A DISPLAY MOUNT FOR PICTURES, GRAPHICS, SIGNS AND THE LIKE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a display mount for pictures, graphics, signs and the like that are usually in the form of a generally flat sheet and that may be continuous or discontinuous (such as a jigsaw puzzle); optionally multilayered (such as laminated and applique works); optionally accompanied by embellishments and adornments applied thereto; and also possibly in the form of one or more three-dimensional objects; (all of which are herein collectively referred to as a graphic or graphics for the sake of convenience) so that the graphic can be displayed either temporarily or permanently in a required place.

In certain instances, such as in its application to the display of an assembled jigsaw puzzle, the mount may function as an accessory and serve as both a tray that is designed to facilitate the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle and a display apparatus that enables the assembled jigsaw to be preserved in the assembled condition and displayed as the completed picture.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are numerous instances in which it is desirable to display a graphic of the general type indicated above that may be composed of any single or multiple items such as a single picture or a collage of a plurality of different pictures, optionally together with a variety of different embellishments that could, for example, be constituted by mementos, memorabilia, or simply adornments. Of course, there are numerous other suitable three-dimensional items that it may be desired to display, as indicated above.

In the instance of jigsaw puzzles, and particularly those consisting of a relatively large number of pieces, the puzzles are often extremely time- consuming to assemble and, are also accompanied by the danger that one or more pieces may become lost. Also, in view of the considerable amount of time that is often assigned to the completion of a jigsaw puzzle, it may be desirable to preserve it, at least for some period of time, in the assembled condition without the danger of being accidentally upset with the consequence of it partially or wholly broken up into its various pieces.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a display mount for a graphic of the general nature indicated above that is simple in construction and may be produced inexpensively, according to design requirements. It is another object of the invention to provide a display mount that may serve as a jigsaw puzzle accessory in the form of a tray and display apparatus that is aimed at overcoming disadvantages with the present situation that exists with jigsaw puzzles and that is outlined above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a display mount for a graphic comprising a planar base having a generally continuous support surface, a removable transparent cover for the base that is operatively adapted to cover the support surface, and means for releasably holding the transparent cover in position on the base, the display mount being characterised in that it has a surround to the support surface that is permanently attached to the base and extends operatively inwards from the outer periphery of the base to overlie a peripheral region of the support surface such that the inner peripheral edge of the surround outlines a central display area of the support surface.

Further features of this aspect of the invention provide for the base to be generally rectangular in shape; for the base to be made of a cut and sulcated sheet, conveniently of a paper product such as cardboard or other reconstituted wood material that is optionally coated with a suitable coating material, at least on the support surface, such that the surround is integral with the base and is defined by fold lines along which the surround is folded over the edge region of the base in the manner of a flap to extend inwards as defined; for the removable transparent cover to be made of a sheet of transparent, generally colourless, plastics material preferably having along each of its sides a peripheral region bent back upon itself to define locating flaps that form a channel for receiving the associated edge of the base in which instance the plastics material is sufficiently flexible to provide for engagement and disengagement of the end regions that the base simply by flexing the locating flaps outwards; and for the base to have one or more partly cut out regions configured to serve as a hanging attachment whereby the base can be suspended, or a fold-out stand arrangement whereby the base can be supported in a generally upright orientation on a horizontal surface, or both.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a display mount characterised in that it is in the form of a jigsaw puzzle accessory comprising a base that operatively forms a tray having a support surface on which a jigsaw is to be assembled, in use; a surround to the tray wherein the inner edge of the surround outlines a central work area of the support surface that corresponds at least approximately to a particular outer peripheral size of jigsaw puzzle; a removable transparent cover for the tray that is operatively adapted to hold jigsaw puzzle pieces captive on the support surface; and means for releasably holding the transparent cover in position on the tray.

