Modular whiteboard/blackboard

Abstract

 A whiteboard/blackboard of the type comprising at least one panel which in turn comprises:
- at least one writing surface; and
- means for attachment to a wall; in which the writing surface is free of any projecting parts in a plane normal to that surface on at least one of its sides in such a way that when a second panel is placed adjacent to it increasing the writing surface area it is possible to draw lines in the area adjacent to the join between the whiteboards/blackboards without interference, characterised in that the attachment means to the wall are means which can be detached from the whiteboard/blackboard.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a whiteboard/ blackboard of the type comprising multiple panels with connecting means between them to form panels of larger size.

[0002] Whiteboards/blackboards of the prior art are preferably whiteboards/blackboards comprising an external metal surface designed to be written on using an erasable marker. In addition to the external metal surface that is written upon these whiteboards/blackboards comprise an internal structural member, usually of cardboard, foam or any other semi-rigid material that keeps the external surface straight without being excessively heavy, as this gives rise to problems with transport and storage.

[0003] Conventionally whiteboards/blackboards are generally of various sizes depending on the need of individual customers, and may be of sizes from 0.6 x 1 m to more than 1.5 x 2.5 m. As the size of whiteboards/ blackboards increases, the need for larger means of transport also increases.

[0004] Furthermore these whiteboards/blackboards are commonly stacked for storage. When one of their sides measures more than 2 m there arises the problem that the semi-rigid material responsible for keeping the whiteboard/blackboard straight is not sufficiently rigid to support the weight of various whiteboards/blackboards upon it and the whiteboard/blackboard tends to fold in the middle, making the whiteboard/blackboard unusable.

[0005] Furthermore, to have whiteboards/blackboards of considerable length it is necessary for a number of users have to act together to secure the whiteboard/blackboard to the wall, as one person has to support the whiteboard/blackboard and someone else has to make use of the tools required to secure it to the wall.

[0006] This invention thus relates to a whiteboard/blackboard of the type comprising at least one panel which in turn comprises:

• at least one writing surface; and
• means for attachment to a wall;

in which the writing surface is free from projections in a plane normal to the said surface on at least one of its sides in such a way that if a second adjacent panel increasing the surface area for writing is present it is possible to draw lines in the area adjacent to the join between the whiteboards/blackboards without interference and in which the said attachment means to the wall are means which can be removed from the whiteboard/blackboard.

[0007] Surprisingly, such a whiteboard/blackboard as described in this invention overcomes the abovementioned problems given that in having a smaller variety of panel sizes which can nevertheless be arranged in a modular manner, transport is made easier (packages are smaller), storage is made easier and as many panels as are required for any application can be joined together producing whiteboards/blackboards of large size without the disadvantages present in systems according to the known art.

[0008] It is also surprising that through having dismantlable means for attachment to a wall it is possible for a single user to secure the whiteboard/blackboard to a wall, in that he alone can secure the means to the wall and subsequently place the joined-up whiteboard/blackboard on these means.

[0009] Preferably the whiteboard/blackboard according to this invention comprises at least two panels, but may comprise more than two panels, thus increasing the writing surface area of the whiteboard/blackboard.

[0010] More preferably these attachment means comprise a flange at at least one extremity to connect to corresponding attachment means on a second panel. Furthermore, at the other extremity the means may comprise a tongue matching the flange so that junctions of the interlocking type may be made between different attachment means, avoiding the need to align one means with another, in that it is guaranteed that the two pieces will remain in alignment on account of the matching flange and tongue.

[0011] In particular the whiteboards/blackboards having the writing surfaces according to this invention may comprise an external surface attached to a filler material. Likewise the external surface is preferably metal and the filler material may be cardboard, wood, foam or the like.

[0012] In a specially prepared embodiment the attachment means comprise screws for attachment to the wall and projecting members on which the panel is hung. These projecting members may be L-shaped projecting members, with a projecting part of the whiteboard/blackboard within the "L" which can preferably be formed by a fold made in one of the ends of the metal sheet.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment the whiteboard/blackboard according to this invention comprises a device of the clip type at the top of the whiteboard/blackboard which can be used to support paper.

