PICTURE HOLDER
United States Patent 3577666
A solid picture holder having an interlocked enclosed series of identical side panels with each alternate side panel being inverted, a pair of end panels attached to the top and bottom of the series of side panels, and a retainer within said side and end panels to hold pictures against their interior surface.
US Patent References:
Transparent display holder
Corning - April 1951 - 2548706
Apparatus for displaying pictorial representations
Down et al. - October 1951 - 2572454
Lamp shade made of retainer frames
Levings - April 1958 - 2829245
Pictorial box
Nelson - May 1958 - 2834130
Transparent display holder
Corning - April 1951 - 2548706
Apparatus for displaying pictorial representations
Down et al. - October 1951 - 2572454
Lamp shade made of retainer frames
Levings - April 1958 - 2829245
Pictorial box
Nelson - May 1958 - 2834130
Application Number:
04/885100
Publication Date:
05/04/1971
Filing Date:
12/15/1969
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
40/780
International Classes:
A47G1/14; G09F1/12; A47G1/00; G09F1/00
Field of Search:
40/152,154,152.1,155,156,10
Primary Examiner:
Michell, Robert W.
Assistant Examiner:
Contreras, Wenceslao J.
Claims:
I claim
1. An easily assembled and disassembled solid picture holder, adapted to be formed out of a pair of end panels and a series of identical side panels, and to have reinforced edges and corners comprising:
2. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of side panels each have two side panels, said end panels are identical and transparent and said retainer means is adapted to hold pictures against the interior surface of said end and side panels.
3. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said slots extend from the second edge of said side panels one-half of the distance to the first edge of said side panels.
4. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein each of said side panels is rectangular and said slots consist of two slots adjacent to the side panel edges, adapted to form fingers having a width equal to the height of said ribs.
5. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said fastener means comprises grooves in said side panels extending substantially parallel and adjacent to their first and second edges and lugs on said end panels adapted to be inserted into said grooves.
6. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said retainer means comprises a series of hinged backing panels, each substantially parallel and adjacent to a side panel.
7. A picture holder as stated in claim 6, wherein said retainer means includes at least one cross panel, said cross panel extending perpendicular and adjacent to and diagonally across said end panels.
1. An easily assembled and disassembled solid picture holder, adapted to be formed out of a pair of end panels and a series of identical side panels, and to have reinforced edges and corners comprising:
2. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said first and second sets of side panels each have two side panels, said end panels are identical and transparent and said retainer means is adapted to hold pictures against the interior surface of said end and side panels.
3. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said slots extend from the second edge of said side panels one-half of the distance to the first edge of said side panels.
4. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein each of said side panels is rectangular and said slots consist of two slots adjacent to the side panel edges, adapted to form fingers having a width equal to the height of said ribs.
5. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said fastener means comprises grooves in said side panels extending substantially parallel and adjacent to their first and second edges and lugs on said end panels adapted to be inserted into said grooves.
6. A picture holder as stated in claim 1, wherein said retainer means comprises a series of hinged backing panels, each substantially parallel and adjacent to a side panel.
7. A picture holder as stated in claim 6, wherein said retainer means includes at least one cross panel, said cross panel extending perpendicular and adjacent to and diagonally across said end panels.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although it is common to display pictures such as photographs and paintings by attachment to a flat frame, such display means is frequently not adequate to achieve the desired presentation, particularly, in the case of a series of related pictures. Thus, in the past, in the case of a series of pictures other structures such a hinged series of flat frames or a solid multisided holder, such as a cube, has been utilized. To date, such solid picture holders have been substantially confined to professional presentations or quite expensive picture displays, because each solid picture holder was specifically designed and constructed to the specific intended presentation. When large scale production of solid picture holders was considered for possible popular sale, the projected costs of manufacture and distribution as well as problems associated with the common use of such solid picture holders, substantially prevented effective exploitation of such means of picture display for the ordinary consumer.
With respect to manufacture, a substantial problem has been the need to simplify the design of the solid picture holder to permit large scale rapid, economical production of the holder elements. Thus, the usual production of a permanently assembled solid picture holder or a disassembled picture holder having a substantial number of elements effectively precluded the sale of a low cost solid picture holder. Furthermore, because of the high volume to weight ratio of permanently assembled solid picture holders, relatively high distribution and storage costs are encountered which again inhibits a low price to the ultimate user.
