DISPLAY CASES

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to display cases for collectibles, such as baseball cards.

BACKGROUND

Owners of collectibles, such as baseball cards, often use conventional display cases to hold and protect collectibles. These conventional display cases may also facilitate sharing, grading, exhibiting, selling, and/or transferring the collectibles.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In certain examples, a display case for displaying an item includes a first case section, a second case section, a first liner coupled to the first case section, and a second liner coupled to the first case section, and the first liner and the second liner are configured to suspend the item between the first case section and the second case section.

Optionally, each of the first case section and the second case section includes a viewing pane and the first liner and the second liner are configured to suspend the item between the viewing panes. Optionally, each of the first case section and the second case section includes a viewing pane and a first cavity is defined between the viewing pane of the first case section and the first liner and a second cavity is defined between the viewing pane of the second case section and the second liner. Optionally, the first liner or the second liner is elastically deformable. Optionally, the first liner is configured to flex away from the second liner when the item is located between the first liner and the second liner. Optionally, the first liner and the second liner are configured to prevent movement of the item located there between along the first liner and the second liner. Optionally, the first liner and the second liner are configured to compress the item there between. Optionally, the first liner is configured to deform and engage an edge of the item. Optionally, the first case section has a frame surface that faces a frame surface of the second case section and the first liner is coupled to the frame surface of the first case section and the second liner is coupled to the frame surface of the second case section. Optionally, the first liner is coupled to the first case section such that the first liner is tensioned. Optionally, a coupling device is coupled to one of the first case section or the second case section and for coupling to the one of the first case section or the second case section to the other of the first case section and the second case section. Optionally, the coupling device is a magnet. Optionally, a hinge pivotably couples the first case section to the second case section. Optionally, a jacket is removably coupled to and surrounding the first case section and the second case section. Optionally, the jacket prevents movement of the first case section relative to the second case section.

In certain examples, a display case for displaying an item includes a first case section, a second case section, a first liner coupled to the first case section such that a first cavity is defined between the first liner and the first case section, and a second liner coupled to the second case section such that a second cavity is defined between the second liner and the second case section, and the first liner and the second liner are configured to sandwich the item there between and suspend the item between the first cavity and the second cavity.

Optionally, the first case section and the second case section are pivotably coupled to each other about an axis. Optionally, the first liner is configured to flex away from the second liner when the item is sandwiched between the first liner and the second liner. Optionally, the first liner and the second liner are configured to prevent movement of the item located there between along the first liner and the second liner. Optionally, the first liner and the second liner are configured to compress the item there between.

Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described with reference to the following Figures. The same numbers are used throughout the Figures to reference like features and like components.

FIG. 1 depicts an example display case assembly of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example case according to the present disclosure in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the case of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the case of FIG. 2 within line 4-4 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the case of FIG. 2 within line 5-5 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 2 in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a top-down view of the case of FIG. 2 in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the case of FIG. 2 in the open position.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the case in the open position and with the liners spaced apart from the case sections.

FIG. 10A is a front view of an example jacket according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the example jacket.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the example jacket.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example jacket according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any examples of the present disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the examples of the present disclosure are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The examples of the present disclosure are capable of other examples and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Unless otherwise specified or limited, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and the like, are meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and/or C, including combinations with multiple instances of A, B, and/or C. Likewise, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “linked,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, unless otherwise specified or limited, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular examples or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “lateral” or “longitudinal” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or examples. Additionally, use of the words “first,” “second”, “third,” etc. is not intended to connote priority or importance, but merely to distinguish one of several similar elements from another.

The present inventor observed that there are numerous types of conventional, commercially available display cases in the marketplace and that each type of conventional display case has deficiencies and disadvantages. For example, a first type of conventional display case is a thin flexible sleeve. These display cases are made of thin materials and do not offer much protection for the card. In addition, the cards can inadvertently slide out of the sleeve. A second type of conventional display case has a pair of hard plastic shells that are fixedly coupled together with fasteners (e.g., screws). The card is tightly compressed between the shells potentially damaging the card. The card cannot be easily removed from the shells. A third type of conventional display case is commonly referred to as a ‘slab case.’ ‘Slab cases’ are commonly used by card grading companies and include two plastic slabs that are fixed together with adhesives or heat welds. The cards cannot be extracted from the ‘slab case’ without breaking the slabs. Such activity may damage the card. ‘Slab cases’ often have depressions that correspond to the dimensions of the card being contained therein, and thus, different cards must have unique corresponding slabs. ‘Slab cases’ are also prone to ‘rattling’ or movement of the card within the case due to manufacturing tolerances.

