SHADOW BOX

Abstract

A shadow box and a manufacturing blank for a shadowbox. A shadow box includes a frame having multiple sides collectively defining a window. The sides include one or more hollow sides defining respective cavities. The sides further include one or more tabs. On or more frame support inserts are disposed in the frame, with each of the at least one frame support insert having a respective size and a respective shape. Each frame support insert is disposed in the cavity of a corresponding hollow side. The cavity of each hollow side is defined based on the size and the shape of the corresponding frame support insert such that each frame support insert fits snugly in the corresponding hollow side.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following applications:

• • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/648,651 filed on May 16, 2024;
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/661,033 filed on Jun. 17, 2024; and
  • U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/725,863 filed on Nov. 27, 2024.

All of the applications referenced above are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to shadow boxes, and more specifically to shadow boxes having internal structural supports.

BACKGROUND

A shadow box is a frame intended to hold three-dimensional (3D) objects. Typically, a shadow box has a deeper frame than a frame intended to hold pictures or other flat objects. Shadow frames can be used to display 3D objects on a wall like one would a picture or painting.

Solutions which allow for producing shadow boxes using more inexpensive materials while maintaining a suitable degree of rigidity would be desirable. Additionally, new shadow boxes which can be more readily customized would also be desirable.

SUMMARY

A summary of several example embodiments of the disclosure follows. This summary is provided for the convenience of the reader to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments and does not wholly define the breadth of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. For convenience, the term “some embodiments” or “certain embodiments” may be used herein to refer to a single embodiment or multiple embodiments of the disclosure.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box. The shadow box comprises: a frame having a plurality of sides, wherein the plurality of sides collectively define a window, wherein the plurality of sides includes at least one hollow side, each hollow side defining a cavity, wherein the plurality of sides further includes at least one tab; and at least one frame support insert disposed in the frame, each of the at least one frame support insert having a respective size and a respective shape, wherein each of the at least one frame support insert is disposed in the cavity of a corresponding hollow side of the at least one hollow side, wherein the cavity of each hollow side is defined based on the size and the shape of the corresponding frame support insert such that each frame support insert fits snugly in the corresponding hollow side.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein also include a manufacturing blank. The shadow box comprises: a blank defining a plurality of fold lines, wherein the plurality of fold lines defines a frame such that, when the manufacturing blank is folded along the plurality of fold lines, the manufacturing blank is assembled into the frame, wherein the frame has a plurality of sides defining a window, wherein the plurality of sides includes at least one hollow side, wherein each of the at least one hollow side is sized and shaped based on a size and a shape of a respective frame support insert of at least one frame support insert to be disposed in the frame such that the at least one frame support insert fits snugly in the at least one hollow side when the at least one frame support insert is disposed in the at least one hollow side, wherein the plurality of sides further includes at least one tab.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the plurality of sides defines at least one slot, further comprising: at least one shelving support insert, wherein at least one first portion of each shelving support insert is disposed in at least one of the at least one slot, wherein a second portion of each shelving support insert is disposed in the window.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, further comprising: a shelving member, wherein the shelving member is at least partially disposed in the window, wherein the shelving member is affixed to one of the plurality of sides.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, further comprising: a metal member disposed in the cavity of a first hollow side of the at least one hollow side; and a magnet disposed in the window, wherein the magnet is affixed to the first hollow side via magnetic attraction to the metal member disposed in the cavity of the first hollow side.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, further comprising: an attachment member, wherein the attachment member is affixed to the magnet.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the attachment member has a light.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the attachment member includes a wire, further comprising: a hook affixed to the wire.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the attachment member includes an arm having a joint.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the joint is a ball joint.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the attachment member includes a pole.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein each of the plurality of sides has a back portion, further comprising: a rear panel, wherein the rear panel is affixed to the back portion of each of the plurality of sides.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the rear panel includes a plurality of hooks, wherein the back portion of each of the plurality of sides defines a hole, wherein each of hook of the rear panel is disposed in a hole of the back portion of a corresponding side of the plurality of sides.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the plurality of sides includes a front side, further comprising: a transparent front panel, wherein the transparent front panel is affixed to the front side of the frame, wherein a first side of the plurality of sides defines a through hole, wherein the through hole in the first side goes through the first side and opens into the window.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the at least one hollow side is at least one first side of the plurality of sides, wherein the frame further comprises a second side of the plurality of sides, wherein the second side defines at least one hole, further comprising: at least one clip, wherein a first portion of each clip is disposed in a corresponding hole of the at least one hole, wherein a second portion of each clip is disposed in the window.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, further comprising: at least one button, wherein each button is affixed to a respective side of the plurality of sides of the frame, wherein each button is disposed in the window.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the at least one button is a plurality of buttons, further comprising: a shelving member, wherein the shelving member is disposed between the plurality of buttons and a first side of the plurality of sides such that the shelving member is held in place by the plurality of buttons and the first side.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein the shelving member is acrylic.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, further comprising: a transparent member disposed in the frame; and a light stand disposed in the frame, wherein the transparent member is affixed to the light stand, wherein the light stand includes a light bulb and defines an aperture, wherein the light bulb is disposed in the light stand such that light from the light bulb shines through the aperture and onto the transparent member.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a shadow box or manufacturing blank as noted above or below, wherein a first hollow side of the at least one hollow side has a back portion defining a through hole, wherein the through hole of the first hollow side opens into the cavity of the first hollow side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter disclosed herein is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank of a shadow box according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank of a set of inserts according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a dieline of a manufacturing blank designed for insertion of shelving support inserts according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a shadow box in an assembled state according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the shadow box according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is another rear view of the shadow box according to the first embodiment illustrating the shadow box in a partially disassembled state.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank of a shadow box according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank of a pair of frame support inserts and according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a dieline of an example manufacturing blank according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a shadow box according to the second embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the shadow box according to the second embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 12 is a side rear perspective view of the shadow box according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank of a shadow box according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank of a pair of frame support inserts and according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a dieline of an example manufacturing blank according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a shadow box according to the third embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 17A is a rear view of a shadow box according to the third embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 17B is a rear view of a shadow box according to the third embodiment in an assembled state having a rear panel disposed therein.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of a shadow box having two shelving members held in place via buttons.

FIG. 19 is another illustration of the shadow box having shelving members held in place via buttons.

FIG. 20 is an illustration showing a metal member which may be utilized for an embodiment leveraging magnets in order to provide additional display options as discussed herein.

FIG. 21 is an illustration showing a pair of magnets held in place via magnetic force and attraction to a metal member.

FIG. 22 is an illustration showing the magnets supporting a shelving member.

