WRIST MOUNTED NOTEPAD CARRYING DEVICE

Abstract

A wrist mounted notepad carrying device is disclosed. The device is securable to a user's wrist via a wrist strap. Removably attached to the wrist strap is a casing. The casing has bottom and side surfaces. The casing also has a top member which is removably attached to remainder of the casing by a hinge or other suitable means. Disposed within the casing is a notepad. In various embodiments, the present invention may also include a variety of other features, either singularly or in combination with one another. Other features may include, but are not limited to a timekeeping device, informational indicia, a ruler, a light source, and or a writing device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to notepads, and more specifically to a wrist mounted notepad carrying device.

2. Description of the Related Art

People in various professions continually have to write down information quickly. For example, people in the medical professions are often forced to write information on any nearby scrap of paper, a part of their body or some other surface. Not having a convenient notepad can lead to a poor record of information, which in turn can lead to mistakes.

Some attempts have been made to mount a note or memo pad on a user's wrist. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,481 discloses a memo pad assembly. The memo pad assembly has a strap, suitable for securing the assembly to a user's wrist or other body part. Sheets of paper are stored in a drawer that inserts into a slot in a compartment section that is attached to the strap. The assembly also has a writing instrument that can be stored in another slot in the compartment section. Unfortunately, the disclosed memo pad assembly is not convenient to use and the strap is not conveniently changed.

On a device such as a wrist mounted note or memo pad, an interchangeable wrist strap is a vital feature due to the fact that the wrist straps frequently become damaged, worn or soiled.

SUMMARY

In view of the deficiencies described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device with a removable wrist strap.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device with a timekeeping device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device with a ruler.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device with space to provide informational indicia.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device with a light source.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wrist mounted notepad carrying device with a writing device.

The present invention is a wrist mounted notepad carrying device. The device is securable to a user's wrist via a wrist strap. Removably attached to the wrist strap is a casing. The casing has bottom and side surfaces. The casing also has a top member which is attached to remainder of the casing by a hinge or other suitable means. Disposed within the casing is a notepad.

In various embodiments, the present invention may also include a variety of other features, either singularly or in combination with one another. Other features may include, but are not limited to a timekeeping device, informational indicia, a ruler, a light source, and or a writing device.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device a according to the present invention having an optional ruler and providing an optional space for optional informational indicia.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to the present invention having an optional timekeeping device, an optional light source, and an optional ruler.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to the present invention having an optional light source disposed in an optional light source compartment, an optional timekeeping device, and an optional writing device.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to the present invention having an optional ruler disposed in an optional ruler compartment and an optional writing device removed from an optional writing device compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

The present invention is a wrist mounted notepad carrying device 100. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device 100 according to the present invention having an optional ruler 230 and providing an optional space for optional informational indicia 220. The device 100 is securable to a user's wrist via a wrist strap 110. The wrist strap 110 can be made of any suitable material for watchbands or other items worn on a user's wrist. Preferably the wrist strap 110 is made from hook and loop fabric, wherein one end of the strap is securable to the other end using the fastening properties of the hook and loop fabric. Other traditional means for securing a wrist strap 110 to a user's wrist may also be used, including, but not limited to buckles, snaps, or the elastic properties of the wrist strap 110 itself.

Removably attached to the wrist strap 110 is a casing 120. Removability of the strap facilitates the interchangeability of wrist strap 110 and casing 120. Interchangeability of the wrist strap 110 makes the device 100 more appealing and useful to a user, particularly when the wrist strap 110 becomes damaged, worn, or soiled. The casing 120 may be attached to the wrist strap 110 by any means known in the art. For example, and not by limitation, the casing 120 may be attached to the wrist strap 110 using hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or pins. Alternately the casing 120 may have slots 130, through which the wrist strap 110 passes.

The casing 120 has a bottom surface 140 and side surfaces 150. Typically the casing 120 will be substantially rectangular in shape, although other shapes may also be used, including, but not limited to, substantially oval, substantially circular or other polygonal or irregular shapes. The actual dimensions of the bottom surface 140 and side surfaces 150 can vary with the various embodiments and features included with the device 100. The casing 120 also has a top member 160 which is removably attached to a portion of the casing 120 by a hinge 170 or other suitable means. The top member 160 has an interior surface 180 and an exterior surface 190, wherein the interior surface 180 faces the inside of the casing 120 and is visible when the top member 160 is in an opened position. The exterior surface 190 faces the opposite direction from the interior surface 180.

Disposed within the casing 120 is a notepad 200. The notepad 200 can have any suitable dimensions. Preferably the notepad 200 uses readily available pads of paper of standardized dimensions. For example, small POST-IT brand pads of paper are readily available in one hundred sheet pads and are 34.9 mm high by 47.6 mm wide. Other brand pads of paper or pads of paper manufactured specifically to go with the present invention may also be used.

