Abstract:
A display system having a substantially flat front portion for holding and displaying memorabilia. The display system comprises a frame, a backing supported by the frame, a plurality of cardholders for holding photographic memorabilia and a recessed chamber for holding an object of memorabilia associated with the photographic memorabilia. The cardholders retain trading cards and are attachable to the backing. The cardholders are arranged about the chamber in an aesthetic manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.  60 / 312 , 266 , filed Aug. 14, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to a display system. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a display case for displaying trading cards or photographs in conjunction with an object of memorabilia, such as a toy car, a golf ball, or a hockey puck.  
           [0003]    There is known in the art display cases for holding memorabilia, collectibles and other consumer articles, such as miniature replicas, sport jerseys, hockey pucks, footballs, hats, baseballs, and baseball bats. It has become popular over the years to display such items at various locations including at home, at an office, at a restaurant or at sport bar facilities. Display cases allow the viewer to come within close proximity of the item, and yet protect the item from being damaged by excessive handling.  
           [0004]    It is also very popular to collect trading cards of individuals associated with certain sports. Initially, baseball trading cards were sold as an incentive to buy bubble gum. Over the years, however, the trading card industry has flourished, and now many sports or hobbies are enjoyed through collecting trading cards. There exists in the art many types of display cases, including picture frames and the like, which can hold a single or plurality of trading cards.  
           [0005]    There exists a need in the art to provide a display system which can hold both trading cards and objects of memorabilia, especially small items or miniature replicas, which are associated with the trading cards displayed therein. It is preferable that the display system be lightweight for easy handling, which also makes it suitable for hanging on walls using simple hanging devices. The display system should also be aesthetically pleasing to coalesce the images of the trading cards along with the selected object of memorabilia.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is a display system for holding and displaying trading cards in conjunction with an associated object of memorabilia. The display system of the present invention comprises a frame, a plurality of cardholders for holding a trading card or picture, a chamber for holding the object of memorabilia and a support structure. The cardholders and the chamber are positioned within the frame such that the front of the display system is substantially flat. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention showing a plurality of cardholders and a chamber containing an object of memorabilia.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the display system of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the display system of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]    A display system of the present invention is generally indicated at  10  in FIGS.  1 - 3 . The display system  10  generally comprises a picture frame  12 , card holders  14 , a chamber  16  and a mounting structure  18 . The card holders  14  are attachable to and arranged about the picture frame  12  in viewable relation to the chamber  16 . Preferably, the card holders  14  retain photographic memorabilia  20 , such as trading or collectible cards, which are associated with an object of memorabilia  22 , such as a miniature replica of a racing car, contained within the chamber  16 .  
         [0011]    The picture frame  12  includes a molding  24 , an optically clear member  26 , and a backing  28 . The backing  28  is preferably constructed of poster board and includes a decorative finish applied to a front viewable surface  30 . The card holders  14  are attached to the front viewable surface  30  of the backing  28 , either by a permanent or non-permanent adhesive. The card holders  14  are optically clear so that photographic memorabilia  20  placed within the holders  14  are easily visible. Preferably, photographic memorabilia  20  is meant to include trading cards relating to a sports figure or team. Examples of such trading cards include trading cards relating to NASCAR, National Football League, National Basketball Association, Women&#39;s National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and National Hockey League. Examples of such trading cards include, but are not limited to, those sold under the Trademarks DONRUSS®, FLEER® and TOPPS®. However, other non-exhaustive examples of photographic memorabilia  20  include any type of trading or collectible card, photograph, lithograph, painting, sketch, or depiction which can be inserted within the card holder.  
         [0012]    The display system  10  of the present invention also includes the chamber  16  for holding the object of memorabilia  22 . The chamber  16 , or compartment, is preferably defined by an upper member  32  and a lower member  34 , and left and right sidewalls  36  and  38 , respectively. The upper and lower members  32  and  34  are preferably substantially parallel to one another, as are the left and right sidewalls  36  and  38 . However, it would be within the scope of the present invention to provide any type of chamber  16  which would support an object of memorabilia  22 . The lower member  34  of the chamber  16  acts as a platform supporting the object of memorabilia  22  placed thereon. Alternatively, it would be within the scope of the present invention to fixedly secure the object of memorabilia  22  within the chamber by any suitable fastening means. The upper and lower members  32  and  34 , along with the sidewalls  36  and  38 , are positioned proximate a rear surface  40  of the backing  28  such that the chamber  16  is accessible through an aperture  42  located within the backing  28 .  
         [0013]    Both the trading card holders  14  and the chamber  16  are positioned within the frame  12 , resulting in the front viewable portion of the display system being substantially flat. By substantially flat is mean that, preferably, the card holders  14  and the chamber  16  are located behind the optically clear member  26 , with only edges of the molding  24  protruding slightly past the optically clear member  26 . The trading card holders  14  and the chamber  16  are protected by the optically clear member  26  extending between and held by the molding  24  of the frame  12 . The optically clear member may also retain the object of memorabilia  22  within the chamber  16 . The optically clear member  22  is positionable over the backing  28 , and the molding  24  retains the backing  28  and the optically clear member  22  within the frame  12 . The optically clear member  22  may either be a sheet of glass or a sheet of plastic, as is well known in the art. Preferably all materials used in constructing the display system  10  are acid free.  
         [0014]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mounting structure  18  may be attached along the border of the frame  12 . The mounting structure  18  surrounds and protects the chamber  16 . The mounting structure  18  includes a back portion  44  and walls  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52  extending from the back portion  44  of the frame  12 . The walls  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52  are of a depth approximately equal to or greater than the depth of the chamber  16 . The walls  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52  also provide the display system  10  with a box-like impression. Preferably, the chamber may be accessed through an aperture  54  in the back portion  44  of the mounting structure  18 . The aperture  54  is positioned proximate to the chamber walls  32 ,  34 , 36  and  38 , and a door  56  may be attachable to back portion  44  to retain the object of memorabilia  22  contained within the chamber  16 . Alternatively, the aperture  54  of the back portion  44  may be eliminated, and access to the chamber  16  is provided by removing the optically clear member  26  from the molding  24  of the frame  12 .  
         [0015]    In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1, the object of memorabilia  22  is a replica of a NASCAR racing car driven by the driver depicted in the trading cards  20  in the holders  14 . As is easily understood, other types of sports memorabilia may be placed within the chamber  16  for display along with trading cards  20  of the particular sports figure. In addition, photographs of a particular event along with memorabilia from that event may also be displayed using the present invention. The event may be a sporting event, or a personal event.  
         [0016]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the card holders  14  are positioned in a selected scheme wherein the card holders  14  are positioned in a viewable relation to the chamber  16 . Where each card  20  is positioned to comprise the particular scheme is not critically important, and any other scheme is included within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the optically clear member  26  defines a plane in which both the trading cards  20  and a viewable opening in the chamber  16 , defined by walls  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52 , are viewable in relations to one another. Alternatively, this may be defined as the chamber  16  being positioned in a recessed relationship with regard to the card holders  14 .  
         [0017]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.