U.S. patent application number 15/061450 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for display for toy building elements.
The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick Lafleche. Invention is credited to Patrick Lafleche.
Application Number | 20160184728 15/061450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52666251 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160184728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lafleche; Patrick |
June 30, 2016 |
DISPLAY FOR TOY BUILDING ELEMENTS
Abstract
A display for displaying toy building elements is provided. The
display includes a vertical display area and a horizontal display
area. The vertical display area includes a rear mounting surface
with a connector for mounting the display to a wall or other
structure. Optionally, one or both of the display areas includes a
plurality of projections arranged in rows for mounting a plurality
of complementary building elements to the display.
Inventors: |
Lafleche; Patrick;
(Kalamazoo, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lafleche; Patrick |
Kalamazoo |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52666251 |
Appl. No.: |
15/061450 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/US2014/055097 |
Sep 11, 2014 |
|
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15061450 |
|
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61876459 |
Sep 11, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20130101; A63H
33/04 20130101; A63H 33/065 20130101; A47F 5/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/06 20060101
A63H033/06 |
Claims
1. A display for displaying toy building elements comprising: a
support having a rear mounting surface, the rear mounting surface
having a connector configured to removably attach the display to a
wall or other mounting structure; and a vertical display area or a
horizontal display area at the support, wherein the vertical
display area or the horizontal display area is adapted to allow
toys or building elements to be mounted to the display.
2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the vertical display
area or the horizontal display area includes a plurality of
projections that cooperate with complementary toy building elements
to mount the toy building elements to the display.
3. The display area according to claim 2, wherein said display area
is integral with said support.
4. The display according to claim 1, wherein the vertical display
area or the horizontal display area has a display surface
comprising a plate with a plurality of projections forming at least
two rows to mount building elements to the display.
5. The display according to claim 4, further comprising a rear
mounting plate having a rear mounting surface to mount to a wall or
other mounting structure, the rear mounting plate forming a
mounting structure for the support, and the connector configured to
mount the support to the rear mounting plate.
6. The display according to claim 5, further including a handle to
carry the display, the handle forming the connector, wherein the
rear mounting plate includes a bracket configured to retain the
handle.
7. The display according to claim 6, wherein the bracket and the
handle are configured to be complementary.
8. The display according to claim 7, wherein the bracket and the
handle have complementary shapes, profiles, and/or sizing.
9. The display according to claim 7, wherein the bracket includes a
flange to aid in retaining the handle to the bracket.
10. The display according to claim 1, further comprising a storage
space for storing toys or toy building elements, wherein the
storage space is a drawer and a plurality of toys or toy building
elements may be stored in the drawer.
11. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is
modular or assembled from multiple parts.
12. The display according to claim 5, wherein the rear mounting
plate remains attached to the wall or other structure when the
support is removed, revealing at least one of an image, a message,
an indicia and a symbol on a front face of the rear mounting
plate.
13. The display according to claim 5, wherein the handle is
retractable between a first position and a second position.
14. The display according to claim 13, wherein when in the
retracted second position, the handle forms a top portion of the
support and encloses an upper edge of the vertical display
area.
15. The display according to claim 11, wherein the horizontal
display area or the vertical display area further includes a back
surface configured to allow the display to stand on its back
surface on a horizontal surface.
16. A method of displaying a building element structure formed from
a plurality of building elements, said method comprising: arranging
a display area not supported by a floor; providing first and second
plurality of anchor points at the display; and arranging the first
and second plurality of anchor points in two different planes.
17. A method of displaying a building element structure formed from
a plurality of building elements on a display, said method
comprising: arranging a vertical display area at the display;
arranging a horizontal display area in relation to the vertical
display area at the display; providing a plurality of anchor points
at the vertical display area or the horizontal display area; and
providing a connector to mount the display on a wall or other
mounting structure.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said providing a
plurality of anchor points includes providing a plurality of anchor
points at the vertical display area and the horizontal display
area.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising providing
storage for a plurality of building elements near one of the
display areas.