Further features of this aspect of the invention provide for the support surface to be demarcated with a grid pattern; for the colour of the support surface to

be chosen to enhance the visibility of jigsaw puzzle pieces against the support surface as background; for the surround to be selected from die cut strips of sheet material, a board having an aperture cut therein that corresponds substantially to the outer peripheral shape of a particular shape and size of jigsaw puzzle, and, in the event that the support surface is defined by a suitable sheet material, peripheral flaps folded inwards from an oversized sheet of material so that the outermost edges of the oversized cut sheet define a surround that is spaced inwards from the peripheral edge of the tray; and for the transparent cover to have extending along at least two opposite peripheral edges, a rearwardly directed zone terminating in an inwardly directed lip for engaging behind the tray.

As an alternative, the means for releasably holding the transparent cover in position on the tray may comprise a channel shaped extrusion whereof the flanges converge inwards towards each other such that the free edges of the flanges may be resiliently separated to accommodate the tray assembly therebetween with the flanges clamping the various components in position.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, different embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a display mount in the form of an accessory particularly designed to be used for the assembly of a jigsaw puzzle that has been purchased in a corresponding type of box;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the completed jigsaw puzzle and accessory of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through an edge region of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1 taken along line III to III;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a variation to the transparent cover;

Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of a sheet of cardboard material used to form the tray with integral peripheral flaps forming the surround;

Figure 6 is a rear view of one form of jigsaw puzzle accessory that is suitable particularly for smaller sized jigsaw puzzles;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the front face of a cut and sulcated display mount according to the invention that is a more universal embodiment of the invention than that described with reference to Figures 1 to 6; and,

Figure 8 illustrates in isometric view the display mount illustrated in Figure 7 in the operative condition and showing the transparent cover in exploded relationship relative thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, a base having a support surface is in the form of jigsaw puzzle tray (1) made from a cut sheet of a suitable board, such as a suitable cardboard or extruded plastics board, that may optionally be coated or laminated with a surfacing sheet.

In either event the support surface forming the bottom of the tray is provided with a grid (2) on its surface and the support surface itself is made to a suitable colour that inherently facilitates the viewing of jigsaw puzzle pieces, during assembly thereof, and especially it enables it to be easily noted when a jigsaw puzzle piece is upside-down. Certain shades of grey are considered to be particularly advantageous in this regard.

In one variation of this embodiment of the invention a surround (3), the inner edge of which defines the periphery of the display or work area of the tray, is formed from a separate sheet of material bonded to the periphery of the base (1) and the surround can be made in any suitable manner. One suitable manner is in the form of an assembly of separate strips. Another suitable manner is to cut a surround from a single piece of sheet material from which a large rectangular central piece is removed very much in the manner of the surround to a picture in the picture framing business.

In a second variation of this embodiment of the invention that is illustrated in Figure 5, the board (4) from which the base is made is sulcated along peripheral lines (5) so that flaps (6) forming extensions to the base (shown in dotted lines) can be folded back upon the surface of the base. The peripheral edges of the board then define the periphery of the display or work area of the tray, being the inner edge of the surround. Cropping of the corners of such an oversized sheet at 45 degrees automatically forms mitred comers (7) to the surround.

Whatever construction is utilised to provide the surround, it defines an area of display or work surface that preferably corresponds substantially to the finished size of a jigsaw puzzle to be assembled thereon. It is thus a possible variation to provide a single base with a plurality of removable different sized surrounds for the purpose of assembling different sized jigsaw puzzles, at least within appropriate limits.

The thickness of the surround, in any event, preferably corresponds substantially to the thickness of jigsaw puzzle pieces.

A transparent and typically colourless cover (8) (see Figure 3) for the tray is provided to cover the partially or fully assembled jigsaw. This colourless cover, when held tightly against the surface of the surround, holds the jigsaw puzzle pieces captive.

In one instance that is illustrated in Figure 3, the cover is to be maintained in position on the tray by means of a deep channel shaped extrusion (9) the flanges (10) of which are formed to converge inwards towards their free edges (11) so that the flanges are substantially resiliently biased towards each other. The flanges need to be urged apart to a certain extent to be introduced over an edge of the composite assembly and the resilient biasing of the flanges towards each other maintains the cover (8) in position in engagement with the surround.

