A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
I. Field
The invention relates to organizers and storage systems.
II. Background
Monitors, keyboards, mouse pads and other Personal Computer (PC) interfaces are placed on the desktop thereby limiting the surface space that can be used for writing and storing other desktop items. There have been several attempts to create organizers for desks. However, other organizers are generally complicated and difficult to install or use. In particular, many computer user's complain that desktops do not have sufficient space to support paper when typing.
Therefore, there is a continuing need for an organizer device with three-ring binder rings for a computer monitor that is simple to install and use.
The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to exemplary embodiments, by the organizer device with three-ring binder rings for a computer monitor or another planar device (e.g. television, table top, edge of dresser, etc.), as described herein.
Other systems, methods, and/or products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings, and further description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
The above and other exemplary embodiments, objects, uses, advantages, and novel features are more clearly understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures wherein:
All dashed lines shown in the FIGURES represent hidden structures, walls, etc.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs.
This invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or perspective views illustrating some of this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may vary in shape, attachment, size, and other physical features. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary systems, and/or methods described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer or other relevant physical limitation (e.g., material).
The organizer device 100 includes a top horizontal organizer (THO) section 104 that rests on a top horizontal surface of the computer monitor 106 and a three-ring binder assembly 102. The THO section 104 is an open top rectangularly-shaped box. The THO section 104 includes at least one chamber to store and organize desktop items such as paper clips, clamps, tacks, small memory devices, etc. The THO section 104 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting vertical walls with an open top. Nonetheless, one or more chambers may have a lid (not shown).
The three-ring binder assembly 102 is an extension from or radiates from of a bottom floor of the THO section 104. The three-ring binder assembly 102 in an exemplary embodiment may serve as a side page organizer section to organizer, support and hold sheets of paper individually or in folders. The sheets that are coupled to the binder may be pocket folders with binder holes. The folders may hold papers or other sheets therein in an organized manner.
The three-ring binder assembly 102 includes a plurality of binder rings 112 coupled to a binder strip or support plate 110. The plurality of binder rings 112 has two portions that are configured to be opened and closed (pivoted away or toward each other) via a manually operable lever 108. The binder ring portions of a ring may be spring biased toward each other to a rings-closed position when the manually operable lever 108 is in a first position. The manually operable lever 108 when moved from the first position to a second position causes the binder ring portions to move away from each other to a rings-open position. The manually operable lever 108 may be pivotally mounted to the binder strip or support plate 110 for manual oscillating movement.
One side of the binder strip or support plate 110 includes the manually operable lever 108. In the exemplary embodiment, the one side corresponds to the distal end furthest from the THO section 104. However, the lever may be moved to the other end closest to the THO section 104. In the embodiment of
The plurality of binder rings 112 is oriented upward. However, the plurality of rings 112 may be oriented downward, or sideward.
The plurality of binder rings 112 is designed to receive protective transparent plastic sheets, loose leaf or other sheets of material. The protective transparent plastic sheet, cover or folder can be used to support a loose leaf sheet or other sheets therein.
During installation of the organizer device 100, an adhesive cover sheet 118 is removed from the loop fastener strip 116 to expose the adhesive layer on a bottom side of the loop fastener strip 116. The loop fastener strip 116 is then adhesively attached to the surface of the computer monitor 106 at a location that would align with the hook fastener strip 114 of the THO section 104 of the organizer device 100. As can be appreciated, instead of the loop fastener strip 116 being fastened to the computer monitor 106, the hook fastener strip 114 may be adhesively attached while the organizer device 100 has the loop fastener strip 116. When the organizer device 100 is sold, both the hook fasten strip 114 and the loop fastener strip 116 may be detached from the body of the organizer device 100 and later installed by the user. Thus, the location and number of the hook fasten strip 114 and loop fastener strip 116 is for illustrative purposes only. The strips may be longer and wider or otherwise varied.
The hinged connection of the three-ring binder assembly 202 may be moved to other locations of the THO section 204. For example, the hinged connection may be placed on the back corner edge or front corner edge. If the hinged connection is placed at a corner edge, the three-ring binder assembly 202 may be pivoted in front or back of the THO section 204.
With reference to
The organizer device 500 is generally configured as an L-shape so that a THO section 504 of the organizer device 500 rests on a top horizontal surface of the computer monitor 521 while a VSO section 502 extends from and is integrated with the THO section 504 of the organizer device 500. In the exemplary embodiment, the THO section 504 and the VSO section 502 are configured to be affixed to the corresponding horizontal and vertical surfaces of the computer monitor 521, as best seen in
During installation, an adhesive cover sheet 510 is removed from the loop fastener strip 508 to expose the adhesive layer on a bottom side of the loop fastener strip 508. The loop fastener strip 508 is then adhesively attached to the surface of the computer monitor 508 at a location that would align with the hook fastener strip 506 of the THO section 504 or the VSO section 502 of the organizer device 500. As can be appreciated, instead of the loop fastener strip 508 being fastened to the computer monitor 521, the hook fastener strip 506 may be adhesively attached while the organizer device 500 has the loop fastener strip 508. When the organizer device 500 is sold, both the hook fasten strip 506 and loop fastener strip 508 may be detached from the body of the organizer device 500 and later installed by the user. Thus, the location and number of the hook fasten strip 506 and loop fastener strip 508 is for illustrative purposes only. The strips may be longer and wider or otherwise varied.
