Abstract:
A display support for displaying an object having a magnetic base attached to a display module and removably attached to a surface with a magnetically adherent material. The display system may include more than one magnetic bases and the display module may connect each of the magnetic bases. The support module may be separable from the magnetic bases to allow for differently shaped display modules, different lengths of display modules, or for display modules with different display characteristics, such as hooks. Stabilizing members may be used to help stabilize the object on the display module enabling a person to display/hold items at any angle. The stabilizing members may also be used to support objects such as jewelry, glasses, watches, tools, kitchen utensils, etc. Magnetic couplers may be used to position the objects in particular positions against the surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an apparatus, method, and system for display supports. Specifically, the present invention relates to compact, positional, magnetic display supports for displaying an object against a surface with magnetically adherent material.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     When creating a wall display, retailers have used various and substantially permanent systems for displaying items. Retail display racks are used to display a wide variety of different products that are offered for sale. The systems have included large display cases, shelves, hooks, racks, and notched display rods affixed to the wall into which levered struts can be inserted to support shelves. In many cases, the shelves are permanently bolted, nailed, or glued to the wall. In other cases, large pegboards are attached to the wall to be used with movable posts and hooks, particularly for home use.  
         [0005]     In the past, these display racks have suffered from a number of disadvantages. For example, past displays are not designed to have a background art attached, and for those displays that do have background art attached, it is disrupted or destroyed with holes, grooves, slots, etc. As a result, the type of background art is limited. Additionally, past displays have often been manufactured having a fixed size and arrangement for displaying the products. These past displays have also been limited in the location, arrangement, and ease of re-arrangement of the advertising and signs that accompany the display, which help sell the products displayed thereon. The individual shelves on past display racks have also often been difficult to adjust without removing the surrounding shelves. As inventory is reduced, or exhausted, and products are individually sold and removed from the display systems, the display begins to appear incomplete and unattended.  
         [0006]     Some display racks are expensive to manufacture, time consuming to set up, and take up large amounts of storage space when they are not in use. Particularly concerning is the damage caused to the underlying structure, such as a wall, when a display rack is installed or removed. The underlying structure is often left with large screw holes, scratched or damaged paint, and occasional structural damage. Additionally, current systems are too permanent, and they generally prevent flexibility in the positioning of the display systems. Finally, current display systems often require installers with special experience and equipment to construct and place the display system.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:  
         [0008]     to provide a display system that may position many types of products, of various sizes, in any orientation and at any angle;  
         [0009]     to provide a quick and convenient method of attaching a display system to a display surface;  
         [0010]     to provide a display system that is readily movable at will, that does not alter or deface the supporting surface;  
         [0011]     to provide a display system that may be used in the retail environment, trade shows, kitchen, closet, garage, anywhere;  
         [0012]     to provide a display system that may use a magnetically adherent material, which may be reversed for use with seasonal sales or promotions;  
         [0013]     to provide a display system that can be set up, moved, and removed quickly without technical expertise;  
         [0014]     to provide a display system that may display products from any location, including walls and ceilings; and  
         [0015]     to provide a display system utilizing a magnetically adherent material decorated with graphics, including vinyl, paint, stickers, etching, etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available display racks. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a process, apparatus, and system for a positionable magnetic display support that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.  
         [0017]     Specifically, the present invention provides a positionable magnetic display support. The magnetic display support includes at least one magnetic base and a display mount protruding from the magnetic base. The magnetic base is configured to removably attach to a magnetically adherent surface. The display mount is configured to support a variety of items, such as tools, clothing, toys, etc.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, the positionable magnetic display support includes two magnetic bases connected via a display rod. The magnetic base positions the display rod perpendicular to a ferrous wall to support a shoe.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, the positionable magnetic display support includes stabilizing members for holding an object into a position in conjunction with the display mount.  
         [0020]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0022]     These features and advantages of the present invention, as well as other features and advantages not listed, will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a display support according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a close-up view of a display support supporting a shoe according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a display support attached to a wall according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates various display supports attached to a wall and supporting articles of clothing according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates a display support attached to a wall and having a plurality of display mounts according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates a goggle display support according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.  
         [0031]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates a display support  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The display support  10  comprises a magnetic base  12 , to which a display mount, or display module,  14  is attached. In this embodiment, the magnetic base  12  comprises two magnets and the display mount  14  is a rod. The magnetic base  12  is configured to attach to a surface  16  with magnetically adherent properties to position the display mount  14  perpendicular to the surface  16 .  
         [0033]     The surface  16  may comprise any type of magnetically adherent material. Additionally, the surface  16  may be covered with any type of decorative liner. For example, the surface  16  may be covered with a vinyl liner having a preferred drawing, picture, design, advertisement, etc. In other embodiments, the surface  16  may be covered with paint, stickers, etched with particular designs, etc.  
