Hanging display device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a novel hanging display device for displaying various articles. Specifically exemplified is a display device for displaying collectibles contained in original box.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] There is a large market of products that people enjoy buying as collectibles. For example, kids and their parents enjoy buying dolls, stuffed animals and miscellaneous toys that are marketed as a “special collection”. Examples of these include BARBIE dolls or STAR TREK figures. Some of these items kids play with regularly, while other, more special items, are kept in the box and saved as a collectible. The value of the collectible is often determined by the condition of the decorative box, and even more valuable if the box has not been opened. To maintain the good condition of the box, the very special items are usually put away in the back of the closet never to be enjoyed or displayed.

[0002] Either toys are put away out of sight, or displayed upon a convenient surface as an alternative to conventional storage. Or parents must hang cumbersome shelves to display . . . However, such display often clutters furniture surfaces within the child's room which the parents would prefer be used for other purposes. In the face of the reluctance of children to store or put away such large numbers of toy figures or dolls, as well as the desire to maintain the condition of collectibles, a need arises in the art for a convenient storage and display apparatus for such toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The subject invention pertains to a novel hanging display device for displaying a wide array of items, and especially suited for displaying and organizing toys. The subject invention provides for the aesthically pleasing display of toys and other collectibles without damaging their original box. In a particular embodiment, the subject invention is directed to a hanging display apparatus comprising a base, a back support structure, and an adjustable bracket for securing the display item. The hanging display device is preferably configured to minimize the amount the device covers the display item, and thus the amount it is noticed by the observer when the item is displayed. The base is preferably made of a clear plastic material to allow the observer to view the bottom of the display item.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0004] Turning to FIG. 1, display device embodiment 100 is shown comprising a support base 110 which is attached or integral with a back support 120. Slidably attached to the back support 120 is an adjustable bracket 115. The adjustable bracket 115 can be raised or lowered as necessary to contact the top of the display device, and hold the display item onto the display device 100. The adjustable bracket may include several different configurations to achieve this objective. As shown, the adjustable bracket 115 comprises a telescopic wire-like structure comprising a top extender portion 125 that is positioned on top of the display item (not shown). The back support 120 comprises bracket guides 130 and 134 that comprise punched portions of the back support 120. The adjustable bracket slides within the bracket guides 130 and 134, and the bracket guides 130 and 134 are configured such that they friction between the bracket guides 130 and 134 is created to hold the adjustable bracket 115 at a desired position. FIG. 1B shows a magnified view of a section of the back support 120 better illustrating the bracket guides 130. Bracket guides 130 comprise a flap of material that is open on the center side of the back support 120. To accommodate larger display items, the bracket 115 may be squeezed (see dashed lines) and pushed up past bracket guides 130. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bracket guides may open toward the lateral portion of the back support 120. Further, numerous open bracket guides may be disposed on the back support to allow for smaller, incremental adjustment of the bracket 115.

[0005] The term “wire-like structure” as used herein refers to a rod of pliable material which may be bent to form an extender portion for securing a display item. Preferably, the wire-like structure is continuous such that it comprises two ends and an elongated body, wherein the extender portion is fashioned out of the elongated body and wherein the two ends are slidable attached to the back support. The term pliable rod implies a circular cross-section, which is preferred, but rod is intended to encompass other cross-sectional shapes, including but not limited to a square, rectangular, star shape, and a cross shape.

[0006] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the display device 100 may be secured to a wall by adhesive strips, hook and loop strips, or similar means. Preferably the display device is secured to a wall by a hanging means, including, but not limited to, tacks, nails, screws etc. that are placed through one or more holes 135 defined on the back support 120 (see FIG. 2, back view). FIG. 2 shows the use of screws 136 to hang the display device 100. Also the bracket 115 comprises a wire-like structure that comprises a stop 150 on each end of the bracket 115. The stop 150 helps prevent the bracket 115 from pulling out of the back support 120 when the bracket 115 is extended. FIG. 4 shows a back view of display device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the bracket is extended to accommodate a larger display item. FIG. 5 shows the top of such device. FIG. 6 shows the bottom of such device.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the back support and adjustable bracket may be fashioned into multiple configurations. What is important is that the display device can support the display item, that the display device is securable to a wall, and that the bracket is adjustable to accommodate various differently sized items. Preferably, the display items are boxes encasing special collectibles, such as collectible dolls, figurines, model cars, planes or boats and other collectibles contained in a box.

