Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Changing exhibitor – Sliding plate
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-20
2002-12-10
Green, Brian K. (Department: 3611)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Changing exhibitor
Sliding plate
C040S735000, C040S768000, C116S323000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06490818
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to aesthetic and compact means for efficiently displaying multiple image works, which image works may include, among other things, works of art and photographs. More particularly, the invention relates to a means for displaying a plurality of carriers, in which one or more of the carriers may be selectively slid to be in a position which is out of the view of the observer. The image works to be viewed are housed on the carriers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various means for displaying created works such as works of literature, art, and the like, including paintings, murals, photographs, etc., have been devised over the years for the purposes of aiding the convenience of an observer desiring to view the works, and to also often add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the particular work. In the case of some artistic works, picture frames and pedestals are typical examples of such display unit. It is frequently the case that the design of a given display unit is custom-tailored to enhance or complement the specific work of which it is to assist in displaying. Thus, given the multiplicity of types of works which have been created and the various works within each type, it is of little surprise that the prior art is replete with a multitude of known means for displaying such works.
One example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,633 which provides a sliding panel display that includes a plurality of panels which are slidingly confined in a stepped array so as to overlap one another in a parallel orientation. In this display, each of the panels may be partially withdrawn independent relative to one another in parallel relation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,532 teaches a picture display device that includes an array of picture frames hinged together, as by an endless belt, in which the inner ends of the frame sections are attached to the endless belt. The frames radiate outwardly from the belt and are arrangeable in a pair of side-by-side packs in which the frames in each pack lie flat against each other, and in which the inner frame sections of one pack abut the inner frame sections of the other pack. The device includes a support to hold the packs in side-by-side relation in a manner which permits advancement of and guides the frames from one pack to the next. The frames and the support are arranged so that advancement of a frame from the end of one pack to the beginning of the next pack causes all of the other frames in the array to advance an incremental amount.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,430 provides an elongated price chip support strip or holder of the type utilized in menu and price display structures in fast food restaurants, which includes an elongated rectangular front panel portion that is provided along its length with a plurality of equidistantly spaced equal size price chip display openings. The front panel portion has a substantially flat front face and is provided on its rear side with a plurality of top-to-bottom extending spaced parallel ribs of equal thickness rearwardly of the front panel portion. The ribs are disposed on opposite sides of the price strip display openings, and the front panel portion is further provided in its rear side with a pair of parallel longitudinal ledges of the same thickness as the ribs rearwardly of the front panel section. The ledges define top and bottom longitudinal edges of the front panel portion.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,324 a board game is provided on which the players simulate a shopping trip to a mall by moving their playing markers along a route defined by rectangles which depict stores in the mall. There are cards having decorative portions of different designs in storage areas, and each player has a frame with a plurality of cavities for receiving and depicting the decorative portions of the cards. A replica of an outfitted mannequin is formed on the front face of the frame. Several windows of transparent material are formed in the front face of the frame within the replica of the mannequin so that the decorative portions of the cards which are inserted in the frame will be visible as portions of the outfit of the mannequin.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,381 teaches a vehicle emergency sign which is designed to hang on a vehicle window so as to be visible to passing traffic. The sign is composed of multiple panels interconnected by sliding means which allow the sign to be retracted for convenient storage and extended to display a preprinted message. A bracket attached to a first panel has a hook portion for engaging the upper edge of a vehicle side window, and a support portion to aid in maintaining the sign in an extended position from the side of the vehicle.
Thus, a wide range of possible finished goods may be displayed using these and other means contained in the prior art. While these and many other prior art devices and methods associated with their use may have had as a common goal the display of a plurality of viewable “works” in various fashions, none has thus far provided a single device having the capability for both housing and displaying a plurality of substantially flat works, such as photographs or the like, in which a particular work may be selectively viewed by an observer while those works not being viewed are maintained in a stored position, out of view. Further, none has provided a device and means for such storage and selective display which is well-suited to either rest on a surface such as a tabletop or to be hung on a wall by conventional means. Further still, none has provided such a device and means which as a whole is itself aesthetically pleasing, and which thus enhances the overall viewing experience of the observer.
The present invention satisfies all of the aforesaid features in which the prior art falls short, by providing means for storage and selective display of the entirety of each of a plurality of substantially flat works, such as photographs and the like, which means is itself aesthetically pleasing, and lends itself well to being placed atop stationary objects such as tabletops, or to being hung on a wall or other similar location. These and other beneficial features of the invention, as well as the advantages over display units of the prior art, shall become evident to one upon reading and understanding this specification and the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a widely-variable and versatile system by which a plurality of image works may be efficiently stored in a single unit and in which a given image works may also be selectively displayed by a viewer to the complete or partial exclusion of other image works contained in the unit. Accordingly, a display device provided in accordance with this invention may take on several actual physical configurations without departing from the metes and bounds of design embraced by the invention's principles.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a display unit as a whole is shaped substantially as a box or rectangular solid having a hollow inner portion and which is open on one face, and thus includes a top, a bottom, two sides, and a backing portion. The top portion is generally linear and resembles a board in one form of the invention, and has top and bottom surface portions, and first and second end portions. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface portion of the top portion includes a grooved channel of a selected width on its surface, so as to function as an upper track portion. The channel is preferably parallel to the length dimension of the top portion, and may in one form of the invention transverse its entire length. There is a bottom portion which has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The upper surface of the lower track portion preferably has a grooved channel on its surface, which channel is preferably parallel to the length dimension of the lower track portion and which channel is analogous to the channel on the surface of the lower surface of the upper track portion. The bottom portion thus may function as a
Bramhall Everett
Carroll Steven
Hazel Mark
Hewitt Peter
Mountain Christopher
Bramhall & Hazel, Inc.
Green Brian K.
Tendler Robert K
LandOfFree
Sliding picture frame does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sliding picture frame, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sliding picture frame will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2945932