Backboard with integrated hanger for use with a picture frame or display case

Abstract

A backboard for use with a display case or picture frame is formed to include an integrated hanger structure for displaying an article of clothing. The backboard includes a substrate that includes a top edge. The substrate has a first section and a second section that extends outwardly away from one edge of the first section. The second section is pivotally attached to the first section to allow at least a portion of the second section to overlie the first section. The second section includes a cross-bar that is configured to be received within and support the article of clothing to allow display thereof.

1 . A backboard having an integrated hanger structure for displaying an article of clothing in a display case comprising:
 a substrate that includes a top edge, wherein the substrate has a first section and a second section that extends outwardly away from one edge of the first section, the second section being pivotally attached to the first section to allow at least a portion of the second section to overlie the first section, the second section including a cross-bar that is configured to be received within and support the article of clothing to allow display thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The backboard of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises foamboard. 
     
     
         3 . The backboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first section has a rectangular shape and the one edge comprises a top edge. 
     
     
         4 . The backboard of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections are integral to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The backboard of  claim 1 , wherein the second section includes a neck portion that connects the cross-bar to the first section, the neck portion having a length that is less than a length of the cross-bar. 
     
     
         6 . The backboard of  claim 5 , wherein the neck portion includes at least one score to permit the neck portion to be pivoted relative to the first section. 
     
     
         7 . The backboard of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-bar includes a pair of scores formed therein to permit end portions of the cross-bar to fold therealong. 
     
     
         8 . The backboard of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-bar is an elongated member that is connected to the one edge of the first section by a neck portion, the neck portion partitioning the cross-bar into a first leg that extends toward a first side edge of the first section and a second leg that extends toward a second side edge of the first section, the first and second legs being spaced from the one edge of the first section. 
     
     
         9 . A display case having an integrated hanger structure for displaying an article of clothing comprising:
 a plurality of moulding pieces that are coupled to one another so as to define an enclosed display space; and   a backboard that is coupled to the moulding pieces to defines a support surface, the backboard including a top edge, wherein the backboard has a first section and a second section that extends outwardly away from one edge of the first section, the second section being pivotally attached to the first section to allow at least a portion of the second section to overlie the first section, the second section including a cross-bar that is configured to be received within and support the article of clothing to allow display thereof within the display space.   
     
     
         10 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the article of clothing is one of a sports jersey and a military uniform. 
     
     
         11 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the substrate comprises foamboard. 
     
     
         12 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the first section has a rectangular shape and the one edge comprises a top edge. 
     
     
         13 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second sections are integral to one another. 
     
     
         14 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the second section includes a neck portion that connects the cross-bar to the first section, the neck portion having a length that is less than a length of the cross-bar. 
     
     
         15 . The display case of  claim 14 , wherein the neck portion includes at least one score to permit the neck portion to be pivoted relative to the first section. 
     
     
         16 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the cross-bar includes a pair of scores formed therein to permit end portions of the cross-bar to fold therealong. 
     
     
         17 . The display case of  claim 9 , wherein the cross-bar is an elongated member that is connected to the one edge of the first section by a neck portion, the neck portion partitioning the cross-bar into a first leg that extends toward a first side edge of the first section and a second leg that extends toward a second side edge of the first section, the first and second legs being spaced from the one edge of the first section. 
     
     
         18 . A backboard having an integrated hanger structure for displaying an article of clothing in a display case comprising:
 a substrate that includes a top edge, wherein the substrate has a first section in the form of a panel and a second section that extends outwardly away from a top edge of the panel, the second section including a cross-bar and a connector section that connects the cross-bar to the panel, the cross-bar being constructed to support and display the article of clothing, the connector section including a first score that is located below the top edge of the panel when the second section extends outwardly from the panel but lies in the same plane, the connector section having a second score formed therein and located between the first score and the cross-bar, wherein the second section can be folded about the first and second score to place the second section in a folded position in which the cross-bar is at substantially parallel to the panel but is spaced therefrom.   
     
     
         19 . The backboard of  claim 18 , wherein the panel includes a pair of slits formed at ends of the first score, the slits extending from the first score to the top edge of the panel to permit a portion of the connector section to be at least substantially perpendicular to the panel and the cross-bar in the folded position.