DISPLAY BOARD SYSTEM

Abstract

A display board system includes a board substrate including a board face. Pockets are integrated into the board face. The pockets include a pocket wall defining an opening of a first magnitude. A peg includes a first section and a second section. A first end of the peg is positioned on a distal end of the first section. The first section of the peg includes a first outer wall with a second magnitude. The second magnitude is less than the first magnitude. The pocket is configured to receive the first end of the peg. The second section of the peg includes a second outer wall with a third magnitude. The third magnitude is greater than first magnitude of the opening. The second section of the peg includes a second end of the peg, configured to couple into a hole of an object to be displayed on the board face.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Design application having Ser. No. 29/793,479 filed Nov. 16, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to display devices, and more particularly, to a display board system.

BACKGROUND

In the novelty and collectibles industry, action figures and other toy objects are generally displayed as freestanding items. A tabletop or floor surface is commonly used to set the objects on when interacting with the objects. Sometimes, collection holders like to engage in positioning the action figures and other objects into scenes by standing multiple action figures and other objects near each other. For more permanent display scenes, the action figures and scene objects may be glued to the support surface. Otherwise, the action figures and other objects constantly fall over if the display is moved.

Conventional figurine display systems, while aesthetically satisfactory, can also be limited. Generally speaking, the display areas are static or fixed in the footprint for display. Once the items in a scene are set, there is very limited movement or changing of the scene arrangement or the scene size.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a display board system is provided. The display board system includes a board substrate including a board face. A plurality of pockets are integrated into the board face. The pockets include a pocket wall defining an opening of a first magnitude. A peg includes a first section and a second section. A first end of the peg is positioned on a distal end of the first section. The first section of the peg includes a first outer wall with a second magnitude. The second magnitude is less than the first magnitude. The pocket is configured to receive the first end of the peg. The second section of the peg includes a second outer wall with a third magnitude. The third magnitude is greater than first magnitude of the opening. The second section of the peg includes a second end of the peg, configured to couple into a hole of an object to be displayed on the board face.

In another aspect, a display board system is provided. The display board system includes a board substrate including a board face. Pockets are integrated into the board face. The pockets include a pocket wall defining an opening of a first magnitude. The pockets are positioned in a grid on the board face. A peg includes a first section and a second section. A first end of the peg positioned on a distal end of the first section. The first section of the peg includes a first outer wall with a second magnitude. The second magnitude is less than the first magnitude. The pocket is configured to receive the first end of the peg. The first outer wall of the first section of the peg is indexed to the pocket wall. The first end of the peg is configured to press fit into the opening of the pockets. The second section of the peg includes a second outer wall with a third magnitude. The third magnitude is greater than first magnitude of the opening. The second section of the peg includes a second end of the peg, configured to couple into a hole of a figurine or scene accessory, to be displayed on the board face. A stop surface is located at an intersection of the first section of the peg and the second section of the peg. A first tongue and a first groove on a side wall of the board substrate is configured to mate with a second tongue and a second groove of another board substrate.

It is understood that other configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a display board in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the display board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the display board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the display board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the display board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the display board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the display board of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a display board in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a display board in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a peg used in a system with the display boards of disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the peg of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section, partial, internal top view of a panel section of the display board of FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.

In general, and referring to the Figures, embodiments provide a display board 100 and system that include structure for adaptable placement of action figures, figurines, collectibles, and assorted scenery objects (not shown) (sometimes referred to herein collectively as “display objects”). The display objects may include a hole for receiving a peg 170 (See FIGS. 10-12) or have a pre-affixed peg that fits into openings positioned around the display board 100. The display board 100 and system allow for the display objects to be positioned and re-positioned on a front face of a board substrate 110 at the user's whim. In some embodiments, the display board 100 may be modular so that multiple display boards 100 may be connected to together to scale the footprint available for the display of connected display objects. As will be appreciated, scenes of varying sizes can be constructed by connecting the multiple display boards 100 together providing a larger area onto which display objects are positioned. In some scenes, this can provide a realistic scale between objects. When the system of display boards 100 is large, the individual display boards 100 can easily be detached and broken down for ease of portability and storage.

