Tablet with interconnection features

Abstract

The present invention provides tablets with interconnection features and a system of multiple tablet assemblies removably interconnected to one another. The tablets may be removably mounted to a vertical surface or positioned on a horizontal surface. Features of the present invention allow a user to remove or move one tablet from the system without disrupting or moving the other tablets.

Claims

1. A process of using, arranging, and rearranging a plurality of tablet assemblies comprising: providing a first tablet including an upper surface, a bottom surface, a first side comprising a first magnet, a second side comprising a second magnet, a third side comprising a third magnet, and a fourth side comprising a fourth magnet; providing a second tablet including an upper surface, a bottom surface, a first side comprising a first magnet, a second side comprising a second magnet, a third side comprising a third magnet, and a fourth side comprising a fourth magnet; providing a first mounting assembly comprising ferrous metal including a first leg with a first rivet, a second leg with a second rivet, a third leg with a third rivet, and a fourth leg with a fourth rivet; providing a second mounting assembly comprising ferrous metal including a first leg with a first rivet, a second leg with a second rivet, a third leg with a third rivet, and a fourth leg with a fourth rivet; releasably interconnecting the first tablet to the first mounting assembly by interconnecting the first magnet of the first tablet to the first rivet of the first mounting assembly, interconnecting the second magnet of the first tablet to the second rivet of the first mounting assembly, interconnecting the third magnet of the first tablet to the third rivet of the first mounting assembly, and interconnecting the fourth magnet of the first tablet to the fourth rivet of the first mounting assembly; and releasably interconnecting the second tablet to the second mounting assembly by interconnecting the first magnet of the second tablet to the first rivet of the second mounting assembly, interconnecting the second magnet of the second tablet to the second rivet of the second mounting assembly, interconnecting the third magnet of the second tablet to the third rivet of the second mounting assembly, and interconnecting the fourth magnet of the second tablet to the fourth rivet of the second mounting assembly; wherein the first leg of the first mounting assembly comprises a first protuberance, the second leg of the first mounting assembly comprises a first indention, the third leg of the first mounting assembly comprises a second protuberance, and the fourth leg of the first mounting assembly comprises a second indention, and wherein the first leg of the second mounting assembly comprises a first indention to receive the first protuberance of the first mounting assembly, the second leg of the second mounting assembly comprises a first protuberance which is received by the first indention of the first mounting assembly, the third leg of the second mounting assembly comprises a second indention to receive the second protuberance of the first mounting assembly, and the fourth leg of the first mounting assembly comprises a second protuberance which is received by the second indention of the first mounting assembly.

2. The process of using, arranging, and rearranging the plurality of tablet assemblies of claim 1, further comprising releasably interconnecting the first mounting assembly to the second mounting assembly by inserting the first protuberance of the first mounting assembly into the first indention of the second mounting assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a tablet assembly;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a tablet;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a tray;

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear view of the tray;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a frame;

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the frame;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the tablet;

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tablet at cut VIII-VIII;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting assembly;

(11) FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the mounting assembly;

(12) FIG. 11 is a rear view of a mounting bracket;

(13) FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the tablet assembly;

(14) FIG. 13A is a top plan view of a plurality of mounting assemblies;

(15) FIG. 13B is a top plan view of a plurality of tablet assemblies;

(16) FIG. 14 shows various uses of the tablet assemblies;

(17) FIG. 15A is a top plan view of an eraser;

(18) FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the eraser;

(19) FIG. 16A is a top plan view of one embodiment of a pen;

(20) FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the pen of FIG. 16A;

(21) FIG. 17A is a side view of a second embodiment of a pen; and

(22) FIG. 17B is a top view of the pen of FIG. 17A.

