Double-handled clipboard

Abstract

The present invention can be practiced as a clipboard that has a flat rectangular board with contoured side edges containing an element for holding papers or other thin items and two indented apertures for holding the board with four fingers. The surface of the clipboard may be magnetic, contain magnetic strips or buttons, a dry erase board, or a combination of the surfaces mentioned. Each aperture may be located on opposite or adjoining side edges and is surrounded by a rubber gripping surface to facilitate gripping and comfort. The clipboard also may include a second paperclip for securing papers or other thin items and a pen clamp for securing pens, dry erase markers, or other writing utensils at the bottom of the board.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of an application entitled “Double-Handled Clipboard” filed on Apr. 22, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/227,875, filed on Apr. 15, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/218,504, filed on Dec. 3, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flat board with openings that serve as handles.

Clipboards have applicability in a variety of activities in any industry and in connection with educational purposes. Typically, clipboards are held around an edge when being carried or used. A clipboard in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,730 includes two thumb holes for the left and right thumbs that allow a person to hold the clipboard while writing. The thumb extends from below the board and is pressed against the front surface of the board while writing. A hand cannot fit in the thumb holes.

There remains a need for a clipboard that allows for options to hold the clipboard, whether being used intermittently or just carrying. The present invention gives one the option of placing their hands in one of at least two openings while carrying or holding the clipboard.

The clipboard in accordance with the present invention can be picked up in at least one of two ways, whether for ease and quickness, or purposely, for instance to hide or show a particular side of the clipboard when held. It is less burdensome to carry or hold because the openings in the clipboard enable the person to carry the clipboard at their side like a laptop computer or purse, and to do so from both sides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be practiced as a clipboard with a rectangular board containing contoured top, bottom, left, and right side edges for holding paper or other thin items with two indented apertures for holding the clipboard with four fingers.

A clip, adhesive, magnet, magnetic substrate material or other means may be used to attach the paper or other thin items to the clipboard.

In one embodiment, each indented aperture is preferably 3.25 inches or greater in length, and is preferably 0.75 inches or greater in width.

In another embodiment, it is preferable that the apertures are approximately 3.25-5.50 inches in length and 0.75-2.50 inches in width.

The apertures can be located opposite one another or on adjoining edges. There may also be more than four apertures (e.g., three or four in number). Each aperture can be located, as indented, on the right and left edges or top and bottom edges and additionally the top and right edge, the top and left edge, the bottom and right edge, and the bottom and left edge. In the case of three apertures, the apertures can be located on the right, left, and bottom edges, the right, left, and top edges, the top, bottom and left edges, or the top, bottom, and right edges.

In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to the clip, the front of the clipboard can be magnetic or magnetic strips or buttons can be provided.

In further embodiments, instead of or in addition to the clip or magnetic strips or buttons, the front of the clipboard can be a dry erase board or a combination of a magnetic and dry erase board, a partially magnetic board or a partially dry erase board.

The invention in other embodiments may contain a second paperclip for securing papers or other thin items and pen clamp for securing pens, dry erase markers, magnetic pens, or other writing utensils connected directly to the bottom of the board.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the present invention is embodied in a clipboard having a substrate with a planar back and a planar front. Four edges define the substrate. An element for holding sheets of paper or other thin items to the substrate is provided. Two apertures indented from edges of the substrate are provided, with such apertures being sized so that a person can hold the clipboard with four fingers extending therethrough.

The above aspect of the present invention may also be characterized in that the element for holding the paper to the substrate is a clip (spring actuated or other), adhesive (as in a releasable adhesive as used on Post-it® brand pads), magnets or a magnetic substrate material.

Preferably, the clipboard includes apertures that are approximately 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and approximately 0.75-2.5 inches or greater in width.

The apertures indented from the edges of the substrate are preferably opposite one another. However, the apertures may be on adjoining edges.

The clipboard may have a magnetic substrate such that magnets or metal elements may be used to hold the sheets of paper there against.

A rubber gripping surface is preferably provided in the area of the apertures, and most preferably surrounding the apertures. This facilitates gripping of the clipboard, as well as comfort.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the clipboard may be a flat board having a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a left side edge, and a right side edge opposite the left side edge. A paperclip is provided on the board in any appropriate location, preferably at the top. First and second apertures are provided at indented position from two different edges, preferably with the second aperture being indented from an edge opposite the first aperture.

The above embodiment may include a paperclip at the top edge of the board and the first and second apertures may be indented from left and right side edges.

