Foldable clipboard

Abstract

A foldable clipboard includes a two panel foldable clipboard in which the two panels cooperate to form a single planar surface when in an extended position, and at least one of the two panels are configured to pivotally move to overlap the other when in a folded position, such that the foldable clipboard is folded into a size to fit into a pocket of a garment. The foldable clipboard includes a clip and a holder for a pen or pencil.

Claims

1. A foldable clipboard, including an extended position and a folded position, comprising: a first folding panel including a pair of first and second side edges and a pair of outer leg brackets, one outer leg bracket connected to a portion of the first side edge and the other leg bracket connected to a portion of the second side edge; a second folding panel including a pair of first and second side edges and a pair of inner leg brackets, one inner leg bracket connected to a portion of the first side edge, and the other leg bracket connected to a portion of the second side edge; a pair of connectors, one connector of the pair of connectors connecting the outer leg bracket of the first side edge of the first folding panel to the inner leg bracket of the first side edge of the second folding panel to form a first hinge, and the other connector connecting the outer leg bracket of the second side edge of the first folding panel to the inner leg bracket of the second side edge of the second folding panel to form a second hinge; wherein each outer leg bracket and each inner leg bracket of the first hinge and the second hinge includes an inner side facing each other, and an outer side positioned opposite to each respective inner side, wherein when the foldable clipboard is moved into a folded position, the inner side of each outer bracket of both the first hinge and the second hinge moves over at least a portion of each outer side of each inner leg bracket of both the first hinges and the second hinge, wherein the first folding panel and the second are moveable to form the folded position, such that one of the first folding panel and the second folding panel overlaps the other to form the folded position, and when in the folded position, the first folding panel is spaced apart from the second folding panel, and wherein when the first folding panel and the second folding panel extends away from each other, a portion of the first folding panel abuts a portion of the second folding panel to form a flat, planar structure of the extended position.

2. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein when the foldable clipboard in the extended position provides axially aligned first and second folding panels abutted together to form the substantially planar surface of the foldable clipboard.

3. The foldable clipboard of claim 2, wherein in the extended position, a lower edge of the first folding panel abuts an upper edge of the second folding panel.

4. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein at least one of the respective pair of outer leg brackets and the pair of inner leg brackets are each positioned on one flange of a pair of opposing flanges positioned on at least one of the first folding panel and the second folding panel.

5. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, further comprising a clip.

6. The foldable clipboard of claim 5, wherein the clip comprises a spring-loaded clip.

7. The foldable clipboard of claim 6, wherein the clip includes a mounting bracket.

8. The foldable clipboard of claim 6, wherein the clip includes a handle that is frictionally positioned against the mounting bracket.

9. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel include a pair of ends, and each end of each pair of ends is rounded.

10. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein the first folding panel and the second folding panel are each constructed from at least one of metal, plastic, and cardboard.

11. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein a holder is carried by the clipboard.

12. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein when in the extended position, an upper edge of the first folding panel and a lower edge of the second folding panel are parallel relative to each.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting.

(2) FIG. 1 is an upper surface perspective view of the foldable clipboard in an open position, according to the present invention, a holder for a pen or pencil positioned on an upper edge thereof;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially folded position of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a completely folded position of the foldable clipboard of FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an upper surface of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a lower surface of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of one side of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is an opposite side view of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1, relative to the side view of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a lower edge of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an upper edge of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1; and

(11) FIG. 10 is an upper surface perspective view of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1, but showing an alternate position of the holder on one side thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) In the description that follows, numerous details are outlined to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention.

(13) Exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention should be interpreted as example(s) and non-limiting. The relationship between various components, where they are located, their composition(s), their operation, and sometimes their sizes relative to the desired operation of the invention are significant.

