US20080010885A1

US20080010885A1 - Edge stabilizing wafer for surface mounted objects

Info

Publication number: US20080010885A1
Application number: US11/484,509
Authority: US
Inventors: Travis Herb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-11
Filing date: 2006-07-11
Publication date: 2008-01-17

Abstract

An edge stabilizing wafer comprising a body member having an adhesive material on an inwardly facing surface that is placed at the corner or edge of either the front or back side of a display object, such as a poster, map or the like, to prevent curling or fraying of the corner or edge of the display object. Preferably, the body member is made out of a plastic material of sufficient thickness to prevent curling yet be pierceable by a straight pin, thumbtack or other attaching mechanism used to attach the display object to a mounting surface, such as a wall or bulletin board. Tape or other attachment mechanism can attach to the outwardly facing surface to secure the display object to a desk or table and prevent the tape from sticking to the object. The invention can be provided on a roll or on individual sheets of nonstick paper.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates generally to devices that support the corners of wall-mounted objects, such as posters, notices, maps and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to such devices that are utilized to stabilize the edges and/or corners of generally planar objects, particularly those made out of paper or paper-like material which is easily bendable, that are typically affixed to a wall surface or bulletin board with thumbtacks or other types of attaching mechanisms.
B. Background
Despite the fact that one of the hallmarks of modern society is the pervasive conveyance of information through some form of electronic medium, there is still a need for objects such as posters, public notices, charts, calenders, maps and the like objects having information or other printed matter thereon to be posted on walls or other surfaces for pubic viewing. For instance, such information conveying objects are very commonly utilized in classrooms, community bulletin boards and the like. Many of these information conveying objects are typically generally planar in configuration and printed on paper, poster board or other paper-like material or on a lightweight plastic or similar material and then affixed to a wall, bulletin board or other flat surface for display. To maximize exposure to the material set forth on the generally planar object, the object is usually mounted in an area where people will commonly approach or pass by the object, such as walls, doors or windows, directly or indirectly by mounting on a bulletin board. Often, as a result of the high traffic location where these objects are displayed, people will accidently brush against or otherwise touch the posters or notices as they walk past. One result of such contact is that the corner of the object will typically curl, fray or otherwise be damaged such that the poster or notice may fall from the surface where it is mounted, creating the need to be rehung or at worse, to be reprinted before rehanging. Even if the object is not damaged to the extent where it falls off the display surface, the damage to the object can result in it becoming ineffective at transmitting the information it was intended to transmit or become too damaged for re-use, which is very often a factor for school-related planar objects (i.e., posters, maps and the like).
While a frame or other type of support structure can be utilized to mount the generally planar object to the display surface, this is usually not practical or even desirable due to the cost differential between a relatively inexpensive poster, notice, map or other object and the much more costly frame. In addition, the location where the object is posted, such as in a classroom or outside on a wall, fence or post, generally makes framing the display object an impractical option, particularly coupled with the fact that the information or other material printed on these type of objects generally has a time limited usefulness. Instead, an object that is directly affixed to a mounting surface is commonly attached to the surface with mounting mechanisms such as thumbtacks, straight pins, staples, adhesive tape, rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives or the like. While these forms of mounting mechanisms are generally easy to use, convenient and, for the most part, inexpensive, they do not solve the problem of the corners curling or fraying. One of the primary problems with these types of mounting mechanisms is the placement of the mechanism at the corner of the object. As well known to teachers and other persons who commonly mount planar objects to a wall, bulletin board or other mounting surface, it is generally not possible or practical to utilize the attaching mechanism in such a manner that it totally prevents the curling or fraying of the object's corners. Pointed attaching mechanisms, such as straight pins, thumbtacks and the like cannot be placed at the absolute corner of the object to the fact that the attaching mechanism needs to be spaced sufficiently away from the corner to hold the object against the mounting surface. Unless an excessive amount is utilized on the object, tape and other adhesives also need to be spaced apart from the corner in order to secure the object to the mounting surface in a manner that prevents curling and fraying of the corner. Whether pointed or adhesive attaching mechanisms are utilized, they also tend to limit the extent which the object can be reused. The pointed attaching mechanisms create holes in the object that, particularly over time, reduce the amount of material at the corner and, therefore, its ability to hold the object against the wall or other mounting surface. Adhesive attaching mechanisms can damage the object and/or the mounting surface, particularly if it is painted or covered with wallpaper or the like, during the removal of the object and attaching mechanism from the surface.
