Angled plane support mechanisms and visual piece support extensions

Abstract

The present invention is a mechanism for maintaining angled alignment of a presentation plane with respect to a support plane. The mechanism supportively attachable to a backside of the presentation planar surface. The mechanism comprises two legs or plates rotationally aligned and hinged together at their first ends with a first hinge to form a first axis of rotation. A second end of a first leg is, distal to the first hinge, similarly rotationally aligned and hinged together by a second hinge to the backside of the presentation plane or means for rigid attachment thereto to form a second axis of rotation with respect to the presentation plane, whereby the first and second axes of rotation are parallel. The present invention also comprises a system for extensions between a support surface and a visual display or between visual displays. The extensions are long enough to permit the viewer to separably distinguish the edge outlines of the visual displays, exemplified by a small picture being connected at its back to one end of an extension wire and the other end attached to the back and side edge of a table-top supported picture frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for maintaining a first plane away and supported from a second plane for presentation of information to a viewer. The present invention also relates to devices with support for one or more visual display means.

[0002] It is well known that planar surfaces for support and presentation of pictures, charts, instruction sheets, advertising, printed or flat digital screen displays and the like typically require mechanism to maintain a presentation orientation in a first plane toward a viewer with angled support from a non-parallel plane, a second plane such as a table or floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is a mechanism for maintaining angled alignment of a presentation plane with respect to a support plane. The mechanism supportively attachable to a backside of the presentation planar surface. The mechanism comprises two legs or plates rotationally aligned and hinged together at their first ends with a first hinge to form a first axis of rotation. A second end of a first leg is, distal to the first hinge, similarly rotationally aligned and hinged together by a second hinge to the backside of the presentation plane or means for rigid attachment thereto to form a second axis of rotation with respect to the presentation plane, whereby the first and second axes of rotation are parallel. The second end of the second leg is adapted to have releaseably securable means to the backside of the presentation plane or means for rigid attachment thereto, thereby providing a hingedly adaptable and angularly changeable first leg surface exterior, the support surface for engagement with the support plane, to the triangle formed by the two legs and the backside of the presentation surface. The relative lengths of the legs and/or distance of the attachment of the releaseably securable means to the backside of the presentation plane from the second hinge control the angle of the support surface relative to the presentation plane, it being understood that the support surface is intended to engage or be attached to a substantially parallel support plane so that a front side of the presentation plane is maintained at an angled relationship to the support plane.

[0004] The present invention also comprises novel devices for use of the presentation in combination with the above mechanism. The mechanism is especially useful for securing to an outside forward edge of a computer monitor picture frames holding pictures, commercial displays or information. The support surface is adapted to planar forms for application of adhesive or slotted attachment to a non-horizontal surface such as the side of computer monitor. The wide range of computer monitor styles means that a non-angular adjustable attachment of a picture frame to the outside edges of such monitors will inevitably result in a skewed presentation for the viewer. The present invention therefore also includes using the mechanism for attachment of lateral arms to the side of the computer monitor or other substantially vertical surfaces for hanging several sheets of paper for easy viewing by the computer user.

[0005] The present invention also comprises a system for extensions between a support surface and a visual display or between visual displays. The extensions are long enough to permit the viewer to separably distinguish the edge outlines of the visual displays, exemplified by a small picture being connected at its back to one end of an extension wire and the other end attached to the back and side edge of a table-top supported picture frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIGS. 1 and 2 are rear perspective and rear views of one form of the invention mechanism attached to a picture frame and supporting that picture frame on a tabletop.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a top and rear view of the invention mechanism collapsed against the backside of a presentation plane, in this case a picture frame with the frame extended to a rectangular shape.

[0008] FIGS. 4 and 21 are a top and rear views of the invention mechanism opened at full length and attached to a presentation plane for supporting a picture.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of the detached picture frame attachable to a presentation plane of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 6 is a top view of the detached picture attachable to a presentation plane of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 6A is a top view of the detached picture frame back piece attachable to a presentation plane of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIGS. 7 and 8 are top views of specific aspects of the invention mechanism securingly engageable to a backside of a presentation plane.

[0013] FIG. 9 is a frontal, presentation plane view of FIG. 7.

[0014] FIG. 10 is an end view of the device attachable to a backside of a presentation plane.

[0015] FIG. 11 is a side view of the end portion of a second leg of the invention mechanism.

[0016] FIGS. 12-17 are schematic side views of the invention mechanism.

[0017] FIGS. 18 and 19 are disengaged top and side views of an alternate embodiment of the means of adjustably engaging a free end of a second leg to the backside of a presentation plane.

[0018] FIG. 20 is an engaged side view of an alternate embodiment of the means of adjustably engaging a free end of a second leg to the backside of a presentation plane as in FIG. 19.

[0019] FIGS. 22 and 29 are substantially the view of FIG. 21 except for lateral extensions of the first leg of the invention mechanism.

[0020] FIGS. 23-25 are substantially the embodiment of FIG. 21 of the invention mechanism attached to a computer monitor.

[0021] FIG. 26 is substantially the embodiment of FIG. 21 except with alternate means of adjustably engaging the free end of the second leg of the invention to the backside of a presentation plane and hingeable connection of a picture frame to a free edge of the presentation plane, thereby forming a single moldable piece.

[0022] FIG. 27 is a side view of the end portion of the second leg of the invention mechanism.

[0023] FIG. 28 is section AA of FIG. 26.

[0024] FIG. 29 is a top view of the device of FIG. 21 having stabilizing extensions from a first leg.

[0025] FIG. 30 is a top view of the device of FIG. 21 having a substantially different free end of the second leg for engagement to the backside of the presentation plane.

