Patent Publication Number: US-2002011502-A1

Title: Collectible display device

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application number 60/206,173 filed on May 22, 2000, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates to a collectible display device and more specifically to a device for displaying collectible miniature jerseys and holding novelty items.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] In recent decades, the popularity of collecting sports memorabilia has increased. The objects collected range from sports equipment and baseball cards to team jerseys. Sports memorabilia fits in a class of collectibles which are desired by both adults and children. Collectible items are often displayed for sale in unique ways. Baseball cards may be displayed in clear packaging allowing the buyer to see one or more cards at a time. U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,092 shows a device for displaying a collectible baseball bat.  
       [0004] A common sales practice is to combine sale of a product with a novelty item. The consumer attraction to either the product or novelty item makes the combination more desirable to the consumer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,752 shows a plush candy pop holder combined with a candy pop on a stick. The holder is designed to increase the enjoyment of the candy consumer by increasing tactile stimulation. However, the device is not designed to be a holder of collectible clothing which typically is not handled.  
       [0005] Clothing is often displayed upon a form or mannequin. The form provides a structure which fills out the clothing, simulating its state when worn by a person. Thus, the clothing is more visible to a consumer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,099 shows a relatively complex mannequin type clothing display. However, collectible miniature clothing will not be worn by people. Thus, a more simple form, which still displays fully the shape and design of the jersey is appropriate.  
       [0006] What is desired is an inexpensive device which will display collectible jerseys as well as act as a holder for a novelty item.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The present invention provides a display device for collectible items. The invention provides in one aspect a form having at least two arms for supporting the collectible item and having a seat for supporting a novelty item. The form has a rigid base.  
       [0008] The invention provides in another aspect a collectible comprising a miniature shirt bearing a logo, a form having two arms for supporting sleeves of the shirt in an extended position and a seat for supporting a novelty item. Further, the form has a rigid base. The invention provides in yet another aspect a collectible comprising a rigid housing having an upper section and a base section, the upper section being in the shape of a shirt and having a seat for supporting a novelty item.  
       [0009] An advantage of the present invention is the ability to display collectibles in combination with the sale of the collectible and a novelty item. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
     [0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of display device and a collectible which is a miniature jersey;  
     [0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of a display device with a skeleton frame;  
     [0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of a display device with a solid frame;  
     [0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multi level display case;  
     [0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a display device with a collectible integral with the form; and  
     [0015]FIG. 6 is a front view of a display device without a novelty item. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS  
     [0016] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a display device  10 . The display device  10 , as described in more detail below, comprises a form  20 , a collectible miniature jersey  40  and a novelty item  50 . The display device  10  supports a collectible jersey  40  and a novelty item  50  for sale to a consumer. Alternatively, the display device  10  may be used by the consumer following the sale to support the miniature jersey  30  for display purposes.  
     [0017] The display device  10  includes a form  20  which supports a jersey  40  and a novelty item  50 . The form  20  has an elongate shape and includes two arms  21  and  22 , a top  25  and a base  26 . In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the form  20  comprises a skeleton having a central vertical post  24  and two extended arms  21  and  22 . In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the form  20  is solid with two horizontally projecting lobes  21  and  22  which simulate arms to support the sleeves of a miniature jersey. As shown in FIG. 1, when mounted on the form  20 , the jersey sleeves are in a horizontally extended position, meaning a position different from that of an unsupported sleeve naturally draped. Thus, the full front view of the jersey face may be viewed by a collector or consumer.  
     [0018] The display device  10  includes a seat  30  for supporting a novelty item  50 . In an embodiment, the seat  30  is an aperture. The aperture may be located anywhere upon the form  20 . The seat  30  may also be a post, tab, hook, depression or threaded section of the display device  10 . As illustrated, the seat  30  is located upon the top  25  of the form  20  such that the form  20  supports the novelty item  50  in the aperture. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the novelty item  50  is supported on a stick  52  and the stick  52  is inserted into an aperture on the form  20 . The novelty item  50  illustrated is a confectionery item such as a lollipop, but may also be a miniature ball, such as a baseball, football, soccer ball or a ball from another sport or a simulation of a person&#39;s head. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the display device may be used without a novelty item as well.  
     [0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, the form  20  includes a rigid or supporting base  26 . The base  26  is provided at the lower end of the central vertical post  24 . The base  26  supports the form  20  in the condition illustrated in FIG. 1. A separate stand  28  may also be attached to the form  20  to support the device. The stand  28  may also be integrally formed with the base  26  and form  20 . Utilizing the stand  28 , the display device  10  may be stood upon a flat surface. The form  20  is manufactured from plastic, metal, wood, or glass.  
     [0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the stand  28  may include a finger activated button switch  60 . The button switch  60  is electronically connected to an electronic chip  62  mounted upon the stand  28 . When activated, the electronic chip  62  audibly plays music, songs, words, or crowd noises. Also attached to the stand  28  is a power supply  64 . The power supply  64  provides power to the electronic chip  62 .  
     [0021] Referring to FIG. 6, the miniature collectible sports jersey  40  has sleeves and a front and back. Typically professional, amateur, or school team logos, other trademarks, or country titles are placed upon the front and/or the back of the jersey  40 . Jerseys  40  are miniature representations of full-sized jerseys for professional or amateur teams in the sports of basketball, soccer, hockey, football, auto racing and other sports. The illustrated jerseys  40  are made of cloth and may be removed from the form for trading by collectors, but may be made from paper or plastic, or may be integral with the form  20  as shown in FIG. 5.  
     [0022] As shown in FIG. 4, at the point of sale, multiple display devices  10  may be displayed upon a multi-tiered rack  70 . The rack  70  is used for vending purposes or to display a personal collection of the consumer. The multi-tiered rack  70  comprises a box  72  and multiple tiers  74 . The multiple tiers  74  allow multiple rows of display devices  10  to be mounted and jerseys  40  to be viewed.  
     [0023] Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Minor variations and differences in the various combinations of materials and methods of application may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art while remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed and equivalents.