PHOTO DISPLAY HANGER AND KIT

Abstract

A photo display incorporates a support hook(s) as a display adjunct. The hook is fabricated from a flat sheet of material. The material is capable of a high degree of flexing without breaking. Double-sided tape is employed to mount the sheet on a flat, vertical surface such as a wall or door. The sheet is sized to neatly present a display item. The display item may take the form of a photograph, an advertisement, a message, or the like. Other forms of the photo display employ adjuncts that permit easy mailing of a photograph or the like and support for displaying the photograph.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/654,507, filed Dec. 22, 2009 (now pending), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/073,354, filed Mar. 4, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,707), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/798,896, filed May 17, 2007 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to supports, and particularly to a photo display hanger and kit that incorporate adjunct support structure therewith.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of hooks for supporting objects, such as garments, hats, keys, umbrellas, etc., is commonplace. The hooks are conventionally mounted on walls or doors in the home or office. Unfortunately, conventional hooks are usually unsightly and add no “feng shui” to the surrounding area. Furthermore, conventional hooks are usually “permanently” mounted using a screw fastener or the like, which mars the wall or door.

Mailing that special photograph of a wedding, birthday, bar mitzvah, etc. to favorite people can be a hassle in that the photograph must be wrapped in a protective covering and then housed in a separate mailing envelope. Furthermore, when received, a frame must be located before the photograph can be properly displayed. The art would certainly welcome a support hook that incorporates a decorative display adjunct and that could easily be mounted or removed from a wall or doorway. The art would also gratefully accept a convenient photo mailer that could also function as a display adjunct for the photograph. Thus, a photo-display hanger and kit solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The photo display hanger and kit of the present invention incorporates a support hook(s). The hook is fabricated from a flat sheet of material. The material may be transparent and is capable of a high degree of flexing without breaking. Double-sided tape is employed to mount the sheet on a flat, vertical surface, such as a wall or door. The sheet is adapted to neatly present a display. The display may take the form of a photograph, an advertisement, a message, or the like. The display can be easily changed without causing the double-sided mounting tape to release. The hook is designed to support a load having a predetermined maximum weight. If the predetermined weight is exceeded, the hook will bend (without breaking) to release the load. This arrangement presents a serviceable support hook in conjunction with a pleasing decorative display. The sheet may also incorporate an array of hooks. Other embodiments of the display device employ adjuncts that permit easy mailing of a photograph or the like and support for displaying a photograph.

Accordingly, the invention presents a display device that can be easily and quickly mounted to almost any vertical surface. The invention also presents a device that functions as a mailer and support for displaying a photograph on horizontal or vertical surfaces. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transparent sheet of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the transparent sheet of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, side view of the transparent sheet and decorative frame of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the decorative frame of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the decorative frame of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the transparent sheet of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 8 according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment with hooks positioned in the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment with hooks bent out of the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment with hooks positioned in the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment with hooks positioned in the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective front view of a photo display prepared for mailing according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective rear view of the photo display of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective, front view of a photo display hanger and kit according to the present invention that incorporate a mailer frame having a pop-out support and slide-out address card.

FIG. 18 is an exploded, rear view of the photo display hanger and kit illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the mailer frame of FIG. 17 with the slide address card inserted, shown before the end of the slide out card is detached.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the mailer frame of FIG. 17 with the slide address card inserted, shown after the end of the slide out card is detached.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1, wherein the hanger with a photo display is generally indicated at 10. Hanger 10 comprises a sheet of plastic material 12 incorporating a support hook 14. Sheet 12 is mounted to a vertical surface 16, such as a wall or a door (as shown). A frame member 30 is removably mounted on sheet 12 in a manner that will be explained below.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, sheet 12 and hook 14 are fabricated from a single piece of transparent, plastic material. The plastic material has high degree of flexibility that will allow the hook to bend (note phantom lines) without breaking, but has sufficient memory or resilience that the material resumes the hook shape when the bending force is removed. Any transparent material exhibiting these qualities may be utilized to fabricate the sheet if such material is otherwise suitable (costs, availability, non-toxicity, etc.)

