Action diorama configurable display
A device and a method for displaying miniature figures and scenes in three dimensions includes either uniformly or non-uniformly spaced openings or receptacles for receiving characters and environmental details. The device further includes edge members adapted to allow other stand-type devices to be aligned and mated therewith so as to optionally be in flush relationship therewith, and thereby provide for an unlimited number of display stand devices to be attached. The present invention further allows different scenery skins to be added atop of one or more frame modules to provide quickly changeable layers of scenery.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/710,915 filed Aug. 12, 2004, currently pending, entitled “Action Stand—a.k.a.—Action Dioramas”, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to the exhibition of miniature figures and scenes, and more particularly to versatile diorama displays.
2. Description of Related Art
Prior displays, display stands and diorama kits are described, for example, in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,870 to Westersund; U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,115 to Rush; U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,685 to Kotani et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,278 to Dixon et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,515 to Walsh; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,677 to Simpson, II et al. None of the displays, display stands and diorama kits shown in these patents, or heretofore known, provides a configurable display including a stand for displaying miniature figures and scenes in three dimensions, where the stand includes either uniformly or non-uniformly spaced openings or receptacles for receiving characters and environmental details, and where the stand further includes edge members adapted to allow other stands to be aligned and mated therewith so as to be in flush relationship therewith, and thereby provide a seamless connection which allows for an unlimited number of display stands to be attached, as well as different scenery skins to be added.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBy the present invention, there is provided an improved diorama configurable display device and a method for displaying miniature figures and scenes in three dimensions, where the device includes either uniformly or non-uniformly spaced openings or receptacles for receiving characters and environmental details, and where the device further includes edge members adapted to allow other stand-type devices to be aligned and mated therewith so as to optionally be in flush relationship therewith, and thereby provide for an unlimited number of display stand devices to be attached. The present invention further allows different scenery skins to be added atop of one or more frame modules to provide quickly changeable layers of scenery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention provides in part a configurable stand having a frame module that can act as a standalone display or by combining, interconnecting, coupling, and/or joining the “Action Diorama” frame modules together provide a scalable static display for the exhibition of miniature figures from 1/18 to ⅙ scale, for example. By augmenting the Action Diorama with scenic items, it is transformed into a highly realistic display configured by the user to meet their taste. In one embodiment, the frame module is a rectangular frame module adapted to receive other frame modules as well as one or more skin members to provide realistic scenic surroundings.
Each configurable stand can be connected to another configurable stand to enlarge the display area. The more configurable stands connected together, the larger the diorama. The individual configurable stand's dimensions are suitable for an individual stand to sit safely and comfortable on any bookshelf or small table, for example.
The frame module is an integral part of the configurable stand. In one embodiment, it comprises a single piece of form-injected polypropylene that can mimic various outdoor/wilderness/urban/battle environments. As shown in
As further shown in
The frame module can connect or tie together with other frame modules to make a scalable platform. In one embodiment, the frame modules are connected together through the use of interlocking lips. As shown in
The configuration holes are postured throughout the top of the configurable stand so that scenic items can be added as desired. Rocks or shrubs, having a short attaching peg or pin extension, for example, can provide concealment of the configuration holes not used and add detail to the configurable stand. Merely removing the rocks and/or shrubbery and then placing the desired accessory item in its place brings the display to life.
Care must be taken to connect the individual configurable stands together before placing diorama accessories or ⅙th-scale action figures on top of the diorama. This ensures that diorama object are not tossed and broken or during assembly. Likewise, diorama pieces and action figures must be removed before disconnecting the individual configurable stands from one-another. Procedures used to assemble the frame together are revised disconnect or disassemble the configurable stands. The configurable stands can be of sufficient detail to support various scenic arrangements desired by the user. The configurable stands can also be placed on a flat rigid surface for support such as a table, floor, or bookshelf
As shown in
It will be appreciated that skin member 36 can be provided in a size which meets the width and length requirements of one or more frame modules, either singly or when secured together. In another embodiment, the present invention can provide skin members which are larger than the top surface area of one or more frame modules, thereby allowing the user to trim and/or otherwise customize what elements of the pre-fabricated skin member are to be visible when secured to the frame module(s).