20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising
configuring the connector to removably mount the display on the
wall or the other mounting structure wherein the display can be
removed from the wall or the other mounting structure and
reattached to the wall or the other mounting structure using the
same connector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT App.
PCT/US2014/055097, filed Sep. 11, 2014, which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/876,459, filed Sep. 11,
2013, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a display for toy building
elements, and more particularly to a display that provides a base
for building elements and that can be mounted to a wall to display
the toy building elements.
[0003] Interlocking toy building elements, often referred to as
bricks or blocks, have long been available, for example, under the
brand name LEGO.RTM. or MEGABLOCKS.RTM.. These building elements
are colorful interlocking plastic block elements or other shapes
that can be assembled and connected in many ways to construct a
variety of objects such as vehicles, buildings, animals, and other
such structures. The constructed object may be taken apart and used
again to make another object. Toy building elements are highly
regarded for fostering children's creative play.
[0004] Further, on occasion, a child or parent may want to keep one
of their creations and save it, either as a memento or as a piece
of art for display or to highlight a child's taste and further to
use it to decorate a room. This may include displaying a structure
and further allows the child to create scenery around the
structure, which can then be adjusted as desired to create a
different effect. While current building element structures are
self-sustaining, meaning that the overall assembly can support
itself and can be stable when laid on a flat surface and therefore
could stay in its configuration for a long period of time. For kids
to display their creations, however, a lot of real estate is
required, e.g. the top of desk, a table, etc., which does not tend
to lead to a long lasting display as this real estate may also be
needed to accommodate multiple other toys and devices, for example,
an alarm clock, bank, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A display is provided that offers one or more surfaces to
allow building elements to be mounted to the display and support
the elements for continuous display. The display may be configured
as a wall mountable display so that the display may be mounted to a
wall and further removed to change or update the display and then
be reattached without damaging the wall by young children using it.
Also, the three dimensional aspects of the display can be leveraged
and left on the top of a chest, drawer, table, or other structure.
The display offers a stable structure for children to move their
work around without damaging it. Lastly, the display allow children
to build in three dimensions by connecting things together, for
example, a house with the sun over it all supported by one
structure.
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a means to
support and anchor a building element support structure onto a wall
by providing a flat surface, such as horizontal or vertical
surface, on which a building element model or creation can be
anchored to it, which can then be attached to a wall or to a
support anchored to the wall.
[0007] In one form, a building element support structure has a
horizontal member and a vertical member connected together.
[0008] In another form, a building element support structure is
formed from a horizontal surface and a vertical surface, with each
of the surfaces having a building element anchoring structure.
[0009] In one aspect, a top part on the vertical surface can be
configured to display the name or brand of what is built on the
support structure.
[0010] In another aspect, a front vertical part or horizontal part
also can display a brand or name of the building element
structure.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the horizontal surface includes at
least two rows or more of anchoring projections to allow building
of scenery or complex elements made out of building elements.
[0012] In another aspect, the horizontal and vertical surfaces can
be made as one piece using common processes such as plastic
injection, thermoforming, blow molding, etc.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the horizontal and vertical surfaces
can be made using multiple pieces assembled non-permanently
together.
[0014] According to yet another aspect, the horizontal and vertical
surfaces can be made using multiple building element structure
assembled together by the end user as part of the scenery or
complex structure creation or modeling.
[0015] In another embodiment, a wall display for displaying toy
building elements is provided. The display includes a support
having a rear mounting surface, a vertical display area, and a
horizontal display area. The rear-mounting surface has a connector
for attaching the display to a wall or a wall mount using
interlocking components, which is mounted to a wall or another
structure. The vertical display area is supported by the support
and includes a front display surface. The horizontal display area
is supported by the support and includes a horizontal display
surface. Optionally, the vertical and/or horizontal display
surfaces may include a plurality of projections that cooperate with
complementary building elements, such that building elements may be
mounted to at least one of the display surfaces.
