Abstract:
An ornament with a pivoting display assembly is provided. The ornament includes a flexible frame assembly that allows insertion of the display assembly into the frame assembly, within which the display assembly is pivotable.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to an ornament and, in particular, to an ornament that includes a pivotable display assembly. 
     2. Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,878 discloses a jewelry mounting apparatus that includes a planar mounted frame adapted to rotate about an axis for the purpose of displaying opposing surfaces of coins, gems, ornamental objects, and the mounting components. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,615 discloses a Christmas ornament having a semi-rigid frame formed from several pieces of a tubular member interconnected by a wire threaded therethrough. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to an ornament that includes a frame assembly, a display assembly disposed within the frame assembly, and two opposing pivot members disposed between the frame assembly and the display assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the ornament includes a frame assembly, a display assembly disposed within the frame assembly, and two opposing engaging members disposed between the frame assembly and the display assembly. The display assembly includes two opposed pivot members adapted to be slidably received in the engaging member. The frame assembly includes two opposed sets of grooves adapted to slidably receive the engaging member. The display assembly is adapted to pivot within the frame assembly. 
     The invention is also directed to a method of assembling an ornament including providing a frame assembly that is flexible between a first position and a second position, providing a display assembly, inserting the display assembly into the frame assembly when the frame assembly is in the first position, flexing the frame assembly into the second position, inserting the display assembly into the frame assembly when the frame assembly is in the second position, and allowing the frame assembly to return to the first position. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic illustration of an ornament according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an expanded illustration of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the display assembly portion of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic illustration of a portion of the outer frame assembly of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the engaging member of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic illustration showing the engaging member in an assembled configuration with the outer frame assembly of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic illustration showing the engaging member in an assembled configuration with the outer frame assembly and the display assembly of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic illustration of an ornament according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded illustration of the ornament shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic illustration of the display assembly portion of the ornament shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIGS. 11-13 are schematic illustrations of a method of assembling the ornament shown in FIGS. 1 and 8; and 
     FIGS. 14-15 are schematic illustrations of a method of displaying an article in the ornament shown in FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to an ornament that includes an outer frame assembly and an inner display assembly that is pivotally connected to the outer frame assembly. The outer frame assembly is flexible between a first position and a second position. The inner display assembly may be pivotally mounted within the outer frame assembly by flexing the outer frame assembly between the first and second positions. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an ornament  10  according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows ornament  10  in an exploded view. Ornament  10  includes an outer frame assembly  12 , a display assembly  14 , and two engaging or pivot members  16  for cooperatively engaging outer frame assembly  12  and display assembly  14 . Although illustrated herein as substantially planar, outer frame assembly  12  may have a non-planar geometry as well. “Engaging member,” as used herein, is meant to define any member adapted to receive a boss member, which is described in greater detail below. In preferred embodiments, engaging members  16  may be tubes or tube-like members, for ease of manufacturing and assembly. However, the engaging member is not restricted to tubes or hollow members and may be any member adapted to the function of receiving the boss member. In some embodiments, ornament  10  may also include an article for display  18 . In some embodiments, ornament  10  may also include an eye  48  that may be integrally formed with the outer frame assembly, or attached thereto, to allow hanging of the ornament. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded view of display assembly  14 , which is illustrated herein as substantially planar, but which those of skill in the art will recognize may have any geometric shape. Display assembly  14  includes an outer edge  20 , opposing surfaces  22 ,  24 , and two opposing boss members  26  extending from the outer edge  20 . Each boss member  26  includes at least one shoulder  28  which defines a pivot member or lug  30 . “Pivot member,” as used herein, means a member on which something turns, such as, but not limited to a shaft, pin, peg, plug or the like. Each pivot member  30  has a width that is smaller than the width of boss member  26 . Each pivot member  26  includes an outer edge  44  that may include a protrusion  46 , as illustrated. Alternatively, edge  44  may have a substantially flat edge. Protrusions  46  are preferably arcuate and are designed to provide an area about which the ornament may pivot. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the protrusions are not necessary to the invention and are included to reduce wear due to friction. 