[0026] FIG. 31 is a partial perspective of the device of FIG. 30 where the free end of the second leg is lockingly engaged to the backside of the presentation plane.

[0027] FIG. 32 is a section BB of FIG. 30 for the device as shown in FIG. 31.

[0028] FIGS. 33-37 comprise a locking means similar to that of FIGS. 30-32.

[0029] FIG. 38 is a back view of the invention mechanism of FIG. 29 as attached to the presentation plane and picture frame of FIG. 1, the presentation frame and picture frame edge being adapted with hollow and slotted receptors to receive removable connectors to extension pieces which extend with rigid support to two or more picture frames having similar receptors on their presentation plane backs or picture frame edges.

[0030] FIGS. 39 and 40 are bottom and side views of the extension pieces of FIG. 38.

[0031] FIGS. 41 and 42 are views of sections I and II in FIG. 38.

[0032] FIG. 43 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the plugs of FIGS. 39 and 40.

[0033] FIG. 44 shows a side view of the plug of FIG. 43 engaged in a receptor to form an invention connection.

[0034] FIG. 44a is a side view of an alternate embodiment for stacking plug connections.

[0035] FIG. 45 shows an alternate embodiment for an extension wire in a receptor.

[0036] FIG. 46 shows a perspective view of a receptor for the plug shown in FIG. 48.

[0037] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the plugs of FIGS. 39 and 40, of which FIG. 48 is an alternate embodiment.

[0038] FIGS. 49 to 51 are diagrams of extension directions from respectively a square cornered surface, a round cornered surface and a non-edge surface.

[0039] FIGS. 53 and 54 are front and side diagrammatic views of the invention connection and visual displays.

[0040] FIG. 55 is a front view of representative diagrams of two display/connection assemblies supported by an extension.

[0041] FIGS. 56 to 60 are alternate side views of the diagram of FIG. 55.

[0042] FIG. 61 is a front view of a support surface and six extension-supported display/connection assemblies supported from it.

[0043] FIGS. 62 to 66 are generalized and representative visual displays for the invention.

[0044] FIG. 67 is a bottom view of a novel friction fit polymer male connector.

[0045] FIG. 68 is a top view of the female part of the connector of FIG. 67

[0046] FIG. 69 is section EE of FIG. 67 and a corresponding cut away side view of the piece of FIG. 68.

[0047] FIG. 70 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the angled plane support where the portion 101 is extended to form an opening through which the invention mechanism operates.

[0048] FIGS. 71, 72 and 73 are respectively section FF views of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 70 shown in an extended open position, a presentation plane support position and a fully collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The present invention is now discussed with reference to the Figures.

[0050] Assembly 1 shows a picture frame 2 defining an opening 6 for a picture 10 to be removably supported for presentation therethrough. Frame 2 comprises a backside rim 5 having a slight overhang toward the backside surface such that planar sections 3 and 4 snap fit beneath the overhangs of rim 5 and thereby securing the picture 6 appropriately for presentation in opening 6 outlined with inside surface 9. Section 4 is about 3 inches square. Frame 2 may be shortened by distance 8 thereby making the frame substantially square without altering plane 4, saving tooling costs for a separately molded piece.

[0051] The invention mechanism 100 is shown in FIG. 1 supporting the frame 2 through attachment to planar section 4. Mechanism 100 may be adhesively or slot and key releaseably attachable to a presentation plane as formed by frame 2 and section 4, although in the specific example of FIGS. 1-11 section 4 is integrally injection molded to mechanism 100 in a continuous single piece such that the invention mechanism combined into a picture frame comprises only two (for a square frame) or three pieces (for the rectangular frame as shown in FIGS. 1-11.

[0052] Mechanism 100 comprises a first leg 101 and second leg 102 connected at their first ends with a first living hinge 104. This combination forms a first axis of rotation about hinge 104. The living hinge 104 permits free rotation such that legs 101 and 102 may be pressed together to their opposing sides. Leg 101 is attached at a second end distal to hinge 103 to a section 108 by a second living hinge 103. Section 108 is adapted to connect in such a fashion with plane 104 so that hinge 103 is parallel with and very close to the backside of section 4, preferably near or at an outer edge of section 4, thereby placing in rigid rotatable connection legs 101 and 102.

[0053] Leg 102 has at its second end distal to hinge 104 a portion of releasable securing means allowing easy adjustment of the angle of the first leg 101 to the supported section 4 and frame 2. In this specific example, such means comprise a lugged end 105 with lugs 105A. At a location providing close parallel attachment to the backside of section 4 is the complementary portion of the releasable securing means that extends substantially normal to the second axis of rotation, the complementary portion comprising two slotted tracks and a notched strip between them. Insertion of lugs 105A (located as lateral extensions of end 105) into open ends 111 of tracks 107 and pressing in a downward motion of direction 109 causes the lugs 105A to remain within the slots of tracks 107, whereby the height of the tops of the notches of strip 106 are just high enough to encounter and abrade the end edge of end 105 so that where a user stops pressure, the end 105 adjustable engagement to a backside of a presentation plane (albeit through the other aspects of the invention disclosed herein) is adapted to maintain securely the triangular support thereby formed by legs 101 and 102 and plane 4 to which the support is transferred by attachment to the mechanism. Slots 107′ may be seen in FIG. 9 resulting from the cored mold used to obtain and form tracks 107.

