Abstract:
A system of display units for displaying collectibles, including baseball or other cards, which units may be fastened to a wall or other flat surface. The units may also be connected to one another by way of connectors.

Description:
[0001]    This discloses a system for displaying cards or other objects on a wall or other surface. The system comprises two primary components. The first component is a display unit for holding or containing the objects to be displayed. The second component is a coupler to couple a plurality of display units into a pleasing configuration. The display units and couplers are available in a variety of sizes and shapes as will be discussed more fully below. This invention claims priority to Provisional Application 61/604,465 filed Feb. 28, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There exist a number of transparent boxes to display collections of objects such as trading cards. Some of these boxes are disclosed individually and some are disclosed as parts to a system to be displayed. In the case of the former, the boxes tend to be plastic boxes. In the case of the latter, the systems tend to be horizontal boards with slots into which the boxes are inserted. None disclose display units which can easily be installed on a wall or other flat surface nor do any disclose a system for coupling the display units in esthetically pleasing arrangements. 
         [0003]    In this disclosure, the objects will be called “display units”. The display units herein consist of a base part and a cover part. Each base part 
       DEFINITIONS 
       [0004]    “Face-coupled” shall mean that form of the base part in which the coupler sockets lie on the face of the base part. In this form, the centerlines of the coupler sockets lie perpendicular to the plane of the base part. 
         [0005]    “Edge-coupled” shall mean that form of the base part in which the coupler sockets line around the periphery of the base part. In this form, the centerlines of the coupler sockets lie parallel to the plane of the base part. 
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0006]    The invention can best be understood from the drawings. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows the obverse side of a face-coupled base part with 28 sockets around the front periphery. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a magnified view of a portion of a face-coupled base part which view shows the details of the coupler sockets of the base part shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows the obverse side of a face-coupled base part with 8 coupler sockets. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows the reverse side of a face-coupled base part as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows the short side of a face-coupled base part viewed from that side. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows the long side of a ace-coupled base part viewed from that side. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows the obverse side of a cover part. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  shows the reverse side of a cover part. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  shows the short side of a cover part viewed from that side. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  shows the long side of a cover part viewed from that side. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  shows six of the types of couplers used to couple face-coupled base parts. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  shows an assembly of nine face-coupled display units coupled using a coupler shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  shows another assembly of four face-coupled display units coupled using a coupler shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  shows an assembly of four face-coupled display units as shown in  FIG. 13  in exploded view form to show the coupler from FIG. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  shows how the parts of a face-coupled display unit fit together. In between a cover part and a base part is a representative object for display. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  shows the obverse side of a face-coupled base part that can accommodate a pre-existing transparent box. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  shows the obverse side of a cover for a pre-existing transparent box. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  shows how the parts of a face-coupled display unit part that can accommodate a pre-existing transparent box fit together. In between a cover part and a base part is a representative object for display inside a pre-existing box. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  shows the obverse side of an edge-coupled base part of a display unit. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  shows the reverse side of the edge-coupled base part shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  shows the short side of the edge-coupled base part shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  shows the long side of the edge-coupled base part shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  shows the obverse side of a cover part to be used with the edge-coupled base part shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  shows six of the types of couplers used to couple edge-coupled base parts. 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  shows an assembly of nine edge-coupled display units which display units are coupled using the couplers shown in  FIG. 24  coupling base parts as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 26  shows an assembly of four edge-coupled display units which display units are coupled using the couplers shown in  FIG. 24  coupling base parts as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 27  shows the edge-coupled assembly shown in  FIG. 26  in exploded view. Extra couplers are shown to reveal how additional display units can be added to the assembly. 
           [0034]      FIG. 28  shows an exploded view of the edge-coupled assembly shown in  FIG. 27  in isometric view. 
           [0035]      FIG. 29  shows a single edge-coupled display unit of the type shown in  FIG. 19  in exploded isometric view with an edge-coupled base part, a top part, a representative object to be displayed, and couplers as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, display units are shown first in the preferred embodiment and then in alternate embodiments. 
