DISPLAY SYSTEM

Abstract

A display system for displaying items includes first and second side walls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another. At least one pair of slide mechanisms is disposed on the first and second side walls. At least one support tray is connected to the at least one pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement between a first position disposed between the first and second side walls and a second, extended position. A locking mechanism is secured to the first side wall that selectively locks a pivotally openable top wall of the at least one support tray in a closed position. Optionally, the locking mechanism can also selectively and simultaneously lock the at least one support tray in the first position

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/650,884 entitled “Display System” filed on Aug. 28, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/113,515 entitled “Display System” filed on Apr. 2, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,232, both applications expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to display systems and structures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an improved display system or structure for displaying items on a plurality of slidably mounted display cases or trays. In one embodiment, a display system for displaying items includes a locking mechanism for simultaneously locking several slidably disposed display cases for trays. It will be appreciated however that the present disclosure is also amendable to other like applications.

By way of background, merchants, particularly those at tradeshows, jewelry shows, coin collector shows, baseball and general sports memorabilia shows, flea markets and the like, are often required to provide their own display cases, structures, trays or the like for presenting their wares to potential customers. Merchants employ all varieties of display cases, structures, trays and the like in showing their goods. For example, many merchants use conventional display cases such as those manufactured by Arizona Case and Allstate Display Case. These types of display cases are substantially flat, rectangular boxes having a glass door as an upper side permitting viewing of the contents contained within the display case and being openable to provide access thereto.

One of the problems that is often common to all these merchants at these types of shows is the limited amount of table space provided for showing their goods. That is, a particular merchant is only given, or able to purchase, a specific amount of table space upon which to place his/her goods. Without more tabletop surface area, the merchant is limited in the amount of merchandise he/she can display and, therefore, sell. Accordingly, there is a need for a display system that enables more goods to be viewed on a limited amount of tabletop surface area.

There is a further need for a display system that offers functionality useful to a merchant including, for example, the ability to selectively lock all or select portions of the display system for securing the items displayed therein, a provision of an easily transportable display system that can be assembled and disassembled with ease, but is of rigid construction when in its assembled state, etc.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a transportable display system is provided for displaying items. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the transportable display system comprises first and second side walls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another. At least one pair of slide mechanisms is disposed on the first and second side walls. At least one support tray is connected to the at least one pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement between a first position disposed between the first and second side walls and a second, extended position. The at least one support tray comprises a base wall for supporting items for display, a front wall extending upwardly from the base wall, a rear wall extending upwardly from the base wall and spaced apart from the front wall, and a top wall movable between a closed position wherein the top wall closes a display area defined by the base wall, the front wall and the rear wall and an open position wherein the top wall permits access to the display area. A locking mechanism is secured to the first side wall that locks the top wall of the at least one support tray in the closed position when the locking mechanism is in a locked state and, when in an unlocked state, allows movement of the top wall of the at least one support tray from the closed position to the open position.

According to another aspect, a display structure is provided for displaying items. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the display structure comprises first and second side walls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another. The second side wall is capable of being readily disconnected and reconnected to the first side wall without the use of tools thereby enabling the display system to be readily assembled and disassembled for transport thereof. A first pair of slide mechanisms is disposed on the first and second side walls. A second pair of slide mechanisms is disposed on the first and second side walls. A first support tray is connected to the first pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement thereof. A second support tray is connected to the second pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement thereof. Each of the first and second support trays includes a base wall for supporting items for display, a front wall extending upwardly from the base wall, a rear wall extending upwardly from the base wall and spaced apart from the front wall, and a top wall movable between a closed position preventing access to a display area and an open position permitting access to the display area. Each of the first and second support trays is movable between a first position disposed between the first and second side walls and an extended position. The first and second support trays are disposed in stacked relation when both are in the first position. A locking mechanism is secured to the first side wall that locks the top wall of each of the first and second support trays in the closed position when the locking mechanism is in a locked state.

According to still another aspect, a display system is provided for displaying items. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the display system comprises first and second side walls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another. At least one pair of slide mechanisms is disposed on the first and second side walls. At least one support tray is connected to the at least one pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement between a first position disposed between the first and second side walls and a second, extended position. A locking mechanism is secured to the first side wall that selectively locks a pivotally openable top wall of the at least one support tray in a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display system for display items wherein the display system comprises a plurality of slidably disposed display cases or trays.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display system of FIG. 1 showing an uppermost display case or tray of the system being assembled.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the display system again showing assembly of the uppermost display case or tray.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wall for forming a base wall of one of the plurality of display trays or drawers of the display system of FIG. 1 shown in a partially folded position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base wall of FIG. 4 shown in an unfolded position.

