Display systems including substantially vertically orientated panels for supporting papers, samples, and other items for display, for example, at sales presentations, press conferences, conventions, seminars, client or peer review, student presentations, etc. for a variety of reasons. Such display systems may be formed of a single panel, or two or more panels coupled to one another, which is ideal for display, but can often be cumbersome to transport between home, office, presentation area, school, etc. especially without losing item secured to said panels for display.
In other or related arenas, portfolio folders exist having side panels, etc. to hold items inside more securely during storage and transport. However, such folders typically do not assist in presenting the display for review and/or in holding items in a secured position relative to fronts of back of the portfolio folders. As such, many times users place items in a portfolio folder, box, bag, or other transportation container and for transportation and, later, secures such items to presentation boards at the place of desired display. At times, the disassembly and reassembly of portfolio displays each time a display is made provides wearing or damage of the items and takes valuable time. In some instances, very little time is afforded for reassembly of a display, which is more likely to result in a less than ideal or less aesthetically pleasing manner to observers of the display than would otherwise be desired.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a presentation portfolio including a first panel, a second panel, a binding member, and a locking member. The first panel is substantially planar and defines a first panel interior surface and a first panel longitudinal edge extending along a side of the first panel interior surface. The second panel is substantially planar and defines a second panel interior surface and a second panel longitudinal edge extending along a side of the second panel interior surface. The binding member rotatably couples the first panel with the second panel such that the presentation portfolio is movable between an open orientation, in which the first panel and the second panel are positioned to be coplanar with one another, and a closed orientation, in which the first panel and the second panel are stacked on one another such that the first panel interior surface faces the second panel interior surface. The locking member defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an elongated channel extending between and through the first end and the second end. The locking member is initially slidably coupled to first panel by receiving a first portion of the first panel longitudinal edge within the elongated channel. When the presentation portfolio is in the open orientation, the locking member is slidable between an unsecured position, in which the locking member maintains the first portion of the first panel longitudinal edge and is spaced entirely from the second panel, and a secured position, in which the elongated channel maintains a second, smaller portion of the first panel longitudinal edge and a first portion of the second panel longitudinal edge of the second panel where the second panel longitudinal edge linearly aligns with the first panel longitudinal edge, in a manner selectively securing the first panel and the second panel adjacent one another. Other portfolios, portfolio systems, transport folders, or similar systems and methods of use are also disclosed herein.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
The following detailed description of the invention provides example embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Relational terms herein such a first, second, top, bottom, etc. may be used herein solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying an actual such relationship or order. In addition, as used herein, the terms “about” and “substantially” each applies to all numeric values or descriptive terms, respectively, and generally indicate a range of numbers or characteristics that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values or terms, that is, having the same function or results.
A presentation portfolio is configured for use for magnetically and selectively maintaining documents and/or other items thereon both for display, e.g., when propped to a substantially vertical orientation, and upon folding into a storage and transport configuration to collectively form a presentation portfolio system. In this manner, the presentation portfolio allows a user to arrange documents on interior surfaces of the presentation portfolio and magnetically secure the same to the portfolio. The portfolio can then be folded while maintaining the documents in their arranged place for storage and transport. The portfolio can then be reopened at the place of presentation or display and placed back in a substantially vertical presentation without worry that the documents will be lost or moved during transport and without need to arrange and secure the document upon reaching the place of display.
In one embodiment, the presentation portfolio is formed of two planar panels rotably secured to each other along adjacent edges thereof. The two panels are in a substantially coplanar relationship in the open orientation and are rotated toward one another so inside planar surfaces of the two planar panels face each other in the closed orientation. A locking member is slidably secured along a longitudinal edge of only one of the two planar panels. When the presentation portfolio is in the open orientation, the two panels move from an unsecured position with the adjacent edges spaced apart from one another and a secured position with the two panels moved closer together such that the adjacent edges abut each other. In the secured position, the locking member is slidable to a position holding the free longitudinal edges bridging the two planar panels to create one large display surface for displaying documents. Following display, locking member is slid to only interact with one of the two panels, and the two panels are rotated, i.e., folded toward one another substantially enclosing the documents between the two panels and, in one example, further maintain the documents in place via compression. As such, the presentation portfolio, and system the presentation portfolio is a part of, provides one means for transport and display of items to be shown as part of a presentation to observers. Other benefits and features of the system are further described below.
