U.S. patent application number 11/107707 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for jewelry display and storage box with removable jewelry holding members and magnetic closure and magnetic stacking arrangement.
Invention is credited to Ovadia, Joseph.
Application Number | 20050183983 11/107707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46304354 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050183983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ovadia, Joseph |
August 25, 2005 |
Jewelry display and storage box with removable jewelry holding
members and magnetic closure and magnetic stacking arrangement
Abstract
A portable display includes a supporting wall having an upper
surface with an outer periphery. A plurality of pairs of spaced
apart pins extend upwardly from the upper surface of the supporting
wall within the outer periphery thereof. At least one article
holding member is provided, each article holding member having an
underside surface and a pair of spaced apart openings in the
underside surface thereof for receiving at least one pair of the
pins such that the at least one pair of pins alone removably
secures the respective article holding member on the upper surface
of the supporting wall.
Inventors: |
Ovadia, Joseph; (Little
Falls, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard M. Goldberg
Suite 419
25 East Salem Street
Hackensack
NJ
07601
US
|
Family ID: |
46304354 |
Appl. No.: |
11/107707 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11107707 |
Apr 15, 2005 |
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10740046 |
Dec 18, 2003 |
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6884081 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/566 ;
206/6.1; 211/85.2; 434/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/566 ;
206/006.1; 211/085.2; 434/099 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/34 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable display comprising: a supporting wall having an upper
surface with an outer periphery; a plurality of pairs of spaced
apart pins extending upwardly from the upper surface of the
supporting wall within the outer periphery thereof; and at least
one article holding member, each article holding member having an
underside surface and a pair of spaced apart openings in the
underside surface thereof for receiving at least one pair of said
pins such that said at least one pair of pins alone removably
secures the respective article holding member on the upper surface
of the supporting wall.
2. A portable display according to claim 1, wherein each article
holding member includes a base portion having said underside
surface with said pair of spaced apart openings, and an upstanding
portion extending from said base portion for holding an article
thereon.
3. A portable display according to claim 2, wherein said upstanding
portion includes an arrangement for holding a jewelry item
thereon.
4. A portable display according to claim 2, wherein said upstanding
portion includes at least one opening for holding a pierced
earring.
5. A portable display according to claim 2, wherein said upstanding
portion includes at least one finger for holding a pendant.
6. A portable display according to claim 2, wherein said upstanding
portion includes an at least part arcuate structure for holding a
ring.
7. A portable display according to claim 2, wherein each article
holding member further includes a reinforcing member formed as at
least one upstanding wall connected between the base portion and an
underside of the upstanding portion to reinforce the upstanding
portion, the at least one upstanding wall including two spaced
apart openings in alignment with the pair of spaced apart openings
in the underside surface of the article holding member for
receiving at least one pair of said pins.
8. A portable display according to claim 2, wherein the upstanding
portion extends from said base portion at an acute angle.
9. A portable display comprising: a supporting wall having an upper
surface with an outer periphery; at least one pin extending
upwardly from the upper surface of the supporting wall within the
outer periphery thereof, said at least one pin having a
non-circular cross-sectional configuration; and at least one
article holding member, each article holding member having an
underside surface and an opening having said non-circular
cross-sectional configuration in the underside surface thereof for
receiving one said pin such that said pin alone removably secures
the respective article holding member on the upper surface of the
supporting wall.
10. A portable display according to claim 9, wherein each article
holding member includes a base portion having said underside
surface with said opening, and an upstanding portion extending from
said base portion for holding an article thereon.
11. A portable display according to claim 10, wherein said
upstanding portion includes an arrangement for holding a jewelry
item thereon.
12. A portable display according to claim 10, wherein said
upstanding portion includes at least one opening for holding a
pierced earring.
13. A portable display according to claim 10, wherein said
upstanding portion includes at least one finger for holding a
pendant.
14. A portable display according to claim 10, wherein said
upstanding portion includes an at least part arcuate structure for
holding a ring.