FIG. 6A is a partial exploded perspective view of a transparent wall construction for use as the top wall in any one of the display cases or trays of the display system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of an alternate transparent top wall construction.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a display case or tray, such as one of the display cases or trays of the display system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of the display system of FIG. 1 showing a locking mechanism for simultaneously locking the display cases or trays in respective first positions and top walls thereof in respective closed positions.

FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view of an alternate locking mechanism for the display system of FIG. 1 for only locking top walls of the display cases or trays in respective closed positions.

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 8A shown in a locked state.

FIG. 10 is a partial plan view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 8A shown in an unlocked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a display system or frame structure generally indicated by reference numeral 10. As will be described in more detail below, the display system 10 can be collapsible and thus is a transportable display system for displaying items. In the illustrated embodiment, the display system includes first and second side walls 12,14 spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another. The first side wall 12 can be connected to the second side wall by one or more end walls extending therebetween, such as illustrated, flat-lying end wall 16 and flat-lying end wall 18 (FIG. 8A). Alternatively, a different number of end walls can be used for securing the first and second side walls 12,14 together or a single end wall could be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the walls 12-18 cooperate to form the display system 10 as a rectangular box-shaped structure.

As will be described in more detail below, the display system 10 can further include at least one pair of slide mechanisms disposed on the first and second side walls 12,14 and can further include at least one support tray connected to the at least one pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement between a first position disposed between the first and second side walls 12,14 and a second, extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, the display system 10 includes four support trays 20, 22, 24, 26 connected to an equal number of pairs slide mechanisms.

The support trays 20-26 can be similarly constructed and therefore only the uppermost support tray 20 will be described in further detail herein. The support tray 20, which again can be constructed like the trays 22-26, includes a base wall 28 for supporting items for display. With additional reference to FIG. 2, the tray 20 additionally includes a front wall or wall member 30 extending upwardly from the base wall 28 and a rear wall or rear member 32 also extending upwardly from the base wall and spaced apart from the front wall. As illustrated, the tray 20 can additionally include a top wall or top wall assembly 34 movable between a closed position (the position shown in FIG. 1) wherein the top wall closes a display area 36 defined by the base wall 28, the front wall 30 and the rear wall 32 and an open position (the position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1) wherein the top wall permits access to the display area 36.

As will also be described in additional detail below, a locking mechanism or assembly 40 can be secured to the first side wall 12, and particularly to an extension wall or portion 130 of the first sidewall, for locking the top walls of the support trays 20-26 (e.g., top wall 34 of support tray 20) in their respective closed positions when the locking mechanism 40 is in a locked state and, when in an unlocked state, allows movement of respective top walls of the support trays 20-26 from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions. In one embodiment, as will be described in more detail below, the locking mechanism 40 can simultaneously lock the support trays 20-26 in their respective first positions and their respective top walls in respective closed positions when the locking mechanism is in its locked state and, when in its unlocked state, allows movement of each of the support trays 20-26 from their respective first positions to their respective second, extended positions and allows movement of their respective top walls from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.