FIG. 23 is an illustration showing an attachment for a shadow box realized using a magnet according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an illustration showing a clip utilized to secure a shelving member and secured via a slot defined in a shadow box according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an illustration of a rear panel held in place within a frame of a shadow box according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is an illustration of a frame utilized to describe use of perforations defining tabs.

FIG. 27 is an illustration showing one of the open spaces revealed by folding a tab inward being aligned with a hook attached to a rear panel in order to allow for insertion of the hook into the open space.

FIG. 28 is an illustration showing the rear panel held in place against the frame from a front view.

FIG. 29 is an illustration of a background member inserted within a frame of a shadow box.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of a frame holding objects in a closed box embodiment.

FIG. 31 is an illustration of the frame without the panels and or the objects utilized to depict the hole from a bottom perspective view.

FIG. 32 is an illustration of a frame having a hook-and-wire attachment according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33 is an illustration of a shadow box having a shelving member disposed on a bottom side.

FIG. 34A is an illustration showing an attachment for a shadow box realized using a magnet and a metal member disposed in a rear panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 34B is an illustration showing placement of a metal member on a rear panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various disclosed embodiments include shadow boxes having frame support inserts or other support structures as well as accessories for shadow boxes. The shadow boxes described herein are frames which may be made of materials such as, but not limited to, cardboard. For example, various disclosed embodiments may be realized using cardboard which can be produced as manufacturing blanks and assembled into the shadow boxes by folding the manufacturing blanks and inserting any frame support inserts, shelving support inserts, or both. The inserts may likewise be constructed of materials such as cardboard and realized via manufacturing blanks which may be folded into shapes of the supporting structures (for example, substantially rectangular prism shapes).

The frame support inserts discussed herein may be disposed, for example, in one or more hollow sides of a frame of a shadow box in order to reinforce the frame. This reinforcement may allow, for example, maintaining rigidity of the frame even when relatively heavy items (for example, items which weigh about as much or more than the frame itself), multiple items (as a non-limiting example, one or more toys and a comic book), or both, are placed within the frame. As a non-limiting example, plastic action figures or other toys may be placed in a cardboard frame which is reinforced with a pair of cardboard frame support inserts in order to allow the frame to support the weight of the toys. Accordingly, the shadow boxes as described herein may be used to hold and display items such as, but not limited to, figures or other toys, game pieces, books (for example, comic books), ornaments, combinations thereof, portions thereof, and the like.

At least some disclosed embodiments may include a set of tabs in the frame. For example, the frame may have a front side and a back side, and frame may have tabs which are disposed along or otherwise on the back side. The tabs may be utilized to hold items inserted into the frame in place. As a non-limiting example, the tabs may be utilized to hold a comic book within a window of the frame so as to allow for holding the comic book in that window.

The disclosed embodiments may utilize various sets of slots and tabs in order to, for example, lock inserts (which may or may not be decorative) into cavities within a shadow box and optionally hide the inserts from view at certain angles (for example, hiding an insert behind decorative panels when the frame is viewed from the front). This allows the inserts to be manufactured without prints or other decorative materials without taking away from the decorative nature of the frame or other components of the shadow box.

At least some disclosed embodiments may further allow for using one or more shelving support inserts in order to customize the frame with shelving. To this end, the frame may have shelving holes sized and shaped to allow for insertion of portions of shelving support inserts. The shelving support inserts may be, but are not necessarily, made of the same material (for example, cardboard) as the frame, the frame support inserts, or both. When the frame is assembled, the shelving support inserts may be assembled inserted into the shelving holes of the frame in order to set the shelving support inserts as shelves, for example, within the window of the frame. The shelves may be used to further customize display and allow for placing different items at different heights.

The shadow boxes discussed herein may be further enhanced in order to hold items using attachment components such as, but not limited to, buttons, clips, hooks, strings, wires, arm members, combinations thereof, and the like. Such attachment components may be utilized to provide additional flexibility and customization in the manner of display of items, for example by allowing items to be displayed in a more dynamic manner where the items appear to be popping out of the frame. To support such attachment components, in some embodiments, the frame of a shadow box may define one or more apertures. As a non-limiting example, a first portion of a clip may be disposed in such an aperture, and a second portion of the clip may be disposed within a window of the frame and used to hold an item in place.

For example, a button having an adhesive side (for example, a side having an adhesive material disposed thereon which may be allow the adhesive side to stick to objects and hold the button in place) and a convex side (i.e., a side which curves outward, such as outwardly away from the adhesive side) may be affixed to the frame via the adhesive side, and the convex side of the button may hold an item such as, but not limited to, a comic book in place, for example by using a combination of buttons disposed on different portions of the frame to collectively hold the item in a certain position within the frame. Items held in this manner may include, but are not limited to, books or other documents (for example, comic books) portions of shelving (for example, a portion of acrylic shelving held in place via buttons such that another portion of the acrylic shelving may extend from the frame), figures (for example, miniatures game pieces which have substantially flat bases), combinations thereof, and the like.

Various shadow boxes described herein may include or otherwise utilize magnetized elements. For example, according to an embodiment, one or more metal members (for example, members made of steel or another metal which are magnetically attracted to a given magnet) may be disposed in or on the frame of a shadow box, thereby allowing for affixing items to the frame using magnetic force. That is, a metal member may be disposed in or on the shadow box, and the item may include or have affixed thereto a magnet (for example, a rare earth metal magnet) which is magnetically attracted to the metal member. This allows for further customizing the display of items via the disclosed shadow boxes, for example, by including magnetic stands or platforms which may allow items to “pop out” of the frame while still being held in place via the frame. The reinforcement may allow for these magnets, metal members, and held items to be supported via a shadow box whose structural components (i.e., components which define the shape of the frame) are made of cardboard or other lighter weight materials.

Various disclosed embodiments may also be utilized with other accessories such as, but not limited to, lights (for example, light emitting diodes [LEDs]), translucent members, front panels, back panels, combinations thereof, and the like.

The shadow boxes described herein may be flexibly designed and utilized for various purposes such as, but not limited to, displaying figures or other toys, displaying books or portions thereof (for example displaying covers of comic books), storing items (for example, storing wine corks when the shadow box further includes front and back panels which effectively seal the shadow box to prevent the wine corks disposed inside a middle window of the frame from falling forward or otherwise falling out), combinations thereof, and the like.

Additionally, because the shadow boxes discussed herein can be made of cardboard or other materials which are readily imprinted on while still providing sufficient rigidity and the ability to hold relatively heavier items, various disclosed shadow boxes may be customized with unique prints, patterns, logos, quick response (QR) codes or other scannable markers such as barcodes, combinations thereof, and the like. Further, the shadow boxes may be printed as flat sheets of cardboard or other material, which may utilize excess space in order to print instructions (for example, by printing instructions on portions of a rectangular piece of cardboard which are intended to be removed and discarded from the frame during assembly).

