Abstract
The present invention is a card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface. The card is made up of a single piece of material on which graphic images and letters have been printed and which has been specially shaped and pre-creased to enable a recipient to fold the base part of it so that the display part will rise up perpendicular to or at a raked angle from the horizontal surface on which it is placed. The single piece of material has no removed portions within an external outer edge of the material, capable of forming open apertures; The business/greeting/advertising display card stands upright to a horizontal surface within a line of sight of a viewer. Optionally the straight bottom may have an arcuate surface, capable of making the novelty card oscillate when manually pushed in a rocking side to side motion.
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A three-dimensional business/greeting card/advertising display card for support in an upright perpendicular position on a horizontal surface comprising a single, integral sheet of semi-rigid, flexible material having an upper main display panel and a lower base panel; both sides of said upper main display having an advertising display thereon; a side-to-side pre-creased line separating said upper main display panel and said lower base panel; at least one slit extending down from said side-to-side extending pre-creased line in said lower base panel to allow folding said pre-creased line in opposing directions, to enable said lower base panel to form legs for supporting on said horizontal surface said upper main display panel in an upright perpendicular position, wherein both sides of said upper display panel are equally available for viewing; said legs having bottom edges which are in direct contact with said horizontal surface; said sheet of semi-rigid, flexible material being free of any adhesive and having no removed portions within an external outer edge of said material capable of forming open apertures; and whereby said business/greeting card can be free standing in said upright perpendicular position on said horizontal surface within a line of sight of a viewer, said user being enabled to deploy said display card on a desk, counter or shelf without need to use adhesive tape, glue, construct an easel, attach external stands or fasteners.
28. The card of claim 27 wherein said at least one slit comprises a pair of downwardly extending opposite side slits, forming side tab legs on both sides of a central base display panel leg, wherein said side legs pivot in one direction and said central base display panel leg pivots in an opposite direction.
29. The card of claim 27 wherein said at least one slit is a U-shaped slit extending down from said side-to-side extending pre-creased line, forming a pair of legs, said legs consisting of a solid leg formed by and within said U-shaped slit, and a hollow leg, surrounding said solid leg.
30. The card of claim 27 in which said semi-rigid, flexible material is cardstock paper.
31. The card of claim 27 in which the semi-rigid, flexible material is selected from the group consisting of paper card stock made of wood fibers, natural and man-made fibers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane or printable plastic sheet, and composite sheets comprising a plurality of flexible and rigid materials, or combinations thereof.
32. The card of claim 27 in which a circumferential edge periphery of said card simulates a person or object of interest.
33. The card of claim 27 in which said upper main display has a circumferential edge peripheral shape of a person or object of interest.
34. The card of claim 27 having a second pre-creased line in said lower base panel to create a flange or foot extending therefrom.
35. The card of claim 27 in which said card is embedded into a sheet of said semi-rigid flexible material, said sheet being pre-creased into a predetermined shape of said card; said sheet further having perforations capable of being punched out, leaving said card remaining from said sheet.
36. A method of creating and deploying a three-dimensional business/greeting card/advertising display card comprising the steps of: selecting a single, integral sheet of semi-rigid, flexible material; forming in said sheet an upper main display panel and a lower base panel by pre-creasing a line separating said upper main display panel and said lower base panel; both sides of said upper main display panel having an advertising display thereon; using at least one slit formed in said lower base panel to fold said sheet along said pre-creased line, to form unfolded legs supporting said upper main display panel in an upright position, said sheet of semi-rigid, flexible material having no removed portions within an external outer edge of said material capable of forming open apertures; said legs extending in both front obverse directions and rear reverse directions to maintain said upper main display panel in a perpendicular position; both of said legs being extended down at respective angles; said distal ends of said legs being continuously smooth from end to end of said legs; providing said card without use of adhesives and having no removed portions within an extended outer edge of said material capable of forming apertures; a user placing said card on a horizontal surface with said bottom edges of said legs directly in contact with said horizontal surface; and, whereby said upper main display panel is within a line of sight of said user.
37. The method of claim 36 further comprising said at least one slit is a pair of slits forming said legs into a pair of outer legs, on opposite sides of a central base display panel leg, and bending said outer legs in one direction and said central base display panel leg in an opposite direction.
38. The method of claim 36 further comprising said at least one slit comprises a U-shaped slit extending said side-to-side extending pre-creased line forming a pair of legs, said legs consisting of a solid leg formed by and within said U-shaped slit and a hollow leg surrounding said solid leg.