(14) The foldable clipboard 10 is designed as an improvement to a traditional flat, rigid clipboard and other known clipboards. It is designated as a mini foldable clipboard 10 because it can be folded to a size which is reasonable to place, for example, but not by way of limitation, in a suit jacket pocket, a laboratory coat pocket, a standard coat pocket, a pants pocket, a purse, and the like. The foldable clipboard 10 is of particular use to doctors and medical personnel because the foldable clipboard 10 can be folded in two (2) layers to comfortably fit into a medical coat pocket, a scrubs pocket, and even a jeans pocket. For example, the foldable clipboard 10 may be utilized to secure patient assessment forms, nursing protocols, medication lists, and all documentation in a HIPAA compliant secure foldable clipboard. However, it is within the disclosure of the embodiment that the foldable clipboard 10 may also be used to accommodate the needs of a variety of different people in a variety of services or work environments, as described in non-limiting examples herein. While it is desirable that the foldable clipboard 10 is configured to hold a writing material having an approximately 8.5 by 11 inch outer diameter, it will also be understood that the foldable clipboard may include various sizes to accommodate different-sized writing materials.

(15) Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 10, the foldable clipboard 10 includes a clip 12, as well as a first folding panel 14, a second folding panel 16, and a holder 18 for a pen or pencil. The first folding panel 14 and the second folding panel 16 are planar. Further, each panel 14, 16 are also, for example, but not by way of limitation, substantially rectangular. Substantially rectangular as used herein, means that at least eighty (80) percent of the shape is rectangular, but the shape may include minor variations, such as, for example only, flanges, and the like.

(16) The first folding panel 14 includes the clip 12, and the first folding panel 14 is defined by an upper edge 20 and a spaced-apart lower edge 22, a first side edge 24 spaced-apart from a second side edge 26, an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30.

(17) The second folding panel 16 includes an upper edge 32 and a spaced-apart lower edge 34, and a first side edge 36 spaced-apart from a second a side edge 38. The second folding panel includes an upper surface 40, and a lower surface 42.

(18) In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the holder 18 is desirably formed with and/or connected to, but not by way of limitation, the upper edge 20 of the first folding panel 14. The holder 18 may be, for example only, cylindrical in shape and the holder 18 includes an outer surface 44 and an opening 46 formed therethrough which forms an inner housing 50 configured to hold a pen or pencil (not shown). A slot 52 in the outer surface 44 of the holder 18 permits a user to see if a pen or pencil is held in the inner housing 50. The holder 18 may also include one or two caps (not shown) to provide a closure for the open ends 48 in order to retain the pen or pencil within the inner housing 50. The holder 18 may be positioned on any edge or area of the foldable clipboard 10 so long as the foldable clipboard operates as shown and described in detail herein. FIG. 10 illustrates a holder 18 connected to a first side edge 24 of the first folding panel 14. However, a holder 18 may also form a clip, a clamp, a slide, or any other container or connector known in the art which holds a pen or pencil and permits the foldable clipboard 10 to function as shown and described in detail herein.

(19) The second folding panel 16 folds over and overlaps the first folding panel 14, therefore, the second folding panel 16 is configured to have about the same dimensions as the first folding panel 14, and each first and second folding panels 14, 16, desirably have a substantially similar size and shape, especially in the fully folded position 54 so that one folding panel 14 and 16 does not extend significantly beyond the limits of the other folding panel 14 and 16. The upper edge 32 of the second folding panel 16 and the lower edge 30 of the first folding panel 14 are positioned to abut each other when in the fully extended position 56.

(20) The clip 12 is positioned desirably and for example, but not by way of limitation, on the upper surface 28 of the first panel 14 near the upper edge 26 thereof, and includes a mechanism, i.e., a clip, to hold writing material (not shown) to the foldable clipboard 10. While one type of clip 12 is illustrated and described in detail herein, it will be appreciated that any low profile clip which holds writing material to the foldable clipboard 10 and does not interfere with the folded position 54 of the clipboard 10 may be used. For example, as illustrated best in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the present clip 12 may include a bracket 58 and a pair of connectors 60 which connect the bracket 58 to the foldable clipboard 10. The bracket 58 desirably includes a spring-loaded clip 12 in the form of a handle 60 which is urged toward the foldable clipboard 10. When the handle 62 is raised, writing material (not shown) may be positioned on the foldable clipboard 10 and when the handle 62 is released, the handle 62 is urged toward the foldable clipboard 10 to hold the writing material in a desired position.

