US3659355A

US3659355A - Wall mounted combination chalkboard, projector screen and information display apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3659355A
Application number: US86226A
Authority: US
Inventors: Adelard L Aubin Jr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-11-02
Filing date: 1970-11-02
Publication date: 1972-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-02

Abstract

An upright wall supported receptacle having a compound back wall including a chalkboard, an oppositely disposed open front side, a projector screen supported on the receptacle and being selectively movable into and out of confronting juxtaposition relative to the chalkboard, and wing extensions comprising tack boards pivotally connected on the receptacle for swinging movement toward one another to close the open side of the receptacle.

Description

0 United States Patent [151 3,659,355 Aubin, Jr. 1451 Ma 2 1972 [54] WALL MOUNTED COMBINATION 1,006,481 10/1911 Johnson .312/227 CHALKBOARD, PROJECTOR SCREEN 1,272,645 7/1918 Fanning... ...35/62 X 1,284,492 1 H1918 Thomas ..312/225 X APPARATUS OTHER PUBLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Adelard L. Aubin, Jr., 14 Lakeshore Weber Costello Quality Products Catalog Rec d Feb. 1 1, Drive, South Bellingham, Mass. 02019 1969, page 14, Hinged Panels" pertinent [22] Filed: 1970 Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist [21] Appl. No.: 86,226 Attorney-Kimmel, Crowell & Weaver 5? ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..35/62, 35/60, 3 l2/230 511 1111.01 .1343! An uprlght Wall supported receptacle havms a compound 58 1 Field of searchm 5 m 62, 63 64, 65, back wall including a chalkboard, an oppositely disposed open 312/210 225 227 230 242 front side, a projector screen supported on the receptacle and being selectively movable into and out of confronting jux- [56] References Cited taposition relative to the chalkboard, and wing extensions comprising tack boards pivotally connected on the receptacle NI ED S S PATENTS for swinging movement toward one another to close the open side of the receptacle. 516,005 3/1894 Geer ..35/6O 864,090 8/1907 Fox-Esmond..... 11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 2 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAY 2 I972 3. 659.355

INVENTOR ADELARD L. AUB/N JR.

ATTORNEYS WALL MOUNTED COMBINATION CHALKBOARD, PROJECTOR SCREEN AND INFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to visual information disseminating apparatus designed for educational or amusement purposes, the apparatus including a receptacle having a permanently installed back wall on which is supported and secured an element having a chalk erasable surface, a photographic screen which constitutes a fixture of the apparatus and which is movable, selectively, transversely across the element, wing means for supporting messages of temporary import, and wherein means is provided to hingedly support the wing means whereby the wing means may be swung relative to one another to effect closure of the receptacle with complete disregard as to the visual presence or absence of the screen and without disturbing the messages. Y

2. Description of the Prior Art I Blackboards or chalkboards and picture projecting screens are, of course, old and well known elements widely used in the fields of education and amusement, and many diverse fields, which need no recounting at this time. Chalkboards in combination with projection screens are old in the art as is evidenced by the US grant of Letters Patent to Hurley, No. 2,528,311. For the most part, combinations of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent are of the portable type, that is, the combinations are wheel mounted for movement over a floor or other suitable supporting surface. Such combinations generally require large storage space and generally entail the provision of some means for changing the relative positions of the screen with respect to the chalkboard in order to provide an unobstructed view thereof. Such mechanisms, of course, contribute to high costs of manufacture, and because of the inherent construction of such a combination, users of such apparatus find that neither the chalkboard nor the screen satisfactorily perfonns its intended function.

In the US. Pat. No. 2,867,045 to Millgate, a somewhat analogous type of apparatus is disclosed, but again, it should be noted that the invention relates to a transportable display board. This device is portable in the sense that the same may be hand carried, and is pertinent only to the extent that it does show the old combination of a display board across which may be drawn a projection screen, and wing means for connection on the sides of the device for temporarily supporting data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a wall supported unit in the nature of a compartmentalized receptacle and which includes a chalkboard, a permanently installed picture projection screen, tack board means for supporting information of but temporary importance, and drawer or closable compartment means for receiving and storing chalk, erasers, and other objects, the unit being so constructed and assembled as to eliminate the necessity of assembling and dismantling of portable movie screens and chalkboards, wherein the inventive concept permits quick changes during presentations, conserves space, and which has aesthetic value.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unit of the type referred to supra, the unit being non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and which is rugged and durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in light of the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a wall supported combination chalkboard, projector screen, and information display apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, FIG. 1 showing the apparatus with the projector screen in dotted lines and partially'extended across the chalkboard and with the information display wing closure tack boards comprising closure members for the unit moved to a preselected open position;

