BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross sectional view, taken along lines 3--3, viewed in the direction of arrows 3--3, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, having the door portions thereof removed.

FIG. 5 is the electrical schematic of the electrical components of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The structure and method of fabrication of the present invention is applicable to a rigid rectangular sheet, preferably fabricated from an inexpensive material, such as plywood. One lateral surface of the rigid sheet is covered with a wadding-like material, such as natural or synthetic wadding with a layer of adhesive interposed therein between. The outermost lateral surface of the wadding is covered with a fabric-like material, such as a dark colored velvet, so as to totally cover the lateral surface of the rigid sheet having the wadding thereon. A portion of the fabric-like covering for the rigid sheet is disposed covered by a flap-like fabric member having one edge thereof secured to the opposed uncovered lateral surface of the rigid sheet, and having the other marginal edges thereof residing adjacent to the lateral surface of the sheet used to cover a portion of the fabric covering of the wadding. The area surrounding the location of the flap, when the flap is juxtaposed with the fabric covering of the wadding, is provided having a plurality of nail-like fasteners extending outwardly therefrom, so as to each extend at a uniform angle relative to the plane defining the lateral surfaces of the sheet, whereby the pointed end of the fasteners are disposed passing through the wadding and engaging the rigid sheet. By inclining each of the fasteners, the display apparatus comprising the present invention may be moved from place to place without fear that the jewelry devices depending downwardly from such fasteners will accidentally become dislodged.

A border of walls are secured adjacent the marginal edges of the sheet and are disposed extending outwardly from the surface of the sheet carrying the wadding. A pair of doors are secured with hinges to oppose marginal edges of the walls such that the doors, when closed, completely conceal their behind fabric-like covering of the wadding. Such doors, if desired, may be fabricated from a transparent material, such as an acrylic plastic.

A portion of the fabric-like material, disposed covering the wadding, is provided having an opening. Such opening communicates with an opening in the wadding and an opening in the rigid sheet, all being juxtaposed and at equal dimensions. A sub-housing is provided, such sub-housing having an open-mouth portion disposed passing through the opening in the layers of covering, wadding, and rigid sheet. The sub-housing includes a battery there within and a reflector having an incandescent lamp passing therethrough. The terminals of the battery, and the terminals of the lamp, are each disposed in the series electrical circuit with a momentary push button switch terminals. The operating lever of the push button switch is disposed outwardly from the sub-housing and outwardly from a planar reflecting sheet material. Such reflecting sheet is disposed secured juxtaposed with the opening, but spaced apart therefrom so as to extend outwardly from the fabric covering of the wadding. Thus, when the doors are disposed in a closed condition, each door element engages a portion of the operating lever of the switch, maintaining such switch in an open circuited condition, thereby precluding energizing the incandescent lamp. When both doors are open, the operating lever is biased outwardly, in the manner well known in the art, thereby causing the momentary switch to be disposed in a closed circuited condition, causing current flow to energize the lamp. Light rays, emanating outwardly from the incandescent lamp, are disposed leaving the innermost surface of the reflecting sheet and outwardly from the boundaries thereof illuminating all jewelry items disposed within the housing, whilst eliminating the possibility that the incandescent lamp may be viewed directly by a user.

A back-flap sheet is hingeably secured along one marginal edge thereof to the outermost lateral surface of the rigid sheet. Such back-flap member is cut having one marginal edge thereof disposed angularly relative to the pivot axis thereof, wherein said pivot axis resides parallel with the lateral surfaces of the rigid sheet. In this fashion, the housing may be disposed on the supporting surface when the back-flap member is pivoted outwardly from the rigid sheet portion. Alternatively, a pair of eyehooks, disposed fastened to the outermost lateral surface of the rigid sheet, provide vertical support for the housing when they are utilized to engage hooks or other protrusion-like devices fastened to a vertical supporting surface, such as a wall. In this application, the back-flap member is folded back so as to reside parallel to the lateral surfaces of the sheet.

Now referring to the figures, and more particularly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the present invention 10 having walls 12 to which doors 14 are pivotably secured utilizing hinges 16 therefor. Surface 18 is shown having a plurality of nail-like fasteners 20 extending outwardly therefrom. Surface 18 may be seen extending parallel to doors 14, when such doors are disposed in a closed condition closing open mouth portion 22 of the present invention. Fabric-like flap 24 is shown having an outermost lateral surface 26 and an innermost lateral surface 28. Handle 30 is shown carried on doors 14. Reflecting sheet 32 is shown supported on post 34 located adjacent opening 36.

FIG. 2 illustrates eye-like fastener 38 disposed on rearmost surface 40 of the present invention 10. Back-flap portion 42 is shown pivotably secured to surface 40, utilizing hinge 44 therefor. Sub-housing 46 is shown carried on surface 40, utilizing bolts 48 therefor.

FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention 10 having rigid sheet 50, of which surface 40 is shown opposite to opposed lateral surface 52 thereof. Wadding 54 is shown adjacent surface 52 and is covered by fabric-like layer 56. Flap 26 is shown having end 57 thereof secured to surface 40, utilizing an adhesive therefor. Reflector sheet 32 is shown mounted on posts 34, carried on fabric layer 56 adjacent opening 58. Battery 60 is shown within sub-housing 46 utilizing spring element 62 so as to urge terminal 64 in contact with lamp 66. Lamp reflector 68 is shown disposed in and behind reflector 32, carrying switch 70. Operating lever 72, of switch 70, is disposed passing through hole 74, in reflector 32. With doors 14 in the position shown, innermost surface 76 engages operating plunger 72 so as to open circuit incandescent lamp 66 and thereby maintain such lamp in a deenergized condition.

FIG. 4 illustrates present invention 10 shown having door 14, in cutaway fashion, partially covering fabric-like layer 18. Flap 24 is shown having lowermost marginal edge 78 thereof shown adjacent the uppermost marginal edge of reflecting sheet 32. Lowermost marginal edge 78, of flap 24, may be disposed upwardly and outwardly from the position shown, so as to permit flap 24 to be utilized having access to lateral surfaces 26 and 28 thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates battery 60 and incandescent lamp 66 in a series electrical circuit with switch 70. Operating lever 72 is shown adjacent portions of doors 14. When doors 14 have edges 80 thereof disposed in the direction of arrows 82, operating lever 72 is displaced in the direction of arrow 84, opening switch 70 and terminating current flow in incandescent lamp 66. In this position, doors 14 are closed so as to have the housing shown in FIG. 10 closed.

One of the advantages of the present invention is to provide a jewelry display housing having storage facilities for earrings, the type worn on pierced ears.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a housing which may be utilized to support jewelry of all types.

Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a housing in which the jewelry carried therein may be viewed at all times.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a housing which permits some of the jewelry to be stored therein to be hung from rod-like elements and other jewelry-like ornaments to be pinned to a flexible fabric member and providing a loose flap-like member for securing articles of jewelry therethrough.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an illuminated area for the housing.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a housing having doors effectively covering the storage area, thereby maintaining the jewelry in a safe and clean environment.

Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide lamp illumination when the doors of the housing are opened, facilitating use of the apparatus in a darkened room.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a housing which is economical to manufacture, sturdy in construction, compact in size, convenient to use, and totally effective for storing therewithin a large quantity of a wide variety of jewelry items of diverse sizes, shapes, and fastening constructions.

Thus, there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings, an embodiment of the invention which fully and effectively accomplishes the objects thereof. However, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art, how to make variations and modifications to the instant invention. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.