[0014] In addition to this, this invention provides an embodiment in which the means for attachment of the whiteboard/blackboard to the wall include a magnet, so that the connection between the whiteboard/blackboard and the wall may be made by magnetic force, thus avoiding the need for parts to interlock. Preferably the magnets will be attached to the wall by known means (for example by means of screws) and part of the whiteboard/blackboard will have metal components that are attracted by the magnets in such a way that the force of attraction between the magnet and the magnetic part will give rise to a join between the whiteboard/blackboard and the wall.

[0015] Drawings of an embodiment of the whiteboard/blackboard according to this invention are appended by way of an explanatory but not limiting example.

Figure 1 shows the manner in which a whiteboard/blackboard according to the prior art is attached.

Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a panel with accessories forming part of a whiteboard/blackboard according to this invention.

Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the panel in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a rear perspective view of the panel in Figure 2, provided with attachment means.

Figure 5 shows details of some attachment means according to this invention.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the attachment means in Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows an exploded view of two panels according to this invention forming a whiteboard/blackboard.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of attachment means according to this invention.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a whiteboard/blackboard comprising two panels with the attachment means in Figure 8.

[0016] Figure 1 shows a manner in which a whiteboard/blackboard according to the prior art is supported. This form of support comprises a first stage -10- of measuring in which a line is drawn and screws joining two flanges to the wall have to be positioned on that line. It should be emphasised that significant accuracy is required at this stage because any slight variation in the positioning of the screws will cause the whiteboard/blackboard to be tilted and/or poorly supported. In a second stage -11- the whiteboard/blackboard is placed on the two flanges previously fitted. Once the whiteboard/blackboard has been placed in position there is then a third stage -12- in which a line is drawn along the top of the whiteboard/blackboard.

[0017] The fourth stage -13- in the process of attachment comprises drawing a line at a specific distance from the line previously drawn, after which another two flanges are attached above that line in a reverse arrangement to that of the flanges in first stage -10- to support the whiteboard/blackboard from the top.

[0018] In the final stage -14- the whiteboard/blackboard is slid sideways between the upper and lower flanges.

[0019] As will be seen, in the case of whiteboards/blackboards of relatively large size it is impossible for a single person to place the whiteboard/blackboard on the flanges and draw the line at the same time (as indicated in stages -11- and -12-), furthermore it is a procedure which requires great accuracy and many measurements and lines on the wall, which can be avoided with the system according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a panel according to the present invention. Whiteboards/blackboards according to the present invention comprise multiple panels arranged adjacent to one another in order to divide up a whiteboard/blackboard into multiple panels of smaller size. This constitutes a clear logistical advantage in that panels of a standard size can be stored and transported and offer the end user a form of attachment which does not require the experience and skill required by the attachment means according to the prior art. The panel in the figure comprises means of attachment to the wall -4-, a clip -3- for paper, pegs -31- to secure the clip -3- for paper to the panel, a writing surface -2- and a lower projection -5- for placing writing tools or other items on it.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a rear view of the panel in Figure 2. In its posterior part, the panel comprises a side free of projecting members in such a way that when a panel is placed adjacent to it there is no interference, and it is possible to write in the area adjacent to the join between the panels. Furthermore there is a filler material -22- whose main function is to support the structure of the panel. Preferably this filler -22- should be a rigid but light material such as cardboard.

[0022] Furthermore, for attachment to the wall the panel comprises a flange -23- on its top surface which is supported on means attached to the wall or the surface on which it is intended to place the panel.

[0023] Figure 4 shows the panel according to Figure 3 with means of attachment -4- to the wall joined to the flange -23- of the panel.

[0024] The mentioned attachment means -4- comprises oval holes -42- for fitting screws and subsequent attachment to the wall. In this invention the panels can be dismantled from the attachment means, as a result of which a user can position the screws through the attachment means, which will be lighter and smaller than the whiteboard/blackboard.

[0025] In order to allow the addition of adjacent attachment means -4- while maintaining the first alignment made, attachment means -4- have at least one projecting member -43- and one receiving member -44- on their lateral extremities. Thus more adjacent attachment means can be added by joining the pieces in an interlocking way.

[0026] Flange -23- of the panel is located between L-shaped pieces -41- to keep the panel supported on the attachment means.

