Foldable Clipboard With Hinged Panels For Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clipboards are either too large and cumbersome for easy transportation and storage, lacking a compact form that facilitates ease of use and storage while providing a suitable writing surface.

Innovation Solution

A foldable clipboard design featuring multiple support panels coupled with actuation components like hinges, allowing transition between unfolded and folded configurations, along with attachment features to secure papers, ensuring a compact form for storage and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the clipboard is made large to provide sufficient writing surface, then the writing area is improved, but the ease of transportation and storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewriting surface areaVSAvoidease of transportation and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clipboard is divided into multiple support panels (first support panel, second support panel, third support panel) that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the clipboard to maintain a large writing surface when unfolded while enabling compact folding for easy transportation and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clipboard transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one through the incorporation of hinges and actuation components that enable folding between unfolded and folded configurations. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the clipboard to adapt its size based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the clipboard is made compact for easy transportation and storage, then the ease of transportation and storage is improved, but the writing surface area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transportation and storageVSAvoidwriting surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If multiple support panels are used to create a foldable structure, then the compactness for storage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompactness for storageVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support panels are arranged to nest against each other when folded, with the first, second, and third support panels positioned adjacent to one another in a compact configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the overall volume while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If the support panels are coupled with hinges to enable folding, then the transition between configurations is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition between configurationsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240367455A1Foldable clipboard

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 MEDINFO

AI summary

A foldable clipboard includes at least three support panels that each have an upper surface. At least one of the support panels includes a set of apertures operable to receive an attachment feature. At least one hinge pivotably couples each adjacent set of support panels. The clipboard is capable of transitioning between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration via the at least one hinge pivotably coupling each adjacent set of support panels. The upper surfaces of each of the at least three support panels form a combined upper surface having a substantially constant and consistent thickness that provide a writing surface when the clipboard is in the unfolded configuration.