Patent ID: 6554148
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A pedestal display and storage system for conveniently and safely placing objects on display, and in addition for storing the displayed objects, comprising, in combination:a four sided hollow rectilinearly configured tube, the tube comprised of two equally shaped and equally sized rectangular end panels and two equally shaped and equally sized rectangular side panels, each panel having an upper horizontal edge and a lower horizontal edge and two vertical side edges there between, each end panel having a common length, and each side panel having a common length, each panel also having an inner surface and an outer surface and a common height; four pairs of clamps, each clamp fabricated of a semi rigid resilient plastic material with a length essentially equal to the height of the walls and a width of between about 0.30 and 0.60 of an inch, each clamp being in a generally U-shaped configuration, with a planar inside portion having an inner end and an inner corner and with a planar outside portion parallel with the inner portion having an outer end and an outer corner and with a middle portion being between the inner corner and the outer corner and being perpendicular to both the inner portion and the outer portion, each clamp also having an external surface and an internal surface and an edge there between, the outer portion also having an inward turning tab at the outermost edge along the length of the clamp, and the inner portion of the clamp having a smooth internal surface; four normally planar central pivoting members, one for each pair of clamps, each pivoting member being formed as a strip of flexible elastomeric material, each strip having an inner surface and an outer surface with an upper edge and a lower edge and two long side edges there between, the two long side edges of the central pivoting member being of a height essentially equal to the height of the panels and a width of about 0.30 of an inch, plus or minus ten percent, each pivoting member also being aligned with and attached to the inner corners of the clamps to allow pivoting of the clamps and the panels with respect to each other; a coupling interface along the side edges of each pivoting member and two associated clamps by which the inner corners of the clamps are joined securely with and to the two long side edges of the central pivoting member normally coplanar with the inside portions of the clamps; and, a lid comprised of rigid plastic material, having a top piece and four side pieces, the top having an upper surface and a lower surface parallel to each other and four perpendicular side edges there between, the side pieces each having an inner surface and an outer surface and an upper edge and a lower edge and two side edges, the upper edges of the side pieces meeting and joining the side edges of the top at a right angle, with the outer upper surface of the top edge and the upper edge of the side pieces having a beveled configuration and with an adhesive attaching the top and the side pieces are joined and held together, the top positioned upon the upper edges of the walls with the inner surfaces of the side pieces of the lid positioned in contact with the upper regions of the side walls wherein lid functions to stabilize the display tube by containing the side walls and preventing movement, the lid also functioning as a recipient surface for an article of art to be displayed, furthermore the lid may be removed and the article may be stored in the inner confines of the tube, with the lid being replaced and concealing the article of art while maintaining the stability of the system.