FIGS. 1-7 show a singular display board 100 according to an embodiment. The display board 100 includes the substrate 110. The substrate 110 may be a molded or one-piece construction. The front face of the substrate 110 includes a plurality of pockets 150 integrated into the substrate 110. In some embodiments, the pockets 150 may be arranged in a grid, may be evenly spaced, and/or may be positioned in pre-determined locations that may be compatible with different scene arrangement types. Some embodiments may include sections or panels 160 that comprise a fixed number of pockets 150. The intersections of panels 160 may include pockets 150 from respective panels 160 positioned adjacent one another. In some embodiments, the rear face of the display board 100 may include a flat or uninterrupted surface 140 extending from one end of the substrate 110 to the opposite end (See FIG. 3).

For modular applications, the display board 100 may include a mating system that connects one display board 100 to an adjoining display board 100. For example, one embodiment may include a tongue and groove system using channels 120 and tabs 130 positioned on end side wall surfaces of the substrate 110. The tabs 130 of one board substrate 110 may slide or press fit into the channels 120 of an adjacent board substrate 110. As shown in the figures, some embodiments may have channels 120 and tabs 130 on the same side wall surface. The mating side wall surface of a second display board 100 may have channels 120 and tabs 130 in opposite positions so that the appropriate mating elements are aligned to connect to one another. Other embodiments may comprise only one type of fastener (channel 120 or tab 130) on a sidewall surface for mating with a corresponding cooperating type fastener on a second board substrate 110. Moreover, while a rectangular board substrate is shown, other embodiments may include using different shaped board substrates. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a square shaped display board 200 and a triangular shaped display board 300 are shown incorporating the pockets 150 for replaceable receipt of display objects. As will be appreciated, multiple board substrates 110 (and board displays of different shapes) may be connected together to form scaling and differently shaped display landscapes that may deviate from the form of a singular display board 100. For example, L-shape, crisscross, staggered, and arbitrarily-shaped configurations of display board system landscapes are within the scope of the invention disclosed.

Referring now to FIG. 12, additional features of the peg 170 is shown according to an embodiment. While a round peg 170 is shown, it will be understood that references to dimensions, diameters, or other labels of measurement may vary depending on the shape of the peg 170. In the description that follows, use of the term “magnitude” refers to the size or measurement of a dimension including for example, diameter, length, width or depth. The magnitude of a dimension for one physical element may have a corresponding yet different sized magnitude for another physical element connecting to the first element. For example, the diameter for an outer surface of one element may be referenced relative to the diameter of the inner wall of another element.

FIG. 12 shows a panel section 160 with the peg 170 inserted into a pocket 150. The other pocket 150 is depicted as empty. While not depicted (for sake of illustration), it should be understood that the distal, free end of the peg 170 will have a display object attached. The peg 170 may include two sections; a first section 174 and a second section 178. The first section 174 may be configured to be received within a pocket 150. The pocket 150 may be defined by the diameter (or length and width) and depth of a pocket wall 180 extending into the board substrate 110. The display object may have a hole into which the end of the second section 178 is inserted into.

The outer surface wall of the first section 174 may be sized to fit just within the diameter of the pocket wall 180. For example, the magnitude of the diameter for the outer surface wall of the first section 174 may be less than the magnitude of the diameter for the inner wall of the pocket wall 180. In some embodiments, the outer surface wall of the first section 174 may be indexed to the diameter of the pocket wall 180. In some embodiments, the first section 174 of the peg 170 may be configured to press fit into the pocket wall 180. The diameter of the outer wall surface of the second section 178 may be greater than the magnitude of the outer surface wall of the first section 174. The proximal end of the second section 178 may include a stop surface 175 at the intersection of the first section 174 and the second section 178. The magnitude of the stop surface may be the same magnitude as the diameter of the outer wall surface for the second section 178. In use, when a display object is removably attached to the display board 100, the peg 170 will be go as far into the pocket 150 as the length of the first section 174. The stop surface 175 may prevent the peg 170 from travelling further into the pocket 150. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a length of the second section 178 of the peg 170 may provide some offset of the display object from the front face of the board substrate 110.