Another problem encountered with solid picture holders, particularly picture holders which could be assembled or collapsed by the user, is the need for sturdy construction. Thus, typically, the usual solid picture holder encounters much more handling and rough usage than is ordinarily encountered with the usual flat picture holder which is simply hung on the wall. Thus, as a practical matter, it is necessary that the edges of the picture holder and, particularly, the corners of the picture holder be reinforced so that such handling and rough usage do not damage the picture holder or the picture which it holds. In the past, such reinforcement requirements have usually substantially increased the manufacturing costs of a solid picture holder.
Finally, an important function of a picture holder is to enhance the impression which the picture it holds conveys, or at least, not detract therefrom. In the past, the usual solid picture holder at best simply did not detract from the picture which it held.
Consequently, the object of the present invention is an easily assembled and disassembled solid picture holder having low manufacturing, distribution and storage costs.
Another object of the present invention is a solid picture holder formed simply out of a set of identical side panels and a set of end panels.
Still another object of the present invention is a solid picture holder having reinforced edges and corners to permit rough handling and usage of the picture holder without substantial damage thereto.
Still another object of the present invention is a solid picture holder adapted to substantially enhance the impression created by the picture contained in the holder.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention involves a solid picture holder comprising a first set of transparent identical side panels, each having a specific rib and slot structure and a second set of transparent side panels identical to the panels of the first set with the panels being assembled into an interlocking enclosed series of side panels alternately from the first and second sets of side panels with the panels of the second set being inverted. Each of said side panels has fastener means for attaching an end panel thereto and the picture holder has a pair of end panels attached to the enclosure formed by the side panels. Within the enclosure formed by such side and end panels is a retainer means adapted to hold pictures against the interior surface of such panels.
In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings of a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Such drawings, like the preceeding summary, should not be construed as limiting the present invention, which is properly set forth in the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of the picture holder of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially assembled perspective view of the present invention showing the relationship between two interlocking side panels of the present invention and the retainer means of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the side panel of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the side panel of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the end panel of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folded retainer means of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
As illustrated in FIGS. 1--6, the solid picture holder 10 is both easily assembled and disassembled and adapted to the form out of a pair of identical end panels and a series of identical side panels, as well as, to have reinforced edges and corners. The picture holder 10 comprises a first set of transparent identical side panels 11, each having a first rib 12, extending substantially parallel and adjacent to a first edge 13. The first rib 12 has notches 14 therein adjacent each end 15 and 16 thereof. Extending substantially parallel and adjacent to a second edge 17, opposite the first edge 13 of the side panel 11, is a second rib 18, having ends 19 and 20. Extending substantially perpendicular to the ribs 12 and 18 from the edge 17, one-half of the distance to the edge 13 are slots 21, which are aligned with the notches 14 in rib 12 and the ends 19 and 20 of the rib 18. The slots 21 form with their adjacent parallel edges 23 and 24, fingers 25 and 26, having a width equal to the height of the ribs 12 and 18. Slots 21 and the notches 14 are adapted to slideably receive a side panel. Extending inwardly from the inner surface 27 of the side panel 11 are fastener means comprising a groove 28 for attachment of an end panel to a side panel.
As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second set of transparent side panels 30, each identical to panels 11 of the first set of side panels. Such first and second sets of side panels are assembled to form an enclosure having an interlocked enclosed series of side panels alternately from said first and second set of side panels with the panels from the second set being inverted. Attached to the top and the bottom of each of said side panels is a pair of end panels 40, each having lugs 41 extending from its edges 42. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, within the picture holder 10 is a retainer means 50 adapted to hold pictures against the interior surface of the side and end panels. The retainer means 50 comprises a series of panels 51 connected together by hinges 52 with each of the backing panels located substantially parallel and adjacent to a side panel. Acting in combination with the series of hinged backing panels 51 is a cross panel 53, hinged along its centerline, which extends perpendicular, and adjacent to and diagonally across said end panels.
