Patent Publication Number: US-2004048010-A1

Title: Elevated framing display cover

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to framing devices that facilitate the display of three-dimensional items.  
       [0002] While standard wall-hanging frames with framing glass are capable of accommodating two-dimensional items such as posters and photographs, alternate means are necessary to display three-dimensional objects. As a result, so-called shadow boxes are commonly used in order to frame such non-planar items. A shadow box is a box-type frame, which in its most basic embodiment consists of a box-shaped enclosure attached to the rear of a traditional frame that employs standard framing glass. In this manner, a shadow box increases the depth of a frame to the rear of the display glass, thereby increasing its holding capacity as well. These devices are currently used because their recessed nature creates the depth needed to frame such items as three-dimensional art, flowers, and other memorabilia.  
       [0003] Shadow boxes, however, fall prey to several inherent disadvantages when considered in relation to traditional, standard frames. Due to their role of displaying three-dimensional items that cannot be secured by traditional framing methods, it is common for shadow boxes to be demanded in a wide variety of custom shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, the custom manufacture and purchase of shadow boxes can be quite expensive. As a result, alternate, more economical means of displaying three-dimensional items would be very desirable and valuable.  
       [0004] Moreover, the very characteristic of additional frame-depth, which lends shadow boxes their utility, also serves to reduce their effectiveness. While their purpose is to display three-dimensional objects, the excessive sidewalls of recessed box frames dramatically impair the ability of such objects to be viewed from a side angle. Due to this limitation, shadow boxes are incapable of providing satisfactory display means in many framing applications. Consequently, the consideration of alternate methods of framing three-dimensional items may prove to be very beneficial to the art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] The present invention provides a plastic display cover designed for mounting in a frame. The invention includes a planar lip, at least one planar viewing surface and adjoining sidewalls. The planar lip extends along the periphery of the display cover and is shaped to fit and be bound in the position within a frame traditionally occupied by the edges of standard framing glass. The at least one planar viewing surface is elevated from the plane of the planar lip, and adjoining sidewalls connect the at least one planar viewing surface with the surrounding planar lip, extending from the plane of the planar lip to the plane of the at least one viewing surface and forming a dome-like casement. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of a display cover mounted in a frame according to the present invention.  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0008]FIG. 2-A is a side view of the first embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0009]FIG. 2-B is a side view of the second embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 3 is a front view of the third embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0011]FIG. 4 is a side view of the third embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0012]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the fourth embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0013]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the fifth embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the sixth embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the seventh embodiment of a display cover according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0016] The present invention provides a transparent, raised display cover for use in framing applications. The elevated viewing surface of the invention allows the multi-directional exhibition of three-dimensional objects when used in conjunction with a display frame. Also, its implementation is suitable in both vertical and horizontal applications. The objects of the invention are best achieved when the invention takes the form of the embodiments depicted in the figures. While these embodiments will be each discussed as this description continues, it is noted that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments shown.  
     [0017] First Embodiment  
     [0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, a dome-like display cover  1  is manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or some other plastic material such as high impact polystyrene (HIPS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) to fit either stock or custom frames. Such manufacture is straightforward and inexpensive, and provides a display cover  1  of sufficient thickness (approximately ⅛″) so as to convey an impression of substance and quality. The use of plastic ensures that the display cover  1  is not overly fragile. This characteristic represents a major advantage over traditional framing glass. Additionally, plastic display covers may be constructed with smooth, clear viewing surfaces or, alternately, they may be surfaced with artistic effects such as fog, brush-strokes, or texturing as depicted generally by texture lines  9  in FIG. 2.  
     [0019] Planar lip  2  extends along the entire periphery of display cover  1 , as shown in FIG. 2. Display cover  1  is often held fixedly inside a frame by lip  2 , typically about one-quarter of an inch in width, which is generally secured in the position traditionally occupied by the edges of standard framing glass. As a result, although display covers according to the present invention are mounted within frames in essentially the same manner as framing glass, their domed design provides a cavity between the elevated viewing surface and the plane of the frame backing, which may be occupied by three-dimensional objects.  
