Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for displaying one or more documents, and/or other visual elements, on a substrate, through the use of an apparatus including the substrate, and at least one document holder that is selectively attachable to the substrate with one or more removable adhesive pads. The adhesive pads may also be re-usable in some embodiments. The document holders and/or substrate may be reversible with different visual appearance on opposite sides thereof. The document holders and/or substrate may have recognizable shapes or appearances, such as sports equipment, pennants, clouds, text balloons, etc.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/648,321, filed Jan. 28, 2005, the disclosure and teachings of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to the display of documents or other visual elements, such as certificates, photographs, or artwork, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for displaying documents in a holder attached to a substrate.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Documents, such as certificates, photographs and artwork are often mounted onto a substrate, in the form of a rigid plaque, along with other visual elements, for display on a vertical surface, such as a wall, or standing on a horizontal surface, such as a shelf or a desk top. It is desirable that an apparatus and method be provided for attractively and conveniently creating such displays of one or multiple documents on a single substrate. It is also desirable that such an apparatus and method be capable of being provided in the form of a kit, or as piece parts, that can be assembled by a user to form a customized display. It is further desirable that such a display be changeable, by the user, from time-to-time, with the component parts of the display apparatus being re-usable and re-configurable into a variety of forms.  
         [0004]     Prior approaches to providing such displays are not entirely satisfactory. For example, in one widely utilized prior approach, a display apparatus includes a plaque, a document cover sheet of transparent material, and several fasteners, such as decorative brads or screws, for permanently attaching the cover sheet to the plaque. The plaque and cover sheet are pre-drilled with corresponding holes for the fasteners, so that once the document is affixed to the plaque and the cover sheet is positioned over the document with the holes in the cover sheet aligned with the holes in the plaque, the fasteners can be inserted through the holes in the cover sheet and into the pre-drilled holes in the plaque, to thereby affix the cover sheet in place over the document.  
         [0005]     This approach has several drawbacks, however. Experience has shown that it is often difficult to complete attachment of the fasteners without bending them, and/or breaking the corners off of the cover sheet. It is also generally not possible to remove the fasteners, to change the display, once the fasteners are completely inserted into the pre-drilled holes. Furthermore, the final form of the display is generally limited to one pre-determined configuration, by the location and number of the pre-drilled holes provided by the manufacturer of the display apparatus.  
         [0006]     What is needed, therefore, is an improved method and an apparatus for displaying single or multiple documents, or other visual elements, on a single substrate, in a manner meeting one or more of the desired attributes, or overcoming one or more of the problems described above.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The invention provides a method and apparatus for displaying one or more documents, or other visual elements, on a substrate, through the use of an apparatus including the substrate, and at least one document holder that is selectively attachable to the substrate with one or more removable adhesive pads. In some forms of the invention, the adhesive pads may also be re-usable.  
         [0008]     In one form of the invention, one or more document holders may be formed as a folded sheet of at least partially transparent material, having a front and a rear thereof, joined by a U-shaped bight along a portion of the edges of the front and rear legs of the holder. The rear leg includes a rear surface thereof which is adapted for attachment to the substrate by the removable adhesive pads, and a front leg provides a cover sheet over the document, when the document is inserted into the space between the front and rear legs of the holder.  
         [0009]     In some forms of the invention, the holder may have a first and a second leg joined by a U-shaped bight, with both the first and second legs being usable as either the front or the rear leg, so that the holder is reversible. The first and second legs may have different tinting, coloration, or designs pre-printed thereupon, so that the user may select either the first or the second leg as the front side of the holder by simply reversing the holder on the substrate.  
         [0010]     In other forms of the invention, the holder may be single layer of partially transparent material, including an opaque or translucent area over the adhesive pads, so that the pads are not visible once the holder is attached to the substrate. The holder may also include a securing element, such as a lip, tangs, or a stepped rear surface, for holding the document in place against the substrate, without the document being attached to the substrate.  
         [0011]     The holders and plaques may take many regular and irregular shapes, including rectangular, round, oval, star-shaped, and amorphous shapes. The holders and substrates may also be made in virtually any size. For displays relating to sports, for example, the plaques and holders may take recognizable representative shapes, such as a home plate, or a baseball bat, a cheerleader&#39;s megaphone, a football, or a hockey stick. The holders may also include matting or designs to represent recognizable elements such as a soccer ball, or other types of round balls used in various sports. Amorphous shapes may include cloud-shapes, or text-balloons like those used in cartoon strips. In some forms of the invention, the plaques and holders are custom shaped, to match a design provided by the user. The shape of plaques and holders, according to the invention, is limited only by the imagination of the manufacturer and user.  
