Abstract:
A wall-mounted cabinet style display case for displaying an athletic uniform jersey neatly inside. The back frame of the cabinet is fastened to the wall first. The back frame has a flat open pocket inside and the jersey is neatly displayed by hanging the jersey on uniform specific shaped hangers and folding the jersey inside and around the pocket for proper jersey display length. A completely removable front frame fastens to the back frame by first latching the top back of the front frame to the top of the back frame. The front frame is secured using metal plates on the back of the front frame and opposable magnets located on the back frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCIAL LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTINGS 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The invention relates generally to the field of display cases for sports jerseys and memorabilia. The present invention is directed to a cabinet style display case which displays various athletic jerseys. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0008]    Display cases are used to display various sports uniform jerseys and other memorabilia. Some display cases are cabinet style and are made by attaching a framed clear door to a plastic mold back frame using two hinges. Once mounted on the wall, the front door frame can then be opened to place, adjust, remove, and change jerseys or memorabilia which are inside. Some jersey displays are just like picture frames where the jersey is flattened between a clear piece of acrylic or glass and pressed against the back supporting panel. Sometimes the jersey is sewn into the back panel for securing it in place. Other display cases use two pieces of glass pressed together on both sides of the jersey in order to view the jersey from both sides. 
         [0009]    Like many types of framed artwork and wall-mounted cabinetry, typical display cases are large and heavy because of their size, a previous necessity for displaying large jerseys neatly. When space on a wall is limited, or a person desires a smaller display case just because of size and weight, often the jersey is too large for the inside of the case and must be scrunched up at the bottom in order to completely fit inside. The result is poor presentation, increased wear and tear of the jersey, thereby decreasing preservation and combined overall value of the sports jersey and display case. 
         [0010]    Given their weight, display case cabinets are often difficult to mount on the wall and have posed many problems for people during installation. The typical two-hinged door system also makes installation difficult because sometimes the door may swing open during mounting, thereby compromising balance. Often people drop and break display cases during installation because of their weight, unbalanced nature when the framed door is ajar, or a combination of both. 
         [0011]    Typically, sports jerseys hang on a hanger which hooks to the top inside part of the display case. Because the fabric and cut of hockey, basketball, football, soccer and baseball jerseys vary, a common one size fits all hanger fails to accentuate the specific variations. Some hangers have been made in an attempt to display the jersey in a three dimensional way, but are not designed to accentuate the fabric and cut of the varying sports jerseys. 
         [0012]    When a collector owns several jerseys from different sports, and wants to periodically change the jersey to display, the person typically takes the jersey out of the case, pulls it off the hanger, and places a different jersey on the same shaped hanger. Jerseys displayed in picture frames, although they can be removed and changed, the frame must first be taken off the wall and second the backing on the frame must be removed to access the jersey for adjustment or removal. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is a cabinet style display case which displays real size sports jerseys. Although the present invention is smaller in size than prior art jersey display cases, it provides a better quality of presentation and better preservation of the condition of the jersey by use of an open flat pocket inside the cabinet which the jersey folds neatly around. 
         [0014]    The present invention uses a latching and magnetic fastening system for the clear front frame which makes the entire display case easy to install, safe, and user friendly. Because the present invention is made of two separate parts, a back frame including a safety ridge on top and two magnets on each front side, and a front frame including a latch on the top back and two magnets on each back side, persons installing the cabinet can mount the back frame on the wall first, and then fasten the front frame on the back frame. After installation, it is an object of the invention for users to be able to easily, quickly, and safely remove the front frame in order to place, adjust, remove, and change jerseys and other memorabilia. 