(23) To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

(24) TABLE-US-00001 Component No. Component Name 10 Tablet Assembly 12 Tablet 12A-F Tablets 14 Mounting Assembly 14A-I Mounting Assemblies 20 Tray 22 Insert 24 Frame 26 Magnet .sub.26A Positively Oriented Magnet .sub.26B Negatively Oriented Magnet 42 Protuberance (in Tray) 50 Lip (of Frame) 52 Magnet Holder 54 Aperture 56 Rib 60 Rear Surface (of Frame) 62 Extensions 64 Wall 70 Side (of Tray) 72 Side (of Frame) 74 Bottom Surface 76 Upper Surface (Crowned) 78 Lower Portion (of Side of Frame) 90 Mounting Bracket 92 Rivet 94 Indention 96 Protuberance 100 Lip (of Mounting Bracket) 102 Aperture 104 Vertical Line 106 Horizontal Line 108 Leg (of Mounting Bracket) 110 Rib 130 Plurality of Mounting Assemblies 132 Plurality of Tablet Assemblies 150 Eraser 152 Felt Top 154 Base (of Eraser) 160 Pen with Interconnection Mechanism 162 Cap (of Pen) 164 Base (of Pen) 166 Interconnection Mechanism 170 Pen with Interconnection Mechanism 172 Cap (of Pen) 174 Base (of Pen) 176 Interconnection Mechanism W Width of Interconnection Mechanism L1 Length of Frame L2 Length between Magnets (in Tablet) L3 Length of Mounting Bracket L4 Length of Mounting Bracket Legs L5 Length between Rivets (in Mounting Bracket) R1 First Radius R2 Second Radius

(25) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(26) As described in detail below, various embodiments of the present invention include novel writing tablet designs and configurations comprising interconnection features and/or other features. The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors. It is the applicant's intent that this specification and the claims appended hereto 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.

(27) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tablet assembly 10. The tablet assembly 10 comprises a tablet 12 and a mounting assembly 14. Tablets 12 can be interconnected side-by-side on a horizontal surface (e.g., a table) or interconnected and mounted on a vertical surface (e.g., a wall), as shown in FIG. 13B. The mounting assembly 14 comprises one or more rivets 92, an indention 94 in the end of at least one leg, and a protuberance 96 extending from the end of at least one leg. The tablet 12 comprises one or more magnets contained within a portion of the tablet called magnet holders 52 herein. Note that the magnet holder 52 extends at least slightly from the side of the tablet 12. The magnets align with the one or more rivets 92 in the mounting assembly 14 to interconnect the tablet 12 to the mounting assembly 14. The indention 94 and protuberance 96 are described further in connection with FIGS. 9-10, 12-13A.

(28) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a tablet 12. The tablet 12 comprises a tray 20, an insert 22, and a frame 24. The tray 20 includes an upper surface that may be a smooth writing surface in some embodiments. The writing surface can be a dry-erase board on which dry-erase markers can be used to make erasable writings. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to dry-erase types of surfaces, and may include other writing surfaces such as chalkboards. Further, the tray 20 can be clear such that the insert 22 can be seen through the tray 20. In one embodiment, the tray 20 includes a slightly crowned center portion, which reduces or eliminates warping during manufacturing and makes the tablet 12 stronger when a user is writing on the tray 20. Additionally, a tray 20 with a slightly crowned center portion provides a nice writing surface for the user. The frame 24 includes one or more magnets 26. The magnets 26 can be n42 magnets, or any other rare earth magnets known in the art. In one embodiment, the frame 24 includes two magnets 26 on each of the four sides of the frame 24. In an alternate embodiment, the tray or frame can have a slot to insert a drawing or image.