         [0012]     In embodiments where the holders are asymmetrically shaped, such as a sports pennant, a baseball bat, a cheerleader&#39;s megaphone, or a hockey stick, for example, forming the holders with reversible first and second legs joined by a U-shaped bight, as described above, provides the option of reversing the direction of the displayed surface (i.e. the position of the pointed end of a pennant, for example) while still keeping the U-shaped bight at the bottom of the holder to provide maximum support for the bottom edge of the document.  
         [0013]     As will be understood by those having skill in the art, the invention allows a user to readily create a display customized to their own unique tastes and needs. A document in the document holder can be easily removed and replaced over time, because it is not necessary to affix the document to the substrate. The holder can also be removed from the substrate, or repositioned thereupon. Additional holders can be added, and moved over time, to display additional documents on the same substrate, or a new substrate may be utilized with the original holders.  
         [0014]     The substrate may have different finishes or colors on the front and back sides thereof, so that the substrate is reversible. For example, the front side of the substrate may be finished in a light color, and the back side in a dark color. For sports related displays, where a team is identified by a combination of two colors, such as purple and white, for example, one side of the substrate may be purple and the other white.  
         [0015]     In some forms of the invention, the back side of the substrate includes keyhole slots, or other features allowing the substrate to be hung from a nail or other hanger protruding from a vertical wall. In some embodiments of the invention, and preferably in those embodiments that include a reversible substrate, the invention may include one or more hangers that are attachable to the back of the substrate with the same sort of removable, and also re-usable in some embodiments, adhesive pads used for attaching the holders to the front of the substrate, for hanging the substrate on a vertical surface. Some forms of the invention may utilize a support stand, or leg, attachable to the back of the substrate with screws or other fasteners, or with the same sort of removable, and also re-usable in some embodiments, adhesive pads used for attaching the holders to the front of the substrate.  
         [0016]     In some forms of the invention, other types of visual elements, such as an engraved name plate, or other opaque plates or figures, may also be attached to the substrate with double-sided pads, in the same manner as the holders. An apparatus, according to the invention may also include a blank document, configured for insertion into a holder according to the invention, which can be filled in by the user.  
         [0017]     An apparatus or method, according to the invention, may also include one or more templates to facilitate marking and/or cutting a document to a shape and size required for use with a particular shape and size of holder. The invention may also include utilization of a computer and instructions in a computer readable medium for producing visual elements, such as documents, photos, or images having a shape and size configured for use with a holder according to the invention.  
         [0018]     The component parts of an apparatus, according to the invention, may take the form of a kit, or be supplied as separately marketed components which the user can selectively purchase to tailor a display to their particular needs and fancy.  
         [0019]     Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the invention.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 2A-2F  are enlarged cross sections showing alternate configurations of a second holder of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIGS. 3A-3G  illustrate the component parts and method of assembling a second embodiment of a display apparatus, according to the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a number of shapes that may be selected for holders, substrates, and displays, according to the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  shows an embodiment of the invention having a number of holders of various shapes attached to a single rectangular-shaped substrate. 
     
    
       [0026]     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, in the form of a display apparatus  10 , for displaying one or more documents on a vertical or a horizontal surface. The display apparatus  10  includes a substrate  12 , a first holder  14 , and one or more double-sided adhesive pads  16  for removably attaching the holder  14  to the substrate  12 . Preferably, the adhesive pads  16  are also re-usable.  
         [0028]     The substrate  12  can be fabricated from a variety of natural and man-made materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, marble, cardboard, glass, luan, medium density fiberboard, other composite materials, or combinations of such materials. The substrate  12  may be coated or covered with a decorative laminate, foil, paper, or other material, in the manner know in the art. For example, one suitable substrate could be a ⅝ inch thick plaque formed from medium density fiberboard, having a foiled cove edge profile, laminated with a 30 gram re-coatable covering in a cherry finish, with two key slots routed into the back side of the plaque to allow the plaque to be attached to a vertical surface in either of two orientations. Such plaques are available from the LAD Company, of Rockford, Ill.  
         [0029]     The first holder  14  is a folded sheet of transparent material having a first and a second leg  18 ,  20 , joined along one edge by a U-shaped bight  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first leg  18  is positioned to function as a rear leg, for attachment to the substrate  12  by the adhesive pads  16 , with the second leg  20  of the first holder  14  forming a front leg and a display surface through which a document (not shown), inserted into the space between the front and rear legs  20 ,  18 , may be viewed. The U-shaped bight  22  of the first holder  14  is positioned along the bottom edge of the legs  18 ,  20  of the first holder  14 , to provide maximum support for a document inserted into the first holder  14 .  
         [0030]     The first holder  14  of the display apparatus  10  is formed from 0.040 inch thick PETG material, but in other embodiments of the invention, other suitable materials may also be utilized. PETG material is available from JMK displays, of Darien Center, New York.  
