Display frame

Abstract

A display frame includes a first housing member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. Such first housing member has a generally depressed portion on a predetermined side thereof. The depressed portion has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A second generally hollow transparent housing member fits within such depressed portion of such first housing member, such second housing member has a generally hollow interior portion for housing at least one predetermined item. A mechanism operably connects such second housing member to such first housing member such that such second housing member is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within such depressed portion of such first housing member to a position substantially outside of such depressed portion and from such position substantially outside of such depressed portion to such position substantially within such depressed portion.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/947,874 filed Jul. 3, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to display frames and, more particularly, this invention relates to a display frame having at least one pivoting portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, frames as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to display various items such sports memorabilia, artifacts, musical instruments, artwork and the like.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Green, U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,949, discloses a frame for athletic miniatures and sports memorabilia having a double-sided frame made of wooden material with glass members on both sides, and a stiffening board for supporting an athletic miniature or sports memorabilia assembled between the glass members, so that the athletic miniature or sports memorabilia can be viewed through the glass members from both sides of the frame.

Abrams, U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,967, discloses a multi-purpose, front-loading display frame including a front frame member having a window section for viewing a display item disposed there behind and a rear frame member for releasably supporting at least one interchangeable display item. The front frame member is hingedly secured to the rear frame member so as to allow for pivotable movement of the frame members between a closed position, in which the frame members are disposed closely adjacent to one another so that a display item supported on the rear frame member is disposed behind the window section for viewing, and an open position, in which the frame members are pivoted apart from one another to permit removal and replacement of the display item. A closure member is mounted on at least one of the front and rear frame members for releasably maintaining the front and rear frame members in the closed position thereof. The closure member is positioned to allow the front frame member to be swung open while the rear frame is secured on a support.

Vacovsky, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,828, discloses a jersey display frame for displaying the jersey of a uniform in a life-like manner with a three-dimensional view. The display frame includes a frame body and support member fixed to the frame body for supporting the jersey within the display frame. The support member includes a predetermined width, height and depth to provide the visual perception of the jersey in a life-like manner. For example, a football jersey is displayed such that it is visually perceived as it is supported on shoulder pads.

Pollack, U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,013, discloses a frame for a poster or a double sided-poster.

Juern, U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,939, discloses a reversible display frame and a suspension device. The reversible display frame comprises generally a frame member and one or more suspension rings attached to the frame member. In one version, the suspension rings are retractable. The suspension device enables rotation at a wall assembly by means of a pivotally coupled upper and lower loop member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display frame including a first housing member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. Such first housing member has a generally depressed portion on a predetermined side thereof. The depressed portion has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A second generally hollow transparent housing member fits within such depressed portion of such first housing member, such second housing member has a generally hollow interior portion for housing at least one predetermined item. Such second generally hollow transparent member is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A mechanism operably connects such second housing member to such first housing member such that such second housing member is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within such depressed portion of such first housing member to a position substantially outside of such depressed portion and from such position substantially outside of such depressed portion to such position substantially within such depressed portion.

According to another embodiment, a display frame includes a generally hollow transparent housing member having a generally hollow interior portion for housing at least one predetermined item. A means operably and rotatably connects such housing member to a vertical structure such that such housing member is rotatably moveable from a position closely adjacent the vertical structure and to a position substantially away from such vertical structure.

According to yet another embodiment, a display frame is provided which includes a housing member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. The housing member has a generally depressed portion on a predetermined side thereof, such depressed portion has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. A frame member has at least a top portion, a bottom portion and one side portion and fits within at least a part of such depressed portion of said first housing member. Such frame member is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size. A means operably connects the frame member to such first housing member such that the frame member is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within such depressed portion of such first housing member to a position substantially outside of such depressed portion and from such position substantially outside of such depressed portion to such position substantially within such depressed portion. A display member fits within at least one of such frame member, such housing member, and a combination thereof. The display member being for displaying at least one predetermined item. The display member is manufactured from a fourth predetermined material and has a fifth predetermined size and a fifth predetermined shape. A means rotatably connects the display member to such frame member such that such display member is rotatably moveable about a 360 degree arc within such frame member. A securing means releasably secures such at least one predetermined item at least one of to and within the display member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a display frame for enclosing items which is then able to be rotated such that the items are viewable from at least two sides.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall mounted frame having a second interior display frame rotatably connected thereto such that the second frame may be swivel outward away from such wall such that a person can see both a front portion and a rear portion of an object housed within such second frame.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display frame for protecting and securing an object of value to a user within such frame but which also permits optimal viewing of such object.

Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a display frame which can both display an object of value and hide an object of value as desired by a user.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective rear view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the display frame includes a hanging means for hanging the display frame on a wall.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective rear view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the invention includes a support means for enabling the invention to stand in a generally erect manner.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a generally transparent housing member is attached to a vertical structure such as a wall by a bracket type means.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which a display member is being rotated.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which an item of sports memorabilia is being displayed on a first side of the display member.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which an item of artwork is being display on a second side of the display member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-8.

A display frame, generally designated 10 is provided. Such display frame 10 includes a first housing member 12 manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material is at least one of metal, wood, and plastic. It is presently most preferred that such first predetermined material is wood.

Such first housing member 12 has a generally depressed portion 14 on a predetermined side 16 thereof. The depressed portion 14 has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

A second generally hollow transparent housing member 18 fits within the depressed portion 14 of such first housing member 12. Such second housing member 18 has a generally hollow interior portion 22 for housing at least one predetermined item 24. Such second generally hollow transparent member 18 is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape. It is presently preferred that such second predetermined material is at least one of plastic and glass. It is presently most preferred that such second predetermined material is plastic.

A means 26 operably connects such second housing member 18 to such first housing member 12 such that such second housing member 18 is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within the depressed portion 14 of such first housing member 12 to a position substantially outside of the depressed portion 14 and from such position substantially outside of the depressed portion 14 to such position substantially within the depressed portion 14.

It is presently preferred that such second housing member 18 includes an access means 28 for enabling a user to access such interior portion 22 of such second housing member 18. For example, such access means 28 may be used to separate predetermined sides of such second housing member 18 to permit a user (not shown) to arrange such predetermined item 24 as desired. However, such access means is not meant to be limited as such and may be any type of access means which suits such a purpose.

It is presently preferred that such first housing member 12 further includes a hanging means 29 operably connected to such first housing member 12 at a predetermined location thereon for hanging such display frame 10 from at least one of a ceiling (not shown), a wall 32, a vertical structure 33, and a combination thereof.

It is further presently preferred that such first housing member 12 further includes a support means 34 engageable with such first housing member 12 for at a least one of supporting such display frame 10 such that such display frame 10 may stand in a generally erect manner.

It is presently preferred that such display frame 10 further includes a securing means for securing such at least one predetermined item 24 within such interior portion 22 of such second housing member 18. Such securing means may be any type of securing means which serves such a purpose including but not limited to pressure exerted on such predetermined item 24 by such second frame member 18.

According to another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4, a display frame, generally designated 20, includes a generally hollow transparent housing member 38 having a generally hollow interior portion 42 for housing at least one predetermined item 24 and a means 44 for operably and rotatably connecting such housing member 38 to a vertical structure 33 such that such housing member 38 is rotatably moveable from a position closely adjacent to such vertical structure 33 and to a position substantially away from such vertical structure 33. It is presently preferred that such means is at least one bracket type means 35. Such vertical structure may include a wall or the like, however such vertical structure is not meant to be limited as such and may be any type of vertical structure to which the device may be reasonably attached.

It is presently preferred that such housing member 38 includes an access means 43 for enabling a user to access said interior portion 42 of such housing member 38.

It is further presently preferred that such display frame includes a securing means for securing such at least one predetermined item 24 within such interior portion 42 of such housing member 38. Such securing means may be any type of securing means which serves such a purpose including but not limited to pressure exerted on such predetermined item 24 by such housing member 38.

According to yet another embodiment, a display frame, generally designated 30, is provided. Such display frame 30 includes a first housing member 12 manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. The first housing member 12 has a generally depressed portion 14 on a predetermined side 16 thereof, such depressed portion 14 has a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape.

A frame member 15 has at least a top portion 17, a bottom portion 19 and one side portion 21 and fits within at least a part of such depressed portion 14 of such first housing member 12. Such frame member 15 is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size.

A means 26 operably connects the frame member 15 to such first housing member 12 such that the frame member 15 is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within such depressed portion 14 of such first housing member 12 to a position substantially outside of such depressed portion 14 and from such position substantially outside of such depressed portion 14 to such position substantially within such depressed portion 14.

A display member 19 fits within at least one of such frame member 15, such housing member 12, and a combination thereof. The display member 19 being for displaying at least one predetermined item 24. The display member 19 is manufactured from a fourth predetermined material and has a fifth predetermined size and a fifth predetermined shape.

A means 25 rotatably connects the display member 19 to such frame member 15 such that such display member 19 is rotatably moveable about a 360 degree arc within such frame member 15.

A securing means 27 releasably secures such at least one predetermined item 24 at least one of to and within the display member 19.

