GB2514852A

GB2514852A - A magnetic storage and display device comprising an image

Info

Publication number: GB2514852A
Application number: GB201310273A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patricia Cresswell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-07
Filing date: 2013-06-07
Publication date: 2014-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-07
Also published as: GB2514852B; GB201310273D0

Abstract

A magnetic display device 10 for items, wherein the display comprises a magnetic backboard 12 having a permanent magnetic characteristic and a planar front surface 16. The device further comprises a frame comprising a front frame member 22 dimensioned to overlap at least a portion of the front surface of the backboard. The frame further comprises retaining means 24 to retain the front surface adjacent to the front frame member. The device further comprises an image 18 associated with the front surface and visible from the front of the display device, such that magnetic or magnetisable items are held by the backboard in front of the image. The device may be provided a transparent cover 20 to protect the image as well as magnetic holders 30 and/or hooks 34 to allow for display of non magnetic articles.

Description

A magnetic storage and display device comprising an image

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to decorative storage and display devices for small items, such as jewellery, and in particular to storage and display devices for small items using magnetic force to retain the items or holders for the items.

Background

Magnetic display devices are known in which magnetic force is used to retain an object or image against a surface, for example as in fudge magnets or magnetic retaining devices used to hold flat items such a she!ts of paper or images against a magnetisable surface, such as a ferromagnetic sheet forming, for example forming pad of an appliance. Picture frames are known in which an image is held between a front frame member and a backboard by clips or other retaining means, and hookboards are known in which items such as keys may be suspended, and these may comprise an image as a backdrop. The present invention aims to provide a decorative means for storage and display of small items such as jewellery against an image backdrop, using magnetic retaining force to hold and support the items.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: * S S MY20P120070206 discloses a magnetic jewellery holder comprising a cylindrical rod extending upwards from a base and comprising a plurality of magnets, the holder being adapted to hold magnetisable jewellery onto or around the rod.

KR20110031580 discloses a digital jewelry case is provided to selectively use the functions of the case as a digital picture frame or a mirror by including an electro-magnetic picture frame and a luminance sensor on the case, in which as digital jewellery case includes a main body (10), a sensor (12), a lid (20), a luminance sensor (21), a frame unit (30), and an electro-magnetic picture frame (40). The main body includes a space in the inside, and a drawer unit (11) on the lower side. The sensor detects the opening and closing of the drawer unit. The lid is located on the upper side of the main body. The luminance sensor is located on the inside of the lid.

The frame unit is fixed to the predetermined angle when the lid is opened. The electro-magnetic picture frame is attached to the front side of the frame unit.

US20100243484 discloses an article display and method of use thereof, comprising a magnetic article display for releasably attaching two or more jewellery displays together or to a platform, to provide an article display set, wherein any display can be easily separated from the article display set; thereby providing for individual viewing of the removed article display andlor rearrangement of the remaining article displays within the article display set.

This device comprises a magnetic base panel and a number of jewellery holding modules that mount magnetically onto the base panel and into which jewellery items slot. Jewellery items themselves are not held magnetically, and the modules area adapted to have recesses into which jewellery items fit, rather than having features from which they may hang, and the modules are not adapted to hold items in place by trapping them magnetically against the base panel. No image is disclosed as forming part of the display.

FR2905508 discloses a display case that has a base panel or plate with a flexible multipolar magnetic rubber sheet forming a base surface with parallel bands having alternate polarities. Intermediate supports have flexible multipolar magnetic rubber sheets forming support surfaces with parallel bands having alternate polarities. The same polarity bands of the surfaces have identical width to form magnetic notching ensuring a controlled orientation of the supports relative to the base surface at unspecified place of the base surface. * *

As above, this device is for mounting modules that may contain items.

U820050269216 discloses a magnetic display device for displaying jewellery, such S...

as a ring including a display base. A magnetic member is mounted on or in the display base; and a metallic member is attached to the ring. The metallic member is magnetically attached to the magnetic member to display the jewellery or ring in an upstanding manner on the display base.

This device requires a magnetic item to be attached to the items on display and is limited to displaying rings upright. It does not comprise an image as part of the display.

U56557377 discloses a small frame apparatus which is suitable for use with a necklace or other item of jewellery in which a small display, such as a miniature work of art or photograph, may be secured. The display is adhered to a small metallic plate which may be inserted into the frame and then held in place by a magnet, which is mounted proximate to and rearward of the metallic plate.