FIG. 2 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view, FIG. 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, this view illustrating the position of one of the closure wings when moved to its closed position across the open front side of the unit;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail top plan view showing the apparatus of this invention in its wall mounted position, FIG. 3 illustrating in full lines one of the wing closure members pivoted to its fully opened position, and in phantom lines, the position of the wing closure member in its operative closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, FIG. 4 illustrating the unit with the display wing closure tack boards moved to their normally closed position;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 illustrating the display wing closure tack boards as having been moved to their maximum open position, and with one of the closure members for the compartments move to its open position; v

FIG. 7 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIG. 7 being taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 8 is a detail transverse cross-sectional view, FIG. 8 being taken on the horizontal plane of line 8-8 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more specifically to the drawing, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, the unit constructedin accordance with the teachings of one embodiment of this invention.

The basic unit of the apparatus comprises a normally upright substantially hollow rectangular compartmentalized receptacle 12 which includes a substantially rectangular back wall 14, a continuous peripheral flange or frame constructed of the opposed pairs of substantially parallel and confronting top and

bottom walls

16, 18 and the opposed pairs of substantially parallel and confronting

side walls

20,22. Thus it is seen that the structure as thus far'described defines a first major compartment 24. The compartment 24 is essentially rectangular in configuration and has an open front side oppositely disposed with respect to the back wall 14.

A front wall 26 depends from the top wall 16 in laterally spaced, parallel and confronting relationship relative to the back wall 14, the front wall 26 extending between and having its opposed ends fixedly secured to, respectively, the

side walls

20, 22. The front wall 26 taken together with the top wall 16 and that portion of the back wall 14 disposed in confronting relationship relative to the front wall 26 define a downwardly opening second compartment 28. The function of this compartment 28 will be described infra.

At 30 is designated a normally horizontal substantially rectangular elongated platform which extends parallel to the top and bottom walls l6, 18, respectively, and in vertically spaced relationship relative thereto. As is seen in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the platform 30 extends between and has its respective ends fixedly connected to the

side walls

20, 22. As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the platform 30 is disposed in closer spaced juxtaposition relative to the bottom wall 18 than it is with respect to the top wall 16, and centrally positioned between the adjacent pairs of ends of the bottom wall 18 and platform 30 is interposed a normally upright substantially rectangular divider wall 32. There is thus formed a third compartment 34 (see FIG. I) and a fourth compartment 36 adjacent the lower end of the unit 10, with the

compartments

34, 36 being disposed in end-to-end relationship relative to one another and being of substantially hollow rectangular configuration, each of the compartments opening in a direction away from the back wall 14.

Each of the

compartments

34, 36 receives, respectively, one of a pair of identically constructed drawers here bearing the general reference numeral 38. Each drawer includes an elongated substantially rectangular bottom wall 40 from the longitudinally extending marginal edge of which upwardly projects'a back wall 42. At the opposed longitudinally extending marginal edge of the bottom wall 40 upwardly projects an elongated substantially rectangular front wall 44 which extends in laterally spaced and confronting relationship relative to the back wall 42. Each of the drawers 38 is provided with a pair of opposed end closure walls 46 (see FIG. 1) and 48 (see FIG. 2), these end closure walls being of rectangular configuration and being disposed substantially parallel with respect to one another and in confronting relationship. As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the front walls 44 is formed with a finger'receiving opening 50 to enable the user to move the drawers 38 inwardly and outwardly of the unit and transversely across the bottom wall 18 on which the drawers are supported.

Reference numeral 52 denotes an elongated substantially rectangular and nonnally upright chalkboard which may be adhesively or otherwise conventionally secured to the back wall 14, and as is seen in the drawing, the chalkboard 52 extends across the exposed inner surface area which is limned by the top wall 16, the platform 30 and the

opposed side walls

20, 22 extending therebetween.