[0016] In one aspect, a display cabinet for displaying toy building
elements is provided. The display cabinet includes a vertical
display area, a horizontal display area, and a storage area. The
display cabinet includes a rear mounting surface with a connector
for mounting the display cabinet to a wall or other structure,
which is mounted to a wall. Optionally, the vertical and/or
horizontal display areas may be each adapted to receive a plate
with a plurality of projections that cooperate with complementary
building elements, such that building elements may be mounted to at
least one of the display areas.
[0017] In any of the above, the display or display cabinet may
include a drawer or a door, such as a hinged or sliding door, which
can be opened to provide access to storage area.
[0018] In any of the above, the display or display cabinet may
include a handle, for example, which is built into the support or
cabinet. The handle may be fixed or may comprise a retractable
handle.
[0019] In any of the above, the support may be in the form of a
frame. For example, the frame may form a handle, such as a built-in
for retractable carrying handle.
[0020] In another aspect, the rear mounting surface includes a
bracket configured to retain the handle, the bracket and handle
configured to have complementary shapes and profiles for mounting
the handle and support to the bracket and rear mounting surface.
The bracket may include a lip to aid in retaining the handle to the
bracket.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the rear mounting surface is provided
a mounting plate, which remains attached to the wall or other
structure when the support is removed, revealing an image, message,
indicia and/or symbol on a front face of the rear mounting plate.
In this aspect, the rear mounting plate provides as aesthetically
pleasing surface that is visible on the wall or other structure
while the display is removed.
[0022] According to yet another embodiment, a method of arranging a
collection of toys or toy building elements includes providing a
toy mounting surface, arranging the toys or toy building elements
on the toy mounting surface, and removably mounting the toy
mounting surface on a support structure, such as a wall or other
support structure to store the arrangement of toys or toy elements
and then once removed to allow transport of the arrangement of toys
or toy elements.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment, a method of displaying
a building element structure formed from a plurality of building
elements. The method includes arranging a vertical display area,
and arranging a horizontal display area in relation to the vertical
display area. The method further includes providing a plurality of
anchor points at the vertical display area or the horizontal
display area.
[0024] Another embodiment is a method to display and suspend
toy-building elements on the wall or other structure without having
any supporting structure underneath or connecting to the floor.
[0025] In another aspect of the method, the providing includes
providing a plurality of anchor points at the vertical display area
and the horizontal display area. The method may further include
providing storage for a plurality of building elements near one of
the display areas, and may include providing storage below the
horizontal display area.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment, a method of displaying
a building element structure from a plurality of building elements.
The method includes arranging a display area on a display and
providing a plurality of anchor points at the display area. Forming
a three dimensional arrangement with the building elements at the
display area. Further the method includes forming a mount at the
display for removable mounting the display to a wall or other
support structure. Thus, the method enables a user to easily
transport the building element creation during construction and/or
after it has been completed.
[0027] Before the various embodiments are explained in detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
details of operation or to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be
implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or
being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed
herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in
the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly
stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting
the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor
should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the
scope of the invention any additional steps or components that
might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or
components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a display
according to one embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the
display;
[0030] FIG. 3A is a side perspective view, illustrating the display
with an optional handle in a first position, and an optional drawer
in a first position;
[0031] FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the display,
illustrating the display with the handle in a second position, and
the drawer in a second position;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the display,
illustrating the handle and drawer in first and second
positions;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the display,
illustrating the handle and drawer in first and second
positions;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view of the display;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a side view of the display;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top view of the display;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view, illustrating the display
with a front display surface removed;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view, illustrating the display
with the front display surface and horizontal display surface
removed;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a display according to
another embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a partially exploded front perspective view of
the display of FIG. 11; and
[0041] FIG. 13 an exploded front perspective view of the display of
FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, the numeral 10 generally designates
a display. As will be more fully described below, display 10 is
configured to provide one or more display areas for mounting toys
or modular toy building elements, such as LEGO.RTM. building
elements, and optionally may incorporate a storage area, such as a
drawer, to form a display cabinet, and/ or a handle to facilitate
handling or transport. Display 10 may also incorporate one or more
display panels for displaying information, such as a name or the
like, for promotional purposes.
