Abstract:
An article display and method of use thereof, comprising a magnetic article display for releasably attaching two or more jewelry displays together or to a platform, to provide an article display set, wherein any display can be easily separated from the article display set; thereby providing for individual viewing of the removed article display and/or rearrangement of the remaining article displays within the article display set.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED US APPLICATIONS 
   To the full extent permitted by law, the present non-provisional patent application is a continuation-in-part of and hereby incorporates by reference and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application entitled “Article Display and Method of Use Thereof,” filed on Jan. 24, 2006, having assigned Ser. No. 11/337,991 now abandoned (which claims priority to Ser. Nos. 11/266,640, 11/252,534, 60/595,514, and 60/594,065); U.S. Non-Provisional patent application entitled “Slip Free Article Displays,” filed on Nov. 3, 2005, having assigned Ser. No. 11/266,640 (which claims priority to Ser. Nos. 11/252,534, 60/595,514, and 60/594,065); U.S. Non-Provisional patent application entitled “Slip Free Article Displays,” filed on Oct. 18, 2005, having assigned Ser. No. 11/252,534 (which claims priority to 60/595,514, and 60/594,065); U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Separating Ring Tray Module,” filed on Jul. 12, 2005, having assigned Ser. No. 60/595,514; and; U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Slip Free Jewelry Displays,” filed on Mar. 8, 2005, having assigned Ser. No. 60/594,065. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to display devices, and more specifically to individual jewelry display modules for storing and displaying jewelry. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Displays are commonly used to present articles in a manner that enhances the overall aesthetic appearance and artistic presentation of the articles and thereby entices consumers to purchase same. Additionally, display cases, lighting, mirrors, display forms, and the like are often used in combination to display articles in a fashion that stimulates imagination and thus, enables the consumer to envision himself using and/or enjoying the article. 
   For instance, jewelry articles, particularly rings, are often stored and displayed in a variety of fancy trays, holders, or racks. The most common type of ring display comprises a square or rectangular frame, typically made of plastic, rubber, or foam, and covered by a rich-textured or luxurious fabric sheet, such as linen, velvet, flock, faux leather (VIENNA), faux suede, silk, or burlap. Further, the jewelry display may be provided with one or more recesses or slits into which a ring may be inserted and generally configured such that the band of a ring is retained therein. Another common ring display is a ring post having a tapered cylindrical shape that simulates a finger, wherein a ring may be slid over the tapered post until securely held in place. 
   When such ring displays are in use, a salesperson will often remove and return various displays from a display case in order to present selected rings to an enthused consumer for closer inspection. During such inspection, the sales person or consumer will often remove the ring from its individual display position, and thereafter, upon completing inspection, return the ring to its individual display position. Accordingly, over time, such repeated and continued removal and return of the ring results in the outer surface of the jewelry display fraying; that is, the thin outer fabric tends to separate from the underlying jewelry display form, so as to exhibit a fringe or worn appearance. As a result, each recess, slit, edge, or surface in the thin fabric sheet detaches from the underlying display frame and/or wears away. Furthermore, such repeated use and activity causes ring-retaining recesses or slits formed within the frame to expand or stretch. Consequently, slits are no longer able to stably hold or securely retain a ring therewith, and/or fail to maintain the ring at an aesthetically pleasing angle, thus, significantly detracting from the overall product appearance. 
   Furthermore, upon selling a ring from a ring display, a sales person must rearrange the remaining rings or insert a replacement ring into the open recess, slit, or ring post, requiring expended time and effort. In addition, if a multiple ring display is in use, and a replacement ring is not available to fill an open recess, slit, or ring post, such a vacancy may detract from the general harmony and aesthetic appearance of the jewelry display, and may potentially causing a consumer to focus on the vacant recess, slit, or post, rather than the remaining rings displayed. To prevent such distraction, a sales person must remove each of the rings from the ring display, and rearrange them in a different display having an appropriate number of receptacles, which is very time consuming. 
