US2980309A - Shadow box - Google Patents

Description

April 18, 1961 L.. A. PAPAS 2,980,309

SHADOW BOX Filed Aug. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 18, 1961 L. A. PAPAs 2,980,309

SHADOW BOX Filed Aug. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 H Lf Il" L. A. PAPAS SHADOW BOX April 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1957 April 18, 1961 L. A. PAPAs 2,980,309

SHADOW Box Filed Aug. 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nited States Patent p 2,980,309 ice y Patented Ann 18,1951

SHADOW Box Louis A. Papas, 1727 N. Rutherford Ave., chicago, nl.

Filed Aug. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 676,318 6 claim's. (c1. 229-34) "Ihis invention relates to a shadow box and Ymore particularly toa shadow box which can be assembled from Aafsheet material blank without the use of any auxiliary fastening members.

Heretofore conventional shadow boxes made of wood and similar permanent materials have been used in the home to attractively display objects of art and conversation pieces. More recently their use commercially to display articles and advertising pieces in stores and display areas has become desirable. Heretofore the more universal adoption thereof has been limited by various objectionable features. Thus, because advertising displays are frequently changed, expensive storage space was required to store the shadow boxes until they were ragain required. Although it was true that some of these shadow boxes could be disassembled after use, this disassembly required the time and services of skilled employees. ln addition, the parts and fastening members were often misplaced and were not always readily available when the shadow box had to be reassembled. What is needed, therefore, and comprises the chief object of this invention is a shadow box which is so inexpensive that it can economically be thrown away after use.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a shadow box which is formed entirely of sheet material and which can be assembled without the use of auxiliary fasteners.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a shadow box which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of skilled labor.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a throw-away shadow box which is formed entirely from a single cardboard blank and which is strong enough to support heavy articles for display.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shadow box which can be made very inexpensively and quickly.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a shadow box which is simple to assemble and attractive in appearance.

With the foregoing and other objects in .view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made withoutV departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

-For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the acompanying drawings preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the .same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several yfigures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled shadow box; Y

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the shadow box taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4' of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank which is employed in the manufacture of the shadow box embodying this invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof a corner of the shadow box showing the initial steps in its assembly; o

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a corner of the shadow box showing the next step in its assembly;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a corner of the Ashadow box showing the third step in its assembly;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a corner of the shadow box showing the fourth step in its assembly;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the shadow box showing the fth step in its assembly;

Fig. 1l is a perspective View of the shadow box showing the sixth step in its assembly;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the shadow box showing the seventh step in its assembly; i

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the shadow box showing the final step in .its asembly.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, the shadow display box indicated generally by the refrence numeral 10 comprises a rectangular back wall 12 `and integrally formed rectangular side and end Awalls 14 and 16. These side and end walls are. disposed perpendicularly to the back wall and terminate in integral side and end trapezoidal-shaped frame members 1S and 20. These frame members, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, are bent inwardly toward the back wall at an obtuse angle to the plane of the side and end walls but are spaced from said back wall.

The entire shadow display box is formed from a single cardboard or sheet material blank, see Fig. 5. For purposes of convenience the fold or crease lines in the blank have been illustrated as double lines while the cut lines are shown as single lines. This blank comprises the centrally positioned rectangular back wall section 12. The rectangular side and end wall sections 14 and 16 are integral with the edges of the back wall section, and these in the assembled shadow box form the side and end walls. rIhese sections are separated from the back wall section 12 by score or crease lines 15 and 17. The opposite edges of Wall sections 14, remote from back wall 12, are integrally connected with rst, second and third rectangular sections 22, 24 and 26 which are themselves separated by score lines 21, 25 and 27. Sections 22, 24 and 26, as seen in Fig. 2, are adapted to be folded on the score lines to form the side frame members 18. Similarly the opposite edges of the end section 16 remote from the back wall 12 are integrally connected to a rst trapezoidal-shaped section 28 and to second and third rectangular sections 30 and 32. These sections are separated by the score lines 29, 31 and 33. Sections 28, 30 and 32, as seen in Fig. 3 are adapted to be folded on their score lines to form the end frame members 20.

