Patent application title: Award Medal Display Rack
Inventors:
Brian Anthony Florek (Matawan, NJ, US)
IPC8 Class: AA47F700FI
USPC Class:
211 131
Class name: Supports: racks special article
Publication date: 2013-05-30
Patent application number: 20130134111
Abstract:
An award medal display rack comprised of a top shelf hoard and back
viewing board. The top shelf board displays, holds, and organizes
multiple pin-style award medals, trophies, plaques and additional
accolades. The top shelf board utilizes predetermined unique recessions,
grooves, and/or cavities to secure and display pin-style award medals
while inside 25/8''×35/8'' medal cases: The top hoard also doubles
as a shelf for additional achievements. The back viewing board holds,
organizes, and displays multiple ribbon-style lanyard award medals by
means of suspension. The back viewing board utilizes adjacent pegs that
protrude horizontally from the face of the display board for the
suspension of ribbon lanyard medals. The pegs can be arranged in various
fashions to accommodate an abundance of ribbon lanyard style awards. The
present invention is wall-mountable and can be made in various sizes and
fashions to house and display a versatile quantity of awards.Claims:
1. A novel all-in-one, wall-mountable medal display rack for the
effortless displaying, holding, and organization of multiple award medals
of both the lanyard ribbon-style and the pin-style design, comprising: a
back viewing board with protruding pegs for the suspension of
lanyard-style ribbon medals; a top shelf board utilizing unique
recessions, cavities, and/or grooves specifically designed for: 1) the
placement, anchoring, upright standing, and viewing of cased pin-style
medal awards; and 2) the use as a shelf for additional achievements or
items, such as, but not limited to, trophies and plaques.
2. The uniquely designed top shelf board in claim I, employs at least one, but possibly more, recessions, cavities, and/or grooves to support pin-style medal award cases, which measure 25/8''×35/8'', by the specific spatial placement of the recessions' walls, which consequently create ample pressure against the walls of the pin-style award medal casing to hold pin-style award medal cases in the upright forward-facing position.
Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] Prior Application: Provisional
[0002] Application No.: 61/459396
[0003] Filing Date: Dec. 13, 2010
[0004] Name of Applicant: Brian Anthony Florek, Matawan, N.J.
[0005] Confirmation No.: 1056
[0006] Title of Invention: Medal Awards Rack
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007] There is a clear demand in the market for a simple, all in one, award medal display rack. The disadvantages of the current inventions on the market arc clear; none are a practical means for an accomplished recipient of many lanyard ribbon-style and pin-style award medals to display the extent of their awards. That is, the current inventions are designed for the display of only a single or a few prize medals; they only focus on the display of either lanyard ribbon-style or pin-style medals; and many require meticulous construction and attachment of the display unit in order to organize, attach, or replace the medals on display.
[0008] Award medals are given out as accolades in a plethora of societal activities. To name just a few, these awards are often found at all levels of school sporting and academic competitions, karate and martial artists shows, gymnastics and dance competitions, and a countless list of other activities. It is not uncommon for someone, such as a college athlete, to accumulate 50-plus medals over their course of involvement in a sport over the years. While some of the prior art supports the display of several medals, none are designed to offer a simple, practical, and compact means to display a large quantity of them while also accommodating both lanyard style and pin-style award medals for display. The present invention, through the utilization of a staggered peg system and accompanying uniquely designed groove(s), offer a practical means to allow the successful recipient the ability to proudly display the full extent of awards he has received. Prior artwork would not allow such an extensive display; consequently requiring the recipient to either narrow his display collection to a single medal, a select few medals, and/or a single type of award medal.
[0009] Afore mentioned reasons present the departure of this invention from conventional medal display units. However, the primary distinguishing feature of the present invention's design and function is the novel way in which it displays pin-style medal awards. Unlike all prior artwork, this unit does not display pin-style medals by taking advantage of their pin feature. The vast majority of pin-style award medals given out during events, meets, and other such competitions are presented to their recipients inside plastic cases that measure 25/8''×35/8''. The present invention provides a way to display pin-style award medals while they are still inside these plastic cases. The present invention accomplishes this through the use of designed recessions, Cavities and/or hooves built onto or into the rack in which the bottom portion of the pin-style medal case can he snuggly placed into, thus allowing an effortless securing of the eased medal in an upright position for optimal viewing capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of the present invention is to display multiple award medals of both the lanyard ribbon-style and pin-style fashion through the use of a peg system for the suspension of ribbon-style lanyard medals and the use of rescissions, grooves, or cavities for the upright holding of 25/8''×35/8'' pin-style award medal eases for the display of pin-style award medals.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention that the top piece, which is home to the recessions, cavities, and/or grooves, to double as a shelf for the placement of additional items, such as trophies or plaques.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to allow for a practical and effortless way for the owner to reorganize, add and/or remove award medals as he wishes to display them.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to offer into the market a much needed medal award display unit that has the capacity to serve as an all-in-one, wall-mountable, award medal display rack.