As will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art, each of the support trays 20-26 is slidably disposed by a corresponding pair of slide mechanisms. Accordingly, a first pair of slide mechanisms (only right side 42 of the first slide mechanism shown in FIG. 1) slidably carries the first or uppermost support tray 20. A second pair of slide mechanisms (only right side 44 of the second pair of slide mechanisms shown in FIG. 1) slidably carries the next or second support tray 22. A third pair of slide mechanisms (only right side 46 of the third pair of slide mechanisms shown in FIG. 1) slidably carries the third support tray 24 and a fourth pair of slide mechanisms (only right side 48 of the fourth pair of slide mechanisms shown in FIG. 1) slidably carries the fourth support tray 26. As will be described in more detail below, each of the support trays 20-26 is connected to its corresponding pair of slide mechanisms for slidable movement between respective first positions (the positions shown in FIG. 1) and respective second, extended positions (e.g., shown in FIG. 10). As illustrated, the pairs of slide mechanisms and thus the support trays 20-26 are disposed in stack relation to one another.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the support trays 20-26 can be a collapsible support or display tray wherein each of the base wall, the front wall, the rear wall and the top wall is removable from the display tray's corresponding pair of the slide mechanisms. Additionally, each of the display trays 20-26 can include side wall members formed integrally with the display tray's corresponding pair of slide mechanisms. More particularly, and for example, the support tray 20 includes first and second side wall members 50,52 (as best shown in FIG. 2). The front and rear wall members 30,32 are removable from the side wall members 50,52 which are formed integrally with the first pair of slide mechanisms corresponding to the first support tray 20. The base wall 28 and top wall assembly 34 of the support tray 20 are likewise removable from the side wall members 50,52 and the corresponding pair of slide mechanisms.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the base wall 28 of the support tray 20 is illustrated. The base wall 28, which is removable from the side wall members 50,52 and the pair of slide mechanisms that correspond to the first support tray 20. As illustrated, the base wall 28 can be formed of a plurality of sections 28a, 28b, 28c that are foldable about one another for compacting the base wall for transport thereof. In FIG. 4, the base wall 28 is shown in a semi-folded state and in FIG. 5 the base wall 28 is shown in an expanded or unfolded state wherein the base wall could be received and form a portion of the collapsible display tray 20.

For moving between its open position and its closed position, the top wall 34 is pivotally secured to the side walls or side wall members 50,52 adjacent the front wall 30. Alternatively, though not shown, the top wall 34 could be pivotally secured to the front wall 30. As shown, the top wall 34 can include a transparent section or member 58 for permitting viewing into the display area 36 of the support tray 20. More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 6A, the top wall or wall assembly 34 can be constructed so as to be collapsible. For example, the transparent member 58 can be received between a rear channel section 60 and a front channel section 62. The front channel section 62 can house or rotatably secure a pivot rod 64. As illustrated, the rod 64 can be slightly longer than the front channel member 62 such that ends of the rod 64 protrude from ends of the front channel member 62 for receipt in pivot apertures 66 defined in the side wall members 50,52. In this manner, the top wall assembly 34 can be pivotally secured to its display case 20 for movement between its open position and its closed position. Moreover, the transparent section 58 allows viewing into the display area 36 even when the top wall assembly 34 is in its closed position.

With further reference to FIG. 7, the side wall members 50,52 can each include a support bracket or member 68 spaced apart from the pivot apertures 66 for supporting the top wall 34 in its closed position (i.e., the brackets 68 prevent the top wall 34 from closing into the display area 36 and into the base wall 28). Each of the brackets 68 can be, for example, a simple L-shaped bracket secured to one of the side wall members 50,52 by any suitable connection, such as the illustrated rivets 70. It is to be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the top wall assembly can be formed of many alternative constructions other than those illustrated herein. For example, the top wall assembly could have a single transparent member framed on four sides with pivot protrusions extending from appropriate locations on the framing.

As also best shown in FIG. 7, the front wall 30 is formed by an L-shaped front wall member and likewise the rear wall 32 is formed by an L-shaped rear wall member. Each of the side wall members 50,52, the rear wall member 32 and the front wall member 30 include an upstanding wall portion and a base portion. For example, front wall member 30 includes upstanding wall portion 30a and base portion 30b and rear wall member 32 includes upstanding wall portion 32a and base portion 32b. The side wall members 50,52 each include respective upstanding wall portions 50a,52a and respective base portions 50b,52b. The side wall members 50,52 each further include end wall portions, including opposed end wall portions 50c,50d on side wall 50 and end wall portions 52c,52d on side wall member 52. The end portions of the side walls 50,52 are oriented orthogonally relative to each of the base portions and upstanding wall portions of the side walls 50,52. The base portions of the front and rear wall members 30,32 overlay the base portions of the side wall members 50,52. For example, base portion 30b of front wall member 30 overlies base portion 50b of side wall 50 and base portion 32b of the rear wall member 32 overlays the same base portion 50b of the side wall 50. The upstanding wall portions 30a,32a can overlay the end wall portions of the side wall members 50,52. For example, the upstanding wall portions 30a,32a of the front and rear walls 30,32 overlay the end wall portions 50c,50d of the side wall member 50. As shown, the rear wall of each support tray 20-26 can be specifically formed by the upstanding wall portion 32a and the side wall end wall portions 50d,52d.

