# US 5,348,144 A · Artist sketch box > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,348,144 A - Document ID: US5348144A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/060,356 - Filed: 1993-05-11 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1993-05-11 - Inventors: Michael L. Maier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348144A ## CPC - A47B 97/08: foldable - B44D 3/00: Accessories or implements for use in connection with painting or artistic drawing, not otherwise provided for (hand tools for applying liquids, e.g. paints, to surfaces B05C17/00, implements for finishing work on buildings, other than painting, E04F21/00); Methods or devices for colour determination, selection, or synthesis, e.g. use of colour tables (colorimetry G01J3/00) - B44D 3/02: Palettes - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - B44D: PAINTING OR ARTISTIC DRAWING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PRESERVING PAINTINGS; SURFACE TREATMENT TO OBTAIN SPECIAL ARTISTIC SURFACE EFFECTS OR FINISHES (surface treatment in general, see the relevant places, e.g. applying liquids or other fluent materials B05) ## Abstract An improved artist sketch box is described as including a bottom with upstanding walls attached to the bottom generally about the perimeter forming a base compartment, diagonal members affixed within the base compartment further defining the area therein, a lid assembly of approximately the same peripheral configuration as the base compartment hinged to one of the upstanding walls, and as having lid walls attached to the lid assembly adapted for receiving one or more artist panels and a panel board member hinged to the lid assembly to provide access for inserting or removing the artist panels from the lid assembly. The lid assembly pivots about its hinges so that the lid walls and panel board member align with the upstanding walls to form a box. A lightweight easel and palette assembly is provided that fits within the box and is removable separate and apart from the box for use. The easel and palette assembly includes a palette base assembly that is hinged to an easel assembly that is adapted for receiving an artist panel board. The palette base assembly and easel assembly pivot with respect to each other and are secured in position by a slotted brace and thumbscrew. The easel and palette assembly are either hand held by the artist during use or are affixed to a camera type of tripod. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An artist sketch box, comprising: a substantially planar bottom having a length and a width and a thickness; a front upstanding wall, a rear upstanding wall, and two side upstanding walls attached generally about the perimeter of said planar bottom to form a compartment having an open top; a substantially planar lid having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges and having a length and a width approximating said length and said width of said planar bottom; a first upstanding lid wall attached to said rear edge, a second upstanding lid wall attached to one of said two side edges, a third upstanding lid wall attached to the remainder of said two side edges; a panel board member hinged at a first end to said front edge by a first means for providing a hinge and having attached a first part of a means for providing a latch at an end of said panel board member opposite to said first end; said first upstanding lid wall hinged to said rear upstanding wall at a side opposite to where said first upstanding lid wall is attached to said rear edge by a second means for providing a hinge; a second part of a means for providing a latch attached to said front upstanding wall at an end opposite where said front upstanding wall is attached to said planar bottom; an easel and palette assembly including a palette base assembly and an easel assembly; said palette base assembly hinged to said easel assembly by a palette hinge; said easel assembly including an easel member attached to an edge of said easel plate nearest to said palette hinge, a first side easel member attached to a second edge of said easel plate that is perpendicular to said rear easel member, and a second side easel member attached to third edge of said easel plate opposite to said second edge; wherein said rear easel member, said first side easel member, and said second side easel member each contain a longitudinal panel board groove in general alignment with each other that is adapted for receiving an artist panel board; said palette base assembly includes a palette base plate having a first palette side member, a second palette side member, a rear palette member, and a front palette member attached generally about the perimeter of said palette base plate and includes a knock-out hole in said palette base plate for providing a hole where desired to insert a thumb therein; said easel and palette assembly removable separate and apart from said compartment during use and capable of being stored generally in said compartment during transportation; said palette base assembly including a side brace pivotally attached thereto and a thumbscrew for securing said side brace in position with respect to said easel assembly thereby securing said palette base assembly in position relative to said easel assembly; and said compartment being adapted for receiving said easel and palette assembly; whereby upon said panel board member being pivoted about said first means for providing a hinge to a position that is generally closest to one end each of said second upstanding lid wall and of said third upstanding lid wall and upon said first upstanding lid wall being pivoted about said second means for providing a hinge to a position where said first upstanding lid wall is generally in planar alignment with said rear upstanding wall, said first upstanding lid wall, said second upstanding lid wall, and said third upstanding lid wall cooperate with said rear upstanding wall, said two side upstanding walls, and said panel board member also cooperates with said front upstanding wall to form, generally, a box. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The artist sketch box of claim 1 wherein said first part of said means for providing a latch cooperates with said second part of said means for providing a latch to secure said box in a generally closed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The artist sketch box of claim 1 wherein said first upstanding lid wall, said second upstanding lid wall, and said third upstanding lid wall each contain a longitudinal groove generally in alignment with each other that is adapted for receiving an artist panel board. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The artist sketch box of claim 3 wherein said longitudinal groove is adapted for receiving a plurality of said artist panel boards. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The artist sketch box of claim 3 wherein said longitudinal groove includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The artist sketch box of claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of longitudinal grooves is adapted for receiving a plurality of said artist panel boards. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The artist sketch box of claim 3 wherein said panel board member pivots about said first means for providing a hinge to provide access for inserting or removing said artist panel board from said longitudinal groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The artist sketch box of claim 3 including a groove block attached to said planar lid a predetermined distance apart from said first upstanding lid wall and containing a longitudinal block groove formed in said groove block that is generally in alignment with said longitudinal groove of said first upstanding lid wall and said second upstanding lid wall that is adapted for receiving said artist panel board. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The artist sketch box of claim 1 wherein said compartment includes a diagonal member affixed to said bottom and further defining said area within said compartment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The artist sketch box of claim 9 wherein said diagonal member includes a plurality of diagonal members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The artist sketch box of claim 1 including a handle attached to said improved artist sketch box for carrying said artist sketch box. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The artist sketch box of claim 1 wherein said two upstanding side walls each contain a ledge adapted for receiving and for retaining thereon said easel and palette assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The artist sketch box of claim 1 wherein said side brace includes a slot adapted for receiving said thumbscrew. ### Claim 14 An artist sketch box, comprising: a substantially planar bottom having a length and a width and a thickness; a front upstanding wall, a rear upstanding wall, and two side upstanding walls attached generally about the perimeter of said planar bottom to form a compartment having an open top; a substantially planar lid having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges and having a length and a width approximating said length and said width of said planar bottom; a first upstanding lid wall attached to said rear edge, a second upstanding lid wall attached to one of said two side edges, a third upstanding lid wall attached to the remainder of said two side edges; a panel board member hinged at a first end to said front edge by a first means for providing a hinge and having attached a first part of a means for providing a latch at an end of said panel board member opposite to said first end; said first upstanding lid wall hinged to said rear upstanding wall at a side opposite to where said first upstanding lid wall is attached to said rear edge by a second means for providing a hinge; a second part of a means for providing a latch attached to said front upstanding wall at an end opposite where said front upstanding wall is attached to said planar bottom; an easel and palette assembly including a palette base assembly and an easel assembly; said palette base assembly hinged to said easel assembly by a palette hinge; said palette base assembly including a side brace pivotally attached thereto and a thumbscrew for securing said side brace in position with respect to said easel assembly thereby securing said palette base assembly in position relative to said easel assembly; said easel and palette assembly removable separate and apart from said compartment during use and capable of being stored generally in said compartment during transportation; and said compartment being adapted for receiving said easel and palette assembly; whereby upon said panel board member being pivoted about said first means for providing a hinge to a position that is generally closest to one end each of said second upstanding lid wall and of said third upstanding lid wall and upon said first upstanding lid wall being pivoted about said second means for providing a hinge to a position where said first upstanding lid wall is generally in planar alignment with said rear upstanding wall, said first upstanding lid wall, said second upstanding lid wall, and said third upstanding lid wall cooperate with said rear upstanding wall, said two side upstanding walls, and said panel board member also cooperates with said front upstanding wall to form, generally, a box. ### Claim 15 An artist sketch box, comprising: a substantially planar bottom having a length and a width and a thickness; a front upstanding wall, a rear upstanding wall, and two side upstanding walls attached generally about the perimeter of said planar bottom to form a compartment having an open top; a substantially planar lid having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges and having a length and a width approximating said length and said width of said planar bottom; a first upstanding lid wall attached to said rear edge, a second upstanding lid wall attached to one of said two side edges, a third upstanding lid wall attached to the remainder of said two side edges; a panel board member hinged at a first end to said front edge by a first means for providing a hinge and having attached a first part of a means for providing a latch at an end of said panel board member opposite to said first end; said first upstanding lid wall hinged to said rear upstanding wall at a side opposite to where said first upstanding lid wall is attached to said rear edge by a second means for providing a hinge; a second part of a means for providing a latch attached to said front upstanding wall at an end opposite where said front upstanding wall is attached to said planar bottom; an easel and palette assembly including a palette base assembly and an easel assembly; said palette base assembly hinged to said easel assembly by a palette hinge; said easel assembly including an easel plate, a rear easel member attached to an edge of said easel plate nearest to said palette means for providing a hinge, a first side easel member attached to a second edge of said easel plate that is perpendicular to said rear easel member, and a second side easel member attached to third edge of