Display Assembly and Interlocking Fastener Thereof
20230089321 · 2023-03-23
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
A47G1/16
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D5/643
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y10T24/344
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
B65D5/643
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/6611
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y10T24/344
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
Abstract
A fastener for an image display assembly comprising a polygonal planar body having a ventral surface with at least one fastening member extending from the ventral surface. The fastening member comprises a fastening member body and at least one cantilever tab extending from the fastening member body. Each cantilever tab comprises a fastener retainer facing the ventral surface. Also provided is an image display assembly comprising retaining features; an assembled image display comprising said image display assembly and said fastener; a kit comprising said image display assembly and said fastener; a method of creating an image display; and use of said image display assembly and said fastener to create an image display.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An image display assembly comprising: an image display base comprising: a center section, and a plurality of foldable segments extending away from the center section and configured to fold relative to the center section, the plurality of foldable segments comprising distal segments, wherein: the center section and the plurality of foldable segment form a hollow, and the distal segments define an entrance to the hollow; and a fastener configured to couple to the distal segments to form an assembled image display.
22. The image display assembly of claim 21, wherein the fastener comprises a body that covers the entrance of the hollow.
23. The image display assembly of claim 21, wherein the fastener comprises a fastening member body that extends at least partially through the entrance of the hollow and a plurality of cantilever tabs extending from the fastening member body and configured to couple with the distal segments of the image display base.
24. The image display assembly of claim 23, wherein the fastener further comprises a body, and the plurality of cantilever tabs are spaced apart from and parallel to the planar body.
25. The image display assembly of claim 24, wherein each of the plurality of cantilever tabs comprise a protrusion extending toward the planar body.
26. The image display assembly of claim 25, wherein each of the distal segments comprise a retaining feature configured to couple with the protrusion of the plurality of cantilever tabs.
27. The image display assembly of claim 21, wherein the center section forms a first side of the image display, the fastener forms a second side of the image display opposite the first side.
28. The image display assembly of claim 27, wherein the plurality of foldable segments forms sides of the image display between the first side and the second side.
29. The image display assembly of claim 27, wherein the first side has equal dimensions to the second side.
30. The image display assembly of claim 21, wherein each of the one or more foldable segments forms a corner with an adjacent one of the plurality of foldable segments.
31. The image display assembly of claim 21, wherein the image display base is generally planar in an unassembled form.
32. The image display assembly of claim 21, wherein image display base comprises an adhesive layer applied to an exterior face of the image display base and a removable protective layer covering the adhesive layer.
33. The image display assembly of claim 32, further comprising an image sheet comprising an image.
34. An image display assembly comprising: an image base comprising a plurality of foldable segments configured to form a support structure defining a hollow in an assembled configuration, wherein in the assembled configuration, distal segments of the plurality of foldable segments define an entrance to the hollow; and a fastener configured to connect with the distal segments of the plurality of foldable segments and to cover the entrance to the hollow in the assembled configuration.
35. The image display assembly of claim 34, wherein the fastener comprises a body that covers the entrance of the hollow.
36. The image display assembly of claim 34, wherein the fastener comprises a fastening member body that extends at least partially through the entrance of the hollow and a plurality of cantilever tabs extending from the fastening member body and configured to couple with the distal segments of the image base.
37. The image display assembly of claim 36, wherein the fastener further comprises a body, and the plurality of cantilever tabs are spaced apart from and parallel to the planar body.
38. The image display assembly of claim 36, wherein each of the plurality of cantilever tabs comprise a protrusion extending toward the planar body.
39. The image display assembly of claim 38, wherein the distal segments comprise a retaining feature configured to couple with the protrusion of the plurality of cantilever tabs.
40. The image display assembly of claim 34, wherein the image base is at least generally planar in an unassembled form.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Described herein is an image display assembly comprising a fastener, an image, and a base, the base comprising a front (image) face comprising an adhesive layer for securing the image, and a non-image face, the non-image face comprising a plurality of linear v-grooves, wherein the plurality of linear v-grooves segment the base into one or more foldable segments, each end segment configured with one or more retainer features, and wherein upon folding of the segments along the v-grooves assemble the base into a support structure comprising a plurality of corners, thereby forming an assembled base comprising at least one image display face formed from at least a portion of the front (image) face, and a non-image face formed of the fastener.
