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Patent Abstract
A device for storing and displaying jewelry having a frame fabricated
from a single sheet of resilient material. The frame contains parallel,
spaced apart front and rear panels that are co-joined along their
upper edges by a top wall. The front panel extends below the rear
panel and a base is integrally connected to the lower edge of the
front panel and extends rearwardly beneath the rear panel. The front
panel includes a window through which access can be gained to a
foam pad that is captured between the front and rear panels. Studded
hooks are inserted into the pad upon which various items of jewelry
can be hung. Pins and studded pieces of jewelry can also be inserted
directly into the pad for display and storage purposes.
Patent Claims
We claim:
1. A device for displaying and storing jewelry that includes: a
single piece frame fabricated from a sheet of resilient material;
said frame having a flat front panel and a flat rear panel, said
panels being spaced apart in generally parallel alignment; said
front and rear panels being integrally co-joined along their top
edges by a top wall; said front panel being longer than said rear
panel and a base being integrally joined to the bottom edge of the
front panel so that the base extends rearwardly beneath the rear
panel; said front panel containing an open window passing there-through;
and means for supporting jewelry mounted in the space between the
front and rear panels behind said window.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said base is a flat plate.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said base includes a plurality
of flat bars.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said bars are mounted in parallel
alignment.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said base forms an acute angle
with the front panel of the frame.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting jewelry
is a resilient pad.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the pad is fabricated of a resilient
foam.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said pad has a width that is slightly
greater than space between the front and rear panels wherein the
pad is compressed between the panels.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the window outlines a recognizable
form.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the frame is fabricated of a
resilient plastic.
11. The device of claim 7, that further includes a plurality of
studded hook removably inserted through said window into said pad
for supporting rings, bracelets and necklaces.
Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a device for storing and displaying
various pieces of jewelry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically, most pieces of jewelry are stored in jewelry
boxes which are capable of being locked to protect the contents
from being tampered with or misplaced. Most jewelry boxes are compartmentized
to segregate different types of pieces, however, the compartments
tend to become crowded making it difficult to isolate and compare
pieces that might go best with an outfit for a specific occasion.
Chain type bracelets and necklaces tend to become entangled and
a good bit of time can be consumed in untangling the pieces making
the wearer late for appointments or meetings. Similarly, smaller
pieces such as pins and matching earrings are also sometimes difficult
to find thus further consuming valuable time when the wearer can
least afford it.
[0003] Even after a number of pieces have been located and removed
from the jewelry box, the wearer might be unhappy with the selection
and the process of isolating and removing other pieces from the
jewelry box must be repeated.
[0004] Many people, in addition have favorite pieces of jewelry
which are worn frequently if not on a daily bases. These frequently
worn pieces are generally not placed in a jewelry box and are simply
deposited when not worn in any convenient location such as sink
tops, the tops of furniture, drawers or the like where they can
easily become misplaced and lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to improve devices
for displaying and storing jewelry.
[0006] It is a further object of the invention is to provide a
device for safely and conveniently storing and displaying frequently
worn pieces of jewelry
[0007] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a device for allowing selected pieces of jewelry to be displayed
in a group to insure the pieces complement each other prior to wearing.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is provide a display
device that allows a jewelry ensemble to be pre-assembled prior
to the jewelry being worn.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a display and storage device for frequently worn jewelry thus preventing
the jewelry from being misplaced and lost.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is provide
a jewelry display and storage device that can be conveniently seated
on a dressing table or on top of a bureau.
[0011] These and other objects of the present invention are attained
by a device for displaying and storing pieces of jewelry that includes
a frame fabricated of a single sheet of resilient material having
parallel spaced apart front and rear panels that are co-joined along
their upper edges by a top wall. The front panel extends below the
rear panel and a base is joined to the lower edge of the front panel
that extends rearwardly beneath the rear panel. The front panel
contains a window through which access is gained to a foam pad that
is captured between the front and rear panels. Studded hooks are
inserted into the pad upon which rings, bracelets and necklaces
can be hung and studded earrings and pins can be inserted directly
into the pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a better understanding of these and objects of the invention,
reference will be made to the following detailed description of
the invention which is to be read in connection with the accompanying
drawing, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a display
device embodying the teachings of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the display device shown in
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment
of the invention; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view in perspective showing
studs mounted in a foam support pad used in the practice of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated
a device for storing and displaying jewelry items that is generally
referenced 10. The device includes a frame 12 that is fabricated
from a single sheet such as plastic, stiff paperboard and the like.
The frame includes a flat front panel 14 and a flat rear panel 15
that are connected along their upper edges by a top wall 17. In
this embodiment of the invention the panels are illustrated as being
rectangular in shape, however, any suitable shaped panel can be
used in the practice of the invention. The two panels are held in
spaced apart parallel alignment by the top wall 17. The two panels
have about the same width.
[0018] The front panel 14 of the device extends downwardly from
the top wall to a point below the bottom edge 18 of the rear panel
15. A base 20 is integrally joined to the lower edge of the front
panel and extends rearwardly beneath the rear panel of the device
to provide a stand by which the device can be seated upon a flat
substrate. In this embodiment of the invention the base is a flat
plate that is able to support the front and rear panels in an upright
position when placed upon a level surface such as the top of a dressing
table, a bureau or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the base
preferably forms an acute angle .alpha. with the front panel which
tilts the two panels slightly to the rear. An angle of between 6
and 10 degrees provides for easy viewing of the front panel when
the frame is placed upon a flat substrate.
[0019] The front panel of the device is furnished with a clear
window 22 that passes through the panel. In this embodiment of the
invention the window is heart shaped, however, it can take any form
that might be esthetically pleasing. Preferably, the outline of
the window will define some easily recognizable shape. The window
should have an area such that a number of jewelry items can be displayed
within its boundaries.
[0020] A pad 25 is contained within the frame between the front
and rear panels. The thickness of the pad is slightly greater than
the spacing between the front and rear panels. The pad is fabricated
of a foam material such as polystyrene, polyurethane or the like
so that it can be compressed between the panels. In assembly, the
two panels are pulled apart sufficiently to permit the pad to be
passed into the space between the panels and the panels then allowed
to return to their normal alignment thus compressing the pad and
capturing it between the panels. The pad is cut so that it completely
fills the space between the panels.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 4, studded hooks 30 are provided
having pointed shafts that can be easily inserted into the pad to
support the hook at a desired location within the window. Articles
such as rings, bracelets and necklaces can be hung upon the hooks
for display and storage purposes. Studded earrings as well as pins
and broaches or the like can be similarly mounted in the pad by
simply inserting the stud or pin part of the item into the pad.
A bracelet 31 and an earring 32 are shown mounted upon pad 25 in
FIG. 4 by way of an example.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating a second
embodiment of the invention. As noted above, the frame 12 includes
a front panel 14 and a rear panel 15 that are co-joined by a top
wall 17. In this embodiment, the flat base of the frame is replaced
by a pair of elongated flat bar 35-35 that are integrally attached
to the bottom edge of the front wall and extend rearwardly under
the rear wall of the frame to provide a sturdy support for the frame.
Here again the front and rear panels of the frame are angularly
offset with regard to the bars to provided for easy viewing of articles
mounted in the frame window.
[0023] While the present invention has been particularly shown
and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated
in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art
that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
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