Ornament with pivotable display assembly

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.

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.

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.