Display box

• US 20110000116A1
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michele Trevison Rain
• Original Assignee: Michele Trevison Rain
• Inventors: Rain, Michele Trevison
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,390 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/724
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/06 Picture frames making from paper B31D
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/0672 employing magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/0688 where the picture is inserted through a slit in one of the frame members

Abstract

A decorative display box having a picture frame lid fitting flush with its storage box base, hinges between the picture frame lid box base being of a type that is hidden when the lid is closed over the box base. A magnetic securing mechanism secures the lid in the closed position with the box base. The picture frame lid having a an inner peripheral picture slot with an edge slot opening thereinto for installing and removing the a picture stack from the frame. A door slide portion of the picture frame lid fits over picture slot adjacent one end of the picture frame and is secured in a closed position therewith by another magnetic securing mechanism.

Claims

1. :

A decorative display box, comprising;

a generally rectangular storage box base (14) comprising four upright side panels (52, 54, 56, 58) mutually interconnected at mating corners (60) and forming therebetween a generally rectangular continuous peripheral box frame (46), and further comprising a generally rectangular base panel (44) interconnected with the four side panels (52, 54, 56, 58) along a bottom edge (62) of box frame (46) and cooperating therewith for defining an interior cavity (50) having a generally rectangular opening (48) thereinto;

a generally rectangular picture frame (16) comprising a peripheral picture frame (18) having a front surface (20) and a back surface (96), the front surface (20) framing a picture display opening (22) therein defining a display area (24), and an inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) surrounding and communicating with the picture display opening (22), the inner peripheral slot (98) being configured for receiving and securing therein a picture (12) and at least partially exposing the picture (12) in the display area (24) defined by the picture display opening (22);

a hinge mechanism (74) pivotally connecting adjacent hinged edges (75, 78) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18), whereby the picture frame (16) cooperates to form a lid for the storage box (14) with the hinge mechanism (74) operable for pivoting the picture frame (16) between a closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14) with the peripheral picture frame (18) in substantially continuous contact with the peripheral box frame (46), and an open position uncovering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14) with the peripheral picture frame (18) displaced from contact with the peripheral box frame (46); and

a magnetic securing mechanism (80) positioned between opposing edges (92, 90) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) opposite from the hinged edges (76, 78) thereof, the magnetic securing mechanism (80) being operable for securing the picture frame (18) in the closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14).

2. :

The display box of claim 1, wherein the magnetic securing mechanism (80) further comprises a pair of rare earth magnets (86), with one of the pair of magnets (86) embedded in each of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18), the pair of magnets (86) being relatively positioned interact magnetically when the picture frame (16) is in the closed position.

3. :

The display box of claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the outer peripheral edge surface (92) of the peripheral box frame (46) are substantially flush when the picture frame (16) is in the closed position.

4. :

The display box of claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism (74) further comprises a hidden hinge mechanism that is completely enclosed between mating surfaces of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the peripheral box frame (46) when the picture frame (16) is in the closed position, whereby the hinge mechanism (74) is invisible when the picture frame (16) is in the closed position.

5. :

The display box of claim 1, wherein the picture frame (16) further comprises a slot opening (94) through the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96), the slot opening (94) communicating with the inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) and being substantially continuous therewith.

6. :

The display box of claim 5, wherein the slot opening (94) and the inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) are further adapted for receiving a picture stack (112).

7. :

The display box of claim 6, wherein the picture frame (16) further comprises a door member (36) slidingly interconnected therewith along the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) thereof adjacent to the slot (94) opening therethrough.

8. :

The display box of claim 7, wherein the picture frame (16) further comprises a dovetail joint (104 between the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the door member (36), the door member (36) further comprising a flaring tenon (100), and the edge surface (90) of the peripheral frame further comprising a mating mortise (102).

9. :

The display box of claim 8, further comprising a magnetic securing mechanism (106) operable between the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the door member (36), and wherein the magnetic securing mechanism (106) further comprises a pair of rare earth magnets (108), with one of the pair of magnets (108) embedded in each of the edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the door member (36), the pair of magnets (18) being relatively positioned for interacting magnetically when the door member (36) is in a closed position substantially juxtaposed with the slot opening (94) through the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18).

10. :

The display box of claim 1, further comprising one or more fingerhole indentations (88) between opposing edges (82, 84) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) opposite from the hinge mechanism (74).

11. :

A decorative display box, comprising;

a storage box base (14) comprising a generally rectangular peripheral box frame (46), and further comprising a generally rectangular base panel (44) interconnected with the peripheral box frame (46) along a bottom edge (62) thereof and cooperating therewith for defining an interior cavity (50) having a generally rectangular opening (48) thereinto;

a generally rectangular picture frame (16) cooperating with the storage box (14) for forming a lid therefor, the picture frame (16) comprising a peripheral picture frame (18) having a front surface (20) and a back surface (96), the front surface (20) framing a picture display opening (22) therein defining a display area (24), and an inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) surrounding and communicating with the picture display opening (22), the inner peripheral slot (98) comprising means for receiving and securing therein a picture (12), and wherein the picture (12) is at least partially exposed in the display area (24) defined by the picture display opening (22);

a hinge means (74) for pivotally connecting the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18), the hinge mechanism (74) being operable for pivoting the picture frame (16) between a closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14), and an open position uncovering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14); and

a magnetic securing means (80) for securing the picture frame (18) in the closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14), the magnetic securing means (80) being positioned between opposing edges (92, 90) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) opposite from the hinge means (74).

