Foldable clipboard

Abstract

A foldable clipboard includes a three panel foldable clipboard in which three panels cooperate to form a single planar surface when in an extended position, and at least two panels of the three panels are configured to pivotally move to overlap each other in a folded position, such that a full sized clipboard is folded into a size to fit in a pocket of a garment.

Claims

1. A foldable clipboard, comprising: a first folding panel, a second panel, and a third folding panel configured to form a single planar surface when positioned in an expanded position, such that a second edge of the first folding panel abuts a first edge of the second panel and a second edge of the second panel abuts a first edge of the third folding panel; a first pair of hinges, each hinge of the first pair of hinges positioned spaced-apart in a transverse alignment relative to each other, each hinge of the first pair of hinges including an outer leg bracket and an inner leg bracket that are pivotally connected together, wherein one respective outer leg bracket of one hinge of the first pair of hinges connects to and extends from a flange extending away from a first side edge of the first folding panel and the other respective outer leg bracket of the other hinge of the first pair of hinges connects to and extends from a flange extending away from a second side edge of the first folding panel, and one respective inner leg bracket of the one hinge of the first pair of hinges connects to a first side edge of the second panel, and the other respective inner leg bracket of the other hinge of the first pair of hinges connects to a second side edge of the second panel; and a second pair of hinges, each hinge of the second pair of hinges positioned spaced-apart in a transverse alignment relative to each other, each hinge of the second pair of hinges including an outer leg bracket and an inner leg bracket that are pivotally connected together, wherein one respective outer leg bracket of one hinge of the second pair of hinges connects to and extends from a flange extending away from a first side edge of the third folding panel and the other respective outer leg bracket of the other hinge of the second pair of hinges connects to and extends from a flange extending away from a second side edge of the third folding panel, and one respective inner leg bracket of the one hinge of the second pair of hinges connects to the first side edge of the second panel, and the other respective inner leg bracket of the other hinge of the second pair of hinges connects to the second side edge of the second panel, wherein each outer leg bracket and each inner leg bracket of the first pair of hinges and the second pair of hinges includes an inner side facing each other, and an outer side positioned opposite to each respective inner side, and wherein when the foldable clipboard is moved into a folded position, the inner side of each outer bracket of both the first pair of hinges and the second pair of hinges moves over at least a portion of each outer side of each inner leg bracket of both the first pair of hinges and the second pair of hinges.

2. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein the foldable clipboard folds transversely relative to an axial alignment of the foldable clipboard when in the expanded position.

3. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein when in the folded position, the first folding panel is substantially parallel with the second folding panel, which is in a position in a range of about 0 to 5 degrees relative to the second folding panel.

4. The foldable clipboard of claim 3, wherein when in the folded position, the third folding panel is substantially parallel to the second panel.

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

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

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

8. The foldable clipboard of claim 7, wherein an upper edge of the first folding panel and a lower edge of the third folding panel are parallel relative to each other.

9. The foldable clipboard of claim 1, wherein a pair of ends of the first folding panel are each rounded, and wherein a pair of ends of the third folding panel are each rounded.

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

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.

(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 the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view 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, and

(9) FIG. 8 is an upper side view of an upper edge of the foldable clipboard of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) 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.

(11) 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.

(12) 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 three (3) 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 terms 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.

(13) Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4-8, the foldable clipboard 10 includes a clip 12, as well as a first folding panel 14, a second panel 16, and a third folding panel 18. The first folding panel 14, the second folding panel 16, and the third folding panel 18 are planar. Further, each panel 14, 16, 18 are also, for example, but not by way of limitation, substantially rectangular. “Substantially rectangular” as used herein, means that at least eighty (85) percent of the shape is rectangular, but the shape may include minor variations, such as flanges, and the like.

(14) 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.

(15) The second panel 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 panel includes an upper surface 40, and a lower surface 42. The third folding panel 18 and the first folding panel 14 fold over the second panel 16, respectively.

(16) The third folding panel also includes an upper edge 44, a spaced-apart lower edge 46, a first side edge 48 and a second side edge 50. The third folding panel also includes an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54.