15. A portable display according to claim 10, wherein each article
holding member further includes a reinforcing member formed as at
least one upstanding wall connected between the base portion and an
underside of the upstanding portion to reinforce the upstanding
portion, the at least one upstanding wall including an opening in
alignment with the opening in the underside surface of the article
holding member for receiving said pin.
16. A portable display according to claim 10, wherein the
upstanding portion extends from said base portion at an acute
angle.
17. A portable display according to claim 9, wherein there are a
plurality of said pins spaced apart and extending upwardly from the
upper surface of the supporting wall within the outer periphery
thereof, each said pin having a non-circular cross-sectional
configuration; and there are a plurality of said article holding
members, each article holding member having an underside surface
and said opening having said non-circular cross-sectional
configuration in the underside surface thereof for receiving one
said pin such that said pin alone removably secures the respective
article holding member on the upper surface of the supporting wall.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/740,046, of the same title and
by the same inventor, filed Dec. 18, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to display and
storage devices, and more particularly, is directed to a display
and storage box for displaying and storing articles, such as
jewelry, gift items and other articles.
[0003] Boxes are known for display and storage of jewelry or gift
items. Such boxes take many forms. For example, two halves can be
hinged together at one edge. However, this requires additional
parts such as a hinge and a latch assembly, thereby increasing the
cost of the box. As another example, a box is known in which one
part which holds the gift items is telescopically received in the
other part. However, this box requires two parts of different sizes
and shapes, thereby also increasing the cost of manufacture.
Another box is known in which a bottom part has an inwardly spaced
peripheral ledge, and the top or cover part seats thereon in
surrounding relation with the ledge and in friction engagement
therewith. However, this also requires two parts of different sizes
and shapes, thereby also increasing the cost of manufacture.
[0004] Further, with conventional display and storage boxes, the
article holding members are integrally fixed to the box. In order
to use different article holding members, it is necessary to
provide a different box, thereby increasing the cost and storage
space needed. Also, if the article holding members become damaged,
it is necessary to provide a new display and storage box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a display and storage box that overcomes the problems with
the aforementioned prior art.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
display and storage box with two halves of the same size and shape
that fit on each other and are magnetically held together.
[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide such display and storage boxes which can be stacked
together and magnetically held in the stacked arrangement.
[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a display and storage box in which the article holding members are
removably held to the box.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
display and storage box that has a plurality of pins for removably
securing different article holding members thereto.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
display and storage box that is easy and economical to manufacture
and use.
[0011] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
portable display includes a supporting wall having a upper surface
with an outer periphery. A plurality of pairs of spaced apart pins
extend upwardly from the upper surface of the supporting wall
within the outer periphery thereof. At least one article holding
member is provided, each article holding member having an underside
surface and a pair of spaced apart openings in the underside
surface thereof for receiving at least one pair of the pins such
that the at least one pair of pins alone removably secures the
respective article holding member on the upper surface of the
supporting wall.
[0012] Each article holding member includes a base portion having
the underside surface with the pair of spaced apart openings, and
an upstanding portion extending from the base portion for holding
an article thereon. In one embodiment, the upstanding portion
includes an arrangement for holding a jewelry item thereon. In
another embodiment, the upstanding portion includes at least one
opening for holding a pierced earring. In still another embodiment,
the upstanding portion includes at least one finger for holding a
pendant. In yet another embodiment, the upstanding portion includes
an at least part arcuate structure for holding a ring.
[0013] Preferably, each article holding member further includes a
reinforcing member formed as at least one upstanding wall connected
between the base portion and an underside of the upstanding portion
to reinforce the upstanding portion, the at least one upstanding
wall including two spaced apart openings in alignment with the pair
of spaced apart openings in the underside surface of the article
holding member for receiving at least one pair of the pins. Still
more preferably, the upstanding portion extends from the base
portion at an acute angle.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a portable display includes a supporting wall having an upper
surface with an outer periphery. At least one pin extends upwardly
from the upper surface of the supporting wall within the outer
periphery thereof, the at least one pin having a non-circular
cross-sectional configuration. At least one article holding member
is provided, each article holding member having an underside
surface and an opening having the non-circular cross-sectional
configuration in the underside surface thereof for receiving one
pin such that the pin alone removably secures the respective
article holding member on the upper surface of the supporting
wall.
