Map Display and Holder Device

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for holding and storing maps and other information that can be affixed or printed to a flexible web made out of paper, plastic, cloth and the like.

When a user unfolds a map, he or she generally struggles to locate the area of interest after displaying a considerably large unmanageable portion of the map. Not infrequently this is done while sitting inside a vehicle with limited light and space frequently while moving. This causes considerable obstruction of the sight and also increases the probability of damaging the map being examined. All this also causes a user to waste time.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a device for displaying and storing maps and other information that can be affixed or printed to a web of a flexible material capable of being rolled.

It is another object of this present invention to provide a volumetrically efficient apparatus for storing and displaying a map or other information affixed to a flexible web.

It is also another object of this invention to provide such a device that is electrically illuminated.

It is yet another object of this present invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents an isometrical view of an embodiment for the present invention showing a portion of the web containing the information sought to be displayed protruding downwardly.

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the device shown in FIG. 1 wherein the end wall of the housing has been removed so that the internal cylinders can be seen.

FIG. 2a shows a similar view to the one shown in FIG. 2 wherein a light bulb circuit has been included.

FIG. 2b represents the electrical shcematic of the light bulb circuit including a battery and a switch, as shown in FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the device represented in the previous figures wherein the back wall of the housing has been removed in order to expose the internal components.

FIG. 4 is a representation of an isometric view of the device shown in the previous figures wherein the housing is partially broken and the internal components are shown.

FIG. 4a illustrates an alternate method of driving the cylinder through an electric motor to expose the web with information that it contains.

FIG. 4b represents the electric circuit that drives one of the electric motors.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment that includes two electrically driven motors for actuating the cylinders.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second alternate embodiment that does not utilize a housing.

FIG. 7 shows one possible installation for the device represented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 represents another possible installation for the device shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes a housing 20 wherein two internally disposed cylinder members 30 and 40 contain flexible web 50 that in turn contains the information to be displayed, such as a map or instructions, etc. Web 50 is pulled down by the weight of outer cylinder member 60 acting on a loop created by web 50 in one of the preferred embodiments. Separation 220 of the web 50 is determined by the diameter of outer cylinder member 60, as best seen in FIG. 2. Also, it is possible to spring bias outer cylinder member 60 with spring member 150 so that reliance on the gravitational force is not necessary. Hanger or brace member 70 is preferably removably mounted to housing 20 and is capable of being mounted to any fixed place for the convenience of the user. The mechanism for mounting device 10 can be implemented in many different ways including screws, glue, Velcro pads etc. Cover 25 is removably mounted to housing 20, in the preferred embodiment, to permit access to cylinder members 30 and 40.

In operation, a user turns either cylinder member 30 or 40 to put out or take in web 50 so that the specific area of interest is the one that comes out first. In this manner, frequent consultations or look up operations for this specific area of interest do not require the entanglement of unwinding the entire web 50. Nevertheless, a user may unwind the entire map, if necessary and the space permits. In FIG. 3 and 4, flat head screws 31 and 41 are rigidly mounted to the ends of cylinders 30 and 40 that do not have the knobs. Screws 31 and 41 cooperatively fit in counter-sunk openings 33 and 43 and rotate therein.

In FIG. 2a, an alternate embodiment showing an electric light bulb circuit is represented including light bulb battery 25 and switch 27. Light bulb 23 is positioned inside web 50 so that the latter is illuminated from the inside out. This is specially effective when web 50 is made out of a translucent material. Battery member 29 powers light bulb 23.

Another manner of implementing a mounting mechanism is shown through the use of Velcro pads 80 affixed to the outer walls of housing 20. However, it may not be necessary to mount device 10 anywhere since it is portable enough to be placed in a user's pocket or purse. Also, brace member 70 can be supported by suction cups 72 and 74, as shown in FIG. 6.

Preferably, internal cylinder members 30 and 40 are manually driven through knobs 32 and 42, as shown in FIGS. 1; 3 and 4. But, it is also possible to drive them through electrical motor 90 including, for instance, pinion gear assembly 100 properly meshed with a teethed knob 110 as shown in FIG. 4a. This electrical application will permit the faster and more accurate access of the required information since these motors can be servo mechanisms or step motors that are computer driven for a specific number of turns that correspond to a given location of the information in the web.

Housing 20 is shown in FIG. 1 showing an opening 22 through which web 50 falls outwardly by gravity or by a spring member 150. Spring member 150 can be mounted to a fixed position to exert a suitable force on outer cylinder member 60. Preferably, cylinder member 60 is held in a loop formed by web 50 that slides on the surface of cylinder member 60 and/or cylinder member 60 is rotably mounted by thereby permitting the easy exposure of web 50.

As shown in FIG. 5, cylinder members 30 and 40 can be driven through electric motors 90 and 90' which are meshed with toothed knobs 110 and 110' through pinion gears 112 and 112'. Again, the rotation of motors 90 and 90' can be controlled through the use of switches 111 and 111'. Battery members 113 and 113' power electric motors 90 and 90', respectively.

In FIG. 6, another alternate embodiment is shown without requiring the use of a housing 20. Also, FIG. 6 shows that it is not necessary for cylinder members 30 and 40 to be in the same plane with outer cylinder 60.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show two different areas in a vehicle where the present invention can be mounted. In FIG. 7, cooperating Velcro pads 77 and 78 are used as removable means for attaching device 10 to the rear surface of visor V. In FIG. 8, holder 70 is shown preferably glued against the inner surface of windshield W, but it can also be fixed with Velcro pads, suction cups or other means.

It is understood also that the present invention can be practiced even without a housing 20 or with housing of different shapes and dimensions to accommodate different maps or webs containing information.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.