Exemplary Base
[0023] In one embodiment, the base is comprised of a substantially rigid material. In one embodiment, the base may be constructed of a single layer of material or of multiple layers of material. The material of the base may be selected from at least one of plastic, paperboard, cardboard, fiberboard, wood, metal, aluminum, or other synthetic or natural materials, or any suitable combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the base is comprised of a medium density fiberboard (MDF). In one embodiment, the base may have a thickness ranging from approximately 1116 inch to 112 inch, although other base dimensions are contemplated.
[0024] The base is designed to provide one or more image mounting surfaces for adhering one or more images thereto. The overall dimensions of the image display provide for an assembled image display of dimensions may be, for example: a 1×1 up to 5×5 inch image or larger; 3×5 inch image; a 5×7 inch images; an 8×10 inch image; a 11×14 inch image; 16×20 inch image; 20×30 inch image; 22×32 inch image, or any other suitable image size or equivalent thereof, and including Si/metric measurements, such as 24×30 cm; 30×30 cm; 40×40 cm; 40×50 cm; 50×50 cm; 60×80 cm. It is envisioned that the overall dimensions may be customized.
[0025] The periphery of the base comprises distal edges that are angled at about 45® (e.g. at 43-47° or at 45°), along all or a portion of the periphery, thereby providing for alignment of edges, if two edges are brought together in alignment. The base is configured with one or more retainer features, which may be dents, protrusions, notches, magnetic features, snap features etc., intended to engage a fastener.
[0026] In one embodiment, the base is configured such that, when assembled, the assembled base forms a prism optionally with an end face removed, wherein the side faces of the prism are rectangles, or wherein the prism is a triangular prism or rectangular prism, or wherein the prism is a cube.
Exemplary Groove System
[0027] In one embodiment, the base is configured with an arrangement of linear v-grooves on the non-image side of the base, and that divide the base into segments. The resulting segments may then be folded inward along the v-groove, with the folded segment of the base forming a corner segment. With this arrangement, various overall shapes of the image display assembly are envisioned and may be assembled based on the arrangement and positioning of the v-grooves along the base.
[0028] In one embodiment, the v-grooves are created by a mitre bit on a computerized numerical control (CNC) router, with a bit size in a range of 90-93 degrees. The depth of the v-groove is of a depth that permits inward folding of the segments of the base in order to create a 90° angled corner, but the v-groove does not fully traverse the base. In one embodiment, the v-groove depth is in a depth ranging from approximately 0.05 to 0.02 inches away from the image side of the base (ie, leaving a base thickness in a thickness range of 0.05 to 0.02 inches), alternatively, less than 0.004 inches away from the image side of the base; thus leaving a base thickness of less than 0.004 inches remaining at the end of the v-groove. In another embodiment the v-groove depth is at a depth ranging from approximately less than or up to 0.004 inches away from the image side of the base, leaving a base thickness of essentially less than 0.004. In yet another embodiment the v-groove depth is at a depth equal to the thickness of the base, and where the v-groove traverses the non-image side of the base, ending at the adhesive layer. It is understood that overall depth will vary depending on the thickness of the base, and the type of materials used as the base.
[0029] In an embodiment, the v-grooves have a depth of varying thickness, such as at least 50% of the thickness of the base, or a lower percentage, optionally wherein the grooves have a depth at least, or greater than, 60% of the thickness of the base, further optionally wherein the grooves have a depth of at least, or greater than, 70% of the thickness of the base, still further optionally wherein the grooves have a depth of at least, or greater than, 80% of the thickness of the base, or a depth of a higher percentage.
[0030] In one embodiment, the v-grooves have an angle in a range of 85 to 95° (e.g. 87 to 93°), optionally, wherein the v-grooves have an angle of about 90°, and preferably an angle of about 91°. For example the v-grooves may have an angle in the range of 89 to 92°.
[0031] In one embodiment, the segments formed by the v-groove arrangement may be of varying widths and lengths, thereby permitting multiple display assembly configurations. In one embodiment, v-groove placement may result in a plurality of segments of various widths and lengths, which result in an overall assembly conforming to specific dimensions. In one embodiment, a depth of a side wall formed upon folding of segments of the base is in a range of 0.25 inches to 2.0 inches, although other depths are envisioned. In one embodiment, based on the overall dimensions (length and width) of the base and the arraignment of v-grooves, the resulting segments created on the base may be assembled to form an image display with for example: an 11×14 inch image display face, a 1.5 inch side wall, and a 11×14 inch fastener face, although dimensions of each side may be equivalent, with one or more image faces formed having equal dimensions.