[0015] Preferably, there are a plurality of the pins spaced apart
and extending upwardly from the upper surface of the supporting
wall within the outer periphery thereof, each pin having a
non-circular cross-sectional configuration; and there are a
plurality of the article holding members, each article holding
member having an underside surface and the opening having the
non-circular cross-sectional configuration in the underside surface
thereof for receiving one the pin such that the pin alone removably
secures the respective article holding member on the upper surface
of the supporting wall.
[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description thereof which is to be read in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a display and storage
box according to the present invention, in a partially assembled
condition;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower tray of the
display and storage box of FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lower tray of FIG. 2
with ring fingers removably assembled thereon;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a jewelry holding member
formed as a ring finger, that can be used with the display and
storage box according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another jewelry holding
member for holding a necklace and pendant, that can be used with
the display and storage box according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another jewelry
holding member for holding earrings, that can be used with the
display and storage box according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hinged display and storage
box according to a modification of the present invention, in an
open condition;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modified display and
storage box according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a modified article
holding member for holding a watch;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of lower trays stacked
one upon another, with the side walls extending to a height greater
than the height of the article holding members;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of two lower trays
according to another embodiment of the present invention stacked
upon one another;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portable display
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the portable display
of FIG. 12 with jewelry holding members thereon;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a portable display
according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0031] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a jewelry holding member
formed as a ring finger, that can be used with the portable display
of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Referring to the drawings in detail, a display and storage
box 10 according to the present invention includes an upper tray 12
and a lower tray 14 of identical size and shape which are adapted
to close upon each other.
[0033] Upper tray 12 includes a top supporting wall 16 of a
generally rectangular configuration. However, it will be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereby, and
top wall 16 can have any other suitable configuration, such as
circular, oval, triangular, etc. An upper side wall 18 extends down
at right angles from the periphery of top wall 16. However, the
present invention is not limited thereby, and upper side wall 18
can extend downwardly from a position spaced inwardly from the
periphery of top wall 16, and can extend down at an angle other
than a right angle therefrom. Upper side wall 18 includes a lower
facing edge 20.
[0034] In like manner, lower tray 14 includes a bottom supporting
wall 22 of a generally rectangular configuration. However, it will
be appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereby,
and bottom wall 22 can have any other suitable configuration, such
as circular, oval, triangular, etc. A lower side wall 24 extends up
at right angles from the periphery of bottom wall 22. However, the
present invention is not limited thereby, and lower side wall 24
can extend upwardly from a position spaced inwardly from the
periphery of bottom wall 22, and can extend up at an angle other
than a right angle therefrom. Lower side wall 24 includes an upper
facing edge 26 of the same dimensions and shape as lower facing
edge 20 in order to engage therewith to form a closed box.
Specifically, lower side wall 24 has outer dimensions which are the
same as outer dimensions of upper side wall 18 so as to form a
smooth continuation thereof. When upper tray 12 is assembled with
lower tray 14, lower facing edge 20 rests on upper facing edge 26
to form a closed box.
[0035] Thus, with the above arrangement, upper tray 12 and lower
tray 14 can be assembled together to form a closed box having a
substantially continuous outer surface.
[0036] The side walls need not be of a constant height. For
example, as shown in the side elevational view of FIG. 8, opposing
side walls 18' and 24' can have a triangular configuration, meeting
a high rear wall 19'. In such case, upper tray 12' and lower tray
14' would mate to form a rectangular box.
[0037] In order to hold upper tray 12 in fixed relation to lower
tray 14, upper tray 12 is provided with four corner bores 28.