The present inventor endeavored to develop the display cases described hereinbelow that offer advantageous features in view of conventional display cases and solve many of the problems associated with conventional display cases. Through research and experimentation, the present inventor developed the example display cases of the present disclosure which incorporate features and components that are improvements over conventional display cases. The display cases of the present disclosure advantageously protect the card from damage while also allowing the user to easily remove the card and/or examine the card, if necessary. The display cases of the present disclosure also accommodate cards or other items having different sizes, shapes, and/or thicknesses making the display cases of the present disclosure more universal than conventional display cases. The display cases of the present disclosure can also open flat, prevent rattling of the item in the display case, provide ultraviolet light protection, and/or have water-resistant or waterproofing features.

FIG. 1 depicts an example display case 20 of the present disclosure. The display case 20 is for displaying and protecting an item or collectible therein. In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the item or collectible contained therein is a baseball card 10. The present inventor has contemplated that the example display cases 20 of the present disclosure can be utilized to contain other items or collectibles such as art, comic books, newspaper clippings, paintings, ticket stubs, stamps, coins, pictures, photographs, and/or the like. The size and the shape of the display case 20 can vary, and the example display case 20 depicted in FIG. 1 is generally rectangular.

Note that while the example display cases 20 of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to a baseball card (or “card” for short), the example display cases 20 are not limited to containing only baseball cards or other types of cards. Instead, the example display cases 20 may contain any suitable item or collectible. Furthermore, the present disclosure describes several example display cases 20 herein and it should be recognized that other example display cases not specifically described herein may contain one more of the features and/or components of the example display cases 20 described herein.

Generally, the display case 20 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a pair of case sections 51, 52 that are movable relative to each other such that the display case 20 is movable into and between a closed position (FIG. 2) and an open position (FIG. 6). Generally, the case sections 51, 52 are configured to contain and surround a card 10 thereby protecting the card 10. A pair of securing liners 70 (FIG. 9) are coupled to the case sections 51, 52 and the card 10 is sandwiched between the liners 70. The liners 70 are configured to suspend the card 10 between the case sections 51, 52. The display case 20 can also include a removable jacket 90 that surrounds the case sections 51, 52 (described in greater detail herein). Referring to FIG. 2, the display case 20 longitudinally extends between a first case end 41 and an opposite second case end 42 (see example longitudinal axis L), laterally extends between a first case side 43 and an opposite second case side 44 (see example lateral axis T), and vertically extends between a case top 45 and an opposite case bottom 46 (see example vertical axis V). The case sections 51, 52, the liners 70, the jacket 90, and other components and features thereof are described in greater detail herein below.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-9, the case sections 51, 52 are depicted in greater detail. The case sections 51, 52 are coupled to each other with a hinge 53 (e.g., living hinge, piano hinge) that extends along the first case end 41. The first case section 51 and the opposite second case section 52 can be folded or stacked onto each other. One or more tabs 55 are coupled to the first case section 51 and/or the second case section 52 at the second case end 42 to facilitate moving the first case section 51 relative to the second case section 52. The tabs 55 extend away from the case sections 51, 52. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, one tab 55 is coupled to the first case section 51 and two tabs 55 are coupled to the second case section 52. Note that the tabs 55 on the case sections 51, 52 are offset from each other and the tab 55 coupled to the first case section 51 overlaps each of the tabs 55 coupled to the second case section 52. In these examples, the case sections 51, 52 are configured to be selectively movable into an open position (FIG. 6) such that the case sections have a ‘portrait’-type orientation. Also note that in other examples, the hinge 53 is located along one of the sides 43, 44 such that the case sections 51, 52 open into a ‘book’ or ‘landscape’-type orientation when in an open position.

A seam 54 is defined between the case sections 51, 52 when the display case 20 is in the closed position (FIG. 2). In certain examples, a tamper-evident tape (not depicted) can be placed over at least a portion of the seam 54 such that if the tamper-evident tape is broken, the broken tape gives an indication that the display case 20 has been tampered with or opened.

In one example operation of moving the display case 20 from the closed position (FIG. 2) to an open position (FIG. 6), the user engages the tabs 55 (see arrows A) and moves the tabs 55 away from each other such that the case sections 51, 52 pivot (see arrow B) relative to each other about the axis 56 defined by the hinge 53. In certain examples, the case sections 51, 52 are capable of pivoting at least 180.0 degrees relative to each other. In certain examples, when in the open position (FIG. 6), the case sections 51, 52 lie in the same plane and/or flat on a supporting surface.

In certain examples, hanging components (e.g., hooks, recesses, studs, brackets) are coupled to the case sections 51, 52 and are configured to facilitate hanging the display case 20 (e.g., the display case 20 is hung on a wall). In other examples, the case sections 51, 52 have legs extending therefrom that allow the display case 20 to be positioned in an upright position (e.g., the first case end 41 is vertically above the second case end 42) on a surface (e.g., the legs support the display case 20 in an upright position on a desk or table). The legs may be retractable or pivotable. In other examples, a pedestal (not depicted) can be provided to prop up the display case 20 in the upright position.