[0043] As best seen in FIG. 1, display 10 includes a support 12
with a vertical display area 16 and a horizontal display area 20.
The support 12 further includes a rear mounting surface 14 for
removable mounting display 10 to a wall or other support structure.
Display area 16 may include or be configured to receive a front
vertical display surface 18. Similarly, display area 20 may include
or be configured to receive a horizontal display surface 22. In the
illustrated embodiment, both display surfaces 18 and 22 are formed
by plates that are fixedly secured to support 12 (e.g. by fasteners
or an adhesive or the like), with each plate having a plurality of
mounting structures, such as projections or nubs, for example,
which provide anchor points to allow building elements, such as
LEGO.RTM. building elements, to be mounted to display 10. Thus,
vertical and horizontal display areas 16, 20 are configured to
allow toys or toy building elements, such as LEGO.RTM. building
elements, to be mounted to display 10 and arranged as desired to
create a scene, a structure, or other arrangement so it can be
saved and mounted, for example to a wall or another surface,
including a horizontal or vertical surface, such as a
refrigerator.
[0044] Display area 20 may be below display area 16 or may be
located above display area 16. Further, display area 20 may be
positioned adjacent a lower edge of the vertical display area 16 so
that together they form an L-shaped display area.
[0045] In this manner, display 10 can be used to display a child's
creation in their room or other rooms, including the kitchen.
Optionally, display 10 may also include a base, such as described
below, which provides stability to the display when the display is
placed on a horizontal surface 10 so that a child (or other user)
can build their creation while it is resting on a horizontal
surface.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary support 12 is
shown as having a substantially L-shaped configuration, which may
be molded as a single unitary member or may be assembled from
multiple members. However, it is contemplated that other stylized
perimeters or shapes may be utilized. The support 12 is formed of
rigid material that is capable of supporting weight and forces that
the display 10 may be subjected to. Plastic, metal, wood, or any
other suitable material is contemplated. Further a portion,
portions, or all of the support may be assembled from building
element components.
[0047] Optionally, support 12 may include left and right vertical
side rails 24 that terminate in substantially horizontal support
arms 26, with the left and right side rails 24 and support arms 26
being substantially mirror-image. Support arms 26 may form a base
for the display, as noted above, so that display 10 can be placed
and rest on a horizontal surface. Vertical side rails 24 may
straddle the vertical display area 16 and thereby form a frame
around the display area or may wrap over the vertical edges of the
vertical display area 16 to provide additional support. Similarly,
support arms 26 may straddle the horizontal display area 20 and
thereby form a frame around the display area or may wrap over the
horizontal edges of the display area 20 to provide additional
support.
[0048] Support 12 optionally includes an integral rear member or
members that form the rear mounting surface 14. For example, the
rear member may be a plate that extends between the side rails 24.
Additionally, the rear mounting surface 14 may include at least one
connector 28 to facilitate attaching the display 10 to a wall or
other structure (not shown). For example, the connector 28 may
comprise a key-hole shaped opening so that someone can simply align
the larger portion of the opening over a nail or the like and then
push the display towards the wall and then release so that the nail
is then captured in the smaller, upper end of the opening.
Alternately, a projecting connector may be provided, such as an
inverted hook-shaped connector, to facilitate hanging of the
display, for example, on a wall mounted structure, such as a plate,
or a wire or on other conventional mounting devices.
[0049] The front display surface 18, as noted, may include a plate
with a plurality of projections, which extends between the side
rails 24 and is disposed at the vertical display area. As noted
above, the front display surface 18 may be secured to the display
10 by any suitable means that is both secure and aesthetically
pleasing. For example, the front display surface 18 may be adhered
on the rear surface thereof to the rear mounting surface 14.