Preferrably, both the side panels 11 and 130 and the end panels 40 are made out of a transparent plastic, such as Lucite which is adaptable to being formed into rigid panels in a high speed plastic forming operation. The retainer means 50 is preferrably formed out of lightweight rigid material such as thin panels of cardboard or foam plastic with the hinges formed simply by weakening a single panel along lines extending across its width at locations adapted to form the described retaining means.
To assemble the picture holder 10 of the present invention, a side panel 11 and a side panel 30 are slideably interlocked by being mutually inserted into each other's slot 21, so that the inner end 22 of the slot 21 of the panel 11 contacts the inner end 22 of the slot 21 of the side panel 30, with the ribs 12 and 18 of each extending outwardly. Concurrently, with the contact of the inner ends 22 of the slots 21 of the panels 11 and 30, the finger 26 of the panel 11 is slideably received in the notch 14 of the first rib 12 adjoining its edge 24 of the side panel 30. Similarly, the finger 26 of the side panel 30 is slideably received by the notch 14 in the first rib 12 adjoining the edge 24 of the side panel 11. The resulting assembly then appears as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such assembly step is repeated for each of the remaining two sides of the picture holder 10. Then one of the end panels 40 is attached to the four side panels by insertion of each of its lug 41, into the corresponding grooves 28 of the side panels 11 and 30. After attachment of one of the end panels, the picture to be displayed adjacent such end panels, is laid thereon, and the retainer means 50, is inserted into the picture holder 10 after being assembled as illustrated in FIG. 6. Then the remaining five pictures may be inserted adjacent to each of the four side panels and placed on top of the retainer. Finally, the second end panel 40 is connected to finish the assembly of the picture holder 10 by inserting each of its lugs 41 into the corresponding grooves 28 of the side panels 11 and 30.
It will be appreciated that many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be obvious to one skilled in the art in view of the disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, the location of the first rib 12 and the second rib 18 as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be interchanged so that the first rib 12 is adjacent to the slots 21. Likewise, if the edges of the picture holder do not require extensive reinforcement, the first ribs 12 and the second ribs 18, may have one or more extended notches in their central portions. More important, the picture holder may have more or less than the four sides illustrated in FIGS. 1--6, such as three sides, five sides, six sides or more. Also, various fastener means may be used to attach the end panels to the side panels; however, the lug-in-groove arrangement is preferred because of its simplicity. Similarly, a variety of retainer means may be used to hold the pictures adjacent the side and end panels of the picture holder, such as a single diagonal cross panel; however, the hinged backing panels and cross panel of the illustrated structure is preferred because of its simplicity, and other advantages.
There are many features in the present invention which clearly show the significant advance the present invention achieves over the prior art. Consequently, only a few of the more outstanding features will be pointed out to illustrate the unexpected and unusual results obtained by the present invention. One feature of the present invention is that the solid picture holder is both easily assembled and disassembled and this permits manufacture of only individual elements, and the distribution and storage of such picture holders in the form of a stack of elements to minimize volume requirements. Another feature of the present invention is the use of identical side panels and end panels, so that only two elements need be manufactured for the external portion of the picture holder. Still another feature of the present invention is the design of the side panels, so that when a series of side panels are assembled to form an interlocking series, the resulting structure has both reinforced edges and corners. Still another feature of the present invention is the design of the side panels so that there is an attractive frame for the displayed picture. Still another feature of the present invention are retainer means which hold pictures adjacent the side and end panels while permitting storage of pictures and negatives within the picture holder.
It will be understood that the foregoing description and drawings are only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto. All substitutions, alterations and modifications of the present invention which come within the scope of the following claims, or to which the present invention is readily susceptible, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are considered part of the present invention.
Although it is common to display pictures such as photographs and paintings by attachment to a flat frame, such display means is frequently not adequate to achieve the desired presentation, particularly, in the case of a series of related pictures. Thus, in the past, in the case of a series of pictures other structures such a hinged series of flat frames or a solid multisided holder, such as a cube, has been utilized. To date, such solid picture holders have been substantially confined to professional presentations or quite expensive picture displays, because each solid picture holder was specifically designed and constructed to the specific intended presentation. When large scale production of solid picture holders was considered for possible popular sale, the projected costs of manufacture and distribution as well as problems associated with the common use of such solid picture holders, substantially prevented effective exploitation of such means of picture display for the ordinary consumer.