[0027] Figures 5 and 6 show details of the previously mentioned components of one of the means of attachment according to this invention. These figures show greater detail of the attachment of L-shaped parts -41- to support at least one panel on the attachment means.

[0028] Figure 7 shows the arrangement of a whiteboard/blackboard comprising two adjacent panels -200-, -201- according to this invention.

[0029] The whiteboard/blackboard illustrated in Figure 7 comprises two surfaces -5- on which items which are preferably related to writing on the whiteboard/blackboard can be placed.

[0030] In this particular embodiment each of the panels has associated attachment means, each of the attachment means -401-, -402- comprises a receiving member -44- and a projecting member -43- which connect together to increase the number of L-shaped pieces -41- available to the device and these can span a larger area, that is to say support writing surfaces of larger area.

[0031] It should be pointed out that in this embodiment according to the invention only one means of attachment needs to be lined up as the interlocking connection of adjacent means makes it possible to maintain the alignment initially made and furthermore allows a single person to make all the attachments and subsequently fit as many panels as are required without needing any assistance.

[0032] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of means -4-for attachment of the whiteboard/blackboard to a wall in which the means of attachment are provided through magnetic forces.

[0033] In this embodiment four magnets -4031-, -4032-, -4033-, -4034- are provided and are secured to the wall by means of plugs, -40311-, -40321-, -40331-, -40341- and screws -40312-, -40322-, -40332-, -40342-, as is well known in the prior art.

[0034] Once these magnets have been attached to the wall it is sufficient to offer up a metal part of whiteboard/blackboard -2- to the magnets in order to ensure support.

[0035] In particular embodiments of this invention the whiteboard/blackboard is wholly metallic, at least in its external parts, as a result of which any part of the whiteboard/blackboard will serve as a supporting part for the magnets.

[0036] In addition to this, this invention may be provided with a template -4030- acting as a guide so that the user can easily locate the most appropriate supporting points for the whiteboard/blackboard.

[0037] Figure 9 shows an embodiment of two panels -200-, -201- with magnetic attachment means as described previously.

[0038] In this case this invention has two templates -4030-, -4040- for locating four magnets for each whiteboard/blackboard. Nevertheless in particular embodiments of this invention more magnets may be included, or they may be replaced by a smaller number of magnets having a greater ability to generate a magnetic field.

[0039] The materials used for manufacture of the components of the device according to this invention, their shapes and dimensions and all accessory details that may be included are independent of the object of the invention provided that and as long as they do not affect its essential nature.

[0040] Although the invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments, these must not be regarded as limiting the invention, which is defined by the broadest interpretation of the following claims.

Claims

1. A whiteboard/blackboard of the type comprising at least one panel which in turn comprises:

- at least one writing surface; and

- means for attachment to a wall;
in which the writing surface is free of any projecting parts in a plane normal to that surface on at least one of its sides in such a way that when a second panel is placed adjacent to it increasing the writing surface area it is possible to draw lines in the area adjacent to the join between the whiteboards/blackboards without interference, characterised in that the attachment means to the wall are means which can be detached from the whiteboard/blackboard.

2. A whiteboard/blackboard according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least two panels.

3. A whiteboard/blackboard according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the attachment means include a flange for interconnection to corresponding attachment means on the second panel at at least one of its extremities.

4. A whiteboard/blackboard according to claim 3, characterised in that the attachment means comprise a receiving member matching the flange at another of its extremities.

5. A whiteboard/blackboard according to claim 1, characterised in that the attachment means are magnetic attachment means.

6. A whiteboard/blackboard according to claim 5, characterised in that the magnetic attachment means comprise a magnet located on the wall and the whiteboard/blackboard comprises a metal part for attachment to the magnet.

7. A whiteboard/blackboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the writing surface comprises an external surface attached to a filler material.

8. A whiteboard/blackboard according to claim 7, characterised in that the filler material is cardboard, wood or foam.

9. A whiteboard/blackboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the writing surface is a metal surface.

10. A whiteboard/blackboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the attachment means comprise screws for attachment to the wall and projecting members on which the panel is hung.

11. A whiteboard/blackboard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a clip, substantially at its top, in such a way that other writing surfaces can be supported.

12. A whiteboard/blackboard according to claim 11, characterised in that these other writing surfaces are paper.

Drawing