Patent Publication Number: US-8109019-B2

Title: Presentation pad supporting use of each of two sheet sides

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the efficient use of sheets of as collected in presentation pads. The present invention more particularly relates to an invented presentation pad that allows the usage of both sides of a sheet rather than just a front side of a sheet. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     The prior art and related art includes efforts to provide presentation pads for use in commercial, educational, indoor and outdoor settings. These prior presentation pads do not support the convenient use of both sides of the sheets of the pad, i.e., a display pad such as a flip chart. Flip chart sheets of paper pages, for example, are thus often discarded with a side of many discarded sheets unused. This wastage of paper is contrary to an increasing public desire to reduce the environmental burden of paper product manufacture and disposal. 
     There is therefore a long felt need to provide a presentation pad design that enables the convenient use of both sides of most or all of the sheets of the presentation sheets. 
     The principal objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a presentation pad, i.e., a “turn chart”, configured to allow a user to more conveniently write on both sides of the sheets of the turn chart. This and other objectives of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in this field from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Towards this object and other objects that will be made obvious in light of this disclosure, a first preferred configuration of the present invention includes a presentation pad comprising at least two sheets bound by a linear attachment spine. The spine is positioned at a substantially vertical angle and joins a front cover and a back cover, wherein the sheets are attached to the linear attachment spine along one edge of each sheet and between the two front cover and the back cover. The sheets are releasably securable to each cover by means of separate support pegs. Each sheet may be adapted for writing on both sides thereon, and each sheet may be removable from the linear attachment spine. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,671 (Inventor: Stonehouse, D. R.; issued on Apr. 30, 1991) tiled “Flip chart pad”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,595 (Inventor: Sperber, G.; issued on Dec. 16, 1997) titled “Flip chart”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,652 (Inventors: Seiber, et al.; issued on Nov. 18, 2003) titled “Display board system”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,952 (Inventors: Cook, et al.; issued on May 10, 2005) titled “Multi-position presentation easel”; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,778 (Inventor: Lee, W. S.; issued on Feb. 20, 2007) titled “Portable easel” are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes. In addition, each and all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent, in their entirety and for all purposes, as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an invented easel in a set up configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the easel of  FIG. 2  in a set up configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the easel of  FIG. 2  in a set up configuration, depicting an adjustable height feature; 
         FIG. 4  is a close up view of an optional aspect of the easel of  FIG. 2  having an adjustable height feature; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the easel of  FIG. 2  in a travel configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view of the easel of  FIG. 2  in a travel configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the easel of  FIG. 2  being used in a travel configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the easel of  FIG. 2  being used in conjunction with an invented turn chart; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the easel of  FIG. 2  being used in conjunction with an invented turn chart; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of an alternate configuration of the easel of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an invented turn chart of  FIG. 2 , showing multiple sheets; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the turn chart of  FIG. 11 , showing an open configuration; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of the turn chart of  FIG. 11 , showing an attachment spine; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the turn chart of  FIG. 11 , showing construction therein; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of several options for a cover support feature of the turn chart of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a close up, front view of an alternate configuration of the turn chart of  FIG. 11  having an optional attachment spine; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of an alternate configuration of an alternate configuration of the turn chart of  FIG. 11  having an arced attachment spine; and 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of an alternate configuration of the turn chart of  FIG. 11 , having preferred dimensions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In describing the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended to encompass the recited embodiment, as well as all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose to achieve a similar result. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 1  is a front view of the easel  2  in a set up configuration,  FIG. 2  is a rear view of the same. The invented easel  2  includes a supporting spine  4  and a leg element  6  foldable toward each other in the manner of a clamshell, as well as a set of rotatable upper arms  8  and a set of lower arms  10  extending from specific anchor points  12 A-D of the of the support spine  4 , and a set of support legs  14  that may extend backwards from the top of the leg element  6 . Optionally a wheel assembly  16  can be coupled between the support spine  4  and the leg element  6  with a handle  18  mounted at the top of the support spine  4  for carrying or dragging when the invented easel  2  is folded up. Just below the handle  18 , mounted on the front of the support spine  4  is an optional support clip  20  which can be used to support a display pad (not shown). The upper arms  8  are configured to have at their ends, a securing feature  22  which can be used to steady a display pad. The lower arms  10  are configured to have at their ends, a holding feature  24  for bearing at least part of the weight of a display pad. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIG. 3  is a front view of the invented easel  2  in a set up configuration, depicting an optional adjustable height feature  26  and  FIG. 4  is a close up view of the optional adjustable height feature  26 . At a support spine base  26 A of the support spine  4 , a locking control button  28  is affixed in order to facilitate adjustments of the easel&#39;s  2  extension from the leg element  6  and additionally can bear weight of the display pad. 
