Collapsible freestanding drawing board

[0001] Not applicable.

[0002] Not applicable.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to the field of drawing boards, and, in particular, to a new and useful activity sheet held within a collapsible and freestanding frame.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] Drawing boards are well known in the prior art and common in today's world. Chalkboards, dry erase boards, and other conventional drawing boards provide an educational and entertaining device for children. Conventional boards typically comprise a wooden, plastic, or metallic planar surface coated with a composition upon which one can write or draw. Larger drawing boards are typically heavy and cumbersome. As a result, it is difficult to provide children with large drawing surfaces that are also lightweight and easily transportable.

[0007] In general, today's boards are supported by a freestanding frame, held by an easel, or mounted onto a wall. As a result, storing traditional boards is problematic. Many freestanding frames cannot be collapsed and require substantial space for storage. Easels tend to only provide limited collapsibility. Wall mounted boards necessitate large spaces to accommodate near permanent fixtures.

[0008] The present invention is directed to a collapsible freestanding drawing board having a frame comprising frame members selectively coupleable to one another, and a sheet member supported by the frame such that the sheet member is stretched taught within the frame and supported in a generally vertical orientation. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is operably configured to receive attachments, such as games and accessories.

[0014] The various embodiments of the present invention will be better understood from the detailed description provided below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention. However, the detailed description and drawings should not be read to limit the invention to the specified embodiments. Rather, these specifics are provided for explanatory purposes to help the invention be better understood.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a collapsible, freestanding drawing board of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1, a user 102 may paint, mark, draw, hang magnets, or play games on the present invention.

[0016] The present invention comprises an activity sheet 104 and a freestanding frame, indicated generally at 106, comprising side frame members 107, lower frame member 108, and upper frame member 109. As shown in FIG. 2, each frame member preferably comprises at least two segments (107A, 107B, 108A, 108B, and 109A, 109B) coupled by connectors 202. Connectors 202 are constructed of wood, plastic, metal, or similar material and each connector comprises two elongate male ends 203 extending in opposite directions from a generally rectangular center. Each male end 203 is operably configured to be mateably received within an aperture of an end of each frame member segment. As illustrated in the expanded view at 208, frame member segments are hollow or contain female ends operably configured to receive male ends 203. Connector 202 holds frame member segments together to make up each frame member. In an alternative embodiment, frame members are single segments and not separable.

[0017] Frame members 107, 108, and 109 are preferably lightweight and made of PVC pipe, wood, plastic, metal, or similar materials. The upper ends 306 of side frame members 107 and distal ends 308 of upper frame member 109 are releasably coupleable. In an exemplary embodiment, an arcuate frame connector 204 connects upper ends of side frame members 107 and upper frame member 109. As shown in FIG. 3, frame connector 204 comprises two male ends, 302 and 304 extending in longitudinal planes that are substantially perpendicular. Side frame members 107 and upper frame member 109 are operably configured to have hollow or female distal ends 307, 309 to receive male ends 302 and 304. It is to be understood that other configured connectors (such as U-shaped, L-shaped, or the like) may also be used. In addition, frame members can directly couple together without using connectors. Therefore, FIG. 3, while illustrative, merely provides an exemplary method for coupling frame members and other coupling methods can also be used.

[0018] The lower ends of side frame members are received in base 117, which preferably comprises at least two feet 118 that support the frame and sheet 104 in a substantially vertically oriented position. Each foot 118 is formed with a first aperture 205 for receiving the lower end 107B of a side frame member to hold the side frame member in a generally vertical position. Each foot likewise comprises a second aperture 207 for receiving an end of the lower frame member 109A and B, and hold the lower frame member 109 in a generally horizontal position. First and second apertures are operably configured for a friction fit with the ends of the lower and side frame members 107 and 109 to releasably secure the members in the apertures.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each foot 118 may include another second aperture on the opposite face of foot 118. This aperture is likewise operably configured to secure an end of a lower frame member to provide for a multiple screen embodiment of the present board. Foot 118 may contain features such as handle 122 or paint storage receptacle 120 to hold paint cans 121. Further, each foot 118, as shown in FIG. 4, may include an enclosure 402 for holding sand, water, gravel, or other weighted material to support the frame in an upright position.

[0020] Sheet member 104 is relatively light and collapsible. Sheet member 104 is releasably attached to frame 106 and the frame holds sheet 104 in a generally vertical position by stretching sheet 104 between at least two frame members. Preferably, sheet 104 is attached to side frame members 107 and is stretched taught therebetween. In an exemplary embodiment, side frame members include slot 206, which receives and holds a side edge 207 of sheet 104. The side edges 207 of sheet 104 have an enlarged width dimension relative to the remainder of sheet 104. Slot 206 comprises a narrowed entryway and recessed cavity running the length of a frame member. The recessed cavity receives the side edge of sheet 104, and the narrowed entryway is operably configured to retain the enlarged side edge of sheet in the recessed cavity. The enlarged side edges are slideably received in slot 206's recessed cavity and are held in place by the narrowed entryway. In another embodiment, two of sheet 104's edges are looped creating pockets that receive two frame members. Once sheet 104 is attached to at least two frame members, it can be held upright by the frame.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the vertical or horizontal edges of sheet 104 are looped creating pockets that envelop frame members 106 and 107. While the aforementioned embodiments illustrate various ways to stretch sheet 104 within a frame, other well-known coupling methods may also be used.

[0022] Sheet 104 is thus easy to store and transport and suitable for repeated painting, marking, drawing, washing, or receiving magnets thereon. In an exemplary embodiment, sheet member 104 is vinyl. In other embodiments, sheet 104 is coated with a composition creating a surface for writing, painting, or receiving magnets. Further, games can be drawn on or attached to sheet 104 in embodiments. For example, dart board 114 affixes to sheet 104 and provides user 102 a target to throw dart 115.

[0023] To enrich user 102's learning and educational experience, the frame may receive attachments, such as hoops, cup holders, paint holders, brush holders, marker holders, hooks, rings, and other such accompaniments. Preferably, slots 206 likewise are formed on the opposite face of side frame members 107. Individual attachments, such as game 110 or accessory holder 112, affix to the frame by inserting a male end protruding from the attachment into slot 206 on the frame member. In another embodiment, attachments are held on the frame by magnets. While the aforementioned embodiments illustrate various ways to couple attachments to the frame, other well-known coupling methods can also be used.

[0024] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.