Various disclosed embodiments may be realized at least partially using manufacturing blanks. In an embodiment, a manufacturing blank is a piece of material which may be punched out of a mold or otherwise formed from a certain material. In accordance with various disclosed embodiments, the manufacturing blanks may include perforations defining fold lines, empty spaces (for example, holes, apertures, slots, etc.), both, and the like. In at least some embodiments manufacturing blanks may be made of cardboard.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank 100 of a shadow box according to a first embodiment. The manufacturing blank 100 of the shadow box according to the first embodiment is designed for insertion of a pair of frame support inserts (for example the frame support inserts 210-1 and 210-2, FIG. 2) as well as a pair of shelving support inserts (for example, the shelving support inserts 220-1 and 220-2, FIG. 2).

As depicted in FIG. 1, the manufacturing blank 100 includes multiple sections 110 through 150, with each section 110 through 150 corresponding to a respective portion of a frame of a shadow box to be assembled at least by folding the manufacturing blank 100.

The first section 110 may be utilized to realize, for example, a back display panel or other back panel of the frame of the shadow box. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first section 110 includes a set of subsections 111-1 and 111-2 which may be utilized to realize frame support panels which at least partially define hollow sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 100. That is, the subsections 111-1 and 111-2 may be folded in order to define respective cavities in which frame support inserts (for example, the frame support inserts 210-1 and 210-2, FIG. 2) may be inserted.

Each subsection 111-1 and 111-2 (referred to individually as a subsection 111 for simplicity) is now discussed with respect to perforations defined therein. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each subsection 111 includes a first set of perforations 112 through 114 and a second set of perforations 115 through 118. The first set of perforations 112 through 114 may collectively define a fold line over which the respective subsection 111 is to be folded, for example, to be folded for insertion into one of the sides of the frame in order to lock the subsection into that side. The second set of perforations 115 through 118 define slots which are sized and shaped to accept insertion of respective portions of shelving support inserts (for example, the shelving support inserts 220-1 and 220-2, FIG. 2). In the example implementation shown in FIG. 1, each subsection has a first pair of slots 115 and 116 which are used to collectively hold one shelving support insert, and a second pair of slots 117 and 118 which are used to collectively hold another shelving support insert.

In an embodiment, the first section 110 includes a pair of perforation lines 119-1 and 119-2. Each of the perforation lines 119-1 and 119-2 defines a respective tab which may be utilized to lock the back panel realized using the first section 110 into the front panel realized using the second section 120.

The second section 120 may be utilized to realize, for example, a front display panel or other front panel of the frame of the shadow box. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second section 120 includes perforations 121-1, 121-2, 121-3, 129-1, and 129-2. The perforations 121-1 through 121-3 divide the second section 120 at respective locations in order to define shelving panels which may be removed from the manufacturing blank 110 and utilized to cover shelving support inserts (for example but not limited to, the shelving support inserts 220, FIG. 2) in order to form shelves as discussed herein.

That is, the perforations 121 may define locations at which the manufacturing blank may be folded in order to remove at least some of the second section 120 when assembling the shadow box. Further, at least some of the material of the second section 120 which are above the perforation 121-1 and below the perforation 121-3 (as defined with respect to an orientation in which the perforations 121 are oriented vertically with perforation 121-1 at the top and perforation 121-3 at the bottom) may remain after removing the shelving panels, and those remaining material components may be folded into slots of the frame or otherwise folded in order to realize parts of the top and bottom sides of the frame when the frame is oriented vertically in that manner.

To this end, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each of the perforations 121 further has corresponding portions 122, 123, and 124, defining respective tabs. That is, the portions 122, 123, and 124 may be folded within their respective perforations 121 in order to create tabs (not shown in FIG. 1). These tabs, in turn, may be inserted into respective slots of shelving support inserts, support inserts, or both in order to lock the second section 120 into each of the shelving support inserts.

More specifically, in an embodiment, the tabs defined by perforation portions 122-1 and 124-1 may be inserted into corresponding slots of a first support insert (for example, the slots 211-2 and 215-2 of the frame support insert 210-2, FIG. 2) in order to lock the first support insert into a top hollow side of the frame, and the tabs defined by the perforation portion 123-3 may be inserted into a corresponding slot of a second support insert (for example, the slot 211-1 of the frame support insert 210-1, FIG. 2) in order to lock the second support insert into a bottom hollow side of the frame.

Similarly, the tabs defined by the perforation portions 122-1 and 124-1 may be inserted into corresponding slots of a first shelving support insert (for example, slots 221-2 and 222-2 of the shelving support insert 220-2, FIG. 2) and the tab defined by the perforated portion 123-2 may be inserted into a corresponding slot of the first shelving support insert (for example, a slot 223-2 of the shelving support insert 220-2). Likewise, the tabs defined by the perforation portions 122-2 and 124-2 may be inserted into corresponding slots of a second shelving support insert (for example, slots 221-1 and 222-1 of the shelving support insert 220-1, FIG. 2) and the tab defined by the perforated portion 123-3 may be inserted into a corresponding slot of the second shelving support insert (for example, a slot 223-1 of the shelving support insert 220-1).

The second section 120 may be covered in a decorative material or other pattern which is consistent throughout the second section 120 (for example, the same material or pattern throughout, including sections to be removed via the perforations 121) such that the resulting shelving panels removed from the second section 120 may optionally have a consistent visual appearance with the front panel of the frame of the shadow box.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the perforations 129-1 and 129-2 are sized and shaped to accept insertion to the tabs 119-1 and 119-2. That is, the perforations 129-1 and 129-2 may be opened in order to create respective openings which are sized and shaped to accept insertion of the tabs 119-1 and 119-2, thereby locking the back and front panels formed by the first and second sections 110 and 120, respectively, together.

The third section 130 may be utilized to realize a first side panel of a first side among the sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 110 (for example, a side panel covering a right side of the frame).

The fourth section 140 and the fifth section 150 may be collectively utilized to realize a second side panel of a second side among the sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 110 (for example, a side panel covering a left side of the frame). More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fourth section 140 has a set of tabs 141-1 through 141-3 shaped and sized in order to be inserted into a set of slots 151-1 through 151-3, respectively, of the fifth section 150. Accordingly, the tabs 141 and the slots 151 may be utilized to lock the fourth section 140 and the fifth section 150, thereby enclosing the frame.

The manufacturing blank 110 may further include one or more holes 161 through 164 to be used for purposes such as, but not limited to, allowing for insertion of a hook (not shown) or other wall fixture or attachment in order to allow for hanging the shadow box formed via the manufacturing blank 110. For example, the holes 161 and 162 may overlap in order to allow for an insertion of a hook near the top of the shadow box when the shadow box is oriented vertically with the holes 161 and 162 at the top. Holes 163 and 164 may provide additional or alternative locations for attaching the shadow box to a wall or other fixture.

