Abstract:
A magnetic glass dry erase board including a glass sheet, a metal sheet and an adhesive layer. The glass sheet has an inner surface and an outer surface. The metal sheet has an inner surface and an outer surface. The adhesive layer substantially covers the inner surface of the glass sheet and the outer surface of the metal sheet to retain the glass sheet in a stationary relationship with respect to the metal sheet. The adhesive layer also enhances a strength of the glass sheet and protects persons from injury if the glass sheet is broken by retaining glass pieces on the metal sheet.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/401,434, filed Mar. 10, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applic. No. 61/057,109, filed May 29, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a surface on which a person can write or draw. More particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic glass dry erase board. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In many applications, it is desirable to provide a surface on which a person can write or draw. Because of the costs associated with consumable writing surfaces, it is desirable for the writing surface to permit the surface to be periodically erased or cleared such that the surface may be reused. 
         [0004]    One such surface that permits erasing is a chalkboard. Chalkboards typically have a dark color such as black, which facilitates writing or drawing thereon with chalk. The chalk may be removed from the surface of the chalkboard with a variety of mechanisms such as a felt eraser or a rag. 
         [0005]    One drawback of chalkboards is that the chalk often produces dust when writing or drawing on the chalkboard as well as when the chalkboard is being erased. In addition to potentially discoloring a person&#39;s clothes, the chalk dust may pose a health risk if inhaled. 
         [0006]    In an attempt to overcome the drawbacks of conventional chalkboards, dry erase boards have been created. As opposed to a chalkboard, which is typically black, the dry erase boards generally have a white color. As such, dry erase boards are often referred to as whiteboard. 
         [0007]    Many higher-quality dry erase boards are fabricated by applying a porcelain coating on a steel sheet. Because of the steel in the dry erase board, it is possible to removably attach objects to the surface of the dry erase board using magnets. 
         [0008]    A dry erase marker is typically used in conjunction with the dry erase board. The dry erase marker contains ink that is visible when placed on the dry erase board but which may be removed from the dry erase board using an eraser or cloth. Unlike chalk, the ink used in the dry erase marker does not generate dust when being applied to the dry erase board or when being wiped off of the dry erase board. 
         [0009]    Because of the nature of the materials that are utilized in fabricating conventional dry erase boards, it may not be possible to completely erase the dry board, especially where the writing or drawing has been on the dry erase board for an extended period of time, as a portion of the pigment in the dry erase ink becomes permanently absorbed in the surface of the dry erase board. This concept is referred to as ghosting. This inability to completely erase the dry erase board may reduce the ability to see text or images that are subsequently placed on the dry erase board. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An embodiment of the invention is directed to a magnetic glass dry erase board. The magnetic glass dry erase board not only enables writing and drawing to be placed thereon and removed therefrom with no ghosting but also enables objects to be removably attached to the magnetic glass dry erase board using magnets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic glass dry erase board according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the magnetic glass dry erase board. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    In its most basic configuration, a magnetic glass dry erase board  10  according to an embodiment of the invention contains a glass sheet  20  and a metal sheet  22 , as illustrated in the figures. The magnetic glass dry erase board  10  thereby provides a surface on which text and drawings may be readily placed thereon and removed therefrom as well as enabling objects to be removably attached thereto using magnets. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the glass sheet  20  is fabricated from low iron glass. By using low iron glass, the glass does not exhibit a green color, which enhances the aesthetic appearance of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . As used herein, the term low iron glass means that the glass has an iron concentration of less than about 0.1% by weight iron. 
         [0016]    To reduce the potential of injury resulting from breakage of the glass sheet  20 , the glass sheet  20  may be fabricated from tempered glass. The glass sheet  20  may be fabricated with a variety of thicknesses. In certain embodiments, the glass sheet  20  has a thickness of between about ⅛ of an inch to about ½ of an inch. 
         [0017]    While it is possible for the glass sheet  20  to have a variety of shapes, in one configuration, the glass sheet  20  has a generally rectangular shape. The glass sheet  20  may be fabricated in a variety of dimensions depending upon the location where the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  is to be used. In some embodiments, the glass sheet  20  has a width and a height that are each between about 1 foot and 10 feet. 
         [0018]    While it is illustrated that a single glass sheet  20  is utilized to fabricate the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 , it is also possible to use multiple glass sheets  20  that are arranged in an array to provide the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  with desired dimensions. 
         [0019]    To enhance the appearance of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 , the glass sheet  20  may have beveled edges or a frame (not shown) around at least a portion of the glass sheet  20 . 