         [0015]    The present invention uses specially designed hanger molds which hang on a hook molded inside the top of the back frame. One variable use hanger mold provides for the proper hanging of football, hockey, baseball or soccer jerseys. There are two rectangular cut-outs in the variable hanger mold, each cut-out attaches on the hook molded inside the back frame depending on which way the hanger mold is used. A second hanger mold is specially designed for basketball jerseys and has a rectangular cut-out which attaches on the hook molded inside the back frame. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to reduce manufacturing costs by using less material, reduce shipping costs by having a display case which weighs less, and increase environmental friendliness by an overall reduction in material and energy consumption expended during manufacturing and delivery to consumers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cabinet style jersey display case displaying a baseball jersey in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a display case with a baseball jersey hanger, a front frame, a back frame, and four locations where the magnets and the back of the front frame come together. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is the front view of the back frame with a basketball hanger inside. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is the side view of the back frame. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is the top view of the back frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded front view, side view, and top view of a corner of the back frame. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is the back view of the front frame. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the top of the front frame showing an acrylic z-bar. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a basketball jersey hanger. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is the baseball or soccer jersey hanger. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a football or hockey jersey hanger. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is the side view of the display case showing the z-bar on the top back portion of the front frame latching on to a ridge on the top of the back frame. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross section view of the jersey folded in between the front frame and back frame in an open pocket in the back frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cabinet style display case  10  for use in displaying a jersey  32  in accordance with the present invention. The display case  10  includes a front frame  12  with a clear faced cover  13 , a back frame  14 , a cavity  34  between the front frame  12  and back frame  14  and a support member  30  for hanging the jersey  32  inside the display case  10  in a way which accentuates the fabric and cut of the jersey. The support member  30  has a rectangular cut-out at the top of the hanger  31  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) which is hanging on the permanently molded hook  18  inside the top central portion of the back frame  14 . Specifically, the support member  30  is a baseball jersey hanger which accentuates the fabric and cut of a baseball jersey  32  with sloping shoulders. The bottom of the jersey  32  is folded  33  neatly up and around into the inside of the open pocket  20  inside the back frame  14 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is the front frame  12  and the back frame  14  separated apart to show the locations of the magnets  17  in the two magnetic housings  16  on each side of the back frame  14 . The clear faced cover  13  is identified within the front frame  12  and is made of either acrylic or glass. There is a ridge  15  around the entire outside portion of the back frame  14  which fits flush with a recess  40  around the entire inside portion of the back of the front frame  12  when secured together. Also, the five pre-drilled holes  22  in the back frame  14  are used for wall-mounting with the appropriate hardware depending on the type of wall composition. 
         [0032]    The back frame  14  is mounted on the wall first before attaching the front frame  12 . The pre-drilled holes  22  are intentionally located in the back frame  14  where they can not be seen when any one of the three support members  28 ,  30 ,  30   a  (shown in  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 ) is used with the corresponding baseball, soccer, basketball, football, and hockey jersey  32  in the present invention. More specifically, three of the five pre-drilled holes  22  are located behind the support member  30  towards the top of the back frame  14  and two of the pre-drilled holes  22  are located just below the open pocket  20 . When any of the above referenced full-size jerseys is folded correctly up, around, and inside the open pocket  20 , the jersey will hang over neatly, and cover the two pre-drilled holes  22  on the bottom. 
         [0033]    The open pocket  20  is shown at the bottom of the back frame  14  with one of the four attachments  21  which secure the open pocket  20  permanently inside the back frame  14 . The support member  30  is used with baseball or soccer jerseys and is banging on the permanently molded hook  18  located on the inside top central portion of the back frame  14 . The support member  30  has a rectangular cut-out  31  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) specifically designed to fit and hang the support member  30  onto the permanently molded hook  18 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is the front view of the back frame  14 . Along the top side of the back frame  14  is a ridge  15 . The four magnetic housings  16  are shown, as is the location of a magnet  17 . The magnetic housing is shown  16  to attach permanently to the side of the back frame  14  using two rivets  36 . The open pocket  20  and the four attachments  21  where the open pocket  20  is secured permanently to the back frame  14  are shown. The support member  28  specially designed to be used with basketball jerseys is shown hanging on the permanently