[0054] It is intended that the side of leg 101 exterior to the triangular support formed by legs 101 and 102 and section 4 be the support surface which will by gravity, adhesion, slottable attachment, bracket, screw, weld, magnetic, Velcro®, track support means or other such means adapted to engage in a substantially parallel manner a support plane such as a table, a wall, a computer monitor or other such vertical, horizontal or acute or obtuse angles of a support plane whereupon a need for adjustable attachment may be needed. It is clear from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the support surface rests on a table top, the support plane. It can be well appreciated with this disclosure that the support surface may be supplied attachment means, releaseable, removeable or permanent, for attaching the support surface to a support plane, say, with an adhesive strip with which the entire assembly 1 can be mounted on an oddly angled support plane such as the forward portion of the left or right sides, forward portions of the top or bottom sides or front surface of a computer monitor such that a presentation plane is support for viewing by a computer monitor user.

[0055] While the specific embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 are an especially preferred form of the invention mechanism for picture frames, the invention mechanism is much broader in application that such a specific design. FIGS. 12-17 show a side schematic view of the effect of varying the relative lengths of the legs 101 and 102 on the range of final angles between the outside of the leg 101, i.e., the support surface, and the presentation plane. As understood from the foregoing discussion, the presentation plane of an assembly 1 will in general lie close to, normal to the page and parallel to aspect 109/4 in FIGS. 13, 15 and 17. Releaseable securing means 105-107, as a concept indicated thereby as means for easily and releaseably moving the non-hinged end of leg 102 along path 109 with the combined action of the end 105, strip 106 and tracks 107, are manipulated by the user so that a range of support surface to presentation plane angles are available from the relative lengths of legs 101 and 102. For example, legs 101 and 102 in FIGS. 12 and 13 are of equal length. FIGS. 12, 14 and 16 show the schematic of the invention mechanism is a collapsed state generally corresponding to the view in FIG. 3 of assembly 1. FIGS. 13, 15 and 17 show the schematic of the invention mechanism is an opened state generally corresponding to the view in FIGS. 1 and 2 of assembly 1. FIGS. 14 and 15 show leg 101 being comparatively much shorter than leg 102, which results in a short path 109 and the relative angles shown. FIGS. 16 and 17 show leg 101 being comparatively much longer than leg 102, which results in a short path 109 and the relative angles shown. A preferable relative lengths of legs 101 to 102 is roughly equal, as the range of available support plane to presentation plane angles being greater. However, the more extreme angles shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 may only be obtainable by using such relative lengths as shown therein.

[0056] An alternate embodiment of the releaseable securing means are shown in FIGS. 18-20. Legs 101 and 102 are substantially similar to legs 101′ and 102′ respectively, although the end 105′ is substantially different than end 105. End 105 cooperated with tracks 107 and strip 106 to effectively engage the non-hinged end of a second leg to the presentation plane. The embodiment of FIGS. 18-20 accomplishes the function of effectively engaging the non-hinged end of a second leg to the presentation plane of page holder 200. In this case, end 105′ comprises and edge 105A′ having a slight lip which engages the widths of the slight hooked notches 106′. To effect the releaseable securement of the above means, living hinges 103′ and 104′ comprise sufficiently thickened and elastic plastic connection such that in the edge 105A′ into latchable connection with notches 106′, as in the action to move from the position in FIGS. 18 and 19 to the position of FIG. 20, the living hinges are stretched into elastic resistance such that the lip of edge 105A is retained in the slight overhang of notches 106′. The multiplicity of notches permits the user to select from a range of angles as between the presentation plane and the support plane. The disclosure of FIGS. 18-20 enables a broad range of equivalents as to releaseable and securing means to effectively connect the non-hinged end of the second leg to the backside of the presention plane.

[0057] In FIG. 18 is shown a top view of a portion of a lateral support arm which extends in the direction of edge 201 for from about 3 to 12 inches, further comprising oval notches 200 on both longitudinal edges of the support. When the support surface of leg 101′ further comprises adequate attachment means for the next described function, such as a strong adhesive, the support surface is mounted on the left or right forward sides of a computer monitor, preferably toward either of the upper corners of the monitor so that the triangular support angle adjustability of the invention mechanism will permit the user to secure at a desireable and viewable lateral and horizontal angle the arm 200 with notches 202. A peg extension from a clipboard or simple paper or other clips allow the user to hang papers from the arm 200 such that they may be viewed while typing at the computer keyboard. Prior art devices have not provided the ease of angle adjusting capability of the present invention. Notches 202 are an especially novel engagement means for gravity hung sheets or other viewable surfaces, i.e., the oval portion of the notch permits a sheet attached to a pegged clip to hang substantially exactly vertical. A supporting peg on a clip is adapted to be slightly smaller in diameter than the lateral oval distance allowing rotation of the peg in the notch 202, thereby permitting the viewable sheet to hang vertically instead of being potentially misaligned with a clip or attachment means that more rigidly fixes the sheet to the arm 200. Thus, single or multiple viewable sheets are portable to other computer monitors similarly equipped with the arm 200. It is an alternate embodiment of the invention to provide means between arm 200 and notches 106′, i.e., in about the zone 203, disengageable means comprising an appropriately supportable slot and end-expanded peg engageable in the supportable slot such that the arm 200 may be easily disengaged from the portion bearing notches 106′, thereby allowing the user to remove the arm 200 and replace it with a picture frame or other useful device therein as may benefit from the adjustability of a presentation plane as disclosed herein. Notches 202 are to be found on both lateral edges of arm 200, preferably directly opposite one another such that the identical peg hanging function may be obtained in installing the arm on the upper right or upper left corners of a computer monitor.

