Patent Grant
10403179
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods in the field of mechanical display devices, and more particularly relates to an innovative system and apparatus for posting and scrolling sticky notes or other messages on a rolling display device.
Many people use Post-it Notes or sticky notes and pile them or stick them to their display device or desk and lose site of them since they get buried beneath other notes or other documents or items that might be placed on the desk or behind other notes that might get stuck on a screen or other item on the desk. Eventually, the urgency or relevance of a particular older note gets lost due to other new notes that get piled on top.
It is desirable to find improved systems and apparatuses for maintaining notes, messages or sticky notes in an accessible unhidden way.
In some embodiments, display device includes a base holder having a cavity and a roller assembly. The roller assembly can include an upper cylindrical roller, a lower cylindrical roller, a framework arranged and constructed to maintain the upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller a predetermined distance away from each other, and a conveyor belt wrapped around the upper cylindrical roller and the lower cylindrical roller. The roller assembly is configured for vertical placement in the cavity of the base holder and at least one or more rotating mechanisms can be attached to one or more of a left side of the upper cylindrical roller, a right side of the upper cylindrical roller, a left side of the lower cylindrical roller, or a right side of the lower cylindrical roller, where the one or more rotating mechanisms drive the lower cylinder to rotate and cause the conveyer belt to move around the upper cylinder and the lower cylinder.
Cavity—is an empty space or volume.
Framework—is a set of members forming a supporting structure.
Rotating mechanism—is a dial, knob, handle, crank or other element coupled to any number of rollers to facilitate the rotating of the roller and/or a corresponding conveyor belt about one or more of the rollers
Sticky note—is any form of temporarily adhering note that can stick to the surface of the conveyor surface. A particular brand of sticky note is the Post it note by 3M.
Described herein is a display device for use with sticky notes or Post-it notes, and a method of using same. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the display device and method. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments herein may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known steps and/or structures have not been described in order to not unnecessarily obscure the display device or apparatus.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, conditions, and the like in the instant disclosure and claims are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” The term “about” refers, for example, to numerical values covering a range of plus or minus 10% of the numerical value. The modifier “about” used in combination with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value.
In this specification and the claims that follow, singular forms such as “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural forms unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
In some embodiments, the display device or apparatus according to the present disclosure may be two or more rollers coupled via framework and a conveyer forming an assembly where the display device includes a mechanism for rotating the rollers and thereby moving the conveyer correspondingly. The assembly can be further placed within a cavity of a base holder or structure.
In some embodiments and referring to
In some embodiments, the rotating mechanism or mechanisms (102A) can be one or more of rotating dials, handles, or knobs. In some embodiments, the framework 108 can include a first framework for the lower cylindrical roller 106B and a second framework for the upper cylindrical roller 106A. In some embodiments, the conveyer belt 104 comprises smooth flexible vinyl. In some embodiments the vinyl can be electrostatically charged to retain the non-adhesive portions of the sticky notes adhering to the vinyl conveyor belt. In other embodiments, it is preferable to have the non-adhesive portion loose and apart from the conveyor belt surface. In yet other embodiments, the base further comprises an actuator, switch or button 120 (shown in
In some embodiments, the base holder and roller assembly are made of one or more of metal, plastic, or wood. In some embodiments, the upper cylindrical roller is configured to stay stationary relative to the lower cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt. In some embodiments, both the lower cylindrical roller and the upper cylindrical roller move in conjunction with the conveyor. In some embodiments, the lower cylindrical roller is configured to stay stationary relative to the upper cylindrical roller and the conveyor belt.
In some embodiments, the display device can be considered a sticky note caddy. In some embodiments, the display device is a vertically positioned conveyer belt system that sits on a weighted base for stability.
Referring to
Referring to
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In one particular embodiment, at the base-bottom level of the conveyer belt is a cylindrical like tube approximately 4 to 5 inches wide and 1.5 inches in diameter. At the top end of the conveyer belt is another cylindrical like tube also 4 to 5 inches wide and 1.5 inches in diameter. The first tube is mounted on an inner frame just above the base. The second tube is suspended 12 inches above the bottom tube with an inner framework. The conveyer belt is wrapped around the two tubes. The conveyer material can be of a smooth flexible vinyl, but other materials are contemplated such as rubber, elastic, or elastomeric materials The bottom cylindrical tube can have a dial handle on one end or in alternative embodiments the bottom or top cylindrical tube can have a dial on either end or on each end. The dial enables the cylinders to rotate and move the conveyer belt around the two cylinders. Sticky notes can be affixed to the conveyer belt in any desired order and moved up or down on the belt as tasks are completed. The base can be modified to support a small motor and battery to motorize the belt using a push button. Materials for the entire device could include choices of metal, plastic and or wood depending on the desired décor. There could also be several models in different heights and widths.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the disclosure, without departing from the breadth or scope.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/560,067 filed on Sep. 18, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20190088169 A1 | Mar 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 62560067 | Sep 2017 | US |