     According to the adjustable height feature  26 , the support spine  4  is comprised of the support spine base  26 A and a support spine extension  26 B. The support spine base  24 A is attached by a locking track mechanism  30  to the support spine extension  26 B. The locking control button  28  is configured to adjustably engage and disengage with the locking track mechanism  30  by user manipulation of the locking control button  28 . The position of the support spine base  26 A along the locking track  30  is adjustable in height. The extension of the support spine base  26 A in relation to the wheel assembly  16  is adjustable along the locking track mechanism  30  user manipulation of the locking control button  28 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 ,  FIG. 5  is a front view of the invented easel  2  in a travel configuration,  FIG. 6  is a close up view of the easel  2  in a travel configuration,  FIG. 7  is a view of the easel  2  being used in a travel configuration. The invented easel  2  can be folded up in a more compact form in order to transport more easily. Between the leg element  6  and the support spine  4 , a pivot point  32  which uses a suitable resistance or locking mechanism known in the art to sustain an affixed position is coupled to a wheel assembly  16  in order to make dragging the invented easel  2  more effortless. The wheel assembly includes a first wheel  12 A, a second wheel  12 B and a circular support  12 C. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 8 and 9 ,  FIG. 8  is a front view of the easel  2  being used in conjunction with an invented presentation pad  34  (hereinafter “turn chart”  34 ), while  FIG. 9  is a rear view of the easel  2  being used in conjunction with an invented turn chart  34 . In these figures the securing feature  22  of the upper arms  8  of the invented easel  2  is shown protruding through an aperture  36  of the turn chart  34 . The securing features  22  stabilize the turn chart  34  by preventing motion. The holding features  24  of the lower arms  10  of the invented easel  2  are shown steadying a turn chart  34 . 
     It is understood that the easel  2  may be configured to support a prior art presentation pad, such as a LEGACY ROTAFOLIO PAD™ presentation pad, part number LOP21300, presentation pad, as marketed by Legacy Office Products of Indianapolis, Ind., or a LETR-TRIM PERFORATION™ presentation pad, part number 7900, as marketed by TOPS Business Forms of St. Charles, Ill. It is further understood that the turn chart  34  may be configured shaped and sized to be supported by a prior art flip chart easel, such as a prior art easel suitable to support a prior art presentation pad, such as a LEGACY ROTAFOLIO PAD™ presentation pad, part number LOP21300, presentation pad, as marketed by Legacy Office Products, or a LETR-TRIM PERFORATION™ presentation pad, part number 7900, as marketed by TOPS Business Forms of St. Charles, Ill. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  is a rear view of an alternate configuration  38  of the easel  2 . In this alternate configuration  38 , rather than having a set of upper and lower arms  8 ,  10  instead two pivot arms  40  mounting at the same anchor point  12  act to support turn chart  34 . An individual pivot arm  40  includes both a securing feature  22  at its peak and a holding feature  24  and its base. In as much as one pivot arm  40  must be behind the other in order to physically occupy the same anchor point  12 , the securing feature  22  and holding feature  24  of the posterior pivot arm  40 A, are enlarged to match up with the features  22 ,  24  of the adjoining pivot arm  40 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 ,  FIG. 11  is a side view of the turn chart  34 , showing multiple sheets  44 , while  FIG. 12  is a front view of the turn chart  34 , showing an open configuration and  FIG. 13  is a rear view of the turn chart  34 , showing an attachment spine  42 . The turn chart  34  includes a plurality of sheets  44  are bound by the attachment spine  42  and which may be flipped in a lateral direction. One or more sheets  44  may optionally be between one-thousandth and three one-thousandths thick and. The sheets  44  can optionally be made of cellulose pulp, recycled material, or other suitable material known in the art. Additionally these sheets  44  can take on any shape or color, though preferred configurations will include an essentially linear attachment edge  46 . The sheets  44  may also include perforations  48  that are spread along an axis substantially parallel to, i.e. plus or minus 15 degrees from, the length of the attachment spine  42 . The sheets  44  due to their flipping in a lateral direction may make use of both a front surface  50 A and a back surface  50 B for writing or display. 