In the illustrated embodiment, the end wall portions 50c,50d and 52c,52d include raised structures 72 that are received through corresponding apertures 74 defined in the upstanding wall portions 30a,32a of the front and rear wall members 30,32 to provide rigidity to the support tray 20 when assembled. Although not illustrated, the raised structures 72 could additionally or alternatively be disposed on the base portions 50b,52b of the side wall members 50,52 and be received in apertures defined in the base portions 30b,32b of the front and rear wall members 30,32. The raised structure 72 can be formed through any known means and can be for example pop rivets, deformed portions, etc.

With reference to FIG. 6B, a top wall assembly 80 is shown according to an alternate embodiment and could be substituted for the top wall assembly 34 of FIG. 6A. The top wall assembly 80 includes a plurality of transparent sections, such as illustrated first section 82 and second section 84. The alternative top wall assembly 80 further includes a pivot rod 86 extending along front edges 82a,84a of the plurality of transparent sections 82,84 for pivotally securing the top wall assembly 80 as will be described in more detail below. Each of the plurality of transparent sections can be secured to the pivot rod 86 by respective elongated clips. For example, as shown, a first elongated clip 88 can secure the first section 82 of the plurality of transparent sections to the pivot rod 86 and a second elongated clip 90 can secure the second section 84 of the plurality of transparent sections to the pivot rod 86.

As shown, each of the clips 88,90 can have a base section and two spaced apart flared sections extending therefrom. For example, the first elongated clip 88 has a base section 88a and flared extending sections 88b,88c which extend from the base section. The pivot rod 86 is captured between the sections 88a-c and the rear edge 82a . A radially enlarged portion 92 of the pivot rod 86 can be disposed axially between the first and second sections 82,84 for limiting axial movement of the pivot rod 86 relative to the sections 88,90. In the illustrated example, the radially enlarged portion 92 can be a snaping received in a circumferential groove defined in the pivot rod 86. Like the top wall assembly shown in FIG. 6A, ends 86a,86b of the pivot rod 86 can be received within respective apertures defined in side wall members to which the top wall assembly 80 is pivotally secured, such as illustrated side wall members 94,96. The side wall members 94,96 can be the same or similar to the side wall members 50,52 already described herein except as noted hereinbelow.

A second pivot rod 98 can extend along front edges 82b,84b of the transparent sections 82,84 for further securing the sections to one another. Clips 100,102 similar to clips 88,90 can be used to secure the sections 82,84 to the pivot rod 98. Ends 98a,98b of the pivot rod 98 can extend beyond edges of the transparent sections 82,84 but are received in slots or grooves 104,106 defined in the upper edges of the side wall members 94,96. Unlike the apertures 66, the slots or grooves 104,106 receive ends 98a,98b of the pivot rod 98 to prevent the rear portion of the top wall assembly 80 from collapsing into the display tray in which the top wall assembly 80 is disposed and allow removal of the pivot rod 98 therefrom when the top wall assembly 80 is pivoted about pivot rod 86.

As will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the collapsible support trays 20-26 and the end walls 16,18 can be formed of any desired length. More particularly, it is contemplated that a vender using the system 10 may choose to have display tray components and end walls that allow the system 10 to be set-up in varying lengths depending on the vendor's particular needs for a particular set-up. For example, the vendor may construct the system to be three feet in length in one setup, four feet in length in another setup, and some other length in still another setup. Only the display trays 20-26, particularly the front, rear, bottom and top wall members, and the end walls 16,18 need to be substituted to vary the size of the system 10.

With reference to FIG. 8A, the locking mechanism 40 is shown according to one exemplary embodiment. The locking mechanism 40 includes at least a first obstructing portion 110 that, when the locking mechanism 40 is in a locked state, engages the top wall of the at least one support tray to prevent movement of the top wall from its closed position to its open position thereby locking the top wall in its closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 40 includes a first obstructing portion 110 that engages the top walls 34 of each of the support trays 20-26 to prevent movement of the respective top walls 34 from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions thereby locking the top walls 34 in their closed positions.