39. The method of claim 36 in which said semi-rigid, flexible material is cardstock paper.
40. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of selecting said semi-rigid, flexible material from the group consisting of paper card stock made of wood fibers, natural and man-made fibers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane or printable plastic sheet, and composite sheets comprising a plurality of flexible and rigid materials, or combinations thereof.
41. The method of claim 36, wherein said configuration of a circumferential edge periphery of simulates a person or object of interest.
42. The method of claim 36, including the step of forming a second pre-creased line in said lower base panel to create a flange or foot.
43. The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of embedding said card into a sheet of said semi-rigid flexible material, said sheet being pre-creased into a predetermined shape of said card; said sheet further having perforations capable of being punched out, leaving said card remaining from said sheet.
44. The method of claim 36 further comprising circumferentially cutting a circumferential edge periphery of said upper main display panel into a configuration simulating a person or object of interest.
45. The method of claim 36 further comprising circumferentially cutting a circumferential edge periphery of said upper main display panel into a configuration simulating a person or object of interest.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. Closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:
[0054] FIG. 1 shows the present invention in its intended use as a close-up advertising tool, whereby the card stands upright to a horizontal support surface within a visual line of sight of a viewer of the card.
[0055] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B and 5C respectively show the Tripod Base embodiment of the invention in respective flat front, perspective, side edge elevation and top plan views. FIG. 3C shows an alternate embodiment where instead of the edge periphery of the card has curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, but the standing base is similar to that of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B and 5C.
[0056] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B and 8C respectively show the Tripod Base embodiment of the invention with an Optional Flange or Foot added in respective flat front elevation, perspective, side edge elevation and top plan views.
[0057] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B respectively show the Box-in-Box Base embodiment of the invention in respective flat front elevation, perspective, side edge elevation and top plan views.
[0058] FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 16A and 16B respectively show the Custom-Box Base embodiment of the invention in respective perspective, flat front, side edge elevation and top plan views.
[0059] FIGS. 17A and 17B show the present invention in its intended use as a close-up advertising tool, whereby the display card has an optional arcuate bottom edge on each bottom base portion, to enable the card to be manually rocked in a back and forth or side to side motion by the user's finger or fingers, when the card is presented upon a horizontal support surface, within a visual line of sight of a viewer of the card.
[0060] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D also show the Arcuate Base embodiment of the invention in intended use, as well as in respective perspective, flat front, side edge elevation and top plan views.
DRAWINGSREFERENCE NUMBERS
[0061] 01 Display Panel [0062] 02 Tripod Base part Lower Display Panel [0063] 03 Tripod Base parts Outer Tabs [0064] 04 Crease [0065] 07 Optional Crease [0066] 08 Foot [0067] 22 Box-in-Box Base part Inner Box Panel [0068] 23 Box-in-Box Base part Outer Box Ring [0069] 32 Custom Box Base Part Inner Custom Box [0070] 33 Custom Box Base Part Outer Custom Ring [0071] 105 Arcuate Timer Box Support Leg [0072] 105a Arcuate Bottom Edge of Inner Box Support Leg [0073] 106 Arcuate Outer Ring Support Leg [0074] 106a Arcuate Bottom Edge of Outer Ring Support Leg
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0075] The drawings show examples of said Card from multiple views and in five embodiments. Closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
DRAWINGSFIGS.
[0076] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, where the user's line of sight of the novelty card is shown in phantom lines for environmental purposes.
Tripod Base Embodiment:
[0077] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are perspective views that show the Card with a Display Panel 01, Tripod Base parts Lower Display Panel 02 (trapezoid-shaped) and Outer Tabs 03 (triangle-shaped), and crease 04. Crease 04 is shown in the dashed line. FIG. 2A is the obverse side. FIG. 2C is the reverse side. FIGS. 2B and 2D are additional perspective views. These examples are shown as if the card's crease is bent to enable it to stand perpendicular to the surface on which it is placed. While the circumferential periphery edge can be square or rectangular with linear lines, (not shown), optionally the circumferential edge periphery of the cardstock sheet can have curved, undulating non-linear lines in the form of all or part of the profile of a character associated with the business, greeting or advertising display card.
[0078] FIGS. 3A and 3B are shown as if laying flat, not folded or standing. FIG. 3A is the obverse side. FIG. 3B is the reverse side. FIG. 3C shows an alternate embodiment where instead of the edge periphery of the card has curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, but the standing base is similar to that of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B and 5C.
