Patent Publication Number: US-2017352300-A1

Title: Display frame for use with license plates

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to exhibiting structures and, more particularly, to a hinged display frame for use with license plates and which is freestanding and magnetically mountable. 
     Description of the Prior Art 
     The collection of license plates from different states and or countries is a hobby enjoyed by many. A problem which still exists, however, is that there are not many desirable structures which can be used for displaying collected license plates either on a table or from the floor. Indeed, an individual wishing to display collected license plates is often forced to customize their own display structure or just attach the license plate directly to a wall. Thus, there remains a need for a display frame for use with license plates that can receive and securely hold a license plate for exhibiting. It would be helpful if such a display frame included a hingedly connected front and back frame member which allows license plates to be interchanged as desired by a user without compromising the ability to securely hold the plate. It would be additionally desirable for such a display frame to include a plurality of magnets, a table stand or a floor stand in order to allow it to be mounted or positioned in a desired location. 
     The Applicant&#39;s invention described herein provides for a display frame adapted to allow a user to securely but removably position a license plate therein for exhibiting. The primary components in Applicant&#39;s magnetic display frame are a front frame member, a back frame member, and a coupling member. When in operation, the magnetic display frame enables more effective and convenient exhibiting of license plates on a refrigerator or from a table/desk or a floor. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A display frame for use in exhibiting license plates on a table/desk or from the floor. The display frame comprises a frame body, a coupling member, and in some embodiments, either a table stand or a floor stand. The frame body defines a front frame member and back frame member are hingedly connected so as to allow them to move between an open position and a closed position and includes a plurality of fastener tabs to allow them to be fixed in the closed position. The back frame member and the front frame member each include a plurality of cushion pads which to allow the frame body to be snapped over and hold a contained license plate without damaging the license plate. The frame body may be deployed with either a plurality of magnets, a table stand, or a floor stand, and the coupling member facilitates the removable attachment of the frame body to either of the stands. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a display frame for use with license plates that can receive and securely hold a license plate for exhibiting. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a display frame with a hingedly connected front and back frame member which allows license plates to be interchanged as desired by a user without compromising the ability to securely hold the plate. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a display frame to with a plurality of magnets, a table stand or a floor stand in order to allow it to be mounted or positioned in a desired location. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a display frame for use with license plates built in accordance with the present invention attached to a table stand and having its front frame member and back frame member hinged apart in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a display frame for use with license plates built in accordance with the present invention attached to a table stand and having its front frame member and back frame member hinged apart in an open position and a license plate attached to the back from member. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a display frame for use with license plates built in accordance with the present invention attached to a table stand and with a license plate disposed therein. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of a display frame for use with license plates built in accordance with the present invention attached to a floor stand and with a license plate disposed therein. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of a display frame for use with license plates built in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 , a display frame  100  for use with license plates is shown having a frame body  110  with a front frame member  111  and a back frame member  112 , a stand  120 ,  121 , and a coupling member  130 . In one embodiment, the front frame member  111  and back frame member  112  are hingedly connected so as to allow them to move between an open position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a closed position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The front frame member  111  includes a fastener tab  113  on one side and the back from member  112  includes a fastener tab  114  on the opposite side. The fastener tabs  113 ,  114  each define mechanical clips having tab protrusions which operate to engage the edge of the opposing frame member when the front frame member  111  and back frame member  112  are pressed together. 
     In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the front frame member  111  and back frame member  112  may be connectable in through alternate mechanisms, such as through magnetic attachment or mechanical fasteners. 
     The back frame member  112  includes a plurality of back cushion pads  115  on which a license plate  101  may rest when positioned thereon. The front frame member  111  also includes a front cushion pad  116  which corresponds to each of the back cushion pads  115  on the back frame member  112  and is positioned on the front frame member  111  opposite its corresponding back cushion pads  115 . The cushion pads  115 ,  116  provide shock absorption and allow the frame body  110  to be snapped over a contained license plate  101  without damaging the license plate  101 . 
     The frame body  110  may be deployed with a plurality of magnets  117 , a frame hook aperture  118 , a table stand  120  or a floor stand  121 . With the magnets  117  or a frame hook  118 , it is contemplated that the frame body  110  may be attached to a refrigerator (not shown) or wall mounting hook (not shown), respectively. 
     When it is desired to use the table stand  120  or floor stand  121 , the coupling member  130  is deployed to enable the connection. The coupling member  130  defines a magnetic coupler which operates to attach the frame body  110  to either of the stands  120 ,  121 . In this regard, it is contemplated that the bottom of the frame body  110  and the top of the stands are each constructed of or otherwise include a ferromagnetic material. In an alternate embodiment, however, the coupling member  130  may include a threaded portion which can engage a threaded portion at the top of the stands  120 ,  121 . 
     It is contemplated that the frame body  110  is generally constructed out of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic or metal. In any event, as discussed previously, the bottom of the frame body  110  must include at least a strip of ferromagnetic material to facilitate attaching to the coupling member  130 . 
     It is contemplated that the magnets  117  may be attached magnetically to the back frame member  112  (if the back frame member  112  includes ferromagnetic material), with an adhesive, or with another conventional fastener. 
     In one embodiment, the frame body measures 12 ¼ inches by 6 ¼ inches and the magnets  117  and coupling member  130  each define a neodymium magnet. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.