(21) The clip 12 and any part(s) thereof may be formed from metal and/or plastic. The clip 12 illustrated herein is commercially available. The clip may be connected to the foldable clipboard via welding, adhesives, connectors (as shown herein) or by any other manner known in the art. More than one clip may be used, and the present clip 12 and/or additional clips may be connected to any surface of the clipboard 10. In addition, paper or other material having releasable adhesive may be connected to the clipboard 10. In this instance, the clipboard may not include the clip 12.

(22) A pair of hinges 64 connect the first folding panel 14 and the second folding panel 16 together. First and second hinges 66, 68, include outer leg brackets 70, 72, and inner leg brackets 74, 76, respectively.

(23) In the first hinge 66, the outer leg bracket 70 is pivotally connected to the inner leg bracket 74 via a pin 78. The outer leg bracket 70 is also connected to the first side edge 24 of the first folding panel 14 near the lower edge 22 thereof. The inner leg bracket 74 is connected to the first side edge 36 of the second folding panel 16 near the upper edge 32 thereof.

(24) Similarly, in the second hinge 68, the outer leg bracket 72 is connected to the inner leg bracket 76 via a pin 79. The outer leg bracket 72 is also connected to the second side edge 26 of the first folding panel 14 near the lower edge 22 thereof. The inner leg bracket 76 is connected to the second side edge 38 of the second folding panel 16 near the upper edge 32 thereof.

(25) Each hinge 66, 68 is a type of knife hinge and may be formed, for example, but not by way of limitation, from metal or plastic. The hinges 66, 68 may be integrally formed with each of the panels 14, 16, as shown and described herein, and the pivot pin 78, 79 added to each later. Alternatively, each hinge 66, 68, may be connected to panels 14, 16, as shown and described in detail herein by welding, adhering, connecting via connectors, and all other forms of connection known in the art. Knife hinges are available commercially. Varying a position of hinges 66, 68 on a surface of a panel rather than an edge of a panel 14, 16, 18 is also enabled herein, as is a variation of size or type of any hinge 66, 68 herein.

(26) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, each first and second hinge 66, and 68, respectively, are formed to permit each outer leg bracket thereof 70, 72, respectively, and each inner leg bracket thereof 74,76, respectively to overlap at least a portion of each other. Each location and each connection of each first and second hinge 66, 68 are configured to enhance the ability of the foldable clipboard 10 to fold as shown and described herein.

(27) Each inner leg bracket 74, 76, respectively, and each outer leg bracket 70, 72, respectively, of each first and second hinge 66, 68, respectively, is connected to the foldable clipboard along an inner surface 82 of each outer leg bracket 70, 72, respectively, and each inner leg bracket 74, 76, respectively, of each respective first and second hinge 66, 68. Each outer leg bracket 70, 72, of the first and second hinges 66, 68, respectively, may include, or be positioned upon a first flange 84 formed on each side edge 24, 26 of the first folding panel 14 to permit the connection of the outer leg brackets 70, 72 to connect to their respective inner leg brackets 74, 76 which are are each positioned on a second flange 85 formed on each side edge 36, 38 of the second folding panel 16. This positioning permits each inner leg bracket 74, 76, to at least partially overlap (or inner lap) its respective outer leg bracket 70, 72. Flanges 84. 85 permit the desired partial overlap of the hinges, such that a portion of each hinge acts as a stop 86 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3) which is desirably, but not by way of limitation, permits the first and second folding panels to be positioned parallel to each other with a space 88 between each lower edge 22 of the first folding panel 14 and the upper edge 32 of the second folding panel 16.

(28) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and in a method of use, the position of outer leg brackets and inner leg brackets relative to the first folding panel 14 and the second folding panel 16 permit the second folding panel 16 to fold over the first folding panel 14, in a fully closed position 54. That is, the inner leg brackets 74, 76, respectively, of the first and second lower hinges 66, 68, respectively, pivotably move to partially overlap (inner lap) the outer leg brackets 70, 72, respectively, of the first and second hinges 66, 68, respectively, to permit the second folding panel 16 to fold and overlap the first folding panel 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, or vice versa.

(29) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-10, it will be understood that the first and second folding panels 14 and 16, of the foldable clipboard 10 are positioned in the fully extended position 54, the first and second folding panels cooperate to form a single flat, planar surface which is rigid and suitable for securing documents thereon and providing a planar surface for a writing surface to hold writing material (not shown) thereupon. In this configuration, a person can easily hold the folding clipboard in one hand and write on writing material positioned on the planar surface with another hand. When in the fully extended position 56, it will be appreciated that the lower edge 22 of first folding panel 14 abuts the upper edge 32 of the second folding panel 16.