[0058] FIGS. 22 to 25 disclose an alternate embodiment for the support surface legs. The above mechanism on section 4, a presentation plane, is shown in FIG. 21. Additional legs 115 and 116 are shown attached to leg 101 at living hinges 117 and 118 respectively. Either or both of legs 115 and 116 may be used for these embodiments, as FIGS. 23 to 25 show only the use of one such extra leg. The mechanism 100 is shown as in the previous examples and operates substantially as described above. However, a top left and front and top right and front corners of computer monitor 300 are shown having attached thereto by adhesive polymer foam pads 121, 122, and 128 the appropriate legs 116,101 or 115. Leg 101 is attached as it would be without the legs 115 or 116, although in FIGS. 23-25 one of legs 115 or 116 are folded to an appropriate angle with respect to leg 101 so that a very sturdy angled attachment is made to almost any square, rounded or oddly shaped corner.

[0059] In FIGS. 23-25, section 4 is shown on its front face without the picture frame of the previous examples, although it is understood that a picture in a frame or other information display (including a flat digital screen, albeit one weighing less than 8-16 ounces) is preferably held is a desireable presentation plane by adjustment of the invention mechanism. In FIG. 23, leg 116 is folded in direction 127 to contact and adhere to the top of monitor 300 via pad 121 at interface 123, the pad 121 adhering to support surface side 126 of leg 116 and pad 122 adhering to the support surface side of leg 101. It is intended that section 4 as shown in FIG. 23 may extend to the left, upward, downward or generally extend therefrom radially to form shapes of commercial or personal importance or may simply increase to expand the size of a picture frame for a larger picture. It is intended that the attachment means for the support surface of leg 101 in FIG. 23 be adapted such that the assembly 1 be capable of being adhered to a top and substantially horizontal support plane (as along the top of monitor 300) or capable of being adhered to the underside of a substantially horizontal support plane (as the underside of a table edge). The invention mechanism permits the presentation plane to be easily and securingly moved to a collapsed position while maintaining the adhesion to the support plane, thereby permitting the user to virtually eliminate view of the presentation plane. In a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 3, the assembly 1 of FIG. 23 would present the viewer of a front of monitor 300 with only an edge view of the picture frame. Similarly, the user of arm 200 can disengage edge 105A′ from notch 106′ and fold the arm to the side of a computer monitor and avoid the view of the extending arm or just move it out of the way for other things.

[0060] The present invention includes attachment of more than one of the invention mechanisms along the back of a presentation plane to expand the size of such a presentation plane.

[0061] The above disclosures of the invention mechanism instruct the skilled person that the range of mechanisms disclosed may be effectively engaged with any of the many backsides of presentation planes useful for viewing in relation to a support plane with the ease of angular adjustment disclosed herein. Such presentation planes include at least digital clocks, 4-6 feet tall flip charts, large or small foam core board supports and the like. Support planes include horizontal through the angular range to vertical surfaces, including support tracks such as are disclosed support of picture frames and other small articles, as is adequately disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,792, which is incorporated herein.

[0062] Presentation planes as used herein may also comprise typically non-viewable and/or weight bearing surfaces angled relative to a support plane, such as back rests for seated persons, cellular phone or camera supports, wind break supports or other such devices sustaining significant pressure on the presentation plane to maintain the relative angle with a support plane. It is within skill in the art with this description to adapt the disclosed means for adjustably engaging an end of second leg with a backside of a presentation plane to sustain such force.

[0063] It is another embodiment of the present invention that the support surface be extended integral with a generally cylindrical piece about the size of a cup adapted to be seated in a drink holder for the automotive market. The cylindrical piece thereby permits securing of the support surface in a location easily accessible to a motor vehicle operator, i.e., to view information in a picture frame or to view or removeably mount a cellular phone or other digital electronic device.

[0064] Two alternate embodiments are shown in FIGS. 26-28. Picture frame 2 is engaged to a free edge of presentation plane 4 by a hingeable connection 152, preferably a living hinge, such that it is foldable into the plane of the page to thereafter releaseably engage the front of the presentation plane to secure therebetween a picture. This embodiment demonstrates that the invention mechanism, the presentation plane and a securing picture frame may be molded in one operation as a continuous piece, not merely integral but very inexpensively made. In FIG. 26, alternate means are shown for end portion 105, whereby a rigid connection is made to a ball extending from that end. The ball friction fits within channel 151 engageable to the backside of presentation plane 4 and slideable therein similar to the means disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0065] FIG. 29 discloses yet another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 15, it is within the invention means to provide a short leg 101. For horizontal support planes, such a short support surface as in FIG. 29 would create a potential stability problem. FIG. 29 discloses that either or both of extensions 154 or 155 from leg portion 153 will adequately provide support for the embodiment of FIG. 29 for such a horizontal support plane. In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, the outside (say top or bottom in relation to the FIG. 29 presentation) edge of extensions 154 and 155 provide a relatively non-adjustable support for the presentation plane when the presentation plane edge adjacent to the hinge 103 is placed on the support plane.

