Abstract:
An image display and viewer assembly for providing a slide viewer incorporated into a displayed image. The image display and viewer assembly includes a main structure for holding and displaying an image. A slide viewer assembly is incorporated into the image to permit viewing of a backlit slide when one looks through the slide viewer assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to image displays and more particularly pertains to a new image display and viewer assembly for providing a slide viewer incorporated into a displayed image. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of image displays is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,776 describes a device for supporting and displaying a transparency with backlighting. Another type of image display is U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,059 disclosing a device for holding a picture within a sealed enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,829 discloses a light box for facilitating tracing an image. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is wall mountable, displays an image, and incorporates an illuminated slide viewer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a main structure for holding and displaying an image. A slide viewer assembly is incorporated into the image to permit viewing of a backlit slide when one looks through the slide viewer assembly. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new image display and viewer assembly that permits the display of multiple images including a main image display and at least one slide of another image viewable through a slide viewer assembly incorporated into the main image. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new image display and viewer assembly that permits the simultaneous display of related images in a unique manner. 
     Yet even another object of the present invention is to provide a new image display and viewer assembly that permits a new form of presentation for a combination of multiple images in a single presented piece. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a main structure for holding and displaying an image. A slide viewer assembly is incorporated into the image to permit viewing of a backlit slide when one looks through the slide viewer assembly. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a new image display and viewer assembly according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new image display and viewer assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the image display and viewer assembly  10  generally comprises a panel  20 , and an image  22  on a first face  24  of the panel  20 . A slide holding assembly  26  extends through an aperture in the panel  20 . The aperture and slide holding assembly may contrast with the image  22  or be incorporated into the image to camouflage the presence of the slide holding assembly. The slide holding assembly  26  includes an eyepiece  28  positioned on said first face  24  for permitting looking through the slide holding assembly  26 . 
     A slide  30  is held in a slot  32  in the slide holding assembly  26  adjacent the eyepiece  28 . Thus, the eyepiece  28  is designed for permitting viewing of the slide  30  through the eyepiece  28 . 
     A lighting assembly  36  is coupled to the panel  20  for providing backlight to the slide  30 . The lighting assembly  36  includes a reflective member  38  positioned adjacent to a rear face  34  of the panel  20 . The lighting assembly  36  further includes a light source  40  coupled to the panel  20  such that the light source  40  is positioned between the panel  20  and the reflective member  38  offset from the slide holding assembly. Thus, light from the light source  40  is reflected off of the reflective member  38  to provide indirect back lighting for the slide  30  when the slide is positioned in the slot  32 . 
     In an embodiment, the reflective member  38  is arcuate for generally directing light from the light source  40  towards the slide  30 . 
     A plurality of connectors  42  are coupled to the panel  20  such that the panel  20  is adapted for coupling to a vertical support surface  2 . The plurality of connectors  42  include a pair of upper connectors  46 . Each of the upper connectors  46  is generally U-shaped such that each of the upper connectors  46  has a medial flange portion  48  having a length greater than a distance between an outer surface  50  of the reflective member  38  and a rear surface  52  of the panel  20 . 
     The plurality of connectors  42  further includes a pair of lower connectors  54 . The upper and lower connectors  46  and  54  are positioned proximate the corners of the panel  20 . The lower connectors  54  extend from the rear surface  52  of the panel a distance greater than the distance between the outer surface  50  of the reflective member  38  and the rear surface  52  of the panel  20 . Thus, the plurality of connectors  42  are adapted for preventing the outer surface  50  of the reflective member  38  from contacting the vertical support surface  2 . 
     In use, a slide is positioned in the slide holding assembly and the light source is activated (using either battery power or direct connection to an electrical source). A person may then view the image on the panel as well as look through the eyepiece to see the backlit slide. The images on the slide and the panel may be complimentary, contrasting, or unrelated. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized 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 deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the 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.