Abstract:
A storage and display case comprising an at least partially transparent housing dimensioned to receive at least one article to be displayed; a door attached to the housing, the door configured to open and close; a channel configured to receive an air filter; one or more feet on a bottom of the housing; and one or more receiving members on a top of the housing, the one or more receiving members configured to accept one or more feet of another storage and display case allowing multiple storage and display cases to be stacked stably.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to an at least partially transparent storage case for displaying articles, such as basketball shoes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Basketball shoes have become a collector&#39;s item to many. This phenomenon began with Michael Jordan and his shoes distributed by Nike® beginning in 1984. Since then the price of basketball shoes sponsored by NBA players has risen to $100 and more including some in the $250 range. People now collect basketball shoes. Such collections may comprise shoes which are never worn and others which may be worn on special occasions. For example, autographed shoes or very rare shoes (e.g., game worn) are typically not worn. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to develop a storage and display case and system allowing collectible shoes to be stored, maintained and displayed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is a storage and display case comprising an at least partially transparent housing dimensioned to receive at least one article to be displayed; a door attached to said housing, said door configured to open and close; a channel configured to receive an air filter; one or more feet on a bottom of said housing; and one or more receiving members on a top of said housing, said one or more receiving members configured to receive one or more feet of another storage and display case allowing multiple storage and display cases to be stacked stably. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the present invention is a storage and display case system comprising multiple storage and display cases, each said multiple storage and display case comprising: an at least partially transparent housing dimensioned to receive at least one article to be displayed; a door attached to said housing, said door configured to open and close; a channel configured to receive an air filter; one or more feet on a bottom of said housing; and one or more receiving members on a top of said housing, said one or more receiving members configured to receive said one or more feet of another storage and display case allowing multiple storage and display cases to be stacked stably. 
         [0006]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a storage and display case according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the storage and display case with a door in an open position according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate front and side views of multiple storage and display cases stacked according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a side view of multiple storage and display cases stacked according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3D  illustrates an information card slot according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative storage and display case according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates an opening and air filter of the storage and display case according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom of the case with one or more inclined portions to present shoes according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to those skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0016]    The components of the embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated of any suitable material, including, plastics, alloys, composites, resins and polymers, and may be fabricated using suitable techniques, including molding, machining,  3 D printing and rapid prototyping. Moreover, while the detailed description below focuses on collectible-style basketball shoes, those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable article(s) (e.g., ladies shoes, hats, etc.) may be stored, maintained and displayed in the storage and display case described herein. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a storage and display case  100 . In broad terms, the storage and display case includes an at least partially transparent housing  110 , an access door  120 , a channel  130  configured to receive an air filter  140 , one or more feet  150 - 1  through  150 - 4  ( 150 - 4  not visible but opposite said receiving member  160 - 4 ), and one or more receiving members  160 - 1  through  160 - 4 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the housing  110  is rectangular with a top  111 , bottom  112 , first side wall  113 , second side wall  114 , rear wall  115  and door  120 . In other embodiments, the housing  110  may take on other shapes such as square, circle, polygonal and the like. In one embodiment, the top  111 , bottom  112 , first side wall  113 , second side wall  114 , rear wall  115  and door  120  are transparent. In other embodiments, one or more of the top  111 , bottom  112 , first side wall  113 , second side wall  114 , rear wall  115  and door  120  may be opaque or partially opaque. In one embodiment, the housing  110  is fabricated of clear acrylic. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the door  120  rotates about a connection with the top  111 . In one embodiment, the door  120  attaches to the bottom  112  with a pair of hinges  121  such that the door  120  opens downwards. In alternative embodiments, the hinges  121  may attach the door  120  to the top  111  such that the door  120  opens upward or the hinges  121  may attach the door  120  to one of the side walls such that the door  120  opens to the left or right. Other connections means, besides hinges, may be used as well. In other embodiments, the top  111 , bottom  112 , side wall  113  or side wall  114  may serve as a door. In another embodiment, the door  120  may include magnets or other means to maintain the door  120  in a closed position. 
         [0020]    A lock mechanism  170  and  171  permits the door  120  to be locked maintaining the enclosed article(s) in a secure environment. The lock mechanism  170  and  171  may be any type of lock mechanism, including a latch lock, hinge lock and the like, suitable for securing the door  120  to the top  111 , bottom  112 , first side wall  113  and/or second side wall  114 . The lock  170  and  171  may be of a combination type or key type. 