It should be noted that FIG. 1 is depicted as including slots for placing two shelving support inserts according to an embodiment, but that various disclosed embodiments may be realized using a different number of shelving support inserts, for example, by including fewer or additional instances of the perforations 115 through 118 and 121.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank 200 of a set of inserts according to the first embodiment.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the manufacturing blank 200 includes inserts 210-1, 210-2, 220-1, and 220-2. Such inserts include a pair of frame support inserts 210-1 and 210-2 (hereinafter referred to individually as a frame support insert 210 and collectively as frame support inserts 210 for simplicity) as well as a pair of shelving support inserts 220-1 and 220-2 (hereinafter referred to individually as a shelving support insert 220 and collectively as shelving support inserts 220 for simplicity).

The frame support inserts 210 may be utilized to support the frame of a shadow box such as, but not limited to, the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 100. In particular, the frame support inserts 210 may be disposed in hollow sides of the frame in order to provide support and rigidity to the frame. This aids in providing a frame which may be assembled with material such as cardboard while retaining rigidity.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each frame support insert 210 includes a respective set of perforations. Specifically, the frame support insert 210-1 includes a set of perforations 211-1 through 214-1, and the frame support insert 210-2 includes a set of perforations 211-2 through 215-2 and 216. The perforation 211-1 defines a slot which may be sized and shaped to accept insertion of a tab, for example, the tab 123-3 of the manufacturing blank 100, FIG. 1. This may allow the support insert 210-1 to lock into a bottom hollow side of the frame when the frame is oriented vertically with the perforation 121-3 aligned at the bottom of the vertically oriented frame. More specifically, decorative panels formed by folding along the perforation 121-3 may be folded around the support insert 210-1 in order to cover the support insert 210-1 from view, for example, to hide the support insert 210-1 from view at least when the frame is viewed from the front.

The shelving support inserts 220 act as supports for shelving in a shadow box such as, but not limited to, the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 100. More specifically, the shelving support inserts 220 may be inserted into panels which are folded into shelves, thereby providing structural support for the shelves formed via those panels. That is, the shelving support inserts 220 are inserted into cavities defined by respective shelves formed by folding panels of the frame such that the shelving support inserts 220 provide rigidity and support to the shelves. The shelves, in turn, may be realized via panels made of cardboard or other materials while maintaining structural integrity sufficient to hold items thereon. As a non-limiting example, the panels may have front sides with decorative prints that are folded such that the panels of each shelf collectively surround the respective shelving support insert 220-1 or 220-2. To this end, each shelving support insert 220 may be folded into a rectangular structure which may be disposed within and covered by one or more panels of a corresponding shelf in order to reinforce the shelf.

An example illustration showing the insertion of shelving support inserts such as, but not limited to, the shelving support inserts 220, is depicted in and described further below with respect to FIG. 5

It should be noted that the frame support inserts 210-1 and 210-2 as well as the shelving support inserts 220-1 and 220-2 are depicted as part of the same manufacturing blank for example purposes, but that any or all of the inserts 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, and 210-4 may be realized using different manufacturing blanks in accordance with various disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a dieline 300 of an example manufacturing blank designed for insertion of shelving support inserts according to the first embodiment. The dieline 300 shows various example dimensions of certain portions of the manufacturing blank which may be utilized in accordance with at least some disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a shadow box 401 in an assembled state according to the first embodiment. The shadow box 401 includes a frame 410 as well as a pair of shelves 420-1 and 420-2. The frame 410, in turn, has multiple sides 411-1 through 411-4 and is oriented in a vertical orientation with the side 411-1 on top and the side 411-2 on the bottom. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 4, the top side 411-1 and the bottom side 411-2 are hollow sides used for insertion of support inserts as discussed further below. Additionally, the bottom side 411-2 has a shelf 412 realized using a display panel of the bottom side 411-2 wrapped around a support insert (not shown in FIG. 4). The shelves 420-1 and 420-2 are realized using display panels wrapped around shelving support inserts (not shown in FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 410 defines a window 413, and the shelves 420-1 and 420-2 are disposed in the window.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the shadow box 401 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the shelves 420-1 and 420-2 are realized by inserting shelving support inserts 430-1 and 430-2 being inserted, respectively, into respective display panels 421-1 and 421-2.

FIG. 6 is another rear view of the shadow box 401 according to the first embodiment illustrating the shadow box in a partially disassembled state. As depicted in FIG. 6, the display panel 421-2 is unfolded and opened to reveal a set of tabs 422-2 through 424-2. Also depicted in FIG. 6, the shelving support insert 430-2 has been folded and two portions of the shelving support insert are disposed in slots (not shown) of the sides 411-3 and 411-4, respectively. The shelving support insert 430-2 has a set of slots 432-2 through 434-2, wherein each of the slots 432-2 through 434-2 are sized and shaped to allow for insertion of a respective tab among the tabs 422-2 through 424-2 of the display panel 421-2.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank 700 of a shadow box according to a second embodiment.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the manufacturing blank 700 includes multiple sections 710 through 750, with each section 710 through 750 corresponding to a respective portion of a frame of a shadow box to be assembled at least by folding the manufacturing blank 700.

The first section 710 may be utilized to realize, for example, a back display panel or other back panel of the frame of the shadow box. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the first section 710 includes a set of subsections 711-1 and 711-2 which may be utilized to realize foldable panels may be utilized to lock front and back panels of the shadow box together when assembled.

Each subsection 711 includes a set of perforations 712 and 713. The perforations 712 and 713 define fold lines along which the respective subsection 711 may be folded in order to realize a display panel and to allow for insertion of a portion of the display panel to be inserted into a respective hollow side of a shadow box (for example, the top and bottom sides 1011-1 and 1011-2, FIG. 10).

In an embodiment, the first section 710 includes a pair of perforation lines 719-1 and 719-2. Each of the perforation lines 719-1 and 719-2 defines a respective tab which may be utilized to lock the back panel realized using the first section 710 into the front panel realized using the second section 720.

The second section 720 may be utilized to realize, for example, a front display panel or other front panel of the frame of the shadow box. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the second section 720 includes a set of perforations 721-1 and 721-2. The perforations may define fold lines for folding a portion of the front panel of the shadow box in order to realize decorative panels as part of the frame. The perforations 721-1 and 721-2 each have respective portions 722 and 723 which define tabs. The tabs defined by the portions 722 and 723 may be inserted into respective slots of frame support inserts (for example, slots defined by the perforations 811 and 812, FIG. 8) in order to lock the frame support inserts into the frame.