Reference numerals 54 each denote one of a pair of conventional hanger or support brackets'which are fixedly connected to each of the confronting sides of the

side walls

20, 22, respectively, adjacent their upper ends.-As is seen in FIG. 2, each of the hanger brackets 54 is disposed within the compartment 28 and is concealed from view by the front wall 26. Each of the brackets 54 receives, respectively, one of the ends of an elongated shaft 56 forming support means for theusual elongated substantially cylindrical spring loaded roller 58 on which is normally wound a projectorscreen 60. The leading edge of the screen 60 is provided with the conventional handle element 61 to facilitate the extension and retraction thereof. As is seen in the drawing, the screen 60, when in its rolled or retracted position, is disposed within the compartment 28 and is also concealed from view by the front wall 26.

Reference numerals 62 each denote, respectively, one of a pair of wing closure tack board members of identical size and construction. Each of the closure members includes a substantially rectangular normally upright support wall 64 against one side of which is superimposed and fixedly secured (by conventional means, not shown) a substantially rectangular tack board 66. The tack board 66 may be formed of any of the usual materials serving such functions, the composition of such materials forming no part of the instant invention.

A peripheral frame, here designated by reference numeral 68, surrounds the peripheral edges of the support wall 64 and of'the tack board 66. The frame 68 includes top and

bottom frame members

70, 72, respectively, and the side frame members 74, 76, respectively.

Reference numeral 78 generally designates an open substantially rectangular masking and lock frame which is superimposed against the exposed side of the tack board member 62 adjacent the peripheral edge thereof. As is seen in the drawing, the lock frame 78 includes a top and bottom frame member'80, 82-, respectively, and the opposed side frame .

members

84, 86, respectively. Conventional hinge means 88 connect the

side walls

20 and 22, respectively, with one of the side frame members 76. It should be here mentioned that the horizontal length of each of the wing members 62 is substantially one-half the horizontal length of the receptacle 12 whereby when the wing members 62 are swung from their open position shown in FIG. 1 and towards one another, each of the masking and lock frames 78 will fit flush against the outer side of the front wall 26 and the outer edge of the bottom wall 18.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a building wall having an outer surface 92. The described unit or apparatus 10 may be secured on the outer surface 92' by conventional. means (not shown) or preferably, an opening 94 is formed in the wall 90 to receive the receptacle 12 therein. As is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the receptacle 12 is only partially inserted within the opening 94, the front portion thereof projecting beyond the surface 92 a distance sufficient to permit the wing members 62 to move from their dotted line position shown in FIG. 3 to their fully open full line position shown in this Figure. In their open positions, the back of the walls 64 of the wing members 62 will be flush or superimposed against the outer surface 92 of the wall 90. Obviously, the wing members 62 may be pivoted on their hinge means 88 to any position intermediate their fully open full line position of FIG. 3 and their fully closed position shown in dotted lines in this Figure 1 Any conventional means may be used to fixedly connect the receptacle 12 in the opening 94, and any means, conventional in the arts, may be utilized in connecting the back wall 14, the top'and

bottom walls

16, 18, and the

side walls

20, 22 in their positionsshown and described. Such means may be also employed in effecting the assembly of the platfonn 30 with the

side walls

20, 22 and for connecting the divider wall 32 with the platform 30 and the back wall 14 and bottom wall 18. In a similar manner, it will be understood that conventional means will be used in the assembly of the support wall 64, the tack board 66, the peripheral frame 68 and the masking and locking frame 78. To illustrate such conventional mechanical and adhesive connecting means would belabor the above description of the unit or apparatus 10 with the inclusions of unnecessary details, and would only lend confusion to .a reading of the drawing and, consequently, such means being old and well known, have been omitted from this disclosure.

It is preferred that the component elements or apparatus 10 be formed-of solid hardwood for such materials readily take a variety of wood finishes and solid colors. The tack boards 66 and the chalkboards 52 may be chosen from a wide variety of materials available on the open market, and may be of the same or differing colors. These features of the unit or apparatus 10 are optional with the user, but it should be here mentioned that all exposed surfaces of the unit or apparatus 10 should be preferably finished in order to achieve an aesthetic effect. The support wall 64 may be formed of any suitable single plastic having a preferred finish and color.

The second preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 8, inclusive. The unit constructed in accordance with this second embodiment is here indicated by reference numeral 100.