This device uses magnetic force to retain an image as part of a piece of jewellery, rather than providing a display device for jewellery.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a magnetic display device for items comprising: --a magnetic backboard having a permanent magnetic characteristic and a planar front surface; a frame comprising a front frame member dimensioned to overlap at least a portion of the front surface of the backboard, in which the frame further comprises retaining means to retain the front surface of the backboard adjacent to the front frame member, and an image provided associated with the front surface and visible from the front of the display device, such that magnetic or magnetisable items are held by the backboard in front of the image. * .

* In one embodiment the image is formed or mounted on the front surface of the backboard.

Preferably the display device comprises an image sheet positioned in front of the S.. * front surface of the backboard held in place by the frame.

S

In a preferred embodiment the backboard has a permanent magnetic characteristic over substantially its entire area.

In some embodiments the backboard comprises material of substantially a single magnetic polarity.

In one embodiment the backboard comprises a sheet of permanent magnetic material.

In one embodiment the backboard comprises a sheet of magnetisable material and the display device comprises one or more permanent magnets that act in use to magnetise the said sheet.

Herein a magnetisable material is any material in which a magnetic moment may be induced and which experiences a force tending to move it towards a magnet, and may comprise a ferromagnetic material, such as an iron-containing material.

In a further embodiment the backboard comprises first areas of a first magnetic characteristic and second areas of a second magnetic characteristic.

In one embodiment the backboard comprises first areas having a permanent magnetic characteristic and second areas capable of being magnetised..

In one embodiment the backboard comprises first regions having a first permanent magnetic polarity and second regions having a second permanent magnetic polarity.

In one embodiment the front frame member comprises an aperture and a frame border surrounding the aperture, the aperture being smaller in each dimension than 4e..

* * the front surface of the backboard. * *

S

S..... * S

In a further embodiment the front frame member comprises a transparent material :.:::. covering at least a portion of the front surface of the backboard.

**** In various embodiments the display device further comprises an image sheet located between the frame front member and the front surface of the backboard.

The image sheet is not limited to any specific format or material and may be of any substantially planar form, such as a printed sheet on paper, plastic or fabric.

In one embodiment the device comprises a transparent front surface cover sheet to protect the image sheet.

In one embodiment the display device comprises a mount sized to surround the image sheet and preferably to overlap its edges.

In preferred embodiments the retaining means comprises removable clip means operable to hold the front frame member adjacent to the backboard In further embodiments the retaining means comprises magnetic means. In one embodiment the front frame member comprises magnetic material and is adapted to be held against the backboard magnetically. In one embodiment the mount comprises magnetisable material and is adapted to hold the image sheet against the backboard magnetically.

In this way the display device provides a magnetised image surface having a front surface plane defined by one of the front of the image sheet, the front surface of the cover sheet where present, and the front surface of the front frame member where this is transparent and covers the image sheet, onto which magnetic or magnetisable objects may be placed and be held in position magnetically. The display device is for example in the form of a conventional framed picture, the image sheet forming the background against which the magnetic objects may be displayed. In a typical application the objects may comprise jewellery. The image sheet may be chosen appropriately to suit the objects to be displayed and may be chosen by a user to personalise the display device.

In some embodiments the display device further comprises oneor more magnetic holders having a flat mounting surface adapted to bear on the front surface plane of the display device and to be held in place by magnetic attraction to the backboard.

*... -In some embodiments a magnetic holder comprises a permanent magnet.

In some embodiments a magnetic holder comprises a magnetisable material.

In some embodiments a holder comprises a recess in one surface extending from the mounting surface so being operable as a hook to support an object on display.

In this way the holder may be used as a hook means, magnetically supported on the display device and movable on that surface. A holder may be used to support an object by trapping a part of the object between the mounting surface and the front surface plane of the display device.

In some embodiments the display device comprises an ornamental front frame member in the manner of a picture frame.

In some embodiments the display device comprises one or more hooks mounted on the front frame member from which objects may be hung.

In some embodiments the display device further comprises one or more bag means adapted to be hung on the said hooks. In this way the display device can be used to store non-magnetic or non-magnetisable items.

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 F" deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thi drawings and described in the specification * . are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. * *. * . *

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 DescriDtion of Figures Figure 1 shows a three quarter view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures 1 and 2, an embodiment 10 of a magnetic display device according to the invention comprises a magnetic backboard 12 having a permanent magnetic characteristic and a planar front surface 16, a frame comprising a front frame member 22 dimensioned to overlap the edges of the front surface of the backboard and retaining means to retain the said front surface adjacent to the front frame member, such that in use an image sheet 18 may be placed in contact with the front surface of the backboard and held in place by the frame. The display device comprises a mount 24 surrounding an image on the image sheet and a transparent front surface cover sheet 20 to protect the image sheet.

