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The present invention is a Card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface. The card is made up of a single piece of material on which graphic images and letters have been printed and which has been specially shaped, cut, and pre-creased to enable a recipient to fold the base part of it so that the display part will rise up perpendicular to, or at a raked angle from, the horizontal surface on which it is placed.
Prior similar articles have been A) more complex, B) more expensive, C) have not been designed to allow for small-size embodiments, D) are difficult to transport in large quantities, and E) are not designed to appeal to specific markets.
The present invention solves these issues.
Both U.S. Pat. No. 1,947,521 to Einson (1934) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,815,597 to Carter (1957) show countertop displays. Both are more complex to manufacture and erect than the present invention, requiring the construction of an easel. Both require much more display space in their smallest embodiments. The present invention can be made as small as a centimeter square, but is currently made in the size of a conventional business card (2″×3.5″) or greeting card (approximately 5″×8″) in most situations. It stands unaided by any additional attachment, spar or easel.
One method that allows for the perpendicular display of an image is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,669 to Moran (1991) in which a four-panel box has a perforation from which the image can be punched out. The present invention uses less than half of the material for a comparable size display and, in most embodiments, requires no punching out of a perforated image.
Other single-part cards that are designed to be deployed quickly require specialized structures below them to stand perpendicular. U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,711 (1920) to Sargent and U.S. Pat. No. 2,651,862 (1953) to Fine show simple displays that are designed to be placed on top of long-neck bottles and gable-topped milk cartons, respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,530,950 (1950) to Benchley shows a two-sided display that requires several folds, a slit and a tab to accomplish what the present invention delivers without these complexities.
Currently there are a number of solutions for a card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface. Further, there are a number of conventional solutions for bringing attention to printed advertisements. Some of these solutions attempt to bring attention through graphic design or surface treatments, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of industry because these conventional business cards, postcards and other traditional flat advertising pieces are not designed to be displayed easily or viewed repeatedly. Most such pieces are quickly filed away or destroyed. It is desirable for any advertising to offer repetitive exposures for the advertiser.
Since conventional business cards, post cards and other small advertising displays lack any feature of uniqueness once they have been conveyed their greeting, they retain little impact and are often soon discarded. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the advertising industry for a Card that Stands Perpendicular to a Horizontal Surface.
The present invention delivers several advantages over prior art.
The present invention enables the recipient of such a piece to easily and quickly display it perpendicular to a counter, desktop or shelf, which in turn makes the advertising message available for many repetitive viewings. The present invention requires no instructions and takes as little as one second to deploy.
It would be desirable to have a business card, rack card, sign or other advertising display, that enables the recipient to display it on a desk, counter or shelf, without the need to use adhesive tape, construct an easel, attach external stands or use fasteners such as nails or tacks.
Competitive products, including distinctively printed advertising cards, countertop displays, and promotional products, usually have multiple parts and, accordingly, are usually priced much higher than the present invention.
The present invention is a single part, made of conventional modern materials.
The size of the Card will vary depending on the rigidity of the material from which it is made, from something as small as a square centimeter to as large will fit through a conventional doorway.
The ratio of the height of the Display Panel of the card to Base part(s) will vary according to the need of the advertiser, and
The shape of the Display Panel and Base part(s) will vary according to the requirements of the customer.
Non-flat advertising tools, such as countertop displays and promotional products, are often bulky and cannot be easily carried in significant numbers. The present invention is available in various sizes, the smaller of which can be carried by an individual by the hundreds of pieces.
Other solutions attempt to provide temporary entertainment value or reference information, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because they do not solve the problem of how to generate repeated exposures.
This is particularly true for advertising that features a popular image, such as a brand mascot or iconic character, or a portrait of an entertainer, author, speaker or other featured individual.
The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a Card that can be designed in an unlimited number of two-dimensional shapes, including those that emphasize popular image, such as a brand mascot or iconic character, or a portrait of an entertainer, author, speaker or other featured individual.
The present invention provides a new and unique way for general business advertisers, restaurant businesses, non-profit organizations, sports teams, and celebrities to have a fully customized Card that has none of the disadvantages of prior art.
The present invention can be customized in unlimited ways, including as a mailing piece, sales brochure, business card, safety information card, menu, game piece, souvenir, and autograph card.
The present invention is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the present invention is unique due to the presence of:
(1) a Crease 04 to enable easy and accurate folding;
(2) a Base section designed to enable the Main Display Panel to stand upright;
(3) Custom shaping for the Display and/or Base sections to differentiate the piece from any other advertising cards; and
(4) only a simple, single piece of stock, with no need for any adhesives, external stands, instructions or tools with which to assemble it.
Among other things, it is an object of the present invention to provide a card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions.
It is still further an object of the present invention to create a device that is more easily displayed.
Further still, it is an object of the present invention to create a device that leverages the special graphic images of customers.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
The drawings show examples of said Card from three views and in three embodiments. Closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/000,675, filed 2014 May 20 by the present inventor.