Apparatus and method for displaying objects on shelves and the like

Abstract

Apparatus and method, including securement means, for displaying various and sundry objects, such as heirlooms, antiques, statuary, crystal, collectibles, lamps, vases, pottery, picture frames and other items on shelves, counters, furniture and glass for protecting the same from earthquake and accidental breakage in homes, museums, moving vehicles and boats and the like. The securement means includes a non-hardening, two-sided acrylic foam bonding material that may be die-cut in a variety of pad sizes for a predetermined holding strength for the particular object being secured.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] The invention relates to an apparatus and method for securing objects in place for protection against earthquakes and accidental breakage, and particularly, to the use of an acrylic foam adhesive pad secured to the object.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Various glues and adhesives are known for securing objects of art and the like in one location, such as in a home, museum, moving vehicle, boat, etc., to protect the same from damage during earthquakes and other unintended movement that may cause damage to the object. Some such objects have thin or narrow bottoms, making it difficult to fasten them securely to a desired location. Some adhesives do not bond readily to some materials, such as glass, and are not reusable if the object is moved. After use, it is difficult to remove some adhesives from the object or from the place where the object had been secured.

SUMMARY

[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for securing objects of art or the like in a desired location to protect the same from accidental damage during movements due to earthquakes and the like.

[0006] It is still further an object of this invention to provide a securement means for carrying out the foregoing objects in the form of a non-hardening, two-sided acrylic foam bonding material.

[0007] These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing an apparatus and method, including securement means, for displaying various and sundry objects, such as heirlooms, antiques, statuary, crystal, collectibles, lamps, vases, pottery, picture frames and other items on shelves, counters, furniture and glass for protecting the same from earthquake and accidental breakage in homes, museums, moving vehicles and boats and the like. The securement means includes a non-hardening, two-sided acrylic foam bonding material that may be die-cut in a variety of pad sizes for a predetermined holding strength for the particular object being secured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a picture frame and object d'art disposed on a shelf using securement means in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the securement means used to hold the items of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an elevational display of various objects mounted on a glass or mirror;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 where the table has been removed and the glass or mirror is mounted on top of a pair of spaced chairs;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another type of securement means in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the securement means of FIG. 5; and

[0014] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the same after peeling off a paper film section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a picture frame 10 and an object d'art 11 mounted on top of a shelf 12. Both frame 10 and the object d'art 11 are securely mounted to shelf 12 using securement means securing the bottom of the frame and object d'art in accordance with the teachings of the invention. Thus, as particularly contemplated in the present invention, securement means, such as adhesive pads 13 (FIG. 2) are provided comprised of upper and lower peel-off release papers 14, 15, such as of polypropylene, as is well-known in the art, releasably bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of tape 16. Tape 16 is preferably a non-hardening, two-sided acrylic foam bonding material that is die-cut in a variety of pad sizes. That is, a predetermined pad size is selected for the appropriate holding strength of the object being secured.

[0016] In use, one peel-off paper, such as 14, is peeled off and the exposed surface of tape 16 is applied manually to the bottom of the frame or object d'art in FIG. 1. The other peel-off paper 15 is then removed and the frame and/or object d'art is placed on top of shelf 12, the tape 16 securely adhering thereto.

[0017] Although various types of acrylic foam may be used, a closed cell, double-coated acrylic foam is preferred. Suitable materials are manufactured and sold by 3M of St. Paul, Minn. under Catalog Nos. 4910 and 4936, for example. This tape can be clear or opaque and may be of a very high bonding material (VHB, a trademark of 3M).

[0018] These tapes come in various sizes and lengths, and can be cut, such as by die cutting, into suitable sizes for the object being secured. For example, the pad 13 in FIG. 2 may be about 3 to 5 mm thick.

[0019] The tape 16 used herein provides exceptional holding strength in conditions of heavy vibration and jarring movement. The material of tape 16 bonds to a wide range of materials, such as metals, glass, wood, and high and medium strength surface energy plastics and paints.

[0020] For example, as seen in FIG. 3, a variety of objects, such as a stein 17, a wine glass 18, a clock 19, and object d'art 11 (FIG. 1), are secured to a framed sheet of glass or mirror 20 resting on table 21. Such objects have differing footprints, ranging from very thin to substantially large.