(29) In one embodiment, the insert 22 is a thin film and the tablet is digital. Thus, the thin film can be a film similar to the films used in screens of electronic tablets such as Kindles, iPads, etc. The film will enable the tablet 12 to have a low powered display. Accordingly, the tablet 12 can still have a smooth, upper surface for writing and have the thin film behind the tray 24 and writing surface. Therefore, images could be displayed on the tablet 12 and users could write on top of the images. Further, the film enables the tablet 12 to act as a portable black and white electronic reader. Adding electronic components to the tablets 12 enable the system to be used as modular signage. For example, a map could be displayed on the tablets 12, and then the map could change to lines, graphs, directions, etc. at the touch of a button. Further, adding electronic components to the tablets 12 and system can create a smart board if the tablets 12 know where they are positioned within the system. For example, a first tablet 12 would know it was positioned on an upper right corner and a second tablet would know it was positioned on a lower left corner. The tablets 12 must further know if and to where they are moved within the system. Additionally, if electronics are added to the tablets 12, then the tablets 12 will need displays (such as display screens to display digital content), power sources (which can be batteries, for example), processors, memory (which can include data storage), software, electrical circuits, etc. to operate the tablets 12 and system.

(30) FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tray 20 showing the upper surface of the tray 20. In the embodiment shown, the upper surface of the tray 20 is smooth such that a user can write on the upper surface. FIG. 4 is rear view of the tray 20 showing the underside of the tray 20, which includes protuberances 42 and a geometry that conforms to the upper side of the frame 24. Various embodiments of the present invention include trays 20 composed of various materials, for example, glass, acrylic, abrasion resistant acrylic, PETE, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, other polymers, porcelain, plastic, cork, or grapheme. Thus, if at least a portion of the tray 20 is composed of cork or a cork-like material, then the tablet 12 could be used like a moveable cork board where a user can hang paper and other items on the tablet 12 using tacks, pins, nails, etc. Additionally, the tray 20 may have a coating or an additional layer (e.g., a membrane) to keep the tray 20 clean and free of scratches. A coating on the clear writing surface may be needed to prevent the writing surface from becoming scratched, which would hinder the visibility of the insert 22 behind the tray 20. The coating or additional layer may also minimize ghosting, provide a better writing surface, reduce surface glare, and/or prevent the tray from cracking or shattering. The tray 20 may include a top coat to prevent the writing surface from scratching. Further, the top coat may improve the writing and erasing characteristics of the writing surface. In some embodiments the tablet may be a touch screen. In these embodiments, the coating or additional layer will not prevent the capacitance sensing screen from receiving inputs from the user.

(31) FIG. 5 is perspective view of the upper side of the frame 24 of the tablet 12. The sides of the frame 24 comprise magnet holders 52, an aperture 54, and a lip 50 for interconnecting with the edges of the underside of the tray 20. The lip 50 creates an indention around the frame 24 into which the tray 20 can snap to secure the tray 20 to the frame 24. Thus, a portion of the tray 20 sits within the lip 50 of the frame 24 to interconnect the tray 20 to the frame 24. The frame 24 also includes ribs 56 upon which the insert 22 and/or tray 20 rests. The ribs 56 may be taller in a center portion of the frame 24 such that crowned center portion of the tray 20 conforms to the raised center ribs 56 of the frame 24. In one embodiment, the ribs 56 proximate to a center of the frame 24 are about 4 mm tall (above the horizontal surface of the frame) and the ribs proximate to the edges or sides of the frame 24 are about 1 mm tall.

(32) The aperture 54 of the frame 24 receives the protuberance 42 of the tray 20 to form a snap-fit interconnection between the tray 20 and the frame 24. The interconnection between the aperture 54 and the protuberance 42 can more clearly be seen in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the aperture 54 is aligned with the magnets 26 to reduce the manufacturing costs of an injection molded frame. The manufacturing costs are reduced because an action is not needed to get the frame 24 out of the mold. Rather, the aperture 54 is used to get the frame 24 out of the mold; thus, the aperture 54 is a straight-pull feature. In various embodiments, the aperture 54 has various shapes and sizes.

