U.S. patent application number 12/546503 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for magnetic album.
Invention is credited to Stewart Seidler.
Application Number | 20100024271 12/546503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43649582 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100024271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seidler; Stewart |
February 4, 2010 |
MAGNETIC ALBUM
Abstract
A display album including a plurality of display device units.
Each display device unit includes a display case for displaying an
item, the display case having a display face, and a frame disposed
around a perimeter edge of the display case. The frame includes at
least one magnetic frame element. An album cover houses the
plurality of display device units.
Inventors: |
Seidler; Stewart; (Hong
Kong, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AMSTER, ROTHSTEIN & EBENSTEIN LLP
90 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10016
US
|
Family ID: |
43649582 |
Appl. No.: |
12/546503 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11875688 |
Oct 19, 2007 |
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12546503 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/711 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/147 20130101;
A47G 2001/0672 20130101; A47G 1/065 20130101; G11B 33/0455
20130101; G11B 33/0483 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/711 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/12 20060101
A47G001/12; A47G 1/06 20060101 A47G001/06 |
Claims
1. A display album comprising: a plurality of display device units,
each display device unit comprising: a display case for displaying
an item, the display case having a display face; and a frame
disposed around a perimeter edge of the display case, the frame
comprising at least one magnetic frame element; and an album cover
that houses the plurality of display device units.
2. The display album of claim 1, wherein the album cover comprises:
a front cover section; and a back cover section, the front cover
and the back cover sections being foldable relative to one
another.
3. The display album of claim 2, wherein the album cover further
comprises a sleeve disposed around the front or back cover
sections, the sleeve being slideable relative to the front or back
cover sections so as to adjust storage capacity of the display
album.
4. The display album of claim 1, wherein the magnetic frame element
of a first one of the plurality of display device units comprises
at least one first magnet and the magnetic frame element of a
second one of the plurality of magnetic display device units
comprises at least one second magnet, so that the first magnetic
display unit and the second magnetic display unit are attached to
one another by the magnetic attraction between the at least one
first magnet and the at least one second magnet and movable
relative to one another to at least one of the following
configurations: 1) a first configuration wherein the display face
of the first display device unit is generally co-planar with the
display face of the second display device unit and the first and
second magnets have opposite magnetic orientations; and 2) a second
configuration wherein the display face of the first display device
unit is superposed over the display face of the second display
device unit and the first and second magnets have the same magnetic
orientation.
5. The display album of claim 4, wherein the first display device
unit comprises a back face opposite to the display face of the
first display device unit, the back face comprises a first
attachment mechanism, the display face of the second display device
unit comprises a second attachment mechanism, and the first
attachment mechanism engages with the second attachment mechanism
to attach the first display unit to the second display unit in the
second configuration.
6. The display album of claim 5, wherein the first attachment
mechanism comprises a hole and the second attachment mechanism
comprises a peg.
7. The display album of claim 1, wherein the album cover comprises
a magnetizable element that is magnetically attracted to the at
least one magnetic frame element.
8. The display album of claim 2, wherein the perimeter edge of the
display case comprises an inner edge closest to the at least one
fold, and the at least one magnetic frame element is disposed at
the inner edge.
9. The display album of claim 1, further comprising one or more
pockets disposed on the album cover.
10. The display album of claim 1, wherein the frame is removable
from the display case.
11. The display album of claim 10, wherein the frame is held on the
display case by a friction fit.
12. The display album of claim 1, wherein the album cover comprises
only a back cover.
13. The display album of claim 12, wherein the plurality of display
device units are stacked on top of the back cover.
14. The display album of claim 12, further comprising a magnetic
element disposed on each display face of the display cases.