[0008] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment that comprises a channel 340 into which the bracket 315 may slide in and out of The bracket 315 is held into place by friction between the inner walls of the channel 340 and the bracket 315. Preferably, the base 110 and back support 120 are sized to be smaller than the bottom and back portion, respectively, of the displayed item. This is to minimize obstruction of the decorative box.

[0009] The different parts of the display device 100 may be made of metal, plastic material, wood, or other suitable materials such as rubber, glass, ceramic, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that plastics include a broad range of known plastic polymers. The critical aspect being that the material used has a sufficient rigidity and sturdiness to support itself and the display item. It is also contemplated that different parts of the subject display device are constructed of different materials. For example, the base 110 may be made of a clear, transparent material, while the back support 120 is made of metal or wood. Use of a transparent material provides an enhanced level of interest as the observer will be allowed to see the bottom of the display item.

[0010] In addition, the bracket of the subject invention may take several different shapes and configurations. Preferably, the general bracket comprises an elongated portion that slidingly communicates with a back support. Extending outwardly and transversely from the elongated portion is a securing arm portion that functions to secure the display item down onto a base. More preferably, the securing arm portion extends at substantially a right angle out from the elongated portion so as to properly rest on top of the display item. Furthermore, a gripping material may be disposed on the securing arm portion to assist in securing the display item onto the display device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that several appropriate materials may be used for this function, including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, silicone, or cloth.

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a display device embodiment 700 comprising an alternative bracket 715 design. Embodiment 700 comprises a back support 720 that comprises a plurality of ridges 722. The bracket 715 comprises a series of rectangular apertures 723 that correspond to the ridges 722. The bracket may be set at a specific height by fastening the bracket 715 to the back support 720 so that the ridges 722 are pushed through the appropriate rectangular apertures 723. The back support also comprises one or more holes 735 to accommodate to screws 740 or other appropriate hanging means.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a display device embodiment 800 that comprises the ability to tilt. This embodiment would be especially desirous for items that are hung high, as the item may be titled downward to increase visibility. The display device 800 comprises an adjustable back bracket 810 that has an extendable bracket portion 812 and a bracket support portion 814. The display device 800 also comprises a base 815 to provide bottom support. The adjustable back bracket 810 and base 815 are integrated together such that they may tilt as a single unit. The adjustable back bracket 810 and base 815 are secured to a stationary back support 820 by a bolt (hidden) and nut 822. Not shown is a channel to which both the base 815 and adjustable back bracket 810 are attached and through which the bolt (also not shown) passes through. The adjustable back bracket 810 and base 815 may be adjusted by loosening and tightening the screw 822. Furthermore, the extendable bracket portion 812 comprises a support arm 813 that extends outwardly and transversely from the extendable bracket portion 812. Disposed on the end of the support arm 813 is a gripping material 816. A gripping material 817 is also disposed on the outer end of the base 815.

[0013] All patents, patent applications and publications discussed or cited herein are understood to be incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually set forth in its entirety.

[0014] Having generally described this invention, including the best mode thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention contemplates the embodiments of this invention as defined in the following claims, and equivalents thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope of this invention should be measured by the claims appended hereto, and not merely by the specific embodiments exemplified herein. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that more sophisticated technological advances will likely appear subsequent to the filing of this document with the Patent Office. To the extent that these later developed improvements embody the operative principles at the heart of the present disclosure, those improvements are likewise considered to come within the ambit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A hanging display device comprising:

a base for providing bottom support to item being displayed;

a back support integral with or attached to said base, wherein said back support comprises at least one aperture defined thereon to receive at least one connector for hanging said hanging display device; and

an adjustible bracket slidingly engaged to said back support, said adjustable bracket may be adjusted to fit several different sizes of display items.

2. The hanging display device of claim 1, wherein said hanging display device hangs on a wall, a furniture piece, or other vertically oriented structure.

3. The hanging display device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable bracket comprises a wire-like structure.

4. The hanging display device of claim 1, wherein said wire-like structure is comprised of metal wood, or plastic.

5. The hanging display device of claim 1, wherein said back support comprises at least one bracket guide attached to or integral with said back support, and wherein said adjustable bracket is positioned in said at least one bracket guide.

6. The hanging display device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable bracket comprises an elongated portion in sliding communication with said back support and a securing portion transversely extending out from said elongated portion.

7. The hanging display device of claim 6, wherein said securing portion comprises a gripping material disposed thereon to increase friction between the securing portion and the item for display.

8. The hanging display of claim 7, wherein said gripping material is comprised of rubber, plastic or cloth.