[0079] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show elevation views of the card, with its crease folded at three different positions, all of which enable it to stand perpendicular to the surfaces on which it is placed. FIG. 4A shows the Card with the Base at the tallest position, with the Base parts bent at approximately 45 degrees from Display Panel 01. FIG. 4B shows the Base at a middle position, bent at about 75 degrees from Display Panel 01. FIG. 4C shows the Base at a lowest position, with the base parts bent at a 90-degree angle from the display panel, perpendicular to the Display Panel and flat against the surface upon which said Card is displayed.
[0080] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are top plan views of the same three positions shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, but not in the same scale.
Tripod Base Embodiment of the Invention with Optional Flange or Foot:
[0081] FIGS. 6A and 6B show the Card as if laying flat, with a Display Panel 01, Tripod Base parts Lower Display Panel 02 (trapezoid-shaped) and Outer Tabs 03 (triangle-shaped), and crease 04. Crease 04 is shown in the dashed line. In addition, part 07 is a second crease and parts 08 create a foot or flange. FIG. 6A is the obverse side. FIG. 6B is the reverse side.
[0082] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show elevation views of the card, with its crease folded at three different positions, all of which enable it to stand perpendicular to the surfaces on which it is placed. FIGS. 8A and 8B show Crease 07 is bent so that Foot 08 sits approximately parallel to the surface on which the apparatus is placed. FIG. 8C shows Foot 08 bent but not resting on surface.
[0083] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are top plan views of the same three positions shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, but not in the same scale. While the circumferential periphery edge can be square or rectangular with linear lines, (not shown), optionally the circumferential edge periphery of the cardstock sheet can have curved, undulating non-linear lines in the form of all or part of the profile of a character associated with the business or greeting card.
[0084] In an alternate embodiment where instead of the edge periphery of the card having curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, as in FIG. 3C, but the standing base is a tripod base with an optional foot.
Box-in-Box Embodiment:
[0085] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are perspective views that show the Card with a Display Panel 01, Box-in-Box Base parts including an Inner Box Panel 22 and an Outer Box Ring 23. Crease 04 is shown in the dashed line. FIG. 9A is the obverse side. FIG. 9C is the reverse side. FIGS. 9B and 9D are additional perspective views. These examples are shown as if the card's crease is bent to enable it to stand perpendicular to the surface on which it is placed.
[0086] FIGS. 10A and 10B are shown as if laying flat, not folded or standing. FIG. 10A is the obverse side. FIG. 10B is the reverse side.
[0087] FIGS. 11A and 11B show side elevation views of the card, with its crease folded at two different positions, both of which enable it to stand perpendicular to the surfaces on which it is placed. FIG. 11A shows the Card with the Base at the tallest position, with the Base parts bent at different angles from each other and Display Panel 01. FIG. 11B shows the Base at a lowest position, with the base parts bent at a 90-degree angle from Display Panel 01, perpendicular to Display Panel 01 and flat against the surface upon which the Card is displayed.
[0088] FIGS. 12A and 12B are top plan views of the same positions shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, but not in the same scale. The shaded area represents the surface upon which the Card is placed and shows the hollowed-out area that is exposed when the Inner Box Panel 22 is bent in opposition to the Outer Box Ring 23. While the circumferential periphery edge of the card can be optionally square or rectangular with linear lines, as shown in FIG. 3C, in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 10A and 10B the circumferential edge periphery of the cardstock sheet can have curved, undulating non-linear lines in the form of all or part of the profile.sup.s of a character associated with the business or greeting card.
[0089] In this alternate optional embodiment, where instead of the edge periphery of the card having curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, as in FIG. 3C, the standing base is a still a box in box base.
Custom-Box Embodiment:
[0090] FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are perspective views that show the Card with a Display Panel 01, Custom-Box Base parts, including an Inner Box Panel 32 and an Outer Box Ring 33. Crease 04 is shown in the dashed line. FIG. 13A is the obverse side. FIG. 13D is the reverse side. FIGS. 13B and 13C are additional perspective views. These examples are shown as if the card's crease is bent to enable it to stand perpendicular to the surface on which it is placed.
[0091] FIGS. 14A and 14B are shown as if laying flat, not folded or standing. FIG. 14A is the obverse side. FIG. 14B is the reverse side.
