U.S. patent application number 11/385476 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for kit for making an interchangeable panel, modular display system.
Invention is credited to Mary E. Farmer Brock, John J. McGeough.
Application Number | 20060160467 11/385476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26782206 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060160467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brock; Mary E. Farmer ; et
al. |
July 20, 2006 |
Kit for making an interchangeable panel, modular display system
Abstract
An interchangeable panel, modular display system for use as a
doll house or miniature display case includes a modular frame with
at least one wall section having grooves for slidably receiving a
wall panel therein. The frame also includes an opening for
inserting a wall panel into and removing a wall panel from the wall
section. Each wall panel includes a flat, rigid support, a
magnetically attractable layer, and a decorative cover layer.
Magnetically attractable decorations can be removably attached at
selected locations on the wall panel.
Inventors: |
Brock; Mary E. Farmer;
(Rockwall, TX) ; McGeough; John J.; (Carrollton,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP G. MEYERS LAW OFFICE
1009 LONG PRAIRIE ROAD, SUITE 300
FLOWER MOUND
TX
75022
US
|
Family ID: |
26782206 |
Appl. No.: |
11/385476 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09327593 |
Jun 8, 1999 |
7014524 |
|
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11385476 |
Mar 21, 2006 |
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60090376 |
Jun 22, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/478 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/52 20060101
A63H003/52 |
Claims
1. An interchangeable panel display kit usable to make an
interchangeable panel modular display system, which display system
includes a frame including a base and at least two wall sections
positionable in an upright position when the base is placed
horizontally on a surface, which wall sections each have a groove
for slidably receiving a wall panel therein and an opening for
inserting a wall panel into the grooves and for removing the wall
panel from the grooves, and at least two wall panels slidably
insertable into the grooves of the wall sections, the wall panels
each comprising a support and a decorative surface disposed on at
least one side of the support, wherein the kit comprises: at least
one frame; and a plurality of sets of interchangeable wall panels
having a variety of decorative surfaces so that the appearance of
the display system can be changed by removal and replacement of the
wall panels.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wall panels comprise two or more
subsets each containing two or more panels having a matching or
coordinated decorative covers.
3. The kit of claim 2, wherein the base and wall sections are each
rectangular, and each wall section is mounted along one edge of the
base section.
4. The kit of claim 3, wherein the wall section comprises two
parallel, spaced, upright posts, each post having a longitudinal
groove for slidably receiving a wall panel therein.
5. The kit of claim 2, wherein each wall panel comprises a
magnetically attractable layer, the kit further comprising one or
more magnetically attractable decorations, wherein at least one of
the decorations and the magnetically attractable layer of the wall
panel comprises a magnetic material.
6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wall panels and frame form a
plurality of doll house interiors.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
09/327,593, filed Jun. 8, 1999, which claims benefit of Provisional
Application No. 60/090,37, filed Jun. 22, 1998.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to miniature display cases,
particularly to doll houses in which the appearance, size, and
shape of the doll house can be quickly and easily changed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Doll houses and miniature rooms of various types have been
previously designed. Generally, these doll houses are prefabricated
and do not permit simple and convenient alterations to the
appearance of the doll house's exterior or to individual rooms in
the doll house. In addition, such doll houses have a specific shape
and size that cannot be changed. For example, see Walmer, U.S. Pat.
No. 3,906,659, issued Sep. 23, 1975; Walmer, U.S. Pat. No.
4,018,001, issued Apr. 19, 1977; Walmer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,090,
issued Jun. 13, 1978; and Kroneck, U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,820, issued
Feb. 9, 1988. Such constructions are useful as toys and for
creating miniature displays but lack the ability to conveniently
decorate and customize the appearance, size, and shape of the doll
house or display case. The present invention addresses these
problems and deficiencies with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An interchangeable panel display system according to the
invention includes a frame and one or more wall panels that fit
into the frame. The frame has a base and at least one wall section
positionable in an upright position when the base is placed
horizontally on a surface. The wall section has grooves for
slidably receiving a wall panel therein and an opening or slot for
inserting a wall panel into the grooves and for removing the wall
panel from the grooves. A wall panel is slidably inserted into the
grooves of the wall section. The wall panel comprises a support and
a decorative cover or surface disposed on at least one side of the
support. Preferably, at least three wall sections are provided on
three sides of a rectangular base so that a stage-like scene may be
set inside the display using either or both of wall-mounted and
free standing decorations.
