Patent Abstract:
A rotating display system for assisting customers in visualizing various combinations of structures used in kitchens and bathroom, such as cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and shower walls. The rotating display system includes a cabinet display rotatably supported above a surface, a countertop display rotatably positioned above the cabinet display, and a backwash display rotatably positioned above said countertop display. The cabinet display has a plurality of sample cabinet surfaces, the countertop display has a plurality of sample countertop surfaces, and the backsplash display has a plurality of sample backsplash surfaces. The user rotates the cabinet display, the countertop display and the backsplash display to visually illustrate various options and combinations.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/346,730 filed Jan. 8, 2002. The 60/346,730 application is currently pending. The 60/346,730 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to building-material displays and more specifically to a rotating display system for assisting customers in visualizing various combinations of structures used in kitchens and bathrooms such as cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and shower walls. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Displays in the building industry have been in use for years. The most commonly utilized display is comprised of a rack displaying a plurality of countertop surface material that is not usually displayed with the other coordinating surfaces together. Another type of display is a board structure that supports a plurality of tile or countertop materials to illustrate the available options. The user must bring the product samples together with other surface options into a single location for visualization. Usually not all samples are available in one store. 
   The main problem with conventional displays is that they do not allow the user to combine and visually see various combinations of the coordinating surfaces together. A further problem with conventional displays is that numerous display units are required which consumes a significant amount of showroom space. Another problem with conventional displays is that it is time consuming for users to bring product samples to other stores for comparison purposes. Another problem with conventional displays is that they do not provide an accurate representation of the overall appearance of the combination in a building setting. 
   While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for assisting customers in visualizing various combinations of structures used in kitchens and bathrooms such as cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and shower walls. Conventional building material displays do not provide an efficient display system that can be easily utilized for effectively displaying various combinations of coordinating building materials. 
   In these respects, the rotating display system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of assisting customers in visualizing various combinations of structures used in kitchens and bathrooms such as cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and shower walls. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of displays now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new rotating display system construction wherein the same can be utilized for helping customers visualize various coordinating surfaces including but not limited to cabinet, countertop and backsplash options thereby facilitating purchases. 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new rotating display system that has many of the advantages of the displays mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new rotating display system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art displays, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame with each part being rotatable and able to be used to display (but not limited to) a cabinet display rotatably supported above a surface, a countertop display rotatably positioned above the cabinet display, and a backwash display rotatably positioned above said countertop display. The cabinet display has a plurality of sample cabinet surfaces, the countertop display has a plurality of sample countertop surfaces, and the backsplash display has a plurality of sample backsplash surfaces. The user rotates the cabinet display, the countertop display and the backsplash display to visually illustrate various options and combinations, or, in the example of a shower display, can be constructed to fit shower wall sample panels with two or more layers and a flooring layer. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rotating display system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
   A second object is to provide a rotating display system for assisting customers in visualizing various combinations of structures used in kitchens and bathrooms such as cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and shower walls. 
   Another object is to provide a rotating display system that is compact in size and requires a minimal amount of showroom space. 
   An additional object is to provide a rotating display system that provides one convenient location for customers to view various options and combinations of coordinating surfaces. 
   A further object is to provide a rotating display system that is easily manipulated to achieve various combinations. 
   Another object is to provide a rotating display system that provides an actual visual and physical representation of various combinations of coordinating surfaces. 
   A further object is to provide a rotating display system that assists salespeople in designing a space and which reduces the amount of time spent with each customer. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
   To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated or surfaces used for display and described within the scope of the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded upper perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an upper perspective of the present invention illustrating some rotational movements of the main components. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Overview 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views.  FIGS. 1 through 5  illustrate a rotating display system  10 , which comprises a cabinet structure  20  to display (for example) a sample cabinet display, a frame to display, for example, a countertop display  40  rotatably positioned above the cabinet display rack  20 , and frame or structure to display, for example, a backsplash display rotatably positioned above said countertop display  40 . The cabinet display  20  has a plurality of sample cabinet surfaces, the countertop display  40  has a plurality of sample countertop surfaces, and the backsplash display  50  has a plurality of sample backsplash surfaces. The user rotates the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  to visually illustrate various options and combinations. It can be appreciate that other coordinating surface materials can be used for display on this rotating display system. 
   B. Support Stand 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary support stand  30  for rotatably supporting the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50 . It can be appreciated that various other support structures may be utilized to rotatably support the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  with respect to one another and the support stand  30  illustrated is merely for illustration purposes. For example, the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  could be directly rotatably supported upon one another utilizing bearings, wheels or similar rotating mechanisms. 
   The support stand  30  has a support base  32  and a support pole  34  extending from the support base  32 . The support base  32  may have various broad structures for adequately supporting the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50 . For example, the support base  32  may have a broad structure, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or the support base  32  may have a plurality of horizontal leg units. The support pole  34  is preferably comprised of an elongate rigid structure. 
   The support pole  34  extends upwardly from the support base  32  and rotatably receives the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50 . The cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  are preferably removably attached to the support pole  34  utilizing conventional fastening devices which allow for rotatably supporting the respective cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  with respect to one another. For example, locking collars may be attached to the support stand  30  with bearings attached to the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  which rotatably rest upon the locking collars. Various other rotating structures may be utilized to rotatably support the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  with respect to one another. 
