Folding holder for maps and related travel information printouts

• US 20020159657A1
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delorme Publishing Company Incorporated (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Delorme Publishing Company Incorporated (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: DeLorme, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/843,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20020159657A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/39
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 7/06 Filing appliances comprising a plurality of pockets or compartments, e.g. portfolios or cases with a plurality of compartments indexing features B42F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A substantially transparent map holder or envelope for retaining therein a composite map. The holder includes a plurality of compartments spaced between two layers of material connected together. Each compartment has at least one opening for insertion and removal of a printed map that may be a section of a composite map, and/or other related text or graphic travel information such as point information, route maps, travel directions, tickets, reservations, discount coupons, and so forth. By using mapping software and a printer, a user may create a large, composite, custom map that is put together like a quilt or a mosaic made up of individual pieces of printable paper. The individual pieces are inserted into the compartments to create a large-sized map for easier overall visualization—made using preferably a conventional printer and standard-sized (e.g. 8.5″×11″) sheets of paper—rather than large-format printers or plotters and oversized paper. The overall map holder furthermore folds up in various ways for more convenient storage, handling and focused use.

Claims

1. A transparent foldable holder for retaining maps, travel-related information, or a combination thereof, the holder comprising:

a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer is transparent and wherein said first layer of material and said second layer of material are flexible, each having an inner face and an outer face defined by a perimeter, said first layer and said second layer joined together at their respective perimeters and further joined together at their respective inner faces to establish a plurality of compartments therebetween, wherein said layers are foldable on one another where joined at their respective faces, with each of said compartments including at least one opening to permit insertion therein of a printed map or travel-related information.

2. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of compartments is of substantially equivalent dimensions.

3. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first layer of material and said second layers of material are both transparent.

4. The holder as claimed in claim 1 fabricated of a waterproof material.

5. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said one or more openings of each of said plurality of compartments includes closure means.

6. The holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first layer of material and said second layers of material are joined together by welding.