The second section 720 may be covered in a decorative material or other pattern which is consistent throughout the second section 720 (for example, the same material or pattern throughout, including sections to be removed via the perforations 721) such that the resulting shelving panels removed from the second section 720 may optionally have a consistent visual appearance with the front panel of the frame of the shadow box.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the perforations 729-1 and 729-2 are sized and shaped to accept insertion to the tabs 719-1 and 719-2. That is, the perforations 729-1 and 729-2 may be opened in order to create respective openings which are sized and shaped to accept insertion of the tabs 719-1 and 719-2, thereby locking the back and front panels formed by the first and second sections 710 and 720, respectively, together.

The third section 730 may be utilized to realize a first side panel of a first side among the sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 700 (for example, a side panel covering a right side of the frame such as the right side 1011-4, FIG. 10).

The fourth section 740 and the fifth section 750 may be collectively utilized to realize a second side panel of a second side among the sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 700 (for example, a side panel covering a left side of the frame). More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the fourth section 740 has a set of tabs 741-1 and 741-2 shaped and sized in order to be inserted into a set of slots 751-1 and 751-2, respectively, of the fifth section 750. Accordingly, the tabs 741 and the slots 751 may be utilized to lock the fourth section 740 and the fifth section 750, thereby enclosing the frame.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank 800 of a pair of frame support inserts 810-1 and 810-2 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, each frame support insert 810 defines at least a set of perforations 811 through 816. The perforations 811 and 812 of each insert 810 define slots which are sized and shaped to accept insertion of tabs (for example, tabs defined via the portions 722 and 723, FIG. 7). The perforations 813 and 814 may define slots which are sized and shaped to allow for insertion of tabs defined via the perforations 815 and 816, respectively. Accordingly, the perforations 813 through 814 may be utilized to lock a portion of each support insert 810 into another portion of the frame support insert 810 when folded, thereby realizing a structure of the respective frame support insert 810.

It should be noted that the frame support inserts 810-1 and 810-2 are depicted as part of the same manufacturing blank for example purposes, but that any or all of the frame support inserts 810-1 and 810-2 may be realized using different manufacturing blanks in accordance with various disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a dieline 900 of an example manufacturing blank according to the second embodiment. The dieline 900 shows various example dimensions of certain portions of the manufacturing blank which may be utilized in accordance with at least some disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a shadow box 1000 according to the second embodiment in an assembled state. As shown in FIG. 10, the shadow box 1000 includes a frame 1010 having multiple sides 1011-1 through 1011-4. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 10, the left side 1011-3 and the right side 1011-4 are hollow sides in which frame support inserts may be inserted, for example as discussed further below with respect to FIG. 12. The frame 1010 defines a window 1012.

In the example implementation shown in FIG. 10, the sides 1011-1 through 1011-4 of the frame 101 are hollow sides. In a further example, the left side 1011-3 and the right side 1011-4 define cavities which are sized and shaped to allow for insertion of frame support inserts (for example the inserts 810-1 and 810-2, FIG. 8). In an embodiment, the cavities are defined such that the frame support inserts fit snugly within the left and right sides 1011-3 and 1011-4. The sides 1011-1 and 1011-2 may be hollow in order to allow for folding of at least a portions of respective display panels (for example, display panels formed by folding the subsections 711-1 and 711-2, FIG. 7) in order to provide surfaces to be used for display. For example, such folding of a display panel into the bottom side 1011-2 may form a top surface 1013 of the bottom side 1011-2, which may be utilized to place objects for display within the window 1012 and which otherwise forms a surface which may have an aesthetically pleasing surface.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the shadow box 1000 according to the second embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 12 is a side rear perspective view of the shadow box 1000 according to the second embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 12, a frame support insert 1021 is inserted into a display panel of the right side 1011-3.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank 1300 of a shadow box according to a third embodiment.

As depicted in FIG. 13, the manufacturing blank 1300 includes multiple sections 1310 through 1350, with each section 1310 through 1350 corresponding to a respective portion of a frame of a shadow box to be assembled at least by folding the manufacturing blank 1300.

The first section 1310 may be utilized to realize, for example, a back display panel or other back panel of the frame of the shadow box. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the first section 1310 includes a set of subsections 1311-1 and 1311-2 which may be utilized to realize foldable panels may be utilized to lock front and back panels of the shadow box together when assembled.

Each subsection 1311 includes a set of perforations 1312 and 1313. The perforations 1312 and 1313 define fold lines along which the respective subsection 1311 may be folded in order to realize a display panel and to allow for insertion of a portion of the display panel to be inserted into a respective hollow side of a shadow box (for example, the top and bottom sides 1611-1 and 1611-2, FIG. 16).

In an embodiment, the first section 1310 includes a pair of perforation lines 1319-1 and 1319-2. Each of the perforation lines 1319-1 and 1319-2 defines a respective tab which may be utilized to lock the back panel realized using the first section 1310 into the front panel realized using the second section 1320.

The second section 1320 may be utilized to realize, for example, a front display panel or other front panel of the frame of the shadow box. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the second section 1320 includes a set of perforations 1321-1 and 1321-2. The perforations may define fold lines for folding a portion of the front panel of the shadow box in order to realize decorative panels as part of the frame. The perforations 1321-1 and 1321-2 each have respective portions 1322 and 1323 which define tabs. The tabs defined by the portions 1322 and 1323 may be inserted into respective slots of frame support inserts (for example, slots defined by the perforations 1411 and 1412, FIG. 14) in order to lock the frame support inserts into the frame.

The second section 1320 may be covered in a decorative material or other pattern which is consistent throughout the second section 1320 (for example, the same material or pattern throughout, including sections to be removed via the perforations 1321) such that the resulting shelving panels removed from the second section 1320 may optionally have a consistent visual appearance with the front panel of the frame of the shadow box.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the perforations 1329-1 and 1329-2 are sized and shaped to accept insertion to the tabs 1319-1 and 1319-2. That is, the perforations 1329-1 and 1329-2 may be opened in order to create respective openings which are sized and shaped to accept insertion of the tabs 1319-1 and 1319-2, thereby locking the back and front panels formed by the first and second sections 1310 and 1320, respectively, together.

The third section 1330 may be utilized to realize a first side panel of a first side among the sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 1300 (for example, a side panel covering a right side of the frame such as the right side 1611-4, FIG. 16).