   Therefore, for the foregoing reasons, it is readily apparent that there is a need for an article display and method of use thereof, wherein the convenient and repeated removal and replacement of a ring is enabled without fraying of the jewelry display, and/or without causing additional wear and deterioration to the jewelry display. There is a further need for a jewelry display that disposes with the burdensome task of rearranging the remaining jewelry items within a jewelry display, to fill a vacant recess, slit, or ring post presented after selling or otherwise removing an individual jewelry piece from the display set, such that rings or other articles may be quickly and easily rearranged within the display if an article is removed from the display. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly described in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such an invention by providing an article display and method of use thereof, wherein a magnetic article display releasably attaches two or more article displays together, thus, creating a article display set, and wherein any article display can be easily separated from the article display set, thereby providing for individual viewing of the removed article display and/or providing for convenient rearrangement of the remaining article displays within the article display set. 
   According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is an article display and method of use thereof, comprising a display platform and a magnetic material operably connected thereto. 
   More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is an article display and method of use thereof, comprising a plurality of article displays covered in a suitable material, wherein individual article display units may be removably attached to other article display units and/or to a display platform, in essentially any selected configuration, thereby forming an article display set. Each article display preferably comprises one or more magnetic portions that may be brought into magnetic attracted contact with one or more magnetic portions of another article display or of a display platform. As such, any article display in the set can be temporarily removed and/or magnetically re-attached to one or more other article displays of the set, or to the display platform. Additionally, the magnetic material of each article display facilitates repeated removal of the articles from a case for viewing, without risk of fraying the article display, or of causing additional wear and deterioration to the article display, and without requiring removal of the article from the article display for viewing. 
   Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to expedite article-handling processes by reducing or eliminating the time needed to remove and/or insert an article into a fixed article display set by providing an individual article display unit, wherein each article display unit releasably attaches to other article display units or the display platform, together forming an article display set. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to expedite article retraying processes following removal of a single article from a fixed article display set by providing an individual article display unit, wherein each article display unit releasably attaches to other article display units or the display platform, forming an adjustable article display set. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate vacant slots in a removable article display set by providing removable and reconfigurable article display units that do not require removal of the article from the display for viewing, but instead enable the removal of a display unit with the article displayed therein for viewing. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability include a plurality of article display units arranged together while retaining the appearance of a traditional display. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to separate an article display unit from the article display set and rearrange the remaining article display units, thereby leaving the remaining articles in place for continued display. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to add an article display unit to an article display set without necessitating removal of the entire article display set from the display case, or rearrangement of the article in a different article display. 
   Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to accommodate a variable number of articles by facilitating addition or removal of article display units from an article display set. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to work in conjunction with a high-friction surface platform for retaining and displaying articles in article display units and articles displayed directly on the display platform. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to releasably attach article display units to other article display units or a platform without attracting unwanted debris and dust. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an article display set including releasably attached article display units that maintains the appearance of a traditional article display, and that can be integrated seamlessly into a display case containing conventional article displays. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to quickly alert a merchant to the absence of an article or an article display unit. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide article display units which are releasably attachable to conventional article display platforms to form an article display including various different types of articles. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be re-organized when an article is removed from the article display set for display or when an article from the set is sold. 
   Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to releasably retain at least one of a plurality of labels, logos, signs, pictures or other symbol appropriate to identify or convey other information about articles on display, and to change the labels as the articles are changed. 
   These and other features and advantages of the present version of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present version of the invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial cut-away perspective view of an article display unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an article display unit according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3A  is a partial cut-away perspective view of an article display platform according to a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of article display units thereon; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the article display platform of  FIG. 3A  according to an alternative configuration of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of an article display set in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a first arrangement and configuration of a plurality of article display units; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the article display set of  FIG. 4  illustrating the individual article display units of the article display set in a second, rearranged configuration after the removal of an individual article display unit; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a pedestal display, shown with a grouping of ring display modules according to an alternative embodiment of the present version of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. In particular, the term “magnet” is intended to include permanent magnetic materials, induced magnetic materials, electromagnets, and any other material capable of magnetically attracting another material. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cut-away perspective view of article display unit  100 . Preferably, article display unit  100  comprises sides  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114 , top  115 , and bottom  116  arranged in a cube. Sides  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114 , top  115 , and bottom  116  are preferably formed of a suitable material, such as wood, plastic, metal, cardboard, rubber, foam, or the like, capable of providing-structure to article display unit  100 . Preferably, the material includes other suitable characteristics, such as a variety of forms and shapes, durability, water-resistance, light weight, heat-resistance, chemical inertness, oxidation resistance, ease of workability, or other beneficial characteristic understood by one skilled in the art. Sides  111 ,  112 ,  113 , and  114 , top  115 , and bottom  116  preferably include a rich-textured or luxurious fabric sheet, such as linen, velvet, flock, faux leather (VIENNA), faux suede, silk, burlap, or the like, or a high friction material, such as a soft rubber or polymer, and an adhesive, or the like covering an exterior surface. 