said easel plate opposite to said second edge; wherein said rear easel member, said first side easel member, and said second side easel member each contain a longitudinal panel board groove in general alignment with each other that is adapted for receiving an artist panel board; said easel and palette assembly removable separate and apart from said compartment during use and capable of being stored generally in said compartment during transportation; and said compartment being adapted for receiving said easel and palette assembly; whereby upon said panel board member being pivoted about said first means for providing a hinge to a position that is generally closest to one end each of said second upstanding lid wall and of said third upstanding lid wall and upon said first upstanding lid wall being pivoted about said second means for providing a hinge to a position where said first upstanding lid wall is generally in planar alignment with said rear upstanding wall, said first upstanding lid wall, said second upstanding lid wall, and said third upstanding lid wall cooperate with said rear upstanding wall, said two side upstanding walls, and said panel board member also cooperates with said front upstanding wall to form, generally, a box. ### Claim 16 An artist sketch box, comprising: a substantially planar bottom having a length and a width and a thickness; a front upstanding wall, a rear upstanding wall, and two side upstanding walls attached generally about the perimeter of said planar bottom to form a compartment having an open top; a substantially planar lid having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges and having a length and a width approximating said length and said width of said planar bottom; a first upstanding lid wall attached to said rear edge, a second upstanding lid wall attached to one of said two side edges, a third upstanding lid wall attached to the remainder of said two side edges; a panel board member hinged at a first end to said front edge by a first means for providing a hinge and having attached a first part of a means for providing a latch at an end of said panel board member opposite to said first end; said first upstanding lid wall hinged to said rear upstanding wall at a side opposite to where said first upstanding lid wall is attached to said rear edge by a second means for providing a hinge; a second part of a means for providing a latch attached to said front upstanding wall at an end opposite where said front upstanding wall is attached to said planar bottom; an easel and palette assembly including a palette base assembly and an easel assembly; said palette base assembly hinged to said easel assembly by a palette hinge; said palette base assembly includes a palette base plate having a first palette side member, a second palette side member, a rear palette member, and a front palette member attached generally about the perimeter of said palette base plate and includes a knock-out hole in said palette base plate for providing a hole where desired to insert a thumb therein; said easel and palette assembly removable separate and apart from said compartment during use and capable of being stored generally in said compartment during transportation; and said compartment being adapted for receiving said easel and palette assembly; whereby upon said panel board member being pivoted about said first means for providing a hinge to a position that is generally closest to one end each of said second upstanding lid wall and of said third upstanding lid wall and upon said first upstanding lid wall being pivoted about said second means for providing a hinge to a position where said first upstanding lid wall is generally in planar alignment with said rear upstanding wall, said first upstanding lid wall, said second upstanding lid wall, and said third upstanding lid wall cooperate with said rear upstanding wall, said two side upstanding walls, and said panel board member also cooperates with said front upstanding wall to form, generally, a box. ### Claim 17 An artist sketch box, comprising: a substantially planar bottom having a length and a width and a thickness; a front upstanding wall, a rear upstanding wall, and two side upstanding walls attached generally about the perimeter of said planar bottom to form a compartment having an open top; said compartment including a plurality of diagonal members affixed to said planar bottom, further defining said area within said compartment to include at least one diagonal compartment attached to said planar bottom; a substantially planar lid having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges and having a length and a width approximating said length and said width of said planar bottom; a first upstanding lid wall attached to said rear edge, a second upstanding lid wall attached to one of said two side edges, a third upstanding lid wall attached to the remainder of said two side edges; a panel board member hinged at a first end to said front edge by a first means for providing a hinge and having attached a first part of a means for providing a latch at an end of said panel board member opposite to said first end; said first upstanding lid wall hinged to said rear upstanding wall at a side opposite to where said first upstanding lid wall is attached to said rear edge by a second means for providing a hinge; a second part of a means for providing a latch attached to said front upstanding wall at an end opposite where said front upstanding wall is attached to said planar bottom; an easel and palette assembly including a palette base assembly and an easel assembly; said palette base assembly hinged to said easel assembly by a palette hinge; said easel and palette assembly removable separate and apart from said compartment during use and capable of being stored generally in said compartment during transportation; and said compartment being adapted for receiving said easel and palette assembly; whereby upon said panel board member being pivoted about said first means for providing a hinge to a position that is generally closest to one end each of said second upstanding lid wall and of said third upstanding lid wall and upon said first upstanding lid wall being pivoted about said second means for providing a hinge to a position where said first upstanding lid wall is generally in planar alignment with said rear upstanding wall, said first upstanding lid wall, said second upstanding lid wall, and said third upstanding lid wall cooperate with said rear upstanding wall, said two side upstanding walls, and said panel board member also cooperates with said front upstanding wall to form, generally, a box.