Abstract:
A clipboard including a board having first and second surfaces, a clip integral with the first surface, and a plurality of recesses formed in the second surface, the recesses are adapted to receive one or more models.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates generally to clipboards for holding papers and providing a writing surface and, more particularly, to a clipboard including an integral three dimension display.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Clipboards, which provide a portable, solid flat surface suitable for writing or drawing and which incorporate a clip device to secure one or more pieces of paper to the flat surface, have been known for many years. Many attempts have been made to expand the basic function of the clipboard to include such features as a storage drawer which slides out from the bottom area of the clipboard in which can be stored pencils, erasers and any small drawing or writing aids desired.  
         [0005]     Another advancement of the functionality of the clipboard is found in a design that incorporates slotted compartments machined into the lateral edges of the hard surface of the clipboard to accommodate drafting aids such as triangles, templates and squares. A clipboard tailored to police enforcement use which is transparent and bullet proof so that it may be held in front of the police officer as a protecting shield while, as an example, a ticket is being written is known. Still other designs further encompasses a handle cut into one side of the hard surface so that the clipboard can be more easily held securely. Other clipboard designs incorporate lamp assemblies, digital clocks, folding covers, and/or other storage areas.  
         [0006]     However, prior art clipboards do not address the needs of persons who both require the basic functions of a clipboard and also use models or other three dimensional displays in conjunction with a clipboard. In other words, users of prior art clipboards, such as, for example, doctors on rounds interacting with patients, that may need to explain complex relationships or physical arrangements using a model or other display, must carry the model in addition to their clipboard.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, a need exists for an improved clipboard and an improved means for transporting and displaying a three dimensional model.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with the invention, a clipboard with an integral three dimensional display provides a convenient means for both supplying a stable writing surface and a display frame for three dimensional representations of any type. In some embodiments, the rear surface of the clipboard may include one or more recessed portions adapted to house three dimensional models, e.g., raised relief models, attached to, or formed in the material of, the clipboard.  
         [0009]     In some embodiments, the three dimensional models may include models that do not extend out beyond the rear surface of the clipboard so that the clipboard may lay flat on a flat surface.  
         [0010]     In other embodiments, the three dimensional models may extend beyond the rear surface of the clipboard. In such embodiments, the models may be shaped and/or disposed so as to allow the clipboard to remain stable when placed on a flat surface such as a table.  
         [0011]     In some embodiments, the invention may include an erasable marker, e.g., a dry erase marker, and the three dimensional models may be adapted to be marked by the user to explain, illustrate and/or highlight aspects of the models. The above and other features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description accompanied by the following drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a front plan view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a drawing illustrating a rear plan view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a side plan view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a top plan view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a drawing illustrating a rear plan view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are drawings illustrating side and perspective views of a model according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating a rear perspective view of an example clipboard with a fold out three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a drawing illustrating a rear plan view of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating a rear plan view of a portion of a clipboard with a clip according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a drawing illustrating a rear plan view of a portion of a clipboard with recessed clips according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a drawing illustrating a rear plan view of a portion of a clipboard with a retaining ridge according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  are drawings illustrating side and perspective views of a model according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a thin film for use with a model according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, back, and front may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,” “couple,” “attach,” “join,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices.  
         [0027]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the rear of an example clipboard with an integral three dimensional display  100  is depicted. The inventive clipboard  100  may include a clip  102  for securing papers (and/or other items) to the front writing surface (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). The rear surface  104  of the clipboard  100  may include one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C. Disposed within the one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C, one or more three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C may be joined to the clipboard  100 . The clipboard  100  has a thickness with a dimension labeled T. The thickness T may be of any practicable size that is sufficient to both provide a substantially rigid, stable writing surface and, at the same time, to provide for the one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C to be deep enough to contain the one or more three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C.  
         [0028]     The clipboard  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  may be used as a demonstration model as well as for a clipboard function. The clipboard  100  may include three dimensional representations  108 A,  108 B,  108 C of any type that are mounted or coupled to the rear surface  104  within the one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C (e.g., panel areas that are partially indented). The crafting of the three dimensional representations  108 A,  108 B,  108 C separately from the clipboard  100  may allow for a greater detail, different workmanship, and/or different materials to be used than for the clipboard per se. The three dimensional relief effect may be designed so as not to cause the clipboard to be unstable on a flat surface as will be described in more detail below.  
         [0029]     Turning now to FIGS.  2  though  5 , front, rear, side, and top views, respectively, of an example embodiment of the inventive clipboard with an integral three dimensional display  100 , are depicted. The particular example depicted in the Figs. illustrates three small, square-shaped recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C disposed in a line on the lower rear surface  104  of the clipboard  100 . However, any number, size, and/or shape recesses may be used that are practicable and they may be positioned in any location on the front or back of the clipboard  100 . For example, a single oval shaped recess that covers almost the entire rear surface  104  may be used to allow one or more large three-dimensional models to be used.  