Another problem with the traditional forms of adhesive tape and the polymeric or rubber-based reusable adhesives is that they can dry out and become brittle over time. The relatively short life-span of the stickiness of the adhesives used in these types of products is made even shorter, if the object is posted in areas where the attaching mechanism is exposed to heat, sunlight or wind. Under such conditions, the ability of traditional adhesive tape, or polymeric or rubber-based adhesives to adhere to a surface is substantially diminished and together with gravity for vertical mounting surfaces, will result in the display object slipping and falling. In addition, adhesive devices are generally limited in terms of preserving or protecting the integrity of both the object and the mounting surface to which the object and mechanism are affixed. Adhesive tape not only has a tendency to become dry and brittle and potentially damage the object or surface, the type of glue used to create the adhesive properties is often too strong to allow the user to easily remove the item from the wall or other surface without leaving a sticky residue on both the object and the surface. Similarly, polymeric or rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives can dry out over time and become brittle, causing the mechanism to flake and lose much of its ability to adhere to the mounting surface. In addition, the dye used in many of these pressure sensitive adhesives can bleed through onto the front surface of the object while causing a stain on the mounting surface beneath.
The other common method for affixing objects to a mounting surface does not utilize adhesives, rather, thumb tacks such as push pins, straight pins, or the like are used to pin the corner edges to the wall. These devices are most commonly used on bulletin boards or for attaching an object directly to a wall. Straight pins and thumb tacks generally do not work well with old walls or walls that do not have a substantially solid surface unless there is some form of additional support given to the object to create a strong mounting surface to hold the pin or tack. In drafty conditions, depending on how solid or substantial the surface of the wall, the straight pin or thumbtack will often fall out or the poster may rip and fall or both. When straight pins or thumbtacks become dislodged and fall to the floor, they often land with the sharp pin pointing upwards and can cause injury. If a poster or notice needs to be repeatedly pinned in order to be re-affixed to a surface, the integrity of the corner at which the poster or notice is pinned can become compromised (i.e., a pin cushioned effect) where too many holes make the object difficult and too fragile to rehang.
Most currently available methods of attaching a display object to a mounting surface that are currently available are not designed to protect or prevent the edges and corners of the object from becoming frayed or curled. As a result, the corners or edges of an object that is affixed to a wall or other mounting surface where the pass-by traffic is high, or the object is in direct sunlight or wind, falls prey to curling or fraying despite the manner in which the object is affixed to the surface. For works of art, posters and notices with information that must be permanently displayed, there are a variety of mounting systems and/or frames that can easily attach the object to a wall or other mounting surface, typically involving a frame or framing system. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,166 to Flood shows a mounting system for corner mounts adapted to secure an object, such a photograph and the like, to a mounting surface. The corner mounts consist of a triangular pocket, preferably formed of cellophane or other transparent material, receive the corner of the item to be mounted to the wall. Each corner mount has a gummed surface to allow each triangular pocket to adhere to the surface of the wall. While this does eliminate the potential for damaging the corners of the display object as it is affixed to a wall, the gumming of the back surface of each triangular pocket does not eliminate any of the potential damages to the wall or other mounting surface that receive triangle mounts. A product that is currently available, known as Safe® Photo Corners manufactured by Schwaebische Album Fabrik, is primarily to be used for the mounting of photographs in photo albums. This product consists of a clear plastic corner that has gummed surface. The Safe Photo Corner is placed such that it overlaps the edges of a photograph's corner to affix it to a page in a photo album.
One of the most obvious means of mounting a poster or a notice to a wall is by using the conventional frame system. One drawback to this method, as previously stated, is the relatively high price of most frames as compared with that of a typical wall poster or notice. The cost of a frame, even a ready-made mass produced frame exceeds its utility in that the poster, notice or other display object is often a non-permanent piece of interior decor or used to convey information that is specifically time sensitive. The use of a frame for such items is an impracticable and untenable method for mounting for items such as notices or even classroom art, where there are multiple items to be mounted, or items that are frequently changed or updated. In addition, sizes for ready made frames are frequently only available within a limited range of sizes and shapes, and custom sized or shaped frames are for the most part, exceedingly more cost prohibitive and impractical.