The illustrated locking mechanism 40 further includes a second obstructing portion that, when the locking mechanism 40 is in the locked state, engages the rear wall of the at least one support tray to prevent movement of the at least one support tray from its first position to its second, extended position thereby locking the at least one support tray in the first position. Thus, in the illustrated display system 10, the locking mechanism 40 includes a second obstructing portion 112 associated with each display tray 20-26 which engages the rear wall of the support trays 20-26 to prevent movement of the support trays from their first positions to their second, extended positions thereby locking the support trays 20-26 in their first positions. Specifically, the second obstructing portion 112 engages end wall portion 50d of each support tray 20-26 which forms the rear wall in conjunction with the upstanding portion 32a of the rear wall member 32 in the illustrated embodiment.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first obstructing portions 110 extend along and adjacent the respective top walls 34 of the support trays 20-26 when the locking mechanism is in its locked state (the state or position shown in FIG. 8A) so as to obstruct and prevent the top walls 34 from moving to their open positions from their closed positions by blocking movement of the top walls 34. The second obstructing portions 112 extend along and adjacent the rear walls 32 of the support trays 20-26 when the locking mechanism 40 is in its locked state so as to obstruct and prevent the support trays 20-26 from moving to their second, extended positions from their first positions by blocking movement of the rear walls 32.

In one arrangement, the first and second obstructing portions 110,112 can be pivotally connected to the first side wall 12 (particularly extension wall portion 130) and movable between the locked position (the position shown in FIGS. 8A and 9) wherein the locking mechanism 40 is in the locked state and an unlocked position (the position shown in phantom in FIG. 8A and shown in FIG. 10) wherein the locking mechanism 40 is in an unlocked state. The first and second obstructing portions are removed from a path of travel of both the rear walls 32 of the display trays 20-26 when the support trays 20-26 are moved from their first positions toward their second, extended positions and from a path of travel of the top walls 34 when the top walls 34 are moved from their closed positions toward their open positions when the locking mechanism 40 is in its unlocked state.

The locking mechanism 40 can further include a base portion 114 to which all the first and second obstructing portions 110,112 are connected. The base portion 114 is pivotally connected to the first side wall 12 (particularly extension wall portion 130). More particularly, an extending portion 116 connects each set of first and second obstructing portions 110,112 associated with each display case 20-26 to the pivotally secured base portion 114. In the illustrated arrangement, the base portion 114 is simply a vertically disposed bar or rod member that is pivotally secured via a plurality of clamps 118. A lock 120 can be provided to selectively lock the first and second obstructing portions 110,112, and more particularly the locking mechanism 40, in the locked position by engaging the base portion 114 and preventing pivotal movement thereof. More particularly, the base portion 114 can include a locking tab 122 that is engaged by the lock 120 when the lock 120 selectively locks the first and second obstructing portions 110,112, and more particularly the locking mechanism 40, in the locked position. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 120 can be a conventional cylinder lock operated by a key that includes a lock tab connected to the rotating cylinder portion of the lock for selective cooperating engagement with the locking tab 122. Of course, other types of locks can be employed for locking the locking device 40 in its locked position and all other known types of locking devices are to be considered as applicable and useful in the display system 10.

The display system 10 can further include an anti-tipping device that prevents separation of the system 10 from an associated support surface when one or more of the display trays 20-26 is moved to or toward the second, extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-tipping device can be at least one support wall or wall portion, such as support wall portion 130 or support wall portion 132 extending from main portions of first and second side walls 12,14 along support surface 134 upon which the display system 10 is resting. In the illustrated embodiment, the support walls 130,132 both serve as an anti-tipping device or devices that prevent separation of the display system 10 from the associated support surface 134, including when one or more of the support trays 20-26 are moved to or toward their respective second extending positions.

The support walls 130,132 can be considered merely an extension of their respective side walls 12,14. Thus, support wall 130 can be considered simply an extension or portion of side wall 12 and thus a part of the side wall 12. Alternatively, as illustrated, the support walls 130,132 can be removably connected to their respective side walls 12,14. For example, support wall 130 can be removably connected to its associated side wall 12. To facilitate the removable connection between the support wall and the side wall, clips or fastener sets 136 can be provided. The clip or fastener sets 136 can be similar to the fastener sets described in the application to which the subject application claims priority, namely U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0036384 which was assigned application Ser. No. 10/650,884.