         [0037]    The invention is designed to be configured as single display units, a plurality of display units not coupled to other display units, a plurality of display units coupled to other display units, or a mixture of display units coupled to other display units or not coupled to other display units whether singly or as a plurality thereof. Face-coupled and side-coupled display units do not couple to one another. However, face-coupled and side-coupled display units may be arranged as a user might wish. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows the obverse view of a base part of one of the face-coupled display units. In this disclosure, a face-coupled display unit is the preferred embodiment. Component  110  is a base part of one of the display units in the system. Component  120  is a socket for insertion of a coupler for coupling two display units  110 . There are 28 socket components  120  in the figure. Component  130  is an opening or aperture allowing a user to attach this display unit to a wall or other surface with screw or other fasteners. Component  140  is a semi-circular cutout of the corner of the display unit. This cutout is designed to prevent damage to the corners of collectibles such as baseball cards. The cutout encompasses approximately 270 degrees of a circle.  150  is a groove between the socket  120  and the outer edge of a base part. In the preferred embodiment, base part  110  is made in any color from white to black. In alternate embodiments, base part  110  is translucent or transparent. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a detail or magnified section of that portion of a base part containing sockets of said base part.  120  is the same socket as shown in  FIG. 1. 150  is the same groove as shown in  FIG. 1 . This groove accommodates a part of a coupler shown in  FIG. 11 . Groove  150  permits a coupler to be pushed deeper into the socket  120  for more secure coupling while preventing the coupler from moving radially about the socket. Were the coupler to move radially about the socket, the distance between coupled display units could be inconsistent thus altering the chosen arrangement of display units.  160  is a channel into which tab  720 , shown in  FIG. 8  is inserted to secure cover part  710 , also shown in  FIG. 8 , into base part  110 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  shows the obverse side of an alternate embodiment of the display unit  110  with eight sockets. Otherwise, the components are the same as in  FIG. 1 . Other alternate embodiments may have zero to any plurality of sockets where the number of said sockets is limited only by the size of the sockets and the dimension of the particular side of the display unit. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 4 , the view shown is that of the reverse side of a base of a display unit  110 .  130  is the reverse side of the opening  130  from  FIG. 1 . Sockets  120  and the channel  160  are the reverse sides of components  120  and  160  described in FIG. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 5 , component  110  is shown from a side.  150  is the same groove described in  FIG. 1 . If the display unit is rectangular with one           
         [0043]    In  FIG. 6 , component  110  is shown from the top or bottom side. If the display unit is rectangular with one side longer than the other, this view is of one of the longer skies.  150  is the same groove described in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 7 , component  710  is the obverse side of the cover part of the display unit. In order for the contents of the display unit to be viewed, this cover part is transparent or translucent. In the preferred embodiment, cover part  710  is transparent. In alternate embodiments, cover part is translucent. Component  720  is a tab normal to the plane of cover part  710 . This tab fits into channel  160 , snapping cover part  710  into base part  110  over the item to be displayed. Cover part  710  contains a recess or notch  730  which permits a user to easily pry cover part  710  from base part  110  in order to separate the components. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is the reverse side of cover part  710  shown in  FIG. 7  components as described in the description of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  shows cover part  710  from one end, thus showing the tabs  720  that fit into channels  160  when the cover part is snapped into base part  110 . Also shown is the notch  730  used to pry the cover part acid base part apart. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  shows cover part  710  from one side and shoves tabs  720 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  shows a variety of couplers used to couple face-coupled base parts  110  together.  1110  is a straight coupler.  1120  is a coupler with a bend of 30 degrees.  1130  is a coupler with a bend of 45 degrees.  1140  is a coupler with a 60 degree bend.  1150  is a coupler with a 90 degree bend.  1160  is a height offset coupler which allows the coupling of face-coupled base parts in a vertical or stacked manner. The variety of couplers permits a user to arrange the display units in many different arrangements. One part  1180  is inserted into one socket  120  of one face-coupled base unit. The other part  1180  is inserted into one socket  120  of another face-coupled base unit, thus coupling the two base parts together. Parts  1180  contain slots in end  1170 . These slots permits end  1180  to squeeze together, allowing end  1180  to slide into socket  120  and, when pushed in past the widest part of  1180  to return to the original width of end  1180 . This locks part end  1180  into socket  120 . The force applied by pulling a coupler from the base part  110 , squeezes the part ends  1180  together enough resulting in the part backing out of the respective sockets  120 . In the preferred embodiment, couplers are made in any color from white to black. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 12 , nine display units with face-coupled base parts  110  are coupled together making one of the possible arrangements of display units. Couplers are shown inserted into sockets  120 . It should be understood that there exist a great variety of arrangements of display units.  FIG. 12  is but one example. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 13 , four display units with face-coupled base parts  110  are coupled together making another of the possible arrangements of display units. Again, couplers are shown inserted into sockets  120 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 14 , the same arrangement as shown in  FIG. 13  is shown in an exploded view in order to show how couplers  1110  may be used to couple face-coupled base units  110  together. Couplers  1110  are not shown inserted into sockets  110 . Note that there are couplers  1110  shown on the periphery of the face-coupled base units  110  to show that additional face-coupled base units may be added to make other arrangements. 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 15 , a display unit is shown in exploded view. Face-coupled base unit  110  is to the right and cover  710  is to the left. Between the two is collectible  1510 , which collectible could be a baseball card, a stamp, a photo, or any other item that the user wishes to display.  FIG. 15  also shows how tabs  720  will fit into channels  160  and how coupler  1110  fits into sockets  120 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 16  shows the obverse side of an alternate embodiment  1610  of the display unit  110  where the wall mount feature  130  is removed along with the entire backside such that the display unit  1610  can accommodate a pre-existing transparent box. This alternate embodiment provides a frame base  1620  where a pre-existing transparent box can be placed and displayed in the same manner as 
         [0054]      FIG. 17  shows the obverse side of an alternate embodiment of the cover part  710  that is used as the front frame to secure a pre-existing transparent box in place. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 18 , the alternate display unit is shown in exploded view. Face-coupled base unit  1610  is to the right and cover  1710  is to the left. Between the two is collectible  1510  which collectible could be a baseball card, a stamp, a photo, or any other item that the user wishes to display. The collectible  1510  is inside a pre-existing transparent box  1820 . Otherwise, the components fit together in the same manner as  FIG. 15 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 19  shows the obverse side of an edge-coupled base part  1910 . In this disclosure, an edge-coupled display unit is an alternate embodiment. No sockets are visible in this view. Otherwise  1910  is the same as  110  where  1920  functions the same as  130 , allowing  1910  to be attached to a wall or other plane surface and  1930  functions the same as  140  preventing damage to the corners of collectibles such as baseball cards. 