Alternatively, the front display surface 18 may be either fixedly
or removably retained in undercuts or channels formed or positioned
on the inwardly facing sides of the side rails 24. Further, the
front display surface may be integrally formed, such as by molding,
with support 12.
[0050] The horizontal display surface 22 may also be formed by a
plate with a plurality of projections that extends between the
support arms 26. For example, the plate forming display surface 22
may have at least two rows of projections, at least three rows of
projections, or more. Similarly, horizontal display surface 22 may
be secured to the display 10 by any suitable means that is both
secure and aesthetically pleasing. For example, the horizontal
display surface 22 may be retained in undercuts or channels formed
or positioned on the inwardly facing sides of the support arms 26.
Further, the horizontal display surface may be integrally formed,
such as by molding, with support 12.
[0051] In one embodiment, the support 12 may also include a support
shelf 27 that also extends between the support arms 26 (FIG. 10).
The support shelf 27 may be integrally formed with the support 12,
or may be mechanically affixed by any suitable means. In the
embodiment in which the support 12 includes the support shelf 27,
the horizontal display surface 22 may be adhered thereto or may be
supported above shelf 27 to form a storage space, as described
below.
[0052] As noted, each of the front and horizontal display surfaces
18, 22 may include a plurality of projections 30 that are
configured to mate with complementary plastic building elements
(not shown). The projections 30 are rounded plastic nubs arranged
in parallel rows and are compatible with building sets such as
LEGO.RTM. building elements, MEGABLOCKS.RTM. building elements, or
the like, known as the LEGO.RTM. system respecting the LEGO.RTM.
unit. Alternately, as noted, display areas 16, 20 may be configured
to allow building element plates to be mounted to the display
areas. For example, display areas 16, 20 may incorporate discrete
building elements secured to them and onto which the building
elements plates or sheets may then be attached to form the display
surfaces 18, 22. A plurality of building elements may then be
mounted to both the front and horizontal display surfaces 18, 22 to
build toy structures during play. Upon completion of either playing
or the toy structure, the project may be left mounted to the front
and horizontal display surfaces 18, 22 for display. Alternatively,
the projections 30 may be formed in the vertical and horizontal
display areas 16, 20, therefore eliminating the need for separate
building elements plates or sheets.
[0053] Furthermore, as noted, the display 10 may be configured as a
display cabinet and include a storage area, for example, provided
by a slidable drawer 32 or a door, such as a sliding (sideways) or
hinged door. In the illustrated embodiment, the drawer 32 is
mounted beneath the horizontal display area 20. Further, the drawer
32 may be positioned below the horizontal display surface 22 and
above support shelf 27, if included. It is contemplated that a
plurality of building elements may be stored in the drawer 32.
[0054] In another embodiment, the display 10 may include a handle
34 for carrying the display 10. The handle may be fixed or movable
(FIG, 3B). In the illustrated embodiment, handle 34 includes a
transverse member 36 that forms a bight portion and two legs 38.
The legs 38 may be received in openings within an upper portion of
the side rails 24. As noted, the handle may be moveable. For
example, the handles may be slidable in the openings so they can be
moved between a retracted position (FIG. 3A) and a deployed
position (FIG. 3B). The handle 34 may be retained in position
within the side rails 24 by any suitable means, such as detent
mechanisms. When the handle 34 is in the extended second position,
the display 10 may be carried by the handle 34. In the retracted
position, the handle 34 may form a top portion of the support 12,
and optionally enclose an upper edge of the front display surface
18 so that the handle can form an extension of the side rails 24.
Optionally, the handle may also form part of the design.