molded hook  18  using the rectangular cut-out at the top of the support member  28 . As in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates the locations of the pre-drilled holes  22  used for wall mounting and are intentionally located in the back frame  14  where they can not be seen when support member  28  is used with the corresponding basketball jersey in the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the back frame  14 . At the top is a ridge  15 . Two magnetic housings  16  are shown, as are the corresponding locations of the rivets  36  which secure each housing  16  to the back frame  14 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the back frame  14  and a ridge  15 . Two magnetic housings  16  are shown, one on each side of the back frame  14 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of parts of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 . More specifically, one exploded magnetic housing  16  is shown from a front view, side view, and top view. Also shown are the locations of the rivets  36  which secure the magnetic housing  16  onto the back frame  14 . The magnet  17  is shown in the exploded front view and is secured permanently inside the magnetic housing  16 . A ridge  15  is along the outside portion of the back frame  14 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is the back of the front frame  12 . There is a recess  40  around the entire inside portion of the back of the front frame  12  into which the ridge around the entire outside portion of the back frame fits flush with (shown in  FIG. 12 ) when secured together. Four metal plates  24  are shown, as are the locations of the screws  25  which secure the metal plates  24  to the back of the front frame  12 . One screw  25  secures each metal plate  24  to the back of the front frame  12  and there are two dimples on the back of each metal plate  24  which fit into two opposable recess dimples in the back of the front frame  12  to prevent the metal plates  24  from rotating around the screw  25 . At the top of the front frame  12  is the acrylic z-bar  26  which is secured to the back of the front frame  12  using three screws  27  which are spaced equally apart. The clear faced cover  13  which is made of acrylic or glass, is shown within the front frame  12 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the top of the front frame  12 . There is a recess  40  which the ridge on the back frame (shown in  FIG. 12 ) fits flush with when secured together with the front frame  12 . The acrylic z-bar  26  is shown secured to the front frame  12  using screws  27 . Also shown is the clear faced cover  13  within the front frame  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11  are the three support members  28 ,  30 ,  30   a  which are specially designed to be used with a specific sports jersey. Support member  28  shown in  FIG. 9  is intentionally designed so the manufacturer can make use of all the acrylic mold cut, thereby conserving materials and energy during the manufacturing process. More specifically,  FIG. 9  shows where support members  30  and  30   a  are cut out of the bottom of support member  28 , thereby reducing waste and creating one new support member which can be used in two alternative ways as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a hanger mold which is shaped like a stretched out basketball jersey to accentuate the fabric and cut of a basketball jersey. Intentionally made of a clear acrylic, it is hard to see when displaying a jersey inside the display case. At the top of the support member  28  is a rectangular cut-out  31  which is specifically sized to fit and hang on the permanently molded hook  18  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is the variable jersey hanger mold which is designed to be used with a baseball or soccer jersey so that the shoulders slope down on both sides to accentuate the fabric and cut of each jersey. Intentionally made of a clear acrylic, it is hard to see when displaying a jersey inside the display case. At the top of the support member  30  is a rectangular cut-out  31  which is specifically sized to fit and hang on the permanently molded hook  18  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is the variable jersey hanger mold which is designed to be used with a football or hockey jersey so that the shoulders extend parallel to the top of the back frame to accentuate the fabric and cut of each jersey. Intentionally made of a clear acrylic, it is hard to see when displaying a jersey inside the display case. At the top of the support member  30   a  is a rectangular cut-out  31  which is specifically sized to fit and hang on the permanently molded hook  18  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a side view of the front frame  12  latching onto the ridge  15  on the top of the back frame  14  using the acrylic z-bar  26 . The acrylic z-bar  26  latches to the ridge  15  to secure and guide the front frame  12  before closing. The front frame  12  and back frame  14  secure together using the four magnetic housings  16  with four magnets and the four metal plates  24 . There is a recess  40  shown on the back of the front frame  12  into which the back frame  14  fits in flush with when secured together. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross section view of a jersey  32  folded  33  neatly up and around into the inside of the open pocket  20 . The entire display case  10  is shown closed with a jersey  32  inside. The magnetic housings  16  and corresponding rivets  36  are also shown. The support member  30  is shown hanging on the permanently molded hook  18 . 
         [0046]    A cabinet style display case for various athletic jerseys and memorabilia has been shown which serves the purposes sought herein. Modifications, variations, other uses, and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specifications and the drawings which disclose the present invention. Modifications, variations, other uses, and applications which are not outside the scope and spirit of the present invention are deemed covered by the present invention which is limited only by the following claims.