Modular portable writing and projection system having variable curvature

• US 9,403,400 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Consulting Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MAYA Design, Inc. (Boston Consulting Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: McManus, Michael, Spencer, Stephen, MacDonald, Donald, Crowley, John, Ballay, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYLINSKI, ALYSSA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/860,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20110045454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,174 Days
• Field of Search: 434/365, 434/408, 434413-416, 434/421, 434/425, 160/135
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 97/04 Easels or stands for blackboards or the like easels combined with seats A47B83/008
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/00 Repeatedly-usable boards or tablets for writing or drawing drawing-boards B43L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/08 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 1/10 Writing surfaces thereof

Abstract

A modular, portable writing and projection system having a variable curvature is disclosed. The system uses dry erase boards, chalk or black boards, or other flexible panels having at least one writing surface. The panels have edges for joining to posts. The system combines panels to form a large, modular system for use at meetings, gatherings or other assemblies. The system allows a large number of users to contribute to a presentation, and also allows users to view the presentation. Because the panels are flexible, the system may be curved, allowing more panels to be mounted, used, written on and viewed, within limited space. The panels may be used in either a convex or concave manner, i.e., curved in or curved out, as desired. The resistance of the panels to remaining in a curved state is overcome by feet on the posts and braking or holding devices on the feet.

Claims

1. A portable and modular board writing system, comprising:

a flexible panel having a first edge and a second edge, the flexible panel made from a material selected from the group consisting of a hardboard, a thermoplastic material and thermoset material;

a smooth surface adapted for non-permanent writing on at least one side of the flexible panel;

a first post secured to the first edge of the flexible panel;

a second post secured to the second edge of the flexible panel, the first and second posts secured directly to the first and second edges of the flexible panel;

a first foot oriented orthogonally to the first post and secured to an end of the first post; and

a second foot oriented orthogonally to the second post and secured to an end of the second post,

wherein an outer side of each of the first and second posts is adapted to engage with outer sides of a third post of an adjacent flexible panel, wherein the flexible panel and the adjacent flexible panel form a writing system having a variable curvature, the flexible panel and the adjacent flexible panel exerting a force resisting said variable curvature and tending to straighten out the flexible panel and the adjacent flexible panel, and wherein the first and second feet provide sufficient resistance to prevent movement of the feet due to curvature of the panels.

2. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein the smooth surface is applied to, integral with or affixed to the flexible panel.

3. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein the smooth surface is selected from the group consisting of a white dry erase board, a chalk board, and an opaque layer of flexible plastic.

4. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein the feet are provided with at least one of (a) a material of sufficient weight to maintain curvature of the panel when the feet are in contact with the ground, (b) stoppers affixed to the feet, and (c) lockable casters affixed to the feet.

5. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein each foot comprises a ball-socket caster and a frictional stop.

6. The writing system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one connector between the first or second post of the flexible panel and the third post of the adjacent flexible panel.

7. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the posts further comprises a foot mechanism selected from the group consisting of a kick-down holder, a plunger-type holder, a braking end cap and a brake.

8. The writing system according to claim 1, wherein the panel and the posts are arranged with the writing surface in a concave orientation, providing a temporary enclosure for a group collaborative effort.

9. The writing system according to claim 1 wherein the panel and the posts are joined to form a writing system having a curvature with a minimum diameter of about 10 feet (about 3 meters).

10. The writing system of claim 1, wherein the writing system with a variable curvature forms a temporary enclosure for a group collaborative effort.

11. The writing system of claim 1, further comprising the adjacent flexible panel, and wherein the variable curvature comprises a single radius.

12. A portable and modular board writing system, comprising:

at least two flexible panels, each having a first edge and a second edge;

a smooth surface adapted for non-permanent writing on at least one side of each flexible panel;

a plurality of posts secured to the first edge and second edge of the at least two flexible panels, wherein the number of posts is equal to the number of flexible panels plus at least one additional post;

a first foot oriented orthogonally to a first post of the plurality of posts and secured to an end of the first post; and

a second foot oriented orthogonally to a second post of the plurality of posts and secured to an end of the second post, the first and second posts attached to at least one of the at least two flexible panels, wherein a first edge of a first panel of the at least two flexible panels and a second edge of a second panel of the at least two flexible panels are secured to the second post with no overlap of the first panel with itself and with no overlap of the second panel with itself, and with no overlap of the first panel with the second panel when the first and second panels are secured to the second post,

wherein the at least two flexible panels and smooth surfaces form a writing system having a variable curvature, each panel exerting a force counter to the variable curvature and wherein the first and second feet provide sufficient resistance to prevent movement of the feet due to the force.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of posts is adapted for attachment to two flexible panels.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising at least one roller bearing caster operably attached to the first foot or the second foot.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein each of the posts further comprises a stopping mechanism for holding the post and the writing system in place.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the posts further comprises a manual turn-down mechanism for holding the post and the writing system in place.

17. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of connectors for securing the posts to the edges.

18. A method for providing a modular, portable writing and projection system having variable curvature, the method comprising:

providing at least two flexible panels, each flexible panel having left and right edges, a base layer and an outer layer having a smooth surface adapted for non-permanent writing on at least one side of the flexible panels;

securing posts to the left and right edges of each panel, each post having a foot oriented orthogonally to the post, the posts secured directly to the at least two panels through pre-formed orifices in the posts and the panels;

mounting a stopping or securing mechanism to each foot; and

arranging the panels, posts and feet to form a system with a desired curvature, the panels exerting a force resisting said desired curvature and tending to straighten out the panels, wherein the feet provide sufficient resistance to prevent movement of the feet due to curvature of the panels.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising using a single post to secure a right edge of a first flexible panel and a left edge of an adjacent flexible panel.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of arranging is used to form a convex structure or a concave structure.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising arranging the panels and posts to form a concave enclosure of at least 180°

, providing a temporary enclosure for a group collaborative effort.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising fasteners for securing the posts to the at least two panels through the pre-formed orifices.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising using a first post to secure a right side edge of a first flexible panel and a second post to secure a left side edge of an adjacent flexible panel.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising securing the first post to the second post using a connector.