GB2203097A - Personal organiser - Google Patents

Abstract

A personal organiser comprising a file having a cover, a loose-leaf binder and replaceable leaves, characterised in that at least a part of the cover is in the form of an openable water-proof container. The container comprises two shells (10, 11) joined by a hinge (14), rim (15) of shell (10) engaging region (16) of shell (11) to form a ring seal. A locking mechanism is provided in the form of projections (27) on shell (11) which engage in recesses (28) of shell (10), each projection including a bore which aligns with a bore (30) in the closed condition of the container so as to receive a locking key e.g. a writing implement. <IMAGE>

Description

PERSONAL ORGANISER The present invention relates to a personal organiser (PO). POs, which are essentially wallet-sized files, normally having loose leaves held in a ring binder, have become very popular. Various proprietory systems have been produced with printed information of different kinds from which the purchaser can order a selection of leaves appropriate to his own requirements including eg statistical or travel information, forms for addresses and reminders, and diary pages. As a PO is used over a period of time it becomes. increasingly valuable to the user, who is reluctant to be parted from it. Users are therefore faced with a dilemma when they have to pursue outdoor occupations, whether at work or on holiday, since the PO may contain information too valuable to risk, whereas its absence could be of great inconvenience or even unacceptable.

The invention overcomes this problem by providing a PO arranged for use out of doors in adverse weather conditions, and, in the case of a preferred embodiment, resistant to complete immersion in water.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a personal organiser comprising a file eg of pocket size having a cover, a loose-leaf binder and replaceable leaves (eg including a first font of leaves of selectable printed information and a second font of leaves arranged for the entry of personal information), characterised in that: at least a part of the cover is in the form of an openable water-proof container. The expression "pocket sized" is intended to include large pockets or military pouches. The lengthwise dimension may be eg 20 cms.

Preferably the cover comprises first and second dished shells having complementary continuous rim regions, the shells being hinged along adjacent hinged edges so as to permit a closed condition of the container with the rim regions in continuous engagement. Preferably at least one of the rim regions is provided with a first continuous waterproof sealing means. The first shell may contain the binder and leaves and the second shell an interior cover which may in turn be provided with a second continuous waterproof sealing means.

The second shell may, for example contain a replaceable map or other sensitive material such as photographs which may warrant additional protection.

The leaves may include water-impervious sheets. In a case where all of the leaves are in this form it will not be necessary (although it is preferred) that the outer container be sealed against the incursion of water. It may be made splash proof, or have no protection against water, the necessary sealed enclosure being wholly provided by an interior cover to one of the shells which defines a watertight compartment. In some embodiments this compartment may hold the loose leaf binder or a second such binder.

Small articles such as first aid dressings and concentrated rations may also be carried in one or other of the compartments or shells. It may be desirable in some cases to have an interior cover within each shell.

The PO may contain means for writing on some or all of the water-impervious sheets. Such sheets may be of plastics material such as PVC, and an appropriate writing instrument such as a felt pen with appropriate water-proof ink may be housed within the container. Clearly a conventional pen may also be appropriately housed.

A useful optional feature will be some means for illuminating the contents under dark conditions. This may take the form of an appropriately housed torch, or an electric light at the interior rim of one or both shells.

A hinged luminescent sheet may also be provided which may be electrically, chemically or radioactively activated.

Preferably the PO includes holding means for maintaining the container in a water-proof condition when closed. The holding means may include magnetic components.

Whether or not magnetic means are utilised, eg to improve the seal, a mechanical locking device will normally be present. The locking device may include a security mechanism such as a key which might be incorporated in a special writing instrument. A locating means such as a homing signal transmitter or flashing light may be included.

In embodiments intended for use at sea the PO may be arranged to float on water. A water-activated locating means may then be included. In other cases the locating means may be time activated by a timing mechanism which may also serve as a clock. A calculating facility may be included.

It will be apparent that the specification of the PO will vary according to the user's requirements. Such users may include eg military personnel, seamen, mountaineers, foresters, engineers and construction workers.

An embodiment of the invention is hereafter described with reference to the accompaying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a PO in a partly open condition, Figure 2 is an end view of the PO of Figure 1, viewed from the bottom of Figure 1, in the closed condition, and Figure 3 is a partial section along line 3 - 3 of Figure 1.

The PO shown in the drawing comprises two shells 10,11 joined along adjacent hinged edges 12,13 by a hinge 14 which permits a continuous rim region 15 of shell 10 to engage with a complementary region 16 of shell 11 to form a ring seal in the closed condition shown in Figure 2, so constituting an openable container.