In order to hold the shadow box in its assembled shape without the use of auxiliary fasteners, the blank is also provided with substantially rectangular reinforcing and holding members 34. The reinforcing members 34 are integral with the opposite sides of the side walls 14 and are separated from it by score lines 35. Each reinforcing member is provided with a locking tab 36 which is integrally secured to the reinforcing members Eby score line 37.` In iaddition, amounting flange 38k is integrally;

' toVbe bent perpendicularly, see Fig. 4. Thesemounjing anges are provided with aligned openings '40, sce Fig. l,

which are adaptedto,receivevarious devices such'jas 4rnounting'rods or fluorescent lights. Y l Y In assembled position, edge 42 fof thevr'einforcing mem- 'ber' is parallel to backrwall'12, Yand thised'ge-is providedY with a triangular recess 44, see Fig. 6. ThisY recessfhas la stop edge 46fwhichfwill Vthen be Iperpendicularto'-the Y lback wall A12. Edge 46 is adapted to be engaged by Van aligning tab 48,'which as seen in'FigJjis integrally securedto the oppositer edges of! section 22.Y This stop tab 48 isd adapted to engage the stop edge 46- when Vthe 'side `rwalls 14 are exactly perpendicular to the'back Vwall"k 20Y side and end walls 14 and 16. AIn this position trapezoidal 12. Accordingly', lit provides a convenient aligning means 'for holding the side and end walls of thev shadow.V box perpendicularto the back wall-12 and-forkeeping iuni- Aform the obtuse angle the frame members make with the side and end walls;v 'In' addition, when the shadow`box assembled,rthe locking tab"36 is adapted tobe bent on the score Yline-37y perpendicular yto the reinforcing -member 34 for'purposes described below.

Qn the opposite edges ofthe second section24 are in- -tegral substantially rectangular' locking flanges or' mem-VY Y bers 50. These angeslare separated from section 24 by score lines such as 51'and terminate in three integral fingersrsuchV as 52. 'l'heseV ngers'are connected to the Y docking ange by score linesA 53. AThe center finger 55 is bent back when the'V shadow box' is assembled, and 'this ngeris adapted to Vbe embraced by the locking tab Y :36.ininterlocking engagement, see Figs. l and 6. The

edge'54 of the remaining fingers 52 of the lockingv ange V 50 bears against theY corneredge 56 of, the back wall 12 when the'frame members 18 are properly positioned `and provides thereby anadditional aligning means, and with the locking tab 36 embracing the center finger 55 described above, the sideframe membersl are'held `in this position. *i f Locking members 58 are provided for holding the end framemembers 20 Vin place. These locking members are -rectangularzinshape and are integrally'connected to the 'opposite ends 'of' thesecondsection 30 by score lines `59. The locking memberitself comprises two substan- 'tially square sections 60 and 62Y which are separatedl by'- ,a score line 6 1.- WhenYthe Vbox is assembled, section Y6,0

embraces; the bottom ,section 241Y of the frame member V318, while section 62- bears against Vthe inner surface of 'sidewall 1'4 with'gedge 64 bearing against the edge 66Y "of the bottom wall 12, see Figs. 12 and'13.Y ,'When this' Y Vis done display anges 2 0 will be tightly locked infover.-

.lapping position against Vthe edges of thedisplayjange's 118 and the corners of the shadow box will be reinforced,

.seejFigflg -Y Y Y Y Mounting slots 68 are provided in sections 3G to Vreceive edge 69 Vof mounting ange38 andY locate it in `perpendicular relation to end wallsV 16, see Figs. 2" and 5.V

, Additional bracket mounting slots such as 70 and 7,2 Ymay Vbe provided in the bottom wall `12 and sections 24.7V When the shadow box is assembled theselslots are aligned in Yspaced parallel rows and are adaptedV toY receive the edges :of auxiliary mountingbrackets suchas 74 which may beseparately formed, `see Fig.1:- Y

To assemble the shadowv box, the and endwalls 14 and 16 are V initiallyY bent perpendicular to the baekwallr V 12. Af'1`hen as seen in Fig. 6, the reinforcing members ,34" arebent` perpendicular ,to the side walls14VV so that they are Ycsoextensivewith the inner' surface of end walls 16,.Y lNext sections` 2224and26 are bent'inwardly on yscoreV lines 21; V25 and 27, as Yseen infFig. 7. These sec-f tions are' bent still more asise'en in Fig. Suuntilrlocking flanges 50: are in parallel c'oextensive engagementsfwith amm 1 therenforeng members'34. Sections 24 and 26 are then bent still further as seen in Fig. 9 carrying with them the positioning flange 50. Itis understood that both sides of the blank are folded this way at the same time.