With reference to FIG. 8B, a locking mechanism 150 is shown according to an alternate embodiment. The locking mechanism 150 is similar to the locking mechanism 40 but does not include second obstructing portions, such as second obstructing portions 112 of the locking mechanism 40. Thus, the locking mechanism 150 functions only to limit opening of the top walls of the display cases when the locking mechanism 150 is in a locked state. In all other respects, the locking mechanism 150 is the same or similar to the locking mechanism 40 and like reference numerals are used to represent like elements. Replacing the first and second obstructing portions 110,112 and the extension portion 116 is a single obstructing portion 152 associated with each of the display trays. The single obstructing portions 152 can extend directly from the pivotally mounted base portion 114 in the same manner as described in reference to the locking mechanism 40. In all other respects, the locking mechanism 150 functions like the locking mechanism 40.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A transportable display system for displaying items, comprising:

first and second sidewalls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another;

at least one pair of slide mechanisms disposed on said first and second sidewalls;

at least one support tray connected to said at least one pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement between a first position disposed between said first and second sidewalls and a second, extended position, said at least one support tray comprising: a base wall for supporting items for display, a front wall extending upwardly from said base wall, a rear wall extending upwardly from said base wall and spaced apart from said front wall, and a top wall movable between a closed position wherein said top wall closes a display area defined by said base wall, said front wall and said rear wall and an open position wherein said top wall permits access to said display area; and

a locking mechanism secured to said first sidewall that locks said top wall of said at least one support tray in said closed position when said locking mechanism is in a locked state and, when in an unlocked state, allows movement of said top wall of said at least one support tray from said closed position to said open position.

2. The transportable display system of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism simultaneously locks said at least one support tray in said first position and said top wall of said at least one support tray in said closed position when said locking mechanism is in said locked state and, when in said unlocked state, allows movement of said at least one support tray from said first position to said second, extended position and movement of said top wall of said at least one support tray from said closed position to said open position.

3. The transportable display system of claim 2 wherein said at least one pair of slide mechanisms includes a first pair of slide mechanisms and a second pair of slide mechanisms disposed in stacked relation to one another, said at least one support tray includes a first support tray connected to said first pair of slide mechanisms and a second support tray connected to said second pair of slide mechanisms.

4. The transportable display system of claim 3 wherein said at least one pair of slide mechanisms further includes a third pair of slide mechanisms disposed in stacked relation with said first and second pair of slide mechanisms, said at least one support tray further includes a third support tray connected to said third pair of slide mechanisms.

5. The transportable display system of claim 1 wherein each of said at least one support tray is a collapsible display tray wherein each of said base wall, said front wall, said rear wall, and said top wall is separately removable from said at least one pair of slide mechanisms.

6. The transportable display system of claim 5 wherein said at least one support tray includes sidewall members formed integrally with said at least one pair of slide mechanisms.

7. The transportable display case of claim 6 wherein said top wall is pivotally secured to said sidewalls adjacent said rear wall for movement between said open position and said closed position, said top wall including a transparent section for viewing into said display area.

8. The transportable display system of claim 6 wherein said front wall is formed by a front wall member and said rear wall is formed by a rear wall member, each of said sidewall members, said rear wall member and said front wall member includes an upstanding wall portion and a base portion, said base portions of said front and rear wall members overlaying said base portions of said sidewall members.

9. The transportable display system of claim 8 wherein said sidewall members each further include end wall portions disposed adjacent ends of said sidewall members and oriented orthogonally relative to each of said base portions and said upstanding wall portions, said upstanding wall portions of said front and rear wall members overlaying said end wall portions of said sidewall members.

10. The transportable display system of claim 9 wherein said end wall portions of said sidewall members include raised structures that are received through corresponding apertures defined in said upstanding wall portions of said front and rear wall members to provide rigidity to said at least one support tray when assembled.

11. The transportable display system of claim 1 wherein said base wall is formed of a plurality of sections foldable about one another for compacting said base wall for transport.

12. The transportable display case of claim 1 wherein said at least one support tray further includes sidewalls extending upwardly from said base wall and between said front and rear walls, said top wall pivotally secured to one of said sidewalls adjacent said rear wall or to said rear wall, said top wall including a transparent section for viewing into said display area when said top wall is in said closed position.

13. The transportable display case of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes a first obstructing portion that, when said locking mechanism is in said locked state, engages said top wall of said at least one support tray to prevent movement of said top wall from said closed position to said open position thereby locking said top wall in said closed position.

14. The transportable display case of claim 13 wherein said locking mechanism further includes a second obstructing portion that, when said locking mechanism is in said locked state, engages said rear wall of said at least one support tray to prevent movement of said at least one support tray from said first position to said second, extended position thereby locking said at least one support tray in said first position.