In some embodiments, the second section 178 of the peg 170 may have different diameter sizes to accommodate different sized holes in the various action figures. For example, the diameter of the second section 178 for a first peg 170 may have a lesser magnitude than the diameter of a second section 178 for a second peg 170. The diameter of the second section 178 for a third peg 170 may have a greater magnitude than the diameter of a second section 178 for the second peg 170. The above was provided as one example only and it should be understood that pegs 170 may have more than three sizes available for the second section 178 so that the end user is not restricted to using display objects from any one particular source. In addition, it should be appreciated that some display objects have more than one hole available on their body and so the different sized second sections 178 provide more options for the end user to arrange display objects to the display board 100 (for example, by facing the display objects in different directions).

In some embodiments, the arrangement of the peg 170 connecting the display object to the pocket 150 may provide for rotation of the display object relative to the board substrate 110.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate that various components may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scope of the subject technology.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The previous description provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention.

Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “above,” “below” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. Similarly, an item disposed above another item may be located above or below the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction; and an item disposed below another item may be located below or above the other item along a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A display board system, comprising:

a board substrate including a board face;

a plurality of pockets integrated into the board face, wherein the pockets include a pocket wall defining an opening of a first magnitude;

at least one peg including a first section and a second section; and

a first end of the peg positioned on a distal end of the first section, wherein: the first section of the peg includes a first outer wall with a second magnitude, the second magnitude is less than the first magnitude, the pocket is configured to receive the first end of the peg, the second section of the peg includes a second outer wall with a third magnitude, the third magnitude is greater than first magnitude of the opening, and the second section of the peg includes a second end of the peg, configured to couple into a hole of an object to be displayed on the board face.

2. The display board system of claim 1, wherein the first outer wall of the first section of the peg is indexed to the pocket wall.

3. The display board system of claim 1, wherein the first end of the peg is configured to press fit into the opening of the pockets.

4. The display board system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pockets are positioned in a grid on the board face.

5. The display board system of claim 1, further comprising a mating element on a side wall of the board substrate, configured to provide modular attachment to another board substrate.

6. The display board system of claim 1, further comprising a first tongue and a first groove on a side wall of the board substrate, configured to mate with a second tongue and a second groove of another board substrate.

7. The display board system of claim 1, wherein the object is an action figure or scene accessory.

8. The display board system of claim 1, further comprising, a stop surface located at an intersection of the first section of the peg and the second section of the peg.

9. A display board system, comprising:

a board substrate including a board face;

a plurality of pockets integrated into the board face, wherein: the plurality of pockets include a pocket wall defining an opening of a first magnitude, and the plurality of pockets are positioned in a grid on the board face;

at least one peg including a first section and a second section; and

a first end of the peg positioned on a distal end of the first section, wherein: the first section of the peg includes a first outer wall with a second magnitude, the second magnitude is less than the first magnitude, the pocket is configured to receive the first end of the peg, the first outer wall of the first section of the peg is indexed to the pocket wall; the first end of the peg is configured to press fit into the opening of the pockets, the second section of the peg includes a second outer wall with a third magnitude, the third magnitude is greater than first magnitude of the opening, and the second section of the peg includes a second end of the peg, configured to couple into a hole of an action figure or scene accessory, to be displayed on the board face;

a stop surface located at an intersection of the first section of the peg and the second section of the peg; and

a first tongue and a first groove on a side wall of the board substrate, configured to mate with a second tongue and a second groove of another board substrate.