15. The display album of claim 14, wherein the display cases are
pivotable relative to one another about their respective magnetic
elements.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to display devices, and in
particular to display devices that can be releaseably attached to
one another to provide a modular display system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Display devices, such as, for example, photo frames, compact
disc holders, and other such devices for holding and displaying
various items such as stamps, advertising products, coins, a clock,
or LCD temperature displays are usually stand-alone items, and if
available in modular form, often requires a number mechanical steps
to engage or disengage the display device from an adjacent display
device. For example, in the case of adding a photo to a photo
album, one must either insert the photo into a sleeve of a photo
album page, or add another page to the album that will hold the
photo. This task is often more time-consuming than expected, since
the photo must be aligned with other photos on the album page or
the added page must be mechanically fastened to the other
pages.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a modular display device
system that allows for quick and easy addition or removal of
individual display devices while also having the capability to
temporarily or permanently store such display devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A display album according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention comprises: a plurality of display device units,
each display device unit comprising: a display case for displaying
an item, the display case having a display face; and a frame
disposed around a perimeter edge of the display case, the frame
comprising at least one magnetic frame element; and an album cover
that houses the plurality of display device units.
[0005] In at least one embodiment, the album cover comprises: a
front cover section; a back cover section; and at least one fold
formed in the album cover that separates the front cover section
from the back cover section.
[0006] In at least one embodiment, the album cover further
comprises a sleeve disposed around the front cover section, the
sleeve being slideable relative to the front cover section so as to
adjust storage capacity of the display album.
[0007] In at least one embodiment, the magnetic frame element of a
first one of the plurality of display device units comprises at
least one first magnet and the magnetic frame element of a second
one of the plurality of magnetic display device units comprises at
least one second magnet, so that the first magnetic display unit
and the second magnetic display unit are attached to one another by
the magnetic attraction between the at least one first magnet and
the at least one second magnet and movable relative to one another
to at least one of the following configurations: 1) a first
configuration wherein the display face of the first display device
unit is generally co-planar with the display face of the second
display device unit and the first and second magnets have opposite
magnetic orientations; and 2) a second configuration wherein the
display face of the first display device unit is superposed over
the display face of the second display device unit and the first
and second magnets have the same magnetic orientation.
[0008] In at least one embodiment, the first display device unit
comprises a back face opposite to the display face of the first
display device unit, the back face comprises a first attachment
mechanism, the display face of the second display device unit
comprises a second attachment mechanism, and the first attachment
mechanism engages with the second attachment mechanism to attach
the first display unit to the second display unit in the second
configuration.
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the first attachment mechanism
comprises a hole and the second attachment mechanism comprises a
peg.
[0010] In at least one embodiment, the album cover comprises a
magnetizable element that is magnetically attracted to the at least
one magnetic frame element.
[0011] In at least one embodiment, the perimeter edge of the
display case comprises an inner edge closest to the at least one
fold, and the at least one magnetic frame element is disposed at
the inner edge.
[0012] In at least one embodiment, the display album further
comprises one or more pockets disposed on the album cover.
[0013] These and other features of this invention are described in,
or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various
exemplary embodiments of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be
described in detail, with reference to the following figures,
wherein:
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIGS. 5-7 are perspective views of a modular display device
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views of a modular display device
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIGS. 11-13 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 14-17 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a modular display device
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIGS. 19-21 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modular display device
album according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 23 and 24 are partial perspective views of the modular
display device album of FIG. 22 showing adjacent display device
units arranged in alternative magnetically stable
configurations;
[0025] FIGS. 25-27 are perspective views of the modular display
device album of FIG. 22 showing the adjustment of the thickness of
the album to accommodate additional display device units;
[0026] FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspective views of a modular display
device rack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIGS. 30 and 31 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIGS. 32-34 are perspective views of a modular display
device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 35 are perspective views of a modular display device
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention
[0030] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a magnetic holder according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 37 shows the magnetic holder of FIG. 36 being applied
to a compact disc case;
[0032] FIG. 38 is perspective view of a modular display album
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the back cover of the
display album of FIG. 38;
[0034] FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of
modular display units that may be attached to the back cover to
form the modular display album of FIG. 38; and
[0035] FIGS. 41 and 42 show various configurations of the modular
display album of FIG. 38.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular display device,
generally designated by reference number 10, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular display
device 10 includes a first display unit 20 and a second display
unit 30. Although only two display units 20, 30 are shown in FIG.
