a monitor. It is also unitized construction of a flat device that must be manufactured in different sizes to fit different size monitors; and it is not adjustable. Having a flat panel attached to the front of a monitor will also not mount firmly to a curved monitor screen which encompass large monitors commonly in use today. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,267 to Armbruster describes flat panel mounted to the front of a monitor. Although this device may be cost effective to produce, the Armbruster device is not adjustable and must be manufactured in different sizes to fit different sized monitor housing. It also suffers from the same problem of attachment to curved screen monitors, since it is only a flat panel and will not fit a curved monitor face. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,145 to Charapich (1994) describes another large flat panel display board which would be expensive to construct and difficult to attach by a novice user. Although it adds stabilizers to help secure the display panel to the monitor housing, it is not adjustable to fit various size screens. The device has a single sized opening for the monitor screen. For curved screen monitors there would be large gaps between the panel and the monitor housing at the sides and corners producing an unattractive look. 
     Thus, there is a need for solutions to the above problems that exist with the prior art types of display boards. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for which one size fits a wide range of monitor housing sizes such as but not limited to fourteen inch monitors, seventeen inch monitors, twenty inch monitors, and the like. 
     The secondary objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board that can be securely mounted to monitor having different contours such as but not limited to flat and curved monitors. 
     The third objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board that provides side and top surface panels in the same plane near the plane of the monitor display. 
     The fourth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board that has side and top surface panels which overlap over the top and side edges of a computer monitor without covering the monitor screen. 
     The fifth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board that has two side panels that can mount in the vertical and top forward corners of the monitor housing, while providing a single top adjustable receptacle panel with built-in indicia holders on both the front and back of the top panel. 
     The sixth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that has holding areas within the display board to mount indicia without the need of clips or other additional mounting fasteners. 
     The seventh objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that can be inexpensively manufactured with variations in color and translucency. 
     The eighth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors having an erasable surface on the display board on which a dry marker can be used and erased and reused. 
     The ninth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that is durable, easily producible with an aesthetic appeal to the user. 
     The tenth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that includes an attachable a single panel which functions as both a pen holder and a note pad holder, where the panel can be formed from a single manufacturing process adding function while reducing product manufacturing costs. 
     The eleventh objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that can be manufactured in 2-D and 3-D shapes and be texture molded into the unit while maintaining low unit costs. 
     The twelfth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that can be inexpensively, and permanently marked with advertisement or other personalization features from manufacturers and/or sellers. 
     The thirteenth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board that can be constructed to have the same look and feel as the monitor housing to which it will be mounted, which allows both the monitor and the display board to be matched and aesthetically appealing. 
     The fourteenth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that is safe, easy to install, easy to assemble, and take apart without damage to the monitor. 
     The fifteenth objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable display board for monitors that is lightweight and long-lasting, and able to support a variety of indicia mounted thereon. 
     A preferred embodiment of the adjustable display board for monitors includes a left side panel having an upper horizontal leg and a lower-vertical leg arranged in an L-shape to one another, the left side panel having a single front planar surface, a right side panel having an upper horizontal leg and a lower vertical leg arranged in an L-shape to one another, the right side panel having a single front planar surface, and a top holder panel having a left end and a right end, the left end for allowing a portion of the upper horizontal leg of the left side panel to slidably fasten to the left end, the right end for allowing a portion of upper horizontal leg of the right side panel to slidably fasten to the right end, wherein the left side panel, the right side panel and the top holder panel fit over and in front of a left side edge, a right side edge and a top edge of a monitor, and the single front planar surface of the left side panel and the single front planar surface of the right side panel are identical. 
     The left side panel, the right side panel and the top holder panel can be formed from a flexible plastic material that can flex and conform to monitors having curved surface faces. 
     Both the left side panel and the right side panel each have a rear face with a member protruding perpendicular behind, and the single front planar surface of the left side panel and the right side panel each have a t-cross-sectional shape to their respective rear facing perpendicular members, so that a portion of the rear protruding member of both the left side panel and the right side panel can abut against outer side edges of the monitor, while front edges of the left side panel and the right side panel which face one another overlap front face edge portions of the monitor. 
     The top holder panel can include at least one track for holding both the upper horizontal leg of the right side panel and the upper horizontal leg of the left side panel to the top holder panel. The top holder panel can further include supports on the front surface and/or the rear surface such as channel edges for supporting card shaped items such as but not limited to calendars, photographs, name plates and business cards thereon. 
     An extra item holder can be attached to the front of the adjustable display board for supporting various items such as a writing implement, a pad and a key. The extra item holder can have a slanted front face with a bottom lip edge for supporting a pad, and/or a round opening for supporting the writing implement and/or a hook for supporting key(s). A mirror can also be attached to the adjustable display board when desired. 