What is needed, therefore, is a mounting device that can be configured as a corner stabilizer that is easily and conveniently applied to a sheet of paper, posterboard or thin plastic material to mount posters, notices, classroom art, calendars, maps or other such display objects to a wall or other mounting surface that creates a secure holding area that is able to protect or prevent the edges and corners of the display from becoming frayed or curled. The preferred mounting device should be easy to apply and inexpensive to manufacture, making the device useable in a wide variety of settings, particularly classrooms and other school settings. The preferred mounting device should be configured to stabilize and secure any type of planar object that is bendable or that has edges that need to be kept from curling. In addition, the mounting device should be configured from a material that does not harm the surface of the object being mounted or the surface to which the object is being mounted. Thus, the preferred mounting device should provide the stability to strengthen and stabilize the corner portion of the display object without causing any permanent harm or changes to either the corners of the object the mounting surface to which the object is being mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The edge stabilizing wafer for wall mounted planar objects of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems and overcomes the limitations of the prior art set forth above. That is to say, the present invention discloses a corner edge stabilizing wafer that is shaped to generally correspond to the corner wall or other mounting surface of a mounted planar object to improve the ability of a person to mount the object to a mounting surface, such as wall or bulletin board. The corner edge stabilizing wafer of the present invention easily attaches to the corner of a display object to provide a thickened corner area to attach a mounting mechanism and prevent curling or fraying of the corner. The corner edge stabilizing wafer of the present invention is generally inexpensive to manufacture and can be configured so as to not leave an adhesive on or otherwise damage the display object and/or mounting surface. As such, the corner edge stabilizing wafer of the present invention strengthens and stabilizes the corner portion of the display object.
In one general aspect of the present invention, the edge stabilizing wafer for surface mounted objects of the present invention comprises a two-sided, generally planar body member having a plurality of edges, including one or more exterior edges and one or more interior edges, to be aligned with the corner or edge of a display object to prevent the corner or edge thereof from curling or fraying during use. In the preferred embodiment, the inwardly facing surface of the body member has a securing mechanism to secure the wafer to the display object. Preferably, the securing mechanism is an adhesive, such as a low tack glue or gum material, that allows easy removal of the wafer from the display object without damaging the wafer or display object and without leaving any residue thereon. The body member is made out of a material or made thick enough that it is sufficiently stiff to prevent curling or fraying of the corner or edge of the display object yet able to be pierced by an attachment mechanism, such as a straight pin, thumbtack or the like, for attaching the display object to a mounting surface, such as a wall or bulletin board. For use on the front side of a display object, the body member is preferably made out of a plastic material that is substantially transparent so as to not interfere with the information on the display object. In use, the user removes an edge stabilizing wafer from a roll or sheet of such wafers and places the inwardly facing surface, which has the securing mechanism thereon, of the body member against the front or back side of the display object at a location that is substantial aligned with the corner or edge of the object where it is desired to prevent curling or fraying thereof. If desired, a thumbtack, pin or other attachment mechanism is pierced through the body member to attach the display object to the mounting surface, which will typically be a wall, bulletin board or other generally vertical surface. When the display of the object is no longer desired or needed, the attachment mechanisms are removed to dismount the display object from the mounting surface and, if desired, the edge stabilizing wafers are removed from the display object. Alternatively, the wafers can be left on the object for future attachment of the object to a mounting surface.
Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide an edge stabilizing wafer for surface mounted display objects that provides the advantages discussed above and overcomes the disadvantages and limitations associated with presently available stabilizing devices for wall mounted display objects.
It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide a device to stabilize the corners and/or edges of display objects that can bend, fray or curl that is easy and convenient to apply and which does not harm or otherwise alter the surfaces to which the stabilizing wafer is affixed.
It is also an important objective of the present invention to provide an edge stabilizing wafer that has a generally planar body member having an outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface and a plurality of edges, with an easily disengageable adhesive on the inwardly facing surface for securing the body member to a display object.
The above and other objectives of the present invention will become readily apparent and are explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and/or combination of processes presently described and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an edge stabilizing wafer configured according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the edge stabilizing wafer of FIG. 1 shown affixed at the corners of a generally planar display object that is attached to a wall with a thumbtack;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the edge stabilizing wafer of FIG. 1 shown with an adhesive material thereon;

