Patent Abstract:
A photo display device has a mounting bracket containing a rear flat surface to which are permanently attached magnets of suitable strength to allow the device to be magnetically affixed to a smooth metal surface such as the vertical wall or door of a refrigerator. Pivotally attached to the mounting bracket are multiple transparent sleeves each adapted to receive back-to-back photographs, cards, etc. The mounting bracket is such that the user can display and view all of the images merely by pivoting the transparent sleeves.

Full Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/064,345, filed Jul. 3, 2002, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device for displaying multiple photographs, cards, or other similar non-image items. 
     It is a common practice for individuals, especially homeowners, to display photographs, invitations, recipes, etc. by adhering them to the sides or doors of refrigerators, for example. The pictures are generally held on the outside of the metal housing of the refrigerator by attaching the pictures using one or more small magnets. These magnets are frequently of the type that are decorative or contain advertising. It is not uncommon for refrigerators to be almost entirely covered with pictures, notes, invitations, etc. There are known devices for holding and displaying multiple cards. For example, in Beattie U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,280, there is shown a greeting card holder and display device which has a vertically disposed central core upon which a cord is wrapped in successive loops with each “book style” greeting card inserted under the individual strands for display. Carney, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,296 shows a photograph display device which has a multiple sided post to which are attached panel pivots so that multiple display panels can be mounted in a carousel-like fashion. However, the assembly requires fasteners to attach it to a wall or other permanent mounting place. There is therefore a need for a device that can display multiple photographs or like items on a refrigerator or other suitable surface using magnetic means so that the device can be easily removed and remounted without damage to the mounting surface. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The photo display device of the invention has a mounting bracket containing a rear flat surface to which are permanently attached magnets of suitable strength to allow the device to be magnetically affixed to a smooth metal surface such as the vertical wall or door of a refrigerator. Pivotally attached to the mounting bracket are multiple transparent sleeves each containing a center slot adapted to receive the photographs, cards, etc. to be displayed. The mounting bracket is such that the user can display and view all of the images merely by pivoting the transparent sleeves. The sleeves are also made to be easily removable. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device in its fully assembled condition; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the pivot mounting members; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket with the display sleeves and pivot mountings removed; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the display sleeves; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the magnetic mounting members. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, which shows the fully assembled device of the invention, the device includes a mounting bracket indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 . The bracket  10  has a back plate  12  that is vertically disposed when the device is in use. Extending outwardly from the back plate  12  at its upper end is a top plate  14 . Similarly, extending outwardly from the lower edge of the back plate  12  is a bottom plate  16 . Preferably, the back plate  12 , top plate  14  and bottom plate  16  are formed as a single piece from either metal, such as aluminum, or from a rigid plastic material. If formed from plastic, mounting bracket  10  can be made from a clear and transparent material or it can be formed from a colored or decorative material either transparent or translucent. In any event, the top plate  14  preferably extends outwardly from back plat  12  and converges to form a generally triangular shaped member. Similarly, the bottom plate  16  extends outwardly and converges to form a generally triangular shaped member. From an aesthetic standpoint, the top plate  14  and bottom plate  16  are referably of substantially the same size and configuration. It will be understood however, that the top plate  14  and bottom plate  16  can be formed in a semi-circular, rectangular or other shape. 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, the top plate  14  is provided with a plurality of spaced apart and vertically extending openings  18 . Similarly, the bottom plate  16  is provided with spaced apart and vertically extending openings  20  that correspond in vertical alignment with the openings  18  in the top plate  14 . FIG. 2 shows one of the pivotal mounting members  22  which has extending from its upper and lower ends mounting pins  24 . Pins  24  are received in the openings  18  and  20  of the mounting brackets  10 . Each pivotal mounting member  22  is notched to form a longitudinal recess  23  that is adapted to receive a display sleeve  26  that nests in the recess  23 . FIG. 4 illustrates a display sleeve  26  which has a front panel  28  and a rear panel  30  joined at their lower edges  32  to form an elongated U-shaped configuration open at the top  34  and at the sides  36 . Each display sleeve  26  is suitably attached to a pivot mounting member  22  in any suitable manner such as by use of an adhesive. Other fasteners such as rivets, screws, etc. could also be used. Preferably, each display sleeve  26  is formed of a single piece of transparent plastic material, and thus provides for insertion of a photograph, card, note, or other item between the front panel  28  and rear panel  30 . Since the top  34  of the display panel  26  is open and the lower edge  32  closed, the picture or other item will be securely retained in the display sleeve  26 . Preferably, each display sleeve is made of a lightweight and somewhat flexible plastic so that the edges of the front panel  28  and rear panel  30  along the top  34  will be biased together to close them after a picture is inserted in the display sleeve  26 . Obviously, since the front panel  28  and rear panel  30  are both transparent, a two-sided card or two cards or two pictures can be inserted back-to-back inside of the display sleeve  26  so that both of them can be viewed. 
     In order to mount the device of the invention, there are preferably provided two magnetic strips  32 , one of which is shown in FIG.  5 . As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the magnetic strips are attached in any suitable manner, such as by use of an adhesive, to the rear of the back plate  12 . The magnets are strong enough to retain the device in place when vertically mounted on a metal surface, such as the sheet metal housing or doors of a kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator, for example. The back plate  12  may also be provided with a pair of openings  35  and  37  which can be used to receive suitable screws or other fasteners if it is desired to mount the display device on a non-magnetic surface. 
     Once assembled as shown in FIG. 1 with the mounting pins  24  inserted in the openings  18  and  20  and with a display sleeve attached to each mounting member  22 , up to 16 pictures and be displayed in the embodiment shown in the drawings. The user can flip through the display sleeve  26  by pivoting them in order to view the various images. The device thus allows the user to view two different images at once when positioned as shown in FIG.  1  and rotate the images. If desired, the display sleeves  26  can be made so as to be removeable and reinsertable in the mounting bracket  10 . This can be accomplished in a number of different ways such as by dimensioning each mounting pins  24  relative to the mounting member  22  so that it can be inserted in the mounting bracket  10  by first inserting the top pin  24  in a top opening  18  and then dropping the bottom pin  24  in the bottom opening  20  of the mounting bracket  10 . Removal is easily accomplished by merely raising the display panel so as to disengage the pin  24  from the bottom opening  20 . Also, if desired, each pivot pin  24  can be a long single hinge pin made of somewhat flexible material so that it can be bent to engage in and be released from the openings  18  and  20 . In this version, each display panel  26  would be provided with hinge plates (not shown) similar to the common entry door hinge plates through which the longitudinal pivot pin would extend. As previously indicated, the device of the invention is useful as a handy display for not only photographs, but recipes cards, notes, invitations, reminders. When used in any one or more of these multiple uses, it can reduce clutter normally associated with such items and preventing them from becoming misplaced. 
     Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6