The fourth section 1340 and the fifth section 1350 may be collectively utilized to realize a second side panel of a second side among the sides of a frame of the shadow box formed by the manufacturing blank 1300 (for example, a side panel covering a left side of the frame). More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the fourth section 1340 has a set of tabs 1341-1 and 1341-2 shaped and sized in order to be inserted into a set of slots 1351-1 and 1351-2, respectively, of the fifth section 1350. Accordingly, the tabs 1341 and the slots 1351 may be utilized to lock the fourth section 1340 and the fifth section 1350, thereby enclosing the frame.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a manufacturing blank 1400 of a pair of frame support inserts 1410-1 and 1410-2 according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, each frame support insert 1410 defines at least a set of perforations 1411 through 1417. The perforations 1411 and 1412 of each insert 1410 define slots which are sized and shaped to accept insertion of tabs (for example, tabs defined via the portions 1322 and 1323, FIG. 13). The perforations 1413 and 1414 may define slots which are sized and shaped to allow for insertion of tabs defined via the perforations 1415 and 1416, respectively. Accordingly, the perforations 1413 through 1414 may be utilized to lock a portion of each support insert 1410 into another portion of the frame support insert 1410 when folded, thereby realizing a structure of the respective frame support insert 1410.

It should be noted that the frame support inserts 1410-1 and 1410-2 are depicted as part of the same manufacturing blank for example purposes, but that any or all of the frame support inserts 1410-1 and 1410-2 may be realized using different manufacturing blanks in accordance with various disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a dieline 1500 of an example manufacturing blank according to the second embodiment. The dieline 1500 shows various example dimensions of certain portions of the manufacturing blank which may be utilized in accordance with at least some disclosed embodiments.

It should be noted that FIGS. 1 through 15 depict shadow boxes or portions of shadow boxes which are each designed to allow for insertion of two frame support inserts according to certain embodiments, but that various disclosed embodiments may be realized using a different number of frame support inserts. It has been discovered that at least two frame support inserts provides a suitable amount of rigidity of the shadow box when 3D objects are inserted into the shadow box while minimizing the number of pieces needed to manufacture and assemble to create a shadow box, but that other numbers of frame support inserts may be equally utilized in accordance with the principles of the various disclosed embodiments. Some embodiments disclosed herein may function with only a single frame support insert, and other embodiments disclosed herein may utilize more than two frame support inserts without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It should also be noted that each of FIGS. 3, 6, and 9 show respective example dielines which may be utilized in accordance with certain disclosed embodiments, but that the respective embodiments are not necessarily limited to the dimensions shown in each of these figures. Other dimensions may be equally utilized in accordance with at least some disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a shadow box 1600 according to the third embodiment in an assembled state. As depicted in FIG. 16, the shadow box 1600 includes a frame 1610 and multiple sides 1611-1 through 1611-4. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 16, the left side 1611-3 and the right side 1611-4 are hollow sides into which frame support inserts may be inserted. The frame 1610 defines a window 1612.

FIG. 17A is an illustration 1700A of a rear view of a shadow box including a frame 1710 which defines multiple tabs 1721-1 through 1721-4. As depicted in FIG. 17A, the tabs 1721-1 through 1721-4 are positioned such that each of the tabs 1721 at least partially extends into a window 1730 defined in the frame 1710.

FIG. 17B is another illustration 1700B of a rear view of the shadow box including the frame 1710 which has a window panel 1740 disposed therein. The window panel 1740 may be or may include, but is not limited to, a book (for example, a comic book), a portion of a book (for example, a page of a book), a print (for example, a decorative print), and the like. As depicted in FIG. 17B, the window panel 1740 is disposed within the frame 1710 so as to cover the window 1730 (and is therefore not visible in FIG. 17B). The tabs 1721-1 through 1721-4 hold the window panel 1740 in place within the frame 1710, for example, in order to sandwich the window panel 1740 between the tabs 1721 and the sides of the frame 1710.

In some implementations (not shown in FIG. 17B), the window panel 1740 may vertically extend above the window 1730. That is, a height of the window panel 1740 inserted into the frame 1710 may be taller than a height of the window 1730. This may further hold the window panel 1740 in place in order to aid in preventing the window panel 1740 from falling forward through a front side of the window 1730 of the frame 1710. To this end, the frame 1710 may be designed in order to define the window 1730 to have a height that is shorter than a height of a type of window panel intended to be inserted as the window panel 1740 for a given use case. As a non-limiting example, when the frame 1710 is designed to display comic books such that a comic book is intended to be inserted as the window panel 1740, the frame 1710 may be designed such that the window 1730 is slightly less tall than a height of an average comic book.

In some embodiments (not shown), the window panel 1740 may be or may include one or more components made of metal (for example, a metal that is attractive to a magnet made of a rare earth metal) in order to allow for attaching magnetic attachments (not shown) to the window panel 1740 or to a metal component disposed in or affixed to the window panel 1740. This may allow, for example, a magnetic attachment to be held within the window of the frame 1710, thereby allowing for further customization.

FIG. 18 is an illustration 1800 of a shadow box 1810 having two shelving members 1820-1 and 1820-2 held in place via buttons. As shown in FIG. 18, sets of buttons 1830-1 and 1830-2 are adhered, affixed, or otherwise attached to the shadow box 1810. More specifically, in the example implementation shown in FIG. 18, the shelving member 1820-1 is disposed between buttons among the sets of buttons 1830-1 and 1830-2. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 18, the buttons 1830-1 are affixed to the shadow box 1810 via an adhesive (not shown) such as, but not limited to, glue.

FIG. 19 is another illustration 1900 of the shadow box 1810 having shelving members 1820-1 and 1820-2 held in place via buttons. FIG. 19 shows the arrangement of the buttons around a side of the shelving member 1820-1 holding the shelving member 1820-1 in place. In an embodiment, the buttons 1830-1 are arranged so that at least one of the buttons 1830-1 is disposed above a top surface of the shelving member 1820-1 and at least one of the buttons 1830-1 is disposed below a bottom surface of the shelving member 1820-1. In a further embodiment, the buttons disposed above the top surface of the shelving member 1820-1 are spaced apart from the buttons disposed below the bottom surface of the shelving member 1820-1 with a distance roughly corresponding to a thickness of the shelving member 1820-1 such that the shelving member 1820-1 fits snugly between buttons among the buttons 1830-1 as depicted in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 is an illustration 2000 showing a metal member 2020 which may be utilized for an embodiment leveraging magnets in order to provide additional display options as discussed herein. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 20, the metal member is affixed to an interior surface 2010 of a shadow box. It should be noted that the metal member is shown as being affixed to a particular interior surface 2010 in FIG. 20, but that the metal member may be equally affixed or otherwise attached to other interior surfaces of the shadow box without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As a non-limiting example, the metal member 2020 may be taped or glued to the interior surface 2010. The metal member 2020 may be made of a material that is attractive to one or more magnets such that, while the metal member 2020 is inserted within a shadow box, the magnets may be held in place (for example, within a window of a frame of the shadow box) via magnetic force and magnetic attraction to the metal member 2020. In an embodiment, the metal member 2020 is made of steel.

FIG. 21 is an illustration 2100 showing a pair of magnets 2110-1 and 2110-2 held in place via magnetic force and attraction to a metal member (for example, the metal member 2020, FIG. 20). In an embodiment, the magnets are made of a rare earth metal or other material which is highly attracted to the material of which the metal member is made.