With respect to manufacture, a substantial problem has been the need to simplify the design of the solid picture holder to permit large scale rapid, economical production of the holder elements. Thus, the usual production of a permanently assembled solid picture holder or a disassembled picture holder having a substantial number of elements effectively precluded the sale of a low cost solid picture holder. Furthermore, because of the high volume to weight ratio of permanently assembled solid picture holders, relatively high distribution and storage costs are encountered which again inhibits a low price to the ultimate user.
Another problem encountered with solid picture holders, particularly picture holders which could be assembled or collapsed by the user, is the need for sturdy construction. Thus, typically, the usual solid picture holder encounters much more handling and rough usage than is ordinarily encountered with the usual flat picture holder which is simply hung on the wall. Thus, as a practical matter, it is necessary that the edges of the picture holder and, particularly, the corners of the picture holder be reinforced so that such handling and rough usage do not damage the picture holder or the picture which it holds. In the past, such reinforcement requirements have usually substantially increased the manufacturing costs of a solid picture holder.
Finally, an important function of a picture holder is to enhance the impression which the picture it holds conveys, or at least, not detract therefrom. In the past, the usual solid picture holder at best simply did not detract from the picture which it held.
Consequently, the object of the present invention is an easily assembled and disassembled solid picture holder having low manufacturing, distribution and storage costs.
Another object of the present invention is a solid picture holder formed simply out of a set of identical side panels and a set of end panels.
Still another object of the present invention is a solid picture holder having reinforced edges and corners to permit rough handling and usage of the picture holder without substantial damage thereto.
Still another object of the present invention is a solid picture holder adapted to substantially enhance the impression created by the picture contained in the holder.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention involves a solid picture holder comprising a first set of transparent identical side panels, each having a specific rib and slot structure and a second set of transparent side panels identical to the panels of the first set with the panels being assembled into an interlocking enclosed series of side panels alternately from the first and second sets of side panels with the panels of the second set being inverted. Each of said side panels has fastener means for attaching an end panel thereto and the picture holder has a pair of end panels attached to the enclosure formed by the side panels. Within the enclosure formed by such side and end panels is a retainer means adapted to hold pictures against the interior surface of such panels.
In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the appended drawings of a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention. Such drawings, like the preceeding summary, should not be construed as limiting the present invention, which is properly set forth in the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of the picture holder of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially assembled perspective view of the present invention showing the relationship between two interlocking side panels of the present invention and the retainer means of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the side panel of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the side panel of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the end panel of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folded retainer means of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
As illustrated in FIGS. 1--6, the solid picture holder 10 is both easily assembled and disassembled and adapted to the form out of a pair of identical end panels and a series of identical side panels, as well as, to have reinforced edges and corners. The picture holder 10 comprises a first set of transparent identical side panels 11, each having a first rib 12, extending substantially parallel and adjacent to a first edge 13. The first rib 12 has notches 14 therein adjacent each end 15 and 16 thereof. Extending substantially parallel and adjacent to a second edge 17, opposite the first edge 13 of the side panel 11, is a second rib 18, having ends 19 and 20. Extending substantially perpendicular to the ribs 12 and 18 from the edge 17, one-half of the distance to the edge 13 are slots 21, which are aligned with the notches 14 in rib 12 and the ends 19 and 20 of the rib 18. The slots 21 form with their adjacent parallel edges 23 and 24, fingers 25 and 26, having a width equal to the height of the ribs 12 and 18. Slots 21 and the notches 14 are adapted to slideably receive a side panel. Extending inwardly from the inner surface 27 of the side panel 11 are fastener means comprising a groove 28 for attachment of an end panel to a side panel.