(33) The frame 24 can be manufactured of any material known in the art, such as plastic, metal, or composite material. In one embodiment, the frame 24 is composed of thermoplastic material, which can be any thermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The frame 24 may be clear, opaque, or colored. In one embodiment, the frame member is black ABS. In another embodiment, the frame member is clear polycarbonate.

(34) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the frame 24. The rear surface 60 of the frame 24 is designed to hold or interconnect to various items for storage of the various items. In one embodiment, the rear surface 60 comprises a brick connection with extensions 62 and channels between the extensions 62 to interconnect with accessories. In one embodiment, the rear surface 60 comprises clips, snaps, hooks, or other interconnection mechanisms to secure accessories, paper, an iPad, or an electronic tablet to the rear surface 60 of the tablet frame 24. The frame 24 also includes a wall 64 surrounding the rear surface 60. The wall 64 creates a region within the wall 64 where accessories and other items can be stored within the tablet 12. Thus, the height of the wall 64 is sized to keep small accessories contained within the tablet 12 when the tablet 12 is positioned on a substantially flat surface. Further, when two tablets 12 are interconnected back-to-back, the bottom surface 74 of the first tablet's wall 64 is positioned substantially flat against the bottom surface 74 of the second tablet's wall 64, creating area between the tablets 12 for containing accessories or items. Accordingly, the wall height can be sized to keep larger accessories (e.g., books, electronic tablets, and iPads) contained within the two tablets 12.

(35) The wall 64 has one or more magnets 26 in each side. In the embodiment shown, the wall 64 has two magnets 26A, 26B on each side, where one magnet is a positively oriented magnet 26A and one magnet is a negatively oriented magnet 26B. The magnets 26 alternate positively oriented magnet 26A and negatively oriented magnet 26B around the wall 64 such that the magnets 26 will attract magnets 26 of the opposite polarity on other tablets 12 if two tablets 12 are interconnected back-to-back or side-by-side. Using magnets 26 to interconnect two or more tablets 12 allows the tablets 12 to align properly and easily. Additionally, the tablets 12 are easy to disconnect. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 does not have magnets 26 in the corners of frame 24 so that the tablet 12 can easily be detached from the mounting assembly 14 when the mounting assembly 14 is interconnected to a vertical wall. Specifically, a user can push on a corner of the tablet 12 to detach the tablet 12 from the mounting assembly 14 without detaching other tablets 12 if the tablet 12 is in a system of tablets secured to a vertical wall. Further, as can be seen in the figures, the magnets 26 in the frame 24 align with rivets or pins 92 in the mounting assembly 14 to secure the tablet 12 to the mounting assembly 14.

(36) The magnets 26A, 26B can be inserted into the frame 24 from the underside of the frame 24 in one embodiment. The magnets 26A, 26B can be glued into the frame 24 or held in the frame 24 through a mechanical fit, such as a tension-fit, snap-fit, or friction-fit. In other embodiments, the magnets 26A, 26B are secured within the frame in any manner known in the art such that the magnets 26A, 26B are positioned proximate to the perimeter of the frame 24 and positioned proximate to the underside of the frame. The position of the magnets 26A, 26B enables two or more tablets 12 to interconnect to one another back-to-back and side-by-side.

(37) The wall 64 has curves on an inner side of the wall, the side proximate to the rear surface 60 of the frame 24. The curves assist a user in gripping the tablet 12 and frame 24. Thus, the curves of the wall 64 may be sized and shaped to fit a user's fingers.

(38) The lower portion 78 of the side of the frame 24 curves inward and the magnet holders 52 protrude at least partially from the side of the frame 24, as can be seen in FIGS. 5-7. The magnet holders 52 extend from the sides of the frame 24 because the magnets 26 need to be as close to the edge of the frame 24 as possible to enable the magnets 26 of different tablets 12 to interact and interconnect with one another. Further, magnet holders 52 that extend at least partially from the sides of the frame 24 enable the magnets 26 of different tablets 12 to be positioned closer to one another to form stronger interconnections. Additionally, the curve of the magnet holder 52 works with the lip 100 of the mounting bracket 90 to secure the tablet 12 to the mounting assembly 14 on an at least partially vertical wall.