Interlocking Fastener
[0032] In one embodiment, an interlocking fastener comprises a convex equiangular polygonal planar body (e.g. a generally rectangular planar body, or a generally regular convex polygonal planar body), comprising a dorsal surface and a ventral surface, the dorsal surface essentially flat and the ventral surface configured with one or more fastening members (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 fastening members) extending therefrom. Each fastening member comprises a fastening member body and one or more (e.g. 2, 3 or 4) cantilever tabs extending from the fastening member body. The fastening member body may be oriented substantially perpendicular (e.g. 90°+/−2, 5 or 10°) to the plane of the ventral surface. The cantilever tabs extend outward from the fastening member body and are generally oriented substantially parallel (e.g. within 2, 5 or 20° of parallel) to the ventral surface of the rectangular planar body, the orientation creating a space between a bottom surface of the cantilever tab and the ventral surface of the rectangular planar body, the width of the space corresponding to +/−10% (e.g. +/−5, 4, 3, 2 or 1%) of a thickness of the assembly base layer. Positioned near the end of each of the cantilever tabs is a fastener retainer on the bottom surface of the cantilever tab, the fastener retainer configured to engage with a retaining feature formed on an image display base end segment. When the fastener retainers are engaged with the corresponding retaining features of base end segments they form an interlocking fastening mechanism and secure an assembled base comprising at least one image display face, and a fastener face comprising the dorsal surface of the interlocking fastener. When assembled, the ventral surface of the fastener faces the interior (non-image side) of the assembled image display.
[0033] The retainer may be selected from one or more of a tab, protrusion, dint, cutout, notch, snap or magnetic feature. The retaining feature of the base end segment may be selected from one or more of a dint, cutout, notch, tab, protrusion, snap or magnetic feature. The retaining feature is selected to be complementary to the retainer, thereby providing an interlocking fastening mechanism. For example, the retainer may be a tab or protrusion, and the retaining feature may be a dint, cutout, or notch; e.g. the retainer may be a tab and the retaining feature may be a dint. For example, the retainer may be a dint, cutout, or notch and the retaining feature may be a tab or protrusion; e.g. the retainer may be a dint and the retaining feature may be a tab. For example, the retainer may be a magnet or other magnetized feature, and the retaining feature may be a corresponding magnet or magnetized feature, therefore forming a magnetic attachment between the retainer and the retainer feature.
[0034] In one embodiment, interlocking fastener is made of rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material(s), such as plastic, fiberboard, paperboard, cardboard, wood, metal, or composite material, and/or combinations of suitable materials. The overall dimensions of the fastener may correspond to the dimensions of an image face of the assembled image display. In one embodiment, fastener forms a back or side panel (face) of an assembled image display and alternately, comprises one or more of an image affixed to the dorsal surface.
[0035] As shown in
[0036] In another embodiment, as shown in
Protective Layer
[0037] In one embodiment, a protective layer is a layer of material, for example a synthetic material such as polymer or plastic, which is removable and capable of being peeled away from the adhesive layer of base layer. The protective layer may cover all, or a portion of the adhesive on the base and may be removed by peeling all or a portion of the protective layer away from the base.
Adhesive Layer
[0038] In one embodiment, an adhesive layer may be selected from adhesives including a polyvinyl acetate adhesive, hot melt adhesives, and/or pressure sensitive adhesives. In one embodiment, an adhesive layer comprises a double-sided adhesive film and may include a peel-away protective layer disposed on one of the sides of the adhesive. In one embodiment, the double-sided adhesive layer is applied to an image side (the image mounting side) of an image display base. In one embodiment, the adhesive layer covers all or a portion of the image side (image mounting side) of the display base.
Image for Display
[0039] In one embodiment, the image may be of various visual arts and mediums such as one or more of a photograph, a graphic design, a printed image or painted image, a collage, or other collection of assembled images, or other suitable image medium intended to be displayed. While it is envisioned that a single image is mounted on the base for display, the image display assembly is configured such that multiple images may be mounted. The images may be printed on paper, canvas or other materials. In another embodiment, the images may be constructed of materials such as paint, dyes, or other artistic materials, applied to a canvas or other fabric, or paper, and adhered to the image display.
