Patent Publication Number: US-2006008320-A1

Title: Scrapbook rack organizer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/584,118, filed on Jun. 30, 2004. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an organizational device and, more particularly, to a multi-binder organizational device.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Various attempts have been made at providing an organized means for arranging keepsakes and craft supplies; however, such methods do not allow organization and easy retrieval of items such that each of the items may be separately stored and retrieved while retaining the organization of the remaining items.  
      Therefore, a need exists for an improved means for organizing keepsakes and craft supplies that allows a user to easily locate and access the stored items.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides an organizational device and a kit comprising components of an organizational device. In one embodiment, the organizational device has a base unit that includes a central panel. Left- and right-wing panels are removably attached to the central panel. At least one binder unit is also removably attached to the central panel. The organizational device also may include at least one storage page that is removably received in the binder unit. The organizational device may further include a support member attached to the central panel for supporting the central panel at an acute angle. The organizational device is useful for arranging, sorting, storing, and transporting all means of printed materials and crafting supplies. There are many advantages of the organizational device, including the ability to easily access stored materials due to the convenient configuration of the base unit and the ability to easily remove and reattach a binder that binds multiple storage pages.  
      In another aspect, the invention provides a variety of storage pages, each with a crescent-shaped flap that secures a stored item. The storage pages may be used with the organizational device and kit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an organizational device comprising a base unit including a central panel with an attached support member and attached wing panels, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the organizational device including multiple binders that are removably attached to the central panel;  
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the components used to make the base unit and wing panels attachable to the base unit to form a representative embodiment of the organizational device;  
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of a storage page with a single storage pocket having a crescent-shaped flap;  
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of a storage page with two storage pockets having individual crescent-shaped flaps;  
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of a storage page with six storage pockets having individual crescent-shaped flaps; and  
       FIG. 7  is a diagram of an organizational device useful for travel, the device including a central panel with a removably attached binder unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Generally described, the present invention provides an organizational device for arranging, sorting, storing, and transporting all means of crafting supplies and printed materials. The concept is to provide a tool that will allow easy access to frequently used materials, whether they are for crafting or reference. The organizational device has a base unit, two attachable wing units, and at least one binder unit that is removably attached to the central panel of the base unit. The organizational device may also have at least one storage page that is removably received in the binder unit. The organizational device can be used to organize any crafting supplies, (i.e., supplies for quilters, toll painters, card makers, rubber stampers, and the like), and can also be used to organize and/or display any printed materials such as photographs, mementos, greeting cards, recipes, and the like.  
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an embodiment of an organizational device  100  including a base unit  10  having a central panel  110 . The central panel  110  has a front side  12 , a back side  14  (hidden from view), a top edge  16 , a bottom edge  18 , a left edge  20 , and a right edge  30 . The central panel  110  may be formed in various shapes and dimensions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the central panel  110  is substantially rectangular. A removably attachable left wing panel  120  and a removably attachable right wing panel  130  may be additionally attached to the central panel  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . At least one binder unit  200  is also removably attached to the central panel  110 . The organizational device  100  thus further includes an attachment assembly  50 ,  240  for removably securing the binder  200  and the central panel  110  together. Hence, the front side  12  of the central panel  110  includes means  50  for removably securing at least one binder unit  200  (shown best in  FIG. 2 ). The attachment assembly  50 ,  240  may include any suitable structure capable of interconnecting the attachment assembly  50  included on the central panel  110  with a corresponding attachment assembly  240  included on the binder unit  200 , such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, magnetic elements, interlocking tabs, snaps, zippers, and the like.  
      In one embodiment, the organizational device  100  may further include a support member  40  that is attached with attachment means, either fixedly or removably, to the central panel and capable of supporting the central panel  110  such that it rests at an acute angle on a planar surface. The removable attachment means for attaching the support member  40  to the central panel  110  may be any suitable structure, such as, for example, hinge elements, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic elements, interlocking tabs, snaps, zippers and the like. In some embodiments of the organizational device  100 , the support member  40  is fixedly attached to the central panel  110  with a flexible attachment element, such as a flexible plastic material or other suitable attachment element to form a flap for easy storage and assembly.  
      A representative example of the device  100  including the support member  40  is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of the device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , the top of the support member  40  is removably attached to the top edge  16  of the central panel  110  with a hinge  60  formed from interlocking hinge elements  60 A,  60 B that are secured with a hinge pin  62  (shown best in  FIG. 3 ).  
      As mentioned above, the organizational device  100  includes the attachment assembly  50  for detachably securing a plurality of binder units. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment of the device  100 , a portion of the front side  12  of the central panel  110  is covered with “hook-side” Velcro®  50 . The organizational device  100  may include at least one, and preferably multiple, binder units  200 A,  200 B and  200 C that are removably attached to the Velcro® section  50 . Each binder unit  200 A-C is capable of receiving one or more storage pages  300 . Included on a back portion of each binder  200 A-C is a region of “eye-side” Velcro® 240 . In the embodiment of the organizational device  100  shown in  FIG. 2 , there are three binder units  200 A-C attached, or to be attached, to the central panel  110 ; however, the central panel  110  may hold from one up to eight or more binder units. The binder units  200 A-C may be made of any durable material, such as metal, wood or plastic. The binder units  200 A-C preferably have tightly closable rings  220  with locking tabs  250  on each end.  
      Optionally included on the device  100  are a set of front feet  80 A,  80 B positioned along the bottom edge  18  and back feet  80 C,  80 D (hidden from view) positioned along a bottom edge  41  of the support member  40 . The feet  80 A-D may be formed from any suitable material, such as rubber.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the binder unit  200  includes an attachment assembly  240  disposed on a portion of the back of the binder capable of removably attaching to the attachment assembly  50  on the central panel  110 . The attachment assembly  240  on the binder unit  200  may include any suitable structure capable of interconnecting with a corresponding attachment assembly  50  included on the central panel  110  such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, magnetic elements, interlocking tabs,  
      In one embodiment, each binder unit  200  is fixedly attached to a member such as a bar with a fastener such as, for example, a screw, rivet, and the like. The attachment assembly  240 , such as “eye-side” Velcro® is disposed on at least a portion of the other side of the bar. The Velcro® can be attached to the bar using any suitable adhesive. The Velcro® is preferably commercial grade and securely, but removably, attaches to the Velcro® “hook-side” of the central panel  110  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A description of a method of making one embodiment of the binder unit  200  is provided in Example 2 below.  