As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second set of transparent side panels 30, each identical to panels 11 of the first set of side panels. Such first and second sets of side panels are assembled to form an enclosure having an interlocked enclosed series of side panels alternately from said first and second set of side panels with the panels from the second set being inverted. Attached to the top and the bottom of each of said side panels is a pair of end panels 40, each having lugs 41 extending from its edges 42. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, within the picture holder 10 is a retainer means 50 adapted to hold pictures against the interior surface of the side and end panels. The retainer means 50 comprises a series of panels 51 connected together by hinges 52 with each of the backing panels located substantially parallel and adjacent to a side panel. Acting in combination with the series of hinged backing panels 51 is a cross panel 53, hinged along its centerline, which extends perpendicular, and adjacent to and diagonally across said end panels.
Preferrably, both the side panels 11 and 130 and the end panels 40 are made out of a transparent plastic, such as Lucite which is adaptable to being formed into rigid panels in a high speed plastic forming operation. The retainer means 50 is preferrably formed out of lightweight rigid material such as thin panels of cardboard or foam plastic with the hinges formed simply by weakening a single panel along lines extending across its width at locations adapted to form the described retaining means.
To assemble the picture holder 10 of the present invention, a side panel 11 and a side panel 30 are slideably interlocked by being mutually inserted into each other's slot 21, so that the inner end 22 of the slot 21 of the panel 11 contacts the inner end 22 of the slot 21 of the side panel 30, with the ribs 12 and 18 of each extending outwardly. Concurrently, with the contact of the inner ends 22 of the slots 21 of the panels 11 and 30, the finger 26 of the panel 11 is slideably received in the notch 14 of the first rib 12 adjoining its edge 24 of the side panel 30. Similarly, the finger 26 of the side panel 30 is slideably received by the notch 14 in the first rib 12 adjoining the edge 24 of the side panel 11. The resulting assembly then appears as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such assembly step is repeated for each of the remaining two sides of the picture holder 10. Then one of the end panels 40 is attached to the four side panels by insertion of each of its lug 41, into the corresponding grooves 28 of the side panels 11 and 30. After attachment of one of the end panels, the picture to be displayed adjacent such end panels, is laid thereon, and the retainer means 50, is inserted into the picture holder 10 after being assembled as illustrated in FIG. 6. Then the remaining five pictures may be inserted adjacent to each of the four side panels and placed on top of the retainer. Finally, the second end panel 40 is connected to finish the assembly of the picture holder 10 by inserting each of its lugs 41 into the corresponding grooves 28 of the side panels 11 and 30.
It will be appreciated that many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be obvious to one skilled in the art in view of the disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, the location of the first rib 12 and the second rib 18 as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be interchanged so that the first rib 12 is adjacent to the slots 21. Likewise, if the edges of the picture holder do not require extensive reinforcement, the first ribs 12 and the second ribs 18, may have one or more extended notches in their central portions. More important, the picture holder may have more or less than the four sides illustrated in FIGS. 1--6, such as three sides, five sides, six sides or more. Also, various fastener means may be used to attach the end panels to the side panels; however, the lug-in-groove arrangement is preferred because of its simplicity. Similarly, a variety of retainer means may be used to hold the pictures adjacent the side and end panels of the picture holder, such as a single diagonal cross panel; however, the hinged backing panels and cross panel of the illustrated structure is preferred because of its simplicity, and other advantages.
There are many features in the present invention which clearly show the significant advance the present invention achieves over the prior art. Consequently, only a few of the more outstanding features will be pointed out to illustrate the unexpected and unusual results obtained by the present invention. One feature of the present invention is that the solid picture holder is both easily assembled and disassembled and this permits manufacture of only individual elements, and the distribution and storage of such picture holders in the form of a stack of elements to minimize volume requirements. Another feature of the present invention is the use of identical side panels and end panels, so that only two elements need be manufactured for the external portion of the picture holder. Still another feature of the present invention is the design of the side panels, so that when a series of side panels are assembled to form an interlocking series, the resulting structure has both reinforced edges and corners. Still another feature of the present invention is the design of the side panels so that there is an attractive frame for the displayed picture. Still another feature of the present invention are retainer means which hold pictures adjacent the side and end panels while permitting storage of pictures and negatives within the picture holder.
It will be understood that the foregoing description and drawings are only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto. All substitutions, alterations and modifications of the present invention which come within the scope of the following claims, or to which the present invention is readily susceptible, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure are considered part of the present invention.