Abstract:
A toy figure display stand displays a toy figure behind a transparent fluid-retaining wall, thus simulating immersion of the toy figure within the transparent fluid. The simulated immersion provides an additional level of engagement between the toy figure and a child or collector. The wall may include an interior transparent shell portion and an exterior transparent shell portion. The interior transparent shell portion and the exterior transparent shell portion may together define a cavity. A fluid may be received within the cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/474,965, filed Apr. 13, 2011, entitled “Toy Figure Display Stand,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosure relates generally to a toy figure display stand. More specifically, the toy figure display stand may display a toy figure behind a transparent fluid-holding front wall panel. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An increasing number of water-themed toy figures have appeared in the marketplace. These figures range from mermaid dolls to underwater action figures. Children and figure collectors gain an emotional attachment to these figures. Doll stands provide the child and figure collector with a means to display and pose the toy figure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,848 to Kaplan et al (“Kaplan”) discloses a toy with liquid-filled shell. The toy includes a base, a character figure on the base, and a dome-shaped housing on the base over the character figure. Inner and outer transparent shell portions cooperate to define an enclosed cavity therebetween, and a transparent liquid with sparkling particles suspended therein is received within the cavity. While the Kaplan housing creates an appearance that the figure is received in the liquid, it requires the extra effort of lifting the entire dome-shaped housing to place the toy inside or take the toy out of the housing. It also requires a large amount of the liquid in the toy and near the figure. 
     Kaplan also discloses a second embodiment, a toy including an opaque housing having a window therein. The window includes transparent inner and outer shell portions, which cooperate to define a cavity therein. A transparent liquid is received in the cavity. While this toy creates the appearance that a figure inside the housing compartment is received in the liquid, the housing configuration and small window do not display any figure presentably. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,578 B1 to Weber (“Weber”) discloses a bubbling brain novelty. The novelty includes a transparent vessel containing a fluid and a life-like full scale human brain inserted into the fluid. The vessel is open on its top and sealed on its bottom, and is mounted on a base portion of the device. Air bubbles are produced from an air pump, and the vessel is lit from underneath by a lamp. While this item is certainly a novelty, the feature on display, namely the brain, is actually submersed and not suitable for features that are intended to stay relatively dry. 
     SUMMARY 
     A toy figure display stand may display a toy figure behind a transparent fluid-holding wall. The wall may include an inner transparent shell portion and an outer transparent shell portion. The inner transparent shell portion and the outer transparent shell portion may together define a cavity. A fluid may be received within the cavity. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included within this description, are within the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The toy figure display stand may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the toy figure display stand. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing of a first embodiment of a toy figure display stand. 
         FIG. 2  is a front photographic view of a second embodiment of a toy figure display stand. 
         FIG. 3  is a front-right perspective photographic view of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand. 
         FIG. 4  is a front-left perspective photographic view of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand. 
         FIG. 5  is a front photographic view of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand in an activated state. 
         FIG. 6  is a front photographic view of a third embodiment of a toy figure display stand in a closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a right photographic view of the third embodiment of a toy figure display stand in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a back-right perspective photographic view of the third embodiment of a toy figure display stand in an open position. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side perspective view of some components of a toy figure display stand in an exploded arrangement. 
         FIG. 8B  includes a front view and a side view of a toy figure and the display stand of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9  is a back photographic view of the third embodiment of a toy figure display stand in an open position. 
         FIG. 10  is a top photographic view of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand in a closed position with a toy figure. 
         FIG. 11  is a top photographic view of the second embodiment of the toy figure display stand in a closed position without a toy figure. 
         FIG. 12  is a computer drawing from a top left perspective view of a first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 13  a computer drawing from an upside-down front view of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 14  is a computer drawing from an upside-down back view of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 15  is a computer drawing from an upside-down right view of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 16  is a computer drawing from an upside-down left view of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 17  is a computer drawing from a bottom view of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 18  is a computer drawing from a top view of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel. 
