Collectible display device

Abstract

A display device having a rigid based form is provided for supporting collectible items. The display device includes at least two arms which support the collectible item, such as a miniature jersey, and a seat which supports a novelty item, such as confectionary.

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'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.

Claims

1. A display device for supporting a collectible item comprising: a form having an arm for supporting said collectible item; said form having a seat for supporting a novelty item; said form having a rigid base.

2. The display device of claim 1 further including a stand for supporting said rigid base.

3. The display device of claim 1 wherein said seat includes an aperture for supporting said novelty item.

4. The display device of claim 1 wherein said seat is located at a top portion of said form.

5. The display device of claim 1 wherein said novelty item is engaged with said seat.

6. The display device of claim 5 wherein the novelty item is a confectionery.

7. The display device of claim 5 wherein the novelty item is a toy.

8. A collectible comprising: a miniature shirt bearing a logo and having two sleeves; a form for supporting said shirt having two extended arm portions supporting said sleeves in an extended position; said form having a seat for holding a novelty item.

9. The collectible of claim 8 wherein said shirt is a flexible fabric material.

10. The collectible of claim 8 wherein said shirt is a paper material.

11. The collectible of claim 8 wherein said shirt is a plastic material.

12. The collectible of claim 8 further including a multi-tiered rack for purposes of vending.

13. The display device of claim 8 wherein said collectible item is removable from said form.

14. The collectible of claim 8 further including a stand.

15. The collectible of claim 14 wherein said stand includes a finger activating button and an electronic chip and power supply, which when said button is activated plays music.

16. A collectible comprising: a rigid housing having an upper section and a base section; said upper section being in the shape of a shirt; said upper section having a seat for supporting a novelty item.

17. The sports related collectible of claim 16 wherein the rigid housing is standable.