US20060189247A1

US20060189247A1 - Collectible objects storage and display system apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20060189247A1
Application number: US11/060,879
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfredo Matheus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-18
Filing date: 2005-02-18
Publication date: 2006-08-24

Abstract

A collectible object display and storage modular system, said system being able to display its contents in a unique manner. It includes individual assembled modules wherein the front is open for viewing. Inside each module's cavity is a plurality of “U” shaped clamps which are designed to engage the displayed contents, the projections extending away from the back of the carton to lend a three-dimensional effect to the display. The individual unit modules may stand alone or may be easily assembled into an ever-expanding multi-module display and storage system. The modules may be fabricated of transparent or opaque materials comprising plastic, composite material laminates, metals or combinations thereof. The individual modular units and/or an assembled modular display system may also have optional decorative cover panels and decorative bottom perimeter panels. In this manner, a user can create his/her unique assembled display system for the user's unique purposes and aesthetic tastes.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children and adults, have traditonally stored and displayed their dolls, and other similar sized collectible objects, on top of furniture drawers, in individual display boxes, or on standard shelving similar to bookcases, so that the individual can see the actual doll or other collectible object that is on display. In these circumstances the dolls and/or other objects can be inadvertently placed by the individual in a disorganized fashion, particularly when the quantity of the dolls and/or other objects becomes greater than can be properly organized on a given display type system. This makes it difficult for the individual to find and identify the doll and/or other object that the individual may be searching for in a timely manner. Thus, it has been necessary to provide a safe means for (1) securely attaching the doll or other collectible object firmly to the backing of the display system, and (2) to simultaneously provide a means for assembling an ever-expanding network to display collectible objects in an aestetic and organized manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises an interlocking expandable doll and/or other similar collectible objects storage and display system in which the doll or other object is held firmly in place inside an aesthetic storage and display module containing a clamp assembly, preferably of a “U”-shaped configuration, which are in turn affixed by suitable means to a backing plate. The clamps are preferably constructed of a flexible material and is inserted into the display module. This means for securing the dolls or objects can be used for many different dolls and/or other objects having many different background decoration modes. In addition, the snap-in securing system provides a way in which the doll, or other object, can be replaced in the storage module for display and/or storage. In addition, when used as a toy doll storage apparatus, a child can also use the system to play with in a traditional doll-house manner.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved storage and display system which has a secure means of displaying a doll, or other object, so that it is not loose on the shelf, thereby eliminating potential harm to the object, yet allowing improved organization, expandability and aesthetics in the display.
Moreover, it is an object of this invention to provide a reusable securement system for dolls and other objects such that they can be repositioned in the display module.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an assembly of a modular system with sufficient support means to adequately and firmly hold the attached dolls or other objects, and provide an ever-expanding capability for an large number of collectible objects to be displayed.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of display modules.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of assembly of display modules, shown with the individual display modules disassembled.
FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a single display module with a base, decorative base perimeter attachment and a decorative cover.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a single modular unit without an optional decorative cover or base perimeter decorative panels.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single modular unit with an optional decorative cover or base perimeter decorative panels.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of “U” shaped clamps to hold the collectible objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now in detail to the drawings and, specifically, FIG. 3, the present invention comprises a unitary assembled storage and display module consisting of a bottom panel (100), side panels (102), a back panel (103) and “U” shaped clamps (105) to hold the collectible objects. These “U” shaped clamps (105) may be configured to individulally fasten to said back panel as shown in FIG. 6, or, said “U” shaped clamps may be first fastened to a bar or bracket, thereby creating a “U” shaped clamp bracket assembly which is then, in turn, fastened as a unit, to the back panel as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. Optionally, for a single stand alone collectible object display unit there may be a decorative removable cover panel (104), and/or optional decorative bottom perimeter panels (101). These decorative bottom perimeter panels (101) are also shown in FIGS. 1, 2 3 and 5. The optional modular unit cover panel (104) may be removed to allow for the bottom panel (100) of another unitary module to be stacked vertically on top. Means are provided to connect the individual unitary display modules to one another vertically. In this way, a large number of unitary display modules may be stacked on top of one another vertically. The final or extreme top units of a modular assembly may have the decorative cover panel(s) (104) attached. In addition, means are provided to allow for these unitary modules to be connected to one another horizontally, thereby also allowing for a large number of these unitary display modules to be placed adjacent to one another. Therefore, by enabling the unitary display modules to be connected to one another by suitable mechanical means, a person can create an assembled display modular system to meet the person's individual needs and aestectic tastes. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, there is illustrated parts that comprise a single modular unit, whereas FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly of numerous unitary display modules thereby creating an entire modular display system. The aforesaid suitable mechanical means for connecting the unitary modules to one another both vertically and horizontally, thereby creating a modular display system consists of standard machanical connection means such as screws, bolts, nuts, dowels, clips, etc. Choice of standard fasteners will be dictated by unitary module materials selected.
One of the advantages of the this improved concept is that the person, such as a child, using the unitary module and/or the assembled modular system, may select different aesthetic covers and materials therefor, thereby allowing the child, to not only display the collectible objects inside in an aesthetic and organized manner, but also allow the child to actually utilize the unitary module and/or display susystem as a play thing in and of itself. An example of this would be for the girl to select a cover and modular assembly arrangement, which would give the modular system an appearance of being a doll house. Another example of these improved features is that a boy could select a cover and modular assembly arrangement which would give the modular system an appearance of being a fort-like structure for his action miltary type figures. Further, an adult could select a cover and modular assembly arrangement, which would give the modular system an appearance of being garage arrangement for collectible model automobiles.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, including, but not limited to the selection and use of the number, type and function of the various vehicle wheels, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A Collectible Objects Storage and Display System Apparatus, the system comprising:

A modular unit with a bottom panel, two side panels, a back panel;

A plurality of “U” shaped clamps fastened to said back panel;

A means provided for fastening said “U” shaped clamps to said back panel;

A means provided for assembling said back, side and bottom panels into a complete unit thereby forming one display unit permitting the viewing of collectible objects.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said bottom, side and back panels are fabricated of any transparent material.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said bottom, side and back panels are fabricated of any opaque material.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which an optional transparent material cover panel may be utilized and a means provided for attaching said cover panel.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which an optional opaque material cover panel may be utilized and a means provided for attaching said cover panel.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said “U” shaped clamps are fabricated of a transparent material.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said “U” shaped clamps are fabricated of an opaque material.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said “U” shaped clamps are mechanically fastened to said back panel individually.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said “U” shaped clamps are made of a transparent material and are mechanically collectively fastened to a transparent material bracket thereby making a transparent material bracket assembly, said transparent material bracket assembly being then mechanically fastened to said back panel.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said “U” shaped clamps are made of an opaque material and are mechanically collectively fastened to an opaque material bracket thereby making a opaque material bracket assembly, said opaque material bracket assembly being then mechanically fastened to said back panel.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which an optional opaque material bottom perimeter panels may be utilized and a means provided for attaching said bottom perimeter panels.

12. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which an optional opaque material bottom perimeter panels may be utilized and a means provided for attaching said bottom perimeter panels.