(17) 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 may be used. For example, as illustrated best in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the present clip 12 may include a bracket 56 and a pair of connectors 58 which connect the bracket 56 to the foldable clipboard 10. The bracket 56 desirably includes a spring-loaded clip in the form of a handle 60 which is urged toward the foldable clipboard 10. When the handle 60 is raised, writing material may be positioned on the foldable clipboard 10 and when the handle 60 is released, the handle 60 is urged toward the foldable clipboard 10 to hold the writing material in a desired position.

(18) 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.

(19) A pair of first and second upper hinges 62, 64 and a pair of first and second lower hinges 66, 68 connect the first folding panel 14, the second panel 16, and the third folding panel 18 together. First and second upper hinges 62, 64, include outer leg brackets 70, 72, and inner leg brackets 74, 76, respectively.

(20) In the first upper hinge 62, 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 panel 16 near the upper edge 32 thereof.

(21) Similarly, in the second upper hinge 64, the outer leg bracket 72 is connected to the inner leg bracket 76 via a pin 80. 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 panel 16 near the upper edge 32 thereof.

(22) First and second lower hinges 66, 68, include outer leg brackets 82, 84, and inner leg brackets 86, 88, respectively. In the first lower hinge 66, the outer leg bracket 82 is pivotally connected to the inner leg bracket 86 by pin 90. The outer leg bracket 82 is also connected to the first side edge 36 of the second panel 16 near the lower edge 34 thereof. The inner leg bracket 86 is connected to the first side edge 48 of the third folding panel 16 near the upper edge 44 thereof.

(23) And in the second lower hinge 68, the outer leg bracket 84 is pivotally connected to the inner leg bracket 88 by pin 92. The outer leg bracket 84 is also connected to the second side edge 38 of the second panel 16 near the lower edge 34 thereof. The inner leg bracket 88 is connected to the second side edge 50 of the third folding panel 18 near the upper edge 44 thereof.

(24) Each hinge 62, 64, 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 62, 64, 66, 68 may be integrally formed with each panels 14, 16, 18 as shown and described herein, and the pivot pin 79, 80, 90 92 added to each later. Alternatively, each hinge 62, 64, 66, 68, may be connected to panels 14, 16, 18 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 62, 64, 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 of any hinge 62, 64, 66, 68 herein.

(25) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, each hinge 62, 64, 66, and 68, respectively are formed to permit each outer leg bracket thereof 70, 72, 82, 84, respectively, to overlap each inner leg bracket 74, 76, 86, 88, respectively. Each location and each connections of each hinge 62, 64, 66, and 68 are configured to enhance the ability of the foldable clipboard 10 to fold as shown and described herein.

(26) Each inner leg bracket 74, 76, 86, 88, respectively, and each outer leg bracket 70, 72, 82, 84, respectively, of each hinge 62, 64, 66, 68, respectively, is connected to the foldable clipboard along an inner surface 96 of each outer leg bracket 70, 72, 82, 84, respectively, and each inner leg bracket 74, 76, 86, 88, respectively, of each respective hinge 62, 64, 66, 68. Each outer leg brackets 70, 72, 82, 84 of hinges 62, 64, 66, 68, respectively, may include, or be position upon a small flange 99 (formed on each side edge of the first folding panel 14 and the third folding panel 18) to permit the connection of the outer leg brackets 70, 72, 82, 84 to their respective panels, namely, the first folding panel 14 (outer leg brackets 70, 72) and the third folding panel 18 (outer leg brackets 82, 84), so that each outer leg bracket 70, 72, 82, 84 can overlap its respective inner leg bracket 74, 76, 86, 88.