Turning to the figures,
In addition, at least one of first panel 12 and second panel 14 include an array of fixed magnets 52 facing an interior surface thereof for use is selectively securing documents 110 (e.g.,
Referring to
In a similar manner as described with respect to first panel 12, second panel 14 is substantially planar and formed of a suitable rigid and lightweight material for ease of transportation such as foam core, paperboard, cardboard, plastic board, or other suitable material. Second panel 14 defines and extends between a free lateral edge 40, a bound lateral edge 42 opposite first lateral edge 40, and opposite longitudinal edges 44 extending opposite one anther between free lateral edge 40 and bound lateral edge 42. For example, free lateral edge 40 and bound lateral edge 42 extend substantially parallel to one another and the opposite longitudinal edges 44 extending substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicularly relative to free lateral edge 40 and bound lateral edge 42. Second panel 14 further defines an exterior surface 46 and an interior surface 48, which faces in an opposite direction as exterior surface 46, with both exterior surface 46 and interior surface 48 being bound by free lateral edge 40, bound lateral edge 42, and opposite longitudinal edges 44.
In one embodiment, one or both of first panel 12 and second panel 14 include the array of fixed magnets 52 facing and/or open to interior surface 38. Each fixed magnet 52, in one example, is circular and has a diameter of between 0.25 inches and 1 inch and is formed of any suitable material providing sufficient strength for maintaining documents 110 (see
Each fixed magnet 52 is adhered or otherwise secured to the at least one of first panel 12 and second panel 14 to fit largely, for example, to fit more than 85% of its mass, in a different one of the cavities 50. In this way, the array of fixed magnets 52 is formed. In one example, the arrow of cavities 50, and therefore of magnets is formed to accommodate common paper sizes such as letter size (8½ inch by 11 inch) or any other paper size. More specifically, in one embodiment, the array of cavities 50 and fixed magnets 52 are arranged with four of the cavities and fixed magnets 52 being positioned just inside an expected footprint of one of documents 110, and similar groups of four magnets being sequentially positioned side by side by as many as a size of the at least one of the first panel 12 and the second panel 14 allows. That is, a first four fixed magnets 52 are positioned to be inside and near corners of an 8½-inch by 11-inch footprint of one of documents 110 (see also
Binding member 16 is formed as a single fabric strip of a flexible yet strong material, according to one embodiment. Binding member 16 is an elongated strip of fabric and defines longitudinal edges 70 positioned opposite each other with each other and lateral edges 72 positioned opposite each other and each extending between longitudinal edges 70, in one embodiment. Longitudinal edges 70 may extend substantially parallel to each other and/or lateral edges 72 may extend substantially parallel to each other. Binding member 16 defines an interior surface 74, extending between and largely bound by longitudinal edges 70 and lateral edges 72, and an exterior surface 76, extending between and largely bound by longitudinal edges 70 and lateral edges 72 and facing in an opposite direction as interior surface 74.
Referring to
Handles 18 are secured to one or both of first panel 12 and the second panel 14 in one embodiment. Handles 18 or a singular one of handles 18 may be used with or without any other member or device to selectively holding first panel 12 and second panel 14 adjacent to and stack upon one another. While various forms of handles 18 can be used and will be understood by those of skill in the art upon reading the application, in one embodiment, each handle 18 includes a handle strap 53 of elongated form extending from a first end 56 to a second end 58. First end 56 and second end 58 are each separately secured to the respective one of first panel 12 and second panel 14 via a coupling means 60 such as a rivet, screw, staple, etc. to form a loop sized to allow a user to grasp handle 18 with at least four fingers fitting through a space created between handle 18 and the one of the first panel 12 and the second panel 14. In one example, a tubular like cover 62 extends around a part of the handle strap 53 to make strap more ergonomic and/or comfortable for a user to grasp and carry. Cover 62 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, leather, fabric, etc.