[0021] The objects mounted in FIGS. 1 and 3 can be lifted and refastened using the same adhesive tape 16 several times without jeopardizing the holding strength of the adhesive tape 16. The adhesive tape 16 peels off cleanly by hand from the object and substrate it is bonded to without need for solvents or cleaning agents. It leaves no residue, marks or blemishes on the surface on which the object was mounted.

[0022] Due to its high bonding strength, the adhesive tape 16 is equally suited for fastening items with pedestal feet, such as item 19 in FIG. 3, or thin rigged bottoms, such as frame 10 in FIG. 1, and may be either of a clear and see-through material (for use in securing glass and crystal objects on top of glass shelves in display cases or the like).

[0023] The high bonding strength of adhesive tape 16 is shown in FIG. 4, wherein mirror 20 of FIG. 3 is supported on the top of chair 23. Objects 17 to 19 (FIG. 3) and object d'art 11 (which has pedestal feet 25) are secured to the underside of mirror 20 and securely held in an upside-down position.

[0024] Obviously, variously sized adhesive pads will be necessary for different applications. For example, the thin, elongated bottom surface of frame 10 (FIG. 1) requires a differently sized adhesive pad than the object d'art 11 in FIG. 4.

[0025] Thus, as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7, a sheet 26 (FIG. 5) is provided having upper and lower peel-off papers 27, 28, as previously discussed, secured to adhesive pads, such as pads 29 to 35, of varying sizes and configurations.

[0026] As seen in FIG. 6, 3 separate peel-off papers, such as 27, 37, 36 may be provided on each upper and lower surface of pads 29 to 35 (only the upper peel-off papers being shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Papers 27, 37, 36 may be perforated, e.g., at perforations 38, to assist in peeling off the same. One piece, such as paper 36, FIG. 6, may be peeled off one perforated section at a time to expose pads 29 to 35 (FIG. 7). These irregularly shaped pads can be used for the object that it desired to secure. For example, elongated pad 35 may be used to secure frame 10 of FIG. 1. These pads can be of any suitable size or configuration.

[0027] It can be seen that there is discussed apparatus and method for securing a variety of objects in place. The securement means herein can be used to protect display objects on shelves, counters, furniture, and glass, including heirlooms, antiques, statuary, crystal, collectibles, lamps, vases, pottery, picture frames and other items from earthquake and accidental breakage in homes, museums, moving vehicles and boats.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing objects on a supporting surface wherein said object has a contacting surface adapted to contact the supporting surface comprising: an adhesive pad having an upper and lower surface, the upper surface being adhered to said object supporting surface and the lower surface adhering to said supporting surface, said pad being comprised of an acrylic foam material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said acrylic foam material is a closed-cell material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said material is transparent.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said material is opaque.

5. Apparatus for securing a plurality of objects to a supporting surface comprising: at least one of said objects of various configurations having a main body portion and a bottom surface; a support having an upper supporting surface; an adhesive pad having an upper and lower surface, the upper surface of said pad being adhered to said object bottom surface and the lower surface of said pad adhering to said supporting surface, said pad being comprised of an acrylic foam material.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said acrylic foam material is a closed-cell material.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said material is transparent.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said material is opaque.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pad is of a configuration related to the bottom surface configuration of said at least one of said objects.

10. A method for securing objects having a body portion and a lower support base having an underside onto a supporting surface comprising the steps of: providing an adhesive pad of an acrylic foam material having an upper and lower surface; adhering the upper surface of said pad to the underside of the base of said object; and adhering the lower surface of said pad to said supporting surface.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing an adhesive pad includes the step of providing a pad of a closed-cell material.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing an adhesive pad includes the step of providing a pad of a transparent material.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing an adhesive pad includes the step of providing a pad of an opaque material.

14. A system for securing various objects of varying configurations on top of a supporting surface wherein each of said objects has a differing footprint bottom surface using securement means attached to both the bottom surface of said object and the top of said supporting surface, the improvement comprising: said securement means being an acrylic foam material.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said securement means is a closed cell acrylic foam material.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said securement means comprises a pad having a central adhesive portion and a peel off paper backing on top and bottom exposing the adhesive portion, said adhesive portion being comprised of a plurality of differently configured adhesive pads.