Abstract:
A display device provides for the displaying of collectible cards on two side. The device includes a generally planar card support mat, a mat having a pair of opposed planar surfaces with apertures extending therethrough. The apertures are sized to support a collectible card therein. A pair of transparent plates overlie each of the planar surfaces of the mat allowing viewing of each side of the two-sided card. A frame bounds and supports the mat and encloses the cards in a tamper evident protective manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/673,457, filed Apr. 21, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a display and protection system for collectible memorabilia. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plaque for holding and displaying collectible cards that bear pictures and information relating to sports figures.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     There is widespread interest in collecting and displaying sports memorabilia. This can be done as a hobby or for investment purposes. Such sports memorabilia may include three-dimensional objects such as sports equipment or two-dimensional objects such as photographs, autographs or sports cards. For many years, cards bearing pictures of baseball and other sports figures have been collected and traded by fans. Many of these sports cards include the picture of the athlete on one side and statistical information, team affiliation, special accomplishments and the like on the reverse side of the card. Both the picture of the athlete and the information on the reverse side of the card add to the enjoyment and economic value of collecting such sports cards.  
         [0004]     Quite often, especially with rare or favorite cards, it is desirable to display the cards in an attractive manner. Protective covers and pouches are well known which can hold the card for display purposes yet protect the card from damage. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,003.  
         [0005]     In addition to collecting cards for hobby and enjoyment purposes, many people collect cards for investment purposes. Over time, certain cards increase in value. The economic value of a card is dependent primarily upon its age, physical condition and rarity. There exits a variety of commercial organizations which provide for appraisal and authentication of sports cards. Many of these organizations use a standard valuation system where a rating number is applied to a card indicating its relative value. In order to assure that the card, once a value has been applied to the card, maintains its value, many of these organizations encase the rated card in a protective enclosure which preserves the attested authenticity and value. The enclosure also protects the card from damage. As may be appreciated, such enclosures must enclose or house the card with some indication that the card has not been tampered with thus preventing the “swapping out” of a valuable card with an inferior card. One such protective case for collectible cards which houses the card in a tamper-evident fashion is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,619. While the case described in the &#39;619 Patent serves adequately to protect the condition and authenticity of a card housed therein, these cases do little to add to the aesthetic or display value of the cards.  
         [0006]     Quite often an owner of such cards desires to display the cards for other to see. The individual card case does not assist in displaying the cards in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Moreover, while decorative frames such as picture frames may be used to house cards and photographs, these frame may be easily disassembled leading to improper removal of the card. Moreover, frames which house two dimensional objects typically obscure the reverse side of the card which may contain interesting and desirably viewed information.  
         [0007]     It is, therefore, desirable to provide a decorative display device for securely housing sports memorabilia such as sports cards in an easily viewable fashion.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides a display device for two-sided collectible cards. The display device includes a generally planar card support mat. The mat has a pair of opposed planar surfaces with apertures extending therethrough sized to support the card therein. A pair of transparent plates overlies each of the planar surfaces of the mat. The transparent plates allow viewing of each side of the two-sided card. A frame bounds and supports the mat and plates. The frame encloses the cards in a tamper-evident manner preventing unauthorized removal of the cards from the frame.  
         [0009]     In a preferred embodiment, the mat supports a plurality of cards. The cards may be related by a single theme. The mat may also support indicia indicating the theme.  
         [0010]     Also, the cards may indicate a valuation. Indicia representing the valuation may also be included.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective showing of the memorabilia display frame of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective showing of the memorabilia frame of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional showing of the frame of  FIG. 2  taken through the lines  3 - 3  thereof. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0014]     The present invention provides a memorabilia frame which houses certain collectible sports memorabilia. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a frame which houses two-sided collectible cards, such as baseball cards. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to baseball cards, it can be readily appreciated that a variety of sports memorabilia, especially two-dimensional memorabilia such as cards, autographs, photographs and the like may be used in combination with the present invention. Moreover, the present invention specifically provides for the viewing of two-sided sports memorabilia housed within a frame. It is contemplated, however, that various combinations of two-sided two-dimensional documents, as well as certain small three-dimensional objects such as coins, chips, tickets and the like may also be used in combination with present invention and, therefore, the present invention is not merely limited to sports cards.  