     [0020] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the characteristics by which display cover  1  may vary include lip  2  shape, depth, viewing surface  4  shape and sidewall  6  surfacing and jointing. In terms of their lip  2  shape, display covers  1  may be conveniently manufactured to fit the varying dimensions of custom and standard frames. For example, while display covers  1  may be produced to accommodate the dimensions of standard portrait frames, such as 3×5″, 5×7″ and 8×10″, their lips  2  may also be constructed so as to fit irregularly sized frames or custom shapes, as discussed below.  
     [0021] The depth of a display cover  1  is a measure of the distance between its viewing surface  4  and the planar region circumscribed by its outer lip  2 . Cover  1  depth may vary in order to appropriately satisfy the requirements of individual display applications. For example, the appropriate depth of a cover  1  used to exhibit wall-mounted fishing flies may be one inch, while the depth of a cover  1  used to display a dried wedding bouquet may be approximately six inches.  
     [0022] Embodiments of the present invention provide planar, elevated viewing surfaces  4 . The borders of such surfaces may share the shapes of the corresponding lips  2  of their display covers  1 . For example, a 5×10″ rectangular display cover  1  may provide a congruent 4×8″ rectangular viewing surface  4 . However, according to the present invention, display covers  1  may also incorporate viewing surfaces  4  which are not sized congruently or which are shaped differently than their accompanying lips  2 , as discussed below. In addition, the plane of a viewing surface  4  may be parallel to the plane of the surrounding lip  2  or, alternatively, the viewing surface  4  may be tilted, also discussed below.  
     [0023] Various embodiments of the sidewalls  6  which connect the elevated viewing surfaces  4  of display covers  1  with their surrounding lips  2  and which are in accordance with the present invention will be explained with reference to the paradigm case of a 5×10″ rectangular display cover  1  including a 4×8″ viewing surface  4 . In such an embodiment, there exist four naturally differentiated sidewalls  6  corresponding to the four-sided shape of the lip  2  and viewing surface  4 . FIG. 2-A offers a side elevation view of one such sidewall  6 . The surface of each sidewall  6  may be straight or gently curved, as discussed below.  
     [0024] In a 5×10″ rectangular embodiment of a display cover  1 , each of the four sidewalls  6 , shaped as previously taught, may also join to their contiguous sidewalls  6  in a variety of fashions. For example, as best shown in FIG. 2-A, the intersections of sidewall  6  surfaces may be gently beveled to create a smooth, seamless transition in conjunction with the beveled surfaces of the adjoining sidewalls  6 . In the case of display covers  1  having identical viewing surfaces  4  and lip  2  shapes, as with the 5×10″ paradigm example, the sidewall  6  and joints  8 , whether ridged or smooth, commonly extend between the corners of the lip and their corresponding corners on the viewing surface  4 .  
     [0025] Second Embodiment  
     [0026] Turning now to FIG. 2-B, the side view of the second embodiment of display cover  11  according to the present invention is shown. The components and features of display cover  11  indicated by reference numerals  12 - 18  correspond with, and are substantially the same as the components and features of display cover  1  in FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, and described above. For the purpose of brevity, these components and features will not be described in detail again with regard to FIG. 2-B.  
     [0027] Display cover  11  differs, however, from display cover  1  in that each of the four sidewalls  16  form ridged seams located where the extensions of their respective surfaces naturally intersect, one extending from each corner of the lip  12  to each corresponding corner of the viewing surface  14 .  
     [0028] Third Embodiment  
     [0029] Referring now to FIGS.  3 - 4 , the third embodiment of display cover  21  according to the present invention is shown. The components and features of display cover  21  indicated by reference numerals  22 - 28  correspond with, and are substantially the same as the components and features of display cover  1  in FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, and described above. For the purpose of brevity, these components and features will not be described in detail again with regard to FIGS.  3 - 4 .  
     [0030] Display cover  21  differs, however, from display cover  1  in that the surface of each sidewall  26  is gently curved, connecting the viewing surface  24  to the lip  22  in a smooth, rounded bevel. In addition, display cover  21  has a viewing surface  24  that may not be sized congruently to its accompanying lips  22 . For example, a 5×10″ rectangular display cover  1  may have a 4×9″ rectangular viewing surface  24 , instead of a more congruent 4×8″ rectangular viewing surface  24 .  