FIG. 22 is an illustration 2200 showing the magnets 2110-1 and 2110-2 supporting a shelving member 2210. As shown in FIG. 22, the shelving member 2210 is disposed on top of the magnets 2110-1 and 2110-2 in order to form a shelf disposed within a window of a shadow box.

FIG. 23 is an illustration 2300 showing an attachment for a shadow box realized using a magnet according to an embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 23, an arm attachment member 2310 is attached to a magnet 2320 which is held in place via magnetic attraction to a metal member (not shown) disposed within a shadow box. In an embodiment, the arm 2310 has a joint 2311. In a further embodiment, the joint 2311 is a ball joint. The joint 2311 may allow for further flexibility in displaying items held in place via the shadow box, for example by allowing action figures to be held in positions that appear to be leaping or flying out of a frame.

It should be noted that the particular arm shown in FIG. 23 is a non-limiting example accessory, and that accessories such as attachment members having other shapes or forms may be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other accessories which may be utilized include, but are not limited to, lights (for example, light emitting diodes [LEDs] or other lights used to create a “spotlight” for objects displayed in the shadow box), hook attachments (for example, a hook attached to a wire, where the hook is inserted into a loop of an object such as an ornament in order to suspend the object from above), shelving members (for example, magnets may be built into or attached to the shelving members such that the shelving members are magnetically attracted to metal members within a shadow box), combinations thereof, and the like.

FIG. 24 is an illustration 2400 showing a clip 2420 utilized to secure a shelving member 2410 and secured via a slot 2430 defined in a shadow box according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the clip is sized and shaped in order to secure the shelving member 2430, for example such that a distance between an end of the clip and a surface of the shadow box 2440 is roughly equal to the thickness of the shelving member such that the shelving member 2410 fits snugly between the clip 2420 and the surface of the shadow box 2440.

FIG. 25 is an illustration 2500 of a rear panel 2520 held in place within a frame 2510 of a shadow box according to an embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 25, in an embodiment, the frame 2510 defines a set of tabs 2511-1 through 2511-8 which may be folded upward in order to allow for insertion of the rear panel 2520 and then folded back down in order to secure the rear panel 2520 within a back portion of the frame 2510.

In some embodiments, the rear panel 2520 may be or may include one or more components made of metal (for example, a metal that is attractive to a magnet made of a rare earth metal) in order to allow for attaching magnetic attachments (not shown) to the rear panel 2520 or to a metal component disposed in or affixed to the rear panel 2520. This may allow, for example, a magnetic attachment to be held within the window of the frame 2510, thereby allowing for further customization.

FIG. 26 is an illustration 2600 of a frame 2610 utilized to describe an alternate use of perforations defining tabs 2611-1 through 2611-4 (i.e., an alternate use for these portions as compared to the use depicted in FIG. 25). AS depicted in FIG. 26, the tabs 2611 are folded inward in order to reveal open spaces. The open spaces revealed by folding the tabs 2611 inward may be utilized, for example, to accept insertion of hooks in order to secure a rear panel in the frame 2610. Such insertion of hooks being utilized to secure a rear panel are depicted in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 27 is an illustration 2700 showing one of the open spaces revealed by folding a tab 2611-1 inward being aligned with a hook 2720 attached to a rear panel 2710 in order to allow for insertion of the hook 2720 into the open space. This may allow for securing the rear panel 2710 against a back portion of the frame 2610.

FIG. 28 is an illustration 2800 showing the rear panel 2710 held in place against the frame 2610 from a front view.

FIG. 29 is an illustration 2900 of a background member 2920 inserted within a frame 2910 of a shadow box. As depicted in FIG. 29, the background member 2920 is an acrylic plate held in place via a stand 2930. The background member 2920 may be made of a clear material or a transparent colored material such that one or more lights (not shown) disposed within the stand 2930 may be utilized to illuminate the background member 2920. When the background member 2920 is clear, colored lights may be utilized to change the appearance of the color of the background member 2920. To this end, the stand 2930 may be a light stand including one or more light bulbs (not shown) which may project light in order to illuminate the background member 2920. The light bulbs may be aligned with one or more openings of the stand 2930 in order to allow light to exit the light stand and project through the background member 2920.

FIG. 30 is an illustration 3000 of a frame 3010 holding objects 3020 in a closed box embodiment. The closed box embodiment is realized via a rear panel 3012 and a front panel 3013. In the non-limiting example implementation shown in FIG. 30, the front panel 3013 is transparent in order to allow for viewing the objects 3020 from a front view of the frame 3010, and the objects 3020 are corks. Other objects may be equally utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the rear panel 3012 may be transparent, the front panel 3013 may be opaque, or both, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Also shown in FIG. 30 is a hole 3011 defined in a first side of the frame 3010 such as, but not limited to, the top side. The hole 3011 may be sized to allow for insertion of objects such as the objects 3020. In this regard, the frame 3010 shown in FIG. 30 may be utilized in order to insert several objects in a pile. Non-limiting example objects which might be stored this way include corks, coins, balls, candies, and the like. To this end, the hole 3011 may be a through hole defined in the top side of the frame 3010 which opens into a window of the frame 3010 to allow for passage of objects from outside of the frame into the frame.

FIG. 31 is an illustration 3100 of the frame 3010 without the panels 3012 and 3013 or the objects 3020 utilized to depict the hole 3011 from a bottom perspective view.

FIG. 32 is an illustration 3200 of a frame 3210 having a hook-and-wire attachment according to an embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 32, a wire 3220 is attached to both the frame 3210 and a hook 3230 in order to suspend the hook 3230 in air within a window 3211 of the frame 3210. Also depicted in FIG. 32, the hook 3230 is further attached to an object 3240 in the form of an ornament by inserting the hook 3230 into the object 3240. In some embodiments, the object 3240 has a loop (not shown), and the hook 3230 may be inserted into the loop in order to suspend the object 3240. As a non-limiting example, an ornament may have a wire arranged in a loop attached to a ball or other decorative component of the ornament, and the loop may be disposed in that wire loop.

FIG. 33 is an illustration 3300 of frame 3310 of a shadow box having a shelving member 3320 disposed therein. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 33, the shelving member is a transparent shelving member and may be made of a material such as, but not limited to, acrylic. In another embodiment (not shown), the shelving member 3320 may be made of another material such as, but not limited to, cardboard. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 33, the shelving member 3320 is held via a set of clips 3331 and 3332. Non-limiting example uses of clips which may be utilized in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 33 are also described further above with respect to FIG. 24.