A strip of double-sided adhesive 18 is employed to mount the rear surface of sheet 12 to vertical surface 16. Adhesive strip 18 is of sufficient size to maintain a bond between sheet 12 and surface 16 when a load of predetermined weight is disposed on hook 14. A small space 20 is formed between the rear surface of sheet 12 and vertical surface 16. Space 20 extends from the top edge 12a of sheet 12 to the top edge 18a of double-sided adhesive strip 18. As contemplated, a selected display item 22 may be removably disposed in the space 20 in a manner to be viewed through the front surface of sheet 12. As indicated above, although the present invention is referred to as a hanger with photo display, the display item may take the form of a photograph, a memo or any type of visual material. The dimensions of the display item will be coextensive with the dimensions of sheet 12.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 4-6, which illustrate the disposition of decorative frame 30 onto sheet 12. Frame 30 is configured to encapsulate the perimeter of sheet 12 while leaving hook 14 and the front surface of sheet 12 exposed. The side edges of sheet 12 are received within the sidewalls 32 of frame 30. Wall 34 is positioned across the rear of frame 30 to form a pocket 36 adapted to receive the top edge 12a of sheet 12 therein. This arrangement allows frame 30 to be easily mounted and removed if it is desired to change a display item. Although illustrated as rectangular, it is obvious that the sheet 12 and frame 30 could be fabricated in other configurations and of various sizes, if desired.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention wherein plural hooks 40 are disposed along a bottom edge 40a of transparent sheet 42. A decorative frame (not shown) is configured to be disposed on sheet 42 in the same manner as described above relative to sheet 12. This embodiment is especially useful for hanging an array of keys thereon.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are illustrative of a third embodiment of the invention that incorporates a single, unitary sheet 50 provided with a hook 52 at the lower end thereof. The front surface of sheet 50 is designed with a cavity 54 therein. Cavity 54 is adapted to receive a display item 22, the display item 22 being nested within the cavity 54. A transparent window 56 is removably press-fitted into cavity 54 to retain the display item 22 in the cavity 54. Double-sided adhesive strips 18 are employed on the rear surface of sheet 50 to removably mount the sheet on a vertical surface. An opening 58 is formed through sheet 50 to facilitate the removal of window 56 when it is desired to change the display 22. Although illustrated as rectangular, it is obvious that sheet 50 can be fabricated in other configurations, if desired. Sheet 50 can be transparent, translucent or opaque.

As best seen in FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the invention is provided with a unitary sheet 60 having a base 62. Respective sides 64 extend perpendicularly upward from the base 62, forming a fork defining a cavity 66. A single leg 68 extends medially downward from base 62. A hook 70 is positioned on the front surface of leg 68. As in the embodiment described immediately above, a display item 22 is sized to nest within cavity 66 and a transparent window 72 is press-fitted into cavity 66 to retain the display item therein. Sheet 60 can be transparent, translucent or opaque.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the sheet member 80 of the photo display is fabricated to have peripheral dimensions (length and width) to enable the sheet member to fit into conventional mailing envelopes. A photograph display area is centrally disposed in the sheet. Die-cut hooks 82 are disposed in the bottom edge 80a and coincident with the plane of sheet member 80 for mailing purposes. Double-sided tape 84 is positioned on the rear surface of the sheet member for mounting purposes as described above. In use hooks 82 are bent out of the plane of the sheet (FIG. 12) when the sheet is to be mounted.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment wherein die-cut hooks 86 are positioned below the bottom edge 80a of sheet 80. Hooks 86 are also coincident with the plane of the sheet for mailing purposes and can be bent out of the plane for use (FIG. 14).

As presently contemplated, the photo display embodiments of FIGS. 11-14 can be mailed without the use of mailing envelopes if desired. As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, one merely has to attach a mailing label 90 to the front surface of sheet 80 and attach the photo or the like to the rear surface using tape strips 92.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in the form of a kit that facilitates mailing and display of a photograph or the like. In this embodiment, a transparent mailing envelope 100 also functions as a display adjunct. The mailing envelope 100 comprises a front face 110, a rear face 112, a closed first end 114, an open second end 116, and closed top and bottom edges 118. The envelope is fabricated from transparent, plastic material. As presently contemplated, the mailing envelope 100 is sized to removably house a 4″×6″ item, such as a photograph P, for mailing and display. It should be noted, however, that envelopes of other sizes may be employed. An address card 120, as more precisely described below, is also removably housed in the mailing envelope 100.

