Patent Publication Number: US-2009217563-A1

Title: Convertible diploma/certificate holder and wall display

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,939 to Juern discloses a reversible display frame combination that may be pivotably mounted on a wall so as to enable its rotation while mounted to enable a user to selectively show the display item(s) contained therein from either side without a change in appearance of the combination, and method for employing same. The display frame combination comprises a reversible display frame and a suspension device. The reversible display frame comprises generally a frame member and one or more suspension rings attached to the frame member. In one version, the suspension rings are retractable. The suspension device enables rotation at a wall assembly by means of a pivotally coupled upper and lower loop member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D396, 350 to Panzenhagen discloses an ornamental design for a picture frame apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,565 to Shadwell discloses a rectangular picture frame that can be opened and closed repeatedly for mounting and changing the picture to be displayed in the frame. The picture framing device is characterized by a rigid backing sheet, which is hinge mounted along one edge of the frame and releasable secured to the frame along its other three edges with adhesive tape. A triangular corner section of the backing sheet is removed to allow for lifting of the backing sheet from a closed or seated position and swinging it about the hinged edge to provide access to the frame interior for inserting or changing pictures. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,538 to Pierce et al. discloses a device for retaining and displaying one or more photographs includes a pair of frames which are mirror images and are connected along one edge by a hinge. Each frame has an outer wall approximately equal in size and shape to the photograph and a plurality of side walls extending at an obtuse angle in the same direction from a periphery of the outer wall. The hinge permits the frames to be moved from an open position wherein the photograph can be inserted between the outer walls to a closed position wherein the photograph is retained between the outer walls. An opening in at least one of the outer walls permits the photograph to be displayed. An outer surface of each of the outer walls has a groove formed therein for retaining one end of a pair of legs attached to a base portion of a clip. The base portion of the clip can be placed on a generally horizontal surface and the legs will maintain the outer walls of the frames in a generally vertical position to display the photograph. Interior latch means can be provided to maintain the frames in the closed position. 
     However, these patents fail to disclose a multi-purpose apparatus for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, displaying and/or storing a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which has the features of the present invention. More specifically, these patents fail to disclose a convertible protective holder and/or wall display having a first panel and second panel wherein the first panel may rotate three hundred and sixty degrees behind the second panel and may be secured behind the second panel in a quick and efficient manner. A need, therefore, exists for an improved multi-purpose apparatus for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, displaying and/or storing a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like as described in the present application which can quickly convert from a protective holder to a wall display. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which is environmentally friendly in that it reduces materials consumed in producing both a holder and a wall display. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and or wall display which can quickly convert from a protective holder to a wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display in which a document, certificate, diploma, photograph or the like may be easily placed or secured and from which a document, certificate, diploma, photograph or the like may be easily removed. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which is light-weight. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to receive a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to hold a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to transport a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to protect a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which may allow a first panel to quickly rotate approximately three hundred and sixty degrees with respect to a second panel. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which has a strap for securing a first panel behind a second panel. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which has a device for hanging the invention on the wall. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to display a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to store a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. 
     A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to secure a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like which may have a protective layer for protecting a document. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is provide a multi-purpose apparatus consisting of a protective holder and/or wall display which may be used to archive and preserve, in an acid free environment, a document, certificate, diploma, photograph or the like. 
     For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings. Further, additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the apparatus is in a partly-opened position B. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a back perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the apparatus is in a partly-open position B. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the apparatus is moved from position  3 A to position  3 D. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the front side of the first panel of multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the first panel is secured to the second panel. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the front side of the second panel of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the first panel is secured to the second panel. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the back side of the first panel of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention wherein the first panel is secured to the second panel. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a back perspective view of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose, double paneled, convertible apparatus which may be used as a protective holder and/or wall display for a diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The apparatus may provide a safe and secure manner for receiving, holding, transporting, protecting, and/or storing, for example, the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like and further may quickly be converted to provide an attractive display for hanging the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on a wall. In addition, the apparatus may be used to display the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like on, for example, a table. The apparatus may have a first panel which may be connected to a second panel. Further, the first panel may rotate with respect to the second panel. The second panel may store the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like while the first panel may provide a cover for the diploma, certificate, photograph or the like. The backside of the second panel may have at least one strap which may secure the first panel, when rotated behind the second panel. In addition, the reverse side of the first panel may have an attachment for hanging the apparatus on, for example, a wall. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  1  may have a first panel  2  and a second panel  3 . The first panel  2  may have a first side  4 , a second side  5 , a top side  6 , a bottom side  7 , a front  8  and a back  9 . The second panel  3  may have a first side  10 , a second side  11 , a top side  12 , a bottom side  13 , a front  14  and a back  15 . The first side  4  of the first panel  2  may be connected to the second side  11  of the second panel  3  so that the first panel  2  may rotate with respect to the second panel  3 . More specifically, the first side  4  of the first panel  2  may be connected to the second side  11  of the second panel  3  by, for example, a hinge  16 . Alternatively, the first panel  2  and the second panel  3  may be constructed as a single unit with a crease  16   a  dividing the unit into the first panel  2  and second panel  3  wherein the first panel  2  may rotate with respect to the second panel  3 . Further, the first panel  2  may rotate approximately three hundred and sixty degrees with respect to the second panel  3 . 