         [0015]     Additionally, as the present invention contemplates the display of certain memorabilia such as sports cards which may be rated by an independent rating agency as to value, quality and the like, information regarding such rating may be contained within the frame and the information including the memorabilia may be housed in the frame in such a manner that any attempt to tamper with the frame to remove or “swap out” items would be readily evident.  
         [0016]     In addition, it is also contemplated that the frame could house sports memorabilia of a given subject matter. For example, cards of baseball players or cards having related status, such as MVP, all-star or rookie, can be housed in a single frame. Information regarding the type of category of cards within the frame could also be displayed in a decorative matter within the frame.  
         [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame  10  of the present invention is shown. Frame  10  is similar to a conventional picture frame having an outer perimetrical framing element  12 . The framing element  12  can have a wide variety of decorative forms. In the present illustrative embodiment, the framing element is a rectangle, however, it can be appreciated that other shapes and configurations are well within the contemplation of the present invention.  
         [0018]     With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the frame further includes a central mat  14  supported within the frame. The mat  14  is generally a planar member which may be formed of a wide variety of materials and a wide variety of colors depending upon the aesthetics desired. The mat has a front planar surface  14   a  and an opposed rear planar surface  14   b . Extending through mat  14  are one or more windows or openings  20 . The windows or openings  20  extend through the mat  14  from the front surface  14   a  to the back surface  14   b.  In the present illustrative embodiment, the windows  20  are sized and shaped to accommodate a rectangular baseball card therein. However, again, other configurations and shapes may be employed in combination with the present invention.  
         [0019]     It is desirable to mount a two-sided baseball card  30  within one or more of the windows  20 . As is well known in the art, the baseball cards  30  may include a front surface  30   a  which typically provides a picture of the particular baseball player and a rear surface  30   b  which typically includes information regarding the player statistics, team affiliation, and the like. Both sides of the baseball card add to the monetary, as well as aesthetic value, of the card. The mat  14  of the present invention allows viewing of both sides of card  30  mounted within window  20 .  
         [0020]     In order to support the cards within the window  20 , the mat may include corner members  40  at each corner of the window. These corner members may be formed integrally with the mat or may be applied in a secondary operation and preferably are transparent so as to not impede the viewing of the entire card.  
         [0021]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , it is also contemplated that preferably a portion of the mat  14  may be left without a window so as to provide an area  45  which would allow the placement of one-sided information, such as but not limited to, information concerning the value of the cards, information relating to the types of cards contained in the frame, and other desirable information such as signatures and the like. It is also contemplated that other items could be positioned on the mat at location  45  such as tickets, chips, coins or the like.  
         [0022]     Once the desired items are placed within the mat, a pair of transparent plates  50  and  52  are placed on the either side thereof. The plates  50  and  52  which may be conventional pieces of glass or transparent Plexiglas® are placed on each side of the mat  14  to enclose the items contained thereon. Thereafter, the assembly of the pair of plates  50  and  52  and the mat  14  contained therebetween is supported within the frame members as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0023]     It is further contemplated that the combination of the plates  50  and  52  and the mat  14  may be sealed within the frame members  12  so as to deter any attempt to disassemble the frame  10  to remove or “swap out” the items contained therein. It is contemplated that the seal could be in the form of an adhesive bead  60  placed around the inner periphery of the frame members  12  such as, for example, shown at  60  in  FIG. 3  or could be any type of seal which would provide an indication of an attempt to tamper with the frame itself. Thus, for example, if the items placed within the frame have been indicated as receiving a valuation, that valuation can be placed in the frame and assurances can be provided that the items contained within the frame are genuine and authentic.  
         [0024]     Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.