U.S. patent application number 10/207367 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for locker display case.
Invention is credited to Straub, Andrew D..
Application Number | 20040017137 10/207367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30770416 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040017137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Straub, Andrew D. |
January 29, 2004 |
Locker display case
Abstract
A locker display case is modeled after a sports locker and
includes a traditional grated door. The inside is suitable for
displaying team jerseys, equipment, or other memorabilia. Inside
the "locker", an angled shelf is positioned to display printed
material or other memorabilia. Below, drawers provide storage. On
one external side, a number of pivotable/hinged, vertical display
racks are provided which allows flat items of sports memorabilia
(such as posters, banners, and the like) to be stored and
displayed, while the other external side has a number of adjustable
shelves that can be configured in numerous arrangements.
Optionally, the adjustable shelves may include a glass front. In a
preferred embodiment, the entire display case is made from wood or
wood-like material, though other materials may be used.
Inventors: |
Straub, Andrew D.; (Bedford,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOURQUE & ASSOCIATES, P.A.
835 HANOVER STREET
SUITE 303
MANCHESTER
NH
03104
US
|
Family ID: |
30770416 |
Appl. No.: |
10/207367 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 97/02 20130101;
A47F 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/283 |
International
Class: |
A47B 081/00 |
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A locker display case comprising: a cabinet structure including:
an inside region having a device to suspend an item; a front
region, said front region including at least one door allowing
visual access to said inside region and at least one drawer located
on said front region; a first side region, said first side region
approximately perpendicular to said front region and including a
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices having a
first position adapted to display a plurality of items and a second
position wherein said plurality of racks are approximately parallel
to each other; and a second side region, said second side region
being opposite said first side region and including a plurality of
shelves.
2. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of said door is grated.
3. The locker display case as claimed in claim 2 wherein said door
is hinged.
4. The locker display case as claimed in claim 2 wherein said door
slides open.
5. The locker display case as claimed in claim 4 wherein said door
slits into two pieces, each piece sliding opposition from each
other.
6. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of said door is made from a transparent material.
7. The locker display case as claimed in claim 3 wherein said door
further includes a nametag.
8. The locker display case as claimed in claim 3 wherein said door
further includes a lock.
9. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
inside region further includes a light source.
10. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
inside region further includes at least one shelf.
11. The locker display case as claimed in claim 10 wherein said
shelf is angled.
12. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
drawer on said front region further includes a lock.
13. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a region of corkboard.
14. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a region of hooks and loops.
15. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a plurality of shelves.
16. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
plurality of racks on said first side region further includes a
lock.
17. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
shelves on said second side region are enclosed in glass.
18. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
shelves on said second side region are adjustable.
19. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
shelves on said second side region are fixed.
20. A locker display case comprising: a cabinet structure modeled
after a locker and including: an inside region having hanger to
suspend an item and at least one shelf; a front region including:
at least one door allowing visual access to said inside region, at
least a portion of said door including a grated material; and at
least one drawer located on said front region; a first side region,
said first side region approximately perpendicular to said front
region and including a plurality of hinged racks having a first
position adapted to display a plurality of items and a second
position wherein said plurality of racks are approximately parallel
to each other; and a second side region, said second side region
being opposite said first side region and including a plurality of
shelves.
21. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
door is hinged.
22. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
door slides open.
23. The locker display case as claimed in claim 21 wherein said
door further includes a nametag.
24. The locker display case as claimed in claim 21 wherein said
door further includes a lock.
25. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
inside region further includes a light source.
26. The locker display case as claimed in claim 22 wherein said
door slits into two pieces, each piece sliding opposition from each
other.
27. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a region of corkboard.
28. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a region of hooks and loops.
29. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a plurality of shelves.
30. A locker display case comprising: a cabinet structure modeled
after a locker and including: an inside region including: at least
one hanger to suspend an item at least one shelf; and a light
source; a front region including: at least one door allowing visual
access to said inside region, at least a portion of said door
including a grated material; at least one drawer located on said
front region; a nametag located on said front region; a first side
region, said first side region approximately perpendicular to said
front region and including a plurality of hinged racks having a
first position adapted to display a plurality of items and a second
position wherein said plurality of racks are approximately parallel
to each other; and a second side region, said second side region
being opposite said first side region and including a plurality of
shelves.
31. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said
door is hinged.
32. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said
door slides open.
33. The locker display case as claimed in claim 31 wherein said
door further includes a lock.
34. The locker display case as claimed in claim 32 wherein said
door slits into two pieces, each piece sliding opposition from each
other.
35. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a region of corkboard.
36. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a region of hooks and loops.
37. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said
plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said
first side region further includes a plurality of shelves.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the storage of collectables
and more particularly, to the ornamental storage and display of
collectables.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] It has been a long-time popular hobby for people to collect,
preserve, and display memorabilia relating to sports teams/players,
historical events, musical memorabilia, and personal achievements.
In particular, there are many people who collect clothing worn by
famous athletes, and equipment used in major sports events. For
example, many baseball fans collect major league baseball
memorabilia such as baseballs, bats, caps, gloves and uniform
jerseys. These sports object collections are usually contained in
some kind of showcase for both protection and presentation.