Although bores 28 are shown to be of a cylindrical configuration,
the present invention is not limited thereby, and bores 28 can have
any other cross-sectional configuration, such as square,
rectangular, polygonal, triangular, etc. Preferably, bores 28
extend along the entire height of upper side wall 18, although
bores 28 can be of a lesser height. Magnets 30 having the same
dimensions as bores 28 are friction fit within bores 28, with one
end of each magnet 30 having a first polarity and the opposite end
of each magnet 30 having an opposite polarity. For example, the end
of each magnet 30 closest to lower facing edge 20 can have a North
polarity while the end closest to top wall 16 can have a South
polarity. Alternatively, two separate magnets can be provided in
each bore 28 with the aforementioned polarity arrangements.
[0038] In like manner, lower tray 14 is provided with four corner
bores 32. Although bores 32 are shown to be of a cylindrical
configuration, the present invention is not limited thereby, and
bores 32 can have any other cross-sectional configuration, such as
square, rectangular, polygonal, triangular, etc. Preferably, bores
32 extend along the entire height of lower side wall 24, although
bores 32 can be of a lesser height. Magnets 34 having the same
dimensions as bores 32 are friction fit within bores 32, with one
end of each magnet 34 having a first polarity and the opposite end
of each magnet 34 having an opposite polarity. For example, the end
of each magnet 34 closest to upper facing edge 26 can have a South
polarity while the end closest to bottom wall 22 can have a North
polarity. Alternatively, two separate magnets 34a and 34b can be
provided in each bore 32 with the aforementioned polarity
arrangements, for example, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0039] Magnets 30 and 34 can be exposed or can be hidden beneath
the fabric or other covering of the trays 12 and 14. Also, magnets
30 and 34 can be positioned anywhere along the side walls 18 and
24.
[0040] Bores 28 and 32 are arranged to be in alignment with each
other when upper tray 12 is assembled on lower tray 14. In
addition, the polarity of the ends of magnets 30 closest to lower
facing edge 20 is opposite to the polarity of the ends of magnets
34 closest to upper facing edge 26. In this manner, there is a
magnetic attraction force between these ends of magnets 30 and 34
in order to retain lower tray 12 and upper tray 14 in this
assembled condition. Of course, this magnetic force can be overcome
by a person prying the two trays 12 and 14 apart.
[0041] In like manner, the polarity of the ends of magnets 30
closest to top wall 16 is opposite to the polarity of the ends of
magnets 34 closest to bottom wall 22. In the example given above,
the ends of magnets 30 closest to top wall 16 would have a South
polarity while the ends of magnets 34 closest to bottom wall 22
would have a North polarity. In this manner, there is a magnetic
attraction force between these ends of magnets 30 and 34 when one
storage box 10 is positioned on top of another storage box 10 in
order to retain the storage boxes 10 in stacked relation. Of
course, this magnetic force can be overcome by a person prying the
two storage boxes 10 apart.
[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the inner surface of bottom wall 22 is provided with a plurality of
upwardly extending projections 36. Projections 36 are shown in the
form of a plurality of pairs of pins, although the present
invention is not limited thereby. For example, the number and
spacing of the pins can be varied, and projections 36 other than
pins can be used, such as bars, walls, etc. Preferably, the same
projections 36 are provided as downwardly extending projections on
the inner surface of top wall 16.
[0043] A plurality of article holding members 38 are provided, for
removable engagement with projections 36 in order to hold articles
thereon. In order to better explain this, article holding members
38 will be discussed in relation to various examples where the
articles are jewelry, and display and storage box 10 is a jewelry
display and storage box.
[0044] In one embodiment, each article holding member 38 is a ring
finger 38a formed as a thin walled structure 40 in a part
cylindrical or arcuate configuration that extends at an acute angle
of, for example, 45 degrees, from a base section 42. Reinforcing
columns 43 are connected between base section 42 and the rear
surface of thin walled structure 40 for reinforcing thin walled
structure 40. Each ring finger 38a is preferably made from a
molded, flexible and lightweight plastic or rubber material, which
can be covered by a fabric or cloth material.