1, it should be appreciated that any number of such display units
may be arranged to form the modular display device 10. The display
unit 20 includes a display case 22 and a frame 24 disposed around
the perimeter of the display case 22. This display case 22 may be
capable of holding and displaying any type of item, such as, for
example, a photograph, a compact disc, advertising products,
stamps, coins, a clock, LCD temperature displays, or any
combination of such items. In this regard, the display case 22
preferably has a display face 23 that is made of a transparent
material, such as, for example, plastic or glass, through which an
item may be displayed. Although the display case 22 is shown as
being rectangular-shaped in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that
the display case 22 may have any other shape, such as, for example,
circular or triangular.
[0037] The frame 24 includes a number of frame elements 26 disposed
around the perimeter edges of the display case 22. As shown in FIG.
1, one or more of the frame elements 26 may include a magnet 27, so
that one or more of the frame elements 26 may be considered a
magnetic frame element. In this embodiment, the magnets 27 are
preferably disc-shaped, and attached to a corresponding frame
element 26 at the mid-point of the frame element 26.
[0038] The second display unit 30 preferably has the same structure
as the first display unit 20, including a display case 32, a frame
34, frame elements 36 and magnets 37. Thus, a magnetic frame
element of the first display unit 20 may be disposed adjacent a
magnetic frame element of the second display unit 30, resulting in
magnetic attraction between the corresponding magnets 36, 37. As
shown in FIG. 2, this arrangement allows the first display unit 20
and the second display unit 30 to pivot relative to one another
about an imaginary X-axis extending through the magnets 36, 37.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular display device,
generally designated by reference number 100, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular display
device 100 has the same general structure as the modular display
device 10, except for the shape of the magnets. In particular, the
modular display device 100 includes a first display unit 120, a
second display unit 130, and corresponding display cases 122, 132,
display faces 123, 133, frames 124, 134, frame elements 126, 136
and magnets 127, 137. The magnets 127, 137 in the present
embodiment preferably have a generally rectangular shape. Also, the
magnets 127, 137 are preferably oriented on the frames 126, 136 so
that their exposed major surfaces have opposite magnetic
orientations when in face-to-face relation to one another. For
example, the magnets 127 may have an outer major surface having a
north (N) magnetic orientation and an inner major surface having a
south (S) magnetic orientation, while the magnets 137 may have an
outer major surface having a south (S) magnetic orientation and an
inner major surface having a north (N) magnetic orientation. Thus,
the first display unit 120 and the second display unit 130 are
attached to one another by the magnetic attraction between the
magnets 127, 137 and movable relative to one another between a
first configuration in which the display face 123 of the first
display unit 120 is generally co-planar with the display face 133
of the second display unit 130 and the magnets 127, 137 have
opposite magnetic orientations (as shown in FIG. 3) and a second
configuration wherein the display face 123 of the first display
unit 120 is superposed over the display face 133 of the second
display unit 130 and the magnets 127, 137 have the same magnetic
orientation (as shown in FIG. 4).
[0040] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular display device,
generally designated by reference number 200, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular display
device 200 has the same general structure as the modular display
device 100, except for the arrangement of the magnets. In
particular, the modular display device 200 includes a first display
unit 220, a second display unit 230, and corresponding display
cases 222, 232, display faces 223, 233, frames 224, 234 and frame
elements 226, 236. Each frame element 226, 236 is a generally
elongated element and is attached to a corresponding perimeter edge
of the display case 222, 232 so that the frame elements 226, 236
form a generally rectangular boarder around the display cases 222,
232. One or more of the frame elements 226, 236 may include
corresponding magnets 227, 229 and 237, 239, so that one or more of
the frame elements 26 may be considered a magnetic frame element.