   Bottom  116  preferably includes a magnetic element, such as magnet  121  capable of providing sufficient attractive force when brought near a ferromagnetic material to removably retain article display unit  100  in a fixed position with respect to the ferromagnetic material. Magnet  121  is preferably attached to a surface of bottom  116  or disposed within bottom  116 , or bottom  116  may optionally consist entirely of magnet  121 . Top  115  preferably includes an article retaining structure, such as groove  123 , capable of releaseably retaining an article, such as ring  131 , in a desired position. Additionally, top  115  further preferably includes magnetic material  125 , such as a magnet or a ferromagnetic material, disposed proximate an interior surface of top  115 . Magnetic material  125  is preferably attached to the interior surface of top  115 , but may alternatively be disposed within top  115 , or top  115  may consist entirely of magnetic material  125 . 
   Magnetic material  125  preferably works in conjunction with label  141 , which preferably includes a magnet or ferromagnetic material, to secure label  141  to top  115  such that it is visible to a customer. In use, a selected one of a plurality of labels  141  may preferably be removably attached to article display unit  100  in order to convey information to a consumer about an article retained therein, such as a manufacturer, size, weight, cost, or other information. Since the labels are removable, article display unit  100  may be used to display one article identified or characterized by a first label at a first time, and may subsequently be used to display an article of another catagory identified or characterized by a second label at a second time. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 2 , article display unit  200  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is similar to article display unit  100  and includes sides  211 ,  212 ,  213 , and  214 , top  215 , and bottom  216 . Sides  211 ,  212 ,  213 , and,  214 , top  215 , and bottom  216  may optionally include high friction surface fabric disposed over or placed thereon, or may be constructed of a material having a high friction surface. Magnet  221  is preferably disposed on at least a portion of bottom  216 , but bottom  216  may optionally be a magnet. Top  215  preferably includes magnetic material  225 , such as a magnet or a ferromagnetic material, disposed proximate an interior surface of top  215 . Magnetic material  225  is preferably attached to the interior surface of top  215 , but may alternatively be disposed within top  215 , or top  215  may consist entirely of magnetic material  225 . As with the preferred embodiment described hereinabove, magnetic material  225  preferably works in conjunction with label  241 , which preferably includes a magnet or ferromagnetic material, to removably secure label  241  to top  215 , such that it is visible to a customer. In use, a selected one of a plurality of labels may preferably be removably attached to article display unit  200  in order to convey information to a consumer about an article retained therein, such as a manufacturer, size, weight, cost, or other information. Thus, different labels may be used with a given article display  200  at different times in conjunction with different types or styles of articles displayed in article display  200  at the different times. 
   Article display unit  200  differs from article display unit  100  primarily in that top  215  alternatively includes a different article retaining structure than groove  131 , such as tapered cylinder  223 , capable of retaining an article, such as ring  231 , in a desired “simulated wear” position. Article display unit  200  is preferably made having identical dimensions as article display unit  100  such that article display units  200 ,  100  of various configurations may be arranged proximate one another in a display set without difficulty in selecting an arrangement due to differences in dimensions. Alternatively, however, according to certain embodiments, one or more article display unit may be made having dimensions differing from other display units in order to display articles of various sizes and types, such as, watches, necklaces, bracelets, pens, pendants, broaches, cuff links, coins, sculptures, body-piercing jewelry, or any other article for display, or simply to add interest to the display set, such as by varying a height of the article display units in the article display set. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3A , article display set  300  preferably includes article display platform  310  and a plurality of article display units  100 . Article display platform  310  is preferably wedge shaped and includes top  311 , bottom  312 , back  313 , and sides  314 ,  315 . Optionally, article display set  300  may additionally or alternatively include various article display units according to various configurations, including article display units  200  or conventional article display units, and such additional or alternative article display units may or may not include a magnet. Preferably, article display set  300  has the appearance of being a single display tray, and may appear to be a single conventional tray. 