[0045] Reinforcing columns 43 are provided with two parallel,
spaced apart openings 44 for receiving a pair of pins 36 with a
removable friction fit in order to removably mount ring finger 38a
on upper tray 12 or lower tray 14. A ring (not shown) can then be
placed on each ring finger 38a. In such case, the thin walled
structure 40 of ring finger 38a can be compressed, and when a ring
is positioned thereon, the thin walled structure 40 of ring finger
38a, which is resilient, will expand back outwardly so that the
ring is securely held thereon. Ring posts 38a can be formed in the
same manner as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,649,625; 6,059,098; 6,085,898; and
6,267,230, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0046] The upper end of each ring finger 38a is open. Preferably,
although not essential, the side edges of each ring finger 38a are
cut-away to provide an arcuate edge 46. It will be appreciated that
ring tags can be positioned behind ring fingers 38a and are
therefore hidden for a clearer presentation.
[0047] In this regard, pins 36 are arranged such that ring fingers
38a mounted to lower tray 14 extend upwardly from bottom wall 22
toward top wall 16 when top wall 16 is positioned above bottom wall
22, as shown in FIG. 1 and ring fingers 38a mounted to upper tray
12 extend downwardly from top wall 16, with the ring fingers being
arranged in a plurality of rows, with a spacing between ring
fingers 38a of upper tray 12 and the spacing between ring fingers
38a of lower tray 14 being at least equal to a width of one ring
finger 38a. Further, the ring fingers 38a of upper tray 12 fit
between and are interleaved with the ring fingers 38a of lower tray
14 in the assembled condition of FIG. 1, in the same manner as
taught in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,059,098; 6,085,898; and
6,267,230.
[0048] With the present invention, if one of the ring fingers 38a
is damaged, for example, it is easy to remove it and replace the
damaged ring finger 38a with a new ring finger. Further, if
different style, size and/or shape ring fingers 38a are desired, it
is easy to change the same.
[0049] Further, when upper tray 12 is removed, lower half 14 serves
as an aesthetic display for the jewelry items. In order to carry or
store the jewelry items, it is merely necessary to reinsert upper
tray 12 with the aforementioned magnetic locking arrangement with
lower tray 14.
[0050] As another example, another article holding member 38 that
can be used with display and storage box 10 is shown in FIG. 5 as a
necklace and pendant holder 38b. Necklace and pendant holder 38b
includes a base section 48 and a torso and neck shaped portion 50
extending from base section 48 at an acute angle of, for example,
45 degrees. A U-shaped reinforcing wall 52 is connected between
base section 48 and the rear surface of torso and neck shaped
portion 50 for reinforcing torso and neck shaped portion 50 and
maintaining the angular orientation thereof. Necklace and pendant
holder 38b is preferably made from a molded, flexible and
lightweight plastic or rubber material, which can be covered by a
fabric or cloth material.
[0051] Base section 48 is provided with two parallel, spaced apart
openings 54 for receiving a pair of pins 36 with a removable
friction fit in order to removably mount necklace and pendant
holder 38b on upper tray 12 or lower tray 14. In addition, an
elongated opening 55 can be provided in spaced relation to openings
54 for receiving other pins 36 or a bar-like projection (not shown)
to further removably hold necklace and pendant holder 38b on upper
tray 12 and lower tray 14.