     The turn chart  34  may be placed on the easel  2 , or a suitable prior art easel known in the art, and have a first sheet  44  situated wholly to a user&#39;s left of the attachment spine  42 , and with a second sheet to a user&#39;s right of the attachment spine  42 . Users comfortable with reading from the left to the right, or from the right to the left, along a horizontal orientation may thus sense the turn chart  34  as having a layout of a published book or magazine. Turning the sheets  44  of the turn chart  34  to present a new or additional presentation surface  51  may be experienced by a user or observer as similar to the look and feel of turning the pages of a hard copy bound book. 
     In addition, a user can visually present more data or information on the presentation surface  51  than on a single sheet  44 , and each sheet  44  may be separately removed form the turn chart  34  for attachment to a wall or other structure. Information may thus be grouped into topics and visual representations of information associated with a given topic may presented on a single sheet  44  and the single sheet may be separated from the turn chart  34  along a line of perforations  48 . The separated sheet  44  may then be relocated from the turn chart  34  and visual presentation elsewhere. Simultaneously, other information may be continued to be visually presented from a second sheet  4  of a same writing surface  51  but is left on display by the easel  2 . 
     The turn chart  34  may additionally include a front cover  52 A and back cover  52 B. Each cover  52 A &amp;  52 B may include support apertures  36  for use in conjunction with the securing features  22 , of the invented easel  2  and a handle  54  for use in transport. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 14 and 15 ,  FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the turn chart  34  showing construction therein, while  FIG. 15  is a view of several options for a cover support feature  56 . The cover  52  of the turn chart  34 , in its top outer corner, may include cover support features  56 , to be used in conjunction with support apertures  36 A in adjoining corners of the sheets  44 . These cover support features  56  are used to support the weight of the sheets  44  and to keep said sheets  44  a flat writing surface for a user. Optionally the cover support features  56 A may match the shape and diameter of the support apertures  36 A, having length enough that the combined they match the thickness of the plurality of sheets  44 . Alternatively the cover support features  56 B may match half the shape and diameter of the support apertures  36 A and each have a length in which the entire plurality of sheets  44  may be supported, and when closed the two separate halves  56 .B 1  and  56 .B 2  meet flush. An additional option for the cover support feature  56 C comprises a hooked shape in which a plurality of sheets  44  may hang from. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 14 ,  16 ,  17  and  18 ;  FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the turn chart  34  showing construction therein, while  FIG. 16  is a close up, front view of the turn chart  34  showing an attachment spine and  FIG. 17  is a top view of an alternate configuration of an turn chart  34  having a shaped attachment spine  42 A. The shaped attachment spine  42 A supports sheets  44  of the turn chart  34 , such as the plurality of sheets  44  and the optional covers  52 A and  52 B and may be formed in a variety of ways known in the art either by a tight bond between a plurality of sheets  44  through either an adhesive  58  or bindings, or alternatively a shaped attachment spine  42 A may be used in order to give the shaped spine  42 A an arced shape to support a leveling of the writing surface  51  of the sheets  44  formed by a front surface  50 A of one sheet  44  and a back surface  50 B of a neighboring sheet  44 . This shaped attachment spine  42 A can be made from plastic metal, or any suitable material known in the art and may be bound to either a plurality of sheets  44  or to the supporting spine  4  in various configurations of the easel  2  and the turn chart  34 . 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of the turn chart  34 , showing preferred dimensions of certain alternate aspects  36 ,  42 ,  52 A,  56 , and  54  of the turn chart  34 . 
     The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible configurations or aspects of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred configurations or aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.