[0005] The invention further provides an interchangeable panel
display kit usable to make an interchangeable panel display system
as described above. Such a kit includes at minimum at least one
frame and a plurality of wall panels having a variety of decorative
surfaces so that the appearance of the display system can be
changed by removal and replacement of the wall panels. The kit may
further include a set of decorations for use in making displays,
especially magnetically attachable decorations as described in the
detailed description that follows.
[0006] According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame
may be any one providing sufficient mechanical support, for
example, a molded plastic base with grooves for insertion of wall
sections and snap-on plastic connectors for securing the upper ends
of adjacent wall panels. The removable wall panels comprise a flat,
substantially rigid support, a magnetically attractable layer, and
a decorative cover. The magnetically attractable layer allows
magnetically attractable decorations to be removably attached at
selected locations on the wall panels. Thus, the decorations and
appearance of each individual room in the display system can be
quickly and easily changed. For purposes of the invention,
"substantially rigid" refers to a support that is stiff and
self-supporting in the manner of cardboard or paperboard.
[0007] The invention additionally provides a method of using an
interchangeable panel modular display system which takes advantage
of the flexibility of the display. The method includes the initial
step of positioning the base on a horizontal surface. One or more
first wall panels are positioned on the frame so that each wall
panel stands upright with its decorative surface facing inwardly.
Decorations are placed in positions on or near the wall panels to
form a first scene. The first wall panels are then removed from the
frame, and one or more second wall panels are mounted on the frame
so that wall panels stand upright with the decorative surfaces
facing inwardly. The second wall panels have different decorative
surfaces than the first wall panels. The decorations are
repositioned, i.e., removed and substituted as necessary, to create
a second scene different from the first scene. In this manner, the
display system of the invention can be used in an unlimited variety
of ways, depending on the supply of wall panels and decorative
material available. These and other advantages of the invention
will become evident from the detailed description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The preferred embodiments of the invention are further
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference characters denote like parts, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one module of the
display system of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective front corner perspective view of the
frame of the display system module shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section
and partly broken away, of the lower right front corner of the
frame shown in FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial, vertical sectional view of the upper
right front corner of the frame shown in FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the frame of the display system
shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wall panel used in the
display system of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a module of the
display system of the invention in a fully decorated condition;
and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of a multiple module display system
in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The interchangeable panel modular display system of the
invention allows model room displays to be quickly and easily
changed. The system is particularly useful for an interchangeable
panel doll house, although the invention can also be used to create
dioramas, to demonstrate stage setups in the theater industry, for
church settings, or to display interior or exterior design
concepts.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view
of a display 2, in this example a doll house room, having wall
panels according to the invention. Doll house room 2 includes a
rigid rectangular frame 10, wall panels 20A, 20B slidably mounted
in grooves in frame 10 as described hereafter, and magnetically
attractable decorations 46 removably attached at desired locations
on the insides of wall panels 20A, 20B in a manner effective to
depict a miniature room or other location. A floor panel 48 and a
ceiling panel 50 may also be provided. Frame 10 has a horizontal,
rectangular base section 12, a horizontal, rectangular ceiling
section 16 of the same dimensions as base section 12, and four
vertical wall sections 14 which span the base and ceiling sections
12, 16. Wall sections 14 each include associated portions of each
of two spaced upright posts 32 and a wall panel 20A or 20B, if
present. Frame 10 is constructed from plastic, metal, wood, or any
other suitable rigid material. Since children may try to climb on
top of frame 10 when used as a doll house, frame 10 should be
sufficiently strong to support the weight of a child.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, rectangular base section 12
is made up of pairs of long beams 13A and short beams 13B. Each
beam has an upwardly opening slot 24A or 24B sized to receive a
bottom edge of a wall panel 20A, 20B (see FIG. 1). Grooves 24A, 24B
preferably extend all or most of the length of each beam 13A, 13B.
The bottom of each groove 24A, 24B provides a support for the
bottom edge of wall panel 20, and the sides of each groove 24A, 24B
maintain the lower portion of the associated wall panel 20A, 20B in
position along the side of frame 10. A series of parallel, spaced
lower crossbars 26 interconnect long beams 13A to increase the
rigidity of base section 12, and a set of upper crossbars 30
perform a similar function for ceiling section 16.
[0020] Rectangular ceiling section 16 is made up of pairs of long
beams 17A and short beams 17B. Each beam 17A, 17B has an elongated
vertical slot 28A or 28B sized to receive a wall panel 20A or 20B.