         [0030]     The particular example three dimensional models illustrated in the Figs. are of a portion of a human stomach. Such models may be useful, e.g., for a doctor working in a hospital. For example, an internist may use the clipboard on rounds. Holding a patient chart on the front, an erasable pen as shown in  FIG. 6  and the three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C on the back may be used to explain the patient&#39;s medical conditions and possible treatments. After the consultation, the physician can simply wipe the markings off the three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C and proceed to the next patient. Although relief models are depicted in the Figs., any type of models may be employed. For example, models that may be extended out of the recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  may be used. Alternatively, fold out models may be used, as shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, models that include moving (e.g., rotating, sliding, etc.) parts  201  and/or removable parts  202  may be used. For example, powered models that include, activation/control switches  203 , lights (e.g., LEDs)  204 , electric motors (not shown), and/or sound generators may be employed. As shown in  FIG. 9  is an example of a clipboard for entertaining a child patient to put them at ease while they are being examined. Alternative embodiments include demonstrations of the physiological workings of portions of the body, for example the stomach as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0031]     As can be more clearly seen in  FIGS. 2, 4 , and  5 , the example clipboard  100  may include a conventional clip  102  for holding papers etc., but may also include multiple and/or different types of clips disposed in different locations on the front surface  110  and/or on the rear surface  104 . For example, a clip  205  as shown in  FIG. 10  may be disposed within or above the one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C to secure a removable, contoured or flat transparent film  214  on the one or more three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C. Such a film  214  is shown in  FIG. 14 . In some embodiments, the contoured transparent film  214  may be adapted to be marked-up by the user of the clipboard  100 , e.g., for illustrative purposes and given out to the person to whom the three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C were displayed.  
         [0032]     In some embodiments, the three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C themselves may be removable and/or adapted to be marked. The present invention may include a combination pen  206  as shown in  FIG. 6  (e.g., that uses conventional ink) and marker (e.g., a dry erase marker) that is suitable for both writing on paper on the front surface  100  with the pen and for erasably marking the three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C on the back with the marker. The combination pen and marker  206  may further include a tool  207  adapted to aid in the removal and replacement of the three-dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C. The three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C may be made of a relatively inexpensive material, e.g. plastic, rubber, etc., to allow the user of the clipboard  100  to give away the models. In some embodiments, the user may have a plurality of different three-dimensional models that may be inserted into the one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C to illustrate different concepts or physical structures as shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , one aspect of the clipboard may be a recessed clip  208  that may be used to secure the models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C within the one or more recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C. In other embodiments, the models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C may be friction fitted or snapped into the recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C using a retaining ridge or lip  209  as shown in  FIG. 12 . In some embodiments, the models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C may be permanently affixed to the clipboard  100  and/or molded, milled, or shaped from the same piece of material used to for the clipboard  100 . The models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C and the clipboard may be made from any material or materials that is/are practicable.  
         [0033]     In some embodiments as pictured in the Figs., the models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C maybe dimensioned so as not to extend out beyond the rear surface  104  of the clipboard  100  so that the clipboard  100  may lay flat on a flat surface.  FIGS. 13A and 13B  show a model  108  which has a contoured shape which does not project beyond the surface  104  of the clipboard when inserted into recesses  106 . In other embodiments, the three dimensional models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C may protrude out beyond the rear surface  104  of the clipboard  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In such embodiments, the models  108 A,  108 B,  108 C may be shaped and/or disposed so as to allow the clipboard  100  to remain stable when placed on a flat surface such as a table. Alternatively or additionally, the recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C may be located to insure the clipboard  100  to remains stable when placed on a flat surface. For example, a recess may be disposed in each of the four corners of the clipboard  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0034]     In some embodiments, instead of (or in addition to) recesses  106 A,  106 B,  106 C, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the clipboard  100  may include one or more cutouts or windows  210  that extend through the entire thickness T of the clipboard  100  and are adapted to receive and retain a model  108 . In such an embodiment a front surface of the model  108  may display the three dimensional model while the rear surface of the cartridge may be flat and adapted to sit flush with the front surface  110  of the clipboard  100  to provide a flat writing surface. In such embodiments, the rear surface of the cartridge may be transparent to allow viewing of the backside of the three dimensional model from the front side of the clipboard  100 .  
         [0035]     Front surface  110  and clip  102  may be suitably imprinted with information and/or design that enhances the information presented on the reverse side. Furthermore, clip  102  may be shaped to present further information, such as the shape of a pill or anatomical part.  
         [0036]     This document describes the inventive three dimensional display clipboard for illustration purposes only. Neither the specific embodiments of the invention as a whole, nor those of its features limit the general principles underlying the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to any specific configuration of clips, board shapes, board thicknesses or dimensions, display information, and/or relief display style. The specific features described herein may be used in some embodiments, but not in others, without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth. Many additional modifications are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed in the absence of a corresponding use of other features. The illustrative examples therefore do not define the metes and bounds of the invention and the legal protection afforded the invention.