The above embodiment may include a pin clamp located adjacent the bottom edge of the board. Preferably, the board has contoured about the periphery defined by the edges.

In connection with the above aspect of the present invention, one aperture is located on the left side edge and a second aperture is located on a right side edge.

This aspect of the present invention may include apertures that are approximately 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and 0.75-2.5 inches or greater in width.

The flat board in this aspect of the present invention may be at least partially magnetic.

In another embodiment, particularly smaller versions, a magnet or magnets can be provided on the back surface so that it can be magnetically held to a filing cabinet or other metal surface.

The flat board in this aspect of the present invention may have raised and rounded edge surfaces with a recessed writing surface. The recessed writing surface may be at least partially magnetic, made of a dry erase board material, made of metal, made of plastic, made of a substrate with openings for receiving elements to hold papers or create a design or some indicia, etc.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the clipboard may have a substrate with a planar back and a planar front being defined by four edges. An element for holding sheets of paper or other thin items is provided, along with two apertures indented from edges of the substrate. The apertures are sized so that a person can hold a clipboard with four fingers extending through either aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the clipboard embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the clipboard is generally designated as 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the clipboard 100 is substantially a flat rectangular board 102 with contoured side edges and a paperclip 104 is disposed at the top of the board 102.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the paperclip 104 in this embodiment is attached by engaging integrally formed tabs 105 with corresponding tabs on a clip structure that includes a spring. The integrally formed corresponding tabs 105 enable the paperclip 104 to be securely attached to board 100. Any suitable means of attachment may be used to attach or hold the clip to the board, including adhesive, magnets, magnetic substrate materials such as strips or buttons, etc, as will be discussed further below.

Contoured side edges in the preferred embodiment are raised and rounded about the periphery of the board. The edges contoured with a radius about the periphery, leaving a substrate having raised surfaces about the periphery. Thus, a recessed writing surface 103 is provided in the central region of the board.

In one embodiment, the paperclip 104 has a spring-loaded construction and is pivotally moveable from a normally closed position at which it can hold papers against the board 102 to an open position at which there is an opening between paperclip 104 and the board 102 so that papers can be inserted or removed.

Design U.S. Pat. Nos. D 406,168 and D 406,171 show paperclips of suitable construction and the disclosures therein are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

In other embodiments of the present invention, magnets, adhesive, or other expedients for holding papers or other thin items to the board 102 can be employed. The adhesive for holding papers to the board is preferably releasable such as the adhesive used for Post-It brand notepads. Magnets can be used to hold paper to the board or accessory metal or magnetic pieces can be used on the board. Board 102, the substrate, in a preferred embodiment may be magnetic or may include magnetic strips, buttons, etc. of any dimension. Such magnetic strips or buttons can be moveably attached to the board (such as slideable) or may be stagnate and moveable anywhere on the board. Board 102 can be a board with an erasable marker surface such as a dry erase board. The clipboard can also be a combination of boards such as a dry erase board and magnetic board, a partially dry erase board, or a partially magnetic board. A clipboard having a pad pocket is also contemplated. Such a clipboard would have an opening in which a cardboard backing of a pad can be slid. The adhesive for holding papers to the board is preferably releasable such as the adhesive used for Post-It brand notepads.

A second paperclip 106 is located at the bottom of board 102. The second paper clip 106 is connected directly to board 102 and has a pen clamp 107. The second paperclip 106 is pivotally moveable from a normally closed position at which it holds papers against the board 102 to an open position at which there is an opening between the second paperclip 106 and the board 102, and thus papers can be inserted or removed. Of course, a second paperclip or pen clamp can be provided independently of one another.

The second paper clip 106 allows paper or thin items to stay securely in place while holding or moving clipboard 100. The pen clamp 107 ensures that the pen or other writing utensil will stay securely attached to board 102 while clipboard 100 is being held or carried.

An indented aperture 108 is located on the left and a second indented aperture 110 is located on the right. The distance to which the aperture is indented should be approximately 3.25-5.50 inches in length and 0.75-2.50 inches in width, and may vary depending upon the size of the aperture, which may vary in size depending upon the application. For a children's clipboard, the apertures will be smaller than a clipboard designed for an adult sports team. It is important that the apertures be sized for comfort based on the average size of the individual's hand, taking into account the age for which a clipboard in accordance with the present invention is designed.

Preferably, the apertures 108 and 110 range from approximately 3.25-5.50 inches in length and approximately 0.75-2.50 inches in width and allows a person to grip the clipboard with four fingers. Each of the indented apertures 108 and 110 enable a person to carry the clipboard with ease and quickness or to hide or show a particular side of the clipboard when held.