15. The transportable display case of claim 14 wherein said second obstructing portion extends along and adjacent said rear wall when said locking mechanism is in said locked state so as to obstruct and prevent said at least one support tray from moving to said second, extended position from said first position by blocking movement of said rear wall.

16. The transportable display case of claim 14 wherein said first obstructing portion extends along and adjacent said top wall when said locking mechanism is in said locked state so as to obstruct and prevent said top wall from moving to said open position from said closed position by blocking movement of said top wall.

17. The transportable display case of claim 14 wherein said first and second obstructing portions are pivotally connected to said first sidewall and movable between a locked position wherein said locking mechanism is in said locked state and an unlocked position wherein said locking mechanism is in said unlocked state, said first and second obstructing portions removed from a path of travel of both said rear wall when said at least one support tray is moved from said first position toward said second, extended position and said top wall when said top wall is moved from said closed position toward said open position.

18. The transportable display case of claim 17 wherein said locking mechanism further includes:

a base portion to which said first and second obstructing portions are connected, said base portion being pivotally connected to said first sidewall; and

a lock that selectively locks said first and second obstructing portions in said locked position by engaging said base portion and preventing pivotal movement thereof.

19. The transportable display case of claim 18 wherein said base portion includes a locking tab that is engaged by said lock when said lock selectively locks said first and second obstructing portions in said locked position.

20. The transportable display case of claim 13 wherein said first obstructing portion extends along and adjacent said top wall when said locking mechanism is in said locked state so as to obstruct and prevent said top wall from moving to said open position from said closed position by blocking movement of said top wall.

21. The transportable display case of claim 1 wherein said top wall includes:

a plurality of transparent sections;

a pivot rod extending along rear edges of said plurality of transparent sections for pivotally securing said top wall;

a first elongated clip securing a first section of said plurality of transparent sections to said pivot rod; and

a second elongated clip securing a second section of said plurality of transparent sections to said pivot rod.

22. The transportable display case of claim 1 further including an anti-tipping device that prevents separation from an associated support surface when said at least one support tray is moved to or toward said second extended position, said the anti-tipping device being at least one support wall portion of said sidewall extending from a main portion of one of said first and second sidewalls along said support surface.

23. A display structure for displaying items, comprising:

first and second sidewalls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another, said second sidewall capable of being readily disconnected and reconnected to said first sidewall without the use of tools thereby enabling the display system to be readily assembled and disassembled for transport thereof;

a first pair of slide mechanisms disposed on said first and second sidewalls;

a second pair of slide mechanism disposed on said first and second sidewalls;

a first support tray connected to said first pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement thereof;

a second support tray connected to said second pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement thereof;

wherein each of said first and second support trays including a base wall for supporting items for display, a front wall extending upwardly from said base wall, a rear wall extending upwardly from said base wall and spaced apart from said front wall, and a top wall movable between a closed position preventing access to a display area and an open position permitting access to said display area;

wherein each of said first and second support trays is movable between a first position disposed between said first and second sidewalls and an extended position, said first and second support trays disposed in stacked relation when both are in said first position; and

a locking mechanism secured to said first sidewall that locks said top wall of each of said first and second support trays in said closed position when said locking mechanism is in a locked state.

24. The display structure of claim 20 wherein the locking mechanism further locks said first and second support trays in said first position when said locking mechanism is in said locked state.

25. The display structure of claim 24 wherein a lower one of said first and second support trays is only accessible when the other of said first and second support trays is in said extended position and said top wall of said lower one of said first and second support trays is movable to said open position only when said other of said first and second support trays is in said extended position and said locking mechanism is in an unlocked state.

26. A display system for displaying items, comprising:

first and second sidewalls spaced apart from one another and releasably connected to one another;

at least one pair of slide mechanisms disposed on said first and second sidewalls;

at least one support tray connected to said at least one pair of slide mechanisms for sliding movement between a first position disposed between said first and second sidewalls and a second, extended position; and

a locking mechanism secured to said first sidewall that selectively locks a pivotally openable top wall of said at least one support tray in a closed position.

27. The display system of claim 26 wherein said locking mechanism also selectively and simultaneously locks said at least one support tray in said first position.

28. The display system of claim 27 wherein said at least one support tray is a box-shaped display case and said pivotally openable top wall includes a transparent portion for viewing into said display case when said top wall is in said closed position, said display case being collapsible and integrally formed with said at least one pair of slide mechanisms.