     The display board can be molded in a polypropylene or other non-porous plastic. The surface of the board can function as a dry marker board erasable surface, and be colored or tinted to provide a variety of aesthetic looks and appeal. The display board can be used to attach various indicia thereon wherein the indicia can be temporary or permanent. The display board can be hot stamped, decaled, stickered or silk screened to provide decoration, logos, advertising or other form of art or messaging. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the display board invention attached to a monitor housing of a personal computer. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the display board invention of FIG. 1 along arrow A. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the display board invention of FIG. 1 along arrow B. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the display board invention attached to a monitor on a laptop computer. 
     FIG. 5 a second embodiment of the display board invention attached to a support stand. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an extra item holder for supporting a pad and pen. 
     FIG. 7 a perspective view of the display board invention with extra item holder of claim  6  all attached to a monitor housing of a personal computer. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment 1 of the display board invention  10  attached to a monitor housing  19  of a personal computer. FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the display board invention  10  of FIG. 1 along arrow A. FIG. 3 is a top view of the display board invention  1  of FIG. 1 along arrow B. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the display board assembly  10  consists of three basic pieces, a right side display panel  11 , a left side display panel  12  and a top holder panel  13 . Each of these parts can be constructed of a single piece of molded plastic or similar material, such as but not limited to polypropylene, non-porous plastics, and the like. Each piece can be made to be flexible to bend to the surface contours of curved monitors. 
     The color and material of each piece of the display board can be accommodated from the same mold allowing variation in look and feel of the frame to meet variations in consumer tastes. Furthermore, since the display board consists of different molded pieces, each material and color may be assembled with dissimilar items to produce further marketable versions of the product with minimal increases in cost. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the right display panel  11  has a planar front in the general shape of an inverted L, with a T-cross sectional shape. The rear facing flange  17  protrudes substantially perpendicular from the rear side of the panel  11 . The inner edge of the right side panel  11  overlays on a front portion of the outer edge  21 ′ of the monitor front bezel  21  on the right side of the monitor housing  19  without obstructing a user&#39;s view of the monitor display tube  20 . The left side display panel  12  and rear facing flange  18  is a mirror image of the right side display panel  11 , mirrored about the vertical axis. Similarly, left side display panel  12  overlays on a portion of the monitor front bezel  21  on the left side of the monitor housing  19  without obstructing a user&#39;s view of the monitor display tube  20 . The right and left side display panels  11 ,  12  can be attached to the monitor  19  in a plurality of areas along the back and rear facing flanges  17 ,  18  of the side panels  11 ,  12  and the front  21  of the monitor housing and the inside edge of the left and right flanges and the monitor housing, by fasteners  14  such as but not limited to strips of releasable mating hook and loop fasteners(Velcrot®), double sided foam tape, and the like. 
     Top holder panel  13  can include a front face  15  connected at an upper edge  13 A and a bottom edge  13 B to a rear face panel  16  with a longitudinal slot S, therebetween. The slot S of the top holder panel  13  can slidably receive ends  12 ″ and  11 ″ of the horizontal legs  12 ′,  11 ′ of the left display panel  12  and the right display panel  11 . On the front face  15  of top holder panel  13  can be channel tracks  30  having L cross-sectional shapes, for holding cards such as photographs, business cards, and the like thereon. Similarly, on the rear face  16  of top holder panel  13  can be two channel tracks which face one another for similarly holding cards such as photographs, business cards, calendars, and the like, thereon. 
     Since the top holder panel  13  is constructed of a flexible material, it can conform to the curvature of the monitor in the horizontal dimension allowing the left side panel  12  and right side panel  11  to attach to the monitor housing  19  in different planes. The top holder panel front surface  15  is molded with channel track edges  30  (such as raised L-shaped edges which face one another) which allows card type objects having a flat surface of similar size to slide into the top holder panel  13  from either the left or right side, thereby retaining the item without the need of additional mounting materials. The top holder panel  16  rear surface is molded at top and along a mid-portion with similar channel track edges  32  to those channel tracks  30  of the front face  15 . 
     The display board invention  10  can be adjustable to fit a wide variety of monitor housings since it horizontally expands and flexes against the monitor frame front face to follow the contour of the housing. Once the molds are created, variations in the device can be achieved through the selection of material and color used in the manufacturing process. This allows mass production and low cost to be maintained while achieving a variety of aesthetically appealing looks to the basic product. 
     The built in holders  30 ,  32  formed on the front  15  and back  16  of the top holder panel  13  provides the ability to quickly add photographs, name plates, calendars, business cards, and other indicia without the need for additional mounting hardware. Mattes and transparent sheet material can also be accommodated by the holder to make the holder into a picture frame. The rear facing flanges  17 ,  18  on the left and right side panels  12 ,  11  not only act as a stabilizing feature but also cover any separation between the monitor housing and the display panel, providing a more aesthetically appealing product that is not possible with flat panels. 