         FIG. 19  is a drawing of a fourth embodiment of a toy figure display stand. 
         FIG. 20  is a drawing of a fifth embodiment of a toy figure display stand. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A toy figure display stand includes a transparent fluid-holding front wall panel. The front wall panel may include an inner transparent shell portion and an outer transparent shell portion which together define a cavity. A back panel may be attached to the front wall panel, the back panel operable to open and provide access to the toy figure display chamber. The front wall panel may be tapered to provide a draft angle for improved one-piece injection-molded manufacturing and increased durability. 
       FIG. 1  is a drawing  100  of a first embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  according to the present invention. The toy figure display stand  102  includes a base  104 , a transparent wall panel  106 , and a back panel  108 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110  upon which the transparent wall panel  106  may be mounted or attached. The transparent wall panel  106  may be friction-fitted, compression-fitted, thermally sealed, adhered, or otherwise attached to the upper surface  110  of the base  104  or to a groove  112  or mounting aid in the upper surface  110 . A toy figure may be posed to stand on top of the upper surface  110  of the base  104 . Such a posed figure may be displayed and viewed from multiple viewing angles through the transparent wall panel  106 . In an alternative embodiment, the toy figure may be mounted to the upper surface  110  to aid in posing the figure and to provide a more consistent display. The base  104  may serve as a pedestal for a toy figure while housing various electronics and components used to enhance the display of the toy figure. 
     The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114 , a lower edge  116 , a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . The transparent wall panel  106  further includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  may be attached to each other along one or more of their edges to form a cavity  126  between the two portions. The two portions may be attached along their edges using physical means, such as one or more screws, chemical means, such as an epoxy, resin, glue, or other adhesive, or thermal means, such as melting the edges together. In a preferred embodiment, the shell portions are formed from a single piece of material. For example, the shell portions may be formed from a single injection-molded piece of plastic or acrylic. In yet another preferred embodiment, the transparent wall panel  106  includes at least one opening along one of its edges that provides access for fluid exchange with the cavity  126  between the two shell portions. 
     The back panel  108  includes an upper side  130 , a lower side  132 , a left side  134 , and a right side  136 . The back panel  108  is movably attached to the toy figure display stand  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the back panel  108  is attached to the transparent wall panel  106  by one or more hinges  128 . In alternative embodiments, the back panel  108  is hingedly attached to the base  104  or removably attached to the toy figure display stand  102 . 
     The transparent wall panel  106  and the back panel  108  each includes a curvature such that the right side  136  of the back panel  108  abuts the left edge  118  of the transparent wall panel  106  and the left side  134  of the back panel  108  abuts the right edge  120  of the transparent wall panel  106 . In this configuration, the back panel  108  may be considered to be in a closed position. In the closed position, the bottom edge  116  of the transparent wall panel  106  and the bottom side  132  of the back panel  108  enclose the upper surface  110  of the base  104 , and the transparent wall panel  106 , the back panel  108 , and the upper surface  110  of the base  104  form three sides of a display chamber for a toy figure. The interior shell portion  124  and the exterior shell portion  126  of the transparent wall panel  106  and a fluid within the cavity  126  may all be substantially transparent. The transparency may create an overall effect that the display chamber for the toy figure is completely or substantially filled with the fluid, when the fluid is actually contained entirely within the cavity  126 . 
     The back panel  108  further includes a latch  138 . The latch  138  is preferably located along the edge of the back panel  108  opposite the hinges  128 . The latch  138  may interface with the transparent wall panel  106  to hold the back panel  108  in the closed position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the back panel  108  abuts the transparent wall panel  106  along only one edge. This configuration may be considered as an open position. The open position may provide physical access to the display chamber, for example, to place a toy figure inside or take a toy figure out of the toy figure display stand  102 . 
