CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Applications numbered 60/554,000 filed March 16, 2004 and 60/558,442 filed March 31, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns albums for photographs and similar collectable items.

BACKGROUND

One type of high-quality loose-leaf album comprises a pair of covers enfolding a plurality of replaceable leaves for photographs or similar memorabilia, the covers and leaves being laced together by straps which lace through hinge elements projecting from the leaves, and also through slots in holders attached to the inside of the covers. The cover holders frictionally hold the ends of the straps. See, for example, US Patent 5,848,851 (Gunasekera).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an album for photographs and similar collectable items, having a cover in which at least one window is formed for the display of a photograph or other flat object. The displayed object is held in a pocket, which is formed from an upper transparent polymeric material that has been adhered or otherwise attached around three sides of its perimeter to a lower material (preferably paper), which in turn is completely affixed to the inner base card layer of the cover. A framed cutout in the cover displays the object, recessed within the cover due to the depth of the material forming the cover.

In particular, the invention is an album for photographs, having at least one cover in which at least one window opening is formed, in which the window is formed by a window frame mounting base having a L-shaped cross-sectional profile and inserted into the window opening from an inside of the cover. The album further comprises a window frame cover having a L-shaped cross-sectional profile that is inverted with respect to the profile of the window frame mounting base. The window fram cover is inserted into the window opening from an outside of the cover, and mates with the window frame mounting base such that outer-facing portions of the window frame cover exposed edges of the window frame mounting base. Thus, no seams are visible in normal use, as viewed from the outside of the cover, even when the album is viewed from an angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show a particular embodiment of the invention as an example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In particular, the dimensions on the figures are preferred but not required except as specifically set forth in the claims. The dimensions are only a guide to the proportions of the components of the invention and how they interrelate with each other, or fit together in some cases.

Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, opened and laid flat for ease of illustration.

Figure 2 is a front views of a component of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, including the detail view A taken at the location illustrated.

Figures 2-3 are front views of components of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a collection of front and bottom views of component(s) of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1 , including the detail view A taken from the bottom view at the location illustrated.

Figure 5 is a collection of front and back views of a component of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1.

Figures 6-7 are front views of components of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a front view of the front cover component of Figure 1, including a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8, and a detail view A taken from the cross- sectional view at the location illustrated. Figure 9 is a collection of front and side views of the window frame component of Figure 8, including a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A, and a detail view K taken from the cross-sectional view at the location illustrated.

Figure 10 is a collection of top, front, and side views of the mounting corner component of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the front cover component of Figure 1, including cross-sectional views taken along the lines 11-11, and A-A at the locations illustrated.

Figure 12 is a collection of front and side views of the window frame component of Figure 11 , including a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A.

Figure 13 is a collection of top and side views of the mounting corner component of Figure 11, including a detail view A taken at the location illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general terms, the invention is an improved version of the photograph album disclosed and claimed in US Patent 5,848,851 (Gunasekera), the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. Unless specified otherwise below, the construction of the invention is as described in the Gunasekera patent.

The invention further includes a window formed in the material of one or both of the front andback covers of the album, preferably the front cover. The location of the window is not critical to the scope of the invention, but it is preferred for aesthetic reasons to place the window generally centered both horizontally and vertically in the front cover. The shape of the window is not critical to the scope of the invention but it is preferred that it be rectangular. The orientation of the window is not critical to the scope of the invention but it is preferred that it be portrait, as opposed to landscape. The size of the window is not critical to the scope of the invention, but for an especially preferred rectangular and portrait window centered on the front of a cover measuring approximately twelve inches in width (not including the spine of the album) and approximately twelve and one-half inches in height, a window having inside dimensions of five and one-half inches in height and three and one-half inches in width is preferred. The size of the window frame is not critical to the scope of the invention, but for the especially preferred rectangular and portrait window just described, a window frame width of approximately seven-sixteenths inch on all visible exterior sides is preferred. The depth of the window frame is not critical to the scope of the invention, and will be dictated by the available thickness of the cover itself, but for the especially preferred rectangular and portrait window just described, a window thickness of approximately one quarter inch is preferred; the thickness of the window preferably is created by one leg of an L-shaped frame, as described further below, and thus is a unitary piece constructed of the same material so that there are no seams or joints visible from the exterior ofthe album. The finish of the window frame is not critical to the scope of the invention, but for a dark colored album cover, a glossy silver finish is preferred.