FIG. 4 is a back view of a display object having edge stabilizing wafers configured according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached at the corners of the display object;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative configuration for the edge stabilizing wafer of the present invention shown attached to the corner of a planar display object;

FIG. 6 is a front view of display object showing use of an alternative configuration for the edge stabilizing wafer of the present invention for use on a display object having curved edges;

FIG. 7 is a front view of display object having elongated or strip-shaped edge stabilizing wafers at the corners and edges of the display object;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the edge stabilizing wafer of FIG. 1 shown attached to a continuous roll of wafers for ease of use; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of the edge stabilizing wafer of FIG. 1 shown attached on a sheet of wafers for ease of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures and drawings are merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment and represent one of several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For purposes of simplifying the present disclosure, reference herein is generally described the configuration of a corner stabilizer for mounting planar display objects to a generally flat, vertical surface. However, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the disclosure is not so limited as it is adaptable for use on other types of display objects that can benefit from having their corners and/or edges stabilized to prevent the corner or edges of the object from curling or fraying.
An edge stabilizing wafer for surface mounted objects that is manufactured out of the components and configured pursuant to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as 10 in the figures. Edge stabilizing wafer 10 is configured as a generally two-dimensional, flat body member 12 having one or more exterior edges 14, shown as 14 a and 14 b in FIGS. 1 and 2, and at least one interior edge 16 to stabilize the corner 18 of a display object 20. Typically, there will be a plurality of exterior edges, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and 7 through 9. As explained in more detail below, wafer 10 is configured to be generally aligned with the outer edges 22 of display object 20, such as 22 a and 22 b of FIGS. 1 and 4, which can be a poster, notice, chart, calender, map or the like having information or other printed matter thereon, and receive an attachment mechanism 24, such as the thumbtack shown in FIG. 2. As set forth above, attachment mechanism 24 can be a thumbtack, straight pin, staple, adhesive tape, rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesives or the like that are presently utilized to affix a display object to a mounting surface 26, which is typically a generally vertically disposed wall or bulletin board, but which can be virtually any type of suitable surface. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 2, the edge stabilizing wafer 10 is generally triangular shaped to correspond to the triangular shaped corner 18 of the typical square or rectangular shaped display object 20. As a two-surfaced flat wafer, the edge stabilizing wafer 10 is further configured to have a first or outwardly facing surface 28, best shown in FIG. 1, that faces outward from display object 20 and a second or inwardly facing surface 30, best shown in FIG. 3, that is placed against display object 20 when in use. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, edge stabilizing wafer 10 is placed in against either the first or front facing side 32 of display object 20 or the second or rear facing side 32 of display object 20. In FIG. 4, edge stabilizing wafer 10 is configured in a generally L-shape with interior edges 16 a and 16 b.
In the preferred embodiment, the edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention is manufactured out of a lightweight plastic material that is sufficiently stiff so as to support the corner 18 or edges 22 of display object 20 yet be relatively easily pierced by a thumbtack, pin or like attachment mechanism 24. While it is generally preferred that wafer 10 be transparent in order to not interfere with the information on display object 20, wafer 10 can be manufactured from a generally opaque material, such a solid white, to correspond to the color of display object 20. In another embodiment, wafer 10 can be decorative or ornate to hide pre-existing damage that has been done by thumbtacks, pins or the like to make an unuseable and unattractive corner useable and attractive. Naturally, a transparent or opaque wafer 10 can also be utilized to repair a damaged or unuseable corner of a display object 20. It is also preferred that wafer 10 be made of material that is sufficiently durable to allow removal and reuse thereof. Because the primary purpose of wafer 10 is to prevent curling or fraying of a corner 18 or edge 22 of display object 20, the material chosen for wafer 10 or its thickness should be sufficiently stiff or firm so that when it is placed against first 32 or second 34 side of display object 20 it will prevent that area from curling or fraying. In one embodiment of edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention, the wafer 10 is supplied without any mechanism for directly attaching it to display object 20. In this embodiment, wafer 10 is held against display object 20 by the force of the attachment mechanism 24. For instance, if attachment mechanism 24 is a thumbtack or straight pin the shaft of the thumbtack or pin will pierce wafer 10 and display object 20 to engage the mounting surface 26 so as to hold the display object 20 on the mounting surface 26. The force of the attachment mechanism 24 against the wafer 10 and display object 20 will generally be sufficient to hold wafer 10 in its desired location on display object 20.