The magnets 227, 229, 237, 239 in the present embodiment preferably
have a generally rectangular shape. Also, the exposed major
surfaces of the magnets 227, 229 preferably have magnetic
orientations opposite to the magnetic orientations of the exposed
major surfaces of the magnets 237, 239 when in face-to-face
relation to one another.
[0041] In the present embodiment, the magnet 227, 237 is disposed
at one end of a magnetic frame element and the magnet 237, 239 is
disposed at an opposite end of the magnetic frame element. As shown
in FIG. 5, this arrangement allows for a portion of the magnets
227, 237 and 229, 239 to be exposed at magnetic frame elements
which are adjacent and perpendicular to the magnetic frame elements
to which the magnets 227, 237 and 229, 239 are attached.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the display unit 230 may be rotated
relative to the display unit 220 about an imaginary z-axis
extending perpendicular to the center-point of the display face 223
so that the exposed major faces of the magnets 227, 229 are no
longer in face-to-face relation with the exposed major faces of the
magnets 237, 239. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, after rotation, the
magnets 227, 229 are essentially aligned and co-planar with the
magnets 237, 239, with the exposed minor face of the magnet 237
being in face-to-face relation with the exposed minor face of the
magnet 227 and the minor faces having opposite magnetic
orientation.
[0043] FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views of a modular display
device, generally designated by reference number 300, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular
display device 300 has generally the same construction as that of
the previous embodiments, except for the arrangement of the display
units and magnets. In particular, in the present embodiment, one of
the display units 320, 330 may swivel about the other display unit
320, 330 about an imaginary z-axis extending through one of a first
pair of magnets 327, 337 and a second pair of magnets 329, 339. For
example, as shown in FIG. 8, the second display unit 330 may be
disposed over the first display unit 320 so that the magnets 327,
337 form a plurality of first superposed pairs and the magnets 329,
339 form a plurality of second superposed pairs. The magnets in
each superposed pair of magnets preferably have the same magnetic
orientations so that the display units 320, 330 are magnetically
attracted to one another when the second display unit 330 is
disposed over the second display unit 320. The second display unit
330 may then be pivoted relative to the first display unit 320
about one of the superposed pairs of magnets. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second display unit 330 may be pivoted
relative to an imaginary z-axis extending through the center point
of the superposed pair of magnets made up of the magnets 327,
337.
[0044] FIGS. 11-13 are perspective views of a modular display
device, generally designated by reference number 400, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular
display device 400 includes a first display unit 420, a second
display unit 430, and corresponding display cases 422, 432, display
faces 423, 433, frames 424, 434 and frame elements 426, 436. Each
display unit 420, 430 also has an opposite face 450, 460,
respectively, to that of the display face 423, 433. Each frame
element 426, 436 is a generally elongated element and is attached
to a corresponding perimeter edge of the display case 422, 432 so
that the frame elements 426, 436 form a generally rectangular
boarder around the display cases 422, 432. One or more of the frame
elements 426, 436 may include a series of corresponding magnets
427, 437, so that one or more of the frame elements 426, 436 may be
considered a magnetic frame element. The magnets 426, 436 in the
present embodiment may have any suitable shape, such as, for
example, rectangular or cylindrical.
[0045] First major surfaces of the magnets 426, 436 are preferably
co-planar with their corresponding display faces 423, 433 and
opposite second major surfaces of the magnets 426, 436 are
preferably co-planar with their corresponding opposite faces 450,
460. Also, the first exposed major surfaces of the magnets 426, 436
preferably have the same magnetic orientation and the second
exposed major surfaces of the magnets 426, 436 preferably have the
same magnetic orientations. In this regard, the second display unit
430 may be disposed over the first display unit 420 so that the
magnets 426, 436 form a plurality of magnetically attracted and
superposed pairs. The magnets 426, 436 in each superposed pair of
magnets have the same magnetic orientation (resulting in their
exposed faces having opposite magnetic orientations when in face to
face relation to one another) so that the display units 420, 430
are magnetically attracted to one another when the second display
unit 430 is disposed over the first display unit 420. As shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13, the second display unit 430 may then be slid
relative to the first display unit 420 into a variety of
magnetically stable orientations.
