This application is not subject to any federally sponsored research or development.
There is no sequence listing, table, or computer program listing for this application.
The present invention relates to a display book enclosure for the storage, transportation and display of decorative pins.
Decorative pins, also known as service pins, metal badges, brooches, or lapel pins, have a long history originating in the military signifying the wearer's membership in a particular branch of the service or participation in a particular theatre of operation. Later, service pins were issued by businesses wishing to award employees and commemorate the number of years employed. Fraternal organizations such as the Lion's Club, The Rotary Club, and Masonic lodges often use membership pins to designate a wearer's affiliation. More recently, collectable pins becoming very popular with comics and movies such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and other science fiction/fantasy genres. Collectible and decorative trading pins are descendants of the service pins and are presently used to commemorate or celebrate sporting events such as the Olympics, sports team affiliations, media creations such as those of Walt Disney, participation in charitable events, and other special awards, associations or affiliations. Many decorative lapel pins are colorful, highly elaborate and festive creations that are infrequently worn due to the difficulty and cost of obtaining a replacement and are often displayed; if at all, in a matted frame or shadowbox that generally has space for numerous pins.
As the collections of pins have grown, so has the need and the desire to trade pins with other collectors to complete a particular collection. Pin trading has become the most popular event in many conventions for groups collecting pins. Pin traders use lanyards to showcase and transport pin collections. Lanyards do not hold the pins well, and pins fall out and get damaged or lost. Other pin books also require pin backs to secure pins in place, causing the user to exert much effort removing the pin back before trading. What is needed is a way to showcase the collection of the individual lapel pins for showing and trading, while protecting the pins from damage resulting from contact with other pins, staining and other damage that may occur as a result of falling off lanyards or other types of pin books that do not hold pins securely.
The instant invention is a holder resembling, in some ways, a book, having a front, face, a back, and an interior space for the retention and display of decorative pins. The pages of the book are comprised of a material which the decorative pins are puncturable and are self-healing so that the posts of various decorative pins may be repeatedly pierced through the insert and the insert remain supportive of the decorative pin post(s) time after time. While preferably, the raised portion is a ridge defining a rectangular border encompassing an area within, the raised border may be a round, polygon, ellipse, or other shape. Puncturable pages defining a mounting surface for the decorative pins are pierced by the post part of a decorative pin. One preferred embodiment, according to the instant invention, includes an enclosure with 2 or more pages that can be securely shut through the use of a zipper. Within said embodiment would be where the front of the book enclosure would have a translucent repositionable, protective material which would allow the user to display decorative pins while secured in the book. The inside of the enclosure has pages defining a surface to receive the posts of the decorative pins, Typically, a puncturable page resides inside the enclosure and at least partially conforms to the interior shape of the enclosure. While preferably the viewing opening on the front cover has a clear material, it is possible that a clear cover may be attached to the opening as a window after the insertion of the puncturable insert with decorative pin. Self-healing deformable insert can be made of material such as natural or synthetic rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate, corrugated plastic or other such material that can accommodate multiple piercings so that the decorative pins can be changed frequently without affecting the insert's usability.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a storage and display enclosure for a lapel, service, or other decorative pin having posts, one surface being the front which is encased in a translucent material such that the pins stored are visible while the case is securely shut. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a puncturable mounting surface for a lapel, service, or other decorative pin or similar jewelry item having posts. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a puncturable mounting surface for decorative pins that can be re-used. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a puncturable insert with a decorative surface treatment that serves as an attractive background for the mounting and display of decorative pins. Still another objective of the present invention is to an ornamental enclosure that can be rested upon a flat surface or hung on a wall or other surface for the containment and display of a lapel, service, or other decorative pin or similar jewelry item having posts.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions:
For a more complete understanding of the present invention parts, reference is now made to the following descriptions:
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
The invention is a book enclosure for the storage, transfer and display of decorative pins. The parts of the book enclosure are the front page, translucent cover of the front page, back of the book enclosure, pouch, zipper, interior pages, protective page, the zipper of the translucent cover of the front page, hooks and the removable strap. The border of the book enclosure may be a rectangle, polygon, ellipse, or other shape. One embodiment would have an opaque front page without the translucent cover, utilizing the same material as the rest of the outside of the book, allowing the user only two surfaces for securing pins,
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The present application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/600,237, which published as U.S. Patent Appl. Publication No. 2018/0332938 A1, incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15600237 | May 2017 | US |
Child | 16550226 | US |