       FIG. 3  shows the interconnection between the major elements of a representative embodiment of the organizational device  100 . As shown, the support member  40  is attached to the top edge  16  of the central panel  110  with interfacing hinge elements  60 A and  60 B that form a hinge  60 . The hinge  60  is then secured with the insertion of a hinge pin  62 . The support member  40  is reinforced by support arms  42  and  52  (hidden from view). The support arms  42 ,  52  each have a first end with a first hinge element  44 ,  54  that removably attaches to a corresponding first hinge element  72 ,  74  on the support member  40 . The support arms  42 ,  52  each have a second end with a second hinge element  46 ,  56  that each removably attaches to a corresponding second hinge element  76 ,  78  located on the back side  14  of the central panel  110 . For assembly, the corresponding hinge elements are aligned (e.g.,  44  and  72 ), and a hinge pin  70  is placed through the hinge rings to secure the attachment. While the removable attachment elements are described in terms of hinge elements, other removable attachment means may be used such as, for example, interlocking tabs, snaps, zippers, and the like. In some embodiments, the support member  40 , and/or the first end  44 ,  54  of the support arms  42 ,  52  are fixedly attached to the top edge  16  and the back side  14  of the central panel  110 , respectively, to allow for ease of assembly of the device  100 .  
      With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the organizational device  100  includes a detachable left wing panel  120  and right wing panel  130  that are each attached to the central panel  110 . The wing panels  120 ,  130  may be attached to the central panel  110  with any suitable detachable structure, such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, magnetic elements, interlocking tabs, snaps, zippers, and the like. In one embodiment, the central panel  110  includes a first slot  22  adjacent the left edge  20  and a second slot  32  adjacent the right edge  30  that are each sized to receive a corresponding left wing tab  126  on the left wing panel  120  and a right wing tab  136  on the right wing panel  130 , respectively. Each wing panel  120 ,  130  also includes a flange  124 ,  134  along the attachment edge in order to form a secure connection against the left and right edges of the central panel  110 . Optionally included on the wing panels is a slot  132  for securing the wing panels with a cord or string (best shown in  FIG. 1 ).  
      The base unit  10  and wings  120  and  130  may be made out of any durable stiff material such as, for example, metal, wood or plastic. An example of a method of assembling one embodiment of the base unit  10  and wings  120  and  130  is provided in Example 1. The base unit  10  and wings  120 ,  130  may be made in various dimensions and shapes.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the binder units  200 A-C receive at least one storage page  300 . As shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 , each storage page  300  is preferably rectangular in shape with a tab  320  on one side adapted with holes to be received in the binder unit  200  and includes at least one storage pocket  310  in which items can be stored. In one embodiment, the tab  320  includes at least two holes located at predetermined intervals that correspond to the spacing of the binder rings to allow the storage page  300  to be secured in the binder  200 . The storage pocket  310  includes an opening that is covered with a crescent-shaped flap  330 . The crescent-shaped flap  330  includes a rectangular top that is sized to align with the storage pocket, and includes a curved bottom edge as shown in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the storage page  300  includes a perforation above and adjacent to the top of the crescent-shaped flap. The perforation allows the crescent-shaped flap  330  to be inserted therethrough such that the flap  330  can be folded behind the storage pocket  310  to allow ease of access to the pocket  310 . The storage pocket  310  is preferably made of a transparent material, such as plastic, to allow the contents stored in the storage pocket to be easily viewed.  
      In operation, multiple storage pages  300  are received in the rings  220  of the binder unit  200  and locked into place with the locking tabs  250 . A binder unit  200  loaded with storage pockets  300  can be easily attached and detached from the base unit  10  due to the Velcro® backing  50 . By binding a number of storage pages  300  into a binder  200 , the present invention can be used as a scrapbook or an organizational system for storing items such as craft supplies. As described above, multiple binders  200  can be added to one base unit  10  to increase the capacity of the organizational device. A single base unit  10  may be combined with two wings, or, alternatively, multiple base units  10  may be assembled and used in tandem with two wings attached to the outermost left and right edges of the outermost panels  110 . The tilted angle of the base unit  10  helps to support the storage pages, allowing a user to more easily flip through the storage pages to find a stored item. In addition, the acute angle of the base unit  10  provides an organizational device  100  that can be used as a display that can be left open on a table or shelf to display the contents of a particular storage page.  
      In another embodiment, an organizational device  102  useful for travel is provided that is capable of removably receiving and transporting one or more binders  200 .  FIG. 7  shows a representative embodiment of an organizational device  102  that includes a central panel  52 , a left wing  104 , and a right wing  106 . Each wing  104 ,  106  is capable of folding towards the central panel  52  to form a compact organizational device  102 . The organizational device  102  may also include a zipper (not shown) or other equivalent structure for securing the wings together. The central panel  52  includes means for removably attaching a binder unit  200 C thereto. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the central panel  52  includes a region of “hook-side” Velcro® (hidden from view) that allows the removable attachment of the binder  200 C that includes the region of “eye-side” Velcro®  240  on the back thereof. The organizational device  102  may include other means for removably attaching the binder units  200  to the central panel  52 , such as magnetic attachment elements, interlocking tabs, snaps, zippers, and the like. The organizational device  102  may also include one or more carrying straps  108  and may additionally include several travel pockets, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In operation of the organizational device  102 , a binder unit, such as the binder unit  200 C, is loaded with multiple storage pockets and the loaded binder  200 C can be easily moved between the organizational device  100  and the organizational device  102 , as desired.  
      In another aspect, the invention provides a storage page  300  with a crescent-shaped flap  330  that secures the stored item in a storage pocket  310  as shown in  FIG. 4 . A tab  320  with holes having predetermined intervals that correspond to the binder rings is attached to the storage page  300  to allow the storage page to be bound into a binder via the binder rings, as described above. The crescent-shaped flap  330  provides for ease of loading and unloading and may be tucked behind a stored item, if desired. The storage pockets  300  with crescent-shaped flaps  330  may be made from any material that is durable, transparent, and acid free, such as, for example, food-grade plastic that is acid free and PVC free. In some embodiments, the storage page  300  has one large pocket for loading extra large items, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In another embodiment, a storage page  400  has two storage pockets  410 , each having an individual crescent-shaped flap  430 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In yet another embodiment, a storage page  500  has six storage pockets  510 , each having an individual crescent-shaped flap  530 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In another embodiment (not shown), the storage page has twelve storage pockets, each having an individual crescent-shaped flap. The storage pages with multiple pockets having crescent-shaped flaps may be of the same or different sizes and can be used with the organizational device  100  and the organizational device  102 , described above.  
      In accordance with the present aspect of the invention, the storage pages may be made with different designs. Examples of useful designs include: 
          A. Super Sized Single—One larger than 12″×12″ pocket with a single large crescent-shaped flap.     B. Double Extra Long—Two 12″×6″ pockets, each having an independent crescent-shaped flap.     C. Perfect Six—Six 4″×6″ pockets, each having an independent crescent-shaped flap.     D. Dream Dozen—Twelve pockets, eight of which are 3″×3″ and four of which are 3″×6″. All twelve pockets have independent crescent-shaped flaps.        