In this embodiment the backboard has a permanent magnetic characteristic over substantially its entire area and comprises a sheet of permanent magnetic material.

For example, the backboard may comprise a sheet of permanently magnetic polymer-bonded material as known in the art, or may comprise a sheet or layer of permanently magnetised ferromagnetic material. The retaining means comprises removable clip means operable to hold the front frame member adjacent to the backboard as known in the art for picture frames.

In this way items of jewellery 26 that are magnetisable may be displayed on the front surface of the display device.

This embodiment further comprises one or more magnetic holders 30 comprising a magnetic material and having a fIat mounting surface adapted to bear on the front surface plane of the display device and to be held in place by magnetic attraction to the backboard. The magnetic material may be a permanent magnet having a polarity opposite to that of the backboard or may be a magnetisable ferromagnetic material.

In this embodiment the display device comprises a front panel 32 forming part of the front frame member comprising one or more hooks 34 from which objects may be hung, for example a pouch or bag 36.

The display device comprises support means 38 adapted to allow it to be hung on a wall. Support means 38 may be mounted on the backboard or on the front frame member, for example in this embodiment the front frame member may surround the backboard1 the backboard mounting into a recess within the rear of the front frame member in the manner of prior art picture frames, and the support means 38 may for example screw into the rear surrounding portion of the front frame member.

The display device may be provided in a range of sizes to suit different image sizes, as in present picture frames. For according to the embodiment sizes might include 34" x 26" -large; 17" x 13" -medium; 8.5" x 6.5" -small, and 8" x 18" -a thinner frame which can be used either in landscape or portrait format where there is limited wall space.

It is envisaged that the display device may be provided with an image in place, or may be provided in a form where the backboard may be demounted from the front frame member to allow the user to insert their own choice of image. *. .. * * * * *

* .* * . . * * * * 4 **** * * **** ***.** * *

Claims

Claims 1. A magnetic display device for items comprising: -a magnetic backboard having a permanent magnetic characteristic and a planar front surface; a frame comprising a front frame member dimensioned to overlap at least a portion of the front surface of the backboard, in which the frame further comprises retaining means to retain the front surface adjacent to the front frame member; and an image associated with the front surface and visible from the front of the display device, such that magnetic or magnetisable items are held by the backboard in front of the image.
2. A display device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image is formed or mounted on the frOnt surface of the backboard.
3. A display device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display device comprises an image sheet located between the frame front member and the front surface of the backboard.
4. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the backboard has a permanent magnetic characteristic over substantially its entire area.
5. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the backboard comprises material of substantially a single magnetic polarity. S. 55 * S S * S

*....
6. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein' the backboard : comprises a sheet of permanent magnetic material. $5.5
7. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the backboard comprises a sheet of magnetisable material and the display device comprises one or more permanent magnets that act in use to magnetise the said sheet.55555. * S
8. A display device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7 wherein the backboard comprises first areas of a first magnetic characteristic and second areas of a second magnetic characteristic.
9. A display device as claimed in claim B wherein the backboard comprises first areas having a permanent magnetic characteristic and second areas capable of being magnetised.
10. A display device as claimed in claim B wherein the backboard comprises first areas having a first permanent magnetic polarity and second areas having a second permanent magnetic polarity.
11. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the front frame member comprises an aperture and a frame border surrounding the aperture, the aperture being smaller in each dimension than the front surface of the backboard.
12. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the front frame member comprises a transparent material covering at least a portion of the front surface of the backboard.
13. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the device comprises a transparent front surface cover sheet to protect the image sheet.
14. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the display device comprises a mount sized to surround the image sheet and preferably to overlap its edges.
15. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the retaining means comprises removable clip means operable to hold the front frame member : adjacent to the backboard.
16. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the retaining means comprises magnetic means. *e.e * . S...
17. A display device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the front frame member comprises magnetic material and is adapted to be held against the backboard magnetically.
18. A display device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the mount comprises magnetisable material and is adapted to hold the image sheet against the backboard magnetically.
19. A display device as claimed in any claim above wherein the display device further comprises one or more magnetic holders having a flat mounting surface adapted to bear on the front surface plane of the display device and to be held in place by magnetic attraction to the backboard.
20. A display device as claimed in claim 19 wherein a magnetic holder comprises a permanent magnet.
21. A display device as claimed in claim 19 wherein a magnetic holder comprises a magnetisable material.
22. A display device as claimed in any claim above comprising one or more hooks mounted 6n the front frame member from which objects may be hung. S. *s * . .SS * S *. * S S * S S...S *