     [0031] Fourth Embodiment  
     [0032] Turning now to FIG. 5, the fourth embodiment of display cover  31  according to the present invention is shown. The components and features of display cover  31  indicated by reference numerals  32 - 38  correspond with, and are substantially the same as the components and features of display cover  1  in FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, and described above. For the purpose of brevity, these components and features will not be described in detail again with regard to FIG. 5.  
     [0033] Display cover  31  differs, however, from display cover  1  in that display cover  31  includes multiple viewing surfaces  34 . A single display cover  31  may have multiple, coplanar viewing surfaces  34 , each separated by a recessed channel of adjoining sidewalls  36 . Such a display cover  31  with segmented viewing surfaces  34  may be well suited for the exhibition of multiple, separately mounted, keepsakes, such as a collection of silver spoons.  
     [0034] Display cover  31  also differs from display cover  1  in that sidewall  36  comprises a series of parallel ridges  35 , joined smoothly to one another, which ornately connect the viewing surface  34  with the lip  32 .  
     [0035] Fifth Embodiment  
     [0036] Turning now to FIG. 6, the fifth embodiment of display cover  41  according to the present invention is shown. The components and features of display cover  41  indicated by reference numerals  42 - 48  correspond with, and are substantially the same as the components and features of display cover  1  in FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, and described above. For the purpose of brevity, these components and features will not be described in detail again with regard to FIG. 6.  
     [0037] Display cover  41  differs, however, from display cover  1  in that the lips  42  are constructed so as to fit irregularly sized square, rectangular, polygonal, circular, and oblong frames. In addition, the lips  42  may also be designed in custom shapes such as that of a star, horseshoe, or heart. Display cover  41  also differs in that the plane of at least one viewing surface  44  is tilted with respect to the plane of the lip  42 .  
     [0038] Sixth Embodiment  
     [0039] Turning now to FIG. 7, the sixth embodiment of display cover  51  according to the present invention is shown. The components and features of display cover  51  indicated by reference numerals  52 - 58  correspond with, and are substantially the same as the components and features of display cover  1  in FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, and described above. For the purpose of brevity, these components and features will not be described in detail again with regard to FIG. 7.  
     [0040] Display cover  51  differs, however, from display cover  1  in that display cover  51  includes multiple viewing surfaces  54  positioned at multiple depths from the common lip  52 . Multi-level viewing surfaces  54  may be segmented, one from another, by sidewalls  56 , as in the case of multiple coplanar viewing surfaces  54 . However, a viewing surface  54  may also be connected to sidewalls  56  which extend or recede from the midst of an encompassing viewing surface  54 . Such a multi-level display may be ideal for framing items such as a woman&#39;s sun bonnet, in which case one viewing surface  54  may cover the thin brim of the hat while a second viewing surface  54  of greater depth extends beyond the first to enclose the taller crown of the hat.  
     [0041] A great deal of the utility of the present invention arises from its ability to serve as an alternative to traditional shadow box frames. However, in some applications, display covers  51  may be well employed in conjunction with shadow boxes. For framing scenarios involving objects of such significant depth that they cannot be appropriately mounted on a traditional frame, a display cover  51  may instead be used with a shadow box in order to provide the necessary relief.  
     [0042] Seventh Embodiment  
     [0043] Turning now to FIG. 8, the seventh embodiment of display cover  61  according to the present invention is shown. The components and features of display cover  61  indicated by reference numerals  62 - 68  correspond with, and are substantially the same as the components and features of display cover  1  in FIGS. 1, 2, and  2 -A, and described above. For the purpose of brevity, these components and features will not be described in detail again with regard to FIG. 8.  
     [0044] Display cover  61  differs, however, from display cover  1  in that display cover  61  has a differently sized viewing surface  64  in the shape of a square, polygon, circle, oval, or some other design such as a heart. In the case of custom display covers  61  having a viewing surface  64  and lip  62  that are shaped differently, joints  68  may be positioned and surfaced uniquely in each application. For example, in the case of a square display cover  61  with a heart shaped viewing surface  64 , ridged joints  68  extending inward from the corners of the lip  62  may be gradually blended into smooth, seamless sidewalls  66  surrounding the viewing surface  64 .