One variation of the cover is illustrated in Figure 4 in which case the cover (12) has a rearwardly extending zone (13) terminating in an inwardly directed return lip (14) that engages behind the base. The cover in this instance must be slid onto the base and associated surround in a plane parallel to the tray from one edge thereof. In this instance the channel shaped extrusion (15) is optional.

In use, the pieces (16) of a jigsaw that is purchased in a box (17) (see Figure 1) can be spread on the display or work area of the tray and the jigsaw assembled in the usual way. However, as an aid to doing this, the picture (18) typically printed on the outside of the box (17) may have a grid (19) drawn over it with the same number of lines in each direction as the grid on the support surface. The grid can then be used as a reference to assess approximately where certain pieces of the jigsaw, or subassemblies of pieces, should be placed on the support surface. Of course, if a jigsaw

puzzle is produced specifically for use on a tray according to the invention, the grid could be pre-printed over the picture.

At any stage, and in particular once a jigsaw is finished, the cover can be installed over the tray and the entire assembly can be hung on a wall or displayed in any other place that is desired. In this regard, it is to be noted that the base could be provided on the rear surface, as illustrated in Figure 6, with a hinged stay (20) whereby the assembly can be supported on a lower edge and held in an upwardly extending and slightly rearwardly inclined orientation, as is well known picture framing business.

Numerous variations may be made to the embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope hereof.

In particular, and as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, a more universal embodiment of the invention may be directed at the display of more general graphics of the type outlined in the preamble hereto.

In this instance, a base (21) is formed very much along the lines of that described with reference to Figure 5, the base consisting of a board sulcated along peripheral lines (22) so that flaps (23) forming extensions to the base can be folded back upon the surface of the base from the position that is illustrated in Figure 7 to the operative position that is illustrated in Figure 8 in order to form the surround. The operatively inner edges (24) of the flaps form the inner edge of the surround and serve to define the central display area of the support surface of the base as is clearly shown in Figure 8.

In this more universal embodiment of the invention, various facilities may be embodied in the base in order to assist in its use for a variety of different purposes. Thus, there may be provided a partly cut out hanger (25) having a perforation (26) whereby the base can be suspended, for example, by a hook on a wall. There may also be provided a partly cut out stay (27) that can be

hinged about a sulcated line (28) to project outwards at right angles to the base with an integral partly cut out outwardly foldable lock (29) for the stay being provided, in known manner. Furthermore, the base can be provided on its rear surface with magnetic mounting strips (not shown) to enable the display mount to be supported on a magnetic supporting surface, such as, a door or side wall of a refrigerator.

Mounting strips (30) of adhesive, covered in the usual way with a releasable cover strip, may be provided, typically towards the edges of the base so that a picture or any other graphic can be adhesively secured to the base. A plurality of diagonal slits (31) can also be provided toward the corners of the base to enable corners of a sheet carrying a graphic to be passed through the slits and mounted to the base in well known manner.

In this particular instance, the cover (32) is made of a clear sheet of plastics material (see Figure 8) that is rigidly flexible and that has return folded locating flaps (33) adapted to cooperate with the back of the base to maintain the cover in its operative position. Locating the cover over the face is simply achieved by urging the flaps outwards and over the edges of the base. The flaps are conveniently formed by heating suitable thermoplastic material and folding it followed by allowing it to cool and set in the folded condition in which instance a spine (34) may interconnect the cover with the flaps according to the thickness of the composite base, surround and its associated graphic to be covered.

In the illustration of Figure 8, a graphic in the form of the sheet (35) having a caricature thereon is shown in situ for illustrative purposes.

It will be understood that numerous variations may be made to the embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope hereof. In particular, the surround could be made to a fairly substantial thickness utilising any suitable folding technique or, indeed, the application of

squat tubular surround elements so as to provide a cavity of appreciable depth between the display surface and cover for accommodating three- dimensional or rather thick graphic works. Also, the peripheral shape of the display mount may be made to a different polygonal shape from a square or rectangular shape and, accordingly, the display mount may be triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or even octagonal, as may be required.