Document display and retention device

Abstract

A device for displaying and exchanging a plurality of documents of various shapes and sizes and for organizing the same. The device of the present invention comprises at least two layers of pliable sheet material. If multiple sheets are used, the sheets may be nested together. The sheets may then be inserted into a binder mechanism where the binder mechanism compressibly engages the layers to create a pressure region adjacent thereto. The frictional force between the sheet material and the inserted document retains a document inserted into the pressure region formed between two adjacent layers.

1 . A device for releasably retaining a plurality of documents, the device comprising: 
 a first sheet having a first edge opposed from a first free edge;    a second sheet having a second edge opposed from a second free edge, the first edge coupled to the second edge along a common joint; and    a binder mechanism having a slot to receive the first edge of the first sheet and the second edge of the second sheet, the slot sized to force at least a portion of the first sheet into contact with at least a portion of the second sheet when the sheets are received in the slot of the binder mechanism,    wherein the force generated against the first sheet and the second sheet by the binder mechanism creates a pressure region proximate and adjacent to the binder mechanism, and where the force is sufficient to retain the first sheet and the second sheet in the slot of the binder mechanism without additional mechanical engagement between the sheets and the binder mechanism, and    wherein at least one document is retainable in the pressure region without the at least one document being inserted into any portion of the binder mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second sheets are slideably releasable from the binder mechanism.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first edge of the first sheet is integrally formed with the second edge of the second sheet.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first free edge of the first sheet is located at a distance farther from the common joint than the second free edge of the second sheet.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the binder mechanism comprises a binding bar having a pair of biasly opposed sidewalls that define the slot.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the binder mechanism is made from a plastic material.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the binder mechanism is configured to operate as a desk display item for holding writing utensils.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first sheet is the same size as the second sheet.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the sheets is transparent.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the sheets is made from plastic, vinyl, Lexan, Lucite, or Acrylic.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first sheet is a different color than the second sheet.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the sheets has an average thickness in the range of about  0 . 0050 - 0 . 020  inches.  
   
   
       13 . A device to releasably retain a document, the device comprising: 
 at least two sheets having a common edge; and    a binder mechanism having a slot configured to receive at least the common edge of the at least two sheets and to supply a compressive force on the at least two sheets to retain the document therebetween in a region proximate to the binder mechanism, but not within any portion of the binder mechanism.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the at least two sheets are nested with respect to one another.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the at least two sheets are different sizes, respectively.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the binder mechanism includes a mounting portion attachable to a vertical surface.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the at least two sheets are slideably releasable from the binder mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the at least two sheets are integrally formed along the common edge.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the binder mechanism includes a pair of biasly opposed sidewalls that define the slot and supply the compressive force on the at least two sheets.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 13  wherein a combined thickness of the at least two sheets is larger than a width of the slot in the binder mechanism such that the compressive force on the at least two sheets is generated when the common edge of the at least two sheets is forcefully positioned in the slot of the binder mechanism.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the at least two sheets are different sizes.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the at least two sheets are transparent.  
   
   
       23 . A device to releasably retain a document, the device comprising: 
 at least two sheets arranged together with a common edge;    a binder mechanism having two biasly opposed sidewalls connected by a backing member, the sidewalls defining a slot sized to releasably retain at least the common edge of the at least two sheets; and    a first region located proximate to, but not between the two biasly opposed sidewalls of the binder mechanism, the first region formed between the at least two sheets based on an amount of biasing force applied by the biasly opposing sidewalls of the binder mechanism, wherein the biasing force is sufficient to releasably retain at least a portion of the document in the first region.    
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the at least two sheets are nested with respect to one another.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the at least two sheets are different sizes, respectively.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the binder mechanism includes a mounting portion attachable to a vertical surface.  
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the at least two sheets are integrally formed along the common edge.  
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the amount of biasing force applied by the biasly opposing sidewalls of the binder mechanism is sufficient to releasably retain the at least two sheets in the binder mechanism without another form of mechanical engagement.  
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the at least two sheets are different sizes.  
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 23  wherein the at least two sheets are transparent.