12. :

The display box of claim 11, wherein the magnetic securing means (80) for securing the picture frame (18) in the closed position further comprises a pair of magnets (86), with one of the pair of magnets (86) embedded in each of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18), the pair of magnets (86) being relatively positioned interact magnetically when the picture frame (16) is in the closed position.

13. :

The display box of claim 12, wherein dimensions of the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and dimensions of the outer peripheral edge surface (92) of the peripheral box frame (46) are substantially identical.

14. :

The display box of claim 13, wherein the hinge means (74) further comprises a pair of hidden hinges positioned between mating surfaces of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the peripheral box frame (46), whereby the hinge means (74) is invisible when the picture frame (16) is in the closed position.

15. :

The display box of claim 11, wherein the inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) is further adapted for receiving thereinto a picture stack (112), the picture stack (112) comprising the picture (12), a transparent protective viewing lens (40) and a support substrate (110); and

wherein the picture frame (16) further comprises a slot opening (94) through the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96), the slot opening (94) communicating with the inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) and adapted for receiving the picture stack (112) therethrough and into the inner peripheral slot (98).

16. :

The display box of claim 15, wherein the picture frame (16) further comprises a securable door member (36) slidingly interconnected therewith along the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) thereof adjacent to the slot (94) opening therethrough; and

further comprising a magnetic securing means (106) operable between the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the door member (36), and wherein the magnetic securing means (106) further comprises a pair of magnets (108), with one of the pair of magnets (108) embedded in each of the edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the door member (36), the pair of magnets (18) being relatively positioned for magnetically securing the door member (36) is in a closed position substantially covering the slot opening (94) through the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18).

17. :

A method for displaying a picture and storing additional pictures, the method comprising;

(a) providing a storage box base (14) comprising interconnecting a generally rectangular base panel (44) along a bottom edge (62) of a generally rectangular peripheral box frame (46) and cooperating therewith for defining an interior cavity (50) having a generally rectangular opening (48) thereinto;

(b) for cooperating with the storage box (14), providing a generally rectangular picture frame lid (16) comprising a peripheral picture frame (18) formed between a front surface (20) and a back surface (96), framing a picture display opening (22) in the front surface (20) with the picture display opening (22) defining a display area (24), and providing an inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) surrounding and communicating with the picture display opening (22) and adapting the inner peripheral slot (98) for receiving and securing therein a picture (12) at least partially exposed in the display area (24) defined by the picture display opening (22);

(c) interconnecting a hinge mechanism (74) between the storage box (14) and the picture frame (16) for pivotally connecting the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) in a manner such that the hinge mechanism (74) is operable for pivoting the picture frame (16) between a closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14), and an open position uncovering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14);

(d) operating a lid securing mechanism (80) between opposing edges (92, 90) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) opposite from the hinge mechanism (74) for generating a securing force (95) adapted for securing the picture frame (16) in the closed position relative to the storage box (14);

(e) applying an opening force (93) between the opposing edges (92, 90) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) opposite from the hinge (74) for overcoming the securing force (95) of securing mechanism (80);

(f) operating the hinge mechanism (74) for pivoting the picture frame (16) from the closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14) and into the open position uncovering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14); and

(g) operating the hinge mechanism (74) for pivoting the picture frame (16) from the open position uncovering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14) and into the closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14); and

(h) operating the securing mechanism (80) for securing the picture frame (18) in the closed position covering the opening (48) into the interior cavity (50) of the storage box (14).

18. :

The method of claim 17, further comprising embedding the securing mechanism (80) in opposing edges (92, 90) of the peripheral box frame (46) and the peripheral picture frame (18) opposite from the hinge mechanism (74).

19. :

The method of claim 18, further comprising combining the picture (12), a transparent protective viewing lens (40) and a support substrate (110) into a picture stack (112);

wherein providing a generally rectangular picture frame lid (16) further comprises adapting the inner peripheral slot (98) for receiving and securing therein the picture stack (112) having the picture (12) at least partially exposed in the display area (24) defined by the picture display opening (22);

wherein adapting the inner peripheral slot (98) for receiving and securing therein the picture stack (112) further comprises forming a slot opening (94) through the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) communicating with the inner peripheral slot (98) between the front and back frame surfaces (20, 96) and adapting the slot opening (94) for receiving the picture stack (112) therethrough and into the inner peripheral slot (98).

20. :

The method of claim 19, with the picture stack (112) received into the inner peripheral slot (98) of the picture frame lid (16), further comprising slidingly interconnecting a securable door member (36) with the picture frame lid (16) along the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) thereof adjacent to the slot opening (94) therethrough and substantially completely covering the slot opening (94); and

operating a door member securing mechanism (106) between the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and the door member (36) for securing the door member (36) in a closed position substantially covering the slot opening (94) through the outer peripheral edge surface (90) of the peripheral picture frame (18) and securing the picture stack (112) within the inner peripheral slot (98) with the picture (12) at least partially exposed in the display area (24) defined by the picture display opening (22).