In the preferred embodiment of edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention, wafer 10 is provided with a securing mechanism 36 to secure wafer 10 at its desired location against display object 10 so as to simplify the use of the present invention. In this manner, the user can place wafer 10 at the desired location, such as corner 18 or edges 22, and then utilize attachment mechanism 24 to attach display object 20 to the mounting surface 26. Use of a securing mechanism 36 on wafer 10 avoids the difficulty of holding wafer 10 in place while trying to pierce it with a thumbtack or pin or using some other type of attachment mechanism 24. In the preferred embodiment, the inwardly facing surface 30 of body member 12 has a thin layer of adhesive as the securing mechanism 36, as shown in FIG. 3, that allows the user to affix wafer 10 to a corner 18 or edge 22 of a display object 20 to stiffen those areas so as to prevent them from curling or fraying while display object 20 is on mounting surface 26. As those skilled in the manufacture of stationery and art supply materials will readily appreciate, the preferred adhesive 36 used to affix edge stabilizing wafer 10 to the corner 18 of a display object 20 should be of the type that forms a releaseable bond with display object 20. It is preferred that adhesive 36 is a low tack glue or other material that will prevent damage to the corner 20 of a display object 20, that is being placed on mounting surface 26, when it is removed therefrom. This type adhesive 36 is commonly known in the industry as being able to sufficiently adhere to an object yet allow removal from the object without damaging the object or leaving behind any residue. Such adhesives are commonly utilized on products such as Post-It® and the like. Although a more sticky or even more “permanent” adhesive can be utilized with the wafer 10 of the present invention, the easily removable type is preferred both for purposes of attachment to the display object 20 and for ease of supplying the wafer 10 to the consumer, as set forth below. As also set forth below, the inwardly facing surface 30 having adhesive 36 thereon is placed against either the first side 32 or second side 34 of display object 20 at a location, typically the corner 18, where it is desired to place an attachment mechanism 24 to secure display object 20 to mounting surface 26, typically a wall or bulletin board. In FIG. 2 the attachment mechanism 24 abuts (i.e., pierce through or lay against) wafer 10, whereas in FIG. 4 the attachment mechanism 24 will abut display object 20 and then pierce through wafer 10. In either type of use, it is not intended that wafer 10 directly attach display object 20 to the mounting surface 26. Instead, use of wafer 10 is intended to compliment use of an attachment mechanism 24 so as to prevent curling or fraying of the corner 18 or outer edges 22 of the display object 20 by providing support to the subject area.
Edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention can be utilized in conjunction with drafting paper, writing paper or other generally planar material as the display object 20 on a flat surface, such as a desk or drafting table, to assist in securing the material to the surface. When drawing or writing on planar materials, such as paper, it is common for the corner or edge of the paper to curl or fray due to contact with the person's arm while he or she is drawing or writing. Edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention can eliminate or substantially reduce this problem by stiffening the corner 18 or edge 22 thereof. In addition, as is well known in the art, draftspersons commonly utilize tape or other adhesive material to temporarily secure the drafting paper to the desk or drafting table to prevent the paper from moving while they draw. Edge stabilizing wafer 10 can be placed at the corner 18 or edge 22 thereof to serve a dual purpose, namely prevent curling or fraying of the paper from contact with the draftsperson's arm and to provide a surface (i.e., the outwardly facing surface 28 of wafer 10) for attaching the tape so it does not have to stick to the drafting paper. Likewise, edge stabilizing wafer 10 can be used with writing or other paper.
As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention can be provided in a variety of different shapes to correspond with the support needed or the configuration of the display object 20. For instance, in FIG. 7 wafer 10 is configured as a generally elongated strip for use at the corner 18 and edges 22 of display object 20. In FIG. 8, wafer 10 is provided with a single curved exterior edge 14 that generally corresponds to the curved outer edge 22 of the display object. Numerous other shapes are also possible for use with wafer 10 of the present invention. As with the above, in all such configurations it is preferred that both the outwardly facing surface 28 and inwardly facing surface 30 be generally planar. If desired, edge stabilizing wafer 10 of the present invention can be provided on a roll, shown as 38 in FIG. 8, that has paper 40 configured for easy removal of one or more wafers 10 therefrom, similar in configuration to postage stamps and the like. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of wafers 10 can be provided on a single sheet of such paper 40 for removal therefrom, similar in configuration to that used for labels and the like.
In the preferred use, the user peels or otherwise removes an edge stabilizing wafer 10 from its sheet 40, whether in a roll 38 or not, and aligns the exterior edge or edges 14 of the stabilizing wafer 10 along the outer edges 22, either at the side or corner 18 of display object 20, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 7, to affix the adhesive 36 on the inwardly facing surface 30 of the stabilizing wafer 10 to the first 32 or second 34 side of display object 20. Once fixed in its desired location on display object 20, an attachment mechanism 24 can be utilized to securely attach the display object 20 to the mounting surface 26, such as a wall, bulletin board, desk or the like. If desired, a portion of the attachment mechanism 24 can attach to or pierce through edge stabilizing wafer 10 affixed on to display object 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Once in place, the stiffness of wafer 10 will prevent the corner 18 or edge 22 of display object 20 from curling or fraying due to contact by persons walking by, wind or other environmental factors or the user's arm. When it is no longer necessary to display the display object 20, the user merely removes the attachment mechanism(s) 24 from the display object 20 and, if desired, removes the wafers 10. In many circumstances, the user will prefer to leave the wafers 10 on the display object 20 so that they are readily available when he or she desires to remount or redisplay it.
While there are shown and described herein specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein, which are merely presented for exemplary purposes, and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.