     An article  18  for display may be attached to or formed in or on one or both of opposing surfaces  22 ,  24 . For example, articles  18  having a pre-pasted backing, such as stamps, may be attached to either or both of surfaces  22 ,  24 . Alternatively, an article  18  may be fixedly attached by glue, tape, or any other method known to those of skill in the art. Alternatively still, a display may be formed in one or both surfaces  22 ,  24  by etching, and the like. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates schematically engaging member  16  having a length “1” that is preferably sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of one display assembly pivot member  30  and one outer frame assembly tab member  42 , which is described in greater detail below. Preferably, each engaging member  16  has a length sufficient to accommodate receiving the entire length of one pivot member  30  and one tab member  42 . Engaging member  16  preferably has a wall thickness “w” and an inner diameter “ID.” 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an expanded partial view of outer frame assembly  12  according to the present embodiment. Outer frame assembly  12  must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate insertion of the display assembly  14 , as described in greater detail below. Suitable materials for the outer frame assembly  12  include, but are not limited to, metal, plastic, cardboard, and the like. Outer frame assembly  12  includes opposing surfaces  32 ,  34  (see FIG. 12) and inner and outer edges  36 ,  38 . Opposing surfaces  32 , 34  may include decorative or ornamental details, and may be substantially similar or different. Two sets of parallel grooves  40  extend completely through the outer frame assembly  12  from surface  32  to surface  34  to define tab members  42 . Each parallel groove  40  has a width slightly greater than “w,” the width of the engaging member  16 .” Each tab member  42  has a width that is preferably slightly less than the inner diameter “ID” of the engaging member  16 . Each tab member  42  preferably has an edge  44  that includes a protrusion  46  that is preferably arcuate. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the protrusions are not necessary to the invention and are included to reduce wear due to friction. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates schematically engaging member  16  positioned in one set of parallel grooves  40 . Engaging member  16  is adapted to be slidably received in parallel grooves  40  such that a remaining portion  45  of engaging member  16  extends from inner edge  36  of outer frame assembly  12 . The remaining portion  45  of engaging member  16  that extends from outer frame assembly  12  is adapted to receive display assembly pivot members  30 . 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of engaging member  16  in an assembled configuration with outer frame assembly  12  and display assembly  14 . As shown, engaging member  16  is slidably engageable on pivot members  30  of display assembly  14  and in parallel grooves  40  of outer frame assembly  12 . In some embodiments, engaging members  16  may be fixedly attached to the display assembly  14  and the outer frame assembly  12  by applying a fixative, such as glue, before slidably inserting them into the parallel grooves  40  or onto pivot members  30 . 
     Those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention includes structures in which the grooves are disposed on the display assembly and the boss members are disposed on the outer frame assembly. In addition, although illustrated herein as a hanging ornament, those of skill in the art will recognize the that ornament may be supported on a stand, which is not illustrated herein, but is known in the art. Finally, those of skill in the art will recognize that the pivot axis may be in any orientation. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of an ornament  50  according to the present invention, wherein like numbers represent like elements. Ornament  50  is shown in exploded view in FIG. 9, and includes a display assembly  52 , engaging members  16 , and an article for display  18 . 
     Display assembly  52  is shown in expanded perspective view in FIG.  10 . Display assembly  52  includes outer edge  20  and opposing surfaces  22 ,  24 . A flange  60  is disposed around at least a portion of outer edge  20 . Flange  60  is adapted to frame and receive an article  18  for display for viewing on one side of display assembly  54 . In the present embodiment, display assembly  52  also includes an aperture  62  extending from surface  22  to surface  24  and defined by an inner edge  64 . Thus, inner edge  64  provides a frame for article  18  for display, which may be viewed through aperture  62  from either surface  22 ,  24  of display assembly  52 . As in the previous embodiment, display assembly  52  is illustrated herein as substantially planar or rectangular, but those of skill in the art will recognize that it may have any geometric shape on which display items may be fixedly attached, or in which permanent displays may be formed. Display articles  18  may be attached to surfaces  22 ,  24  by glue, tape, or any other method known to those of skill in the art. For example, display articles  18  may be items having a pre-pasted backing, such as stamps, that are attached to either of the surfaces  22 ,  24 . Alternatively still, a display may be formed on one or both surfaces  22 ,  24  by etching, and the like. 
     A method of assembling the ornaments according to any embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with references to FIGS. 11 through 15. As shown in FIG. 11, one engaging member  16  is slidably inserted into each set of parallel grooves  40  on outer frame assembly  12 . One display assembly pivot member  30  is inserted into an engaging member  16 , preferably the lower engaging member, as shown in FIG.  11 . The outer frame assembly  12  is then flexed to a first position, as shown in FIG.  12 . The display assembly  52  is then moved toward the upper engaging member, as shown in FIG. 13, and the second display assembly pivot member  30  is positioned in the second engaging member  16 . After both display assembly pivot members  30  have been inserted into each of the engaging members, outer frame assembly  12  is allowed to return to its original position. 
     A method of assembly with respect to an article  18  will now be illustrated with respect to FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown in FIG. 14, an article  18  may be slidably inserted into flange  60  of display assembly  52 . FIG. 14 schematically illustrates in side view the fully assembled ornament  50  including an article  18 . 
     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.