Linwood Elementary students hope for patent on “BinderPad”

Ten Spokane students hope to soon say “patent pending” about their own invention.

A Linwood Elementary School Lego robotics team, The Big Bot Theory, has made what they are calling a “BinderPad.”

Although designs are still rough, the basic concept is a notebook binder with a foam-protected, zipped pocket on top to hold an iPad. The hand-held computer is enclosed in a touch-sensitive clear plastic. Underneath is another zippered area that holds notebooks, and there are additional pockets to store cords and a charger.

“You guys might see a cut-up binder, but I see brilliance,” said patent attorney Rob Hartman, who met with The Big Bot Theory late last week.

The fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders were inspired to create the BinderPad after seeing a high school student struggling to carry a heavy backpack filled with books, and wanted to do something to help all students stay organized and lighten their loads.

“We did research on how backpacks hurt backs,” student Jonathan Love said. “We found that backpacks can lead to rounding of shoulders, curves in middle and lower back areas. This can cause irritation to the spine and rib cage. But the big one is that it can cause you to lean one way and fall down.”

The iPad would store textbooks in e-book form along with class schedules and student assignments. Any additional notes could be written in the notebooks inside the binder.

“It’s like a two-in-one,” fifth-grader Hailey Paris said.

The Big Bot Theory’s presentation of the BinderPad at a recent robotics competition won them a trip to the state competition in January.

“This group of kids is very innovative, out-of-box thinking,” said their team leader, teacher Emily O’Halloran. When one idea didn’t work, they didn’t give up. They kept trying. “They persevered and came up with something.”

The next steps are to try to create additional designs to fit smaller electronics, such as a 7-inch hand-held device; and work on improving their current model by adding more features.

The team has already raised $750 to invest in their invention. Their patent attorney, Hartman, has started working on the necessary paperwork to get them started on filing a patent.

“I am truly in awe of their brilliance, and the way their minds can think of such powerful ways to innovate new ideas,” O’Halloran said.

Hartman told the robotics team, “You are helping make the world a better place.”