Unit for Displaying a Plurality of Items in Holders

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to display devices and, more particularly, is concerned with a device for displaying a multitude of display item holders.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Baseball card collecting and trading is a flourishing pastime. Thousands of aficionados frequent baseball card shops and attend weekend card shows for the purpose of acquiring new cards and trading existing cards. At any given card shop or weekend convention, thousands of baseball cards may be available for sale or trade. It is advantageous for both the owner of the cards and individuals interested in obtaining the cards that the cards be easily accessible and readily viewable.

On July 7, 1989, applicants filed a patent application, Ser. No. 07,376,816, entitled PLASTIC CARD HOLDER. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic card holder is made up of two clear plastic panels that snap firmly together and are easily removable. The invention holds, protects and displays one or more display items, such a card, including a baseball card, or other small items, such as stamps, coins, paper currency, newspaper articles and pictures. As used herein, the term "display item holder" means any device similar to the invention described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07,376,816. Each holder has a recess and mating protrusion on each corner that allows holders to be stacked on each other for transportation and storage, without scratching or damaging one another. An attachable device is provided for standing the holder upright and adjusting the viewing angle. The device is marketed under the name "SNAP-IT". The preferred embodiment of the present invention works in conjunction with a plurality of display item holders to provide an innovative device for displaying the card holders and, consequently, the display items. The present device is marketed under the name SNAP-IT.TM. "Display Center".

A variety of devices are currently in use for displaying cards. Some traders will simply arrange the available cards face up on a table top. Others use a stand in which cards are inserted into pockets or slots which are part of the stand, whereby at least a portion of the card is visible and projecting outward from the pocket or slot. Still others use a so-called "ALL STATE" display device. The "ALL STATE" case is approximately 36".times.36".times.2" high with a hinged plastic cover. Approximately 55 to 65 cards can be displayed. A variety of other arrangements are possible, but the general idea is to display a multitude of baseball cards in a convenient manner.

Current methods and devices suffer from a number of disadvantages. Direct manipulation of the display item, for example, the direct handling of a baseball card, may result in damage to the item or allow for possible theft of the item. In addition, a one dimensional layout of displayed items, as with a tabletop or single-faced stand arrangement, is an inefficient use of space. Some present devices are difficult to manufacture, assemble, and disassemble; others are not particularly sturdy and/or are difficult to clean.

the applicants are aware of the following U.S. Pat. Nos. concerning display devices.

Byrley relates to a merchandising system which includes at least one display rack for inviting customers to select specific articles. The display rack has a plurality of individual cells which are located so as to be accessible to the customers. An individual cell is capable of receiving an enveloped packet.

Hardy teaches a knock-down merchandise display rack comprising a plurality of generally vertically spaced, substantially identical trays having upwardly opening pockets. The pockets are exteriorly accessible from the respective tray for receiving and displaying merchandise, such as greeting cards.

Tallving, et al., generally relates to a product or display stand with at least two wire baskets which have upward and outward inclined sides. A frame component comprising two vertically arranged uprights engage the wire baskets in an articulated and detachable fashion. The baskets are foldable one after the other from the top downward against the uprights.

Carbone, et al., relates to a plain card display rack. A narrow box in which plain cards can be displayed in spread out position is combined with a base for holding the box upright. The rack is made of a material for selective flexing.

Dumond relates to a stair step display rack for displaying items in a stair step arrangement on horizontal surface.

Nasgowitz teaches a display device for storing and displaying a plurality of cards. The device is fitted with a plurality of display compartments for vertically stacking and displaying cards.

Brown relates to an apparatus for displaying merchandise of the type where the merchandise is attached to a card having a hole through it.

Popplewell, et al., discloses a card rack which includes a first tray section with elongated, spaced dividers that separate compartments, and a second tray section having a downwardly projecting flap attached along an edge. The flap has a plurality of slots at spaced intervals along its length. The spacing of the intervals corresponds to that of the dividers in first tray section. The flap fits inside the first tray with the dividers inserted into the slots of the flap.

Post discloses a display rack fitted with a plurality of compartments for displaying merchandise.

Each of the patents discussed above relates generally to display devices, but differ both in structure and operation from the present invention.

Applicants are unaware of any prior art that accomplishes the objects of the present invention. Consequently, a need exists for a device for viewing plurality of baseball cards, or other display items, that inhibits theft of the items, while being easily assembled and disassembled. The invention is modular, convenient to transport, and may be combined with other display units to form an expanded display center, yet is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

The present invention is an innovative display item holder display center, which overcomes the problems and satisfies the needs considered above.