      The storage pages may be assembled using any pliable but durable material including, but not limited to, canvas, plastic material, or any type of fabric that can be sewn or bonded together, as further described in Example 3 below.  
      The following examples merely illustrate the best mode currently contemplated for practicing the invention, but should not be construed to limit the invention.  
     EXAMPLE 1  
      This example describes a method of making one embodiment of the base unit  10  that can be used to form the organizational device  100  of the invention.  
      Base Unit Construction:  
      The base unit  10  was constructed of powder coated steel and was assembled using the components illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  as described below.  
      Base Unit Parts List as Shown in  FIGS. 1-3  
          1. Central Panel ( 110 ), steel, 15.75″L×13.5″H, 18 interlocking hinge rings at top with slots ( 22 ) and ( 32 ) cut in each side for wing ( 120 ), ( 130 ) mounting     2. Velcro® Fabric Panel ( 50 ), Hook Side, 13.75″ L×13.25″ W     3. Left Wing Panel ( 120 ), steel, 13 1/16″×11½″    4. Right Wing Panel ( 130 ), steel, 13 1/16″×11½″    5. Support member ( 40 ), 15.25″×6.75″, 19 interlocking hinge rings ( 60 A) at the top     6. Long Hinge Pin ( 62 ) 15.75″ long, 1/16″ in diameter     7. Two (2) Back Support Arms ( 42 ), ( 52 ), steel, 8.25″×2.5″, with two interlocking hinge elements ( 44 ), ( 46 ) and ( 54 ), ( 56 ) at each end     8. Four (4) Back Support Hinges ( 72 ) and ( 74 ) for attachment on the support member ( 40 ) and ( 76 ), ( 78 ) for attachment on the back side ( 14 ) of the central panel ( 110 )     9. Four ( 4 ) Short Hinge Pins ( 70 ), 2.5″ long, 1/16″ in diameter     10. Long Hinge Pin ( 62 ) 15.75″ long, 1/16″ in diameter, with the last 3 inches bent to form a hook        

