Patent Application
20100171010
The present invention generally relates to organizing and displaying framing matboard samples, and more specifically to a configurable and customizable system for organizing and displaying matboard samples.
A matboard is a relatively thin, flat piece of material that is used in framing to provide contrast between the article to be framed and the frame, and enhance the aesthetics of the framed piece. Matboards are typically composed of a paper-based material, but may be made from other materials and can also include a decorative covering (such as cloth or a metallic coating). They also may be provided with different surface finishes, patterns or symbols. Paper-based matboards are easy to manufacture with a variety of different face colors and with a variety of different patterns, surface ornamentation, designs and the like.
Matboards are most commonly used to decorate a framed article, such as a picture, painting, diploma or other article. Aside from aesthetics, matboards also serve a number of functional purposes, such as separating the glass from the artwork. Most of all though, if the correct size and color is chosen, matboards are able to avert the attention of the beholder inwards or towards a key element of the artwork. Accordingly, framers usually keep many different matboard samples of all different colors, textures and designs at hand so that they may appropriately match the matboard to the particular piece being framed.
With so many different matboard samples, however, it is often difficult to find exactly what matboard is preferred since numerous samples are hard to keep track of and will typically be in a state of disarray. Even if the matboard samples were once organized, they quickly deteriorate into an unorganized mess as framers will look through many different samples before finding the right one, many times not returning the samples to their proper locations. This is due in part to the job being done quickly, but it is mostly because the large number of samples require them to be horizontally or vertically stacked one on top of the other making it difficult to discern the colors of the samples in order to select a desired matboard sample or store the samples in an organized manner. Thus, having stacked, unorganized samples, it is difficult for a framer to find a desired matboard sample with the color and texture that best complements the picture.
Therefore, what is needed is a design for a matboard display system that allows the matboards to be easily and well organized and provides easy access and viewing of the matboards.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a matboard corner sample display system is provided. The system includes a caddy for holding a plurality of matboard corner samples such that the first leg of the matboard is substantially vertically and perpendicular to the second leg. The caddy includes a base that has a substantially horizontal surface and an inner vertical support attached to the base that is shaped in at least partial arc. The caddy further includes an outer vertical support that is shaped in at least a partial arc and is disposed in a substantially concentric configuration with the inner vertical support such that a channel is formed between the inner vertical support and outer vertical support to accommodate the first leg of a matboard corner sample so that the second leg of the matboard corner sample extends away from inner vertical support.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the caddy of the system can include a closed arc, such as a circle or ellipse. The caddy can be divided into two sections (e.g., halves) which are pivotally connected. Optionally, the two sections can be connected by a hinge configured to enable the two sections to be separated. Preferably, the two caddy sections can be separated so as to allow matboard corner samples in each of the two sections to be positioned anywhere in the channel of the two caddy sections without physically interfering with one another.
These and other aspects, features, and problems addressed by the invention can be further appreciated with reference to the discussion of certain embodiments and the drawings of such embodiments.
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which:
By way of overview and introduction, the present invention provides a system and apparatus for storing and organizing framing matboards that allows for easy access and selection and a convenient display of the a range of matboard colors and textures. The display system includes a circular or arc-shaped caddy that holds one leg of the matboards in a substantially upright position in a channel and the second leg of the matboard extending radially away from the arc so as to allow the matboards to fan out around circumference of the caddy.
With reference to the figures,
The inner-wall 120, a portion of the top surface of the base 114 and the sidewall 112 form a U-shaped channel in which a leg of the matboards 140 is retained. The distance between the inner-wall 120 and the sidewall 112 is preferably similar to the width of the leg of the matboard 140 retained therein, thus maintaining the sample matboards 140 in a substantially vertical position. In this configuration, the matboards 140 are displayed around the circumference of the caddy 110 with the other leg of the matboard 140 extending radially beyond the sidewall 112. The radially extending legs of the matboards 140 fan-out around the caddy so as to display the color and texture of each sample. It should be noted that Matboards 140 having legs of varying width can be accommodated by the system in a number of ways. The inner-wall 120 can include a non-uniform shape, such as an oval, in order to vary the distance between the sidewall 112 and the inner-wall 120, thereby accommodating matboards 140 of varying width.
The caddy 110 can be placed on a table using the base 114 as a support. Alternatively, the caddy 110 can be placed on or attached to a stand 130 and optional base 150. Thus, the caddy can be placed on the floor or elevated on a table surface. An optional center-post 170 can be used to hold display sign or other advertisement. Alternatively, the center-post 170 can be located within a hollow center of the inner-wall 120, thereby defining a further space in which to store product literature, catalogues, or other materials.
In the open configuration, the system can be abutted against any flat surface such as a wall or a table side. Optionally, the system 100 can include a mounting for hanging or affixing the system 100 to the flat surface. In a further alternative, the two halves of the system 100 can be separated (e.g., via a releasable hinge or by excluding the hinge 180) and positioned independently.
While
In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in
The system 400 can include a base 450 and sidewalls 430 which add structural support and rigidity to the system 400. Additionally, the visible surfaces of the base 450, sidewalls 430, and outer surface 422 of the inner support 420 can be utilized as marketing space. For example, advertisements for the framing company or matboard company can be placed on these surfaces to increase brand awareness. Alternatively, promotions, such as sales and specials, can be advertised on these surfaces.
The caddy base 714 can be mounted to a stand 730. The stand 720 can include a variety of shapes and designs. The stand 730 can include a base 750 that is optionally affixed to wheels 755 for ease of transport and movement. Additionally, a decorative carrying handle 716 can be mounted to the caddy base 714.
Additional matboards can be displayed using L-brackets mounted to the system 700. For example L-bracket 770 is mounted to the top 722 of inner wall 720. In another example, L-bracket 780 is mounted to the stand 730. The additional L-brackets allow for storage and display of additional matboards and can be designed to accommodate and enhance the organization of the matboards 740 displayed in the caddy.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