[0040] In one particular embodiment, the image comprises a sheet with an image printed thereon, the sheet comprising an image area defined by a perforated perimeter, the image area and perforated perimeter essentially equal in shape and dimensions with the area of the image side of the unassembled base. The image may be separated from the sheet by releasing the perforations, and the resulting printed image may then be mounted onto the image face of the base.
Distal Ends of Base and Base Segments
[0041] In one embodiment, the base is generally planar and comprises distal ends that define the overall shape of the planar base. In another embodiment, the distal ends comprise corner-forming edges that are clipped at a 45 degree angle, to minimize interference of the distal ends upon assembly of the image display. In one embodiment, the distal ends of the non-image side of the planar base further comprises one or more retaining features (e.g. cutouts, dints, snaps or notches) of a size and shape that permits engagement with a retainer (e.g. tab) of interlocking fastening member, the retainer being of commensurate shape with the retaining feature. In one embodiment, the retainer may be a tab and the retaining feature may be an oval shaped cutout. In such an embodiment, the fastening tab of interlocking fastening member snaps securely into the oval shaped cutout, although the shape of the cutout or dint may be of various shapes and forms and depths. In another embodiment the retainer may be an oval shaped cutout and the retaining feature may be a tab. In such an embodiment the fastening cutout of interlocking fastening member snaps securely to the tab. In another embodiment, the retainer may be a magnet or other magnetized feature, and the retaining feature of distal ends may be a corresponding magnet or magnetized feature, therefore forming a magnetic attachment between the retainer and the retainer feature.
[0042] In one embodiment, the distal ends are configured as quarter segments that when folded inward to form a face of an image display, are attached to the fastener, each distal end secured with the interlocking fastening member, wherein the dorsal side of the fastener forms a face panel of the resulting structure, and the ventral surface of the fastener faces the hollow of the assembled image display. The face panel formed by the dorsal side of the fastener may further comprise an image, a decorative embellishment, or other ornamental feature(s). In another embodiment, the dorsal side of the fastener forms a back panel of an image display. Distal ends are sized, in part, according to the fastener dimensions. Each distal end comprises a tapered end that is narrower than the base of distal end adjacent the v-groove, and is of a length from the v-groove and terminating at the edge of the tapered end, the length corresponding to a length suitable for attaching with the fastener. The fastener terminal edge aligns with the v-groove forming the distal end segment, and the length of the distal end corresponding to a suitable attachment point of the distal end retainer feature to the retainer of fastener.
[0043] Also disclosed is a kit of parts for assembly of an image display, comprised of: a fastener comprising a base of rectangular shape, the base comprising a ventral side configured with fastening member and one or more fastener retainers and a dorsal side configured with an essentially flat surface and one or more optional hanging features; an image sheet; and a planar base with an image mounting/display side comprising an adhesive layer and an removable protective layer, and a non-image side comprising a plurality of v-grooves along the base segmenting the base into portions comprising base segments, the distal end segments further comprising retaining features, the segments of which are foldable along the v-grooves, such that the folded segments create corners resulting in a structure comprising one or more image display surfaces, upon assembly of the image display. The base may be proportioned with a v-groove arrangement and with distal edges configured with cutouts that, upon alignment with the fastening members of the fastener, result in an image display of a pre-determined size and shape, such as a 5×7 rectangular image display or a 2 inch or 3 inch cube-shaped mage display.
[0044] In one exemplary embodiment meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive, an unassembled image display assembly (base and adhesive layer) is of a thickness of approximately 0.125 inches, with a v-groove depth of approximately 0,115 inches inward from the non-image side, the v-grooves at an angle of 91 degrees and a width of approximately 0.2301 inches.
[0045] The planar base materials can be configured by shaping, cutting and modifying the materials comprising the planar base layer in a way that upon the addition of the v-grooves, permits assembly of the planar base materials into various support structure shapes (including triangular, rectangular, and cuboidal shapes), by inward folding of extensions or segments created by the v-grooves, which when folded inwardly along the v-groove, provide a substantially rigid support assembly on which an image can be affixed for display.
[0046] Turning now to the figures, in which are shown various embodiments of an image display assembly, in both unassembled and assembled forms.
[0047]
[0048]
[0049] Shown in
[0050]
[0051]
[0052]
[0053]
[0054]
[0055]
[0056]
[0057] It will be clear to a person skilled hi the art that features disclosed in relation to any of the embodiments disclosed above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments disclosed above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.
[0058] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.