     The toy figure display stand  102  further includes an enclosure lid  140 . The enclosure lid  140  may be pivotably, hingedly or removably attached to the top of the toy figure display stand  102 . In some embodiments, the enclosure lid  140  may be fixedly attached to the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The enclosure lid  140  may keep fluid within the cavity  126  or provide a fourth surface defining a toy display chamber. 
       FIG. 2  is a front photographic view  200  of a second embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  according to the present invention. The toy figure display stand  102  includes a base  104 , a transparent wall panel  106 , and a back panel  108 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110  upon which the transparent wall panel  106  may be mounted or attached. A toy  FIG. 202  is posed and standing on top of the upper surface  110  of the base  104 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114 , a lower edge  116 , a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . In this embodiment, the back panel  108  is attached to the transparent wall panel  106  by two hinges  128 . 
     The transparent wall panel  106  and the back panel  108  each includes a curvature such that the back panel  108  abuts the left edge  118  of the transparent wall panel  106  and the right edge  120  of the transparent wall panel  106 . In this configuration, the back panel  108  may be considered to be in a closed position. In the closed position, the transparent wall panel  106 , the back panel  108 , and the upper surface  110  of the base  104  form three sides of a display chamber  204  for the toy  FIG. 202 . The back panel  108  further includes a latch  138 . The latch  138  interfaces with the transparent wall panel  106  to hold the back panel  108  in the closed position. In this embodiment, physical access to the display chamber  204  to place the toy  FIG. 202  inside or take the toy  FIG. 202  out of the toy figure display stand  102  is available from an enclosure lid opening  206  at the top of the toy figure display stand  102 . The enclosure lid opening  206  may be defined by the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106  and an upper side of the back panel  108 . Increased access to the display chamber  204  may be available by opening the back panel  108 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front-right perspective photographic view  300  of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  are attached to each other along the left edge  118 , the right edge  120 , and the bottom edge  116  of the transparent wall panel  106  to form a cavity  126  between the two portions. A fluid  302  is retained within a portion of the cavity  126 . In this embodiment, the fluid  302  is water. The back panel  108  includes an upper side  130 , a lower side  132 , a left side  134 , and a right side  136 . The left side  134  of the back panel  108  abuts the right edge  120  of the transparent wall panel  106 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front-left perspective photographic view  400  of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102 . The right side  136  of the back panel  108  abuts the left edge  118  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The toy figure display stand  102  further includes an actuator  402 . The actuator  402  is movably embedded on the base  104 . The actuator  402  may be interacted with to activate one or more electronics and/or components in the toy figure display stand  102  used to enhance the display of the toy  FIG. 202 . In this embodiment, the actuator  402  is a push button or contact switch in the shape of a sea shell. 
       FIG. 5  is a front photographic view  500  of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  in an activated state. An activated state may be achieved when an actuator  302  is properly actuated. For example, a button may be pushed. The actuator  302  may signal one or more electronics and/or components  502 . The electronics  502  may include a microcontroller, one or more circuits, and/or one or more power sources, such as a motor or a battery, among other things. The electronics  502  may be housed within the base  104  to provide compactness. Alternatively, the electronics  502  may be housed separately from the base  104  to provide improved accessibility to the components. 