[0046] FIGS. 14-17 are perspective views of a variation of the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the present
embodiment, the magnet 127 of first display unit 120 is replaced
with a magnetic frame element 150 made of a magnetizable metal,
such as, for example, steel. This allows the second display unit
130, along with its magnet 137, to be slid vertically relative to
the first display unit 120, with the magnet 137 sliding along the
magnetic frame element 150. In this regard, the magnetic frame
element 150 may be a rail-like structure that guides the magnet 137
to keep the display units 120, 130 co-planar while being slid
relative to one another.
[0047] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a variation of the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present
embodiment, the magnet 27 of the first display unit 20 is replaced
with a magnetic frame element 50 made of a magnetizable metal, such
as, for example, steel. This allows the second display unit 30,
along with its magnet 37, to be slid vertically relative to the
first display unit 20, with the magnet 37 sliding along the
magnetic frame element 50, as well as pivot relative to the first
display unit 20 around an imaginary x-axis extending through the
center point of the magnet 37. In this regard, the magnetic frame
element 50 may be a rail-like structure that guides the magnet 37
while the second display unit 30 is moved relative to the first
display unit 20.
[0048] FIGS. 19-21 are perspective views of a variation of the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-13. In the present
embodiment, the magnets 427 of the first display unit 420 is
replaced with magnetic frame elements 450 made of a magnetizable
metal, such as, for example, steel. This allows the second display
unit 430, along with its magnets 437, to slide along the first
display unit 420, with the magnets 437 sliding along the magnetic
frame elements 450.
[0049] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modular display album,
generally designated by reference number 500, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular display
album 500 is capable of holding a plurality of individual display
units, which are, in this embodiment, compact disc display units
510. However, it should be appreciated that the modular display
album 500 is capable of holding any type of modular display units,
such as, for example, modular display units capable of housing and
displaying photos, stamps, etc. The modular display units 510 may
have structure that is substantially the same as any of the
structure previously described in relation to the exemplary
embodiments of the modular display devices. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 23-24, each modular display unit 510 may include magnets
512 arranged along the edges of the modular display unit 510, as in
the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so that the
modular display units 510 attract one another in two magnetically
stable positions (an open configuration shown in FIG. 23 and a
closed configuration shown in FIG. 24). Thus, as described in
detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,627, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference, a virtual magnetic hinge may be
formed between the modular display units. Alternatively, the
magnets 512 may be arranged within the modular display units 510 so
that the modular display units 510 may pivot relative to one
another while overlapping one another, as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,831,541, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0050] Each modular display unit 510 includes a display face 514
and an opposite face 516. The display face 514 of each modular
display unit 510 may include a first attachment mechanism 518 that
mates with a corresponding second attachment mechanism 520 included
on the opposite face 516 of an immediately adjacent modular display
unit 510. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the first attachment
mechanism 518 may be a peg that mates with the second attachment
mechanism 520, which may be a hole that accepts the peg. The first
and second attachment mechanisms 518, 520 aid in holding the
modular display units 510 together when disposed within the album
500.