As before, the basic unit of the apparatus comprises a normally upright substantially hollow rectangular compartmentalized receptacle 112 which includes a continuous peripheral flange or frame constructed of the opposed pairs of vertically spaced substantially parallel and confronting top and

bottom walls

114, 116, and the opposed pairs of substantially parallel laterally spaced and normally upright confronting

side walls

118, 120. The top and

bottom walls

114, 116 and the

side walls

118, 120 are fixedly connected at their respective ends by a conventional means (not shown) and the back edge of each of these walls is rabbeted to form a continuous groove 122 and continuous shoulder 124. A substantially rectangular chalkboard 126 is telescopically inserted in the groove 122 with the front face thereof making substantially flush engagement against the continuous shoulder 124. Any conventional mechanical or friction fastening means may be used to secure together the adjacent confronting and engaging portions of the shoulder 124 and chalkboard 126. The structure as thus far described defines a first major compartment 128. The compartment 128 is essentially rectangular in configuration and has an open front side confronting the chalkboard 126.

A front wall 130 depends from the top wall 114 in laterally spaced, parallel and confronting relationship relative to the chalkboard 126. The front wall 130 extends between and has its opposed ends fixedly secured to, respectively,

side walls

118, 120. The front wall 130 taken together with the top wall 114 and that portion of the chalkboard 126 disposed in confronting relationship relative to the front wall 130 define a downwardly open second compartment 132 (see FIG. 7), the function of which will be described below. The front side of the front wall 130 is provided with a rabbet which extends from end-to-end thereof and outwardly from its upper edge to terminate at a point spaced above the lower edge of the front wall 130, this rabbet receiving a substantially rectangular strip of tack board material 134. Any means conventional in the art may be utilized to fixedly secure the tack board 134 within its rabbet.

Reference numeral 136 denotes a normally horizontal substantially rectangular elongated platform that extends parallel to the top and

bottom walls

114, 116, respectively, and in a vertically spaced relationship relative thereto. As is seen in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the platform 136 extends between and has its respective ends fixedly connected to the

side walls

118, 120. The chalkboard 126 may be also fixedly connected to the platform 136 by mechanical friction fasteners of a conventional type, or by any conventional adhesive, if desired.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the platform 136 is disposed in closer spaced juxtaposition relative to the bottom wall 116 than it is with respect to the top wall 114 and centrally positioned between the pairs of ends of the bottom wall 116 and the platform 136 is interposed a normally upright substantially rectangular divider wall 138. There isthus formed a third compartment 140 and a fourth compartment 142 adjacent the lower end of the unit 100, with the third and fourth compartments being disposed in end-to-end relationship relative to one another and being of substantially hollow rectangular configuration, with each of the compartments opening in a direction away from the chalkboard 126 which, of course, completely closes the back ends of the third and fourth compartments.

The forward or front open end of each of the

compartments

140, 142 is provided with a horizontally elongated substantially rectangular

front closure wall

144, 146, respectively, the lower end of the

front closure walls

144, 146 being hingedly connected to the forward or front edge of the bottom wall 1 16 as is indicated by reference numeral 148. The hinge means 148 are conventional in construction and are of that type which is concealed when the

front closure walls

144, 146 are in their normally upright closed positions.

Remotely disposed annular eye screws 150 are fixedly connected to the side walls 1 18, 120 and are disposed in the

compartments

140, 142. The screws 150 each serve to anchor one end of a flexible link chain 152 having their upper respective ends anchored in similar eye screws 154 anchored in, respectively, one of the

front closure walls

144, 146. The length of each of the chains 152 is such that the front closure walls 144,

146 are limited in their pivotal movement through an arc of substantially 90. In this connection, reference is made to FIG. 7 of the drawings wherein the front closure wall 144 is shown in its operative closed position while the front closure wall 146 has been pivoted, counterclockwise, through its arc of 90 to become substantially horizontal and parallel to but spaced below the bottom wall 116.

Means is provided for releasably securing the front closure walls in their respective closed positions, such means comprising a pair of first bar magnets 156 which are set into the front edge of the platform 136 with the outer end of one pole thereof being disposed in the plane of this edge. Second bar magnets 158 are set into, respectively, each of the

closure walls

144, 146 adjacent their nonnally upper respective ends with the outer end of reverse polarity normally being flush with the plane of the inner side of each of the

closure walls

144, 146. The magnets 156 are disposed in the arcuate path of movement of the magnets 158 whereby the force of magnetic attraction will hold the

walls

144, 146 in their normally upright and closed positions when the first and second magnets are brought into juxtaposition relative to one another.