         [0020]    In addition to enabling objects to be removably attached to the magnetic glass dry erase board using magnets, the metal sheet  22  may increase the strength of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  and thereby reduce the potential of the glass sheet  20  breaking 
         [0021]    In one configuration, the metal sheet  22  has a thickness of up to about 26 gauge. Forming the metal sheet  22  with this thickness provides a support for the glass sheet  20  without significantly increasing the weight of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . 
         [0022]    To protect the metal sheet  22  from corrosion and enhance the appearance of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 , the metal sheet  22  may be at least partially covered with a coating. In one configuration, the coating on the metal sheet  22  may be visible through the glass sheet  20  and thereby provide the background color that enhances the visibility of text or drawings placed on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . The coating may fall within the classification of paint. In such an embodiment, the coating applied to the metal sheet  22  may be a relatively light color. 
         [0023]    When writing on dry erase boards, it is typical to use markers having colors that contrast from the color of the dry erase board. Examples of such colors include black, brown, purple, blue, red and green. 
         [0024]    While providing the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  with a white color may be desirable in many situations, the color should be relatively light so as to enhance the visibility of markings placed on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . As used herein, the term relatively light color means a color having little or no hue owing to reflection of almost all incident light. Non-limiting examples of colors that may be used on the magnetic glass dry erase board include white, tan and yellow. 
         [0025]    Another way of identifying potential colors for the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  is that there is a significant contrast between the color of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  and the color(s) of the markings placed thereon. 
         [0026]    Another way of defining the color of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  is that there is a significant difference in the saturation of the color of the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  and the color of the object used to form images on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . Such difference in color saturation enhances the ability to see the images placed on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . For example, while red and pink may be in the same color hue, red has a much greater color saturation than pink. 
         [0027]    It is expressly indicated that the definition of relatively light color does not include providing a reflective coating such as is typically used on mirrors. While such reflective coating would be beneficial for seeing the reflections of items, it would degrade the ability to see markings placed on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . 
         [0028]    The metal sheet  22  may be attached to the glass sheet  20  using a variety of mechanisms. In some embodiments, an adhesive  24  is used to attach the metal sheet  22  to the glass sheet  20 . The adhesive substantially covers the adjoining surfaces of the metal sheet  22  and the glass sheet  20 . As used herein, the term substantially covers means that a significant portion of the surface is covered with the adhesive. 
         [0029]    This configuration not only enhances the strength of the glass sheet  20  but also enhances the safety associated with the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  because if the glass sheet  20  is broken, the adhesive retains the pieces of glass on the metal sheet  22  to reduce the potential of a person being injured from contact with the glass pieces. A person of skill in the art would appreciate that it is not necessary for the adhesive to entirely cover the surface to attain these benefits. 
         [0030]    In addition to or as an alternative to painting the surface of the metal sheet  22 , a back surface  30  of the glass sheet  20  may be substantially covered with paint or a ceramic coating  32 . Since the paint  32  is on the back side of the glass sheet  20 , which is adjacent to the metal sheet  22 , this coating does not have to be very durable to withstand contact when using the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . While it is possible for the paint  32  to have a variety of colors, in some configurations, the paint is a relatively light color such as white to enhance the visibility of text or drawings placed on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . 
         [0031]    Placing the coating on the back surface of the glass sheet  20  reduces the potential that the markings placed on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  will become intermixed with the coating or that the coating would otherwise become damaged as such actions could negatively impact the ability to use the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . 
         [0032]    In certain embodiments, the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  may be used by holding in a person&#39;s hands or by laying on a support surface such as a table, it is also possible to mount the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  on a wall. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of techniques may be utilized for mounting the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  on a wall. Examples of which include devices that attach to the metal sheet  22 , extend over portions of the metal sheet  22  and/or glass sheet  20 , and extend through the metal sheet  22  and/or the glass sheet  20 . 
         [0033]    As noted above, the metal sheet  22  enables objects to be removably mounted with respect to the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  using magnets. The appropriate type and size of magnet may be selected based upon a variety of factors such as the thickness of the glass sheet  20  and the weight of the object that is to be mounted on the magnetic glass dry erase board  10 . In certain embodiments, the magnets must be relatively strong because of the thickness of the glass sheet  20 . Examples of relatively strong magnets they may be used in conjunction with the magnetic glass dry erase board  10  are rare earth magnets. 
         [0034]    In the preceding Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preceding Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0035]    It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.