     In the illustrated activated state, the electronics  502  include a power source providing power to light sources  504 ,  506 . The light sources  504 ,  506  include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of a first color  504  and a second color  506 . The light sources  504 ,  506  may illuminate various portions of the toy figure display stand  102  and/or the toy  FIG. 202 . The light sources  504 ,  506  may provide illumination external to the toy figure display stand  102  and may add to the usefulness of the toy figure display stand  102 , for example, as a night light or room decoration. In some embodiments, the light sources  504 ,  506  may shine into the edge of transparent wall panel  106  to provide an intensity lighting effect. The electronics  502  may further include an air compressor creating air bubbles  508  within a fluid inside the cavity  126 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front photographic view  600  of a third embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  in a closed position according to the present invention. The toy figure display stand  102  includes a base  104 , a transparent wall panel  106 , a back panel  108 , and an enclosure lid  140 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110 . A toy  FIG. 202  is posed and standing on top of the upper surface  110 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114 , a lower edge  116 , a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . In this embodiment, the back panel  108  is attached to the transparent wall panel  106  by two hinges  128 . The transparent wall panel  106 , the back panel  108 , the upper surface  110  of the base  104  and the enclosure lid  140  form the sides of a display chamber  204  for the toy  FIG. 202 . The back panel  108  further includes a latch  138  to hold the back panel  108  in the closed position. The toy figure display stand  102  is shown in an activated state. The light sources  504 ,  506  illuminate various portions of the toy figure display stand  102  and/or the toy  FIG. 202 . An air compressor (not shown) inside the base  104  creates air bubbles  508  within a fluid inside the cavity  126 . 
       FIG. 7  is a right photographic view  700  of the third embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  in a closed position. The back panel  108  includes an upper side  130 , a lower side  132 , a left side  134 , and a right side  136 . The left side  134  of the back panel  108  abuts the right edge  120  of the transparent wall panel  106 . 
       FIG. 8  is a back-right perspective photographic view  800  of the third embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  in an open position. The toy figure display stand  102  includes a base  104 , a transparent wall panel  106 , a back panel  108 , and an enclosure lid  140 . The enclosure lid  140  is fixedly attached to the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110 . A toy  FIG. 202  is posed and standing on top of the upper surface  110 . In this configuration, the transparent wall panel  106 , the upper surface  110  of the base  104 , and the enclosure lid  140  form the sides of a display chamber  204  for the toy  FIG. 202 . The display chamber  204  further includes a doll stand  802 . The doll stand  802  is attached to the upper surface  110  of the base  104 . The doll stand  802  clips onto a portion of the toy  FIG. 202  and aids in the presentation and display of the toy  FIG. 202  by keeping the toy  FIG. 202  in an upright position. In alternative embodiments, the doll stand  802  may be integrated with or attached to the transparent wall panel  106  and/or the back panel  108 . 
       FIGS. 8A-B  are computer drawings of the doll stand  802  of the third embodiment.  FIG. 8A  shows doll stand  802  in an exploded view in order to further demonstrate how stand  802  may be attached to both the upper surface  110  of base  104  and doll  202 . As seen in  FIG. 8A , stand  802  includes a shaped portion  806 , a doll clip  804 , and a protrusion  808 . Clip  804  slidably engages at least portion  806  of stand  802 , thus allowing stand  802  to clip onto portions of toy  FIG. 202  disposed at different heights, such as the waist or hips. Protrusion  808  extends from the bottom of the stand  802  and may be integrally formed with stand  802  or coupled thereto in any desirable manner. Protrusion  808  may be configured to engage the top surface  110  of base  104 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 8B , clip  804  may be slid over portion  806  on doll stand  802  such that it may engage or clip onto a portion of toy  202 . Stand  802  may include a textured or wider portion beneath section  806  configured to ensure doll  202  is held in an upright position. Either before or after engaging doll  202 , stand  206  may be attached to the top surface  110  of base  104  by inserting protrusion  808  into cylindrical boss  810 . Protrusion  808  may engage cylindrical boss  810  (as shown in  FIG. 8A ) in any desirable manner, such as a snap fit, such that stand  802  may be extend from base  104  in a substantially vertical manner. 
       FIG. 9  is a back photographic view  900  of the third embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  in an open position. The back panel  108  is attached to the transparent wall panel  106  by two hinges  128 . Physical access to the display chamber  204  to place the toy  FIG. 202  inside or take the toy  FIG. 202  out of the toy figure display stand  102  is available by opening the back panel  108 . The back panel  108  further includes one or more accessory shelves  902 . Each accessory shelf  902  may be integrated with or attached to the back panel  108 . In this embodiment, the accessory shelves  902  were formed together with the back panel  108  as part of the same mold. Each accessory shelf  902  may hold one or more accessories associated with the toy  FIG. 202 , such as a doll&#39;s comb or an action figure&#39;s weapon. An accessory shelf  902  may provide space for an accompanying pet, animal, sidekick, or familiar. The accessory shelves  902  may further be positioned on the back panel  104  to enhance the display of the toy  FIG. 202 . In this embodiment, the accessory shelves  902  are positioned low and towards the sides of the display chamber  204 , such that accessories positioned on the accessory shelves  902  are not blocked from view by the toy  FIG. 202 , when the toy figure display stand  102  is in a closed position. 
       FIG. 10  is a top photographic view  1000  of the second embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  in a closed position with a toy  FIG. 202 . The transparent wall panel  106  and the back panel  108  each includes a curvature such that the right side  136  of the back panel  108  abuts the left edge  118  of the transparent wall panel  106  and the left side  134  of the back panel  108  abuts the right edge  120  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The display chamber  204  is defined by the transparent wall panel  106 , the back panel  108 , and the upper surface  110  of the base  104 . The toy  FIG. 202  is posed and standing within the display chamber  204 . 
     The transparent wall panel  106  further includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . In this embodiment, the transparent wall panel  106  is formed from a single piece of injection-molded acrylic. The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  form a cavity  126  between the two portions. The transparent wall panel  106  includes a fluid exchange opening  1002  along the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106  that provides access for fluid exchange with the cavity  126 . 
       FIG. 11  is a top photographic view  1100  of the second embodiment of the toy figure display stand  102  in a closed position without a toy  FIG. 202 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110 . A toy  FIG. 202  may be posed on top of the upper surface  110  and within the display chamber  204 . The display chamber  204  further includes a connection area  1102  for a doll stand. The doll stand may be attached to the upper surface  110  of the base  104  at the connection area  1102 . 
       FIG. 12  is a computer drawing from a top left perspective view  1200  of a first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106  according to the present invention. The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114 , a lower edge  116 , a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . The transparent wall panel  106  further includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  form a cavity  126  between the two portions. In this embodiment, the drawing represents the transparent wall panel  106  made from a single piece of acrylic. 
       FIG. 13  is a computer drawing from an upside-down front view  1300  of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114 , a lower edge  116 , a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . The transparent wall panel  106  is tapered such that the front profile of the transparent wall panel is slightly trapezoidal. In this embodiment, the distance d 1  from the left edge  118  to the right edge  120  is smaller between the arrows A-A, i.e. close to the lower edge  116 , than the distance d 2  between the arrows B-B, i.e. close to the upper edge  114 . The tapering may aid in providing a draft angle for a more reliable and stable panel creation during an injection molding process. 
       FIG. 14  is a computer drawing from an upside-down back view  1400  of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes two hinges  128  by which a back panel  108  may be attached. In this embodiment, the hinges  128  are located along the right edge  120  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  is tapered such that the back profile of the transparent wall panel is slightly trapezoidal. 
       FIG. 15  is a computer drawing from an upside-down right view  1500  of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  is tapered such that the right profile of the transparent wall panel is slightly trapezoidal. In this embodiment, the distance d 3  from the back of the transparent wall panel  106  to the front of the transparent wall panel  106  is smaller between the arrows C-C, i.e. close to the lower edge  116 , than the distance d 4  between the arrows D-D, i.e. close to the upper edge  114 . The tapering may aid in creating a draft angle for a more reliable and stable panel creation during an injection molding process. 
       FIG. 16  is a computer drawing from an upside-down left view  1600  of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  is tapered such that the left profile of the transparent wall panel is slightly trapezoidal. 
       FIG. 17  is a computer drawing from a bottom view  1700  of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114  (not visible), a lower edge  116 , a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . The transparent wall panel  106  further includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  form a cavity  126  between the two portions. 
     In this embodiment, the transparent wall panel  106  includes display enhancement openings  1702  along the lower edge  116  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The display enhancement openings  1702  provide access to the interior of the cavity  126  for components that enhance the display of the toy figure. For example, the display enhancement openings  1702  may provide one or more light sources with access to the cavity  126 . Alternatively or additionally, the display enhancement openings  1702  may provide an air compressor with access to the interior of the cavity  126  to introduce air bubbles into a fluid in the cavity  126 . The display enhancement openings  1702  may be completely or partially filled with a physical or chemical sealant. The sealant may retain a fluid within the cavity  126  and/or prevent leakage of a fluid out of the cavity  126 . 
       FIG. 18  is a computer drawing from a top view  1800  of the first embodiment of a transparent wall panel  106 . The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114 , a lower edge  116  (not visible), a left edge  118 , and a right edge  120 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  form a cavity  126  between the two portions. The transparent wall panel  106  includes a fluid exchange opening  1002  along the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106  that provides access for fluid exchange with the cavity  126 . 
       FIG. 19  is a drawing  1900  of a fourth embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  according to the present invention. The toy figure display stand  102  includes a base  104  and a transparent wall panel  106 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110  upon which the transparent wall panel  106  may be mounted or attached. The transparent wall panel  106  may be friction-fitted, compression-fitted, thermally sealed, adhered, or otherwise attached to the upper surface  110  of the base  104  or to a groove  112  or mounting aid in the upper surface  110 . A toy figure may be posed to stand on top of the upper surface  110  of the base  104 . Such a posed figure may be displayed and viewed from multiple viewing angles through the transparent wall panel  106 . In an alternative embodiment, the toy figure may be mounted to the upper surface  110  to better aid in posing the figure and to provide a more consistent display. The base  104  may serve as a pedestal for a toy figure while housing various electronics and components used to enhance the display of the toy figure. 
     The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114  and a lower edge  116 . The transparent wall panel  106  may be tapered to provide a draft angle for a more reliable and stable panel creation during an injection molding process. The transparent wall panel  106  further includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  may be attached to each other along one or more of their edges to form a cavity  126  between the two portions. The two portions may be attached along their edges using physical means, such as one or more screws, chemical means, such as an epoxy, resin, glue, or other adhesive, or thermal means, such as melting the edges together. In a preferred embodiment, the shell portions are formed from a single piece of material. For example, the shell portions may be formed from a single injection-molded piece of plastic or acrylic. In yet another preferred embodiment, the transparent wall panel  106  includes at least one opening along one of its edges that provides access for fluid exchange with the cavity  126  between the two shell portions. The interior shell portion  124  of the transparent wall panel  106  and the upper surface  110  of the base  104  partially enclose a display chamber  204  for a toy figure. 
     The toy figure display stand  102  further includes an enclosure lid  140 . The enclosure lid  140  may be pivotably, hingedly or removably attached to the top of the toy figure display stand  102 . In some embodiments, the enclosure lid  140  may be fixedly attached to the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The enclosure lid  140  may keep fluid within the cavity  126  or provide another surface enclosing the toy display chamber  204 . 
       FIG. 20  is a drawing  2000  of a fifth embodiment of a toy figure display stand  102  according to the present invention. The toy figure display stand  102  includes a base  104  and a transparent wall panel  106 . The base  104  includes an upper surface  110  upon which the transparent wall panel  106  may be mounted or attached. The interior shell portion  124  of the transparent wall panel  106  and the upper surface  110  of the base  104  partially enclose a display chamber  204  for a toy  FIG. 202 . 
     The toy  FIG. 202  may be posed to stand on top of the upper surface  110  of the base  104 . Such a posed figure may be displayed and viewed from multiple viewing angles through the transparent wall panel  106 . The base  104  may serve as a pedestal for a toy figure while housing various electronics and components used to enhance the display of the toy figure. The toy figure display stand  102  further includes an actuator  402 . The actuator  402  is movably embedded on the base  104 . The actuator  402  may be interacted with to activate the various electronics and/or components in the toy figure display stand  102 . In this embodiment, the actuator  402  is a dimmer switch in the shape of a ship&#39;s steering wheel. 