(39) The length L1 of the frame 24 is between 200 mm and 400 mm in one embodiment. The length L1 of the frame 24 is between 250 mm and 350 mm in a preferred embodiment. The length L1 of the frame 24 is between 275 mm and 300 mm in a more preferred embodiment. The length L1 of the frame 24 is about 280.0 mm in a most preferred embodiment. The length L2 between two magnets 26 is between 50 mm and 100 mm in one embodiment. The length L2 between two magnets 26 is between 75 mm and 85 mm in a preferred embodiment. The length L2 between two magnets 26 is about 80.0 mm in a more preferred embodiment.

(40) FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the tablet 12. The tablet 12 comprises a tray 20 and a frame 24. The tray 20 has an upper surface 76 and a side 70. The upper surface 76 is the writing surface in some embodiments. Further, the upper surface 76 is slightly crowned, where the center portion has a height that is higher than the side 70. The frame 24 has a bottom surface 74 and a side 72, which includes a lower portion 78. The side 72 of the frame 24 generally curves inward, as is shown by the profile of the lower portion 78. Additionally, the side 72 includes at least one magnet holder 52 that protrudes or extends from the side 72, which is also shown in the profile on either side of FIG. 7.

(41) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a section of the tablet 12 along cut VIII-VIII. The tray 20 with a protuberance 42 is interconnected to the frame 24 via a snap-fit of the protuberance 42 in the aperture 54 of the frame 24. The magnet 26 is positioned below the aperture 54 and protuberance 42. An insert 22 is positioned between the frame 24 and the tray 20. The extensions 62 of the brick connection of the rear surface of the frame 24 can also be seen in FIG. 8.

(42) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a mounting assembly 14 according to one embodiment. The mounting assembly 14 comprises a mounting bracket 90, at least one rivet 92, an aperture 102, a vertical line 104, a horizontal line 106, and legs 108. Each leg 108 comprises either a protuberance 96 or an indention 94. The protuberance 96 is sized to fit within an indention 94 of another mounting assembly 14. The protuberances 96 and indentions 94 assist in aligning the mounting assemblies 14. Further, the protuberances 96 and indentions 94 keep the mounting assemblies 14 aligned and interconnected to one another. Additionally, a user can interconnect the mounting assembly 14 to a wall or other surface by inserting a securing mechanism (e.g., nails, pins, rivets, or screws) through the one or more apertures 102. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has two apertures 102; however, one aperture 102 can be used or three or more apertures 102 can be used in alternate embodiments. The horizontal line 106 and vertical line 104 assist a user in mounting the mounting assembly 14 in a straight and level position.

(43) Each rivet 92 is positioned at the end of a leg 108 and is positioned to align with a magnet 26 of the tablet 12. The mounting bracket 90 comprises a first radius R1 and a second radius R2. The second radius R2 is chosen such that when four mounting assemblies 14 are interconnected to one another, the second radius R2 forms a circle (see FIGS. 13A-B). The first radius R1 is chosen to create legs 108 with the desired width or thickness and to create legs 108 with rivets 92 positioned at the desired width L5. The curves of the mounting bracket 90 created by the radii R1, R2 assist the user in detaching the tablet 12 from the mounting assembly 14 because the mounting bracket 90 does not have material proximate to the corner of the tablet 12. In one embodiment, the void of material in the corner of the mounting bracket 90 is required to allow the tablet 12 to disconnect from the mounting assembly 14 by pushing on a corner of the tablet 12. Thus, the curves of the mounting bracket 90 and the positioning of the rivets 92 work together to create a tablet 12 that can be easily removed from a vertically mounted mounting assembly 14, but the tablet 12 also stays interconnected to the mounting assembly 14. Furthermore, the rounded edges of the mounting bracket 90 assist a user in detaching the tablet 12 from the mounting assembly 14 because when a user pushes on a corner of the tablet 12, the tablet 12 is able to pivot or rotate along the curved edge of the mounting bracket 90.