A display unit displays a plurality of display items contained in holders. Each display unit is a thin, rectangular, generally planar member. Locators, which include associated stanchions, define locations on each display unit for receiving display item holders. A cap engages each stanchion to secure the display item holders in the display unit. Holders may be easily removed by disengaging only two caps. Studs protruding along the lower edge of a unit fit into slots located along the top and sides of other mating units, and form a multi-unit display center. The preferred configuration is an open-faced, open-top display center having a base formed of two display units connected together, and sides and backs formed by three display units connected to and upstanding from the base. Display item holders and their contents are visible within the four interior surfaces of the display center. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 160 display item holders and their contents are visible within the four interior sides of the display center. Means for adjusting the viewing angle of the upstanding sides of the display center is also provided.

For ease of shipping and transporting, display units are stackable, nesting together. Display units can also be "loaded" with display item holders. Display items are simply inserted into their respective display item holders, the display unit filled with the holders, and the holders secured to the unit by installing caps. Five such "loaded" units may then be stacked and packed together to form an unassembled display center capable of being quickly assembled upon reaching its destination.

In summary, the invention encompasses a device for displaying a multitude of display item holders, composed of a plurality of display units, which form a display center. In its preferred form, each unit weighs approximately four pounds and may be assembled (or disassembled) in less than five minutes.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide means for viewing a plurality of display items.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for viewing a plurality of display items that inhibits theft of the items.

It is another object of the invention to provide a display device that may be easily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display unit that is modular and ma be combined with other display units to form an expanded display center.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display device that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display device that may be conveniently transported.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display device that may be used in conjunction with a display item holder.

It is another object of the invention is to provide a display device that will permit easy access to the displayed item.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device that is sturdy.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a display device that may be easily cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display unit that may be stacked, transported, and stored without scratching or damaging an adjacent display unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display unit for display of cards, such as baseball cards, and other small items, such as stamps, coins, paper currency, newspaper articles, and pictures.

The foregoing and other objects will become more readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a central isometric view of the invented display center, with display item holders in place, and one holder removed.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the invention in use with a display item holder.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a display unit.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a display unit.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the display unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 together with cap.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of two display units aligned to form a base for the display center.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of two upright side display units connected to the base shown in FIG. 6, immediately prior to the connection of an upright rear display unit to the base and side display units, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a locator which includes a round stanchion having four generally planar support arms extending therefrom, each support arm being perpendicular to any adjoining support arm, the four arms creating a "plus" (+) shaped configuration for receiving display item holders.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a locator which includes a round stanchion having a beveled base for receiving display item holders.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a locator which includes a round stanchion.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a locator which includes a stanchion with a diamond, shaped cross-section.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a locator which includes a stanchion with a polygonal cross-section.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a display center, generally designated 10, which is assembly of five mated display units 14, comprises the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Display unit 14 includes a generally planar member 16, having a top surface (FIG. 3) and a bottom surface (FIG. 4), and means 20 integral with the top surface of the planar member 16 for receiving, containing and displaying a plurality of display item holders 12. A display unit 14 may further include means 18 for mating the planar member with at least one other planar member 16. A display center 10 contains and receives a plurality of display item holders 12, and includes a plurality of display units 14.

In the preferred embodiment, a display unit 14 is approximately 32 inches in length, by 14 1/2 inches in width, and less than 1/4 inches in thickness, and made of blue polystyrene. Alternatively, a display unit 14 may be made of a variety of rigid materials, such as wood, plastic, plexiglass, or the like. Preferably the mating means 18 includes studs 18a and slots 18b. Studs 18a are positioned along and protrude outwardly from the bottom edge 15b of each unit 14. Slots 18b are positioned along the periphery of the top edge 15a of each unit 14, corresponding to studs 18a on the bottom edge 15b. Slots 18b are also positioned along the periphery of both side edges 15c of a unit 14, adapted for mating with some, but not necessarily all, of the studs 18a on the bottom edge 15b of another unit 14. The means 20 for receiving, containing and displaying at least one display item holder 12 includes locators 20a fixed to and extending normally from the planar member 16, and holder retainers 20b adapted to engage the locators 20a. The holder retainers 20b are preferably caps 20b, as shown in FIG. 5, and are adapted to fit over the ends of the locators 20a to secure the display item holders 12 in the display unit 14. The caps 20b are preferably made of resilient material such as rubber or polypropylene and fit tightly over stanchions 21. Forty-four (44) locators 20a are aligned in horizontal and vertical rows and define thirty (30) locations on each display unit 14 for receiving thirty (30) display item holders 12. Each locator 20a preferably includes a stanchion 21 having four generally planar support arms 21a extending therefrom, each support arm 21a being perpendicular to any adjoining support arm 21a, and each support arm 21a extending normally from the planar member 16, the four arms creating a "plus" (+) shaped cross-section configuration for receiving display item holders 12. The bottom surface of the planar member 16 is provided with recesses 17 for receiving holder retainers 20b in order to facilitate stacking of planar members 16 on top of one another. Each display unit 14 may also be provided with at least one hole 22, but is preferably provided with four holes for hanging or suspending the unit 14 from a support structure, such as a ceiling or a wall.