[0055] As stated above, the rear mounting surface 14 includes at
least one connector 28 for attaching the display 10 to a wall or
other structure (not shown). In the example illustrated in FIG. 2,
the connector is in the form of one or more key-hole shaped
openings 28. When using openings 28, the display 10 may be mounted
substantially flush on a flat surface in a manner that is easily
understood by those having still in the art. As noted, the opening
28 may mount display 10 on a nail or a special receiving anchor
mounted to the wall.
[0056] In one embodiment, the rear mounting surface 14 includes a
plurality of raised contact surfaces 40. In the illustrated
example, the rear mounting surface 14 includes four raised contact
surfaces 40 positioned near each of the four corners of the rear
mounting surface 14. Of course, more or fewer raised contact
surfaces may be included, and may be located at different positions
on the rear mounting surface 14. In addition, the raised contact
surfaces 40 may have a rubber or felt bumpers 42 affixed thereto,
for preventing marring of the wall or other structure to which the
display 10 is mounted. Alternatively, the raised contact surfaces
40 may have magnets for mounting the display 10 to a magnetic
surface.
[0057] In another embodiment, the horizontal display area of the
display 10 further includes a back or bottom surface 44. The bottom
surface 44 may simply be the lower surface of the side arms 26, the
drawer 32, or the bottom surface of shelf 27, or may be a separate
member. For example, the bottom surface 44 may be a generally
planar member or have feet that extend between the support arms 26,
and is positioned below the drawer 32. In either case, the display
10 is able to be placed on, and supported by, the bottom surface 44
on a horizontal surface so that display 10 is sufficiently stable
to allow building elements to be mounted onto the various building
element surfaces of display. Accordingly, the display 10 may be
either hung on a wall or placed on a flat surface, such as a table,
and in either case is supported with sufficient stability to allow
building elements to be mounted to display 10. Similarly, the back
surface of the vertical display area may be a generally planar
member or have feet that extend similar to the horizontal display
area to allow a user to position the vertical display area on a
table in order to build on it.
[0058] In yet another embodiment, the display 10 may include LED
lighting for illuminating the display 10.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the number 110 designates another
embodiment of the display. Display 110 similarly includes a support
112 and a rear mounting plate 114 having a mounting surface. The
support 112 includes a vertical display area 116 and a horizontal
display area 120. Display area 116 may include or be configured to
receive a front vertical display surface 118. Similarly, display
area 120 may include or be configured to receive a horizontal
display surface 122. For further details of the display areas 116
and 120 reference is made to the embodiments described above. As
discussed above, the projections 130 may be formed in the vertical
and horizontal display surfaces 118 and 122, or directly on the
vertical and horizontal display areas 116, 120.
[0060] As discussed above with respect to the prior embodiment, the
mounting surface of the rear mounting plate 114 includes at least
one connector for attaching the display 110 to a wall or other
structure (not shown). In this embodiment, the connector comprises
the opening in the handle to make it easier for a child to hang the
display, with no blind attachment required. Various forms of
connectors may be used for mounting the rear mounting plate 114 to
a wall, including the commercially available COMMAND STRIPS.TM.
sold by 3M, conventional screws, and other means for fastening the
rear mounting plate 114 to the wall.
[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, when the display 110 is
attached to a wall or other structure, the support 112 portion of
the display 110 may be separated from the rear mounting plate 114,
which remains attached to the wall. That is to say that the support
112 portion of the display 110 is removably mounted to the rear
mounting plate 114, which is attached to the wall. Further, the
support 112 includes a fixed handle 134 that defines an opening
160. The handle 134 is adapted to fit over a bracket 150 that is
formed on a front face 154 of the rear mounting plate 114. The
bracket 150 includes a plate 156 and a substantially
horizontally-extending base 158, with the plate 156 disposed at a
distal end of the base 158. The plate 156 is sized so that it is
larger than the base 158 in at least one direction to thereby form
a flange 152 or a partial flange at the distal end of the base
158.
