Display device and easel

• US 5,950,341 A
• Filed: 09/09/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Allin Cross
• Original Assignee: James Allin Cross
• Inventors: Cross, James Allin
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Application Number:
  US08/926,093
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 40/755, 40/789, 40/780, 40/786, 40/788, 40/750
• US Class Current: 40/750
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/141 made of sheet material

Abstract

A one-piece paperboard picture frame with self contained easels. The frame is fabricated from a single piece of paperboard divided into three foldable panels which are die-cut according to a predetermined pattern to create a display opening and easels for supporting the frame in a horizontal or vertical orientation. Cutouts for finger holes are provided for use of opening the easels. Mounting holes are provided to enable hanging of the frame in a horizontal or vertical orientation. The frame opening is provided with die-cut flaps which are folded inwardly and secured in die-cut slots to receive and securely hold the photo to be mounted therein in a rectangular opening. The cooperative interconnection of the frame flaps and slots space the front panel from the next adjacent panel and create a depth and a three dimensional aspect to the frame at the display opening in which a photo is to be mounted.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

an integral flat sheet of paperboard material having first, second and third panels approximately equal in size connected by folding joints between adjacent panels, the third panel being adapted to be folded over the second, and the first panel being adapted to be folded over the second and third panels;

the first panel having an opening of a predetermined configuration defined by four foldable flaps die-cut into the sheet and three elongated tabs along each of the free edges of said first panel for being folded over and secured to the rear side of the second panel of the device when the third panel is folded over the second panel and the first panel is folded over the second and third panels;

the second panel having at least one easel and an easel supporting tab die-cut into the panel;

selected edges of the easel and tab being scored instead of die-cut for ease of folding; and

the third panel having four slots each of a predetermined configuration die-cut into the panel, the slots being positioned, shaped and oriented to engage respective ones of the foldable flaps of the first panel when the display device is put into use mounting and displaying a photograph or other pictorial material.

2. A display device according to claim 1 wherein the foldable flaps are arcuately shaped and the opening is generally rectangular, the first pair of flaps having a first length located on opposite sides of the opening and the second pair of flaps having a second length greater than the first length located at right angles to the first pair.

3. A display device according to claim 2 wherein the slots in the third panel have a predetermined configuration for receiving the arcuate flaps and are arranged in opposing pairs, the first pair being of the first length corresponding to the first pair of foldable flaps, and the second pair being of a length greater than the first pair corresponding to the second pair of foldable flaps.

4. A display device according to claim 3 wherein said at least one easel includes a pair of easels die-cut into the second panel, the first easel being oriented to support the display device with its longitudinal axis in a horizontal orientation and the second easel being oriented to support the display device with its longitudinal axis in a vertical orientation.

5. A display device according to claim 4 wherein a first pair of aligned mounting holes are die-cut into the second and third panel for hanging the display device with its longitudinal axis in a horizontal orientation.

6. A display device according to claim 5 wherein a second pair of aligned mounting holes are die-cut into the second and third panels for hanging the display device with its longitudinal axis in a vertical orientation.

7. A display device according to claim 1 wherein the outline of the assembled device is rectangular and the display area is rectangular.

8. A display device according to claim 1 wherein the outline of the assembled device is square and the display area is square.

9. A display device according to claim 1 wherein the foldable flaps are arcuately shaped and the opening is generally square the first pair of flaps having a first length located on opposite sides of the opening, and the second paid of flaps having the same length as the first length located at right angles to the first pair.

10. A display device according to claim 9 wherein the slots in the third panel have a predetermined configuration for receiving the arcuate flaps and are arranged in opposing pairs, the first pair being of the first length corresponding to the first pair of foldable flaps, and the second pair being of the same length as the first pair corresponding to the second pair of foldable flaps.