[0003] A typical sports trophy showcase has a solid wooden frame, a
piece of glass, one or several padding pieces, and a back panel. A
sports object is first affixed to the back panel, and then the back
panel and the piece of glass are assembled in the frame with one or
several padding pieces so that the sports object can be viewed
through the glass while being protected by the frame against dust
or distortion. The frame may be hung on the wall or placed on a
stand.
[0004] Over the years, an increasing number of people have begun to
collect athletic miniatures. One reason people collect athletic
miniatures is that the original athletic uniforms are limited, and
not available to everyone. They are often contained in customized
frames which are similar to the larger frames described above.
Further, many parents like to collect and display sports trophies
or other results of achievements of their children.
[0005] Unfortunately, there is no known means of attractively and
efficiently displaying all the different types of collectables at
once. In particular, the difficulty arises partly because of the
numerous sizes and configurations of all the different memorabilia.
A further problem arises from the fact that most display cases
basically look the same.
[0006] Accordingly, what is needed is a display case that is
capable of displaying memorabilia of varying sizes and
configurations. The display case preferably should be attractive
and allow for efficient collection, preservation, and display of
memorabilia.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention features a locker display case
allowing a user to display a plurality of collectables and other
memorabilia in an attractive and efficient manner. The locker
display case includes a cabinet structure modeled after a locker.
The locker display case includes an inside region, a front region,
and a first and second side region.
[0008] The inside region includes at least one hanger to suspend an
item. In a preferred embodiment, the inside region also includes at
least one horizontal or angled shelf and optionally a light
source.
[0009] The front region includes at least one door allowing visual
access to the inside region. In a preferred embodiment, at least a
portion of the door includes a grated material. The door may be
either hinged or it may slide open. Optionally, the door may
include a lock. In yet another embodiment, the front region also
includes at least one drawer and optionally a nametag.
[0010] The first side region is approximately perpendicular to the
front region and includes a plurality of pivotable/hinged racks.
The hinged racks may be positioned in a first position adapted to
display a plurality of items and a second position wherein the
plurality of racks are approximately parallel to each other.
[0011] The second side region is opposite the first side region and
includes a plurality of shelves. In a preferred embodiment, the
shelves are enclosed in glass.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood by reading the following
detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is plain side view of one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plain side view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] A locker display case 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, allows a user to
display a plurality of collectables 12, for example, but not
limited to, public servant memorabilia (for example firefighters or
police memorabilia), military memorabilia, musical/performing arts
memorabilia, or sports memorabilia (such as team jerseys,
equipment, awards, or the like), and other memorabilia in an
attractive and efficient manner. The locker display case 10 may be
constructed out of wood, metal, plastic, a combination of two or
more, or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the
art.
[0016] The front of the locker display case 10 is modeled after a
sports locker and includes a door 14. The door 14 may either swing
open on a hinge or slide open (either as a single piece or as two
pieces sliding in opposite directions). In a preferred embodiment,
at least a portion of the door 14 is made from a grated or mesh or
chain-like material 15 typically found on sport lockers. In yet
another embodiment, a portion of the door 14 may be made from a
transparent material. The door 14 may also include a lock 22 to
secure the collectables 12 contained inside as well as a nameplate
24.
[0017] The inside 16 of the locker display case preferably contains
at least one coat hook and/or garment hanger rod 18. The inside 16
also preferably includes an angled shelf 20 that is positioned to
display printed material 12 or other memorabilia. Additional
shelves (not shown) may also be added for display purposes. The
shelves 20 and the hangers 18 may optionally be user adjustable to
allow the user to customize the locker display case 10. According
to a preferred embodiment, the inside 16 also includes a light
source (not shown).
[0018] Below the "locker" on the front, drawers 26 are preferably
included to provide additional storage. These drawers 26 may
optionally contain locks. Moreover, the drawers 26 may further
include adjustable or fixed partitions (not shown) allowing the
user to configure the drawers 26 to store and organize collectable
12 such as, but not limited to, baseball cards and the like. In
another embodiment, the drawers 26 are modeled after typical
footlockers and may include a clear seethrough front.
[0019] On a first external side, a plurality of pivotable/hinged,
vertical display racks 30 are provided. The racks 30 allow the user
to efficiently store and organize a plurality of collectables 12.
The racks 30 may further be used to create a "timeline" such as the
history of the user's favorite player, sports team, etc. The racks
30 are particularly useful for storing and organizing large items
such as posters and clothing or a collection of smaller items such
as newspaper clippings, banners, pictures and the like. In one
embodiment, the racks 30 include a portion of corkboard like
material or hooks and loops to allow the user to easily attach
posters, banners, and the like 12. In another embodiment, the racks
30 may optionally include shelves (not shown). Alternatively, the
racks 30 may be made from an attractive material such as wood,
metal, or plastic. The exterior rack 34 is preferably finished in
an attractive material such that when the racks 30 are closed they
appear hidden within the locker display case 10. Optionally, the
exterior rack 34 may further include a lock to protect the
collectables 12.
[0020] The second external side, opposite the first external side,
preferably includes a plurality of adjustable shelves 32, FIG. 2.
The adjustable shelves 32 may be configured in numerous
arrangements allowing the user to customize the locker display case
10 to suit their particular tastes and/or configure the shelves to
suit large and small items. Optionally, the adjustable shelves 32
may include a glass front that is hinged and locked.
[0021] Accordingly, modifications and substitutions by one of
ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of
the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the
following claims.
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