Slots 28A, 28B extend nearly all the length of each beam 17A, 17B,
except at the corners (see FIG. 5). Slots 28A, 28B extend all the
way through beams 17A, 17B and are sized to allow insertion of wall
panels 20A, 20B respectively into frame 10 from the top as shown in
FIG. 5. For each side of ceiling section 16, each slot 28A, 28B is
co-planar with corresponding groove 24A, 24B of base section 12 so
that square or rectangular panels fit easily in and out. The sides
of each slot 28A, 28B hold the upper end portion of the associated
wall panels 20A, 20B in position along the side of frame 10 in the
same manner as lower grooves 24A, 24B.
[0021] Frame 10 further includes four vertical posts 32 at each
corner. Each end of each post 32 is attached to a corner of base
section 12 by a steel pin 38 (FIG. 4). Each pin 38 is inserted
through an aperture 39 in base section 12 or ceiling section 16 and
into an aligned aperture 40 at the upper or lower end of post 32.
Metal fittings (keys) 41 are set in shallow recesses 43 at opposite
ends of each post 32, and are glued therein with a suitable
adhesive, such as CA glue. The central opening of each key 41,
which is aligned with apertures 39 and 40, is about 1/1000 smaller
in diameter than the outer diameter of pin 38, so that each pin 38
is press-fitted into apertures 39, 40 and upper and lower frame
sections 12, 16 securely together by means of vertical posts
32.
[0022] Referring again to FIG. 2, each post 32 includes a long side
vertical groove 34A and a short side vertical groove 34B extending
the length of the post and set at a 90 degree angle from each other
for slidably receiving wall panels 20A, 20B, respectively. Groove
34A in each post 32 is co-planar with groove 24A of base section 12
and slot 28A of ceiling section 16. Groove 34B of post 32 is
similarly co-planar with groove 24B and slot 28B of an adjacent
side of frame 10. Each adjacent pair of posts 32, in combination
with a pair of beams 13A, 17A or 13B, 17B, form a wall section
14.
[0023] A pair of grooves 34A together with a groove 24A and a slot
28A form a long side rectangular track into which a long wall 20A
can be readily inserted or removed. In the same fashion, a pair of
grooves 34B together with a groove 24B and a slot 28B form a short
side rectangular track into which a short wall 20B can be inserted.
When so inserted, the edges of the walls 20A, 20B are concealed in
the track, but most of the inner and outer face of each wall is
visible as shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ends of
grooves 24A, 34A and 24B, 34B merge at the upper and lower ends of
posts 32.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, each wall panel 20A, 20B preferably
includes a flat, stiff support sheet 45 of cardboard, wood,
plastic, or similar material. A magnetically attractable layer 47
and a decorative cover sheet 49 are successively disposed on one
side the support to form the decorative inner face of the wall
section 20A, 20B. Decorative sheet 49 typically comprises a
laminated paper or a plastic film that covers the magnetically
attractable layer.
[0025] Magnetically attractable layer 47 may be itself magnetic, or
made of a material attracted by a magnet, such as a ferrous
material. In one embodiment, the magnetically attractable layer
comprises a flat metallic or magnetic sheet or foil that is secured
to one side of the rigid support by an adhesive. A layer of
magnetically attractable particles, such as iron filings, dispersed
in an adhesive binder can also be used. In another embodiment, the
magnetically attractable layer is a thin coating of a cured
(cross-linked) acrylic polymer in which small, magnetically active
particles, such as iron particles, are dispersed. Such compositions
are well known in the art. Since it is easier to provide a magnet
in the decoration to be mounted on the wall rather than in the wall
itself, it is most preferred to use a non-magnetic but magnetically
attractable material such as a thin metal foil as the layer 47.
[0026] Decorative cover sheet 49 is attached over the support 45
and magnetically attractable layer by a suitable adhesive. Cover
sheet 49 is made of paper or a latex-impregnated cloth and has the
appearance of wallpaper, a mural, outdoor scenery, or similar
decor. Cover sheet 49 can also include representations of windows,
doors, paintings, shelves, or similar objects. Preferably, cover
sheet 49 has approximately the same dimensions as support 45 so
that it completely covers and conceals support 45 and magnetically
attractable layer 47. In another embodiment, wall panels 20A, 20B
include openings for translucent windows and functional doors that
can be opened and closed. In this case, the cover sheet 49 is
shaped to fit around such doors and windows in the same manner as
real wallpaper (and indeed, real wallpaper can be used as cover
sheet 49).
[0027] Floor panel 48 is placed over base section 12, and may be
either removable or permanently attached. A slightly recessed inner
rectangular area (not shown) in base section 12 may be sized to
receive floor panel 48, or floor panel 48 may be secured to the
upper side of base section 12 by fasteners or an adhesive, as
desired. Crossbars 26 provide support for floor panel 48. Floor
panel 48 preferably comprises a flat, rigid support similar to
support 45 and a cover layer adhesively attached thereto on its
upper face similar to cover 49 which be decorated as a floor or
with carpeting. In another embodiment, floor panel 48 is similar to
wall panels 20A, 20B and includes a flat, rigid support, a
magnetically attractable layer, and a decorative cover sheet
disposed on the support. This permits use of magnets in the bases
of free-standing decorations 52, 54 to prevent the display from
becoming disturbed by casual handling. Floor panel 48 can also
include openings for the addition of stairways when a module 2 is
used in a stacked configuration as shown in FIG. 8.
[0028] Ceiling panel 50 is sized to mate with ceiling section 16 in
a similar manner, and can be constructed in the same or a similar
manner to wall panels 20A, 20B or floor panel 48. Ceiling panel 50
can be either removable or permanently attached to ceiling section
16.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 7, which shows display 2 fully assembled,
magnetically attractable decorations 46 are selectively attached to
wall panels 20. Decorations 46 may be relatively large, flat
objects such as the paintings, curtains, false door and false
window shown. Smaller molded plastic items having magnets in the
base thereof, such as a real or dummy wall mounted lamp, may also
be used as decorations 46. Large, flat decorations 46 generally
have a bilayer construction well known in the art which generally
comprises a sheet of flexible, rubberized magnetic material
disposed on a flexible, flat plastic substrate and having a
decorative pattern molded or printed on one side thereof.
Decorations 46 can also be constructed in a manner similar to wall
panels 20, as described above.
[0030] The magnetic attraction between decoration 46 and the inside
of wall panel 20A, 20B is sufficient to maintain decoration 46 in a
selected position on wall panel 20A, 20B when the wall panel is in
a vertical display position. Decorations 46 are also easily
removable from wall panel 20A or 20B and can be removed and
reattached as desired. In addition, three-dimensional free standing
decorations including miniature furniture 52, lamps 54, appliances,
stairways, and other decor can also be placed in the room to
further enhance the display. Once the selected wall panel has been
inserted into frame 10, decorations 46 can be selectively
positioned on wall panel 20A or 20B and magnetically attached.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a
multiple-module display 4 in accordance with the present invention.
Multiple-module display 4 includes a first module 56 arranged with
an outdoor or garden-type display. Second and third modules 58 and
60 are closed in or have a rearwardly facing open side, and are
stacked on one another. Each has a porch or balcony attachment 62.
Porch attachment 62 can be removable or can be permanently attached
or integrally formed with modules 58 and 60. The modules of the
invention are stackable and are made in standard sizes so as to
enable the design of multiple room displays. A stackable attic
module 64 is also provided.
[0032] A kit according to the invention preferably includes at
least one frame 10 in assembled or unassembled form, along with a
plurality of wall sections of different surface designs for making
different scenes. In particular, wall panels included in the kit
may include sets or subsets of two or more panels having matching
or coordinated decorative covers. Matching in this case refers to
identical or nearly identical patterns, such as three panels (two
short, one long) for which the inner decorative cover is a common
pattern of wall paper. An example of a coordinated set or subset of
wall panels would be three walls made to depict a kitchen, three
more made to depict a dining room, and so on. The panels of each
subset may also have a distinct theme, such as the inside of a log
cabin or the control room of a spaceship.
[0033] In a further embodiment of the kit, the decorative surface
layers may be a number of flexible plastic or rubberized decals of
a type well known in the art that cling to a glossy cardboard
surface. In this manner, only a single set of walls is provided,
and the user changes scenes by peeling off one background and
laying on another, then if necessary re-mounting the wall panel on
the frame.
[0034] The kit of the invention can be used to make a series of
different scenes using different interchangable wall panels and
appropriate decorations. For this purpose several sets of wall
panels may be provided that are decorated on one side only, or have
decorations on both sides, so that changing scenes can be
accomplished by reversing each panel so that former outsides face
inside. However, it may be most preferable to provide the outer
faces of the wall panels with a decorative surface of cover that
corresponds to the outside of the scene shown by the inner surfaces
of the wall panels. In the case of a doll house, the outer cover,
which may be directly adhered to the support, may show a brick home
exterior, whereas the inside cover of the wall panel shows the
interior of a room.
[0035] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the
foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is
capable of numerous rearrangements and modifications of parts and
elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
example, a five-layer wall panel could be provided which is capable
of supporting decorations on both its inner and outer sides, or the
wall panel may be a monolayer in which the cover is a contoured or
printed-on design. The slots provided in the beams making up the
ceiling section could be provided in the posts instead, so that the
wall panels are inserted end-first horizontally rather than
vertically. These and other equivalent modifications are within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *