DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING ARTICLES WITH MAGNETIC FASTENING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for displaying articles, such as photographs or postcards, wherein the articles are fixed with magnetic fastening comprising: a metal wire provided with a coupling means at one end and with a terminal element, larger than the diameter of the metal wire, at the opposite end; at least one permanent magnet provided with a hole suitable for insertion of the metal wire; at least one metal fastening element, movable and couplable to the magnet; wherein the articles are fixed between the magnet and the metal fastening element.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A device for displaying articles with magnetic fastening, comprising: a metal wire comprising a coupling means at a first end, and a terminal element, larger than the diameter of said metal wire, at a second and opposite end; at least one permanent magnet provided with a hole suitable for insertion of said metal wire; and at least one metal fastening element removable from and couplable to said magnet, wherein said articles are fixed between said magnet and said metal fastening element.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein said metal wire has a diameter between 1 and 3 mm.

12. The display device of claim 10, wherein said hole of said magnet has a diameter such that it permits a coupling with mechanical play to said metal wire.

13. The display device of claim 10, wherein said magnet has a magnetic field from 3000 to 5000 Gauss.

14. The display device of claim 13, wherein said magnetic field is from 3500 to 4000 Gauss.

15. The display device of claim 10, wherein upon said metal wire being inserted into the hole of said magnet, said magnet is slidably movable along said metal wire.

16. The display device of claim 10, wherein said magnet is a perforated monobloc magnet.

17. The display device of claim 10, wherein said terminal element of said metal wire has a weight such that the metal wire is kept extended.

18. The display device of claim 10, wherein said metal wire is made up of a bundle of metal wires.

Description

[0030] Further characteristics and advantages of the display device according to the present invention will be better understood by referring to the description below and to the accompanying drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the display device according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is an overall view of the display device of FIG. 1 provided with a series of photographs/postcards displayed;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the metal wire, with which the display device according to the present invention is provided, equipped with a series of permanent magnets;

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a perforated magnet with which the display device according to the present invention is provided;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a front view of the metal fastening element with which the display device according to the present invention is provided.

[0036] With reference to the aforesaid figures, the present invention relates to a device for displaying articles 1 with magnetic fastening. The term display device according to the present invention means a device suitable for displaying photographs, postcards or any articles related thereto, which hereinafter will be generically defined as photograph holder.

[0037] The photograph holder according to the invention comprises, in an embodiment thereof illustrated generically in FIG. 1, a metal wire 10 of variable length according to the display needs of the user, provided with coupling means 11 at one end, suitable to support the whole photo display device and to permit correct fixing to a wall or to a piece of furniture present in the room in which the photographs are to be displayed. This fixing can take place by means of common fixing means, such as nails, screws provided with screw anchors, etc.

[0038] This coupling means can be coupled to the metal wire, such as an actual hook or a ring, or can be advantageously produced by means of the wire, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. This coupling means in the embodiment illustrated, consists of a slot 11 produced by means of the metal wire and fixed by means of a specific fixing means 110 to the wire. In this way a practical and strong coupling means is produced, capable of supporting the weight of the whole photo holder even when numerous articles are displayed. This solution is also particularly advantageous from the point of view of cost, as it does not require extraneous and cumbersome means, but is produced by means of a portion of the wire.

[0039] The metal wire 10 is further provided with a terminal element 12, placed at the opposite end of the wire with respect to the coupling means 11, of larger size with respect to the diameter of the wire. This terminal element functions as a stop or limit stop for the series of permanent magnets through which the metal wire is made to pass, as will be clearly illustrated below.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the terminal element 12 has a weight such that the metal wire is kept extended, i.e., has a size and a mass such as to permit the wire to remain in tension due to the combined effect of the mass of the element and the force of gravity. This solution permits any type of photograph or postcard to be displayed easily, due to the stability of the metal wire that constantly keeps the necessary tension to prevent the wire from coiling and thereby decreasing its length on the wall to which it is fixed.

[0041] The metal wire 10 preferably has a diameter between 1 and 3 mm, so as to ensure both strength and therefore permit articles of different materials and weight to be displayed, and to maintain a reduced and appropriate weight of the display device so that fixing means of large size are not required.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the metal wire 10 is made up of a bundle of metal wires coiled around themselves, so as to obtain a more manageable and less rigid wire that, if accidentally bent, has no bend points that could interrupt sliding of the magnets, as will be described below.

[0043] The device according to the present invention further comprises at least one permanent magnet 20 provided with a hole 21 suitable for insertion of the metal wire 10 into the hole.

[0044] The metal wire 10 is therefore inserted into the hole 21 of the magnet 20, so that the magnet 20 can be slidably movable along the whole of the length of the metal wire 10, i.e., from the coupling element to the terminal element, so that it can be positioned along the whole of the length of the wire based on the using needs and on the overall dimensions of the photographs to be displayed.

[0045] In order to permit correct sliding of the magnet 20 along the metal wire 10, the hole 21 has a diameter such that it permits a coupling with mechanical play to said metal wire 10. The term coupling with mechanical play, according to the present invention, means coupling in which the minimum size of the hole is greater or, at most, the same as the maximum size of the metal wire (Dmin≥dmax, where D is the diameter of the hole and d is the diameter of the metal wire).

[0046] The magnet exerting its magnetic field in relation to the metal wire, after having been positioned, remains in the desired position and does not slide toward the lower end of the wire due to the force of gravity that attracts it downward. This permits the photograph to be displayed to be positioned easily without the need for further systems for blocking the magnet that could damage and cause premature wear on the metal wire.

[0047] Based on the magnitude of the magnetic field of the perforated magnet, it is possible to display photographs or postcards even of large size and weight. According to the present invention the magnetic field is from 3000 to 5000 Gauss so as to ensure that even photographs or postcards of large size and weight can be displayed. Preferably, the magnet has a magnetic field from 3500 to 4000 Gauss so as to support objects of variable size, and to comply with the standards established by law on the subject of permanent magnets for domestic use.

[0048] In this regard, the magnetic field is subject to limitations imposed by the applicable legislation for analysis of the safety of the magnet in order to protect and safeguard the health and safety of users.

[0049] As the device can be used by different users, i.e., both by adults and children, the strictest applicable legislation on the subject of safety is the legislation regarding toys.

[0050] With regard to the European market the standard is: EN71-1:2014 Mechanical and physical properties. Clause 4.23.

[0051] For the American market: ASTM F963-11: Mechanical & physical properties. Clause 4.38.

[0052] The maximum limit of the magnetic field in proportion to the size of the magnet is 50 kG mm.sup.2.

[0053] The magnetic field is specifically modulated on the volume of the magnet used in the device and on the interaction that the magnet has to be with the metal wire.

[0054] Said magnetic field allows to hold up the photographs or postcards and at the same time allows to move two magnets close to each other (until 2-2.5 cm) without the interference of the two magnetic field, i.e. that the magnetic field of one magnet attracts or repulses the other magnet.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment the magnet is a perforated monobloc magnet, i.e., is made up of a single piece of permanent magnet in which the hole required for passage of the metal wire is made. This solution makes it possible to ensure a high strength of the magnet, preventing or greatly reducing the probability of detachment from the metal wire caused by breakage or decoupling of coupled parts.

[0056] In order to permit the display of photographs or postcards, the photograph holder comprises at least one metal fastening element 30 removable and couplable to the magnet 20.

[0057] The photographs are therefore kept in position through fixing between the magnet 20 and the metal fastening element 30, i.e., the photograph is “clamped” between the two elements and this way remains suspended and constrained to the metal wire 10.

[0058] The interaction that occurs between the metal element 30 and the magnet 20 permits any type of material, with any kind of shape, to be supported. The force that permits the photograph to be supported is a function both of the magnetic field exerted by the magnet 20, and of the size of the magnet 20 and of the metal fastening element 30.

[0059] The metal element 30 is made of a ferrous metal, i.e., a metal capable of withstanding interaction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 20 in order be able to secure and block the object displayed.

[0060] The use of element 30 makes the device safe also for kids use or in general for household use.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the photo holder comprises several perforated magnets provided with a corresponding metal fastening element, so as to permit the simultaneous display of several photographs or postcards.

[0062] In an embodiment not shown, the metal element 30 is coated with a coating of plastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes. In this way the fastening element is protected and isolated, which ensures a greater level of safety for the user, who in this way does not risk cuts or abrasions caused by any projecting or sharp parts of the element. The coating can also have an aesthetic function to make the product more attractive, shaping it with shapes or designs of various type.