Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Signs – Sign support
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-10
2001-10-09
Davis, Cassandra H. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Signs
Sign support
C040S771000, C040S774000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298592
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display apparatus and in particular to signs for use in advertising, wherein photographs and other sheet-like materials can readily be removed from and replaced within the display device, and further wherein such photographs or other sheet-like materials are sealed within the display apparatus so that moisture cannot infiltrate the photographs or other sheet-like materials.
2. State of the Art
Signs and other display apparatus have been designed to sell many different type commodities. Generally, signs have at least one face upon which wording, pictures, graphics and combinations thereof are displayed. Occasionally signs are used that have two oppositely facing faces, with the material to be displayed being applied to each of the opposite facing faces. Signs have been used in which the material to be displayed is painted on or attached to a planar panel and a transparent panel is positioned over the displayed material on the underlying panel.
It has been found that it is highly desirable, especially when selling real estate, to provide a sign that is capable of displaying photographs of the interior of the home that is being advertised. Prospective purchasers have been found to be inclined to look at the photographs on a sign in front of a home to see what the interior of the home looks like, even when the prospective purchasers were not all that impressed with the exterior of the home. In a large number of instances, the prospective purchaser will see something in the photographs of the interior of a home that is appealing and will then take the time to inspect the property more carefully. A sign that displays photographs of the interior of a home has been found to definitely attract more potential buyers than conventional signs that are placed outside a home, even signs that have a dispenser for providing a fact sheet covering the home. A sign that displays photographs of the interior of the home attracts the interest of potential buyers that would otherwise simply drive by the home. The sign gets people out of their cars and into the home.
An extensive search of prior art represented by U.S. Patents has been made, and there was no art found showing or suggesting signs that have opposite transparent sides, with the ability to quickly and readily place photographs or other sheet-like materials within the sign to show through the opposite transparent sides. There was further no suggestion found in the prior art patents as to such a sign or display apparatus in which the photographs or other sheet-like materials could be rapidly and easily changed and wherein the photographs or other sheet-like materials were protected from infiltration by moisture when they were placed in the sign or display apparatus.
OBJECTIVES AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A principal objective of the invention is to provide a novel display apparatus that has two panels made of a transparent material, with means for positioning the panels in substantially planar, side-by-side orientation so that photographs or other sheet-like materials can be placed between the transparent panels and viewed from the opposite, exposed sides of the display apparatus.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide such a display apparatus in which the two panels are hingedly attached to each other along respective, common side edges of the panels so that the panels can pivot about the hinge axis of the hinging means so as to allow the panels to pivot apart from each other in a manner of two adjacent pages of a book.
A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus formed by two hinged panels made of a transparent material, with the panels being hinged together along common respective side edges of the panels and with strips of hook and pile attachment members extending along at least the side edges of the panels that are opposite to the hinged side edges, whereby the hook and pile attachment members firmly engage each other when the panels are pivoted together to firmly hold the panels together in side-by-side orientation.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a display apparatus formed by two hinged panels made of a transparent material, with the panels being hinged together along common respective side edges of the panels and with strips of hook and pile attachment members extending along at least the side edges of the panels that are opposite to the hinged side edges, and further wherein a sheet of resilient material is positioned between the two panels when the panels are pivoted together so that the sheet of resilient material is compressed between the panels such that photographs and other sheet-like materials that are positioned between the sheet of resilient material and an inner face of a respective panel to seal the photographs or other sheet-like materials against infiltration by moisture.
The above objectives are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a novel display device that is formed from two planar panels that are made from transparent material such as clear acrylic plastic. The panels are hinged together along mutually respective, corresponding side edges so that the panels can fold together to a position in which the panels are substantially side-by-side so that the first panel overlies the second panel with all side edges of the first panel being positioned closely adjacent to corresponding, respective side edges of the second panel. The panels can also be pivoted about the hinge axis of the hinging mechanism so that the panels fan out from each other to an open position in a manner similar to adjacent pages of a book.
At least the side edges of each of the panels that are opposite to the hinged side edges, and preferably all side edges of both panels other than the side edges that are hinged together are provided with relatively narrow strips of hook and pile materials marketed under the tradename Velcro. The width of the strips need not be more than about one-half inch, and as is well known in the art hook material is applied on edges of one panel that engage pile material that is applied on mutually respective edges of the other panel. The hook and pile material firmly holds the two panels in their side-by-side, overlying position, but allow the panels to be separated so that the panels can be pivoted to their open position.
Sheet-like materials, such as photographs or graphics, can easily and readily be placed between the panels so that the photographs or graphics is visible through the opposite panels. When the panels are closed, the photographs or graphics are retained within the display device and protected from the elements. The photographs or graphics can quickly and easily be changed by opening the panels, removing the old photographs or graphics and replacing the old photographs or graphics with the desired new photographs or graphics. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, a sheet of resilient material, preferably resilient foamed polymeric material, lies between the panels when the panels are moved to their closed position. The sheet-like-materials are then inserted between a face of the sheet of resilient material and a face of a corresponding panel. The sheet-like-materials are sealed between the face of the panel and the face of the sheet of resilient material so that moisture can not infiltrate the sheet-like materials.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4388770 (1983-06-01), Manor
patent: 5743449 (1998-04-01), McBride
patent: 508432 (1939-06-01), None
Crellin Terry M.
Davis Cassandra H.
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