Each locking member 20 is similarly formed and shaped with one locking member 20 configured to selectively receive two selectively linearly aligned ones of opposite side edges 34 of first panel 12 and opposite side edges 44 of second panel 13, and the other locking member 10 the other two selectively linearly aligned ones of opposite side edges 34 of first panel 12 and opposite side edges 44 of second panel 13. Locking member 20 is more specifically configured to selectively be secured along one of both of side edges 34 and 44 and to slide along those same side edges 34 and 44. Referring to the view of locking member 20 in
Locking member 20 further comprises a web 84, a first flange 96, and a second flange 98. Web 84 is substantially planar and extends front to back in a direction perpendicular to the elongated extension of locking member 20. The first flange 96 extends in a plane substantially perpendicularly to the web 84 along a longitudinal side thereof, and second flange 98 extends in a plane substantially parallel to first flange 96 opposite second flange 98. Locking member 20 defines an elongated channel 100 on one side of web 84, bound by first flange 96 and second flange 98, and open on a side opposite web 84. In one example, a second elongated channel 100 is formed on an opposing side of web 84 also bound by first flange 96 and second flange 98, and open on a side opposite web 84.
Each locking member 20 is placed on one of opposite side edges 34 of first panel 12 or one of opposite side edges 44 of second panel 14, for example, as illustrated in the close up view of
When locking member 20 is coupled with only one of first panel 12 and second panel 14, first panel 12 and second panel 14 can be spaced from each other as shown in
Locking member 20 is further slidable toward first panel 12 to engage both one side edge 44 of second panel 14 and one side edge 34 of first panel 12 as illustrated, for example, in
In one example, locking member 20 is one of two locking member 20 each placed to interface with a different pair of one of opposing side edges 34 and one of opposing side edges 44. In this manner, placing both locking members 20 to each straddle both bound lateral edges 34 and 44 to receive a portion of each of first panel 12 and second panel 14 further secures presentation portfolio in the secured position of the open orientation providing a relative stiff large presentation surface as illustrated with reference to
Documents or other presentation items 110 can be secured to one or both of interior surfaces 38 and 48 by placing a portion of each presentation item 110 over one of the array of fixed magnets 52 affixed to one of first panel 12 and second panel 14 and then placing one of a plurality of free magnets 112 over the presentation item 110 to align with the corresponding one of the array of fixed magnets 52 to magnetically hold or partially hold presentation item 110 in place. In one example, multiple pairs of fixed magnets 52 and free magnets 112 are used to hold a single presentation item 110 in place, for instance, as illustrated in
Following use of presentation portfolio 10, one or more of locking members 20 is slid away from its secured position extending across the abutting intersection of first panel 12 and second panel 14, that is, across, bound lateral edges 32 and 42, to only receive one of bound lateral edges 32 and 42. Movement of locking member(s) 20 allows presentation portfolio 10 to be closed by rotating first panel 12 relative to second panel 14, or vice versa, about flexible binding member 16.
In one example, as illustrated in
Rotation of first panel 12 relative to second panel 14 results in first panel 12 being stacked or positioned substantially coplanar with second panel 14, with interior surface 38 of first panel 12 facing interior surface 48 of second panel 14 and vice versa and the overall footprints of first panel 12 and second panel 14 being aligned. Notably, in one embodiment, the flexible nature of binding member 16 allows first panel 12 and second panel 14 to abut, for example, immediately abut, one other along bound lateral edges 32 and 42 when desired, for example, in the open orientation, and to be spaced apart from one another, while still being coupled to one another, for folding into the closed orientation shown in
Although the invention has been described with respect to meant for the purposes of illustrating examples only and should not be considered to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Various alternatives, modifications, and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the above detailed description.
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“All Black 3 ¾″ Thick Folding Pegboard Display Suitcase”, printed from www.walmart.com/ip/All-Black-3-3-4-Thick-Folding-Pegboard-Display-Suitcase/718716393, publicly available at least as early as Mar. 31, 2020 (2 pages). |
“Displays2go 3-Panel Tabletop Display Board”, printed from www.amazon.com/Displays2go-3-Panel-Tabletop-Display-30-Inches/dp/B00627OMPO, publicly available at least as early as Nov. 1, 2011 (8 pages). |
“50″w Tabletop Hook & Loop Display Board”, printed from www.displays2go.com/P-1121/Foldable-Briefcase-Display-48-x-24-Self-Contained, publicly available at least as early as Mar. 31, 2020 (3 pages). |