Substrate-Retaining Holder

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a holder with a slot for laterally receiving and extracting a thin substrate into a recessed access area where a major surface of the substrate may be accessed while the edges of the substrate are substantially retained against vertical egress. In an illustrative example, the thin substrate may be paper or other material suitable for marking with a writing instrument. The access area in some examples may be defined by an opening in the holder through which a central area of the major surface of the substrate may be accessed. In an illustrative embodiment, the holder may be attached to a child's high chair to attract the child's attention and substantially confine the use of writing instruments to the paper disposed within the recessed access area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for storage, insertion, and removal of a sheet of paper and for providing access to said sheet of paper when inserted or stored, said system comprising:
 a holder having an access opening;   means for inserting and removing a planar substrate into and from said holder;   means for retaining the planar substrate received through said means for insertion and removal within said holder; and   means for positioning the planar substrate to be accessed through said access opening.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for retaining the planar substrate comprises a raised frame having an upper surface of substantially uniform height around a perimeter of said raised frame. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said raised frame has an upper surface, said upper surface being non-uniform in height around a perimeter of said raised frame, such that at least a first portion of said upper surface of said raised frame is below or above a second portion of said upper surface of said raised frame. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said raised frame is at least partially inclined in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said means for insertion and removal of the planar substrate is comprised of an elongated slot and wherein said means for retaining the planar substrate is comprised of a raised frame, wherein said elongated slot extends through one side of said raised frame. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for retaining the planar substrate comprises:
 a raised frame;   at least one fixed retaining element extending inwardly from said raised frame and within said access opening; and   at least one movable retaining element operatively extending inwardly from said raised frame and within said access opening.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , including a means for attaching said holder to an object. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means for attaching said holder is comprised of a plurality of straps. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said means for attaching said holder comprises a suction member. 
     
     
         10 . A portable drawing station for a child, the apparatus comprising:
 a base member having a lower surface, an upper surface, and an outer perimeter, wherein said outer perimeter has a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge;   a flat sheet of paper positioned upon said upper surface, wherein said flat sheet of paper has a drawing surface; and   a frame having a first side member, a second side member, a third side member, and a fourth side member, wherein said first side member extends from said first edge, said second side member extends from said second edge, said third side member extends from said third edge, and said fourth side member extends from said fourth edge;   wherein said frame has an outer edge extending along an outside of said first side member, said second side member, said third side member, and said fourth side member and wherein said frame has an inner edge extending along an inside of said first side member, said second side member, said third side member, and said fourth side member;   wherein said frame has a singular slot extending through said first side member and extending underneath said second side member said third side member and said fourth side member such that a width of said slot is less than a width of said outer edge as spanned across said frame and greater than a width of said inner edge as spanned across said frame, wherein said inner edge overhangs said slot;   wherein said slot is for receiving said flat sheet of paper through said outer edge along said first side member and wherein said frame retains said flat sheet of paper upon said upper surface of said base member via said inner edge;   wherein said flat sheet of paper is restricted from passing through said outer edge along said second side member, said third side member, and said fourth side member;   wherein said first side member, said second side member, said third side member, and said fourth side member have heights substantially greater than said flat sheet of paper; and,   wherein said frame has an opening located between said first side member, said second side member, said third side member, and said fourth side member to permit access to said drawing surface of said flat sheet of paper via a drawing utensil.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least two side members of said first side member, said second side member, said third side member, and said fourth side member are comprised of different heights. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , including an attachment means extending from said base member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said frame has at least one recessed portion extending downwardly from a top surface of said frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , said at least one recessed portion has a removable cover. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said frame is removably connected to said base member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said base member and said frame are comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said frame is comprised of a pliable or soft material. 
     
     
         18 . The portable drawing station for a child of  claim 10 , wherein said slot has a blocking means for preventing insertion or removal of said flat sheet of paper therethrough. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said upper surface of said base member is at least partially clear and including a light supply directed towards said upper surface for illuminating said flat sheet of paper. 
     
     
         20 . A portable drawing station for integral attachment to a child's high chair, said high chair comprising a plurality of legs, a seat, and a back, said apparatus comprising:
 a rectangular base member;   a rectangular frame having a central opening and a slot, wherein said frame is attached to said base member, and wherein said frame extends substantially above said base member;   wherein said slot extends through said frame and connects with said central opening such as to permit insertion and removal of a flat sheet of paper through said slot and upon said base member for viewing and drawing upon through said opening of said frame; and,   an attachment member secured in relation to the base member, wherein said attachment member is adapted to couple directly to the high chair.