(30) When the foldable clipboard 10 is moved into the fully folded position 54, the foldable clipboard 10 naturally hides any writing materials it is holding, thus helping maintain confidentiality when it is desired, while also protecting the writing material from damage. And, when in the fully folded position 54, the foldable clipboard 10 is sized to be positioned in a pocket, a purse, and the like.

(31) The foldable clipboard 10 may be constructed of any suitable rigid material, such as cardboard, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. In particular, but not by way of limitations, aluminum provides a very strong, lightweight material that is very durable. Alternatively, plastic also provides a strong and lightweight material that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The foldable clipboard 10 may have any desired dimensions which will hold writing material, such as, for example but not by way of limitation, an 8.5 inch by 11 inch piece of paper, when the foldable clipboard 10 is in the fully extended position 56. However, it must be noted that the foldable clipboard 10 should be sized appropriately to accommodate writing material, including smaller or custom-sized writing material. For example, but not by way of limitation, the foldable clipboard 10 may have a length 90 of 12 inches and a width 92 of 9 inches. The depth or thickness of the foldable clipboard 10 may range from 0.5 millimeter to 5 millimeters. It will be understood that other lengths, depths, and widths of the foldable clipboard 10 are possible, so long as the foldable clipboard 10 operates as shown and described in detail herein, and includes the advantages shown and described herein.

(32) Each first and second foldable panel 14, 16 of the foldable clipboard 10 desirably is generally rectangular, and may be configured to be substantially rectangular in shape. For example, first folding panel 14 and second folding panel 16 includes small flanges 84 on each side edge 24, 26, 36, 38, respectively, thereof. The first folding panel 14 may have rounded outer corners 94, 96, and the second folding panel 16 may also have rounded corners 98, 100. Each rounded corner 94, 96, 98, 100 may have, for example, but not by way of limitation, a slope that is about a 30 degree slope. The rounded edges are helpful in allowing the foldable clipboard 10 to smoothly store in a pocket or other enclosure.

(33) When the foldable clipboard 10 is moved into the folded position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the space 86 is formed between the first folding panel 14 and the second folding panel 16. The first and second hinges 66, 68 and the fact that the inner leg brackets 74, 76, partially overlap (or inner lap) the outer leg brackets 70, 72, provide the space 86, such that the first and second holding panels 14 and 16 are positioned about parallel to each other. The first and second holding panels 14, 16 therefore may have about 1 to 0 degrees angle relative to each other when in the fully folded position 54. However, it will be understood that this desired angle may vary somewhat, such as, for example only, when a large amount of writing material is held on the foldable clipboard 10. Therefore, as used herein, substantially parallel or about parallel, means within a range of between a 0 degree and a 5 degree angle, desirably, the range is between a 0 degree and a 3 degree angle, and more desirably, the range is between a 0 degree and a 1 degree angle.

(34) When the foldable clip board 10 is in the planar fully extended position 54, the first folding panel 14 and the second folding panel 16 cooperate together with the hinges 66, 68 to form a stop 102 which is formed between the lower edge 22 of the first folding panel 14 and the upper edge 32 of the second folding panel 16 which abut each other in the fully extended position 56, to assist in holding the first folding panel 14 and the second holding panel 16 in the planar extended position.

(35) While the clip 12 is positioned on an upper surface 28 of the first folding panel 14, it will be understood that the clip 12 is excluded from the consideration of the planar extended position, and the clip 12 is desirably a low profile clip as illustrated, or could be formed partially or totally within the first panel 14 to more closely conform to the planar formation of the foldable clipboard 10 (not shown). It will be appreciated that a clip 12 may have any configuration, if the clip operates as described and shown herein. Alternatively, a clip 12 may be excluded from the foldable clipboard 10, if, for instance, a writing material including a releasable adhesive on a lower surface thereof is positioned on the folding clipboard 10.

(36) Although the invention has been shown and described concerning a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above-described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a means) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed concerning only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.