In the embodiment shown, the rim regions 15,16 are defined by the exposed faces of respective continuous gaskets 17 (Figure 2) of square section skinned, closed cell elastomeric foam material such as poylurethane. At least the exposed face regions of the gaskets contain a filling of magnetic filler, as commonly provided in refrigerator doors, to ensure a held sealing contact between the mating faces, thus rendering the closed container water-proof.

The gaskets 17 are in each case secured by bonding or welding at at least the bottom and outward faces to the base mouldings 18,19 of the shells. These mouldings may be of any suitably impact resistant and scratch resistant plastics for the intended purpose. In the shell 11 a partition wall 20 for interior compartment 21 provides an additional anchorage for the corresponding gasket.

Within the shell 11, the partition wall 20 extends all around the interior face of the gasket 17 and provides a support for a hinge 23 and a sealing closure for an interior cover 22 which is bonded or welded to the wall 20 adjacent the hinge. The cover 22 is formed preferably of resiliently flexible plastics with a bead 24 extending around the rim. The bead 24 is adapted to snap fit within a channel defined between upper and lower claws 25,26 formed on the inside face of wall 20 (Figure 2) . These claws extend around the interior face of the wall 20 except at-the hinge side and provide a water-tight closure for the cover 20 which is provided with an opening tag 31.

The base moulding of each shell 10,11 extends to a greater thickness at the side edges opposite to the hinge 14 to house a mechanical locking mechanism. This is provided by rectangular projections or keys 27 distributed along the top edge region of shell 11 and complementary recesses 28 on shell 10. The keys are illustrated as plastic extensions of the moulding but may be metal inserts. Each key has a bore 29 which continues a bore 30 joining all the recesses 28 to the exterior of the moulding. The continuous bore so defined in the closed condition of the PO may be of a shape unique to the user to permit the insertion of a special closure key which may also function as a writing implement.

Such a key (not shown) when inserted through the bore 30 serves to hold the container closed against mechanical stresses which might overcome the magnetic seal. It may if desired be arranged to be locked in position.

Indexed loose leaves 32 are held by openable binder rings 33 within the shell 10. The rings 33 are secured to the base moulding eg by rivetting on to a stiff plastics strip bonded or welded to the moulding. They may be of (preferably non-corroding) metal or plastics. Since the container is designed to be water-tight as a whole, in addition to supporting an interior water-tight compartment, the loose leaves 32 need not be water-resistant. They may however include plastics sheets.

The thickened edge sections of the base moulding, especially on shell 11 may be hollowed to house devices such as a clock mechanism, calculator, signal generator or signal light, together with batteries. The cover 22 may be arranged to support on one or both faces a luminescent sheet to illuminate the interior of the PO at night.

In view of the extensive sealed air space and closed cell foam it is anticipated that the PO could readily be arranged to float on water, provided it is not too heavily filled with dense material. Various articles can be housed in the compartment 21 as already described. It is evident that the gaskets 17 could be omitted should water resistant sheets be provided in the binder, or the binder and leaves transferred to the compartment 21 and the freed space used to house water resistant or packaged articles. The container may be moulded in one piece together with the binding means. Many other variations of the PO are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims (19)

1. A personal organiser comprising a file having a cover, a loose-leaf binder and replaceable leaves, characterised in that at least a part of the cover is in the form of an openable water-proof container.

2. A personal organiser according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises first and second dished shells having complementary continuous rim regions, the shells being hinged along adjacent hinged edges so as to permit a closed condition of the container with the rim regions in continuous engagement.

3. A personal organiser according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the rim regions is provided with a first continuous water-proof sealing means.

4. A personal organiser according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the first shell contains the said binder and leaves and the second shell contains an interior cover.

5. A personal organiser according to claim 4 wherein the interior cover is provided with a second continuous waterproof sealing means.

6. A personal organiser according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the second shell contains a replaceable map.

7. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim wherein the leaves include water-impervious sheets.

8. A personal organiser according to claim 7 including means for writing on some or all of the water-impervious sheets.

9. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim including means for illuminating the contents.

10. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim including holding means for maintaining the container in a water-proof condition when closed.

11. A personal organiser according to claim 10 wherein the holding means include magnetic components.

12. A personal organiser according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the holding means include a mechanical locking device.

13. A personal organiser according to claim 12 wherein the locking device includes a security mechanism.

14. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim including a locating means.

15. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim including a first font of leaves of selectable printed information and a second font of leaves arranged for the entry of personal information.

16. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim including a writing instrument arranged to cooperate with a locking device to hold the container closed.

17. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim arranged to float on water.

18. A personal organiser according to any preceding claim of pocket size.

19. A personal organiser substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.