Message bearing photo easel
United States Patent 1 1 Pelkey MESSAGE BEARING PHOTO EASEL [76] Inventor: Joseph F. Pelkey, 198 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield. Mass. 0l20l [22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 349,038  
 [52] [1.8. CI. 40/l24.l; 40/l59; 40/l52.l [51] Int. Cl. G09f 1/00 [58] Field of Search 40/158, l59, I58 B, l52.1,  
 40/l24.l, 104.18, l04.l9  
 [ Apr. 8, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A message bearing photo easel adapted to enclose a small photo print for mailing and subsequent display purposes. The device includes a frame-forming portion having a pair of oppositely disposed foldably in terconnected flaps, the side edges of which are disposed at an acute angle relative to the edges of the frame-forming portion to permit the device to be self supporting upon a substantially horizontal surface when the flaps are placed at substantially a right angle relative to said frame-forming portion. Instructions [56) References C ted relative to the insertion of a photographic print are UNITED STATES PATENTS positioned to be visible through the main display aper- 1.454152 5/1923 Buck 40/159 and are concealed the Print is slid 5|5:9U[ 1924 Helmqucst I I I r g n4 place. A back plate carries first and second indicia, 1,522,018 925 Lodge r 40 124,1 the first indicia being the above mentioned instruc- 2.049.l65 7/l936 Kcllcrmeier 40/1521 tions. while an oppositely disposed surface forming the 2.782.542 2/1957 Blevens 40/l52.l second indicia carries a message which may be aug- 3338-655 3/1966 Eflgelstei&#34; 40/159 mented by the user. By virtue of indented or cut out FORHGN PATENTS OR APPL|CATIONS segments at the ends of the back plate, the prints may be inserted or removed by movement of the print in 3 52 5 I 8 33 H either of two opposite directions, the back plate belng 135.644 1 H1919 United Kingdom 40/159 secured to the frame-forming Portion along two PP sitely disposed rectilinear edges. Primary E.runzinerRobert W. Michell 2 Cl 5 D Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras rawmg &#39;gures a r w ,v a?! v r\ I ,za; wane 15 ze t MESSAGE ON I BACK OF THE I 2/ l PANEL, suns l m PHOTOANO W l e --,;0 61 MAIL J I I J MESSAGE BEARING PHOTO EASEL This invention relates generally to the field of photographic easels, and more particularly to one of rela tively small size which may serve the dual purpose of a written note or greeting which can be readily mailed. Devices of this general type are known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details permitting multiple use, improved facility in use, and relatively low cost of manufacture.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Paper photo-containing folders are known in the art, and usually include one or two flaps which serve as a cover for the print. The flaps, per se, do not enable the folder to stand on a horizontal surface. Other means normally foldable outwardly from the rear surface of the easel are employed for this purpose, and consequently, the easel must be formed of relatively heavy paper stock to perform this function. Since such devices occupy the major portion of the surface of the rear ofthe easel, there is no provision for the inclusion of a message to accompany the folder and picture or print.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of a print easel including a main body element formed of a single blank of planar material, including a centrally disposed panel defining an opening of desired size and configuration, as well as a pair of side flap panels, each of generally trapezoidally shaped configuration hingedly connected thereto. A backing panel is of a size sufficient to substantially overlie the opening in the main body element, and is glued along two vertical edges to an inner surface of the latter. The generally horizontal end surfaces are curved to facilitate manipulation of a rectangular photographic print into and out of the interstice between the backing panel and the main body element. The surface of the backing panel showing through the opening in the centrally disposed panel is imprinted with instructions regarding the use of the device, which instructions are covered with the insertion of a photo print. The oppositely disposed surface of the backing panel may be marked for the inscribing of a message, following which the side flaps may be folded thereover and the device inserted into an envelope for mailing.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification. similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
  FIG. I is a view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention.  
  FIG. 2 is a second view in elevation, showing the side opposite that seen in FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 3 is a view in elevation corresponding to that seen in FIG. 2, with certain of the component parts in altered relative condition.  
  FIG. 4 is a view in elevation ofa backing panel forming a part of the embodiment.  
  FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing the embodiment in use as a display easel upon a horizontal surface.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character I0 comprises broadly: a main body element 11 and a back or printretaining panel 12.  
  The main body element 11 is formed from a single piece of relatively stiff paper, and, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is bounded by a front surface 14, and a rear surface 15. It includes a generally rectangular central panel 16 and symmetrical side flaps l7 and 18.  
  The central panel 16 is bounded by an upper edge 19, a lower edge 20 and fold edges 21 and 22 whereby the flaps l7 and 18 are interconnected. A central opening 23 may be of any desired shape and size, although it will normally be rectangular as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be bounded by an upper edge 24, a lower edge 25 and side edges 26 and 27.  
  Relative to the side flaps l6 and 17 each includes an upper converging edge 28, a lower converging edge 29 and an outer vertical edge 30 to define with the respective fold edge 2I-22a trapezoidal shape.  
  The back panel 12 is considerably smaller, and is also preferably die cut from paper stock. It is bounded by a pair of vertical side edges 32 and 33, an upper curved edge 34, a lower curved edge 35, an outer surface 36 hearing a legend, and an inner surface 37 having lines 38 for the writing of a message by a user.  
  With the insertion of a photo print 40, the outer surface 36 is covered and the printed legend thereby obscured. It will be observed that when positioned, the upper margin 41 and the lower margin 42 project substantially outwardly of the curved edges 34 and 35 to enable the print to be maneuvered into correct position from either the upper or lower edge thereof. When removing the print, this exposure permits the ready grasping as well as pushing of the print, whereby insertion and removal are facilitated.  
  Referring to FIG. 3, prior to mailing the side flaps l7 and 18 are folded over the back panel 12 to conceal the message, following which the device 10 may be inserted into a mailing envelope (not shown). Upon removal of the envelope by the addressee, the flaps may be bent outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5, and owing to the trapezoidal configuration ofthe flaps, they may serve to hold the central panel 16 in erected condition at a proper viewing angle.  
  I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.  
 I claim:  
  1. A message-bearing photo easel comprising: a planar main body element and a print-retaining panel; said main body element including a rectangularly-shaped centrally disposed panel and first and second trapezoidally shaped side flaps foldably interconnected to said centrally disposed panel along oppositely disposed side edges thereof to selectively overlie one surface of said panel, and substantially conceal the same; said centrally disposed panel having a through rectangularly shaped opening therein, said print-retaining panel being of a size and configuration sufficient to at least partially overlie said opening, and being secured along a pair of oppositely disposed side edges to overlie the nar surface positioned within said opening in said centrally disposed panel, said surface having an instructional legend which is concealed with the insertion of a print within said interstice, and a second oppositely disposed surface for the reception of a second legend which is concealed by the folding of said first and second flaps thereover.