         [0057]      FIG. 20  shows the reverse side of an edge-coupled base part  1910 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 21  shows one edge of an edge-coupled base part  1910 . 
         [0059]    Where  1910  is rectangular with one side longer than the other, this view is of the shorter side. In an embodiment in which  1910  is square, 
         [0060]      FIG. 22  shows one edge of an edge-coupled base part  1910 . Where  1910  is rectangular with one side longer than the other, this view is of the longer side. If in an embodiment in which  1910  is square, there is no longer side and all sides are as described in  FIG. 21. 1920  is one of a plurality of sockets in  1910 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 23  shows a cover part  2310  for an edge-coupled base part  1910 . Otherwise  2310  is the same as  710  where  2320  functions the same as  720 , allowing  2310  to be attached  1910 , 
         [0062]      FIG. 24  shows a variety of couplers for use coupling edge-coupled base units  1910 .  2410  is a straight coupler.  2420  is a coupler with a bend of 30 degrees.  2430  is a coupler with a bend of 45 degrees.  2440  is a coupler with a 60 degree bend.  2450  is a coupler with a 90 degree bend.  2460  is an offset coupler which permits coupling edge-coupled base parts where the sockets might not be in the same line. For each coupler, part  2470  is inserted into socket  1920 . The variety of couplers permits a user to arrange the display units in many different arrangements. 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 25 , nine display units with edge-coupled base parts  1910  are coupled together making one of the possible arrangements of display units. Couplers  2410  are shown inserted into sockets  1920 . It should           
         [0064]    In  FIG. 26 , four display units with edge-coupled base parts  1910  are coupled together making another of the possible arrangements of display units. Again, couplers  2410  are shown inserted into sockets  1920 . Additional couplers  2410  are shown extending from the periphery of edge-coupled base parts  1910  to show that more edge-coupled base parts  1910  can be added to the arrangement. 
         [0065]    In  FIG. 27 , the same arrangement as shown in  FIG. 26  is shown in an exploded view in order to show how couplers  2410  may be used to couple edge-coupled base units  1910  together. Couplers  2410  are not shown inserted into sockets  1920 . There are couplers  2410  shown on the periphery of the edge-coupled base units  1910  to show that additional face-coupled base units may be added to make other arrangements. 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 28 , four edge-coupled base parts  1910  are shown in orthogonal front view to show how couplers  2410  fit into sockets  1920 . 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 29 , an alternate embodiment of a display unit is shown in exploded view. Edge-coupled base unit  1910  is to the right and cover  2310  is to the left. Between the two is collectible  2910 , which collectible could be a baseball card, a stamp, a photo, or any other item that the user wishes to display. 
         [0068]    In a preferred embodiment, the display units measure 4.5 inches high overall, 3.5 inches wide overall, and 0.316 inches deep. In alternate embodiments, these dimensions can be larger or smaller. The display units can be round, oval, or any other shape. 
         [0069]    In the preferred embodiment, the cover parts  710  of the display units snap into the base parts  110 . The front pieces then lie within the depth of the base. In an alternate embodiment, the cover parts may be formed into box shapes. In this embodiment, the box is formed so that one part still snaps into the base. In this box embodiment, the box may be of whatever depth the user might wish. 
         [0070]    In the drawings referenced above, different numbers may have been used to point to the same part. That does not imply the parts are different. 
         [0071]    A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.