         [0031]     The adhesive pads  16  are 1/16 inch thick, ¾ inch thick, round re-usable double-sided foam adhesive, of the type supplied by Valley Industrial Supplies, of Huntington, N.Y. It will be understood, however, that other sizes of adhesive pads may be used for the pads  16 , or in attaching any holder, or other object, to the substrate in accordance with the teachings of the invention.  
         [0032]     The exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus  10  shown in  FIG. 1  also includes a second holder  24  attached to the substrate  12  by removable and reusable double sided adhesive pads  26 , in the same manner as described above in relation to the first holder  14 , for holding a second document (not shown). The adhesive pads  26  used for attaching the second holder  24  may, or may not, be the same size and shape as the adhesive pads  16  used for attaching the first holder  14  to the substrate  12 .  
         [0033]     The second holder  24  is a single layer of transparent material, having an opaque, matted-looking outer rim  28 , surrounding a viewing window  30  through which the second document can be viewed. The adhesive pads  26 , attaching the second holder  24  to the substrate  14 , are attached to the back side of the outer rim  28 , so that they are not visible through the viewing window  30  of the second holder  24 . One or more of the adhesive pads  26  may also be further positioned toward the bottom of the second holder  24 , to support the second document within the second holder  24 , where it is desirable to not have the second document attached to either the substrate  12  or the back side of the second holder  24 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  also shows an opaque item, in the form of an engraved nameplate  31 , attached to the substrate  12  with double-sided pads  33 , in the same manner as the first and second holders  14 ,  24 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 2A-2F  illustrate several alternate embodiments of a holder  32 , according to the invention, having a lip  34  or slot  36  in the back side of the holder  32  for receiving or supporting edge of a document, so that the document does not need to be attached to either the substrate  12  or the holder  32 . Many other variations are also possible within the scope of the invention.  
         [0036]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a display apparatus  10 , according to the invention, may include one or more hangers  38  that are attachable to the back of the substrate  12  with the same sort of removable, and also re-usable in some embodiments, adhesive pads  40  used for attaching the holders  14 ,  24  to the front of the substrate  12 , for hanging the substrate  12  on a vertical surface. The apparatus  10  may, alternatively utilize a support stand  42 , or leg, attachable to the back of the substrate  12  with screws or other fasteners (not shown) in the manner known in the art, or with the same sort of removable, and also re-usable in some embodiments, adhesive pads  44  used for attaching the holders  14 ,  24  to the front of the substrate  12 .  
         [0037]      FIGS. 3A-3G  are photographs showing the component parts of an actual display apparatus  100 , according to the invention, and illustrating the manner in which they are assembled to form the final display shown in  FIG. 3C . Specifically, the display apparatus  100  includes a substrate  102 , a holder  104 , four adhesive pads  106  for attaching the holder  104  to the substrate  102 , and an award certificate  108  for display in the holder.  
         [0038]     The substrate  102  is a ⅝ inch thick, rectangular-shaped plaque of medium density fiberboard, having a decorative cove along the edges of the front side of the plaque, and completely covered in a layer of cherry wood-grain foil laminate. As shown in  FIG. 3D , the rear side of the substrate  102  includes two keyhole slots, to allow the substrate  102  to be hung in one of two alternate orientations on a vertical surface.  
         [0039]     The holder  104  is a folded sheet of 0.040 thick transparent PETG material having a first and a second leg, joined along one edge by a U-shaped bight, in the manner described above in relation to the first holder  14  of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The first and second legs of the holder  104  are identical to one another, so that the holder  104  is reversible.  
         [0040]     The adhesive pads  106  are 1/16 inch thick, ¾ inch round, re-usable double-sided foam adhesive. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , both sides of the pads  106  are initially covered by a protective covering strip to keep the pads  106  from inadvertently becoming bonded to a surface, and to protect the adhesive on the pads from becoming covered with dirt.  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIGS. 3E and 3F , the protective covering is removed from the pads  106 , and they are positioned and pressed into place on the back leg of the holder  104 . The holder  104  is then inverted, and pressed against the substrate  102 , to attach the holder  104  to the substrate  102 .  
         [0042]     The front leg of the holder  104  may then be raised, as shown in  FIG. 3G , so that the certificate  108  can be inserted in to the holder  104 , for display as shown in  FIG. 3C .  
         [0043]     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “visual elements,” is intended to include, but not be limited to, document holders, and other items such as engraved nameplates, opaque plates, photographs, images or figures, which may be included in practicing the invention.  
         [0044]     Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.  
         [0045]     All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.  
         [0046]     No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any element not expressly described herein as being essential to the practice of the invention.  
         [0047]     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. For example,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a small number of the virtually unlimited alternate shapes that can be used for holders, and/or substrates, according to the invention.  FIG. 4B  shows an embodiment of the invention having a number of holders of various shapes attached to a single rectangular-shaped substrate.  
         [0048]     Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited or suggested herein as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.