[0052] Each necklace and pendant holder 38b further includes
necklace hold down members 56 at the shoulder portions thereof for
receiving and holding down a necklace draped over the neck portion
thereof. There is also provided a jewelry holding arrangement 58 at
upper front portion of torso and neck shaped portion 50 for holding
a pendant or pair of earrings. Jewelry holding arrangement 58 is
preferably of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,417, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In
this regard, jewelry holding arrangement 58 includes L-shaped
fingers 60 having one end integrally formed with the upper surface
of torso and neck shaped portion 50 and the other ends facing each
other with a small gap 62 therebetween. Thus, the upper facing
portions of L-shaped fingers 60 form a substantially continuous
holder for a jewelry item, such as a pendant or earrings. Reference
to an L-shape in relation to fingers 60 is intended to encompass
various modifications thereof, such as fingers having the general
shape of a quarter circle, a quarter oval, various bent
configurations and the like.
[0053] Opposing fingers 60 can be separated due to the deformable
nature thereof, with rabbit ears of the pendant or earrings being
inserted so that fingers 60, due to the resilient nature thereof
and after the biasing force thereon is removed, extend into the
rabbit ears so as to removably secure the rabbit ears to torso and
neck shaped portion 50. Thus, the rabbit ears are removably held by
fingers 60.
[0054] As another example, another article holding member 38 that
can be used with display and storage box 10 is shown in FIG. 6 as
an earring holder 38c. Earring holder 38c includes a base section
64 and an inclined wall 66 extending from base section 64 at an
acute angle of, for example, 45 degrees. Triangular reinforcing
walls 68 are connected between base section 64 and the rear surface
of inclined wall 66 for maintaining the angular orientation
thereof. Earring holder 38c is preferably made from a molded,
flexible and lightweight plastic or rubber material, which can be
covered by a fabric or cloth material.
[0055] Base section 64 is provided with two parallel, spaced apart
openings 69 for receiving a pair of pins 36 with a removable
friction fit in order to removably mount earring holder 38c on
upper tray 12 or lower tray 14. Each earring holder 38c further
includes two openings 70 at the upper portion of inclined wall 66
for receiving a set of two pierced earrings therethrough.
[0056] It will be appreciated that, while the present invention has
been discussed in relation to specific jewelry holding members
38a-38c, other jewelry holding members can be used. For example, a
watch holder 38d can be provided as a jewelry holding member. As
shown in the elevational view of FIG. 9, watch holder 38d includes
a C-shaped or arcuate central section 74 for holding a watch
therearound, and two opposite side sections 76, with openings 78
provided in at least one portion of side sections 76 for receiving
pins 36 such that central arcuate section 74 extends up to better
display the watch. Of course, in this case, the spacing between
pins 36 would be greater than that shown in the previous
embodiments.
[0057] Further, the present invention is not limited to holding
jewelry items, and other article holding members 38 can be used for
holding articles other than jewelry.
[0058] It will be appreciated that the reverse of the present pin
arrangement, that is, the pins 36 on the article holding member 38
and the openings in the tray 12 or 14 is not practical since it
greatly increases the thickness, weight and cost of the walls of
the trays containing the openings.
[0059] Although the present invention has been discussed in
relation to a separated upper tray 12 and lower tray 14, it will be
appreciated that upper tray 12 and lower tray 14 can be hinged at
one edge thereof by a hinge structure 72, for example, a separate
hinge, a living hinge, etc. as shown by modified display and
storage box 10' in FIG. 7. In such case, when display and storage
box 10' is in a closed configuration, magnets 30 and 34 serve to
retain display and storage box 10' in this closed configuration,
subject to an overcoming force being applied by a user to open the
same.
[0060] It will be appreciated that the side wall 24" can extend to
a height greater than the height of the article holding members 38
so that only lower trays 14" need be used and can be stacked one
upon another, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0061] As a further alternative to using only lower trays, the side
walls 24'" can extend below supporting walls 22'" so that each
supporting wall 22'" is raised up. In such case, there is a cavity
below supporting wall 22'" and defined by lower extending side wall
24'". In such case, projections 36 would extend upwardly from the
upper surface of supporting wall 22'", that is, opposite to the
cavity side, and a plurality of such lower trays 14'" can be
stacked one upon another, as shown by arrows 33 in FIG. 11, in
which the article holding members 38 from a lower tray 14'" extend
into the cavity of a tray 14'" mounted thereon.
