AU740086B2

AU740086B2 - Display and storage device

Info

Publication number: AU740086B2
Application number: AU83083/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Karen Patricia Lark; Dorothy Mary Syminton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-09-04
Filing date: 1998-09-02
Publication date: 2001-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-02
Also published as: AU8308398A

Description

P/00/01i1 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT a Name of Applicants: DOROTHY MARK SYMINTON and PETER GEOFFREY LARK DOROTHY MARY SYMINTON and KAREN PATRICIA LARK Actual Inventors ADDRESS FOR S1

ALTERED

Address for service is: WR~A* ASSOIA~TES 239 Adelaide-Ttrn-ace, Pcrth, WAA 6000 V~ocLoal~~e ce A Attorney co ae: WR- Invention Title: "Display and Storage Device" Details of Associated Provisional Application P08956 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for the display of artworks and the like.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which may simultaneously display and store one or more artworks and the like, allowing facile exchange thereof.

BACKGROUND ART Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word artwork, or variations such as artworks, will be understood to include craftworks, 0 0 paintings, drawings, illustrations, advertising material, photographs, stamps, 0 i 0:•.10 jigsaws, menus, information sheets, schedules and certificates.

0 0 Artworks are often framed for display. Typically, the intention is that the artwork .will be displayed within the frame for an extended period. Although some o people may place one artwork on top of another within a frame, the purpose of the frame is typically to preserve the displayed artwork only, and there is not provided a specific area to store and preserve further artworks.

o.i An object of this invention is to provide a device which can assume the functions S. of both storage and display with the capacity for quick and easy change or exchange of the stored and displayed artworks.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

-3- DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a storage and display device, the device comprising a frame portion defining a viewing aperture through which one or more pieces of artwork may be displayed, the frame portion having sides extending rearwardly therefrom to receive in telescoping alignment therewith a container portion for storing undisplayed artwork, and having sides of dimensions commensurate with those of the frame portion, the container portion further comprising a lid and at least one substantially flat surface for mounting a said piece of artwork.

10 The container portion may be dimensioned so as to be releasably maintained oo o within the frame portion by frictional engagement. Alternatively, the container *0 portion and frame portion may be releasably engaged by way of releasable engagement means, such as hook and loop style fasteners, such as those known as VELCRO T M or strip magnets.

15 In a preferred form of the invention, a sheet of protective transparent material is provided within the aperture.

Preferably, the lid is hingedly attached to the container. Alternatively however, the container and lid may be similar in shape and configuration and received telescopingly one within the other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is provided with hanging means adapted to facilitate the hanging of such to a wall. Further and still preferably, the hanging means are provided in the form of apertures in a rear surface of the container.

The substantially flat surface of the container portion of the present invention may be provided with means to facilitate the positioning of the, or each, piece of artwork thereon. The means may take the form of a temporary adhesive of -4known type. Preferably, the temporary adhesive is of such a composition so as not to damage or mark the artwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The display and storage device of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to one preferred embodiment thereof and the following drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display and storage device in accordance with the embodiment, shown with a picture displayed therein; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the display and storage device e 10 of Figure 1, showing in particular a container portion adapted to be telescopically received within a frame portion, interposed between which is *a picture; Figure 3 shows the container portion of Figure 2 with a lid in an open position and containing a picture; and Figure 4 is a rear view of the display and storage device of Figure 1, showing in particular apertures designed to facilitate the hanging of such on a wall.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1 illustrates a display and storage device 10 of the embodiment invention comprising a substantially rectangular frame portion 12 having an aperture 14 through which one or more pieces of artwork, for example a picture 16 may be displayed. Situated within the aperture 14 is a sheet of transparent material 18 which is provided to protect the picture 16.

The frame portion 12 is provided with sides 20 extending rearwardly therefrom.

The sides 20 receive in alignment therewith a container portion 22. The container portion 22 has sides 24 of dimensions commensurate with the sides of the frame portion 12, as can best be seen in Figure 2, so that the container portion 22 can be substantially received inside the frame portion 12.

Provided about the sides 20 of the frame portion 12 and the sides 24 of the container portion 22 respectively are complimentary components of VELCRO T M hook and loop style fasteners 26, to secure the container portion 22 inside the frame portion 12 when the display and storage device 10 is used as a picture 10 frame for display of the picture 16, and allowing releasable engagement of the frame and container portions 12 and 22 when it is desired to access undisplayed items in the container portion 22 and/or change the picture 16 being displayed.

As can best be seen in Figure 3, the container portion 22 further comprises a lid o28 hingedly attached thereto, in which an aperture 30 is provided to facilitate the 15 opening and closing thereof, the lid 28 providing a substantially flat surface 32 on which the picture 16 may be mounted. The positioning of the picture 16 on the substantially flat surface 32 may be facilitated by way of known temporary adhesives (not shown). The lid 28 and the container portion 22 define an enclosure 34 in which undisplayed pieces of artwork, for example pictures 36 may be stored As is best illustrated by Figure 4, provided about the rear surface 38 of the container portion 22 are apertures 40, adapted to facilitate the hanging of the display and storage device 10 on a wall or the like.