(44) The mounting assembly 14 further includes a lip 100 on an end of at least one leg 108 to prevent the tablet 12 from sliding off of the mounting assembly 14 when the mounting assembly 14 is positioned in a substantially vertical position and a user pushes on a corner of the tablet 12 to release the tablet 12 from the mounting assembly 14. Without the lip 100, the tablet 12 would likely slide off of the mounting assembly 14 when the user pushed on a corner of the tablet 12, which would likely cause the tablet 12 to slide into other tablets 12 and possibly knock the other tablets off of the wall or mounting assemblies 14. In one embodiment, each leg 108 has a lip 100 at the end of the leg 108. Further, the lip 100 can be curved-shaped and positioned in a corner of the leg 108 closest to a corner of the tablet 12. The curve of the lip 100 matches the bow or curve of the magnet holder 52 in the frame 24 so that the lip 100 does not hinder the positioning and interconnection of the frame 24. In one embodiment, the lip 100 has a height of between 0.75 mm and 1.75 mm above the upper surface of the mounting bracket 90. In another embodiment, the lip 100 has a height of between about 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm above the upper surface of the mounting bracket 90.

(45) The mounting bracket 90 can be manufactured of any material known in the art, for example, plastic, metal, or composite material. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 is composed of thermoplastic material, which can be any thermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The rivet 92 can be a pin, nail, or other ferrous metal item secured within or on the mounting bracket 90 to interconnect to the magnet 26 of the tablet 12. The rivet 92 can be a tension-fixed rivet 92 or it can be glued or adhered to the mounting bracket 90.

(46) FIG. 10 also shows various measurements of the mounting assembly 14. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 is square-shaped, similar to the square-shaped tablet. The length L3 of the mounting bracket 90 is between 200 mm and 400 mm in one embodiment. The length L3 of the mounting bracket 90 is between 250 mm and 350 mm in a preferred embodiment. The length L3 of the mounting bracket 90 is between 275 mm and 300 mm in a more preferred embodiment. The length L3 of the mounting bracket 90 is about 280.40 mm in a most preferred embodiment. The length L4 of the mounting bracket legs 108 is between 75 mm and 125 mm in one embodiment. The length L4 of the mounting bracket legs 108 is between 95 mm and 105 mm in a preferred embodiment. The length L4 of the mounting bracket legs 108 is about 102 mm in a more preferred embodiment. The length L5 between two rivets 92 is between 50 mm and 100 mm in one embodiment. The length L5 between two rivets 92 is between 75 mm and 85 mm in a preferred embodiment. The length L5 between two rivets 92 is about 80.0 mm in a more preferred embodiment. The length L5 between two rivets 92 is important because if the length L5 is too large, then the tablet 12 is difficult to remove from the mounting assembly 14. Additionally, if the length L5 is too small, then the tablet 12 detaches from the mounting assembly 14 too easily and may even fall off of the mounting assembly 14 when positioned in a substantially vertical position. Thus, the distance from the edge of the mounting bracket leg 108 to the corner of the frame 24 is between 75 mm and 125 mm in one embodiment. The distance from the edge of the mounting bracket leg 108 to the corner of the frame 24 is between 85 mm and 95 mm in a preferred embodiment. The distance from the edge of the mounting bracket leg 108 to the corner of the frame 24 is about 89 mm in a more preferred embodiment.

(47) The combination of the height of the lip 100 of the mounting bracket 90, the magnet/rivet distances L2, L5, and the strength of the magnets 26 prevent the tablet 12 from falling off of a mounting assembly 14 positioned on a vertical surface, while allowing a user to easily remove the tablet 12 from the vertically mounted mounting assembly 14.