   C. Cabinet Display 
   The cabinet display  20  is the base of the present invention which is rotatably supported upon or above a floor surface. For example, the cabinet display  20  may have an upper surface  22  with a cabinet aperture  26  within for receiving the support pole  34  as shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. 
   The cabinet display  20  has a plurality of cabinet sections  24   a–d  preferably forming a square, rectangular, oval or polygonal structure. The number of cabinet sections  24   a–d  may vary such as but not limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 or more sections.  FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment where the sections face outwardly instead of towards one another. The applicant has found that  4  cabinet sections  24   a–d  provides minimum the desired visual effect as shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The cabinet sections  24   a–d  preferably have a height and width similar to a conventional lower cabinet and may be constructed in a horizontal or parallel manner depending on the surface material being displayed. 
   Each of the cabinet sections  24   a–d  for example purposes represents a various cabinet options for the user. The cabinet sections  24   a–d  may have various wood and material types, styles, structures, colors and textures. The drawings merely illustrate some exemplary cabinet designs for illustration purpose and should not limit the present invention. 
   D. Countertop Display 
   The countertop display  40  for example purposes is a relative flat structure for this example representing a countertop surface. The countertop display  40  is rotatably supported upon or above the upper surface  22  of the cabinet display  20 . The countertop display  40  has a countertop aperture  42  that rotatably receives the support pole  34  as shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. 
   The countertop display  40  has a plurality of cabinet sections  44   a–d  preferably forming a triangular, square, rectangular, oval or polygonal shape.  FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment where the sections face outwardly instead of towards one another. The number of countertop sections  44   a–d  may vary such as but not limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 sections. It is desirable to utilize the same number of countertop sections  44   a–d  as the number of cabinet sections  24   a–d  utilized, though various other countertop sections  44   a–d  may be utilized. The countertop sections  44   a–d  preferably extend from each corner of the cabinet sections  24   a–d  toward a central location. 
   The countertop display  40  has a plurality of countertop sections  44   a–d  that represent various countertop options for the user. The countertop sections  44   a–d  may have various material types, styles, colors, thicknesses, and textures. The drawings merely illustrate some exemplary countertop designs for illustration purposes and should not limit the present invention. 
   E. Backsplash Display 
   The backsplash display  50 , for purposes of example only, is comprised of a plurality of partitions  52   a–d  for illustrating various backsplash designs.  FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment where the sections face outwardly instead of towards one another. The number of partitions  52   a–d  utilized depends upon the number of countertop sections  44   a–d  utilized. The partitions  52   a–d  are formed to align along the borders of each of the countertop sections  44   a–d  as best illustrated in  FIG. 4  of the drawings. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, four partitions  52   a–d  are utilized forming an X-shaped structure as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4  of the drawings. 
   The backsplash display  50  is preferably rotatably positioned upon or above the countertop display  40 . For example, the backsplash display  50  may be rotatably attached to the upper portion of the support pole  34 . 
   The backsplash display  50  has a plurality of backsplash sections  54   a–d  which represent various backsplash options for the user. The backsplash sections  54   a–d  may have various material types, styles, colors, designs, and textures. The drawings merely illustrate some exemplary backsplash designs for illustration purposes and should not limit the present invention, nor should this display be limited to backsplashes. 
   F. Alternative Embodiment 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment has a flooring display  60  which has a plurality sections that may have various material types, styles, colors, designs, and textures. The drawings merely illustrate some exemplary flooring designs for illustration purposes and should not limit the present invention, nor should this display be limited to flooring materials. The flooring display  60  may be added separately by the user or it may be integral with the present invention. 
   The second embodiment also has a lower wall display  62  which has a plurality sections that may have various material types, styles, colors, designs, and textures. The lower wall display  62  is rotatably positioned upon or above the flooring display  60  as shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. The drawings merely illustrate some exemplary lower wall designs for illustration purposes and should not limit the present invention, nor should this display be limited to wall materials. 
   The second embodiment also has an upper wall display  64  which has a plurality sections that may have various material types, styles, colors, designs, and textures. The upper wall display  64  is rotatably positioned upon the lower wall display  62  as shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. The drawings merely illustrate some exemplary lower wall designs for illustration purposes and should not limit the present invention, nor should this display be limited to wall materials. 
     FIG. 7  of the drawings illustrates a third embodiment which simply utilizes the exterior surfaces of polygonal structures to create the desired combinations. The present invention should not be limited to the structures as shown in the drawings. 
   G. Operation 
   In use, the user rotates the cabinet display  20 , the countertop display  40  and the backsplash display  50  until a desired combination is achieved. For example, the user may first select a desired cabinet appearance by selecting one of the cabinet sections  24   a–d.  The selected cabinet section is retained towards the front as shown in  FIG. 5  and the user then rotates the countertop display  40  until a desired countertop-cabinet combination is achieved. The user then rotates the backsplash display  50  until the desired countertop-cabinet-backsplash combination is achieved as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  of the drawings. When the desired combination is shown, the partitions  52   a–d  hide the non-selected countertop sections  44   a–d  thereby providing the user with an overall visualization of the selected countertop-cabinet-backsplash combination. 
   As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6