Media storage device

Abstract

An improved media storage device comprising a writing board having at least one surface that is substantially planar, the at least one surface having a proximal and distal end; a clipping means optionally mounted on the distal end of the at least one surface; and a peripheral reuseably and removably attached to the clipping means.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved media storage device, particularly, an improved clipboard, more particularly, an improved clip board providing means for storing peripheral devices in a readily accessible manner, such as a ruler.

Writing tablets have been around for centuries, wherein a more contemporary use thereof has been in the form of a clipboard. The user of a contemporary clipboard often encounters the simultaneously use of a peripheral or two, for example a ruler and/or a writing instrument, however, the user often encounters difficulty in handling such items simultaneously for various reasons. This issue is exacerbated when the user is limited in the area in which to work, for example, when the user is seated in an aircraft, automobile, train, or most particularly in a classroom, meeting room, sporting event, or artistic setting. Under any of these scenarios, the peripheral is usually held non-naturally in the user's non-writing hand due to the lack of adequate work area, thereby prohibiting the user the freedom of using both hands while creating an ergonomically unfriendly environment.

Historically, clipboards have incorporated an array of devices (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,016,666, 4,153,927, 4,610,054, 4,665,520, 4,665,620 and 5,725,250). In light thereof, an object of this invention is to provide a clipboard wherein peripherals may be removably secured to the clipboard, allowing both the clipboard and the peripherals to be both ergonomically and readily available to the user.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel clipboard which is of relatively noncomplex construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to use.

Hence, it would be beneficial therefore to provide a novel clipboard wherein the clipboard and peripherals may be transported and operated essentially unitarily, wherein both the peripherals and the writing surface of the clipboard are available essentially instantaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved media storage device comprising: a writing board having at least one surface that is substantially planar, said surface having a proximal and distal end; a clipping means optionally mounted on the distal end of said surface; and a peripheral reusably and removably attached to said clipping means and/or said writing board. Preferably, said peripheral is attached via magnetic means, although other means are envisioned that are reuseably removable, such as Velcro.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, are provided for illustration of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner whatsoever.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are presented to illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed to limit the claims in any manner whatsoever.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements of the device set forth herein, is illustrated by FIG. 1, an improved media storage device 1 comprising a writing board 2, generally rectangular in shape, and having at least one surface 4 that is substantially planar, so as to provide a substantially uniform contour whereupon media may be created or edited (not shown). An example of such media includes, inter alia, a letter or legal sized note pad which may be placed upon said surface 4 having a proximal 6 and distal 8 ends.

The improved media storage device 1 further includes a clipping means 10 optionally mounted on the distal end 8 of said surface 4, although the clipping means 10 may also be mounted on the proximal end 6, on either side thereof 12, 14, and/or in any combination thereof; 10 ultimately, the position and quantity of the clipping means 10 is largely dependent by the intended application of the user and desired orientation thereof, (e.g., landscape or portrait). The clipping means 10 may include one or more clips to immobilize or secure the media (multiple clips are not shown).

Furthermore, the improved media storage device 1 includes a peripheral 20 that is reusably and removably attached to said clipping means 10. In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral 20 is reuseably and removably attached via a fixation means 30. The fixation means 30 is preferably attached to the clipping means 10, in the instance where the clipping means 10 incorporates a material having a metallic substance, the fixation means 30 may be optionally attached thereto via magnetism, double sided tape, and/or via the incorporation of a commonly known adhesive. Moreover, the fixation means 30 may also optionally be incorporated into said clipping means 10, for example, when said clipping means 10 is metallic, said means 10 may be magnetized alone rather than having a separate magnet. Alternatively likewise, the peripheral 20 may be magnetized alone, rather than the clipping means 10, or both means 10 and peripheral 30 may be magnetized.

In a preferred embodiment the peripheral 20 is selected from the group consisting of a ruler, a writing instrument, a medical instrument, or a tool. It is envisioned that this class includes a plethora of peripherals, which include, inter alia, box cutters, compasses, a letter opener, a nail clipper, paper clips, screwdrivers, and the like. Moreover, it is preferred that said peripheral 20 is a made from a material having metallic characteristics, thereby enabling said peripheral 20 to be magnetically mounted to said improved media storage device 1. For example, wherein said peripheral 20 is a metallic ruler, said ruler may be reuseably and removably mounted to said clipping means 10 via said fixation means 30. Hence, the proximity of the ruler is maximized when not in use, while being ergonomically readily available to the user.

Alternative embodiments include incorporation into a writing tablet, a binder, a portfolio clipboard, and the like. For example, a portfolio clipboard having a plurality of planar surfaces wherein at least one surface has at least one clipping means. Moreover, all of the above referenced patents; patent applications and publications are hereby incorporated by reference. Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above detailed description. All such obvious modifications are within the full-intended spirit and scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An improved media storage device comprising:

a writing board having at least one surface that is substantially planar, said surface having a proximal and distal end;

a clipping means mounted on the said surface, optionally on the distal end; and

a peripheral reuseably and removably attached to said clipping means.

2. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein material having metallic characteristics is incorporated into a member selected from the group consisting of said writing board or said clipping means.

3. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said peripheral is a made from a material having metallic characteristics.

4. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said clipping means further includes a magnetic means.

5. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said peripheral is selected from the group consisting of a ruler, a writing instrument, a medical instrument, or a tool.

6. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said peripheral is removably affixed to said writing board.

7. An improved media storage device as in claim 5, wherein said peripheral has at least one rounded edge.

8. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said clipping means is mounted on the proximal end.

9. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said clipping means is mounted on a side.

10. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said clipping means is mounted on a plurality of ends.

11. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said clipping means is mounted on a plurality of sides.

12. An improved media storage device as in claim 1, wherein said clipping means is mounted on a combination of a side and an end.