GB2494424A - Holder for displaying plates - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for displaying collectable and souvenir plates 100 comprises a detachable stand, 2 a frame having a perimeter 1 and a plurality of extendable nubs 3 disposed about the perimeter, the nubs being provided with plate engagement surfaces to retain plates within the device. The perimeter is preferably annular and may have a hole 4 allowing the frame to be hung or mounted on a surface such as a wall. The nubs may be extended through the perimeter in a tangential fashion towards a common centre and may be adjusted by means of a rack and pinion mechanism. In use, the device allows a user to display both sides of a plate and be able, for example, to display a maker stamp on the plate's bottom face as well as its upper face design.

Description

A FRAME

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to frame, more particularly a frame disposed for holding plates.

Background

Perhaps due to increasing sales avenues such as the World Wide Web and more numerous media outlets, shows and channels that cover such material; allied to an ever expanding historical selection, increasing numbers of people collect an increasing variety of items.

Chinese porcelain dates from 600 AD but in the 18th Century European potteries came into being. A traditional practice of monarchs and royalty of collecting and displaying porcelain plates, in the 19th century then became affordable due to improved production techniques.

The practice of collecting souvenir plates in particular became popular in the late 1800's. Many ways to store and display these plates have been considered and used, but none has successfully allowed users to display their plates for easy viewing and handling.

Typical ways to display plates include square or rectangular box frames. Often a user wishes to display both sides of a plate, for example to display a maker stamp to the plate's bottom face as well as its upper face design.

Square box frames have glass panels on either side therefore. The combination of glass and a correspondingly heavyweight box mean that these frames are expensive and heavy in use.

Furthermore these frames do not allow a user or viewer to handle or touch the plates.

This may not be desirable in all situations, where a number of steps, including removal of the glass, will need to be undertaken before a user can remove the plate from the frame.

A further disadvantage of many plate holders or stands is the presence of springs or resiliently deformable members, wherein the plate is held with such. These may damage the plate edges, surface, perimeter or rim.

Alternatively the use of simple wire stands risks damage to the plate from toppling and from tension in the wire.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed and granted in the past in an effort to deal with this problem or similar, including the following: German patent application DE 3 411 220 (VERZIGHT). discloses a device whereby an ornamental plate is concentrically and fixedly retained in a box-shaped protective frame. The protective frame serves both for hanging up the plates and for standing them upright, and forms a decorative frame around the ornamental plate. The plate is mounted by means of mountings which engage on its edge and are guided in radial slots, in which they can be locked.

French patent application FR 2 787 981 (MONTELIMARD) discloses a fine arts enclosure and presentation box has an outer box with an inner compartment. The walls between the inner and outer compartment have low weight strut supports. The art object (a plate in this case) has a springy section holding the plate in place.

United Kingdom patent application GB 247 693 (HORACE) discloses a bracket for securing an electric fan pedestal to a wall comprises a wall plate a provided with three radiating arms, two of which are formed as hooks c at their extremities whilst the third arm is formed with a housing d for a spring operated sliding bolt-hook United States patent application US 4 457 484 (HAMEISTER) discloses a mounting assembly is for supporting a plate in an attitude suitable for display. The assembly includes a frame having a first generally flat and circular inner plate portion and a second integral curved outer rim portion around the outer periphery of the plate portion. Together the portions form a generally concave shaped cavity for receiving a plate on the inner surface thereof. A plurality of elongated slots are provided in and extend through the rim portion. Each slot extends from the outer edge of the rim portion towards the plate portion. A plurality of radially spaced apart protuberances are located on the outer surface of the rim portion along a longitudinal edge of each slot. An adjustable clip is slidable in each slot, with each clip including a cradle adapted to receive and to engage a peripheral edge portion of a plate when mounted thereon. Each clip has a generally flexible arm engageable with the outer surface of the rim portion and with one of the protuberances to be retained thereby in an adjusted position to hold the plate.

In contrast the present invention provides a lightweight, less expensive solution to displaying plates, which allows for variety in display locations and attitudes, and furthermore permits a user to access the plate and/or touch it whenever s/he wishes.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a frame disposed for holding plates, comprising a perimeter and a plurality of extendable nubs disposed about the perimeter with plate engagement surfaces.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the nubs are provided about the perimeter and are extended by rotation in tangential directions towards the centre of the frame.

In preferred embodiments the perimeter is formed of wood or metal and provides a decorative framing function to a plate held by the nubs. In addition it is envisaged that the perimeter will allow labelling or numbering, potentially by provision of a separately provided labels or name plate. Ideally the stand is provided in equivalent materials According to a third aspect of the present invention the perimeter is annular, circular or oval.

Typically there are provided at least three but preferably four nubs wherein said nubs support and fix a circular plate in place. In particular indentations or grooves allow the plates' edge to be held in place. Ideally therefore the groove is tapered in order that a variety of plate depths may be accommodated accordingly and a held plate is less likely to slide off the nub.