The front face 110 of the mailing envelope 100 has a decorative border 110a disposed around the perimeter thereof for aesthetic purposes. The rear face 112 is provided with a segment 112a that is scored around three sides thereof to allow the segment to be popped out from the plane of the rear face 112 to form a stand for the mailing sleeve. It should be noted that the segment 112a can support the mailing sleeve in either a horizontal or a vertical orientation, if tabletop display is preferred. A double-sided adhesive strip 115 is disposed on the rear face 112 in a central area thereof, whereby the mailing sleeve can be secured to a vertical surface for display, if desired. The address card 120 has indicia 120a inscribed on its front surface for providing mailing information thereon, e.g., designated areas formatted with blank lines where addressee and return address information can be filled in. Perforations 122 are disposed across the card 120 adjacent one end 120b of the address card that extends beyond the envelope 100 so that the end 120b may be easily detached from the card 120. An adhesive seal 124 is provided and utilized to seal the open end 116 of the envelope 100.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A mailing and photograph display kit, comprising:

a mailing envelope having a front face, a rear face, a closed first end, an open second end, and closed top and bottom edges;

a pop-out segment disposed on the rear face;

an adhesive strip disposed on the rear face; and

an address card removably insertable into the mailing envelope.

2. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 1, wherein the front face has a perimeter and a decorative border disposed around the perimeter.

3. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 1, wherein said mailing envelope is fabricated from a transparent plastic material.

4. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 1, wherein said address card has a front surface and mailing indicia disposed on the front surface providing a fillable form for addressee and return address information.

5. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 1, further including an adhesive sealing for sealing the open end of said mailing envelope.

6. A mailing and photograph display kit, comprising:

a mailing envelope having a front face, a rear face, a closed first end, an open second end, and closed top and bottom edges;

a pop-out segment disposed on the rear face, the pop-out segment forming a stand for supporting the envelope on a horizontal surface, whereby the mailing envelope may serve as a display stand;

a double-sided adhesive strip disposed on the rear face adapted for attaching the envelope to a vertical surface, whereby the envelope may serve as a display hanger; and

an address card removably insertable into the mailing envelope, the address card having a detachable end.

7. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, wherein the front face of said envelope has a perimeter and a decorative border disposed around the perimeter.

8. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, wherein said mailing envelope is fabricated from a transparent plastic material.

9. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, wherein said address card has a front surface and mailing indicia mailing indicia disposed on the front surface providing a finable form for addressee and return address information.

10. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, further including a discrete adhesive seal attachable to the open end of said envelope for sealing the open end.

11. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, wherein said address card is perforated adjacent the detachable end to facilitate detachment thereof.

12. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, wherein said pop-out segment has four sides and wherein three of the four sides are scored therearound.

13. A mailing and photograph display kit, comprising:

a mailing envelope fabricated from transparent plastic material, the mailing envelope having a perimeter, a front face, a rear face, a closed first end, an open second end, and closed top and bottom edges;

a pop-out segment disposed on the rear face, the pop-out segment forming a stand for supporting the envelope on a horizontal surface, whereby the mailing envelope may serve as a display stand;

a double-sided adhesive strip disposed on the rear face adapted for attaching the envelope to a vertical surface, whereby the envelope may serve as a display hanger;

an address card removably insertable into the mailing envelope, the address card having a detachable end; and

a discrete adhesive seal for sealing the open end of the mailing envelope.

14. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 13, wherein said address card is perforated adjacent the detachable end to facilitate detachment thereof, the address card having a front surface and mailing indicia disposed on the front surface providing a fillable form for addressee and return address information.

15. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 14, wherein said pop-out segment has four sides and wherein three of the four sides are scored therearound, permitting the stand to fold out from the rear face of said mailing envelope.