Desk pad with easel

Abstract

A desk pad including a generally flat support component configured to lay generally flat on an underlying support surface. The desk pad further includes a support flap pivotally coupled to the support component, and a prop mechanism coupled to the support flap. The prop mechanism is configured to support the support flap in a non-parallel position relative to the support component.

1 . A desk pad comprising: 
 a generally flat support component configured to lay generally flat on an underlying support surface;    a support flap pivotally coupled to said support component; and    a prop mechanism coupled to said support flap and configured to support said support flap in a non-parallel position relative to said support component.    
   
   
       2 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said prop mechanism is configured to support said support flap such that said support flap extends generally vertically upwardly relative to said support component when said support component lies flat on said support surface.  
   
   
       3 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said support component includes a sheet assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The desk pad of  claim 3  wherein said sheet assembly includes a plurality of sheets of paper.  
   
   
       5 . The desk pad of  claim 4  wherein said sheet assembly forms an upper-most portion of said desk pad such that said plurality of sheets of paper are directly accessible by a user when said support component lies flat on said support surface.  
   
   
       6 . The desk pad of  claim 4  wherein said support component includes a backing panel coupled to said sheet assembly, said backing panel having at least one of a thickness or stiffness greater than said plurality of sheets of paper.  
   
   
       7 . The desk pad of  claim 6  wherein said sheet assembly is positioned on an upper surface of said backing panel.  
   
   
       8 . The desk pad of  claim 4  wherein each of said plurality of sheets are bound together and include calendar indicia printed thereon.  
   
   
       9 . The desk pad of  claim 4  wherein each sheet includes a surface area of at least about 200 inches.  
   
   
       10 . The desk pad of  claim 4  further comprising a backing panel, and wherein said sheet assembly is removably coupled to said backing panel, and wherein said support flap is directly pivotally coupled to said backing panel.  
   
   
       11 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said support component includes a backing panel directly pivotally coupled to said support flap.  
   
   
       12 . The desk pad of  claim 11  wherein said support flap and said backing panel are parts of the same, single and unitary sheet of material.  
   
   
       13 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said support flap is directly pivotally coupled to said support component.  
   
   
       14 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said support flap has a smaller surface area than said support component.  
   
   
       15 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said prop mechanism includes a foot pivotally coupled to said support flap.  
   
   
       16 . The desk pad of  claim 15  wherein said foot is pivotable between an extended position wherein said foot is oriented generally perpendicular to said support flap, and a retracted position wherein said foot is generally parallel with said support flap.  
   
   
       17 . The desk pad of  claim 16  wherein prop mechanism includes a retaining device configured to maintain said foot in said extended position.  
   
   
       18 . The desk pad of  claim 17  wherein said retaining device includes a flap having a groove formed therein, wherein said flap is positionable to receive at least part of said foot therein when said foot is in said extended position.  
   
   
       19 . The desk pad of  claim 18  wherein said flap of said retaining device is pivotally coupled to said support surface.  
   
   
       20 . The desk pad of  claim 18  further including a supplemental foot pivotally coupled to said support flap and spaced away from said foot, wherein said supplemental foot is pivotable between an extended position wherein said supplemental foot is generally perpendicular to said support flap, and a retracted position wherein said supplemental foot is generally parallel with said support flap, and wherein said flap includes a supplemental groove positioned to receive at least part of said supplemental foot therein when said supplemental foot is in said extended position.  
   
   
       21 . The desk pad of  claim 18  wherein said foot and said retaining flap are parts of the same, single unitary sheet of material.  
   
   
       22 . The desk pad of  claim 15  wherein said support flap is a two-ply material, and wherein said foot is defined by a cut in an outer ply of said support flap.  
   
   
       23 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said prop mechanism is configured to support said support flap such that said support flap generally extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to said support component when said support component lies flat on said support surface.  
   
   
       24 . The desk pad of  claim 1  wherein said prop mechanism is configured to be positioned between said support surface and said support flap when said prop mechanism supports said support flap in said non-parallel position.  
   
   
       25 . A method of using desk pad comprising: 
 providing a desk pad having a generally flat support component, a support flap pivotally coupled to said support component, and a prop mechanism coupled to said support flap;    positioning said desk pad such that said support component lies generally flat on an underlying support surface;    pivoting said support flap such that said support flap is in a generally non-parallel position relative to said support component; and    operating said prop mechanism such that said prop mechanism maintains said support flap in said generally non-parallel position.    
   
   
       26 . A desk pad calendar comprising: 
 a generally flat support component having a calendar printed or carried thereon;    a support flap pivotally coupled to said support component; and    a prop mechanism coupled to said support flap and configured to support said support flap in a non-parallel position relative to said support component.    
   
   
       27 . A desk pad calendar comprising: 
 a backing panel;    a sheet assembly including a plurality of sheets bound together, each sheet having a calendar or calendar portion printed thereon, said sheet assembly being releasably attachable to said backing panel; and    a support flap pivotally coupled to an upper edge of said backing panel; and    a prop mechanism configured to support said support flap in an extended position wherein said support flap extends generally vertically upwardly from said backing panel when said backing panel is laid flat on a support surface.