(27) 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 third folding panel 18 permit the third folding panel 18 and the first folding panel 14 to fold over the second panel 16, and the third panel, respectively. That is, the outer leg brackets 82, 84, respectively, of the first and second lower hinges 66, 68, respectively, pivotably move to overlap the inner leg brackets 86, 88, respectively, of the first and second lower hinges 66, 68, respectively, to permit the third folding panel 18 to fold and overlap the second panel 16. And the ratter leg brackets 70, 72, respectively, of the first and second upper hinges 62, 64, respectively, pivot to overlap the inner leg brackets 74, 76, respectively, of the first and second upper hinges 62, 64, respectively, to permit the first folding panel 14 to fold and overlap the third folding panel 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

(28) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, it will be understood that the panels 14, 16, and 18 of the foldable clipboard cooperate to form a single flat, planar surface which is rigid and suitable for securing documents and providing a writing surface to hold writing material (not shown) thereupon. In this configuration, a person can easily hold and write on the planar surface thereon. This planar position is deemed the planar expanded position. When in the planar extended position, it will be appreciated that the lower edge 22 of first folding panel 14 abuts the upper edge 32 of the second panel 16. And the upper edge 44 of the third folding panel 18 abuts the lower edge 34 of the second panel 16, to form the planar expanded position.

(29) When the foldable clipboard 10 is moved into the folded position, 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 folded position, the foldable clipboard 10 may be positioned in a pocket, a purse, and the like.

(30) 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 a standard writing material, such as, for example, an 8.5 inch by 11 inch piece of paper, when the foldable clipboard is in the expanded position. However, it must be noted that the foldable clipboard 10 should be sized appropriately to accommodate an 8.5 inch by 11 inch writing material, but should not expand significantly therebeyond. For example, but not by way of limitation, the foldable clipboard 10 may have a length 100 of 12 inches and a width 102 of 9 inches. The depth 104 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.

(31) Each panel 14, 16, 18 of the foldable clipboard 10, desirably is generally rectangular, and may be configured to be substantially rectangular in shape. Alternatively, one or more panels may include alternative dimensions. For example, first folding panel 14 and third folding panel 18 includes small flanges 99 on each side edge 24, 26, 48, 50, respectively, thereof. The first folding panel 14 may have rounded outer corners 106, 108, and the third folding panel may also have rounded comers 110, 112. Each rounded comer 106, 108, 110, 112 may have, for example, but not by way of limitation, a slope that is about a 30 degree slope. The rounded edges are advantageous in allowing the foldable clipboard 10 to smoothly store in a pocket or other enclosure.

(32) When the foldable clipboard 10 is moved into the folded position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first space 114 opens between the third folding panel 18 and the second panel 16, and a second space 116 opens between the second panel 16 and the first folding panel 14. The first and second space 114, 116, respectively, and the hinges 64, 64, 66, 68, permit the spacing of both the overlapped third folding panel 18 and the overlapped first folding panel 14, such that the third folding panel 14 may have about a 0 degrees angle relative to the second panel 16 when in the folded position and therefore is substantially parallel thereto, and the first folding panel 14 may have about a 0 degree angle relative to the third folding panel 18, and similarly will be about or substantially parallel thereto. However, it will be understood that this desired about 0 degree angle may vary somewhat when a large amount of writing material is held on the foldable clipboard 10. Therefore, as used herein, “about a 0 degree” angle or “substantially a 0 degree” angle, or “substantially parallel” or “about parallel”, means within a range of between 0 degrees and 5 degrees of an angle or alignment, such as a “parallel” alignment.

(33) When the foldable clip board 10 is in the planar expanded position, the first folding panel 14, the second folding panel 16, and the third folding panel 18 cooperate together with the hinges 62, 64, 66, 68 to form a first stop 118 which is formed between the lower edge 22 of the first folding panel 14 and the upper edge 32 of the second panel which abut each other in the expanded position, to assist in holding the first folding panel 14 and the second holding panel 16 in the planar expanded position. Similarly, a second stop 120 is formed between the lower edge 34 of the second panel 16 and the upper edge 44 of the third folding panel 18 which abut each other in the expanded position, to assist in holding the second panel 16 and the third folding panel 18 in the planar expanded position.

(34) 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 expanded 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 conform to more closely conform to the planar formation of the foldable clipboard 10 (not shown)

(35) 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.