   According to the preferred embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 3A , each of article display units  100  includes a magnet such that an attractive force sufficient to releasably retain article display units  100  to ferromagnetic material  321 ,  322  of article display platform  310 . In order to provide for releasably retaining conventional article displays not including a magnet, article display platform may optionally be covered with or otherwise include a high friction material. According to a preferred embodiment, article display platform  310  includes a ferromagnetic structure, although a non-ferromagnetic structure may be used in an alternative embodiment provided that a ferromagnetic material is included on, or integrally formed with, preferably at least top  311 , and preferably also included on, or integrally formed with, bottom  312 . Article display set  300  preferably further includes label  345  which includes at least a magnetic portion. Label  345  preferably includes text or symbols adapted to convey information to a consumer about each of a plurality of articles displayed in article display set  300 , such as a common manufacturer, size, weight, cost, or other common characteristic among the articles. Since the labels are removable, article display set  300  may be used to display a plurality of articles having a common characteristic identified or described by a first label at a first time, and may subsequently be used to display a plurality articles having a second common characteristic identified or described by a second label at a second time. 
   For example, article display set  300  may include a plurality of article display units  100 ,  200 , each containing a different respective article of ruby jewelry. At such time each of the plurality of article display units  100 ,  200  would preferably include a respective label  141 ,  241  describing the respective article, such as price, weight, quality, etc. and article display set  300  would preferably include label  345  describing the common characteristic of each article. If the exemplary ruby articles were replaced with engagement rings, for example, labels  141 ,  241  could preferably be replaced with appropriate other labels  141 ,  241  describing the replacement articles, i.e. the engagement rings, respectively. Furthermore, label  345  would preferably be replaced with another label  345  indicating the new common characteristic. If any of the exemplary engagement rings is sold, it may be replaced, or the respective one of article display units  100 ,  200  may be removed, and the remaining ones rearranged to create an attractive display set. 
   In use, article display platform  310  may preferably be arranged resting on bottom  312  with top  311  facing a customer or shopper. Article display units  100 , or others, may preferably be arranged on top  311  according to a desired configuration, for displaying articles, such as rings  131 . Magnets  121  of article display units  100  preferably provide sufficient attractive force to retain article display units  100  in the desired configuration, even if article display platform  310  is moved. Thus, when a customer or shopper expresses interest in a particular article, the article display unit retaining the article may be removed from the article display platform for handling and/or viewing by the customer or shopper. When the customer or shopper is finished handling and/or viewing the article, the article display unit may be returned to the article display case and may be replaced on the article display platform. Article display units  100  are preferably interspersed or otherwise arranged on top  311  for retaining articles, such as rings  131 , for display. Label  345  is likewise preferably arranged on top  311  where it is visible to the customer or shopper and can be used to provide information about the articles displayed in the various article display units. 
   Article display platform  310  may, alternatively, be used by placing article display platform  310  on back  313  with top  311  facing a customer or shopper, as is shown in  FIG. 3B . When used in the arrangement of  FIG. 3B , article display platform  310  preferably includes a high-friction or tacky material disposed on or forming top  311 . Articles, such as bracelet  330 , watch  340 , and necklace  350 , or the like, are preferably displayed directly on top  311 , and retained thereon by the high friction or tacky material such that movement of article display platform  310 , such as removal from a display case, does not disturb the articles from their respective positions. Label  345  may also preferably be arranged on top  311  to provide information about the articles displayed thereon. 
