LIGHT WEIGHT DISPLAY ITEM

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to stabilization of light weight display items.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION In general, light weight display items such as business cards and calendars and the like, which are intended to be displayed by standing upright or hanging on a wall are prone to accidental overturning or dislodgement by move¬ ment of air. This occurs since the weight of the display items is generally small with respect to their surface area. It has been found that accidental overturning can lead to loss or mislocation of the display items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a light weight display item which is less prone to accidental overturning. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a light weight display item charact¬ erised in that it comprises a surface means arranged to be printed on an aperture formed in the surface means and having an area less than about half the area of the surface means, the aperture corresponding with a weight means fixed to an interior face of the surface means, the weight means weighting the display item to reduce the chances of the light weight display item overturning or being dislodged in a breeze and the weight means being arranged to be viewed through the aperture. Preferably, the weight means is a chronographic module and/or a thermometer or the like.

The present invention will hereinafter be described with particular reference to business cards and wall hanging calendars although it is to be understood that it is of general applicability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a business card in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the business card of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of a business card according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of a business card according to a still further embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a calendar in accor¬ dance with the present invention, shown hanging on awall. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a display item being a business card 10 comprising a surface means 12 formed of a sheet material folded intermediately of its length at a fold 13. The surface means 12 is arranged to be printed on. It is intended that the surface means 12 have information printed on it. It is envisaged that the business card 10 have printed on it information indicating the identity of the person and/or firm or company represen- ted by the person presenting it.

The business card 10 also comprises a stand means 14 which, in the present embodiment, is integral with the surface means 12. The stand means 14 is arranged to rest the surface means 12, in use, upright upon an object 16, such as a desk top or the like.

The stand means 14 comprises two splayed apart portions 17 formed of the sheet of folded material and arranged to, in use, rest upon the object 16. The portions 17 have edges 17a which rest upon the object 16 and frictionally engage therewith.

The business card 10 also comprises an aperture 18 formed in the surface means 12.

The aperture 18 is arranged to correspond with a weight means 20 fixed to the surface means 12. Preferably, the weight means 20 is fixed to an interior face 22 of the surface means 12. The aperture 18 allows a user of the business card 10 to view the weight means 20 by disposing the business card 10 so that the aperture 18 faces him either when held by the user or rested upon the object 16. Preferably, the weight means 20 is a chronographic module and/or a thermometer or the like. The weight module 20 increases the weight of the business card 10 with respect to its surface area and provides informa¬ tion to a user, such as, for example, the time of day and/or temperature or the like.

Thus, the weight means 20 serves to make the business card 10 less prone to accidental overturning by movement of air. Accordingly, the business card 10 may be less prone to loss. Further, the weight means 20 increases the frictional engagement of the business card 10 with

the object 16.

In use, the business card 10 is arranged upright upon an object 16 and printed data or information arranged and/or prearranged thereon to be read. The business card 10 may be oriented such that the aperture 18 is directed toward the user and the weight means 20 in clear view. The user may then look through the aperture 18 to read the information, such as the time of day and or temperature or the like that may appear on the weight means 20.

Further, the user may look at the surface means 12 to read the information printed thereon.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 3, like numerals denoting like parts, the business card 10 comprises an aperture 18 comprising a flap 30 formed integrally with or attached to the surface means 20 and arranged adjacent the aperture 18 so as to in one mode hide the weight means 20 from view. In a second mode the flap 30 may be moved to allow the weight means 20 to be viewed.

In use, the business card 10 of the further embodiment is arranged as described hereinabove. A user of the business card 10 may raise the flap 30 to reveal the weight means 20 and thus to read the information, such as the time of day and/or temperature or the like, displayed thereon.

In a still further embodiment, shown in Figure 4, like numerals denoting like parts, the stand means 14 comprises a crease 40 to allow a bend to be formed in the stand means 14 at a location intermediate of the

length of the stand means 14.

The portion 17 of the stand means 14 below the crease 40 is intended to contact with the object 16 to increase friction therebetween. In such a arrangement the weight means 20 serves to further increase the frictional engagement between the bent portion and the object 16 and thus further reduce the likelihood of the business card 10 overturning or being blown away by movement of air or the like. In use, the business card 10 of the still further embodiment is arranged substantially as described here- inabove excepting that the stand means 14 is bent along the crease 40 so that the portion 17 of the stand means 14 below the crease 40 may be made to contact with the object 16.

It is envisaged that in the display item of the still further embodiment the stand means 14 could be arranged with the portions 17 inwardly curved so as to increase the frictional engagement between the business card 10 and the object 16.

In a still further embodiment, shown in Figure 5, like numerals denoting like parts, the display item is in the form of a calendar 50. The calendar 50 comprises a backing means 52 to support the surface means 12. It is envisaged that the surface means 12 could be integral with the backing means 52. The backing means 52 may have a plurality of leaves 54 depending from it, as conventionally used. The calendar 50 also comprises a mounting means 56 arranged to fix the calendar 50 to a wall 60 or the

like substantiallyverticalobject, by forexample ahook 58. In use, the calendar 50 is hung on the hook 58 on the wall 60 by the mounting means 56. The calendar 50 is intended to be oriented so that the aperture 18 and the weight means 20 are in view of a user.

The user may then look through the aperture 18 to read information, such as the time of day and/or temperature or the like that may appear on the weight means 20. Further, the user may look to the surface means to read the calendar information printed thereon.

The weight means 20 acts to reduce the tendency of the calendar 50 to otherwise flap in a breeze, due to the force of the weight of the weight means 20. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention. For example the business card 10 could be arranged on its side with the fold 13 and or the crease 40 arranged substantially vertically.