Figure 1 is a front view of album cover 10, which has been opened up and laid flat to show in this single view the exterior of each of front cover 1, window frame 2 located in front cover 1, back cover 3, and flexible backbone 4. Front cover 1, back cover 3, and flexible backbone 4 are separate pieces which are assembled into an album by inserting opposite ends of flexible backbone 4 into the respective interiors of front cover 1 and back cover 3.

Figure 2 is a front view of a portion of front cover 1, specifically the inner base card 5 that lies within front cover 1. (Another inner base card 5 lies within back cover 3.) As can be seen in the detail portion of the figure denoted A, this piece is slotted so that the strap that will hold the removable leaves within completed album 10 will also pass through the slots in the covers, as is known from the Gunasekera patent noted above.

Figure 3 is a detailed dimensioned view of inner base card 5 (without slots as just described). Pocket 6 is formed from a lower layer 7 formed from a photo-safe material (e.g. , paper), while upper layer 8 is typically transparent (it could be merely translucent) but otherwise is also a photo-safe material such as polypropylene or polyester. Because upper layer 8 will be ultimately exposed to the outside of the album, it should be a material that can withstand conditions such as exposure to sunlight (in terms of fading, yellowing, wrinkling, other disadvantages caused by light exposure and/or elevated temperatures, etc.) without losing its ability to both display and protect the underlying photograph or other object in pocket 6. The two layers 7, 8 are fused or otherwise adhered together on three sides in adhesive region 9, such as by thermal lamination or by use of a separate adhesive material, including UV-curable adhesives (although other types of adhesives may be employed). The fourth side is open so that the photograph or other displayed object may be inserted and removed. Pocket 6 is adhered or otherwise permanently attached to inner base card 5, preferably by applying an adhesive with a removable liner to the back side of the photo pocket 6. The liner is removed, and the photo pocket is applied to the base card. Regardless of how it is attached, it must be aligned with the window so that, once the entire album front cover is assembled, the contents of pocket 6 maybe viewed through the window 2 of the front cover 1. This step may be incorporated into the process of assembling the remainder of the album, or it may be done separately so that an inventory of pre-assembled units is provided.

Figure 8 illustrates the assembled front cover, including dimensions for the preferred embodiment, although the scope of the invention is not limited to these dimensions. The back cover is the same as the front cover, but without the window, and thus is not shown but should be understood as part of an assembled album. The preferred components and construction ofthe front cover are illustrated in detail A of Figure 8: window frame 101, preferably but not necessarily manufactured of zinc alloy; window frame mounting base 102, preferably but not necessarily manufactured of stainless steel, and to which window frame 101 attaches to form window 2 of Figure 1 ; inner base card 5; pocket 6; lower cardboard 106; sponge or foam board 107; upper cardboard 108 (which may or may not be necessary depending on the application), and exterior cover material 109. The composition of these materials is not critical to the scope of the invention, and also would be understood by those skilled in the art of manufacturing album covers of this type.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of components such as sponge or foam board 107, upper cardboard 108, and the like, illustrating that each has a hole, punched or cut in a conventional manner, and having the required size and location to accommodate window 2 and its other components. An appropriate set of one or more cuts or cutouts is made in exterior cover material 109 to be compatible with the holes formed in the other components of the cover. Exterior cover material 109 may be laminated or adhered to foam board 107, upper cardboard 108 (if used), and the like along the perimeter of window 2 using conventional techniques.

Referring back to Figure 8, the window frame 2 is assembled from the window frame 101 and window frame mounting base 102, which are shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10, respectively, hi cross section, each piece is L-shaped, such that the window frame mounting base 102 is inserted into the window opening from below, and the window frame 101, its L-shaped profile inverted with respect to the profile of the lower piece, is then inserted into the window opening from above, and the two pieces connect together. This enables the portions of the outer-facing window frame 101 to cover the exposed edges of the window frame mounting base 102, thereby revealing no seams in normal use as viewed from the exterior front of the album, even when the album is viewed from an angle.

