Temporary Marker

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for a temporary marker are described. The temporary marker can be made at home by a user having basic computer and printing capabilities, without the need for commercial printing or design equipment. The temporary marker consists of a synthetic sheet of paper that can be fed through a home printer and mounted between two sheets of hard, transparent material. The two sheets of hard, transparent material attach to one another with the sheet of paper secured between. A stake is then added to the two sheets of transparent material so that the temporary marker can be secured into the ground. Also, computer software may be provided that allows for easy formatting and input of various texts and images to be printed onto the paper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temporary marker comprising:
 two sheets of a hard, transparent material;   a sheet of synthetic paper with a personalized message placed between the two sheets of hard, transparent material;   a plurality of fasteners connecting the two sheets of hard, transparent material; and   a stake that is releasably attached to at least one of the two sheets of hard, transparent material.   
     
     
         2 . The temporary marker of  claim 1 , wherein, the personalized message contains a text and an image. 
     
     
         3 . The temporary marker of  claim 2 , wherein the personalized message is designed using a computer software that automatically configures the personalized message to fit on the synthetic paper. 
     
     
         4 . The temporary marker of  claim 3 , wherein, the personalized message is printed onto the synthetic paper using a home printer. 
     
     
         5 . The temporary marker of  claim 3 , wherein the personalized message is printed onto the synthetic sheet using a laser jet printer. 
     
     
         6 . The temporary marker of  claim 5 , wherein the synthetic paper has a UV protective coating. 
     
     
         7 . The temporary marker of  claim 1 , wherein the two sheets of hard, transparent material are acrylic and are of identical size and shape. 
     
     
         8 . The temporary marker of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fasteners are nuts and bolts. 
     
     
         9 . A method of generating a temporary marker comprising the steps of:
 providing an input to a home printer;   printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper;   placing the sheet of synthetic paper between two sheets of hard, transparent material that have a plurality of holes; and   attaching the two sheets of hard, transparent material together with the sheet of synthetic paper located therebetween.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the two sheets are attached by the steps of:
 punching a plurality of holes through the sheet of synthetic paper using the holes in the two sheets of hard, transparent material as guides;   inserting a plurality of fasteners into the holes through, the paper and the two sheets of material;   mounting a stake to the fasteners; and   tightening the fasteners.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of attaching the two sheets of hard, transparent material together with the sheet of synthetic paper located therebetween using a plurality of bolts and a plurality of nuts. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of attaching the two sheets of hard, transparent material together with the sheet of synthetic paper located therebetween by clipping a stake to the two sheets of material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of aligning the sheet of synthetic paper such that the sheet of synthetic paper is flush with the two sheets of hard, transparent material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper that is waterproof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper that has a UV protective coating. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper using a home printer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper using a laser jet printer. 
     
     
         18 . A kit for making a temporary marker comprising:
 a computer software used to design a personalized message;   a sheet of synthetic paper onto which the personalized message is printed using a laser jet printer;   two sheets of a hard, transparent material between which the sheet of synthetic paper is held;   a plurality of fasteners to hold the two sheets of hard, transparent material together; and   a stake that connects to at least one of the fasteners.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the kit is sold online. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the synthetic paper is waterproof.