The nubs are typically envisaged to be wooden dowels. Wood or another material such as rubber or plastic is preferred to metal as such materials are less inclined to damage the plate edge. Some embodiments may have coated metal, such as powder coated steel.

The nubs may be separately extended, such as by use of a hex bolt adjustment screw thread. The plate held may then be centred as appropriate by adjustment and extension of a plurality of the nubs.

Some embodiments may extend nubs simultaneously by cooperation, and inclusion of a central or core extension mechanism which operates on all flubs at once.

These embodiments may extend all nubs simultaneously or only some. In some further embodiments there are provided a combination of extension mechanisms, including screw thread, sprung, detachable or hinged.

Some embodiments may have flubs that pass through the perimeter, whereby a user can extend the nub from the perimeters outside. This may be means of a thumb screw.

Ideally the frame may be placed in its stand and located on a surface such as a table, mantle or dresser. The stand presents the plate for view, ideally from both sides.

Accordingly the stand is disposed to hold the frame securely and typically at an angle from vertical.

Some embodiments may have variation in the angle from vertical that they allow to hold the frame.

This combination allows a circular frame outer to be held to prevent rolling. Further features may be included to enable this, such as indentations or projections on the frame or stand that correspond to opposing indentations or projections of the stand or frame.

Yet further embodiments may have resiliently deforniable seals or catches, such that the frame may be clipped into place in the stand when required.

The preferred embodiments of the stand are ideally weighted to ensure that the frame will not topple out of the stand. Yet further embodiments of the stand may have multiple situations for multiple frames, for example allowing the frame to be disposed at a variety of angles on the stand.

Preferred embodiments of the frame have at least one lacuna or lanyard attachment point, allowing the frame to be hung on a surface or wall if and as required. Ideally this point or lacuna is disposed to have insertion and an engagement portions. A rubber insert may be included to engage a nail or screw head.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the ad, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present inventton.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the frame in a preferred embodiment of the stand; Figure 2 shows a frontal isometric view of the preferred embodiment with stand; Figures 3 show a side view and bottom view of the preferred embodiment with stand; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the stand; and Figure 5 shows an underneath view of the preferred embodiment of the stand.

Detailed Description of Figures

In the pictured and preferred embodiment the frame has a varnished oak perimeter 1, covered or surrounded by a satin-finished aluminium carapace 10.

This surrounds the perimeter 1 on its outermost face 10, wherein the perimeter has sufficient depth to accommodate the plate (100) depth, and the carapace 10 prevents damage to the perimeter 1, as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing finish.

The nubs 3 in the pictured and preferred embodiment are wooden dowels that may be moved manually by rotation. This rotation may be accomplished by means of a hex head bolt key.

In the pictured embodiment the flubs are moved by rotation of a hex key in holes 30 located to the frame's rear. Further embodiments may have nubs that pass through the perimeter I and carapace 10. Yet further embodiments may have detachable carapaces to ensure that no tightening holes are visible when the plate is positioned and the frame in use.

Each nub 3 is independently controlled in the pictured embodiment although mechanisms may be envisaged for interconnectedness. Independent control allows the plate to be centred and a secure hold accomplished.

A screw hole 4 is located to the rear as visible in Figure 1. This preferably has a rubber or plastic insert for hanging the frame on a surface or wall. Alternatively other configurations may be utilised which allow a reversible sliding engagement of nail or screw heads.

In some embodiments some nubs 3 may be fixed, wherein the user may insert the plate into the fixed nubs first and tighten others as appropriate.

The stand 2 is made from satin-finished aluminium and may be used for displaying the plate on a horizontal surface. Rubber feet may be provided for avoidance of damage to the surface.

Due to the stand's shaping it may be envisaged that the frame may be located in the stand in a plurality of attitudes, varying the plate's presentation angle to a viewer.

For example the plate reception space 20 may be deeper than the plate 100. Yet further embodiments may allow angling of the frame through another mechanism or configuration.

Further embodiments of the stand may allow rotation of the frame within the stand.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A frame disposed for holding plates, comprising a perimeter, a detachable stand, and a plurality of extendable nubs disposed about the perimeter with plate engagement surfaces.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein the nubs are provided about the perimeter and extended by rotation.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A frame according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the nubs extend under rotation in tangential directions towards the centre of the frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A frame according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the perimeter is annular.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A frame according to any of the preceding claims wherein the nubs are provided on a rack and pinion mechanism.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A frame according to any of the preceding claims wherein the nubs pass through the perimeter, whereby a user can extend the nub from the perimeter's outside.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A frame according to any of the preceding claims wherein a lacuna is provided for surface hanging.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A frame according to any of the preceding claims wherein a stand is separately provided.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A frame according to any of the claim 8 wherein the stand is weighted to prevent toppling.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A frame according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the stand is rotatable.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A stand according to claims 8 to 10.</claim-text>