Display units 14 are modular and may be connected to one another by connecting the studs 18a of one unit 14 to the slots 18b of another unit 14, in a particular manner. The preferred configuration is a display center 10 having a base 10a formed of two display units 14a, 14b, and three display units 14c, 14d, and 14e, connected to and upstanding from the base 10a, forming an open-faced, open-top structure. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the base 10a includes a first unit 14a and a second unit 14b positioned one above the other on a horizontal surface as shown in FIG. 6. A space approximately equal to the length of a display item holder 12 separates the two, thereby permitting additional holders 12 to be situated between the bottom edge 15b of the first unit 14a and the top edge 15a of the second unit 14b. A third unit 14c connects perpendicular to the left edge of the first and second units 14a, 14b, by mating the studs 18a of the third unit 14c with the left-hand side slots of the first and second units 14a, 14b. A fourth unit 14d similarly connects perpendicular to the right edge of the first and second units 14a, 14b, by mating the studs 18a of the fourth unit 14d with the righthand side slots of the first and second units 14a, 14b. A fifth unit 14e connects perpendicular to the top edge 15a of the first unit 14a, by mating the studs 18a of the fifth unit 14e with the top slots of the first unit 14a. In addition, two metal "L" brackets 26a, 26b in conjunction with four screws 27 and four associated wing nuts 28 stabilize the display center 10. A first "L" bracket 26a connects the top right corner of the third unit 14c to the top left corner of the fifth unit 14e, and a second "L" bracket 26b connects the top left corner of the fourth unit 14d to the top right corner of the fifth unit 14e. The side units 14c, 14d or rear unit 14e can be angled from 8 to 10 degrees from vertical by using the outside holes of the "L" brackets 26a, 26b, thereby adjusting the viewing angle.

A number of alternative embodiments are possible. For example, a first unit 14a and a fifth unit 14d may be connected in the fashion described above, but without the second, third, or fourth units 14b, 14c, and 14d, thus forming an "L" shaped viewing device. These two-unit devices can also be connected together to form an extended "L" shaped viewing device. In addition, although the preferred embodiment for the locators 20a is for the cross-section of each locator 20a to resemble a "plus" with a stanchion 21 in the center, alternative embodiments are also possible. For example, the base of each stanchion 21 can be beveled (See FIGS. 1, 9). In addition, the cross-section of the stanchion 21 can take a variety of shapes. The stanchion 21 can be round, as shown in FIG. 10, diamond shaped, as shown in FIG. 11, or some polyhedron shape, as shown in FIG. 12.

In operation, in the preferred embodiment, a display center 10 is assembled and used by:

positioning a first unit 14a and a second unit 14b one above the other on a horizontal surface as shown in FIG. 6, to form a base 10a, such that a space approximately equal to the length of a display item holder 12 separates the two, thereby permitting additional holders 12 to be situated between the bottom edge 15b of the first unit 14a and the top edge 15a of the second unit 14b;

connecting a third unit 14c perpendicular to the left edge of the first and second units 14a, 14b, by mating the studs 18a of the third unit 14c with the left-hand side slots of the first and second units 14a, 14b;

similarly connecting a fourth unit 14d perpendicular to the right edge of the first and second units 14a, 14b, by mating the studs 18a of the fourth unit 14d with the right-hand side slots of the first and second units 14a, 14b;

connecting a fifth unit 14e perpendicular to the top edge 15a of the first unit 14a, by mating the studs 18a of the fifth unit 14e with the top slots of the first unit 14a;

connecting a first "L" bracket 26a to the top right corner of the third unit 14c and to the top left corner of the fifth unit 14e; and

connecting a second "L" bracket 26b to the top left corner of the fourth unit 14d and to the top right corner of the fifth unit 14e.

From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that we have invented a device for viewing plurality of baseball cards, or other display items, that inhibits theft of the items, while being easily assembled and disassembled. The invention is modular, convenient to transport, and may be combined with other display units to form an expanded display center, yet is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions may be made to the device by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, which is therefore understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.