Patent Publication Number: US-2016229589-A1

Title: Waterproof document display housing

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to document holders and, more particularly, to a waterproof, freestanding display housing for a sheet of paper. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is well known that conventional paper sheets are often difficult to use in aquatic environments, such as at swimming pools. As competitive and lap swimming have continued to be a prominent form of training and fitness, however, many attempts have been made to provide protection for paper sheets as they are being used in such environments. Once common solution has been to laminate sheets of paper, thereby forming a barrier that prevents moisture from destroying or ruining the paper sheet and writing thereon. A problem which still exists, however, is that once sheets of paper are laminated, it generally restricts the ability to write modifications on them. Further, the laminating process is permanent so it is not possible to switch out different paper sheets from the protective cover as they are being used or needed. Thus, there remains a need for a document display housing for removably containing a sheet of paper to provide a moisture barrier. It would be helpful if such a document display housing included a hinged back cover to allow different sheets of paper to be selected placed in it and removed from it. It would be additionally desirable for such a document display housing to employ a hinged stand to allow it to be selectively stood in a desired angular orientation. 
     The Applicant&#39;s invention described herein provides for a document display housing adapted to removably contain a sheet of paper and protect it from water and moisture. The primary components in Applicant&#39;s document display housing are a display member and a housing stand. When in operation, the document display housing enables the display of a sheet of paper from a standing, moisture resistant housing. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A document display housing for removably enclosing a sheet of paper so as to provide a barrier that protects in from moisture, particular in aquatic environments. The document display housing comprises a transparent display member hingedly connected to a housing stand by a biased central hinge. The display member defines an enclosure component having a hinged door component operative to be hinged between an open position that allows paper to be selectively placed into the display member or removed therefrom, and a closed position that enables the display member to form an enclosure around any sheet of paper placed therein. The enclosure component and the door component additionally include a clasp locking system that allows the door component to be snap locked in place when the door component is pressed against the enclosure component and be unsnapped through the application of manual pressure on the release button. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a document display housing for removably containing a sheet of paper to provide a moisture barrier. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a document display housing that includes a hinged back cover to allow different sheets of paper to be selected placed in it and removed from it. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a document display housing that employs a hinged stand to allow it to be selectively stood in a desired angular orientation. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right side perspective view of a document display housing built in accordance with the present invention in the closed, extended position. 
         FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of a document display housing built in accordance with the present invention in the closed, flat position. 
         FIG. 3  is a right side perspective view of a document display housing built in accordance with the present invention in the open, extended position 
         FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of a document display housing built in accordance with the present invention in the open, extended position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , a document display housing  10  is shown having a display member  20  and a housing stand  30 . The display member  20  defines an enclosure component  21  with a door component  22  hingedly attached thereto. In operation, the door component  22  can be hinged between an open position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and a closed position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As such, a sheet of paper can be selectively placed into the display member  20  or removed from the display member  20  when the door component  22  is in the open position, while being protected from water and moisture in the vicinity while inside the display member  20  with the door component  22  in the closed position. So that any sheet of paper is visible while inside the display member  20 , it is contemplated that the enclosure component  21  with a door component  22  are constructed of a waterproof, transparent material, such as plastic or glass. 
     The enclosure component  21  and the door component  22  additionally include a clasp locking system that includes a clasp latch  23  disposed on the door component and a release button  24  disposed on the enclosure component  21 . The clasp locking system allows the door component  22  to be snap locked in place when the door component is pressed against the enclosure component  21  and be unsnapped through the application of manual pressure on the release button  24 . 
     The display member  20  is connected to the housing stand  30  through a central hinge  40  that spans the length of the bottom end of the display member  20  and the top end of the housing stand  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the housing stand  30  defines a rigid planar member having sufficient weight to provide a counterbalance to the display member  20 . The central hinge  40  enables the display member  20  and the housing stand  30  to be selective positioned in various angular orientations through the application of manual pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the central hinge  40  is biased so that it maintains its present position until manual pressure is applied to the display member  20  and/or the housing stand  30 . 
     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.