Clipboard
AssigneeSterling Plastics Co.
InventorsJohn W. Mund, Cari Burns, Robert Chieda, Leon C. Clouser, Jr., Robert A. O'Neil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clipboard, which may include an easel support, includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel raised side ridges adapted to confine paper so that it does not move during use of the product. In one embodiment, in which an easel support is built into the back of the clipboard, the product may be used to display information provided on sheets of paper or a pad or a tablet thereof.
Claims17
A clipboard for rectangular paper, comprising:
- a support plate having a planar top surface, a first short edge, a second short edge generally parallel with the first short edge, and a pair of generally parallel side edge extending between the first and second short edges;
- a pair of spaced apart and parallel ridges on the plate arranged so that paper placed therebetween may be held against the plate by the clip, wherein the top surface of the support plate is generally planar intermediate the parallel ridges and through the second edge to allow the paper to slide across the second edge without obstruction;
- and
- a spring loaded clip pivotably mounted external to the top surface and adjacent the first short edge of the support plate, the spring loaded clip extending over at least one-third the distance between the parallel ridges.
In combination, paper of a specified width and a clipboard for the paper, the clipboard including:
- a planar support having a top surface, a first short edge, a second short edge generally parallel with the first short edge, and a pair of generally parallel side edges extending between the first and second short edges,
- a pair of parallel and spaced apart ridges, the distance between the ridges being only slightly greater than the specified width, wherein the upper surface of the support plate is generally planar intermediate the parallel ridges and through the second edge to allow the paper to slide across the second edge without obstruction;
- and
- a spring loaded clip pivotably mounted external to the top surface and adjacent the first short edge of the support plate, the spring loaded clip extending over at least one-third the distance between the parallel ridges.
A clipboard for rectangular paper, comprising:
- a plate having a planar top surface, a first short edge, a second short edge generally parallel with the first short edge, and a pair of generally parallel side edges extending between the first and second short edges;
- a clip adjacent the first short edge of the support plate;
- a pair of spaced apart and parallel ridges on the plate arranged so paper placed therebetween may be held against the plate by the clip, wherein the upper surface of the plate is generally planar intermediate the parallel ridges and through the second edge to allow the paper to slide across the second edge without obstruction;
- a pivotable support;
- and
- a hinge pivotably connecting the pivotable support to the plate to support the plate in an inclined position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.