Reference numerals 160 each denote one of a pair of conventional hanger or support brackets which are fixedly connected to each of the confronting sides of the

side walls

118, 120, respectively, adjacent their upper ends. As is seen in FIG. 7, each of the hanger brackets is disposed within the compartment 132 and is concealed from view by the front wall 130. Each of the brackets 160 receives, respectively, one of the ends of an elongated shaft 162 forming support means for the usual elongated substantially cylindrical spring loaded roller 164 on which is normally wound a projector screen 166. The leading edge of the screen 166 is provided with the conventional handle element 168 to facilitate the extension and retraction thereof. As is seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the screen 166, when in its rolled or retracted position, is disposed within the compartment 132 and is concealed from view by the front wall 26. When the screen is in its operative position, the handle means 168 is drawn downwardly to move the screen l66to a position across the front side of the chalkboard 126, all as is suggested in the dotted line showing in FIG. 6.

Reference numerals 170 each denote, respectively, one of a pair of wing closure tack board members of identical size and construction. Each of the closure members includes a substantially rectangular normally upright support wall 172 in the front side of which is provided a vertically elongated substantially rectangular recess 174. The recess 174 telescopically receives a complementary configured finishing panel 176 which may be made of any suitable material although a vinyl plastic material is preferred. By way of definition, the front side of each of the wing elements 170 is here referring to that side thereof which is exposed to view when the wing elements are in their closed positions of FIG. 4.

In a like manner, a vertically elongated recess 178 is formed in the opposite or back side of each of the wing elements 170, and in each of these recesses is telescoped, respectively, tack boards 180 formed of suitable and conventional materials.

The

recesses

174, 178 are each peripherally defined by an opposed pair of top and

bottom frame members

182, 184, and an opposed pair of

side frame members

186, 188, respectively. These members cooperate to form a continuous peripheral frame of which one of the side frame members 188 is hingedly connected by conventional hinge means 190 to the side frame member 1 18 and the side frame member 188 of the other wing 170 is similarly connected by hinge means 190 to the side frame member 120. Again, the hinge means 190 is of the conventional type and which, when the wing elements 170 are moved to their closed position shown in FIG. 4, is concealed from view.

Any suitable and conventional releasable locking means may be provided to hold the wing elements 170 in their closed position as is illustrated in FIG. 4. Here it is preferred to insert a bar magnet 194 in each, respectively, top frame member 182 adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the side frame member 186 of each of the wing elements 170. The bar magnets 194 are adapted to cooperate with similar bar magnets 196 set into the front edge of the top wall 116 in the swinging path of movement of the bar magnets 194. It will be understood, of course, that the adjacent poles of the magnets 194, 196 are of opposite polarity and, consequently, the wing elements 170 will be held in their closed operative positions under the force of magnetic attraction. I

This second preferred embodiment of this invention is, obviously, less expensive to manufacture than the embodiment first described above, and by virtue of this construction the user has the advantage of additional tack board space as at the tack board 134 carried on the front wall 130. The concealed hinges 190 contribute to the aesthetic value of the unit, and by employing the hingedly connected front

wall closure members

144, 146, the usable space of the third and

fourth compartments

140, 142, respectively, has been increased, and this construction affords the user additional platform display area since the front

wall closure members

144, 146, when pivoted to their open position, permit the user to display additional objects thereon as well as on the bottom wall 116. It might here be pointed out that the width of the front

wall closure members

144, 146 is such that the free longitudinally extending edges thereof project slightly above the platform 136 to provide stop or abutment means to prevent display objects from sliding or rolling from the platform 136 when the front closure walls are in their operative upright positions.

The unit 100 may be set into a suitable opening formed in a room wall, all in the manner described above in connection with the first embodiment of this invention, or, optionally, the unit may be provided with a plurality of conventional brackets 196 connected to the underside of the top wall 114 and which are adapted for connection with conventional support means projecting laterally from a vertical wall.

