Combined merchandise display, sound reproduction device and insignia supporting unit

• US 4,222,188 A
• Filed: 09/22/1978
• Issued: 09/16/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fred A. Tarrant, James S. Parsons
• Original Assignee: Fred A. Tarrant, James S. Parsons
• Inventors: Parsons, James S., Tarrant, Fred A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Contreras, Wenceslao J.
• Application Number:
  US05/944,775
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 40/107, 40/455, 40/124.1, 40/45.5, 40/158 R, 40/152.1, 46/34, 46/175 AR, 46/175 R
• US Class Current: 40/717
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/022 combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 40/902 Circuit control, e.g. flashing light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 40/906 Sound

Abstract

A combined sound reproducing device for either music or speech, together with a display for an opaque sheet on which an insignia is defined that may be a work of art, photograph, printed material or the like, and the display being a part of a resonator box that not only amplifies the volume of the sound reproducing device, but the resonator box having a number of spaced recesses defined in the upper portion thereof in which merchandise such as cosmetics or the like may be mounted in an attractive manner to encourage the sale thereof. The sound reproducing device may be either a spring actuated music box or a power driven unit in which a cassette may be removably disposed to have a voice message or music reproduced therefrom. The invention above-defined is particularly adapted for gift purposes, as the recipient not only receives selected merchandise, but also a suitable message or music, as well as an appropriate insignia displayed thereon such as a photograph, work of art, or printed material, which insignia is supported on the invention by a picture frame.

Claims

1. A combined sound reproduction, merchandise display and support for an insignia bearing sheet assembly, said assembly including:

a. a dimensionally stable resonator box that is formed from a resilient sheet material that has a back wall, front wall and a continuous side wall that extends therebetween, said front wall having at least one first recess extending downwardly therein toward said back wall, said front wall, backwall and side wall cooperating to define a confined space therebetween, and said recess capable of having said merchandise removably disposed therein;

b. a sound reproduction device situated within said confined space, and said resonator box serving to amplify the sound from said sound reproduction device when the latter is actuated;

c. first means for actuating said sound reproduction device from the exterior of said resonator box;

d. a flat cover that in a first position overlies said front wall, said cover having marginal edge portions that project outwardly from said cover, said cover when in said first position preventing said merchandise being displaced from said first recess;

e. hinge means that pivotally support said cover from said resonator box and allow said cover to be pivoted to a second position where access may be had to said merchandise in said first recess;

f. second means for removably locking said cover to said resonator box when said cover is in said first position;

g. a flat insignia bearing sheet that overlies said cover and is of substantially the same size and configuration as the latter and is supported in a flat position on said cover;

h. a hollow frame that overlies said insignia bearing sheet, said hollow frame defining an opening therein of such transverse cross-section that at least the major portion of said insignia is visible therethrough; and

i. third means for removably holding said hollow frame on said cover to grip said insignia bearing sheet between it and said cover, with said cover serving the functions of preventing inadvertent displacement of said merchandise from said recess when said cover is in said first position and as support for said insignia bearing sheet when the latter is removably held on said cover by said frame.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1 which in addition includes:

j. support means pivotally secured to said back wall that may be moved from a first position substantially parallel to said back wall to a second outwardly extending position, with said support means cooperating with the portion of said resonator box most adjacent thereto to support said resonator box in an upright position from a flat horizontal surface.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said sound reproduction device is a spring-actuated music box, said music box including a spring-loaded actuating pin that projects outwardly through a first opening in said cover, said pin being contacted by said cover when the latter is in a first position and said pin forced to a first position where said music box is inoperative, and said pin moving to a second position where said music box is operative when said cover is pivoted to said second position.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said sound reproduction device includes:

j. a source of electric power;

k. a continuous electrically driven loop transport unit;

l. a loud speaker; and

m. an electric circuit that connects said source of electricity continuous loop transport unit, loud speaker, and said circuit including normally open spring-loaded switch means that automatically close when said cover is moved to an open position.

5. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said frame is formed from a resilient material and said third means are a pair of engaging members located on opposite sides of said opening in said frame that removably engages said marginal edge portions of said cover.

6. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said frame has a pair of parallel side edges, and said third means is a pair of members of transverse L-shaped cross-section that extend longitudinally, said side edges slidably engage said marginal edge portions, and said frame further including a stop to prevent said frame sliding from said cover.

7. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said cover is transparent.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said fastening means is an engaging member on said cover that removably engages a second opening in said front wall.

9. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said front wall has a plurality of first longitudinally and transversely spaced recesses, each of which recesses is capable of holding a piece of merchandise.

10. An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said resonator box is rectangular in shape and has first and second side walls and a pair of end walls, said end walls having a pair of second recesses therein adjacent said second side wall, said second recesses having axially aligned openings therein and said hinge means being a pair of longitudinally aligned tabs that extend outwardly from said cover and disposed in said second recesses, and said tabs including axially aligned protuberances that project towards one another and pivotally engage said openings in said recesses.