     Since the display board invention is constructed of a durable plastic, it the device resistant to stains and scratches and allows the device to be easily cleaned. 
     Since the device consists of primarily three parts, it is easily installed and removed from a monitor housing without the need for any special tools or skills. 
     To install the display board, remove the protective tabs from the adhesive pads on the right side frame  11 . Align the top right corner of the monitor housing  19  with the corner of the flange on the right side panel. Then firmly press the side panel to the monitor housing around each adhesive pad. To assemble the display board, the user slides top leg  11 ″ of the right side panel  11  into slot S in top holder  13 . Remove the protective pads from the adhesive pads on the left side panel  12 , and slide the top left slide leg  12 ′ into the slot S in the top holder panel  13 . Align the top left corner of the monitor housing  19  with the corner of the flange on the left side panel  12 . Then firmly press the side panel  12  to the monitor housing around each adhesive pad. 
     For removal start with the bottom of the right side panel  11  leg and pull diagonally away from the intersection of the front  21  and side of the monitor housing  19  until all mounting tabs on the right side panel are separated from their mates. Remove the right side panel  11 . Remove the top holder panel  13  by sliding the top holder panel off the left side panel  12  leg. Pull the left side panel  12  from the bottom diagonally away from the monitor housing  19 , until all mounting tabs are separated. Then the left side panel  12  can be removed. 
     Once the adjustable display board  10  is mounted to a monitor housing  19 , personal items can be inserted into the top holder panel  13  by sliding them into it from the left or right sides. This procedure is the same for both the front and back of the top holder. 
     The adjustable display board can be used on a wide range of monitor housings and made with a large range of styles and options. It is not only easy to attach and remove the adjustable display board from a monitor housing, it provide a fit to the housing better than any previous designs. 
     Being firmly attached on three substantially perpendicular planes (front sides and top of the monitor housing) provides a stable mounting which will support loading the adjustable display board with organizational and personal items. 
     Since the display board is molded under substantial pressure, it provides a durable marking surface without the need for extra protective layers applied to the surface. 
     The top holder panel allows the user a better arrangement to personalize the unit to their taste. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view  100  of the display board invention  10  attached to a frame edge  121  on the monitor  120  on a laptop computer, in a manner similar to the monitor previously described in relation to FIGS. 1-3. 
     FIG. 5 a second embodiment  200  of the display board invention  10  attached to a support stand having a flat base  210 , triangular side legs  220  and a rear wall  230 . Here the display board rear facing flanges  17 ,  18  can abut about the outer surfaces of the side legs  220  and the upper rear wall edge  235 . The stand arrangement  200  can be used when the invention has been removed from the laptop computer  100  previously described. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an extra item holder  300  for supporting a pad and writing implement such as a pen, pencil, and the like, thereon. Holder  300  can be molded from plastic and include a front slanted face  310  with a raised lower edge  312  for supporting a paper pad  315 , a flat bottom  320  and a flat rear face  330  that can have well known fasteners (not shown) such as those previously described (i.e. hook and loop fasteners, double sided-tap, and the like), and a side tubular holder  340  having a round opening  345  for supporting a writing implement  349  therein, and a hook  355  with detachable base  350  having similar fasteners to those previously described, for supporting other items, such as but not limited to keys  359 , and the like. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the display board invention  10  with extra item holder  300  of FIG. 6 all attached to a monitor housing  19  of a personal computer, where a photograph  410 , calendar  420  and mirror  450 , the latter being attachable with fasteners, such as hook/loop fasteners, double sided tape, and the like, can be attached to at least one of the top holder  13 , and panels  11 ,  12 . 
     Display board side panels  11 ,  12  can be molded with functions and contours built in with very little difference in production costs once a mold has been constructed. For example, manufacturing costs for the side display panel with a built-in pad holder will be almost the same as without this feature. 
     Accessories such as mirrors  450  and other holders are easily attached to the side panel by either clips, bonding agents or other means of fastening them directly to the side panel. This also adds features and functionality to the product with very little additional cost. Clips can also be used to attach other items around the periphery of the side panels. Sticky-back notes are easily applied and removed from the front surface of the adjustable display board. Stickers and decals can also be applied to all surfaces of the adjustable display board. The plastic surface will allow some stickers to be easily removed. Permanent attachment of items can be achieved by the use of adhesives, glues, welding, mounting hardware or other such means. Holes/slots can be put into panels for the means of attaching or providing other functions such as key holders, and the like. 
     While the preferred embodiment describes used with computer monitors, the invention can be used with television monitors, and the like, or with other things surrounded by a frame. 
     Although the preferred embodiment is shown with flat outside edges, other variations could include different shapes of the inside and outside edges of the display board, including wavy patterns. The surface of the display board may also contain holes or openings or any of a number of 3-D raised patterns molded into the display board. Attachments to the display board may be added to provide similar effects. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.