Having described and illustrated two preferred embodiments of this invention in detail, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a compartmentalized chalkboard, tack board and projector screen unit, said unit comprising:

a normally upright hollow continuous rectangular frame having open front and back sides, said frame including oppositely disposed vertically spaced confronting and substantially parallel top and bottom frame members, and oppositely disposed laterally spaced confronting and substantially parallel side frame members;

first closure means extending between and spanning said frame members to close said back side of said frame, said first closure means at least in part including a chalkboard confronting said open front side of said frame;

a front wall connected to said top wall and depending therefrom to span between the upper ends of said side frame members, said front wall being disposed in spaced confronting relationship relative to an upper portion of said first closure means and cooperating therewith and with said top wall to define a first downwardly opening compartment;

projector screen means supported on said side walls and disposed in said first compartment, said projector screen means having a leading end portion selectively extendible downwardly and outwardly from said first compartment for juxtaposition relative to said chalkboard;

second closure means comprising a plurality of wing elements;

means pivotally connecting one of said wing elements on, respectively, one of said side frame members for pivotal movement in one direction towards one another to close across said open side of said frame, and for pivotal movement in an opposite direction to open away from said open side of said frame;

a tack board mounted and supported on one side of, respectively, each of said wing elements, said tack boards being concealed when said wing elements are pivoted to close across said open side of said frame;

means in said frame dividing the lower end of said unit into a plurality of compartments opening into said open side of said frame, said last named means comprising an elongated normally horizontal platform extending in vertically spaced relation relative to said bottom wall to define a second compartment communicating with said first compartment, said platform having its opposed ends fixedly connected, respectively, on said side frame members;

a divider wall interposed between said platform and said bottom frame member forming therewith and with confronting portions of said side frame members a plurality of compartments opening into said front side of said unit and disposed in end-to-end relationship; and

closure means for said open ends of said plurality of compartments.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said closure means for said plurality of compartments cm-,

said projector screen means comprises an elongated shaft, a cylindrical roller mounted on said'shaft intermediate the ends thereof, and a flexible screen normally wound on said cylindrical roller and having a leading end;

bracket means on said side frame members and disposed in said first compartment for securing the opposed ends of said shaft therein between said fust closure means and said front wall to conceal said projector means; and

handle means connected with said screen for withdrawing said screen from its said cylindrical roller and through the open lower end of said first compartment for extension into said second compartment and into juxtaposed position transversely across said chalkboard.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein:

each of said wing elements includes a support wall, said tack boards being, respectively, superimposed against one side of said support wall;

said wing elements each including a peripheral frame circumscribing the peripheral edges of said support wall and said tack board; and

an open masking and locking frame secured on said peripheral frame and engaging over the peripheral marginal edges of each of said tack boards.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

each of said wing elements is formed with a recess in a side thereof concealed when said wing elements are closed across said open side of said unit; and

said tack board for each wing is fitted and secured in,

respectively, one of said recesses.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said front wall is formed with an outwardly opening recess;

and a tack board is fitted and secured in said recess.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said closure means for said open ends of said plurality of compartments each comprises a normally upright wall extending across, respectively, each of said open ends when in their respective closed positions;

means pivotally connecting each of said last named walls on said bottom wall of said unit for pivotal movement downwardly and away therefrom to an open position; and

means releasably securing said last named walls in their respective closed positions.

' 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein:.

said closure means for said open ends of said plurality of compartments comprises a normally upright wall extending across, respectively, each of said open ends of said compartments when in their respective closed position:

means releasably securing said last named walls in their respective closed positions, said last named means comprising magnet means.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said wing elements are each formed with a recess in a side thereof exposed when said wing elements are in their closed positions; and

a finish panel is fitted and secured, respectively, in each recess.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

each of said wing elements is formed with a recess in a side thereof concealed when said wing elements are closed across said open side of said unit;

said tack board for each wing is fitted and secured in,

respectively, one of said recesses;

said front wall is formed with an outwardly opening recess; and a tack board is fitted and secured in said last named recess.

1 1. The combination of claim 10 wherein:

said closure means for said open end of said plurality of compartments comprises a normally upright wall extending across, respectively, each of said open ends of said compartments when said closure means are in their respective closed positions;

prising magnet means;

said wing elements are each formed with a recess in an exposed side thereof when said wing elements are in their respective closed positions; and

a finish panel is fitted and secured, respectively, in each of said last named recesses.

