Supports: racks – Specially mounted – Wall or window
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-27
2001-05-08
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Specially mounted
Wall or window
C211S026000, C211S001300, C362S392000, C362S393000, C362S810000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227388
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device allowing objects being displayed in a window to be conveniently stored beneath the window's sill, the device being particularly applicable for use with decorative objects such as candles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Objects are often displayed in the windows of homes, offices and businesses for a variety of purposes, for example, as decorations to celebrate a holiday, symbols to commemorate a special or solemn occasion or to promote a product for sale.
The same items are often repeatedly displayed every year for a recurring holiday or event. For example, it is customary to display candles, including both traditional and electric types, in the windows of homes to celebrate the Christmas season.
It can be inconvenient, however, to retrieve the candles or other ornaments or objects from storage, for example, in a basement or attic, set them up for display in the windows of a home and then later break down the display and again place the candles back into storage. In the display of electric candles, there is the further problem of unsightly electrical cords extending between each candle and a nearby electrical outlet. In view of the fact that the same objects may be displayed in the same windows year after year, there is a need for a system to more conveniently store the objects nearer to their point of display, so that they can be more readily retrieved and set up for display in the window and then later broken down and conveniently returned to storage.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a display and storage system for displaying an object in a window and storing the object beneath the window's sill when not on display. The system comprises a compartment fitted with an opening and having a bottom and plurality of interconnected side walls. The compartment is positionable beneath the surface of the sill, the sill having an aperture arranged in registration with the opening providing access to the compartment. The aperture and the compartment are sized to receive and store the object, which could comprise a decorative candle, for example.
The invention further comprises a movable cover positionable in registration with the aperture to enclose the compartment. The object is stored out of sight within the compartment beneath the surface of the sill and is conveniently removed from the compartment and positioned for display in the window as desired.
Display of the object is preferably accomplished by means of a support surface pivotally mounted within the compartment. The support surface is pivotable between a first position oriented angularly to the surface of the sill within the compartment and a second position substantially co-planar with the surface of the sill. Means for holding the support surface in the second position are provided, for example, in the form of a latch mounted on the support surface. The latch is movable into interengagement with the sill to hold the support surface in the coplanar second position. Another form of holding means used comprises a biasing spring mounted within the compartment engaging and biasing the support surface to the second position.
The object is interengagable with the support surface and is displayed in the window when the support surface is in the second position.
When the object to be displayed is a candle, it preferably has a base portion and an elongated taper portion. One end of the taper portion interengages one end of the base portion and is supported in a substantially upright position on the base portion. The other end of the base portion is interengagable with the support surface and positions the candle substantially perpendicularly thereto. The candle is displayed in a substantially upright position in the window when the support surface is in the second position.
To facilitate positioning of the candle for proper display in the window, an elongated slot is arranged in the support surface substantially lengthwise to the sill. A projection extends from the other end of the base portion to slidably interengage the slot. Means for retaining the base portion to the support surface are mounted on the projection. The candle is, thus, slidably movable lengthwise along the window sill guided by the slot for positioning the candle at a predetermined location in the window, for example, to center it. The candle is retained to the support surface at the location by the retaining means.
For elongated items, such as candles, it may be preferable to have the candle breakdown into two separate parts to conserve storage space and allow the candle to fit in a relatively small compartment. To effect this feature, the base portion of the candle preferably comprises a well located at the one end, the well being sized to receive and support the taper portion in the substantially upright position. The taper portion is separable from the base portion and both pieces are storable within the compartment when the taper portion is detached from the base portion.
The candle can be of the traditional wax variety or, for safety, is preferably an electric candle. The electric candle has a receptacle located in the other end of the taper portion, the receptacle being sized to receive an electrically powered light. Power is preferably provided via an electrically conductive pathway which extends from the receptacle through the candle to a source of electricity and can comprise, for example, a wire arranged either internally or externally to the wall in which the window is located.
The movable cover for the display and storage system has several practical embodiments and can comprise something as simple as a removable plate which lies in registration with the aperture co-planar with the sill or even flush with its surface. Other possible examples include a plate slidably mounted on the sill, the plate being slidable into and out of registration with the aperture to respectively enclose or expose the compartment. Alternately, the cover comprises a pair of elongated guide tracks arranged on opposite side walls of the compartment, the guide tracks having a first leg arranged adjacent to the aperture substantially co-planar with the sill, a second leg arranged substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the sill. A curved connecting portion of track joins the first and second legs. A flexible resilient plate forms the cover and has oppositely arranged edge portions slidably mounted within the guide tracks. The plate is slidable in the manner analogous to a roll top desk along the guide tracks from the first leg to the second leg and back, thereby moving the plate into and out of registration with the aperture. The plate bends flexibly when the edges traverse the curved connecting portions of the track.
It is an object of the invention to provide a means for conveniently storing an object in a window near to where the object will be displayed.
It is another object of the invention to provide a means for displaying the object in the window.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a means for storing the object which is substantially unobtrusive when the object is in storage.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1989294 (1935-01-01), Serpico
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patent: 4468721 (1984-08-01), Vandrilla
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patent: 5124903 (1992-06-01), Coviello
patent: 5199781 (1993-04-01), Sweeny
patent: 5329437 (1994-07-01), Briggs
patent: 5407164 (1995-04-01), Quinn
patent: 5601360 (1997-02-01), Paquette
patent: 5829869 (1998-11-01), Clegg et al.
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP
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