[0092] FIGS. 15A and 15B show elevation views of the card, with its crease folded at two different positions, both of which enable it to stand perpendicular to the surfaces on which it is placed. FIG. 15A shows the Card with the Base at the tallest position, with the Base parts bent at different angles from each other and Display Panel 01. FIG. 15B shows the Base at a lowest position, with the base parts bent at a 90-degree angle from Display Panel 01, perpendicular to Display Panel 01 and flat against the surface upon which said Card is displayed.
[0093] FIGS. 16A and 16B are plan views of the same positions shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, but not in the same scale. The shaded area represents the surface upon which said Card is placed and shows the hollowed-out area that is exposed when Inner Box Panel 32 is bent in opposition to Outer Box Ring 33. While the circumferential periphery edge can be optionally square or rectangular with linear lines, as shown in FIG. 3C, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B the circumferential edge periphery of the cardstock sheet can have curved, undulating non-linear lines in the form of all or part of the profile of a character associated with the business or greeting card.
[0094] In the alternate optional embodiment, where instead of the edge periphery of the card having curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, as in FIG. 3C, the standing base is a custom base with an irregular surfaced inner portion.
Arcuate Base Embodiment:
[0095] FIGS. 17A and 17B are perspective views of the deployment use of the present invention in its Arcuate Base embodiment, where the user's line of sight V in phantom lines directs the user to Card, and the user's hands rock the novelty card in an attractive oscillating side-to-side motion.
[0096] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D are perspective views that show the Card with a Display Panel 01, Arcuate Inner Box Support Leg 105, Arcuate Bottom Edge of Inner Box Support Leg 105a, Arcuate Outer Ring Support Leg 106 and Arcuate Bottom Edge of Outer
[0097] Ring Support Leg 106a. Crease 04 is shown in the dashed line. FIG. 18A is the obverse side. FIG. 18D is the reverse side. FIGS. 18B and 18C are additional perspective views. These examples are shown as if the card's crease is bent to enable it to stand perpendicular to the surface on which it is placed.
[0098] FIGS. 19A and 19B are shown as if laying flat, not folded or standing. FIG. 19A is the obverse side. FIG. 19B is the reverse side.
[0099] FIGS. 20A and 20B show elevation views of the card, with its crease folded at two different positions, both of which enable it to stand perpendicular to the surfaces on which it is placed. FIG. 20A shows the Card with the Base at the tallest position, with the Base parts bent at different angles from each other and Display Panel 01. In this position, the Card can be made to rock back and forth on Arcuate Bottom Edge of Inner Box Support Leg 105a and Arcuate Bottom Edge of Outer Ring Support Leg 106a.
[0100] FIG. 20B shows the Base at a lowest position, with the base parts bent at a 90-degree angle from Display Panel 01, perpendicular to Display Panel 01 and flat against the surface upon which said Card is displayed. In this position, the Card remains stationary.
[0101] FIGS. 21A and 21B are plan views of the same positions shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, but not in the same scale. The shaded area represents the surface upon which said Card is placed and shows the hollowed-out area that is exposed when Arcuate Inner Box Support Leg 105 is bent in opposition to Arcuate Outer Ring Support Leg 106.
[0102] FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D are perspective views that show the Card with a Display Panel 01, Arcuate Inner Box Support Leg 105, Arcuate Bottom Edge of Inner Box Support Leg 105a, Arcuate Outer Ring Support Leg 106 and Arcuate Bottom Edge of Outer Ring Support Leg 106a. Crease 04 is shown in the dashed line. FIG. 22A is the obverse side. FIG. 22C is the reverse side. FIGS. 22B and 22D are additional perspective views. These examples are shown as if the card's crease is bent to enable it to stand perpendicular to the surface on which it is placed. These drawings show a larger base section in proportion to the Display Panel 01.
[0103] While the circumferential periphery edge can be optionally square or rectangular with linear lines, as shown in FIG. 3C, in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, 22C and 22C the circumferential edge periphery of the cardstock sheet can have curved, undulating non-linear lines in the form of all or part of the profile of a character associated with the business or greeting card, and where the base has an arcuate bottom edge to facilitate manual side to side rocking of the card, while deployed in the line of sight of the user.
[0104] FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C and 22C show that the surface ratio of the lower base to the upper Display Panel 01 can vary, regardless of which base embodiment is used, where it is the arcuate bottom ring version of FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, 22C and 22C, or, alternatively, the other tripod base embodiment of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B and 5C, the box-in-box embodiment of Tripod Base embodiment of the invention with Optional Flange or Foot or the Custom Box embodiment of FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 16A and 16B.
[0105] In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0106] It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.