[0062] The handle 134 and bracket 150 are configured to have
complementary shapes, sizes, and/or profiles so that the handle 134
may fit over and be retained (i.e. locked) by the bracket 150, the
male part could be substantially smaller too and offer interlocking
capabilities. Accordingly, the plate 156 is commensurately sized
with the opening 160 of the handle 134 so that the plate can pass
through the opening and further optionally lie generally flush with
the outer surface of handle 134 and also vertical display surface
118. When mounted on bracket 150, flange 152 may help to retain the
handle 134 onto the bracket 150 by allowing at least a portion of
the handle 134 to rest on base 158. This mounting configuration
allows the bracket 150 to better support the weight of the support
112 due to the width of the bracket 150. Further, this arrangement
avoids blind anchoring of the support 112 to the rear mounting
plate 114.
[0063] Inserting the handle 134 onto the bracket 150 may require a
press-fit or a slight interference fit between the handle opening
160 and the flange 152. In the installed position, the opening 160
is supported by the base 158, and the flange 152 complements the
contour of the opening 160, providing an aesthetically pleasing
interface between the components. Optionally, the plate 156 or a
portion such as the outer perimeter may be formed of a
semi-flexible material for easier installation. For example, plate
156 may have a compressible lip, for example, formed from foam. In
this manner, when handle 134 is pushed onto the bracket 150, the
outer perimeter of plate 156 will compress or deflect and allow the
handle 134 to move on to base 152, but then plate 156 will return
to its pre-compressed state or pre-deflected configuration so that
plate will optionally fill in the handle opening 160 and hide any
gap.
[0064] In another embodiment, the front face 154 of the rear
mounting surface 114 includes an image, message, indicia, and/or a
symbol. When the support 112 is removed from the rear mounting
plate 114, the image is revealed, thereby creating a visually
appealing display to be seen when the support 112 is removed.
[0065] In another embodiment, the rear mounting plate 114 may
include a small bucket (not shown) to form a storage area,
permanently or detachably, attached for storing a plurality of
toys, toy building elements or related tools.
[0066] In yet another embodiment, the display 110 may include LED
lighting. It is contemplated that LEDs may be included in the
bracket 150 for illuminating the display 110.
[0067] In any of the above, the mounting surfaces may be provided
by surfaces other than those with projections so that other types
or toys or building elements may be mounted to the display.
[0068] The display 10, 110 described herein offers a unique
solution to the problem of what to do with the building elements
once the project is completed. Also, in addition or alternatively,
the display can be used to decorate a room, including in a manner
to display an individual's preference for a brand, like a poster.
Using the display 10, 110 enables the child, or adult, to work on
the toy building structure, and then display the finished project.
The display 10, 110 can be mounted to a wall, or placed upon a
table or other structure for displaying the building elements
project. When the child wishes to continue with the project, or
start another one, the display 10, 110 can simply be moved to a
location where it is accessible for play. The display 10, 110 also
presents a unique ability to move the constructed building block
structure without breaking it, due at least in part to the rigidity
of the display 10, 110 as well as the convenience of including a
handle. Lastly, the display allow children to build in three
dimensions by connecting things together, for example, a house with
the sun over it all supported by one structure.
[0069] While several forms of the inventions have been shown and
described, the above description is that of current embodiments of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative
purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description
of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the
claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in
connection with these embodiments. For example, and without
limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention
may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially
similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This
includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such
as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art,
and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such
as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development,
recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments
include a plurality of features that are described in concert but
which can be used independently and/ or combined with other
features. The present invention is not limited to only those
embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all
of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly
set forth in the issued claims. For example, any reference to claim
elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a,"
"an," "the" or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the
element to the singular. Additionally, directional terms used in
the specification, such as "vertical," "horizontal," "top,"
"bottom," "upper," "lower," "inner," "inwardly," "outer" and
"outwardly," are used to assist in describing the invention based
on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations.
The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the
invention to any specific orientation(s).
[0070] Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown
in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative
purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention
which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under
the principles of patent law including the doctrine of
equivalents.
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