(48) FIG. 11 is a rear view of the mounting bracket 90. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 comprises one or more ribs 110. The ribs 110 are raised relative to the back surface of the mounting bracket 90. In some embodiments, the ribs 110 proximate to a center portion of the mounting bracket 90 are shorter than the ribs 110 proximate to the ends of the legs 108 of the mounting bracket 90 such that there is a space between the ribs 110 proximate to a center portion of the mounting bracket 90 and the flat surface of a wall or table, whereas there is not a space between the ribs 110 proximate to the ends of the legs 108 of the mounting bracket 90 and the flat surface of a wall or table. Thus, this configuration (i.e., the difference in height of the various ribs) creates a mounting bracket 90 with an upper surface that is substantially flat and a bottom surface (i.e., the bottom surface of the ribs) that is slightly crowned proximate to a center portion of the mounting bracket 90. Thus, when the mounting assembly 14 is interconnected to a wall via screws or other securing mechanisms positioned through the apertures 102 located proximate to the center portion of the mounting bracket 90, the legs 108 push against the wall or substantially flat surface. Accordingly, there is not a gap between the bottom surface of the legs 108 of the mounting bracket 90 and the wall or flat surface. Specifically, there is not a space between the ends of the legs 108 and the wall such that a majority of the mounting bracket 90 is flat against the wall.

(49) FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the tablet assembly 10, which comprises a tablet 12 and a mounting assembly 14. The upper surface 76 of the tablet 12 is slightly crowned (i.e., taller or higher in a center portion) and is positioned opposite the mounting assembly 14. The mounting assembly 14 has a protuberance 96 extending outwardly from one leg 108 of the mounting bracket 90, an indention 94 in a second leg 108 of the mounting bracket 90, and a lip 100 extending upwardly from an upper surface of the mounting bracket 90. In one embodiment, each leg 108 has a lip 100 positioned proximate to an end of the leg 108. It can be seen that the legs 108 of the mounting bracket 90 align with the magnet holders 52 of the tablet frame 24.

(50) FIG. 13A shows a plurality of mounting assemblies 130. Nine mounting assemblies 14A-I are shown in the plurality of mounting assemblies 130. The protuberances 96 and indentions 94 of the mounting brackets 90 work to align the mounting assemblies 14A-I in the correct position.

(51) FIG. 13B is shows a plurality of tablet assemblies 132. In the embodiment shown, five tablets 12A, 12B, 12D, 12E, 12F are interconnected to mounting assemblies (shown in phantom underneath the tablets). The plurality of tablet assemblies 132 is shown with additional mounting assemblies 14C, 14G, 14H, 14I. Accordingly, the tablets 12A, 12B, 12D, 12E, 12F can be moved around and positioned on different mounting assemblies.

(52) The multiple mounting assemblies 14A-I and tablets 12A-F are interconnected to one another. In the embodiment shown, multiple tablets 12A-F can be interconnected to one another, arranged, and rearranged depending on the user's needs. Accordingly, if one tablet 12 contains information that would make more sense positioned in a different location relative to the other tablets 12, then the one tablet 12 can easily be disconnected, moved, and re-interconnected to a different mounting assembly 14 and the other tablets 12.

(53) The tablets 12A-F are easily detachable from the mounting assemblies 14A-I by pushing on a corner of the tablet 12 because the mounting assemblies 14A-I do not extend to the corners of the tablets 12A-F. Specifically, a user can push on a corner of the tablet 12 to detach the tablet 12 from the mounting assembly 14 without detaching other tablets 12A-F if the tablet 12 is in a system of tablets 12A-F secured to a vertical wall because only the one tablet 12 upon which the user pushed will detach from its mounting assembly 14.

