Patent Publication Number: US-7587839-B1

Title: Military ribbon alignment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to alignment devices and more particularly pertains to a new alignment device for assisting a person in ensuring that their ribbons and medals are properly aligned and properly spaced from each other. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of alignment devices is known in the prior art. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that can be used to assist a person in aligning their military ribbons when placing such on a dress uniform. Further, the device should include means to allow the person to properly space medals from the ribbons. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a first lateral member and a second lateral member that are spaced from each other. The first and second lateral members are aligned parallel with respect to each other. Each of the first and second lateral members has a first end, a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge. The first and second ends of the first and second lateral members are aligned with each other. A plurality of horizontal members each has a pair of opposing ends. Each of the horizontal members has a top edge and a bottom edge. The bottom edges each have a plurality of bottom notches therein. Each of the bottom notches in one of the horizontal members is aligned with one of the bottom notches in each of the horizontal members when the opposing ends are aligned. The upper edges of the first and second later members are extended into one of the notches of each of the horizontal members. Military ribbons may be aligned vertically with the first and second lateral members and horizontally aligned with the horizontal members. 
   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 view of a military ribbon alignment assembly according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a top in-use view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top in-use view of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 4  thereof, a new alignment device 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 4 , the military ribbon  8  alignment assembly  10  generally comprises a first lateral member  12  and a second lateral member  14  that are spaced from each other. The first  12  and second  14  lateral members are aligned parallel with respect to each other. Each of the first  12  and second  14  lateral members has a first end  16 , a second end  18 , an upper edge  20  and a lower edge  22 . The first  16  and second ends  18  of the first  12  and second  14  lateral members are aligned with each other. Each of the upper edges  20  has a primary slot  24  therein positioned approximately ½ inch away from a respective one of the first ends  16 . Each of the upper edges  20  has a secondary slot  26  therein positioned about ⅛ inch away from a respective one of the first ends  16 . Each of the primary slots  24  is spaced ¼ inch from a corresponding one of the secondary slots  26 . The primary  24  and secondary  26  slots each have a length equal to ⅛ inch measured along a line extending between the first  16  and second  18  ends. The first  12  and second  14  lateral members each have a length between corresponding ones of the first  16  and second  18  ends equal to approximately 5 inches and a width equal to approximately ¼ inch. 
   A plurality of horizontal members  28 ,  30 ,  32  is provided and each has a pair of opposing ends  34 . A distance between the opposing ends  34  is greater than 6½ inches. Each of the horizontal members  28 ,  30 ,  32  has a top edge  36  and a bottom edge  38 . The bottom edges each have a plurality of bottom notches  40  therein. Each of the bottom notches  40  in one of the horizontal members  28 ,  30 ,  32  is aligned with one of the bottom notches  40  in each of the other horizontal members  28 ,  30 ,  32  when the opposing ends  34  are aligned. The bottom notches  40  include a first outer notch  42 , a second outer  44  and a prime notch  46  positioned between corresponding ones of the first  42  and second  44  outer notches. Each of the first outer notches  42  is spaced 4 3/16 inches from a corresponding one of the prime notches  46 . Each of the first outer notches  42  is spaced 5⅝ inches away from a corresponding one of the second outer notches  44 . These distances are common widths that will be used when aligning the military ribbons  8 . The first outer notches  42  are each aligned with each other and receive the upper edge  20  of the first lateral member  12 . The top edge  20  of the second lateral member  14  receives selected ones of the aligned ones of the bottom notches  40 . 
   The plurality of horizontal members  28 ,  30 ,  32  includes a first horizontal member  28  and a second horizontal member  30 . Each of the top edges  20  of the first  12  and second  14  lateral members is extended into one of the bottom notches  40  to form a rectangular frame. The first outer notch  42  of the second horizontal member  30  is engaged with the primary slot  24  of the first lateral member  12 . The other bottom notch  40  of the second horizontal member  30  that receives the upper edge  20  of the second lateral member  14  is engaged with the primary slot  24  of the second lateral member. The first horizontal member  28  is positioned between the second horizontal member  30  and the second ends  18  of the first  12  and second  14  lateral members and the bottom notches  40  of the first horizontal member are engaged with the top edges  20  of the first  12  and second  14  lateral members. The plurality of horizontal members  28 ,  30 ,  32  includes a third horizontal member  32  that has a first outer notch  42  engaged with the secondary slot  26  of the first lateral member  12 . The other bottom notch  40  of the third horizontal member  32  that receives the upper edge  20  of the second lateral member  14  is engaged with the secondary slot  26  of the second lateral member. 
   Tertiary bottom notches  48  may be added to vary the different widths required and to form T-shaped tools for alignment purposes. The first outer notches  42 , second outer notches  44  and prime notches  46  each have a width equal to ¼ inch. The tertiary bottom notches  48  include at least a first tertiary notch  50  having a width equal to ½ inch and being spaced 1¾ inches from the first outer notch  42 . At least one notch of the tertiary bottom notches  48  includes a second tertiary notch  52  having a width equal to ¼ inch and being spaced 1 3/16 inches from the prime notch  46 . 
   In use, the military ribbons  8  may be aligned vertically with the first  12  and second  14  lateral members and horizontally aligned with the first  28  and second  30  horizontal members. The medals  9  are then abutted against the third horizontal member  32  to correctly space the medals  9  from the military ribbons  8 . The third horizontal member  32  ensures that a pocket  7  of the uniform  6 , onto which the ribbons  9  are placed, is properly spaced from the ribbons. 
   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.