Next as seen in Fig. 10, sections 28, 30 and '32 are bent Von score lines 29, 31and 33. At the same time sections 60 and 62 of Vthelocking angesY 58 are bent on score lines-59 and 61as shown.` Sectionsj24 and 26 and sections 28, 30 and 32 are bent'still further as shown iny Fig. 1l Vwith thefreeedge riofgsection 32 inward1y spaced from the inner surface/of the reinforcing member 34 and the locking flange 50. YSections 24 and 26 along with sections 28, 110-and'32pareV -bent still further as shown in Fig. 12`Y with the"locking'tbs 58 movingtemporarily into a position substantially parallel to the back wall 12 and the side wall 14. Further, folding of sections V24 and 26 and sections 28, 30 and 32 bring sections 26 and 32 into coincidencewith the. inner surfacesof the j sections 28 will extend inwardly. from the periphery of the shadow box and will` overlap sections V22. giving al1 the frame members a trapezoidalfappearance.` In addivtion second sections 24 and 30 ofthe side and end `frame memberswill extend inwardlyrv toward the end and side -walls and `towards the bottomwall 12.A This arrangement Vdelines Va .frame memberV whicliistriangular in cross {section and results 4infa shadow ,box which iscapable of supporting heavy articles., Furthermore, the edge 54 oflocking anges 50 willbear against the corner edge 56 of the back wall 12.V Theni as stated: abovenger Y 55 is bent back and isembraced Vbythelocking tab 36 which is then in interlocking engagementY withthe locking ange50 and holds the frame member 18 `in the posi-Y :tion described above.Y Frame members 20., are held in position by forcing the section U60 of thelockingmemr bers 58 against the inner surface 24 of nthe frame member 18 and then forcing section 62 into f rictional` engagement withV the sidewall 14 with itsedge 64 bearing against edge 66ofthe,back wal1. ,11" ".1. f I, Y

VIt should be notedalso hat frame members 18,18,

20 and 20 comprise closed-loopv triangles, ie'. the sections 'of the triangular frame members are return ybent as Y fpindicated so that the remoteends of sections 26, 26.32 and 32'lie respectively adjacentthe remote Venls of side walls 14, 14"and end walls 16,16; This closed loop structure,increasesY the areaof the frictional bearing forces of the frame sections andfthusj, in combination with the above-described locking members, insures the permanent maintenancel of, the shadow lboxVV in assembled relation- 50. ship Awithout necessitatingmeuse 'ofY anygindependent fastening means such as clips,staples,A glue, andthe like. f Itj is believed that my invention, its mode Avof construction Yand assembly, and many Yof its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without` further :desriptiom` and it should also bemanifest thatvwhile -preferredV ,embodiment ofthe inventionihas been shown and described for illustrativev purposes, the structural details are neverthelesscapable of Ywide-variation within the -purview of jmyy invention as defined in the appended sorlams a "i 'f f- 1 Y i -Q e What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of itheUnitedStatesis; I f

, 1. A shadow, box formed entirely of sheet material from asingle'unitaryblank vcomprising aback wall and side wallsintegralwith said'back wall,said side walls jhaving opposed ends,pone` end secured tovsaid-back wall, frame members integral,k with-the opposite end of said f side walls, each of said frame members comprising a rst section having opposed ends,v one endV integral with said Y 702k opposite end of one of s ad side walls'and inwardlypro- -jecting kfrom the'periphery. of the shadow box towards saidY back wall, the opposite end integralwith one ofthe opposededges-of a secondsection, said secondsection projecting `baclrtoward said oneside wallY and toward saidibackwallgthe opposite; edge :of saidzs'eco'nd section engaging said one side wall and connected to one of the opposed edges of a third section, said third section in face contact with the innersurface of said one side wall and terminating in butting contact with said first section forming thereby a frame member substantially triangular in cross section, said frame member sections being dmensioned so that the opposite edge of said second section is appreciably spaced from said back wall, and sheet material locking members, said sheet material locking Y members comprising projections integral with said side -walls `and with the sections .of said frame members, said sheet material locking members adapted to be in interlocking engagement with each other and engaging the side walls and frame members for holding Ithe shadow box in assembled relation. I