Instead of placing the indented apertures 108 and 110 on the right and left of clipboard 100, the present invention contemplates placing apertures on the top edge and the bottom edge; or on adjoining edges such as the top edge and left edge, the top edge and right edge, the bottom edge and the right edge, and the bottom edge and left edge. Apertures can also be provided on three edges, most preferably on the left, right and bottom edges.

Surrounding apertures 108 and 110 is a rubber gripping surface to facilitate gripping and comfort. The gripping surface may extend 0.5-2.5 inches from the width of the aperture and 0.1-1.0 inches from the length of the aperture. The surface area of each gripping surface will depend on the length and width of apertures 108 and 110. For aesthetic purposes the gripping surface may be a different color than clipboard 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of clipboard 100 is substantially a flat rectangular board 102 with contoured side edges and a paperclip 104 is disposed at the top of board 102. A second paperclip 106 is located at the bottom of board 102. The second paperclip 106 is connected directly to board 102 and has a pen clamp 107.

The second paperclip 106 is pivotally moveable from a normally closed position at which it holds papers against board 102 to an open position at which there is an opening between the second paperclip 106 and the board 102, and thus papers can be inserted or removed.

In another embodiment, particularly smaller versions, a magnet or magnets can be provided on the back surface so that it can be magnetically held to a filing cabinet or other metal surface.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that clipboard 100 is substantially a flat rectangular board 102 with contoured side edges and a recessed writing surface.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made and are encouraged to be made to the illustrative embodiments, and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims below.

Claims

1. A clipboard comprising:

i. a substrate with a planar back and a planar front and defined by four edges;

ii. an element for holding sheets of paper or other thin items to the substrate; and

iii. two apertures indented from edges of said substrate, said apertures being sized so that a person can hold the clipboard with four fingers extending through either aperture.

2. The clipboard as recited in claim 1, wherein the element for holding paper to the substrate is selected among a group consisting of a clip, adhesive, magnet, or magnetic substrate material.

3. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the two apertures indented from the edges of said substrate are about 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and about 0.75-2.50 inches or greater in width.

4. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the two apertures indented from the edges of said substrate are opposite one another.

5. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the two apertures indented from the edges of said substrate are on adjoining edges.

6. The clipboard in claim 1, wherein the planar front is magnetic, and includes a rubber gripping surface surrounding the apertures to facilitate gripping and comfort.

7. A double-handled clipboard comprising:

i. a flat board having: 1. a top edge; 2. a bottom edge opposite said top edge; 3. a left side edge; and 4. a right side edge opposite said left side edge; and

ii. a paperclip on the board;

iii. a first aperture indented from one of the edges; and

iv. a second aperture indented from an edge opposite the first aperture.

8. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein the paperclip is located at the top edge of the board, and the first and second apertures are indented from the left and right side edges.

9. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein a pen clamp is located adjacent the bottom edge of the board.

10. The double-handled clipboard in claim 9, wherein the board has contoured about the periphery defined by the edges.

11. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein one aperture indented from the contoured board is located on the left side edge and the second aperture indented from the board is located on the right side edge.

12. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein each aperture is about 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and 0.75-2.50 inches or greater in width, and a magnet is provided on the back surface so that the clipboard can be magnetically held to a metal surface.

13. The double-handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein the flat board is at least partially magnetic.

14. The double handled clipboard in claim 7, wherein the flat board has raised and rounded edge surfaces with a recessed writing surface.

15. A clipboard comprising:

i. a substrate with a planar back and a planar front and defined by four edges;

ii. an element for holding sheets of paper or other thin items to the substrate;

iii. two apertures indented from edges of said substrate, said apertures being sized so that a person can hold the clipboard with four fingers extending through either aperture; and

iv. writable surface is a dry erase board.

16. The clipboard as recited in claim 15, wherein the element for holding paper to the substrate is selected among a group consisting of a clip, adhesive, magnet, or magnetic substrate material.

17. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the two apertures indented from the edges of said substrate are about 3.25-5.50 inches or greater in length and about 0.75-2.50 inches or greater in width.

18. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the two apertures indented from the edges of said substrate are opposite one another and include a rubber grip surface in the area of the apertures.

19. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the two apertures indented from the edges of said substrate are on adjoining edges and include a rubber grip surface in the area of the apertures.

20. The clipboard in claim 15, wherein the clipboard is a combination of dry erase and magnetic or partially dry erase.