Claims

1. An edge stabilizing wafer for use at an edge of a display object, said edge stabilizing wafer comprising a body member having an outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface and a plurality of edges, said plurality of edges comprising at least one exterior edge and at least one interior edge, said body member made out of a material being sufficiently stiff to support said edge of said display object so as to prevent curling and/or fraying thereof.

2. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 1 further comprising a securing means on said inwardly facing surface of said body member for securing said edge stabilizing wafer to a side of said display object.

3. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 2, wherein said securing means is an adhesive.

4. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 3, wherein said adhesive is a low tack glue adapted for easy removal of said edge stabilizing wafer from said side of said display object.

5. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 1, wherein said body member is made out of a plastic material.

6. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 5, wherein said plastic is substantially transparent.

7. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 1, wherein said body member is made out of material that is pierceable by a means for attaching said display object to a mounting surface.

8. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 1, wherein said body member is substantially planar.

9. An edge stabilizing wafer for use at a corner of a display object, said edge stabilizing wafer comprising a body member having an outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface and a plurality of edges, said plurality of edges comprising at least two exterior edges and at least one interior edge, said body member made out of a material being sufficiently stiff to support said edge of said display object so as to prevent curling and/or fraying thereof.

10. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 9 further comprising a securing means on said inwardly facing surface of said body member for securing said edge stabilizing wafer to a side of said display object.

11. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 10, wherein said securing means is an adhesive.

12. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 11, wherein said adhesive is a low tack glue adapted for easy removal of said edge stabilizing wafer from said side of said display object.

13. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 9, wherein said body member is made out of a plastic material.

14. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 13, wherein said plastic is substantially transparent.

15. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 9, wherein said body member is made out of material that is pierceable by a means for attaching said display object to a mounting surface.

16. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 9, wherein said body member is substantially planar.

17. An edge stabilizing wafer for use at a corner of a display object, said edge stabilizing wafer comprising a substantially planar body member having an outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface and a plurality of edges and means on said inwardly facing surface for securing said body member to a side of said display object, said plurality of edges comprising at least two exterior edges and at least one interior edge, said exterior edges configured for substantial alignment with said corner of said display object, said body member made out of a plastic material being sufficiently stiff to support said edge of said display object so as to prevent curling and/or fraying thereof and substantially pierceable by a means for attaching said display object to a mounting surface.

18. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 15, wherein said securing means is an adhesive.

19. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 16, wherein said adhesive is a low tack glue adapted for easy removal of said edge stabilizing wafer from said side of said display object.

20. The edge stabilizing wafer according to claim 15, wherein said plastic is substantially transparent.