[0051] The modular display album 500 also includes a cover,
generally designated by reference number 540. The cover 540 may be
made of any suitable material, and preferably a flexible material,
such as, for example, polypropylene. The cover 540 includes a front
cover section 542 and a back cover section 544, with an integral
fold 546 formed in the cover 540 between the front cover section
542 and the back cover section 544. The cover 540 also includes a
sleeve 548 slideably disposed around the front cover section 542 or
the back cover section 544. As shown in FIGS. 25-27, the sleeve 548
can be slid away from the integral fold 546 so as to provide
clearance for the placement of additional modular display units 510
within the modular display album 500. In another exemplary
embodiment of the invention, the front cover section 542 and back
cover section 544 may be made of rigid material, such as, for
example, cardboard, and may be disposed within a fabric-like
material so that the integral fold 546 is not necessary.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 22, the cover 540 may also include a strip
550 of magnetizable material that is magnetically attracted to the
magnets 512 within the modular display units 510. The strip 550 may
be made of metallic material, such as, for example, steel. The
strip 550 functions to hold the modular display units 512 within
the cover 540, so that the modular display album 500 may be handled
as a compact unit. The magnetic attachment between the cover 540
and the modular display units 512 may be broken by a user so that
the modular display album 500 may be opened like a book to expose
the modular display units 512 for viewing.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the original source of the
modular display units 512 may be, for example, a textbook or other
type of book. The textbook may be constructed similar to the
magnetic display album 500, with individual "pages" being
magnetically attracted to one another within a textbook cover. Such
a construction is advantageous for students, who may not need the
full textbook for a particular class session. For example, a
student may remove a section or chapter of the textbook, where the
section or chapter includes only those modular display units 512
required for the class session. The student may then carry the
modular display units 512 separately from the textbook, either
alone or within the cover 540 (the cover 540 being different from
the cover of the textbook).
[0054] In exemplary embodiments, the modular display units 512 may
be transparent frames or folios of books. The spine of each folio
may hold one or more magnets so that multiple folios may be held
within the magnetic display album 500.
[0055] The cover 540 may include one or pockets 560 for storage of
items, such as photos, pens, note pads, etc. Although a single
pocket 560 is shown in FIG. 22 as being disposed on the inside
portion of the front cover section 542, one or more pockets 560 may
be disposed on any section of the cover 540. The pocket 560 may be
attached to the cover 540 by, for example, sewing, Velcro, or
adhesive.
[0056] In exemplary embodiments of the modular display album 500,
the modular display units 510 need not have built in magnets 512.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 36-37, each modular display unit 510
may be held within the modular display album 500 using a magnetic
holder 900. The magnetic holder 900 may include a frame element 910
made up of a vertically extending first wall 912, a second wall 914
extending horizontally from one end of the first wall 912, and a
third wall 916 extending horizontally from another end of the first
wall 912. The frame element 910 may further include a first housing
920 disposed along the first wall 912 that holds a first magnet
922, and a second housing 924 disposed along the first wall 912
that holds a second magnet 926. It should be appreciated that the
number of magnets included with the magnetic holder 900 is not
limited to two, and any number of such elements may be used to
provide the necessary magnetic attraction.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 37, a modular display unit 510 may be made
up of the magnetic holder 900 attached to an edge of a commercially
available storage/display case, such as compact disc case 950. In
this regard, the second wall 914 may include protrusions 918 that
aid in gripping the edge of the compact disc case 950. Although not
shown, protrusions may also be formed on the first wall 912 and/or
third wall 916. The magnetic holder 900 may be made of a flexible
material, such as, for example, polypropylene, so that the magnetic
holder 900 can be held in place on the compact disc case 950 by a
friction fit.
[0058] Alternatively, the modular display units 510 may be arranged
on a rack. For example, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the modular
display units 510 may be disposed on a rack 580 made of steel or
other magnetic material. In particular, the magnets 512 of each
modular display unit 510 may be disposed in contact with the rack
580 so that a user may flip through the modular display units 510
as though they were in an album.
[0059] FIG. 38 is perspective view of a modular display album,
generally designated by reference number 1000, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display album
1000 include a plurality of modular display units 1010 stacked on
top of a back cover 1040.