     The transparent wall panel  106  includes an upper edge  114  and a lower edge  116 . The transparent wall panel  106  further includes an exterior shell portion  122  and an interior shell portion  124 . The exterior shell portion  122  and the interior shell portion  124  may be attached to each other along one or more of their edges to form a cavity  126  between the two portions. The transparent wall panel  106  includes a fluid exchange opening  1002  along the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106  that provides access for fluid exchange with the cavity  126 . 
     An enclosure lid  140  is hingedly connected to the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106 . As illustrated, the enclosure lid  140  is in an open position. In the open position, the enclosure lid  140  does not abut the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106  except at the hinge joint. The open position may provide physical access to the display chamber  204 , for example, to place the toy  FIG. 202  inside or take the toy  FIG. 202  out of the toy figure display stand  102 . Alternatively, the enclosure lid  140  may be in a closed position. In the closed position, the enclosure lid  140  may fully abut the upper edge  114  of the transparent wall panel  106 . The enclosure lid  140  may keep fluid within the cavity  126  or provide a surface further enclosing the toy display chamber  204 . 
     Exemplary descriptions of the present invention include the following. In one embodiment, a toy figure display stand comprising a base with an upper surface; and a toy figure display chamber defined within a housing attached to the upper surface of the base, the housing including: a transparent display wall panel including an interior shell portion and an exterior shell portion which together define a cavity; and a back panel attached to the transparent display wall panel, the back panel being movable to provide access to the toy figure display chamber. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the transparent display wall panel is tapered. In another embodiment, the transparent display wall panel and the back panel form a hollow cylindrical-shaped housing. In another embodiment, transparent display wall panel and the back panel form a hollow elliptic cylindrical-shaped housing. In another embodiment, the back panel is hingedly attached to the transparent display wall panel at a first side of the back panel and attached to the transparent display wall panel at a second side by a latch. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the transparent display wall panel is formed from a single piece of material. In another embodiment, the transparent display wall panel further includes at least one opening through which a fluid may be introduced into the cavity. In another embodiment, the transparent display wall panel further includes at least one second opening through which a second fluid may be introduced into the fluid within the cavity. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the toy figure display stand further comprises one or more light sources illuminating the toy figure display stand. In another embodiment, the toy figure display stand further comprises a doll stand attached to the upper surface of the base and within the toy figure display chamber. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the toy figure display stand further comprises an enclosure lid attached to the housing and defining an upper surface of the toy figure display chamber and the cavity. In another embodiment, the toy figure display stand further comprises an accessory shelf on the back panel within the toy figure display chamber. 
     In one embodiment, a toy figure display stand comprises a base with an upper surface; and a toy figure display chamber defined within a housing connected to the upper surface of the base, the housing including a transparent display wall panel including an interior shell portion and an exterior shell portion which together define a cavity, the transparent display wall panel being tapered. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the transparent display wall panel is formed from a single piece of material. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the transparent display wall panel further includes at least one opening through which a fluid may be introduced into the cavity. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the transparent display wall panel further includes at least one second opening through which a second fluid may be introduced into the fluid within the cavity. 
     In another embodiment, a toy figure display stand comprises a base with an upper surface; a toy figure display chamber defined within a housing connected to the upper surface of the base and an enclosure lid, the housing including a transparent display wall panel including an interior shell portion and an exterior shell portion which together define a cavity. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the enclosure lid is hingedly attached to the housing. In another embodiment, the enclosure lid is removably attached to the housing. 
     It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     While various embodiments of the toy figure display stand have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, the majority of the elements can be formed of molded plastic. However, in alternative embodiments, the elements can be formed of a material other than plastic provided that the material has sufficient strength for the component&#39;s intended function.