The window frame 101 and window frame mounting base 102 connect together in any convenient manner that does not expose seams or other construction features, as described above. The preferred technique for connecting the two pieces together uses one or more teeth 110 formed in any or all of the downwardly directed legs 111 of window frame 101. In the preferred embodiment, there are two teeth 110 formed in each of the four downwardly directed legs 111, but the number of teeth per leg and the number of legs having such teeth are each matters of preference and not limitations of the scope of the invention. Also, the preferred teeth are separate from each other and located generally toward the corners of the window frame 101 (i.e., near where adjacent downwardly directed legs 111 meet), but these are also preferences and not requirements of the invention. For example, an elongated ridge that extends over much or all of the extent of a downwardly directed leg 111 is within the scope of the invention. Similarly, a pair of teeth, matched in size and shape or not matched if so desired, could be provided adjacent each corner.

Mating features 120 are provided in upwardly directed legs 121 of the window frame mounting base 102. The features are sized and located to provide a snap fit with the teeth 110 of window frame 101. hi the preferred embodiment, there are two openings 120 formed in each of the four upwardly directed legs 121, but the number of openings or other snap features (such as a ridge or groove) per leg and the number of legs having such features are determined by the need for the two frame pieces 101 and 102 to be compatible with each other. Also, the preferred openings are discrete and separate from each other, again located generally toward the corners of the window frame mounting base 102, but as before these are also preferences and not requirements of the invention. For example, an extended slot or ridge that extends over much or all of the extent of the upwardly directed leg 121 is within the scope of the invention. The size, number, configuration and the like of teeth 110 and openings 120 may be selected to balance ease of construction, the integrity of the finished product, and similar product design considerations, all while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Figures 11-13 are similar to Figures 8-10, respectively, with like numbered components corresponding to each other and illustrating an alternative embodiment in which the shape of a window is a heart instead of a rectangle. This embodiment also features discrete tabs, as opposed to a feature that runs the entire length of a side of component of the frame, house teeth 110 and mating features 120. The use of discrete tabs is not limited to the heart shaped embodiment, and therefore could be employed in the rectangular shaped embodiment of Figures 8-10 or in any other embodiment of the invention having a differently shaped frame. This set of figures also illustrates that the window frame may, in general, be curved as opposed to rectilinear. Thus, ovals, circles, squares, triangles, flower shapes, and other figures are within the scope of the invention even though they are not specifically illustrated.

The exterior cover material 109 may be gathered around the four exterior sides of the front cover and adhered underneath the visible exterior of the front cover using conventional techniques, such as pulling it taught and adhering it in place. On the side from which the base card 5 extends, the cover material 109 is adhered to the bottom side of lower cardboard 106 so that the slotted portion of base card 5 may extend outward from the front cover; access to the insert or remove the photograph is available on the other (upper) face of base card 5 but below the exterior cover material 109 and the bottom side of lower cardboard 106. (This is also the location into which the backbone 4 is inserted, as described elsewhere, and thus backbone 4 lies atop the entrance to pocket 6.) On the other three sides, the exterior cover material 109 may be adhered to the bottom side of lower cardboard 106, and optionally (but preferably) the edges of exterior cover material 109 are covered by a suitable back piece (not shown) that also serves as the visible interior of the entire front cover. The back piece is adhered around as least its perimeter to the exterior cover material and/or the bottom face of lower cardboard 106.

Figures 5-7 are views of the components of the backbone. Figure 5 shows front and back views of the backbone, which comprises a base backbone material 50 (such as a flexible card stock) to which has been adhered, using any convenient method, and a backbone bookcloth 51 (which typically is the same material as the exterior cover material 109 used on the front and back covers). Figures 6 and 7 show dimensions for these materials in the preferred embodiment, but backbones having other configurations and dimensions are possible in other embodiments of the invention.