It is presently preferred that such third predetermined shape is substantially identical to a block letter “C”.

It is presently preferred that such display member 19 includes a second generally hollow transparent housing member 18, the second generally hollow transparent housing member 18 having a generally hollow interior portion 22 for housing such at least one predetermined item 24.

Referencing FIGS. 7-8, according to still another embodiment, the display member 19 has a first side 31 thereof for displaying at least a first predetermined item 24 and a second side 33 thereof for displaying at least a second predetermined item 35. In this manner, the device could be used for security purposes to conceal valuables. For example, valuable sports memorabilia or the like could be displayed on a first side 31 of such display member 19. Such display member may be rotated such that the second side 33 of the display member, displaying a second predetermined item 35 of lesser value is visible during periods of time when such valuable item is left unguarded. By concealing the valuable item in this manner, loss due to theft is unlikely.

Such display member may also includes at least one generally transparent covering member releasably securable to such display member 19 at a predetermined location thereon for covering at least one of such first side 31 and such second side 33 thereof.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display frame comprising:

a. a first housing member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape, said first housing member having a generally depressed portion on a predetermined side thereof, said depressed portion having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape;

b. a second generally hollow transparent housing member for fitting within said depressed portion of said first housing member, said second housing member having a generally hollow interior portion for housing at least one predetermined item, said second generally hollow transparent member being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape; and

c. a means for operably connecting said second housing member to said first housing member such that said second housing member is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within said depressed portion of said first housing member to a position substantially outside of said depressed portion and from said position substantially outside of said depressed portion to said position substantially within said depressed portion.

2. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said second housing member includes an access means for enabling a user to access said interior portion of said second housing member.

3. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said first housing member further includes a hanging means operably connected to said first housing member at a predetermined location thereon for hanging said display frame from at least one of a ceiling, a wall, a vertical structure and a combination thereof.

4. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said first housing member further includes a support means engageable with said first housing member for at a least one of supporting said display frame such that said display frame may stand in a generally erect manner.

5. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined material is at least one of metal, wood, and plastic.

6. A display frame according to claim 5 wherein said first predetermined material is wood.

7. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said second predetermined material is at least one of plastic and glass.

8. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said second predetermined material is plastic.

9. A display frame according to claim 1 wherein said display frame further includes a securing means for securing said at least one predetermined item within said interior portion of said second housing member.

10. A display frame comprising:

a. a generally hollow transparent housing member having a generally hollow interior portion for housing at least one predetermined item; and

b. a means for operably and rotatably connecting said housing member to a vertical structure such that said housing member is rotatably moveable from a position closely adjacent said vertical structure and to a position substantially away from said vertical structure.

11. A display frame according to claim 10 wherein said means is at least one bracket type means.

12. A display frame according to claim 10 wherein housing member includes an access means for enabling a user to access said interior portion of said housing member.

13. A display frame according to claim 10 wherein said display frame further includes a securing means for securing said at least one predetermined item within said interior portion of said housing member.

14. A display frame comprising:

a. a first housing member manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape, said first housing member having a generally depressed portion on a predetermined side thereof, said depressed portion having a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape;

b. a frame member having at least a top portion, a bottom portion and one side portion for fitting within at least a part of said depressed portion of said first housing member, said frame member being manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a third predetermined shape and a third predetermined size;

c. a means for operably connecting said frame member to said first housing member such that said frame member is rotatably moveable from a position substantially within said depressed portion of said first housing member to a position substantially outside of said depressed portion and from said position substantially outside of said depressed portion to said position substantially within said depressed portion;

d. a display member for fitting within at least one of said frame member, said housing member, and a combination thereof, said display member being for displaying at least one predetermined item, said display member being manufactured from a fourth predetermined material and having a fifth predetermined size and a fifth predetermined shape;

e. a means for operably connecting said display member to said frame member such that said display member is rotatably moveable about a 360 degree arc within said frame member; and

f. a securing means for releasably securing said at least one predetermined item at least one of to and within said display member.

15. A display frame according to claim 14 wherein said third predetermined shape is substantially identical to a block letter “C”.

16. A display frame according to claim 14 wherein said display member includes a second generally hollow transparent housing member, said second generally hollow transparent housing member having a generally hollow interior portion for housing said at least one predetermined item.

17. A display frame according to claim 14 wherein said display member has a first side thereof for displaying at least a first predetermined item and a second side thereof for displaying at least a second predetermined item.

18. A display frame according to claim 17 wherein said display member further includes at least one generally transparent covering member releasably securable to said display member at a predetermined location thereon for covering at least one of said first side and said second side thereof.