     The second panel  3  may have a border  20  forming a perimeter  40 . The perimeter  40  of the apparatus may be a frame. More specifically, the frame (perimeter  40 ) may be, for example, a wood, metal, plastic or other material which creates a border around the certificate, diploma, photograph or the like. The perimeter  40  of the border  20  may be smaller than a perimeter  41  of the second panel  3 . More specifically, the border  20  of the second panel  3  may be completely within the perimeter  41  of the second panel  3 . A diploma, certificate, photograph  30  or the like may be secured within the border  20  of the second panel  3  by, for example, being slid into place between the front  14  of the second panel  3  and a transparent layer  42  secured within the border  20 . The transparent layer  42  may be made from, for example, glass, plastic or the like. A slit  43  in the border  20  may allow the user to slide the document  30  between the transparent layer  42  and front  14  of the second panel  3 . 
     A hanging device  60  may be located on the front  8  of the first panel  2 . The hanging device  60  may be, for example, a loop, an indentation in a metal tab or the like which is used to hang an item on a nail or hook. When the first panel  2  is rotated into the second position D ( FIG. 3 ), the hanging device  60  may be located on the outside back of the multi-purpose apparatus holder and/or wall display  1 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the back  15  of the second panel  3  may have, for example, at least one strap  50 . The strap  50  may have a first end  51  and a second  52 . The first end  51  of the strap  50  may be secured near the top side  12  of the back  15  of the second panel  3  and the second end  52  of the strap  50  may be secured to the bottom side  13  of the back  15  of the second panel  3 . When viewing the apparatus  1  from the front, the strap  50  may be located behind the second panel  3  and, therefore, not visible. Preferably, the strap  50  may be constructed from an elastic material such that the user may stretch the strap  50  around the first panel  2  and then release the strap  50  such that the strap  50  may secure the first panel  2  to the second panel  3 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3D , the first panel  2  may quickly be rotated approximately three hundred and sixty degrees from a first position A to a second position D. In the first position A, the first panel  2  may obscure the view of the diploma, certificate or photograph  30  stored in the second panel  3 . When the first panel  2  is rotated behind the second panel  3  the user may secure a portion of the first panel  2  under the strap  50  behind the second panel  3 . In this second position D, from the front, the user may view the diploma, certificate, photograph  30  or the like located under the transparent layer  42 . Further, in this second position D, the first panel  2  is obscured from view by the second panel  3 . In the second position D, the back  9  of the first panel  2  moves into contact with the back side  15  of the second panel  3 . As a result, the first panel  2  and the second panel  3  may be secured together and the first panel  2  may be restricted from rotating with respect to the second panel  3 . The figures illustrate the first panel  2  and the second panel  3  rotating around the side of the apparatus  1 ; however, it should be noted that the panels may rotate over the top  12  of the of the second panel  3  of the apparatus  1  or the bottom  13  of the second panel  3  of the apparatus  1 . 
     The back  15  of the second panel  3  may have a plurality of straps  50  which may be used to secure portions of the first panel  2 . The straps  50  may be elastic so that the user may pull the straps to insert the first panel  2  through an opening  105  between the straps  50  and the back side  15  of the second panel  3 . The user may then release the straps  50  and the straps  50  may secure the first panel  2  to the second panel  3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, the back side  9  of the first panel  2  may have a hook and loop fastener strip  62 , zipper  63 , button  64  or the like which is used to secure the back side  9  of the first panel  2  to a corresponding hook and loop fastener, zipper or button on the back side  15  of the second panel  3 . It should be noted that the apparatus may lack a hook and loop fastener strip  62 , a zipper  63  or a button  64 . 
     As an alternative to hanging the apparatus on a wall, the apparatus may simply be placed on, for example, a table, mantle, shelf or the like. More specifically, the apparatus may be partly opened, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  (between position A and position D). When the apparatus is simply placed on a table, mantle, shelf or the like the first panel  2  is generally at an angle of approximately 20-160 degrees with respect to the second panel  3  such that the apparatus may be stable and will not easily fall over. 
     Although embodiments of the present invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.