      Steps for Assembly of the Base Unit (With Reference to the Above Parts List and as Shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) 
          1. Secure the hook-side Velcro® fabric panel ( 50 ) to the top side ( 12 ) of the central panel ( 110 ) using a commercial strength glue or epoxy. The glue should be spread on the backside of the Velcro® panel ( 50 ). The Velcro® panel ( 50 ) should cover the majority of the front of the central panel ( 110 ) leaving a gap of exposed metal approximately 0.25″ wide at the top and bottom and a gap of exposed metal approximately 1″ wide at the left and right sides (slots ( 22 ) and ( 32 ) on the left and right sides should not be covered with Velcro® fabric).     2. Adhere one (1) of the back support hinges ( 76 ) to the back left side of the central panel. The interlocking hinge rings should run parallel to the bottom edge of the panel and be 2.5″ from the left side of the central panel and 3.5″ from the bottom of the central panel. Repeat this procedure with another back support ( 78 ) on the right side of the back of the central panel.     3. Adhere one of the back support hinges ( 74 ) to the right side of the support member ( 40 ), 2.5″ from the left side of the support member and 1.5″ from the bottom edge of the support member. The hinge piece ( 74 ) should run parallel to the bottom edge of the support member. Repeat the same procedure with the final back support hinge ( 72 ) piece on the left side of the support member ( 40 ).     4. Line up the interlocking hinge rings ( 60 A) at the top of the central panel ( 110 ) with the interlocking hinge rings ( 60 B) on the support member ( 40 ) and slide them together to form a “tunnel,” insert the long Hinge Pin ( 62 ) through the tunnel and secure it by bending each end to form a hook.     5. Line up the interlocking hinge rings on one of the back supports ( 52 ) with the right side hinge mount interlocking rings on the central panel ( 110 ). Slide the rings together to form a “tunnel.” Slide a short hinge pin ( 70 ) through the tunnel and secure it by bending each end into a hook.     6. Line up the interlocking hinge rings on the right side of the back supports ( 42 ) with the interlocking hinge rings on the left side back support ( 40 ). Slide the pieces together to form a “tunnel.” Slide the long hinge pin ( 62 ) through the “tunnel.”    7. Line up the interlocking hinge rings on the left side of the back panel ( 52 ) with the interlocking hinge rings on the left side the back support ( 72 ). Slide them together to form a “tunnel.”    8. Continue to push the long hinge pin ( 62 ) through the second “tunnel” to form a secure attachment.     9. Turn the base unit ( 10 ) so it is resting on the 15.75″ long edge of the central panel ( 110 ) and the 15.75 inch long edge of the back panel with the long hinge section at the top and the Velcro® ( 50 ) front facing you.     10. Insert the tab on the left wing panel ( 126 ) through the slot ( 22 ) on the left side of the central panel.     11. Insert the tab on the right wing panel ( 136 ) through the slot ( 32 ) on the right side of the central panel. 
 