* t t I. I

Claims

1. In combination, a compartmentalized chalkboard, tack board and projector screen unit, said unit comprising: a normally upright hollow continuous rectangular frame having open front and back sides, said frame including oppositely disposed vertically spaced confronting and substantially parallel top and bottom frame members, and oppositely disposed laterally spaced confronting and substantially parallel side frame members; first closure means extending between and spanning said frame members to close said back side of said frame, said first closure means at least in part including a chalkboard confronting said open front side of said frame; a front wall connected to said top wall aNd depending therefrom to span between the upper ends of said side frame members, said front wall being disposed in spaced confronting relationship relative to an upper portion of said first closure means and cooperating therewith and with said top wall to define a first downwardly opening compartment; projector screen means supported on said side walls and disposed in said first compartment, said projector screen means having a leading end portion selectively extendible downwardly and outwardly from said first compartment for juxtaposition relative to said chalkboard; second closure means comprising a plurality of wing elements; means pivotally connecting one of said wing elements on, respectively, one of said side frame members for pivotal movement in one direction towards one another to close across said open side of said frame, and for pivotal movement in an opposite direction to open away from said open side of said frame; a tack board mounted and supported on one side of, respectively, each of said wing elements, said tack boards being concealed when said wing elements are pivoted to close across said open side of said frame; means in said frame dividing the lower end of said unit into a plurality of compartments opening into said open side of said frame, said last named means comprising an elongated normally horizontal platform extending in vertically spaced relation relative to said bottom wall to define a second compartment communicating with said first compartment, said platform having its opposed ends fixedly connected, respectively, on said side frame members; a divider wall interposed between said platform and said bottom frame member forming therewith and with confronting portions of said side frame members a plurality of compartments opening into said front side of said unit and disposed in end-to-end relationship; and closure means for said open ends of said plurality of compartments.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said closure means for said plurality of compartments comprises, respectively, a drawer disposed in each of said plurality of compartments and slidably supported therein on said bottom frame member.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said projector screen means comprises an elongated shaft, a cylindrical roller mounted on said shaft intermediate the ends thereof, and a flexible screen normally wound on said cylindrical roller and having a leading end; bracket means on said side frame members and disposed in said first compartment for securing the opposed ends of said shaft therein between said first closure means and said front wall to conceal said projector means; and handle means connected with said screen for withdrawing said screen from its said cylindrical roller and through the open lower end of said first compartment for extension into said second compartment and into juxtaposed position transversely across said chalkboard.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein: each of said wing elements includes a support wall, said tack boards being, respectively, superimposed against one side of said support wall; said wing elements each including a peripheral frame circumscribing the peripheral edges of said support wall and said tack board; and an open masking and locking frame secured on said peripheral frame and engaging over the peripheral marginal edges of each of said tack boards.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein: each of said wing elements is formed with a recess in a side thereof concealed when said wing elements are closed across said open side of said unit; and said tack board for each wing is fitted and secured in, respectively, one of said recesses.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said front wall is formed with an outwardly opening recess; and a tack board is fitted and secured in said recess.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said closure means for said open ends of said plurality of compartments each compRises a normally upright wall extending across, respectively, each of said open ends when in their respective closed positions; means pivotally connecting each of said last named walls on said bottom wall of said unit for pivotal movement downwardly and away therefrom to an open position; and means releasably securing said last named walls in their respective closed positions.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said closure means for said open ends of said plurality of compartments comprises a normally upright wall extending across, respectively, each of said open ends of said compartments when in their respective closed position: means pivotally connecting each of said last named walls on said bottom wall of said unit for pivotal movement downwardly and away therefrom to an open position; and means releasably securing said last named walls in their respective closed positions, said last named means comprising magnet means.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said wing elements are each formed with a recess in a side thereof exposed when said wing elements are in their closed positions; and a finish panel is fitted and secured, respectively, in each recess.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein: each of said wing elements is formed with a recess in a side thereof concealed when said wing elements are closed across said open side of said unit; said tack board for each wing is fitted and secured in, respectively, one of said recesses; said front wall is formed with an outwardly opening recess; and a tack board is fitted and secured in said last named recess.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein: said closure means for said open end of said plurality of compartments comprises a normally upright wall extending across, respectively, each of said open ends of said compartments when said closure means are in their respective closed positions; means pivotally connecting each of said last named means on said bottom wall of said unit for pivotal movement downwardly and away therefrom to an open position; means for limiting said downward movement of said last named walls; means releasably securing said last named walls in their respective closed positions, said last named means comprising magnet means; said wing elements are each formed with a recess in an exposed side thereof when said wing elements are in their respective closed positions; and a finish panel is fitted and secured, respectively, in each of said last named recesses.