[0066] FIGS. 30-32 describe an alternate means for securing into one of a plurality of connection locations the second leg to the backside of a presentation plane 4 whereby a substantial releaseable locking means are provided to improve connection resistance to release. The means 130 comprise a free end of leg 102 adapted to have a living hinge 133 continuously molded to a rotating end 131 having an edge extension 138 adapted to matingly lie within the notches 106, especially shown in FIGS. 30-32 as notch 135. FIGS. 31 and 32 show partial views of the device of FIG. 30 such that a secure and adjustable connection is made between the free end of leg 102 and the backside of the presentation plane 4. Extension 138 is pressed into notch 135 by action of the opposing pressure of lugs 105A against the overhang surfaces of tracks 107, as shown in FIG. 31. The releaseable aspect of the embodiment is provided by the rotation of end 131 about an axis formed by the living hinge 133 such that extension 138 rotates into or out of notch 135, thereby respectively being locked into or being released from engagement with notch 135. Rotation is made by hand motion of tab 132 in direction 139 for releasing the extension 138 from notch 135. Tab 132 is shown in FIG. 30 and in broken lines in FIG. 32 in position 140 after being moved through path 139. The fully extended position of tab 132 as in FIG. 30 demonstrates that the entire device of FIG. 30 may be molded as a single and continuous piece, achieving several invention functions while obtaining a reduced manufacturing cost by single shot molding.

[0067] FIGS. 33-37, similar to FIGS. 30-32 for means 130, describe an alternate means for securing into one of a plurality of connection locations the second leg to the backside of a presentation plane 4 whereby a substantial releaseable locking means 150 are provided to improve connection resistance to release. The means 150 comprise a free end of leg 102 adapted to have a living hinge 156 continuously molded to the free lateral edge of end 105 as in FIG. 1 that has lugs 105A and edge extension 151. FIG. 33 is a partial bottom view of the leg 102 as shown in FIG. 30. Edge extension 151 is adapted to matingly lie within the notches 106, especially shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 as notch 135. FIG. 34 is section CC of FIG. 33 and is shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 with the section BB of FIG. 30 in an engagement and disengagement mode respectively. FIG. 35 is an end veiw 157 of FIG. 33. Means 150 comprise the tab 152 that, like tab 132 of FIGS. 30-32, is rotatable about a living hinge 156. Tab 156 comprises latch engaging holes 153, that are adapted to permit latches 155 to pass therethrough and latch tab 152 into the angled relationship shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, fixing it in the angled relationship. Latches 155 are mounted to a top edge of fulcrum 154. Fulcrum 154 is a piece raised from the surface of leg 102, which forms a critical means for making it easy to release edge extension 151 from notch 135. FIG. 36 shows that tab 152 is rotated back as in FIG. 32 along the similar path 139 and the latches 155 are secured in holes 153. In this position, the cooperative action of the engagement of lugs 105A into the extensions of tracks 107 forces edge extension into notch 135 such that it is difficult or impossible to move to an adjacent notch with severely damaging the device, thereby providing a very strong locking mechanism as in FIGS. 30-32 and forming a device that may be easily cast in a single mold shot. The releaseable aspect of the embodiment is shown in FIG. 37 such that finger or light pressure in direction 158 forms a see-saw lever action where the top edge of fulcrum 154 is the fulcrum and the free end of tab 152 is the end on which pressure is applied and released. The pressure in direction 158 thereby causes the hinged end of tab 152, at living hinge 156, to pull upward on the end 105 attached at hinge 156, thereby pulling upward the edge extension 151 out of notch 135. The lugs 105A in FIG. 37 remain engaged in tracks 107 while edge extension 151 is lifted out of notch 135, releasing the locking engagement of means 150 so that the end 105 can be moved along notches 106 for an alternate locking location or removal at opening 111. Release of pressure at direction 158 causes the edge extension 151 to be pressed into whatever notch it lies above at the time of release, reforming the locking position as in FIG. 36.

[0068] An alternate picture frame or presentation plane concept is now described. It is desirable to have a dramatic viewer presentation of a presentation plane as with a picture frame. The visual effect of the picture or presentation material is chosen by the viewer or presenter to be effective, although the viewer or user sometimes chooses presentation plane enhancements (i.e., decorated picture frames) to improve the overall effect. The embodiment of FIGS. 38-42 comprise a dramatic effect of retrofitting or original attachable pieces comprising additional presentation planes or extensions extending to additional presentation planes.

[0069] FIG. 38 shows one embodiment of the invention extension assembly 500 with a presentation plane with support plane support, where the back of the presentation plane 4 is adapted to have multiple receptors 517 fixedly connectable to extensions comprising plugs 515 and 516 with extension supports 512 and 513 that connect presentation plane assemblies 501 and 508 to the plane 4 by locating on the presentation planes 503 and 510. Multiple receptors 504 and 511 are similar in construction to receptors 517 for receiving plugs 515 and 516. Receptors 504, 511 and 507 are hollow straight wall or tapered cylinders with walls 506 and slots 507 adapted to receive the plug end 516 and locate extension support 512 in slot 507, thereby preventing rotation of the extension relative to the receptor.

[0070] Plugs 515 and 516 have a “lift out” and “press in” part 514 and a plug part 514a. Part 514 is adapted for the convenience of a user pressing into and pulling out of part 514a from an appropriate cavity in the receptors. Plugs 515 and 516 may be formed from a molded polymer around a supportive but hand-pressure malleably metal wire or continuous with a hand-pressure malleable polymer. This construction allows the user to manipulate the assemblies 501 and 508 into a variety of locations relative to plane 4. In one preferred embodiment, support extensions 512 and 513 are wire similar to that of standard paper clips and are easily manipulable so that assemblies 501 and 508 can be bent forward into, back out of, sideways with and/or rotated out of the plane of the page of the Figures leaving plane 4 undisturbed.