In use, a user (not shown) separates the frame portion 12 of the display and storage device 10, separating the components of the hook and loop style fasteners 26 in the process, and exposing the substantially flat surface 32 of the container portion 22. Any artwork presently displayed thereon may be removed, -6with care being taken should the artwork be mounted on the substantially flat surface 32 by way of temporary adhesive.

Typically, the user would wish to store the previously displayed picture 16, and opens the lid 28 of the container portion 22 allowing access to the enclosure 34 defined thereby in which the previously displayed artwork may be placed. The user may then select an artwork they wish to display, either from those stored within the container portion 22 of the display and storage device 10 of the present invention, or from another source. Having closed the lid 28 of the container portion 22, the user may position the artwork on the substantially flat 10 surface 32 thereof. The user may wish to use a temporary adhesive to facilitate such.

The frame portion 12 is then placed over the container portion 22 such that the artwork to be displayed is visible through the aperture 14 thereof and such that the hook and loop style fasteners 26 on the sides 20 and 24 of the frame and 15 container portions 12 and 22 respectively are engaged. The artwork is maintained flat, being sandwiched between the substantially flat surface 32 of container portion 22 and the sheet of transparent material 16 of the frame portion 12.

Should the user so wish, the display and storage device 10 of the present invention may be hung on a wall or other such surface by way of engagement of the apertures 40 with a projection therefrom.

It is envisaged that the storage and display device 10 of the present invention may be constructed substantially from covered card, with the window being formed from PVC. The storage and display device may, however, also be constructed from other materials including wood, plastic, glass, metal, acrylics or fabrics.

-7- It is further envisaged that the storage device 10 may be made in a variety of sizes to approximately accord with standard paper sizes.

The display and storage device 10 may also be provided with a handle or the like to facilitate the transport thereof.

The display and storage device 10 may also be provided with one or more border inserts to be interposed between the sheet of transparent material 18 of the frame portion 12 and the picture 16 to complement the display thereof.

It is further envisaged that the substantially flat surface 32 of the present invention may be made of magnetically susceptible material such that articles may be secured thereto by magnetic means. The substantially flat surface 32 *may be covered in felt such that so called felt pictures may be constructed thereon.

The display and storage device 10 of the present invention is particularly advantageous for the simultaneous display and storage of a partially completed 15 jigsaw puzzle whereby the unused pieces are stored in the container portion 22, whilst the assembled pieces are displayed.

•Thus, the present invention allows the simultaneous display and storage of artworks. Whilst for the purposes of exemplification, reference has been made to the storage of artworks, it is to be understood that the applicability of the invention is not so limited. For example, advertising material may be displayed while the product is stored by the present invention.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A storage and display device, the device comprising a frame portion defining a viewing aperture through which one or more pieces of artwork, as defined herein, may be displayed, the frame portion having sides extending rearwardly therefrom to receive in telescoping alignment therewith a container portion for storing undisplayed artwork, and having sides of dimensions commensurate with those of the frame portion, the container portion further comprising a lid and at least one substantially flat surface for mounting a said piece of artwork.

2. A storage and display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the container portion is dimensioned so as to be releasably maintained within the frame portion by frictional engagement.

A storage and display device in accordance with claim 1 in which the container portion and frame portion may be releasably engaged by way of releasable engagement means. o•

4. A storage and display device in accordance with claim 3 in which the releasable engagement means comprise hook and loop style fasteners.

A storage and display device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims in which the lid is hingedly attached to the container.

6. A storage and display device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims in which the container is telescopingly received within the lid.

7. A storage and display device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims in which a sheet of protective transparent material is provided within the viewing aperture. -9-

8. A storage and display device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims in which the container is provided with hanging means adapted to facilitate the hanging of such to a wall.

9. A storage and display device in accordance with claim 8 wherein the hanging means are provided in the form of apertures in a rear surface of the container.

A storage and display device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims in which the substantially flat surface of the container portion of the present invention is provided with means to facilitate the positioning of the, 0 10 or each, piece of artwork thereon.

11. A storage and display device in accordance with claim 9 in which the means to facilitate the positioning of the, or each, piece of artwork thereon is a temporary adhesive.

12. A storage and display device substantially as hereinbefore described with *o 15 reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this second day of September 1998. DOROTHY MARY SYMINTON and PETER GEOFFREY LARK Applicants Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attrneys for -the-Applicant Lo,-~k ADDRESS FOW> SE.RViC- O. o a S5,- C[ole^^ Go\4. i U j