Patent Application
20110127306
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in a note storage device. More particularly, the present retractable wrist-warn note pad is contemplated in a variety of embodiments that allows a person to make notes that are stored on the wrist of a user like a wristwatch.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
People often forget a large amount of information. This often includes specific information which they need to remember. A devise is needed that will allow people to make notes of information they should remember. This device will allow people to look-up any past notes written such as a grocery lost for supper, math, history, scripture notes, text for a speech, special formulas and instructions for carpenters. Since this device is small and can attach to a wristwatch or bracelet, the device would not take a great deal of space and would be installed in an area that is already being used. Several products and patents have been issued that try to disclose a product that solves this problem. Exemplary examples of patents covering these products are disclosed herein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,136 issued Apr. 11, 1978 to Harry Zelenko, U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,140 issued Apr. 25, 1989 to Virginia W. Rankim and published application 2008/0069626 published on Mar. 20, 2008 to John E. Cribbs each disclose a wrist-mounted note taking system where the paper is spooled from one shaft to another shaft. The user writes on the paper and turns one spool to transport new paper over a writing platen. This patent does not allow for displaying an extended strip of paper and the roll of paper does not retract into the spool.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,407,239 issued Feb. 21, 1992 to H. W. Weiss and 6,471,091 issued on Oct. 29, 2002 to Peter C. Unverzagt discloses a wrist mounted note taking system where the notes are retained on small strips of paper. This patent does not use an elongated roll of paper, and the strips of paper must be frequently replaced to keep a significant amount of information.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,680,628 issued on F. Berman on Jun. 8, 2954 discloses a memorandum device. The memorandum device is a spool of note paper that can be connected to a key chain. There is a small window for writing a note on the paper. This patent does not disclose a device that is mountable on a wrist and the spool of notes can't self retract.
What is needed is a retractable wrist warn note pad to where the note pad is retractable and can be withdrawn from a retractable spool. The spool of notes can be attached and removed from a wrist watch or a bracelet.
It is an object for the retractable wrist warn note pad to be an elongated strip of paper that can be extended and the retracted to prevent damage to the strip of paper. The strip of paper coils upon a central dowel or spool to allow a long strip of paper to be rolled into a small space. A spring mechanism retains tension on the strip of paper when it is drawn off the rod, dowel, tube or spool to retract the strip of paper back into the housing in a retracted condition.
It is an object of the retractable wrist warn note pad to have a locking mechanism that allows a user to pull out the spooled paper to a finite amount and lock the strip of paper at the finite amount of extension. This feature allows a user to write on the paper without the paper retracting. When the user is finished writing, the lock is released or the paper strip is slightly pulled and the paper strip retracts into the housing.
It is an object of the retractable wrist warn note pad for the strip of paper to be replaceable. The replaceable paper roll allows a user to extend the strip of paper outside of the housing, write a large amount of notes that are placed onto the wrist mounted mechanism and retracted. The user can also remove the strip of paper from the wrist warn device and unroll the notes at a desk or give the rolled note to another person who can use the note(s).
It is an object of the retractable wrist warn note pad for it to be temporally installed or removed from a wrist watch band. This allows the install of the note taking system onto a watch band or bracelet that they would wear on a daily basis. This also allows a user to place the note pad on a watch that they wear while at work, but can remove the note system when they get back into their car or return to home.
It is an object of the retractable wrist warn note pad to keep special notes with a person at all times. This information could be identification that is needed in a high security building or environment. An identification card or flash drive could fit within the retractable wrist warn note pad where it is not visible, but could be shown or used when required.
It is an object of the retractable wrist warn note pad to have a storage location for a pencil, pen or stylus. This allows a user to store the writing tool within or near the note taking mechanism. Storing of the pencil, pen or stylus reduces the possibility that the marking instrument will be misplaced or requiring the user to place the marking instrument in a pocket or similar location.
It is another object of the retractable wrist warn note pad to be made of a material that does not require the use of a marking tool such as a pencil or pen. This strip has a transparent outer layer and an inner layer. The user can scratch or scribe a note into the strip. To erase the note, the user simply pulls the transparent outer layer from the back or inner layer. Once erased, the user can scratch new markings into the strip.
It is still another object of the wrist-warn note pad to be a pixilated touch screen where a user can inscribe the notes onto the display that stores the markings. The notes can be converted into text on one or multiple paged screens. The information can further be uploaded or downloaded to a cell phone, PDA or computer.
Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
In
The engagement of the tang 33 in notch 31 provides retraction of the writing material 22 that is pulled out. The coiled spring 26 also pulls the coiled spring 26 and the pin, rod, tube or spindle 25 to one side of the lower housing 21 over the top of release button 28. As the writing material 22 is withdrawn, the pin, rod, tube or spindle 25 turns and steps notch 27 over the head of the release button 28. A shoulder on notch 27 prevents the writing material from being pulled back into the housing 21. When the release button 28 is activated, the head of the release button clears the notch 27 and the writing material is free to spool back onto the pin, rod, tube or spindle 25. In another contemplated embodiment, the retractable wrist warn note pad can be manufactured with its own bracelet or watch as shown in
The retractable wrist-warn note pad is made to attach to a watch band or bracelet or to have its own wrist band. When the retractable wrist-warm note pad includes its own band or strap, the strap or band has a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism can take many forms including but not limited to hook and loop fasteners 41, snaps elastic, pin and hole or clips. The housing also shows a writing or marking instrument or stylus 60 is configured to fit onto or within the housing within a recess or slot 62. The writing or marking tool 60 is shown with two marking sides 61, but could be made with only one marking side, or one marking side and a scribe or stylus. The retractable wrist-warn note pad in this figure includes a wrist band 56 that uses hook and loop fasteners 41 to secure the wrist band 56 onto a users wrist.
It is further contemplated that the retractable wrist-warn note pad could have some permanent information that is specific for the type of work that is being performed by the wearer. Examples of the permanent markings could be formulas 44, conversion factors 45, diagrams 46 or constants that are used on a regular basis. Both sides of the marking material can be used to further increase the amount of information that can be stored.
In another contemplated embodiment the marking film is made with waterproof material that is removable using solvents. This is useful if the retractable wrist warn note pad is used underwater, in rain or in wet conditions.
Thus, specific embodiments of a retractable wrist warn note pad have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