The configurable display of the present invention can further comprise several different scenic surroundings including woodland, winter/arctic, desert, jungle, urban or any other imaginable environments. In this way, the collector can easily determine the size and environment of the diorama, and can easily configure the landscape by adding trees, shrubs, undergrowth, rocks, buildings, building fronts, streets, etc. to fit his/her needs without having extensive knowledge in modeling and diorama building. Depending on the added element, either a skin member or a display item is provided. For example, a cobblestone street can be provided as part of a skin member, whereas a shrub can be provided as an individual display item inserted into one of the openings in a given frame module. In one embodiment of the invention, a backdrop or wall member can be inserted into multiple openings in a row along the frame module. Thus, for example, an entire European-type street scene can be developed which includes a cobblestone street skin member lain overtop of one or more frame modules, wherein the skin member has appropriate peg members underneath to fit into configuration openings in the frame module(s) for secure retention, and a wall backdrop of restaurant and merchant images further secured into the openings of the skin member and underlying frame member(s). Further display items can add further life to such an exemplary scene, including, for example, action figures, military features and other elements.
The configurable display of the present invention can, for example, be provided with a basic coloring consistent with the theme of the diorama (e.g., woodland, winter/arctic, desert, jungle, urban and other environments). Some undergrowth and plants can already be embedded in the top surface 14. To embellish the diorama, various scenic items such as vegetation and trees can be added either as part of the top surface, or as part of one or more skin member overlays that can, in one embodiment, be packaged with the stand.
The configurable stand of the present invention can support all ⅙th scale diorama accessories such as sandbags, boxes, wooded creates, barbwire, oil-drums, tents, sleeping bags, gas cans, buildings, etc. currently on the market. The configurable stands of the present invention can exhibit ⅙th scale action figures such as G.I. Joe™, Dragon Model Limited™ figures and Blue Box International™ figures. The configurable stands can be used individually or connected together to form a larger diorama. They can also be configured to meet the needs of the collector. The ability of the configurable stands to be broken down into smaller components allows for easy storage, transporting, or display. The configurable stands of the present invention are designed to be used with and support all ⅙th-scale figures and diorama accessories currently in the marketplace.
Claims
1. A diorama display device, comprising:
- a first frame module, having a plurality of side walls and a top surface which form an interior area, said top surface having a plurality of substantially frusto-conical wall members extending from said top surface into said interior area so as to form respective openings corresponding to each of said wall members, at least one of said side walls including one or more lip members;
- a second frame module, having a plurality of side walls and a top surface which form an interior area, said top surface having a plurality of substantially frusto-conical wall members extending from said top surface into said interior area so as to form respective openings corresponding to each of said wall members, and at least one of said side walls including a lip member-receiving portion, said second frame module being secured to said first frame module by said lip member-receiving portion of said second frame module receiving said lip member of said first frame module; and
- a skin member securable to at least one of said frame modules.
2. The device of claim 1 further including at least one display element in the form of an action figure or scenery item secured within at least one of said wall members of said first or second frame module.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said skin member is securable to at least one of said frame modules by one or more peg members insertable into one of said top member openings.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said one or more peg members is hollow.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said skin member is provided with at least one display element secured thereto.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein said skin member is formed so as to have one or more openings extending therethrough, and wherein said one or more openings is aligned with one or more openings in said top surface of at least one of said frame modules.
7. A method of providing a diorama display device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first frame module, having a plurality of side walls and a top surface which form an interior area, said top surface having a plurality of substantially frusto-conical wall members extending from said top surface into said interior area so as to form respective openings corresponding to each of said wall members, at least one of said side walls including one or more lip members;
- providing a second frame module, having a plurality of side walls and a top surface which form an interior area, said top surface having a plurality of substantially frusto-conical wall members extending from said top surface into said interior area so as to form respective openings corresponding to each of said wall members, and at least one of said side walls including a lip member-receiving portion, said second frame module being secured to said first frame module by said lip member-receiving portion of said second frame module receiving said lip member of said first frame module; and
- providing a skin member securable to at least one of said frame modules.
8. The method of claim 7 including the step of providing at least one display element in the form of an action figure or scenery item secured within at least one of said wall members of said first or second frame module.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said skin member is securable to at least one of said frame modules by one or more peg members insertable into one of said top member openings.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said one or more peg members is hollow.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein said skin member is provided with at least one display element secured thereto.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein said skin member is formed so as to have one or more openings extending therethrough, and wherein said one or more openings is aligned with one or more openings in said top surface of at least one of said frame modules.
13. A frame module for use with a diorama display device, comprising:
- a plurality of side walls and a top surface which form an interior area, said top surface having a plurality of substantially frusto-conical wall members extending from said top surface into said interior area so as to form respective openings corresponding to each of said wall members, at least one of said side walls including one or more lip members, and at least one of said side walls including a lip member-receiving portion.
14. The frame module of claim 13 wherein said side walls each extend in a plane which is not perpendicular to said top surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 20, 2006
Inventor: Tederyl Stallworth (Potomac Falls, VA)
Application Number: 11/205,443
International Classification: A63J 19/00 (20060101);