[0060] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the back cover 1040 of the
display album 1000. The back cover 1040 may be made up of a planar
sheet including a bottom face 1042 and a top face 1044. A plurality
of first magnets 1046 may be arranged along a longitudinally
extending edge of the back cover 1040, and a second magnet 1048 may
be disposed at the laterally central portion of the top face 1044
of the back cover 1040. As discussed in further detail below, the
first and second magnets 1046, 1048 assist in holding the modular
display units 1010 to the back cover 1040 and in allowing the
modular display units 1010 to rotate relative to one another.
[0061] FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of
modular display units 1010 that may be attached to the back cover
1040 to form the modular display album 1000. Each modular display
units 1010 may include a bottom face 1012 and a top face 1014. A
plurality of first magnets 1016 may be arranged along a
longitudinally extending edge of each display unit 1010, and a
second magnet 1018 may be disposed at the laterally central portion
of the top face 1014 of each display unit 1010.
[0062] The arrangement of magnets on the back cover 1040 and the
display units 1010 allow the modular display album 100 to be
configured in a variety of ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 41,
one of the display units 1010 may be rotated about an axis that is
generally perpendicular to the top face of the second magnet 1018,
so that the one display unit 1010 is positioned in a generally
non-overlapping configuration relative to the other display units
1010 and the back cover 1040. Although only the top display unit
1010 is shown rotated in FIG. 41, it should be appreciated that any
one or group of display units 1010 may be rotated relative to the
other display units 1010 and the back cover 1040. For example, as
shown in FIG. 42, all of the display units 1010 may be rotated
relative to the back cover 1040. In addition to rotating, the first
magnets 1016 allow the display units 1010 to pivot relative to one
another about an axis that is generally parallel to the top faces
of the first magnets 1016. In this manner, the display units 1010
may be opened in a book-like manner, in addition to being
rotated.
[0063] FIGS. 30 and 31 are perspective views of a modular display
device, generally designated by reference number 600, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular
display device 600 may have the same structure as any of the
previously described embodiments, including a first display unit
620, a second display unit 630, and corresponding display cases
622, 632, display faces 623, 633, frames 624, 634 and frame
elements 626, 636, as well as any of the other magnet
configurations. However, in this embodiment, the side faces 621,
631 of each of the first and second display units 620, 630 may be
angled outwardly relative to the display faces 623, 633. As shown
in FIG. 30, angled side faces 621, 631 abut one another to prevent
the first display unit 620 from being completely folded outwardly
relative to the second display unit 630. This provides the modular
display device 600 with a slightly bent configuration when opened,
which prevents the modular display device 600 from falling
over.
[0064] FIGS. 32-34 are perspective views of a modular display
device, generally designated by reference number 700, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular
display device 700 may have the same structure as any of the
previously described embodiments, including a first display unit
720, a second display unit 730, and corresponding display cases
722, 732, display faces 723, 733, frames 724, 734 and frame
elements 726, 736, as well as any of the other magnet
configurations. However, in the present embodiment, a support rod
750 is pivotally attached to the first display unit 720. The
support rod 750 can be pivoted into engagement with the second
display unit 730. In this regard, the second display unit 730 may
include a support rod engagement member (not shown), such as, for
example, a hook or aperture. Once the support rod 750 is engaged
with the second display unit 730, the modular display device 700 is
prevented from being fully extended, as shown in FIG. 34. Thus, the
support rod 750 provides stability to the modular display device
700.
[0065] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a modular display device,
generally designated by reference number 800, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular display
device 800 may have the same structure as any of the previously
described embodiments, including a first display unit 820, a second
display unit 830, and corresponding display cases 822, 832, display
faces 823, 833, frames 824, 834 and frame elements 826, 836, as
well as any of the other magnet configurations. In the present
embodiment, friction-causing material 850 may be disposed on the
bottom surface of each of the first and second display units 820,
830. The friction-causing material 850 may be, for example, rubber
or any other suitable material that provides some resistance
against the modular display device 800 from opening to its full
extent due to the friction-causing material's 850 contact with the
surface on which the modular display device 800 rests.
[0066] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of
the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
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