A tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like

Abstract

 The tray comprises a modular frame formed by four side members apt to be orthogonally joined end to end with each other. The tray is characterized in that each side member comprises on the inner surface of its end portions two lugs with a pocket at their front end and two recesses each with a projection, respectively, said pockets resiliently fitting around and gripping the projections of the adjacent orthogonal side member.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like.

[0002] Already well known is the use of particular trays to hold and display several jewellery and imitation jewellery articles as well as watches, said trays being made in different sizes and mostly in artisanal mode, out of wood and cardboard and with the corresponding covers.

[0003] In order to reduce the manufacturing costs for this kind of trays said manufacture has been lately carried out by forming the tray by means of a modular frame consisting of four side members obtained by plastics moulding and apt to be orthogonally joined end to end with each other by simple force fit.

[0004] These trays are nevertheless not sufficiently solid since the connecting means for joining the four side members of the frame with each other do not provide a secure connection hence giving rise to deformations of the tray which can even end up in a mutual detachment of the side members of the frame thus rendering the tray unusable.

[0005] It is the object of this invention to provide a tray with notably improved connecting means for mutually joining the frame side members, said means being besides made in such a way that they bring about a practically flush connection at the outside thus giving the tray a finish bordering on perfection.

[0006] For such a purpose this tray is characterized in that each frame side member comprises on the inner surface of its end portions two lugs each with a pocket at its front end, and two recesses each with a projection, respectively, said pockets resiliently fitting around and gripping the projections of the adjacent orthogonal side member.

[0007] This orthogonal connection is characteristically assured by means of a projection with transversal passage provided at the end portion of an intermediary flange projecting along the inner surface of the frame side members, said projection receiving in its transversal passage a close-fitting finger resulting from the notch provided in a projection of the opposite end portion of each side member of the frame.

[0008] These connecting means are complemented by small stubs provided on one of the front ends of each side member, said stubs fitting into corresponding small pockets provided at the opposite end portion of the side members.

[0009] Said intermediary flange determines in each side member an upper and a lower longitudinal seat, the former being provided to receive the tray itself resting on a plate whereas the latter will serve as a seat for installing a bottom.

[0010] Each side member of the frame comprises at each of the end portions of its inner surface a downward appendage, in such a way that once the four side members have been joined together said appendages determine four feet which besides allow to stably stack the trays as they fit into the corners of the top opening of the tray situated directly below.

[0011] These and other characteristics will be best deduced from the following detailed description whose understanding will be made easier by the accompanying sheet of drawings showing a practical embodiment cited only by way of an example which does not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0012] In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows in a perspective view one side member of the frame,

figure 2 shows also in a perspective view the orthogonal connection of two side members with each other,

figure 3 illustrates in a sectional elevation the detail of said orthogonal connection,

figure 4 represents the complete tray in a sectional elevation,

figure 5 depicts in a elevational view the stable stacking of the trays, these latter having been partially represented, and

figure 6 is a sectional plan-view showing a detail of the means assuring the connection of the side members with each other.

[0013] According to the drawings, the tray being the object of this invention comprises a frame 1 formed by four side members 2 obtained by injection moulding of plastics material, said side members having on the inner surface of one of their end portions two flat lugs 3 with pockets 4 with a narrowed opening at their front end whereas at the other end said side members form in their inner surface two rectangular recesses 5 each with a projection 6 of circular cross-section.

[0014] Each of the four side members 2 does besides have along its inner surface an intermediary flange 7 which at an end portion has a projection 8 with transversal passage 9 whereas at the other end portion comprises a flat projection 10 with a notch 11 determining a finger 12 with bevel end.

[0015] The four side members 2 forming frame 1 are orthogonally connected to each other by fitting the lugs 3 of one side member into the recesses 5 of the adjacent side member, said lugs being retained there by the resilient fit of pockets 4 around projections 6 (figure 3).

[0016] This connection is made secure by the close-fitting insertion of finger 12 of one side member into transversal passage 9 of projection 8 of the adjacent side member (figure 2).

[0017] In order to assure the correct connection of side members 2 with each other these latter comprise at one 13 of their front ends small cylindrical stubs 14 which fit into corresponding small pockets 14' provided in the inner surface of said side members.

[0018] Intermediary flange 7 determines in each side member 2 an upper 15 and a lower 16 longitudinal seat, the former's use being that of receiving tray 17 itself (figure 4) which will be provided with those moulded compartments 18 which are deemed opportune for holding the different articles to be held and displayed, said tray resting on a plate 19 made for example out of cardboard. Lower seat 16 will serve as a seat for installing a bottom 20 which will be as well a moulded part.

[0019] Each of the end portions of each side member 2 comprises on its inner surface a downward appendage 21, said appendages being arranged in such a way that once the four frame side members 2 have been joined together they form four feet 22 serving to support the tray on a surface and also serving to stably stack several trays (figure 5) as they fit into corners 23 (figure 2) of the top opening of the tray situated directly below.

[0020] This modular build of frame 1 allows to easily obtain trays of different sizes and formats not requiring a finish cover because on their obtention the component parts are already made with the desired color and finish, for example imitating fancy wood.

Claims

1. A tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like comprising a modular frame (1) formed by four side members (2) orthogonally joining end to end with each other, characterized in that each side member (2) comprises on the inner surface of its end portions two lugs (3) each with a pocket (4) at its front end, and two recesses (5) each with a projection (6), respectively, said pockets (4) resiliently fitting around and gripping projections (6) of the adjacent orthogonal side member.

2. A tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like as per claim 1, characterized in that the side members (2) of frame (1) have along their inner surface an intermediary flange (7) which at an end portion has a projection (8) with transversal passage (9) whereas at the other end portion comprises a projection (10) with a notch (11) determining a finger (12) to be inserted in a close fit into transversal passage (9) of projection (8) of the adjacent orthogonal side member (2).

3. A tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like as per claim 1, characterized in that each side member (2) comprises at one (13) of its front ends small cylindrical stubs (14) whereas its opposite end portion has in its inner surface small pockets (14') in correspondence to receive stubs (14) of the adjacent orthogonal side member (2).

4. A tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like as per claims 1 and 2, characterized in that intermediary flange (7) determines in each side member (2) of frame (1) an upper (15) and a lower (16) longitudinal seat, the former being provided to receive tray (17) itself resting on a plate (19) whereas the latter (16) will serve as a seat for installing a bottom (20).

5. A tray for jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and the like as per claim 1, characterized in that each of the end portions of each side member (2) comprises on its inner surface a downward appendage (21), in such a way that once the four side members (2) have been joined together said appendages form four feet (22) for the tray, said feet allowing to stably stack said trays as they fit into corners (23) of the top opening of the tray situated directly below.

Drawing