FIG. 34A is an illustration 3400A showing an attachment for a shadow box realized using a magnet and a metal member disposed in a rear panel according to an embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 34A, a frame 3310 of a shadow box has a rear panel 3320-2 affixed to a magnet 3330. The magnet 3330, in turn, is attached to an attachment member in the form of a pole 3340 which extends away from the magnet 3330. The pole 3340 is attached to a case 3350 which may be, but is not limited to, a case designed to hold trading cards or other collectible cards. In this manner, the magnet-and-pole assembly may allow for displaying cards or card-shaped objects within the frame in a manner that makes the cards pop out while hiding the attachment member behind any card disposed within the frame 3310.

FIG. 34B is an illustration 3400B showing placement of a metal member on a rear panel. As depicted in FIG. 34B, the rear panel 3320-1 is attached to a metal member 3360. When fully assembled, the metal member 3360 may be disposed between the rear panels 3320-1 and 3320-2 in order to prevent the metal member 3360 from being visible as depicted in FIG. 34A.

It should be noted that the disclosure refers to a “first embodiment,” “second embodiment,” and “third embodiment” to refer to certain configurations of the shadow box. However, each such embodiment may have further variants, versions, alternative embodiments, or embodiments which otherwise fall within a subset of these broader categories of embodiments. That is, as a non-limiting example, the “first embodiment” is utilized as discussed herein in order to refer to an embodiment in which the shadow box is designed for insertion of one or more shelving support inserts. Other versions or variants of the first embodiment, such as versions of a shadow box designed for insertion of one or more shelving support inserts which have different proportions or are made of different materials than depicted in this application, may be considered as sub-embodiments or alternate embodiment versions of the “first embodiment.” The terms “first embodiment,” “second embodiment,” and “third embodiment” are utilized to distinguish between versions of the shadow box designed for insertion of shelving support inserts, designed for insertion of comic books or other more shallow depth items, and designed for insertion of figures or other items with more depth, respectively.

It is important to note that the embodiments disclosed herein are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed embodiments. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts through several views.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosed embodiment and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosed embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations are generally used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements may be employed there or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise, a set of elements comprises one or more elements.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” followed by a listing of items means that any of the listed items can be utilized individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be utilized. For example, if a system is described as including “at least one of A, B, and C,” the system can include A alone; B alone; C alone; 2A; 2B; 2C; 3A; A and B in combination; B and C in combination; A and C in combination; A, B, and C in combination; 2A and C in combination; A, 3B, and 2C in combination; and the like.

Claims

1. A shadow box, comprising:

a frame having a plurality of sides, wherein the plurality of sides collectively define a window, wherein the plurality of sides includes at least one hollow side, each hollow side defining a cavity, wherein the plurality of sides further includes at least one tab; and

at least one frame support insert disposed in the frame, each of the at least one frame support insert having a respective size and a respective shape, wherein each of the at least one frame support insert is disposed in the cavity of a corresponding hollow side of the at least one hollow side, wherein the cavity of each hollow side is defined based on the size and the shape of the corresponding frame support insert such that each frame support insert fits snugly in the corresponding hollow side.

2. The shadow box of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sides defines at least one slot, further comprising:

at least one shelving support insert, wherein at least one first portion of each shelving support insert is disposed in at least one of the at least one slot, wherein a second portion of each shelving support insert is disposed in the window.

3. The shadow box of claim 1, further comprising:

a shelving member, wherein the shelving member is at least partially disposed in the window, wherein the shelving member is affixed to one of the plurality of sides.

4. The shadow box of claim 1, further comprising:

a metal member disposed in the cavity of a first hollow side of the at least one hollow side; and

a magnet disposed in the window, wherein the magnet is affixed to the first hollow side via magnetic attraction to the metal member disposed in the cavity of the first hollow side.

5. The shadow box of claim 4, further comprising:

an attachment member, wherein the attachment member is affixed to the magnet.

6. The shadow box of claim 5, wherein the attachment member has a light.

7. The shadow box of claim 5, wherein the attachment member includes a wire, further comprising:

a hook affixed to the wire.

8. The shadow box of claim 5, wherein the attachment member includes an arm having a joint.

9. The shadow box of claim 8, wherein the joint is a ball joint.

10. The shadow box of claim 5, wherein the attachment member includes a pole, wherein the pole is attached to a case.

11. The shadow box of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sides has a back portion, further comprising:

a rear panel, wherein the rear panel is affixed to the back portion of each of the plurality of sides.

12. The shadow box of claim 11, wherein the rear panel includes a plurality of hooks, wherein the back portion of each of the plurality of sides defines a hole, wherein each of hook of the rear panel is disposed in a hole of the back portion of a corresponding side of the plurality of sides.

13. The shadow box of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sides includes a front side, further comprising:

a transparent front panel, wherein the transparent front panel is affixed to the front side of the frame, wherein a first side of the plurality of sides defines a through hole, wherein the through hole in the first side goes through the first side and opens into the window.

14. The shadow box of claim 1, wherein the at least one hollow side is at least one first side of the plurality of sides, wherein the frame further comprises a second side of the plurality of sides, wherein the second side defines at least one hole, further comprising:

at least one clip, wherein a first portion of each clip is disposed in a corresponding hole of the at least one hole, wherein a second portion of each clip is disposed in the window.

15. The shadow box of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one button, wherein each button is affixed to a respective side of the plurality of sides of the frame, wherein each button is disposed in the window.

16. The shadow box of claim 15, wherein the at least one button is a plurality of buttons, further comprising:

a shelving member, wherein the shelving member is disposed between the plurality of buttons and a first side of the plurality of sides such that the shelving member is held in place by the plurality of buttons and the first side.

17. The shadow box of claim 16, wherein the shelving member is acrylic.

18. The shadow box of claim 1, further comprising:

a transparent member disposed in the frame; and

a light stand disposed in the frame, wherein the transparent member is affixed to the light stand, wherein the light stand includes a light bulb and defines an aperture, wherein the light bulb is disposed in the light stand such that light from the light bulb shines through the aperture and onto the transparent member.

19. The shadow box of claim 1, wherein a first hollow side of the at least one hollow side has a back portion defining a through hole, wherein the through hole of the first hollow side opens into the cavity of the first hollow side.

20. A manufacturing blank, comprising:

a blank defining a plurality of fold lines, wherein the plurality of fold lines defines a frame such that, when the manufacturing blank is folded along the plurality of fold lines, the manufacturing blank is assembled into the frame, wherein the frame has a plurality of sides defining a window, wherein the plurality of sides includes at least one hollow side, wherein each of the at least one hollow side is sized and shaped based on a size and a shape of a respective frame support insert of at least one frame support insert to be disposed in the frame such that the at least one frame support insert fits snugly in the at least one hollow side when the at least one frame support insert is disposed in the at least one hollow side, wherein the plurality of sides further includes at least one tab.