Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Picture frame – Having magnetic means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-02-20
Melius, Terry Lee (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Picture frame
Having magnetic means
C040S600000, C040S124040, C040S745000, C248S467000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189250
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to display and mounting devices. More particularly, the invention relates to devices for displaying cards, photographs or other thin planar object employing magnetic means to retain the object to be displayed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of picture frames and mounting devices have been developed employing magnetic means to retain the picture or object to be displayed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,834 issued to Tardiff incorporates a transparent plastic plate and a plurality of holding bars with integrally molded hooks on each end engaged over the opposite side edges of the plate. Shallow offsets along the edges of the bars co-act with the back of the plate to form slots that supportingly receive the edges of cards to display them through the plate. Permanent magnets on the bars magnetically support the plate, bars and the cards from iron walls of cabinets and appliances.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,599 issued to Ebner, magnets are disposed within recesses in a background member or plaque and these magnets engage metallic plates or foil elements permanently affixed to the back of a picture to be displayed for secure mounting thereof to the plaque in a predetermined orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,174, issued to Blegen employs a picture frame made from a flexible magnetic sheet material. A gift card is held to the back surface of the frame with double face tape. The frame is then attached magnetically to a metallic surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,444 issued to Liao is a neon light box that has ferrometallic bars on the window and the top cover, to which a transparent cover with magnetic bars fixed thereon is attached to provide a space for displaying an advertisement slide.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for picture frames and transparency display boxes are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means for displaying cards, photographs and similar items without the need for a bulky frame. It is a further objective of the invention that most, if not all of the edges of the display item be visible. It is yet a further objective of the invention that the display means be capable of orienting the display item in both a landscape and portrait orientation. It is still a further objective that the display means be simple and economical to manufacture. While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art picture frame and related display inventions and satisfies all of the objectives described above. A magnetic picture display device providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components.
In a variation of the invention the rear surface contacting portion of the first support element includes a high-strength magnet and the front surface contacting member includes ferromagnetic material.
Another variation of the invention includes an edge-engaging member. The edge-engaging member has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly attached to the first support element and the second end includes a notch. The notch is sized, shaped and located to engage and constrain an edge of the item to be displayed.
To use this variation of the magnetic picture display device the first support element and front surface contacting member are removably attached to the item to be displayed and the edge-engaging member is located on the edge of the item to be displayed. This arrangement will provide additional support and rigidity to the mounting of the item to be displayed.
In a further variation of the invention a second front surface contacting member including a high-strength magnet is provided that attracts ferromagnetic material in the first support element at the rear surface contacting portion.
In a further variation of the invention a second support element is provided. The second support element has at least one ground surface contacting portion and at least one front surface contacting portion. The front surface-contacting portion includes a high-strength magnet.
To use this variation of the invention the ground surface contacting portion of the first support element is located on the ground surface and the rear surface of the planar item to be displayed is located on the rear surface contacting portion of the first support element. The ground surface contacting portion of the second support element is located on the ground surface and the front surface contacting portion of the second support element is located on the front surface of the item to be displayed at a point closest to the rear surface contacting portion of the first support element.
Thus arranged, the high-strength magnet in the second support element will attract the ferromagnetic material in the first support element and cause a magnetic field to flow through the item to be displayed. Thus a picture display device may be formed capable of supporting the item to be displayed on the horizontal ground surface. The display device balances the item to be display between its edge, the ground surface contacting portions of the first support element and the second support element.
In a final variation of the invention the rear surface contacting portion of the first support member includes a high-strength magnet and the front surface contacting portion of the second support element includes ferromagnetic material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 560465 (1896-05-01), Bostwick
patent: 3820262 (1974-06-01), Dewsnap
patent: 3956837 (1976-05-01), Itano
patent: 4475300 (1984-10-01), Ledenican
patent: 4583309 (1986-04-01), Kane et al.
patent: 4704814 (1987-11-01), Astolfi
patent: 5195263 (1993-03-01), Huang
patent: 5502907 (1996-04-01), Wang
Beehler & Pavitt
Belasco David A.
Melius Terry Lee
Morales Rodrigo J.
Pavitt William H.
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