         [0021]    The storage and display case  100  further includes four feet  150 - 1  through  150 - 4  on the bottom  112  and four receiving members  160 - 1  through  160 - 4  on the top  111 . As shown, the feet  150 - 1  through  150 - 4  and receiving members  160 - 1  through  160 - 4  are positioned on corners of the bottom  112  and top  111 , respectively. The feet  150 - 1  through  150 - 4  may be made of a pliable material such as rubber, soft plastic or polymer preventing damage to another storage and display case on which it may be stacked or a floor surface. In one embodiment, the receiving members  160 - 1  through  160 - 4  are in the form of a shallow cavity on the top  111 . In another embodiment, the receiving members  160 - 1  through  160 - 4  may be a tacky material, rough surface, hook and lop fasteners or similar means to discourage movement of the feet of a storage and display case stacked thereon. In another embodiment, the receiving members may be magnets and the feet may be metallic or vice versa. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show multiple storage and display cases  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  stacked on top of one another. Each of the storage and display cases  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  is generally constructed as described with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In a stacked arrangement, the feet  210 - 1  through  210 - 4  ( 210 - 4  not visible) of storage and display case  200 - 2  rest on, and are prevented from sliding by, receiving members  220 - 1  through  220 - 4  ( 220 - 4  not visible) of the storage and display case  200 - 1 .  FIG. 3C  shows the side view of the feet  210 - 1  through  210 - 4  resting in receiving members  222 - 1  through  222 - 4  comprising cavities configured to secure the feet  210 - 1  through  210 - 4  therein. Regardless of the embodiment, the receiving members  220 - 1  through  220 - 4  serve to hold or otherwise maintain the feet  210 - 1  through  210 - 4  of the storage and display case  200 - 1  to prevent the storage and display case  200 - 2  from shifting, sliding or moving once stacked on the storage and display case  200 - 1 . While only two storage and display cases  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  are shown in a stacked arrangement, more than two storage and display cases may be stacked.  FIG. 3B  also shows a side end of openings  130 - 1  and  130 - 2  for placement of the air filters. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3A and 3B  also show information card slots  225 - 1  and  225 - 2  for receiving information cards detailing information about the shoes in the storage and display cases  200 - 1  and  200 - 2 . For example, an information card may recite the year the shoe was released, whether the shoe was game worn, name of autographs on the shoe, means for authenticating the history of the shoe, shoe value, etc. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the information card slots  225  comprise two sides  226 - 1  and  226 - 2 , each defining a slot  227 - 1  and  227 - 2 , and a bottom surface  228  on which the card rests once inserted into the pair of slots  227 . Upper opening  229  permits placement in, and access to, the information card. Other card slot designs are conceivable. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3C  shows a first storage and display case  275 - 1  supporting second storage and display case  275 - 2  with feet  280 - 1  through  280 - 4  ( 280 - 1  and  280 - 4  not visible) resting in receiving members  285 - 1  through  285 - 4  ( 285 - 1  and  285 - 4  not visible) in the form of cavities. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , those skilled in the art will recognize that a top  310  of a storage and display case  300  may include pegs  320 - 1  through  320 - 4  ( 320 - 1  and  320 - 4  not visible) and which may be received by receiving members on a bottom of another storage and display case when in a stacked arrangement. 
         [0026]    While four feet or pegs are detailed above, it is conceivable that more or less than four feet or pegs may be used. For example, a single foot or peg may circumscribe a bottom or top, respectively, of a storage and display case and be received by a single corresponding receiving member on a bottom of a storage and display case on which it is stacked. In another example, a rectangular storage and display case may utilize six feet with one at each corner and one along each long side thereof. A rectangular case for shoes may have dimensions of 2-3 feet in length, 1 foot wide and 1 foot high. Any dimensions, shapes and sizes are conceivable. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a rear view of a storage and display case  400  with an air filter  410  inserted into a channel  420  or opening in the rear wall  430 . The air filter  410  is configured to filter corrosive and problematic organisms, microbes, pollutants, toxins and the like which may damage the shoes (or any articles stored and displayed in the case. The air filter  410  permits clean air to pass therethrough. The air filter  410  may also be incorporated in the top, bottom, side walls and/or door. Multiple air filters may be incorporated into a single storage and display case as well. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an inner surface of the bottom  112  is covered with felt  123  or similar material to enhance the presentation of the shoes. Presenting the shoes is accomplished by stacking individual storage and display cases on top of one another and positioning them side-by-side. The at least partially transparent housing permits the shoes to be easily viewed. Indeed, the owner may also be able to quickly select shoes to wear if the owner elects to do so. This is a great improvement over storing collectible basketball shoes in the boxes in which they were purchased. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the bottom of a case  500  may include one or more inclined portions  505  to better present a shoe or shoes as desired. A raised ridge  510  prevents a shoe on said one or more inclined portions  505  to prevent the shoe from sliding off. Alternatively, the one or more inclined portions  505  may include a tacky material thereon. 
         [0030]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.