[0071] Assemblies 501 and 508 are heart and star shapes supported about the periphery of frame 5 for a very dramatic presentation. The construction of the receptors 504 and 511 then permit further extensions and presentation plane assemblies to be added to extend from the periphery of assemblies 501 and 508 and/or interconnect those pieces for decorative and supportive functions. The periphery zones 505 and 518 are shown such that they are adapted to have attachment means for other presentation planes to extend from the periphery of the presentation plane so that an additional presentation plane can be shown therefrom. Assemblies 501 and 508 have picture frames 502 and 509 similar in construction and function to frame 5 relative to a presentation plane 4. It is thereby disclosed that the extensions are preferable, although not required for an invention benefit, i.e., a piece of two-sided adhesive tape applied to a front side of assembly 508 in zone 505 may be attached thereby to the zone 518, thereby attaching another presentation plane such that it extends to the periphery of the plane 4.

[0072] The above description informs the skilled person that a support plane defines a visually definable edge (for a surface that terminates, like the edge of a picture frame or computer monitor) or surface (for a surface that doesn't terminate like a desktop or refrigerator door front) from which it would be attractive, useful or valuable in drawing attention to a visual display.

[0073] The visual displays of the present invention are now discussed with reference to FIGS. 62-66, which display some of the many forms of useful visual displays integratable into the invention system of extensions from a support surface. Small visual displays are preferable as the consequential weight reduction reduces support requirements from extensions 512 and 513 and their intervening connection with the visual displays and the support surfaces. However, larger visual displays may be accommodated to the present system at the cost of improving such support requirements. In one embodiment of the invention system, the visual display at the front side of assemblies 501 and 508 appears similarly to the framed picture 548 in FIG. 62. In another embodiment of the invention system, the visual display at the front side of assemblies 501 and 508 appears similarly to the unframed picture in FIG. 63. In another embodiment of the invention system, the visual display at the front side of assemblies 501 and 508 appears similarly to the representation 550 in FIG. 64 where graphic or text is integrated with the outline shape (i.e., in FIG. 550, a “happy star”). In another embodiment of the invention system, the visual display at the front side of assemblies 501 and 508 appears similar to the representation 551 FIG. 65 where text, stylized or otherwise, extends substantially to the assembly outline. FIG. 66 is another example of a representation 552 integral with the assembly outline, as in FIG. 62. The assemblies 501 and 508 are representative of invention visual displays, not mere connectors between extensions 512 and 513. The invention visual display either covers or integrates the intervening extension to visual display connection into a display that has contextual meaning to a human viewer. The invention visual displays comprise geometric shapes in flat, bas relief or raised form, or fully three dimensional form. The invention visual displays comprise commercial logos, text or designs (such as Apple Corp.'s “apple” design) in flat, bas relief or raised form, or fully three dimensional form. The invention visual displays comprise outlines of readily recognizable forms such as the heart and star of FIGS. 41 and 42, flower of FIG. 66, a computer monitor, car, Statue of Liberty, cartoon characters, and the like in flat, bas relief or raised form, or fully three dimensional form.

[0074] The invention visual displays comprise a location or locations on a front, edge or back surface for connection with the invention extensions. Such a location or locations may be at the points of a star shape as in FIG. 42 or at other locations as on the heart shape as in FIG. 41. It is possible that the extensions and connection means are integrated into a visual display on its front, viewable surface, such as in the position of a nose of a face formed on the front, viewable surface for the plug type connections of FIGS. 38-42, where the extensions 512 and 513 may form lateral extensions therefrom to indicate the presence of a mustache on the face.

[0075] The present invention is now discussed with reference to the intervening connections between the extensions and the visual displays. FIGS. 43-48 show some detail and additional embodiments of the plug type connections of FIGS. 38-42. FIG. 47 is a magnified drawing of the plug 515 or 516 of FIGS. 39 and 40, where an extension 512 or 513 is molded or retained in the plug part 514a and a wider top part 514 is provided for finger manipulation of the plug part 514a into and out of connection with receptor 506. Slot 507 receives the extension 512 or 513 when plug 514a is securely fitted into receptor 506's hole defined by side wall 506a as in FIG. 45, and extends therefrom as section 528 in FIG. 45, such that the extension is manipulable in directions 529 as in FIG. 45.

[0076] In an alternate embodiment of the plug type connection, FIGS. 43 and 44 show plug 519 with a slot 522 through a plug part 521 and a top part 520. The secured invention connection of the combination of plug 519 with receptor 506 is shown in side view in FIG. 44, where slots 507 and 522 are aligned so that an extension may be passed partly or completely therethrough for support connection. FIG. 44 also shows a very important aspect of the invention connection, layer 524 between surface 523 and the bottom side of receptor 506. Layer 524 represents the several ways that receptor 506 may be attached to surface 523, which surface 523 represents an attachment location on a visual display or on a support surface. Layer 524 may be a continuous molded connection between the material of surface 523 and the material of receptor 506 or may be an adhesive, hook and loop or otherwise intervening connective layer where an end user may decide where on surface 523 the user wants to form the attachment location.

[0077] It is apparent from the above discussion that the plug type embodiments are intended to permit the user to connect or disconnect the invention connection between the extensions and the support surface or visual display. Such connection and disconnection is functionally achievable with hook and loop parts respectively replacing the receptor and plug parts of the plug type embodiment. Other such removable and securable embodiments include ball and socket connections, slot and slot filling insert connections, snap fit cavity and cavity filling piece connections, screw and screw hole connections and other such embodiments. As an example, a kit including a visual display non-removably fixed to an extension wire and including material such as Ross' Tac'n'Stik or other such malleable and removably adhesive clay texture tack material is within the scope of the invention, where the user can stick the tack material to the back of a picture frame and insert the free end of the extension wire into the tack material, thereby raising the visual display above or laterally to the side of the picture frame so that it enhances the overall effect of the picture frame.