 The base unit ( 10 ) with central panel ( 110 ) and wing panels ( 120 ), ( 130 ) is complete. 
       

     EXAMPLE 2  
      This example describes a method of making one embodiment of the binder unit  200  that can be included in the organizational device  100 .  
      Binder Construction:  
      The binder unit  200  may be a standard 3-ring or multi-ring mechanism which has been riveted to a steel bar. A piece of eye-side Velcro® is epoxied and riveted to the steel bar, allowing the binder to attach securely to the front or face of the base unit  10  (made as described in Example 1).  
      Binder Parts List as Shown in  FIG. 5  
          1. One standard three (3) ring binder mechanism     2. One steel bar     3. One piece “eye-side” Velcro®    4. Two (2) single piece rivets        

      Binder Assembly (With Reference to the Above Binder Parts List) 
          1. Adhere the Velcro® to the steel bar using commercial-strength epoxy.     2. Secure the steel bar with the Velcro® to the standard 3-ring binder mechanism using the two rivets. The Velcro® side should be on the outside so that it becomes the base the binder will sit on. 
 
 The binder unit is complete. 
       

     EXAMPLE 3  
      This example describes a method of making one embodiment of a storage page with a crescent-shaped flap that can be used with the organizational device of the invention.  
      The Storage Pages  
      The storage pages are made of an acid-free, PVC-free, and photo-safe plastic which is preferably 9 mm thick.  
      Storage Pages Parts List  
      Each storage page is constructed using two identical sheets of plastic. The sheets are cut into the template shape, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . Punch holes in the left side of each sheet as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . These are standard three-hole punch dimensions.  
      To create each of the pages, using the templates shown in  FIGS. 4-6  as follows:  
      Construction of a Super Sized Single storage sheet—One larger than 12″×12″ pocket with a single large crescent-shaped flap, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
          1. Measure and cut the flap line on one sheet of plastic, which will be your top sheet for that page design.     2. Place the top sheet with the flap cut on top of another piece cut to the same template shape and size and punched with the standard 3-hole punch down the left-side column.     3. Line up the outside edges so the top and bottom sheets match perfectly.     4. Using a sewing machine or heat sealing device, sew or heat press the seam as shown in  FIG. 4 . These seams are represented as dotted lines on the drawings. The flaps are represented as solid lines drawn in the crescent shape.        

      To create additional storage pages, continue using the same procedure, cutting flaps and seaming edges according to  FIGS. 4-6 .  
     EXAMPLE 4  
      This example describes the components and instructions provided in one embodiment of a kit form of the invention.  
      Kit Components:  
     
         
         
           
              (1) One base unit  10  (assembled as described in EXAMPLE 1, including a central panel with hinged support arms attached to the back side of the central panel, and a pre-attached hinged support member, and a Velcro® top);  
              (2) One left-side wing  120 ;  
              (3) One right-side wing  130 ;  
              (4) One shepherd&#39;s hook  62 ;  
              (5) At least one binder unit  200 , assembled as described in EXAMPLE 2;  
              (6) At least one storage page with crescent-shaped flaps as described in EXAMPLE 3; and  
              (7) Printed instructions for assembly may also be included, as described below:  
           
         
       
    
      Assembly Instructions for the ScrapRack Kit  
      1. Unpack your ScrapRack Kit. You will have three pieces: Left Wing; Base Unit and Right Wing. You will also have at least one binder and multiple storage pages.  
      2. Unfold the hinged support member from the central panel on the base unit. Locate and remove the silver hook that is threaded through the hinge elements on the back side of the central panel.  
      3. Keeping the support member face down on a solid surface, tilt the central panel up creating an angle and allow the pre-attached hinged support legs to drop into alignment with the attachment elements on the support member.  
      4. Insert the hinge pin through the aligned hinge elements to secure the support arms.  
      5. Tilt the base unit into position with the four rubber feet on the table, and the Velcro®-covered surface facing you. The long hinge should be located at the top of the base unit.  
      6. Insert the left-wing tab into the slot on the left and the right-wing tab into the slot on the right.  
      7. Open the rings on a binder unit by pressing the locking tabs down and load with one or more storage pockets. Close the rings by pushing the locking tabs up and place the Velcro®-covered spine of the binder onto the Velcro®-covered central panel of the base unit.  
      8. To remove the binder from the base unit, slide a flat edge (such as a ruler or pencil) between the Velcro® surfaces and lift from either end.  
      While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.