   Article display platform  310  is preferably constructed of ferromagnetic material, but may optionally be formed or a polymeric material, as plastic offers a variety of forms and shapes; additionally, other suitable materials such as cardboard, foam, wood, aluminum, or the like, can be utilized, provided such material has sufficient strength and/or durability as would meet the purpose described herein and provided a ferromagnetic material is included near top  311 , and optionally other surfaces, such that article display units  100  are removably retained by an interaction between magnet  121  and the ferromagnetic material. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a top view of an eight-unit grouping of article display units  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c ,  100   d ,  100   e ,  100   f ,  100   g , and  100   h , arranged in a grid configuration (i.e., rows and columns). As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of article display units  100  can be releasably attached to article display platform  310  to form article display set  300 . While platform  310  is shown as having a rectangular perimeter, other shapes are contemplated, including circular, oval, heart, and diamond, among other perimeter shapes. Platform  310  should be sized such that a desired number of display units may preferably be arranged in a plurality of configurations, depending on the appearance of the presentation desired, and depending on the number and style of the display units, and should preferably provide room for the additional placement of one or more labels or signs. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a top view of a seven-unit grouping of article display units  100 , comprising units  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c ,  100   d ,  100   e ,  100   f , and  100   g  in a grid configuration (i.e., rows and columns). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of article display units  100  can be releasably adhered to article display platform  310  to form article display set  300 . The seven-unit configuration may be used, for example, in the event that one of the article display units is removed from the eight-unit configuration of  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated a perspective view of a pedestal style display  600 , in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , pedestal display  600  preferably comprises base  610 , support member  620 , and article display platform  660 . Base  610  preferably comprises a square-shaped member; however, any shape or configuration may be utilized. Support member  620  is preferably stem like, and includes a first end  621  and a second end  623 . Pedestal display  600  preferably holds display units  100   a ,  100   b ,  100   c ,  100   d ,  100   e ,  100   f , and  100   g  releasably attached to article display platform  660  to form a pedestal style display  600 . 
   In general use, article display unit  100  may selectively comprise one or more surfaces in contact with one or more surfaces of additional article display units  100  and removably attached thereto, or to article display platform  310  or article display platform  660 . As such, any article display unit  100  may be temporarily removed and/or magnetically re-adhered to article display platform  310  or article display platform  660 , so as to provide any selected configuration of article display set  300  or article display set  600 . Additionally, since article display units  100  comprise releasably attaching magnets  121 , such enables convenient and expeditious removal or addition of an article display unit  100  from article display set  300  or article display set  600  for presentation of one or more articles  131  retained in article display units  100  to a customer, and further enables practically effortless return of such article display units  100  to the display case, as well as selective rearranging, reorganizing, and/or reordering of article display units  100 . Accordingly, the present invention expedites both the article handling and/or re-traying process by enabling the removal, attachment, or re-attachment of article display unit  100  from article display platform  310  or article display platform  660 , forming article display set  300  and article display set  600 , respectively. Such article handling processes may include, but are not limited to, jewelry display set-up time, jewelry display take-down time, and jewelry display alignment and/or adjustments. Further, if an article is sold, the associated article display unit  100  does not have to be returned to article display set  300  or article display set  600  within the case, but can be removed from article display set  300  or article display set  600 , and the remaining article display units  100  rearranged in any selected manner. Still further, if an article  131  is to be added to article display set  300  or article display set  600 , the associated article display unit  100  displaying article  131  may be releasably attached to article display platform  310  or article display platform  660 , forming article display set  300  or article display set  600 , respectively. 
   In use, article display sets  300 ,  600  may be used to display article sets as a collection of jewelry items having a particular style, or jewelry items having similar gem stones, grouped together and displayed as a set. Articles  131  may include, but are not limited to, ornamental devices worn by persons, and typically made of stones, precious and semiprecious gems, and metals, and thus include pins, clasp, bracelets, bangles, watches, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings, as well as items such as hair ornaments or body piercing jewelry. It is contemplated that other items can be selectively secured to article display platform  310  or article display platform  660  for display. 
   Article display platform  310 ,  660  and article display units  100  may also include indicia formed thereon, including embossing, de-bossing, ink or ink-like materials, labels, or business cards attached by magnets as described above, or by other means such as adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The indicia may include, but is not limited to, a logo, an advertisement, an instruction, a promotion, a company name, a company contact information, and an article name or article set name. Thus, article display set  300 ,  600 , article display units  100 ,  200 , and/or article display platform  310 ,  660  can be used as a promotional item by including a business name or product logo thereon. 
   Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present version of the invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present version of the invention. Accordingly, the present version of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.