The THO section 504 includes at least one chamber to store and organize desktop items such as paper clips, clamps, tacks, small memory devices, etc. The THO section 504 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting vertical walls with an open top. Nonetheless, one or more chambers may have a lid (not shown).
The THO section 504 and the VSO section 502 share a section divider wall 512. The VSO section 502 is vertically elongated. The VSO section 502 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting elongated vertical walls with an open top. In the exemplary embodiment, the VSO section 502 may include two parallel side chambers SS1514 and SS2516 divided by a vertical divider wall 518. The VSO section 502 may have more than two parallel chambers to store elongated desktop items such as, without limitation, pencils, pens, glasses, remote control or other items of varying sizes.
The organizer device 500 may be adaptable wherein the vertical divider wall 518, configured to divide the VSO section 502, may be removed or installed in accordance with the user's preference or needs. Furthermore, more than one divider wall may be used to increase the number of side chambers.
The organizer device 500 of
In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the horizontal divider wall 610 of
The organizer device 600 of
The horizontal divider wall 710 dividing the chambers SS1706 and SS2708 is located at a location below the bottom floor of the THO section 704. The chamber SS1706 is vertically elongated with respect to the height of the chamber of the THO section 704.
Chamber TS1806 has vertically stacked thereunder at least one open front cavity 814 associated with a VSO section 802. The VSO section 802 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting elongated vertical walls with a closed top. The closed top corresponds to the bottom floor of chamber TS1806 of the THO section 804. A divider wall may be used to further divide the open front cavity 814.
The chambers TS1806 may be viewed as part of the VSO section 802 or the THO section 804. The divider walls dividing the chambers TS2808, TS3810 and TS4812 may be removable.
As can be appreciated, other mechanisms to adjust the position of the slide chamber 906 with respect to the bottom the VSO section 902 may be used.
The organizer device 900 may be molded from any suitable material such as plastic or the like.
The material of the organizer device 900 may include transparent plastic. The material may include colored plastic but remain transparent. Nonetheless, other materials, transparent or opaque may be used of varying colors.
The organizer device 900 may be made of natural material, man-made material or a combination of natural and man-made materials.
In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the THO section 904 is two (2″) inches. The full length of the organizer device 900 from end to end is ten (10″) inches. The full height of the organizer device 900 may be six (6″) inches. As one of ordinary skill appreciates, alternate dimensions may be used such that the organizer can be manufactured to fit a range of surface areas.
The THO section 1004 includes at least one chamber to store and organize desktop items such as paper clips, clamps, tacks, small memory devices, etc. The THO section 1004 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting vertical walls with an open top. Nonetheless, one or more chambers may have a lid (not shown).
The VSO section 1002 is vertically elongated. The VSO section 1002 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting elongated vertical walls with an open top. In the exemplary embodiment, the VSO section 1002 may include two parallel side chambers SS11012 and SS21014 divided by a vertical divider wall 1016. The VSO section 1002 may have more than two parallel chambers to store elongated desktop items such as, without limitation, pencils, pens, glasses, remote control or other items of varying sizes.
The organizer device 1000 may be adaptable wherein the divider wall 1016, configured to divide the VSO section 1002, may be removed or installed in accordance with the user's preference or needs. Furthermore, more than one divider wall may be used to increase the number of side chambers.
The organizer device 1000 of
In general the top edge of VSO section 1002 may be below the top edge of the vertical walls of the THO section 1004.
In the exemplary embodiment, inside surfaces of the VSO section 1002 and the THO section 1004 (wherein the inside surfaces have the hook and loop fasteners placed thereon) are integrated together to form an “L”.
When the organizer device 1000 of
The THO section 1204 may include two horizontally aligned open top chambers TS11214 and TS21216 divided by a vertical divider wall 1212. The THO section THO 1204 many have more than two side chambers to store and organize desktop items such as paper clips, clamps, tacks, small memory devices, etc. The THO section 1204 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting vertical walls with an open top. The vertical divider wall 1212 dividing the chambers TS11214 and TS21216 may be removable. Nonetheless, any one or more of the open top chambers may have a lid (not shown).
The VSO section 1202 is vertically elongated. The VSO section 1202 includes a bottom horizontal floor and supporting elongated vertical walls with an open top. A top edge 1218 of the VSO section 1202 is below the horizontal top floor of the THO section 1204. And another top edge 1220 of the VSO section 1202 is aligned with the horizontal top floor of the THO section 1204. The VSO section 1202 may be used to store elongated desktop items such as, without limitation, pencils, pens, glasses, remote control or other items of varying sizes. As shown in the
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with references to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/339,240 titled “Organizer Device for a Computer Monitor”, filed on Mar. 2, 2010, and having the same inventor of the instant patent application and which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full below; and This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/340,686 titled “Organizer Device With Three-Ring Binder For A Computer Monitor,” filed Mar. 19, 2010, having the same inventor of the instant patent application and which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full below.