In various embodiments, the present invention may also include a variety of other features, either singularly or in combination with one another. Other features may include, but are not limited to, a timekeeping device 210, informational indicia 220, a ruler 230, a light source 240, and or a writing device 250. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device 100 according to the present invention having an optional timekeeping device 210, an optional light source 240, and an optional ruler 230. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device 100 according to the present invention having an optional light source 240 disposed in an optional light source compartment 270, an optional timekeeping device 210, and an optional writing device 250. FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of a wrist mounted notepad carrying device 100 according to the present invention having an optional ruler 230 disposed in an optional ruler compartment 260 and an optional writing device 250 removed from an optional writing device compartment 280.

The timekeeping device 210 can be mounted in or on the top member 160 of the casing 120 and can be visible either when viewing the interior surface 180 (as shown in FIG. 3) or the exterior surface 190 (as shown in FIG. 2). The timekeeping device 210 increases the functionality of the present invention by providing a readily accessible source of the present time or a timer for timing various events. Often, a user will want to know the time when a particular notation was made on the notepad 200. Having a timekeeping device included with the present invention facilitates proper note making. Similarly, the user may want to time a particular event and then record information about that event on the notepad 200. In other various embodiments, the timekeeping device 210 may be mounted on or in the wrist strap 110.

The top member 160 (as shown in FIG. 1), or other portions of the device 100 may also serve as convenient repositories for readily needed informational indicia 220. This informational indicia 220 may include, but is not limited to, a calendar, unit conversion tables or calculations, medical information, instructional information, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions, emergency response information, or other information. The informational indicia 220 may be included in the manufacture of the device 100, such as through embossing or other manufacturing techniques, or may be added at a later time, such as in the form of appliqués, decals, or the like.

A ruler 230 may be disposed in or on the casing 120. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the rule 230 is incorporated into the side surfaces 150 of the casing 120. Depending on the user's field or occupation, a ruler 230 is a frequently used tool. For example, the ruler 230 may be used to measure pieces or parts for a building project or used to measure the size of a wound. Preferably the ruler 230 is externally accessible from the device 100. In various embodiments (as shown in FIG. 4), the ruler 230 may be retractable into the casing 120, or retractable into a ruler compartment 260 in the casing 120. In other various embodiments, the ruler 230 may be removable from the device 100. The ruler 230 may also be incorporated into the wrist strap 110.

In various embodiments, the present invention also includes a light source 240. The light source 240 may be mounted on or in the interior surface 180 of the top member 160 (as shown in FIG. 3), such that it illuminates the notepad 200 when the top member is in an open position. The light source 240 may also be externally visible from the device 100 (as shown in FIG. 2), thus serving as a wrist mounted flashlight. The light source 240 may also be removable from the device 100. For example, the light source 240 may be removable from a recessed light source compartment 270 in the casing 120 (as shown in FIG. 3).

In various embodiments, the present invention also includes a writing device 250. Since the present invention includes a notepad 200, a user may find it desirable to include a writing device 250, such as a pen or pencil, with the device 100. The writing device 250 may be mounted, for example, on or in the casing 120 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) or on the wrist strap 110. For example, the writing device 250 may be removable from a recessed writing device compartment 280 in the casing 120 (as shown in FIG. 4).

While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A wrist mounted notepad carrying device comprising:

a wrist strap,

a casing, having bottom and side members, wherein said casing is removably attached to said strap,

a notepad disposed within said casing, and

a top member, having interior and exterior surfaces, wherein said top member can be selectively opened or closed with respect to said casing.

2. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said top member further comprises a timekeeping device visible upon viewing said interior surface.

3. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said top member further comprises a timekeeping device visible upon viewing said exterior surface.

4. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said top member further comprises informational indicia.

5. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 4, wherein said informational indicia comprises a calendar.

6. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 4, wherein said informational indicia comprises a unit conversion table.

7. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 4, wherein said informational indicia comprises medical information.

8. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 4, wherein said informational indicia comprises instructional information.

9. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 8, wherein said instructional information comprises CPR instructions.

10. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 4, wherein said informational indicia comprises emergency response information.

11. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, further comprising a ruler externally accessible from said device.

12. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 11, wherein said ruler is retractably contained within said casing.

13. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 11, wherein said ruler is removable from said device.

14. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, further comprising a light source.

15. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 14, wherein said light source effectively illuminates said notepad when said top member is in an open position.

16. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 14, wherein said light source is removable from said device.

17. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 14, wherein said light source is externally visible from said device.

18. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, further comprising a writing device externally mounted on said casing.

19. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, further comprising a writing device externally removably contained in a recessed compartment in said casing.

20. The wrist mounted notepad carrying device according to claim 1, further comprising:

wherein said top member further comprises a timekeeping device,

wherein said top member further comprises informational indicia,

a ruler externally accessible from said device,

a light source, and

a writing device.