[0078] Alternately, the invention connections can be of a type that effectively prevents the user from connecting or disconnecting the invention extensions. Such embodiments include making the extension non-removably fixed on at least one end to one of either a support surface or visual display.

[0079] Invention plugs may have extensions 512 or 513 extend from the plug part 514a as in FIG. 47 or from the top 514 as in FIG. 48. Plug part 514a may be tapered and adapted to friction fit into a similarly reverse tapered hole 535 of a receptor 534 as in FIG. 46.

[0080] The attachment locations of the present invention can be adapted to support multiple extensions. Alternate embodiments of an extension for use with receptor 506 are shown in FIG. 45. Extension section 525 may be short and bent in direction 526 or formed into loop 527 (broken lines) to form part of the secure connection of the extension section 528 after a plug 519 is fitted to receptor 506. Alternately, extension section 525 may extend to another attachment location on another visual display which extension section 528 similarly extends thereto. Other slots 507 may be made in wall 506a so that the extension may be rotated with respect to the receptor 506 or other extension sections may extend therefrom to other attachment locations on other visual displays. In FIG. 44a, plugs 515 are adapted with layer 524 (similar in function to the layer 524 of FIG. 44) so that a receptor 506 can be attached to top 514, providing for a stacked and connected arrangement in direction 515b of two or more plugs 515a thereby supporting two or more extensions 512 or 513.

[0081] The invention system is now discussed with reference to the diagram drawings of FIGS. 49 to 61 to demonstrate the dramatic variability of the invention system of visual displays. FIGS. 49, 50 and 51 respectively show defined edge support surface 531 with a sharp corner, defined edge support surface 531 with a rounded corner, and flat support surface 536. FIGS. 49, 50 and 51 respectively show invention extensions radiating to directions 533, 535 537 from connections 532. Connection 532 is shown in the Figures with two or more smaller rectangles, where each rectangle represents an individual connection of an extension to a surface, such as to a support surface or visual display. The connections may be spaced apart as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42 or in one attachment location as in FIGS. 44a, 45 or 48. FIG. 52 shows that a surface 538 may accommodate a backside connection 532 where orientations 539-542 may be obtained for an extension from that connection. FIGS. 53 and 54 show a front and side view of a diagrammatic connection 532, having individual connections 543 and 544, connected at interface 547 to visual display 546 with a broken line exemplary outline.

[0082] FIGS. 55 to 60 show several orientations of connection 532a/display 546a supported together with connection 532b/display 546b through the connection 544a to extension 513a to connection 543b. It is an alternate embodiment of these assemblies that one of either display 546a or 546b be a support surface.

[0083] FIG. 55 shows displays 546a and 546b with broken outlines indicating that the connections may be on either the front or back sides of the visual displays. FIG. 55 shows display 546a as viewed by a viewer of those visual displays. FIGS. 55 to 60 show side views of FIG. 55 indicating that the visual displays may be (as in FIG. 56) but need not be in the same plane (as in FIGS. 57-60). FIG. 60 shows display 546b rotated out of the plane of Figure display 546a.

[0084] FIG. 61 shows a support surface 4 (as in FIG. 49) having extensions 513a and 513d supported from connection 517. Those extensions respectively support displays 546a and 546d at their indicated connections. The overall effect of all the extensions 513a-i and displays 546a-f of FIG. 61 is of a series of steps, demonstrating another embodiment of the invention, that the overall arrangement of the visual displays may form a visually impactive pattern. Extensions 513h and 513i both support displays 546b and 546e at their respective connections, demonstrating that more than one extension may be connected between visual displays. FIG. 61 is shown in only a front view as would be seen by a viewer, although the side view could be permutated in the several forms shown in FIGS. 56-60 for each of the inter-display orientations.

[0085] A novel friction fit polymer connector is now discussed with reference to FIGS. 67-69. The extensions of the above description have been shown to be dramatically improved in user ease of removing and replacing the connector with this embodiment. The user is most accommodated with a connector that simply pushes in and pulls out without difficulty or special manipulation. There are many snap fit devices in the prior art that require a rim part to slide past a lip where the rim then snaps into an expanded area where the rim part is secured, as in a standard snap. The user must then overcome the resistance of the rim part to be compresses in order to remove the piece to which the rim part is attached. For two part molds in polymer molding operation, the expanded part where the rim part must lodge may be difficult to form in the female portion of the snap. The present inventor has found using polymer surfaces for the friction fit male and female portions of the embodiment of FIGS. 67-69 that a piece with an inner diameter of about 3 millimeters or more can support a presentation plane by an extension where the supported weight is as much as 8 ounces or more. The friction fit is achieved by forming a draft of from about 2-10 degrees on both the male and female portions of the embodiment friction fit surfaces where the bottom of the male piece has a slightly smaller outline than the top opening of the female piece. The insertion of the male into the female piece causes the polymer surfaces to impress upon one another with surprisingly effective resulting resistance to removal. The two pieces, although made of relatively smooth plastics such as polyolefins, polystyrene, or other such polymers with similar structural and friction coefficient properties, stay friction fitted together. The effective contact thickness of the female piece has been found to be only 2-3 millimeters or more.