[0014] It is an additional objective of the present invention to allow the decorative ribbon, on lanyard medals suspended from pegs, to remain completely visible for display.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0015] It has been a long-standing tradition to reward athletes, marksman, dancers, scholars, etc . . . with award medals recognizing their achievements of corresponding excellence. These medals are most commonly presented in the form of ribbon-style lanyard award medals and pin-style award medals. It is not uncommon for a devoted athlete, or the like, to accumulate a large number of both kinds of these awards during their lifetime of participation in a given activity. Like, as with any other award, it is only natural that the recipient would seek the ability to proudly display such accolades. However, the available alternatives for displaying these award medals are inadequate and often unnecessarily mechanically complicated. Many are not designed to hold more than a few awards, none of which are designed to hold both ribbon style and pin style award medals, and the vast majority require unnecessarily complicated procedures in order to attach, affix, or display the medal(s) eliminating effortless reorganization or replacement of these awards.
[0016] For example:
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,171 to Coppel (2001) is capable of displaying multiple lanyard medals but only lanyard-style ribbon medals. In order to secure the award the invention uses a hook and clip apparatus, which secures the ribbon to the back of the unit alter insertion of the ribbon through a slot on the front of a triangular display board. Here, not only is Coppel's invention limited to the use of only ribbon-style award medals but it also requires a mechanical procedure and the use of a securing apparatus for the display of awards, consequently, eliminating a simple and effortless reorganization of the awards. Additionally, Coppel's invention conceals one's ribbons allowing only the medal part of the award to remain visible for display.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,297 to Johnson (2004) utilizes a means for attachment and display of multiple ribbon-style lanyard medals similar to the ribbon pull through style of Coppel's. The main difference between the two is that Johnson's display is a framed showcase. Likewise to Coppel's invention, Johnson's framed showcase does not allow for an effortless reorganization of medals. Johnson's framed design requires the owner to dismantle the front viewing plane in order to insert or move medals. Johnson's invention also does not support the display of pin-style medals.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,988 to Carter (2011) is solely for the display of ribbon-style lanyard medals inside a clear cube-like enclosure. The unit allows for the display of several ribbon medals, which would be wound up and bound by a reel that is affixed on top of the unit. This reel winds and wraps the ribbons allowing for the suspension of the medals inside the cube-like enclosure for viewing. Carter's invention significantly differs from our proposed invention since it employs an entirely different technique to hang ribbon medals, does not support the display of pin-style medals. is an enclosed cube display, is not wall mountable, and does not double as a shelf for additional achievements such as plaques or trophies.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,129 to Purdy (2004)--Purdy's invention is a kit, which assembles into a display unit for a single ribbon style medal. This invention is in the form of a plaque, which could either be hung on a wall or stand upright by means of a supporting arm, similar to that of a picture frame. The front of Purdy's display plaque has a felt pad with a circular cavity cut into it which supports the award medal. The entire back and all sides of the medal fit firmly into this cavity supporting the medal for view from the front. With the exception of a minor portion, the majority of the ribbon is pulled over the top and secured behind the plaque, out of view. Once fully assembled the medal is firmly secured in place and enclosed inside the plaque by a front transparent plane that is screwed into place. Like abovementioned prior art, this mechanical assembly disallows the simple and effortless reorganization of medals, the display of pin-style medal awards, and the capacity for a practical means for displaying a large quantity of awards.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. Des 426,999 and Des 405,634 to Smith (1999 and 2000)--The functionality for displaying ribbon-style medal awards utilized by Smith's designs in both these inventions is similar to that as employed in our proposed invention. They are similar in the fact that both allow the simple hanging of multiple ribbon-style medal awards by manually placing and hanging the ribbon over an object. Additionally, likewise to our present invention, Smith's award medal holder doubles as a shelf for additional achievements. However, these facets are the extent of the similarity between our inventions. A key feature and material distinction absent from Smith's inventions, rather than our present invention, is the ability to display pin-style award medals.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,821 to Corbett (1990) is a patent for a jewelry display device, which does not support the display of ribbon-style lanyard medals. Corbett's invention displays jewelry such as earrings and ornamental pins in a fashion to that which is currently available for displaying pin-style award medals. Corbett's invention permits the pinning of medals into, and through, a mesh fabric; pins found on the hack of the mesh then secure the Medals in place. Our invention employs a novel means for the display of pin-style award medals and therefore does not utilize a system such as this for display of pin-style medal awards. Similar mesh/fabric designs to secure pin-style award medals for display are adopted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,171 to Ortiz (1992) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,754 to Tallent (1989). None of which support the display of ribbon-style lanyard medals.
[0023] The present invention incorporates purposes of prior artwork but expands upon them and employs novel means to display pin-style awards. The present invention is the only all-in-one medal display unit, which supports the display of a large quantity of both types of award medals, ribbon-style lanyard medals and pin-style medals, while allowing a simple and practical means to support, display, and effortlessly reorganize these awards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Figure "A" is a fragmentary frontal side view of the invention's top shelf board and backboard, depicting the unit's disposition of various components and features.
[0025] Figure "B" is a bottom view of the invention's backboard and it's suspension pegs along with the underneath of the top shelf board.
[0026] Figure "C" is a perspective rear view of the invention's backboard and top shelf.
[0027] Figure "D" is a perspective top view of one embodiment of the invention's top shelf piece including one embodiment of the invention's unique groove feature.
[0028] Figure "F" is a pulled-out perspective front view, depicting an embodiment of the invention and its components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention allows for the display of multiple honorary medals as well as other awards. The invention is the first of its kind to be uniquely tailored to specifically fit multiple, universally designed, 25/8''×35/8'' pin-style award medal cases for easy display. The invention is the first of its kind to also accommodate multiple ribbon style awards, and double as a shelf for additional achievements. The present invention utilizes a shelf, peg, and groove design, which functions to display, organize, and hold, both lanyard ribbon-style and pin-style award medals as well as trophies, plaques and other achievements. This present invention is wall mounted, multi-functional, and holds a plurality of honorary awards. The present invention truly is an all-in-one, multiple award medal display rack that allows a practical and effortless means to display and accommodate just about any award an accomplished individual may receive.
[0030] The accompanying figures and description depict only a single way in that this invention can be assembled, as a means to provide a clear example and understanding of the invention's functionality. The whole or in part components and materials may be joined or built from a unitary mold or piece, by hand, machine, or similar process.
[0031] The top shelf hoard of the rack comprises a flat surface with two parallel horizontal grooves running the length of the rack, as depicted in Figures D and A-1. This new and uniquely designed, custom tilting, groove/recession, Figures D-2 and A-3, allows for universal size pin-style medal award cases to slide firmly into place. The award medal cases are secured upright for display by means of side and bottom support. The inner walls of the groove, shown in figure A-2, create the ample pressure necessary against the award medal's casing to firmly secure them in place. These longitudinal recessions or grooves run up to the full length of the top shelf hoard and allow for the simple successive placement of pin-style award medal cases for display.
[0032] The top shelf board, Figure A-1 and C-2 can also be used for display as a shelf for trophies, plaques, and other achievements. Figure A-1, the top piece, creates a 90-degree angle with the backboard, Figure A-4 and C-1. The shelf protrudes several inches from the wall and accommodates the base size of many trophies.
[0033] The back groove, shown in Figures A-5 and Figure C-2, also provides a great way to effortlessly display plaques without having to hang them from the wall. The hack groove allows small to medium sized plaques to butt-up between the groove and the wall. Thus allowing the plaques to stand nearly upright against the wall and effectively achieving an effortless and simple means for their display.
[0034] The top shelf piece, Figure C-2, can be affixed to backboard, Figure C-1, by means of screws, nails, glue, or like substitution. Alternatively, the top shelf board and backboard can be built or molded as a unitary piece; therefore, eliminating the need for affixation to one another.
[0035] The backboard of the unit is, but does not have to be, equal in size to the top board. Figure C depicts the backboard affixed underneath the top board. The backboard, as presented in figure A-4, B-1, and E, is designed as a base plate to accommodate the unit's staggered peg system, which functions as means to effortlessly display and suspend lanyard ribbon-style award medals.
[0036] Figures A, B, and E depict the invention's peg system. Affixed to the backboard there can be a row, or multiple rows, of pegs. These rows may or may not be staggered and or run parallel from one another, the staggered peg system, underneath the shelf and groove, is designed to horizontally hang or suspend ribbon-style lanyard medals for display. This trouble-free design makes it practically effortless to reorganize, remove, and replace your medals. The pegs protrude at least 11/2 inches from the backboard of the unit, but the distance from the backboard can be variable. The peg system is evenly spaced for peg placements on the backboard, as shown in Figure B. In the attached drawings, Figure A shows a possible spatial placement and alignment of the first row of pegs in relation to the top of the unit and from one another. After the desired spacing is determined the pegs are secured into the backboard. This is accomplished by using a drill press and glue, or like tool and affixation method.
[0037] Depending on the desired display, more cased medals or lanyard medals can he accommodated to fit. The present invention is currently available in 1', 2', 3', and 4' variations. The foregoing description enables one of ordinary skill to make and use our present invention, in what is considered presently the best mode thereof. While all various combinations of materials, dimensions, and arrangements of the present invention's features are not exemplified, it is natural that those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and he familiar with the underlying concept and appreciate that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically stated without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention.
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