         [0034]     The display mount  14  may be comprised of any material. In one embodiment, the display mount  14  comprises a pliable material so that the display mount  14  may be bent and manipulated into any configuration. The bendable feature of the display mount  14  provides adaptability in the display support  10  for displaying a variety of products. Specifically, the display mount  14  may be manipulated to display a much greater variety of products ranging in different sizes, shapes, and materials, such as, but not limited to clothes, tools, toys, books, or any type of product meant to be displayed or stored.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a display support  10  attached to a surface  16  and supporting a shoe  26  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support  10  comprises the magnetic base  12  attached to the surface  16 , the display mount  14 , and stabilizing members  18 . The stabilizing members  18  each comprise a magnetic base  20  attached to a stabilizing display rod, or stabilizing display member  22 . The stabilizing members  18  may be positioned at any location on the surface  16  to provide support to the display support  10  or to stabilize the display item  24  positioned on the display support  10 . The shoe  26  rests on the display mount  14  and the stabilizing members  18  removably hold the shoe  26  in any position against the display mount  14 . The stabilizing display rod  22  may be curved, straight, or bendable like the display mount  14  described in  FIG. 1 . The stabilizing display rod  22  may be made of any type of material.  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a display support  10  attached to a surface  16  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support system  10  comprises a single display rod  32  extending from the magnetic base  12 . The magnetic base  12  attaches to the surface  16 , which is attached to a supporting surface  30 . The surface  16  may be glued, screwed, clamped, or secured by any means to the supporting surface  30 .  
         [0037]     The surface  16  may be any type of magnetically adherent material and the supporting surface  30  may be drywall, or another type of material. In one embodiment, the surface  16  may be integrated into the supporting surface  30 . For example, the supporting surface  30  may comprise a multiplicity of magnetically adherent materials, such as small metal pellets (not shown). The magnetically adherent materials may be pressed, glued, sprayed, etc. onto the surface  16  or supporting surface  30 .  
         [0038]     Additionally, in one embodiment, display mount supports  31  may be used to provide additional support to the magnetic base  12  or to prevent the display item  24  (See  FIG. 2 ) from sagging or falling. In one embodiment, the display mount support  31  comprises a slide  33  moveably connected to the display rod  32  and a support rod  35  attached to the slide  33 . A stopper  37  may be attached to the support rod  35  to prevent slippage. The stopper  37  may be any material such as rubber or an additional magnet.  
         [0039]     In another embodiment, the slide  33  is open on a top edge so that the display mount support  31  may be easily placed below the display rod  32  at any time without removing a product.  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates various display supports  10  attached to the surface  16  and supporting articles of clothing  34  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support  10  comprises the magnetic base  12  and display mounts  14 . The display mount  14  may be configured to hold different articles of clothing  34 , such as a T-shirt or pants.  
         [0041]     The display support  10  may further comprise magnetic couplers  36  for positioning the article of clothing  34  in different positions, rather than a hanging configuration. The magnetic couplers  36  are configured to hold, position, or attach the articles of clothing  34  against the surface  16 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a display support attached to a surface  16  and having a plurality of display mounts  14  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic base  12  supports a connecting display member  38 , which is configured to support a plurality of display mounts  14 . The connecting display member  38  may be constructed similar to the surface  16 , that is, the connecting display member  38  may be a magnetically adherent material. The connecting display member  38  may also be configured to connect a plurality of magnetic bases  12  for supporting a large or long display item  24 .  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, magnetic bases  12  of the display mounts  14  couple to the connecting display member  38 . In another embodiment, the display mounts  14  connect directly to the connecting display member  38  with glue, screws, friction, etc.  
         [0044]     Referring still to  FIG. 5 , the display mounts  14  may be configured to hold any kind of accessory, such as jewelry, watches, rings, glasses, tools, kitchen utensils, etc. For illustration purposes, the display mounts  14  in this embodiment are configured to hold watches  36  and glasses  40 . For display mounts  14  configured to hold watches  41 , the display mount  14  comprises a watch band member  42 . A watch band of the watch  41  simply wraps around the watch band member  42  to secure the watch  41  to the display mount  14 . The watch band member  42  may be configured to hold a plurality of watches  41 . For display mounts  14  configured to hold glasses  40 , the display mount  14  comprises a nose piece rest  44  and a crossbar  46 . The glasses  40  rest over the nose piece rest  44  and the crossbar  46  of the display mount  14 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of a goggles display support  10  for holding soft-sided goggles  48  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the display support  10  utilizes the magnetic couplers  36  to hold the straps  52  of the goggles  48  against the surface  16 . The goggles  48  may be placed over an illustration, such as a skier&#39;s face, and held in place with the magnetic couplers  36 .  
         [0046]     In another embodiment, the display support  10  utilizes the stabilizing member  18  (See  FIG. 2 ) to hold the goggles  48  at a nose rest portion  50 . The stabilizing display rod  22  (See  FIG. 2 ) of the stabilizing member  18  may be straight, bendable, curved, or tilted from the magnetic base  20  (See  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0047]     It is understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the presently illustrated invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.  
         [0048]     For example, although the illustrative embodiment(s) have/has described the use of a display mount  14  attached to the magnetic base  12 , it is envisioned that the display mount  14  may be detachable from the magnetic base  12  so that the display mount  14  may be configured with a plurality of connecting ends (not shown) to connect to a plurality of magnetic base  12 . Additionally, it is envisioned that the display mounts  14  and the stabilizing display rods  22  may be configured into any shape. Specifically, there may be display mounts  14  and  22  for positioning shirts, pants, shoes, glasses, socks, jewelry, tools, etc.  
         [0049]     In addition, although many illustrated embodiments show the use of one, two, or more magnetic base  12  for holding and positioning the display items  24  against a surface  16 , it is envisioned that any number of magnetic base  12  may be used for any one of the embodiments. For large objects, larger magnetic base  12  may be used.  
         [0050]     Finally, although the illustrative embodiments show the use of a rod for a display mount  14 , it is envisioned that the display mount  14  may be any shape, such as round, square, rectangular, etc.  
         [0051]     Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.