Abstract
The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a stackable and modularly reconfigurable device and system providing a surface for marking and displaying items. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a modularly reconfigurable device and system having erasable writing surfaces with interconnection features.
Claims
1. A system comprising: a first panel having a first surface comprising a magnetically attractable surface, a second surface, and a magnet protruding from the second surface; a second panel having a first surface comprising a magnetically attractable surface, a second surface, and a magnet protruding from the second surface; and a first substrate comprising a magnetically attractable material having a first alignment magnet with a first end of the first alignment magnet consistent with a first surface of the first substrate, wherein the connection of the first magnet of the first panel with the first substrate results in the magnetic fixation of the first panel to the substrate, and the connection of the first magnet of the second panel to the first surface of the first panel affixes the second panel to the first panel, and wherein connection of the first magnet of the first panel to the first surface of the first substrate in alignment with the first alignment magnet results in the increased fixation of the first panel to the first substrate, and the connection of the first magnet of the second panel to the first surface of the first panel in alignment with the first magnet of the first panel affixes the second panel to the first panel in a stacked configuration.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1AA front view of certain embodiments of a panel
(2) FIG. 1BA rear view of certain embodiments of a panel
(3) FIG. 1CA side cross sectional view of certain embodiments of a panel
(4) FIG. 2AA side view of certain embodiments of a system
(5) FIG. 2BA perspective view of certain embodiments of a system
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
(6) As described below, embodiments of the present invention surround a panel 1000 providing a surface for erasable writing and configurations comprising mounting features, interconnection features and/or other features. It is the applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended here to be accorded a breadth in keeping with the scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed despite what might appear to be limiting language imposed by the requirements of referring to the specific examples disclosed.
(7) Certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, comprise a panel 1000 having a first surface 1010 and a second surface 1020. The first surface 1010 of certain embodiments comprises a surface treatment 1030 (FIG. 1C). Surface treatments 1030, as directed to the present invention include a dry erase surface or a chalk board surface. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned surface treatments and may include other surface treatments providing an erasable writing surface and/or magnetically attractable surface. In certain embodiments, a panel 1000 comprises a substantially square shape. However, it will be appreciated that embodiments may comprise a panel 1000 having a shape other than a square while remaining in scope and spirit of the present invention. A panel 1000, in various embodiments, comprises a first magnet 1100 affixed to the second surface 1020 of the panel 1000.
(8) In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 1C, a panel 1000 comprises a first surface 1010 having a surface treatment and a second surface 1020. A first magnet 1100 is affixed to the panel 1000 such that a first end 1110 of the first magnet protrudes from the second surface 1020 of the panel. In an alternative embodiment, the first magnet 1100 is embedded between the first surface 1010 and the second surface 1020.
(9) In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 1C, the first magnet 1100 further comprises a second end 1120 embedded into a thickness 1040 of a panel such that a second end 1120 of the first magnet is proximal to the first surface 1010 of the panel. In various embodiments, a magnet 1100 is embedded into the thickness 1040 of the first panel using a recess 1060 consistent with the second surface 1020 of the panel. The recess 1060 comprises a profile configured to receive the magnet. In certain embodiments, the recess 1060 is configured to mate with an outer surface 1130 of the magnet resulting in an engineering fit. An engineering fit will be appreciated to surround a location fit, press fit, interference fit, RC fit, or other engineering fit such as those specified by ANSI B4.1 (Standard Tolerance Limits and Fits), incorporated by reference herein. It will be further appreciated that other engineering fits or assembly strategies known to those skilled in the art may be used while in keeping with the scope and spirit of the present invention. It will be further appreciated that a magnet 1100 may be affixed to a panel using means in the prior art, such as by adhesive fixation or overmolding. In an alternative embodiment, a magnet 1100 may be affixed to the interior of the first surface 1010 and/or the second surface 1020 such that the magnet 1100 is embedded between the first surface 1010 and the second surface 1020.
(10) In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 1C, a panel 1000 has a recess 1060 with a magnet 1100 disposed within the recess 1060. The recess 1060 has a depth 1070 less than the thickness 1040 of the panel, and the magnet 1100 has a length 1140 greater than the depth 1070 of the recess 1060. The recess 1060 is configured to receive the magnet 1100, allowing the fixation of the magnet 1100 within the recess 1060. A first end 1110 of the magnet protrudes from the second surface 1020 of the panel and a second end 1120 of the magnet is disposed within the recess. In certain embodiments, a recess 1060 may have a depth 1070 equal to the thickness 1040 of the panel.
(11) Certain embodiments of the present invention, shown in FIG. 2A, are directed to a system 1200 comprising a first panel 1000, as shown in FIG. 1C, having a first surface 1010, a second surface 1020 and a first magnet 1100. The system 1200, referencing FIG. 2A, further comprises a second panel 1000 having a first surface 1010 and a second surface 1020. The first surface 1010 of the second panel comprises a magnetically attractable material such that disposing the first magnet 1100 of the first panel to the first surface 1010 of the second panel results in the fixation of the first panel 1000 to the second panel 1000. It will be appreciated that a first panel 1000 and a second panel 1000 of the present embodiment may be connected in a stacked configuration 1300 or stagger-stacked configuration 1310 as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.
(12) Certain embodiments of a system 1200, shown in FIG. 2B, comprise a substrate 1210 having a magnetically attractable first surface 1220. In certain embodiments, a substrate 1210 comprises a first alignment magnet 1230. In certain embodiments, shown in FIG. 2B, a substrate 1210 comprises a plurality of alignment magnets 1230. A first alignment magnet 1230 is combined with the substrate 1210 such that a first end 1240 of the first alignment magnet 1230 is consistent with or recessed from the first surface 1220 of the first substrate, thus providing an uninterrupted first surface 1220 of the substrate. An uninterrupted first surface 1220 of the substrate allows the unfettered slidable rearrangement of a panel 1000 on the first surface 1220. The connection of a first magnet of a first panel 1000 to a first surface 1220 results in the retention of the first panel 1000 to the substrate 1210. The alignment of a first magnet of a first panel 1000 with a first alignment magnet 1230 provides for increased retention of the first panel to the substrate 1210.
(13) It will be appreciated that in embodiments, referencing FIG. 1C and FIG. 2B which the first end 1110 of a first magnet protrudes from a first panel 1000 for fixation to a magnetically attractable surface 1220, the first end 1110 of the magnet comprises a north pole. A first end 1240 of an alignment magnet consistent with a first surface 1220 of a substrate comprises a south pole. Alternatively, embodiments in which the first end 1110 of a first magnet comprises a south pole, a first end 1240 of an alignment magnet comprises a north pole.
(14) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, the inventions described herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or adding and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.