[0086] FIG. 67 is a bottom view of the male friction fit connection piece 553 that inserts into the hole formed in the female piece 554 of FIG. 68. Piece 553 has an effective inner diameter surface 555 and flutes 556 that form an outer diameter. A preferred draft of the surface 555 and flutes 556 is about 3-7 degrees from the axis of the piece 553 normal to the page. Extension 512 is secured in the section 514. Flutes 556 are a preferred method of preventing rotation of the piece 553 when it is inserted in the hole formed in support 560, which extends generally to structure adapted to support the weight attached to extension 512 (weight not shown). That hole preferably has substantially the same draft as that of surface 555 and flutes 556. The top opening of the hole formed in support 560 is adapted with flute sections 557 to receive the free end of the male part of piece 553 and has about the same inner and outer diameters such that insertion of piece 553 into piece 554 results, as in FIG. 69, resistance to such insertion resulting in a substantially circumferential engagement of surface 555 and flutes 556 with the inside surfaces 558 and 559. It is well known that polymers in this embodiment for friction fit contact are often used in contacting surfaces to reduce friction and to enhance slidability. In the present embodiment, it has been found that such polymers will result a very secure friction fit connection to support the extension supported presentation planes. The present embodiments of the present friction fit connector allow low cost manufacture.

[0087] In an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 29, an alternate embodiment of the invention for angular support of a presentation plane is shown in FIGS. 70-73. With reference to FIG. 29, sections 154 and 155 form a structure which moves freely past section 102 as it rotates about hinge 104. FIG. 70 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the angled plane support where the section 101 is extended to an enclosing structure with sections 159 and 160, with an optional lip section 160. In the manner similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 29, the device of FIGS. 70-73 allows section 102 to rotate freely about hinge 104 through the opening 162 formed by the sections 101,159 and 161.

[0088] The particular advantage of the device of FIGS. 70-73 is that the engagement means for ends 105A on plane 4 are also encompassed about through opening 162 in a fully closed position, as shown in FIG. 73. Thus, the fully closed device of FIG. 70 allows the user to obtain a substantially flat back surface of the presentation plane, as may be preferable for users of PDA's or other such devices where a non-snagging back surface is desired. The relative dimensions of the embodiments that can be gotten from the disclosure of the present embodiments are adapted to permit formation of the entire device in a single injection molding operation. Those relative dimensions are alternately adapted such that the ends 105A are substantially secured in the ledge pieces of sections 107 in the fully closed position as in FIG. 73 so that the user may simply by pulling plane 4 and sections 159 and/or 161 apart will draw ends 105A into contact with the notched section 106 and thereby cause a temporary fixation of the device for angular support of the plane 4 and materials attached to it. Closed ends 163 of section 107 optionally prevent the removal of ends 105A from the slots of section 107 in sliding operation of the device.

[0089] In an alternate embodiment of the device of FIG. 70, the side elevation of hinge 103 is raised as shown in FIG. 71 such that an extension from plane 4 supports hinge 103 at an elevation of about that of the top of section 107 whereby a small overhang is formed between the extension from plane 104 and plane 104 as shown in FIG. 71. That small overhang allows the user to insert the plane 4 of FIG. 4 in a tabbed picture frame without interference with tabs used to secure it into the picture frame.

[0090] FIG. 71, 72 and 73 are respectively section FF views of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 70 shown in an extended open position, a presentation plane support position and a fully collapsed position.

[0091] The above design disclosures present the skilled person with considerable and wide ranges from which to choose appropriate obvious modifications for the above examples. However, the objects of the present invention will still be obtained by the skilled person applying such design disclosures in an appropriate manner.

Claims

1. A mechanism for maintaining angled alignment of a presentation plane with respect to a support plane comprising:

(a) two legs or plates rotationally aligned and hinged together at their first ends with a first hinge to form a first axis of rotation;

(b) a second end of a first leg, distal to the first hinge, similarly rotationally aligned and hinged together by a second hinge to the backside of the presentation plane or means for rigid attachment thereto form a second axis of rotation with respect to the presentation plane, whereby the first and second axes of rotation are parallel; and

(c) the second end of the second leg and the backside of the presentation plane share releaseably securable means.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the support plane is adapted to rest on a substantially horizontal surface.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the support plane is adapted to be affixed to a substantially non-horizontal surface.

4. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein a front side of the presentation plane bears an arm adapted to support sheet material.

5. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein releasably securable means on the backside of the presentation plane comprise two parallel and spaced apart and opposing tracks.

6. The mechanism of claim 5 wherein each of the tracks define opposing concavities adapted to slidingly contain lug extensions of the releaseably securable means of the second end of the second leg.

7. The mechanism of claim 6 wherein the concavities are open at track ends and adapted to permit substantially simultaneous release of the lug extensions from the concavities.

8. The mechanism of claim 7 wherein releasably securable means on the backside of the presentation plane further comprise means for opposing slidable movement of the lug extensions.

9. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein releasably securable means comprises adhesive materials or hook and loop pieces mounted on opposite surfaces of the second end of the second leg and the backside of the presentation plane.

10. A system for support and presentation from a support surface of one or more visual displays comprising:

(a) each visual display comprising a front surface presenting for viewing by a viewer of the front surface at least text or at least one graphic image or shape;

(b) one or more extensions supporting through one or more connections at least one visual display from a support surface or other visual display; and

(c) locating each visual display visibly apart from the support plane and other visual displays for viewing by a viewer of the front surface.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein at least one extension is capable of being bent by finger pressure.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the extensions are a metal or polymer.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the connections are adapted to be connected and disconnected by a user.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the connections comprise a plug and receptor.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the connections comprise adhesive means.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein there exists for the system at least on viewable angle for viewing by a viewer of the front surfaces where the outlines of the front view of at least one visual display is entirely visually separated from the outlines of the support surface.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein there exists for the system at least on viewable angle for viewing by a viewer of the front surfaces where the outlines of the front view of at least one visual display is entirely visually separated from the outlines of at least one other visual display.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein at least one front view of at least one visual display is not in substantially the same plane as another front view of another visual display.