(54) In an alternate embodiment, to allow the tablet 12 to be easily removed from a wall, especially a middle or center tablet in a system of multiple tablets 12, the corners of the tablet 12 may be shorter (i.e., shorter in height) than the sides of the tablet 12. Thus, a portion of the bottom surface 74 of the sides of the tablet 12 may be angled such that the side is the shortest at an edge or end, i.e., a corner. The angled bottom edge allows a user to push on one corner of the tablet 12 and pop the opposite corner of the tablet 12 off of the wall, table, or other surface. Angling the bottom edge of the tablet 12 allows the tablet 12 to rock when a user pushes on one corner of the tablet 12 such that the opposite corner lifts up in an amount equal to the amount that the one corner is pushed downward, if the pivot point is positioned in the exact center of the tablet 12. However, in one embodiment the tablet pivot point is off center, creating a lever by which the corner upon which the user pushes downward travels a shorter distance than the distance the opposite corner lifts upward. In an alternate embodiment, the tablet 12 may be flexible and able to be bent to pull the tablet 12 away from the wall or mounting bracket 14. Alternatively, only the writing surface of the tablet 12 may pop out and the tablet base may stay secured to the wall.

(55) FIG. 14 shows various surface examples that can be used in various embodiments. For example, the tablet can be a dry erase board, a wet erase board, a photo frame, a cork or pin board, a clock, a digital tablet holder, a digital sign, a game board, a decorative collage, artwork, or any other item designed to hang on a substantially vertical wall.

(56) FIGS. 15A-17B show example accessories that can be used with the tablet 12 and stored on a rear surface 60 of the tablet. Specifically, FIG. 15A is a top plan view of an eraser 150. The eraser 150 has a felt top 152 and a base 154 in one embodiment. The base 154 of the eraser 150 is manufactured of ABS using an injection molding process. Further, the eraser 150 has interconnection means on its rear side that allow the eraser 150 to interconnect with the brick connection of the rear surface of the tablet. FIG. 16A is a top plan view of one embodiment of a pen 160 that can interconnect to a rear surface of a tablet. The pen comprises a cap 162, a base 164, and an interconnection mechanism 166. The interconnection mechanism 166 fits within and interconnects to the brick connection of the rear surface of the tablet using a tension connection in one embodiment. FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the pen 160 and more clearly shows the interconnection mechanism 166 on the cap 162 of the pen 160. FIG. 17A is a side view of a second embodiment of a pen 170 that can interconnect to a rear surface of a tablet. The pen comprises a cap 172, a base 174, and an interconnection mechanism 176. FIG. 17B is a top view of the pen 170 and more clearly shows the shape of interconnection mechanism 176 on the cap 172 of the pen 170. The interconnection mechanism 176 has a width W such that it fits within and interconnects to the brick connection of the rear surface of the tablet using a tension connection in one embodiment. The width W of the interconnection mechanism 176 is between 3 mm and 4 mm in one embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, width W of the interconnection mechanism 176 is about 3.54 mm. In various embodiments, the caps 162, 172 can be custom molded and the pen bases 164, 174 can be purchased off-of-the-shelf.

(57) Other clip shapes may be used to hold papers, business cards, folders, phones, electronic tablets, make-up, etc. Thus, when two erasable writing tablets are interconnected back-to-back, accessories and/or materials may be stored in the space between the two erasable writing tablets. Accordingly, the writing tablets are a combination of a writing device and purse-like device by interconnecting two or more tablets together to hold materials between the tablets, such as sheets of paper and pens. In one embodiment, the tablets may have a handle that can be rotated from an underside or interconnected to the tablets to assist in carrying the purse-like combination of tablets. The two tablets may be secured to one another using magnets, hinges, hooks, hook and loop material, straps, clips, buckles, alignment locking mechanisms, or other interconnection mechanisms known in the art. In one embodiment, the erasable writing tablets are equipped with hinges such that they may be foldably interconnected through the hinges and are capable of transforming between a flat system of tablets and a tridimensional system of tablets.

(58) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

(59) Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.