2. A shadow box formed entirely of sheet material from a single unitary sheet material blank comprising a rectangular back wall and perpendicular rectangular side and end walls secured at one end thereto, substantially rectangular reinforcing members integral with the sides of said side walls and having a locking tab integrally formed. thereon, said reinforcing members bent to coincide with the inner surface of said end walls to reinforce them, spaced parallel side frame members integral with the opposite end of said side walls, remote from said back wall, each of said side frame members comprising first, second and third rectangular sections, said first section inwardly projecting from the periphery of the shadow box towards said back wall, said first section having one end integral with said opposite end of said side wall remote from said back wall, and having the other end integral with one of the opposed edges of said second rectangular section, said second rectangular section projecting back towards said one side wall and said back wall and including locking members integrally connected to its opposed sides, said locking members in face contact with the inner surface 0f the reinforcing members on the inner surface of said end walls, the opposite end of said second rectangular section engaging said one side wall and integral with one of the opposed edges of said third rectangular section, said third rectangular section in face contact with the inner surface of said one side wall to reinforce it and terminating in butting Contact with said first rectangular section forming thereby a frame member substantially triangular in cross section, said frame member sections being dmensioned so that the opposite edge of said second section is appreciably spaced from said back wall, said locking members on said second section in interlocking engagement with said locking tabs on said reinforcing members whereby said side frame members are held in position, spaced parallel end frame members perpendicular to and over-lapping said side frame members, said end frame members integral with the opposite end of said end walls remote from said back wall, each of said frame members comprising a trapezoidally shaped first section and rectangular section and third sections, said trapezoidally shaped first section having opposed ends, said trapezoidally shaped first section having its large end integral with the portion of said end wall remote from said back wall and projecting inwardly from the periphery of said shadow box towards said back wall, the opposite edge of said first trapezoidal-shaped section integral with one of the opposed ends of the rectangular second section, said rectangular second section projecting back towards said one end wall and said back wall, said second section including end locking members integrally connected to its opposite sides, the opposite end of said second section engaging said end wall and integral with one of the opposed ends of the rectangular third section, said rectangular third section Iin face contact with the inner surface of said one end wall to reinforce it and terminating in butting contact with said first trapezoidal-shaped section forming thereby an end frame member substantially triangular in cross section, said frame member sections being dimensioned so that the oppostegedge of said second section is appreciably spaced from said back wall, one portion of fsaid end locking members on said second section of said end frame member coincident with said second section of said side frame member, and the other portion of said end locking member coincident with and reinforcing the inner surface of said side wall to hold said shadowbox in assembled relation and to reinforce the corners thereof. i 3. A flat sheet material blank for use in making a shadow box, said blank comprising a centrally positioned rectangular back wall section, rectangular side and end wall sections connected to the sides of said rectangular back wall section and separated therefrom by score lines, first,'second, and third rectangular shaped side frame member sections connected to the end of said side walls remote from said back-wall and separated from each other by score lines, irst, second and third end frame member sections, said rst section trapezoidal shaped and connected at its large end to the end of said end wall remote from said back wall, said second and third end frame member sections substantially rectangular in shape and separated from each other by score lines, combination reinforcing-locking-bracket mounting member sections connected to said side walls, and combination reinforcing and locking member sections connected to said second frame member sections.

4. A hat sheet material blank for use in making a shadow box, said blank comprising a centrally positioned rectangular back wall section, rectangular side and end wall sections connected to the sides of said rectangular back wall section and separated therefrom by score lines, substantially rectangular reinforcing member sections connected to the opposite sides of said side walls and separated therefrom by score lines, said reinforcing member section having a recess at one side defining a stop edge and including a locking tab separated from said reinforcing member section by a score line, rst, second, and third rectangularly shaped side frame member sections connected in sequence to the end of said side walls remote from said back wall and separated from each other by score lines, aligning tabs connected to the opposite sides of said first section of the side frame member sections, substantially rectangular locking member sections connected to the sides of the second section of the side frame member and separated therefrom by score lines, said locking members terminating in fingers, first, second, and third end frame member sections, said first section trapezoidal-shaped and connected by a score line at its large end to the end of said end Wal-l remote from said back wall, said second and third end frame member sections substantially rectangular in shape and connected in sequence by score lines to the opposite end of the trapezoidal-shaped first section, and rectangular locking members connected to the sides of said second section of the end frame member sections and separated therefrom by score lines.

5. The blank set forth in claim 4 in which bracket mounting sections are integral with said reinforcing member sections and separated therefrom by score lines, and each of said second end frame member sections is formed with mounting slots for said bracket mounting sections, said bracket mounting sections being substantially rectanguiar in shape and having an opening therethrough.

6. A shadow box formed entirely of sheet material from a single unitary blank comprising a back wall, a pair of side walls projecting perpendicularly from said back wall, a pair of end walls projecting perpendicularly from said back Wall, closed-loop frame members of triangular cross-section projecting inwardly and peripherally from the remote end of said side walls and end Walls, said frame members including inwardly projecting outer panels, said last named panels being inwardly inclined With respect to said back wall, outwardly projecting inner panels and base panels integral with and extending from said inner panels and terminating in butting contact with VK- said outer panels, said lbasepanelsfbengV n-fgce `contract References Cited il; tlielegfrihlspatent M V with said side Walls and*enlyva11s,lsgidinwaijdly pxfoject-V jv f Y UNITED SIATES PATENIsy A' backwalL'and locking members'seuring said sidewalls,

end walls and frame members in assrembled position comi 5 -1 e .v 2,684,194A

,prlsmg proyectlons mtegral with said mner panels and 2'762 1478, 'side walls, paits of said lokin'gfmembers:inter-locking f; Y fpncd `with'each other` and all yofszlidlcking members'coacting. g f

'Ywitl; said sidewalls and ed wlls for Vholding the shadow y 1"v "i FOREIGN PATENTS fbox in assembled mation and spacingrsaid closed-100131 .mii-*686,684YUV A.France V. y July 29, 1930 iframe members Vfrom said back wall. '9 97?432 Figne .V T. .;4Jan. 7, 1952

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