[0062] Of course, it will be appreciated that the pins 36 can be of
various heights, shapes and dimensions to display he article
holders 38 in different positions and heights.
[0063] It will be appreciated that the present invention need not
incorporate side wall 24, and can be used as a display pad
containing one or more pairs of pins 36 thereon, as shown in FIGS.
12 and 13, which are identical to FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the
deletion of side wall 24.
[0064] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a portable
display 110 according to another embodiment of the present
invention includes a lower tray 114 having a bottom supporting wall
122 of a generally rectangular configuration with an upper surface
which can be planar, curved, stepped, wave-like, etc. However, it
will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited
thereby, and bottom wall 122 can have any other suitable
configuration, such as circular, oval, triangular, etc. The upper
surface of bottom wall 122 is provided with a plurality of upwardly
extending projections 136. Projections 136 are shown in the form of
a plurality of pairs of pins, although the present invention is not
limited thereby. For example, the number and spacing of the pins
can be varied, and projections 136 other than pins can be used,
such as bars, walls, etc.
[0065] A plurality of article holding members 138 are provided
which are identical to article holding members 38, and a detailed
discussion is omitted for the sake of brevity. Of course, any of
the article holding members discussed above can be used with this
embodiment.
[0066] Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a portable
display 210 according to still another embodiment of the present
invention includes a lower tray 214 having a bottom supporting wall
222 provided with an upper surface which can be planar, curved,
stepped, wave-like, etc., and a plurality of upwardly extending
projections 236 in the form of pins extending upwardly therefrom.
Rather than using pairs of pins 36, a single pin 236 can be used,
in which the pin 236 has a non-circular cross-sectional
configuration, for example, a square configuration, pentagonal
configuration, triangular configuration, oval configuration, etc.
In such case, the opening 244 in article holding member 238 would
be similarly shaped to prevent rotation of pin 236 in opening
244.
[0067] It will be appreciated that the reverse of the present pin
arrangement of FIGS. 14 and 15, that is, the pins 236 on the
article holding member 238 and the openings in the tray 214 is not
practical since it greatly increases the thickness, weight and cost
of the walls of the trays containing the openings.
[0068] As with article holding member 38, each article holding
member 238 is a ring finger 238a formed as a thin walled structure
240 in a part cylindrical or arcuate configuration that extends at
an acute angle of, for example, 45 degrees, from a base section
242. Reinforcing columns 243 are connected between base section 242
and the rear surface of thin walled structure 240 for reinforcing
thin walled structure 240. Each ring finger 238a is preferably made
from a molded, flexible and lightweight plastic or rubber material,
which can be covered by a fabric or cloth material.
[0069] One reinforcing column 243 or another part of article
holding member 238 is provided with an opening 244 for receiving a
pin 236 with a removable friction fit in order to removably mount
ring finger 238a on lower tray 214. A ring (not shown) can then be
placed on each ring finger 238a. In such case, the thin walled
structure 240 of ring finger 238a can be compressed, and when a
ring is positioned thereon, the thin walled structure 240 of ring
finger 238a, which is resilient, will expand back outwardly so that
the ring is securely held thereon. Ring posts 238a can be formed in
the same manner as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,649,625; 6,059,098; 6,085,898;
and 6,267,230, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0070] The upper end of each ring finger 238a is open. Preferably,
although not essential, the side edges of each ring finger 238a are
cut-away to provide an arcuate edge 246. It will be appreciated
that ring tags can be positioned behind ring fingers 238a and are
therefore hidden for a clearer presentation.
[0071] In this regard, pins 236 are arranged such that ring fingers
238a mounted to lower tray 214 extend upwardly from bottom wall
222.
[0072] Of course, any of the article holding members discussed
above can be used with this embodiment.
[0073] Having described specific preferred embodiments of the
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those
precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications can
be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *