Abstract:
The present invention encompasses a project kit comprising a form document containing a number of sections wherein information relevant to the project is to be recorded, the form document further including identifying indicia associated with each section and located near the side of the document with the identifying indicia for each section located at a unique position along the side of the document, and an instruction document containing text explaining how to complete the form sections, the text arranged so that text pertinent to each section of the form document is grouped together, the instruction document further including identifying indicia associated with each text grouping and located near the side of the documents with the identifying indicia for each text grouping located at a position along the side of the document that is generally aligned with the identifying indicia for the form section to which the text group corresponds. Project specific instruments are also included in the project kit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     None.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to a project kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a project kit having instruction documents and form documents that each contain coordinating identifying indicia.  
         [0004]     The “do it yourself” or “do your own” phenomenon continues to grow. Whether driven by necessity, convenience, or a desire to save money, the concept of self-reliance has expanded and continues to expand into many areas of our lives. Each day it seems an ever increasing number of products allow consumers to complete their own projects and solve their own problems.  
         [0005]     Many “do your own” products take the form of a project kit. One item most project kits have in common is instructions. After all, one purpose of these kits is to tell a person the best way to get something done, that is, to provide a person with clear, concise instructions that are often developed by a skilled practitioner. Many project kits also include forms for a person to fill out based on the instructions. Thereafter, the person or a professional may then evaluate or analyze the content of the forms to arrive at a conclusion or to find a solution to the problem being addressed.  
         [0006]     Unfortunately, currently available instructions and forms leave much to be desired. Generally, these instructions and forms are difficult to use because there is a lack of coordination between the instructions and the forms. Often it is unclear which instructions should be used to complete specific sections of the forms. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a project kit having instruction documents and form documents that each include coordinating indicia, such as tabs or flags, so that the instructions and forms are simplified, easier to understand, and more efficient to use.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     There is, therefore, provided in the practice of the invention a project kit comprising at least one project specific instrument, a form document containing a plurality of sections wherein information relevant to the project is to be recorded, the form document further including identifying indicia associated with each section and located near the side of the document with the identifying indicia for each section located at a unique position along the side of the document, and an instruction document containing text explaining how to complete the sections of the form document, the text arranged so that the text pertinent to each section is grouped together, the instruction document further including identifying indicia associated with each text grouping and located near the side of the document with the identifying indicia for each text grouping located at a position along the side of the document that is generally aligned with the identifying indicia for the section of the form document to which the text group corresponds.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment of the invention, the identifying indicia is printed on the form document and/or the instruction document.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment of the invention, the identifying indicia extends from the side of the form document and/or the instruction document.  
         [0010]     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the identifying indicia associated with a section of the form document and the identifying indicia associated with the text grouping pertinent to that section are the same color.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment of the invention, the identifying indicia associated with a section of the form document and the identifying indicia associated with the text grouping pertinent to that section are the same shape.  
         [0012]     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the project kit further includes a storage container for carrying the project-specific instruments.  
         [0013]     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the project specific instruments include a measuring device, a screwdriver, and a calculator.  
         [0014]     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     Further features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an open storage container for a project kit according to one embodiment of the present invention and including a set of instruction and form documents positioned therein;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view a project kit according to one embodiment of the present invention that includes the storage container and documents of  FIG. 1  and that further includes project specific instruments;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 2  in a closed position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a storage container according to another embodiment of the present invention and with project specific instruments included therein;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a storage container according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front view of one page of a form document containing four sections, Steps  1 A,  2 A,  3 A, and  4 A, and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  1 A according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the form document page from  FIG. 6  and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  2 A;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a front view of one page of a form document containing two sections, Steps  1 B and  2 B, and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  1 B according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the form document page from  FIG. 8  and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  2 B;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a front view of one page of a form document containing two sections, Steps  1 C and  2 C, and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  1 C according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the form document page from  FIG. 10  and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  2 C;  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a front view of one page of a form document containing three sections, Step  1 D,  2 D, and  3 D, and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  2 D according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is a front view of the form document page from  FIG. 12  and one page of an instruction document containing text for section Step  3 D. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     The present invention includes a project kit having instructions and forms that each contain coordinating indicia so that the instructions and forms are simpler and more efficient to use. The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. It should be understood that proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the figures so that the characteristics of the present invention are clear.  
         [0030]     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a project kit  10  that includes a storage container  20  having positioned therein a set of instruction documents and form documents  30 . In this embodiment, the storage container includes a top section  40  hingably connected to a bottom section  50 . The top section  40  defines an opening  60  and the bottom section  50  defines a corresponding opening  70  so that when the storage container is closed a person may carry the storage container  20  by inserting their hand through the openings  60 ,  70  and lifting the storage container  20 . Additionally, top section  40  includes a locking clasp  80  that cooperates with a flange  90  extending from bottom section  50  to lock the storage compartment  20  when it is closed.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, a project kit  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a storage container  20  having positioned therein a set of instruction documents and form documents  30  and project specific instruments. In this embodiment, the project kit is intended for a residential energy audit. Thus, the project specific instruments include a calculator  110  for calculating areas and the like, two measuring devices (a ruler  120  and a tape measure  130 ) for determining home and/or room dimensions or for measuring gaps and/or insulation depth, a screw driver  140 , and a pencil  150  for use in recording information. It will be understood that different instruments will be included in other embodiments of the project kit.  
         [0032]     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , this particular project kit also includes a compact disc  160  that contains information pertinent to an energy audit. Such information may include, for example, background information, suggested ways to improve energy efficiency, software programs for analyzing information recorded on the forms, and links to additional information. It should be understood that the compact disc  160  is only one example of a computer readable media that may be included in the project kit  100 . Additional computer readable media will also suffice.  
         [0033]     In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the storage compartment  20  is shown in an open position. In  FIG. 3 , the storage compartment  20  is closed and locked. Additionally, in this embodiment, storage compartment  20  is essentially a clip board that includes a clasp  170  operable to retain documents against the container.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the project kit may include a storage container that is a carpenter&#39;s apron  180 . A number of project specific instruments are included in the carpenter&#39;s apron  180 . In particular, the carpenter&#39;s apron  180  includes a calculator  110 , two measuring devices (a ruler  120  and a tape measure  130 ), a screw driver  140 , and a pencil  150 .  
         [0035]     It should be understood that the storage compartment may take many shapes and be formed from any suitable material, including plastics, metals such as aluminum, or even textiles such as broadcloth, and manufactured by any suitable method. Thus, for example, the storage compartment  20  shown in  FIG. 1  may be formed from plastic and manufactured by injection molding techniques or the like or it may be formed from aluminum and manufactured using a stamping mechanism or the like. As another example, the storage compartment shown in  FIG. 4 , that is the carpenter&#39;s apron  180 , may be formed from broadcloth and manufactured in a sewing application.  FIG. 5  shows a clipboard  190  made largely from hardboard. This clipboard  190  is yet another example of a storage compartment that may be utilized in the present invention. Other examples of storage containers include a zippered notebook and a toolbox.  
         [0036]     Turning now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , these figures show one page from a form document  200  and two pages from an instruction document  210 ,  220 . As can be seen in the figures, page  200  is separated into four sections  230 ,  240 ,  250 , and  260 . Associated with each section is an identifying indicia located near the right side of the page  200 . In particular, tab  270  is labeled “Step  1 A” and is associated with the first section  230 , tab  280  is labeled “Step  2 A” and is associated with the second section  240 , tab  290  is labeled “Step  3 A” and is associated with the third section  250 , and tab  300  is labeled “Step  4 A” and is associated with the fourth section  260 .  
         [0037]     As can further be seen in the figures, the pages from the instruction document  210 ,  220  contain text, and more specifically, contain text associated with a particular form section. Each of these pages  210 ,  220  also has an identifying indicia located near the left side of the page. In particular, page  210  has a tab  310  labeled “Step  1 A” and page  220  has a tab  320  labeled “Step  2 A.” It should be understood that the text contained in page  210  is pertinent to section  230  and the text contained in page  220  is pertinent to section  240 .  
         [0038]     As may also be seen in the documents, the identifying indicia associated with a form section and the identifying indicia associated with the text grouping pertinent to that form section are located at a unique position along the side of the document. Thus, when page  210  is placed side-by-side with page  200  as in  FIG. 6 , tab  270  and tab  310  are aligned. Likewise, when page  220  is placed side-by-side with page  200  as in  FIG. 7 , tab  280  and tab  320  are aligned. By locating the identifying indicia in this manner a person will easily and readily be able to identify the specific instruction page pertinent to each particular form section.  
         [0039]     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , these figures show one page from a form document  330  and two pages from an instruction document  340 ,  350 . Page  330  is separated into two sections  360 ,  370 . Associated with each section is an identifying indicia located near the left side of the page  330 . In particular, tab  380  is labeled “Step  1 B” and is associated with the first section  360  and tab  390  is labeled “Step  2 B” and is associated with the second section  370 . Regarding the pages from the instruction document  340 ,  350 , each of these pages also has an identifying indicia located near the right side of the page. In particular, page  340  has a tab  400  labeled “Step  1 B” and page  350  has a tab  410  labeled “Step  2 B.” It should be understood that the text contained in page  340  is pertinent to section  360  as is indicated by the alignment of tab  400  and tab  380  and the text contained in page  350  is pertinent to section  370  as is indicated by the alignment of tab  410  and tab  390 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show one page from a form document  420  and two pages from an instruction document  430 ,  440 . Page  420  is separated into two sections  450 ,  460 . Associated with each section is an identifying indicia located near the left side of the page  420 . In particular, tab  470  is labeled “Step  1 C” and is associated with the first section  450  and tab  480  is labeled “Step  2 C” and is associated with the second section  460 . Regarding the pages from the instruction document  430 , 440 , each of these pages also has an identifying indicia located near the right side of the page. In particular, page  430  has a tab  490  labeled “Step  1 C” and page  440  has a tab  500  labeled “Step  2 C.” It should be understood that the text contained in page  430  is pertinent to section  450  as is indicated by the alignment of tab  490  and tab  470  and the text contained in page  440  is pertinent to section  460  as is indicated by the alignment of tab  500  and tab  480 .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show one page from a form document  510  and two pages from an instruction document  520 ,  530 . Page  510  includes three sections  540 ,  550 ,  560 . Associated with each section is an identifying indicia located near the left side of the page  510 . In particular, tab  570  is labeled “Step  1 D” and is associated with the first section  540 , tab  580  is labeled “Step  2 D” and is associated with the second section  550 , and tab  590  is labeled “Step  3 D” and is associated with the third section  560 . Regarding the page from the instruction document  520 ,  530 , each of these pages has identifying indicia located near the right side of the page. In particular, page  520  has a tab  600  labeled “Step  2 D” and page  530  has a tab  610  labeled “Step  3 D.” It should be understood that the text in page  520  is pertinent to section  550  in page  510  as is indicated by the alignment of tab  600  and tab  580  and the text in page  530  is pertinent to section  560  in page  510  as is indicated by the alignment of tab  610  and tab  590 .  
         [0042]     In the embodiments shown in figures, the identifying indicia are printed directly on the individual pages and within the page boundaries. It should be understood, however, that the identifying indicia may be printed on other items, such as a label, and then affixed to the documents in appropriate locations. Moreover, it should be understood that the identifying indicia may be printed on tabs that extend from the side of the documents at the appropriate locations.  
         [0043]     Additionally, it should be understood that the identifying indicia may be different colors. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the identifying indicia have a black background and white text, but in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the identifying indicia have a white background within a black boundary and have black text. Thus, it should be understood that the identifying indicia may be printed in a color different from the text and that corresponding identifying indicia may be printed in the same color while other indicia pairs are printed in different colors so that the corresponding identifying indicia are even more readily identified.  
         [0044]     It should also be understood that the identifying indicia may include different printed graphics. For example, in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6, 7 ,  8 , and  9 , the identifying indicia are the same shape, that is a generally triangular shape, having a single background color. However, in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 10, 11 ,  12 , and  13 , while these indicia have the same general shape, they also have a double border line.  
         [0045]     It should further be understood that the identifying indicia may be different shapes and that each pair of corresponding identifying indicia may have different shapes so that the corresponding identifying indicia are even more readily identified.  
         [0046]     As stated above, in the figures, the identifying indicia are printed at or near the side of the pages. It should be understood that the particular side for the indicia may be reversed or, in the case of form documents or instruction documents bundled into a booklet or pamphlet, that the particular sides may not be consistent for all of the documents. In a situation where they are bundled into a packet or pamphlet, the form documents and instruction documents will have the identifying indicia on the right or left side depending on which edge of the document faces out from the center of the booklet or pamphlet.  
         [0047]     Having described the invention, it should be apparent that the invention is both inexpensive and easy to implement and use especially when compared to current project kits. Although the above invention is described in part using a residential audit kit, as stated above, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to other projects. Additionally, from the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.