Additional features and/or components of the case sections 51, 52 are described further herein with reference to the first case section 51. The second case section 52 can include any features and/or components described with reference to the first case section 51. In certain examples, the second case section 52 is identical to the first case section 51. In certain examples, the second case section 52 and the first case section 51 are mirrored versions of each other. Note that case sections 51, 52 depicted herein can include similar to the components or features denoted with the same part numbers, however, the use of the same part numbers for various components or features of the present disclosure should not be construed to indicate that the similarly marked components and/or features are necessarily identical. Instead, the similarly marked components and/or features may have varying features or characteristics. For instance, the viewing pane 64 of the first case section 51 may have a different thickness than the viewing pane 64 of the second case section 52.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 4-7, the first case section 51 has a perimeter frame 57. The frame 57 has a frame exterior surface 61 (FIG. 2) and a transverse width W1. The frame exterior surface 61 extends in a first plane 81 (see FIG. 4).

The frame 57 also includes an interior perimeter lip surface 58 and a frame interior surface 59 that faces in a direction opposite the frame exterior surface 61. Note that in FIGS. 4-5 the frame interior surface 59 of the first case section 51 faces the frame interior surface 59 of the second case section 52. The perimeter lip surface 58 lies in a second plane 82 (FIG. 4) that is vertically offset from a third plane 83 (FIG. 4) in which the frame interior surface 59 lies. The planes 82, 83 extend parallel to each other. Note that FIGS. 4-5 depict the perimeter lip surfaces 58 of the adjacent case section 51, 52 spaced apart from each other for clarity, and in other examples, the perimeter lip surfaces 58 of the case sections 51, 52 abut each other. In certain examples, the frame 57 defines a step between the perimeter lip surface 58 and the frame interior surface 59.

One or more coupling devices, such as magnets 62, are coupled to and/or embedded in the frame 57. The magnets 62 are for holding the case sections 51, 52 together when the display case 20 is in the closed position (FIG. 2). In certain examples, the magnets 62 in the first case section 51 have a polarity opposite the polarity of the magnets 62 in the second case section 52 such that the magnets 62 are attracted to each other. In certain examples, the magnets 62 extend through the frame surface 59. In other examples, the coupling devices are clip attachments and/or adhesives.

The frame 57 surrounds a viewing pane 64 through which the card 10 (FIG. 1) is viewed. The viewing pane 64 has an exterior first pane surface 65 (FIG. 2) and an opposite interior second pane surface 66. The first pane surface 65 lies in the first plane 81 (FIG. 4) with the exterior frame surface 61, and the second pane surface 66 lies in a fourth plane 84 (FIG. 4) that is parallel and offset from the first plane 81.

The frame 57 and the viewing pane 64 are integrally formed with each other. In other examples, the frame 57 and the viewing pane 64 are formed separately and then coupled to each other. In certain examples, frame 57 and the viewing pane 64 are rigid and thereby protect the card 10 therein from damage. The frame 57 and the viewing pane 64 can be formed with any suitable material such as plastic, metal, and/or glass. In one example, the frame 57 and the viewing pane 64 are formed from polycarbonate. In certain examples, the frame 57 is translucent or opaque and the viewing pane 64 is transparent. In certain examples, the frame 57 and/or the viewing pane 64 are formed with material having ultraviolet (UV) light protection characteristics. In certain examples, the frame 57 and/or the viewing pane 64 are coated with a UV light protection material. In certain examples, a gasket (not depicted) is coupled to the perimeter lip surface 58 such that when the display case 20 is in the closed position (FIG. 2) the gasket forms a fluid-tight seal between the case sections 51, 52.

In certain examples, certain components and/or features of the first case section 51 are manufactured together as integral assembly components. For instance, the first case section 51 includes a first assembly component 111 (FIG. 9) which is manufactured to include the hinge 53 and/or the frame 57 and a second assembly component 112 (FIG. 9) which is manufactured to include the viewing pane 64 and/or the tabs 55. The assembly components 111, 112 are coupled together using any suitable fasteners should as adhesives, screws, and/or bolts. In certain examples, the first assembly component 111 has projections 113 that are received into holes 114 thereby coupling the assembly components 111, 112 together. The shape of the projections 113 can vary, and one example, the projection 113 are “T” shaped.

FIG. 8 depicts the display case 20 in the open position. The vertical height X1 of the first case section 51 is greater than the vertical height X2 of the second case section 52. In other examples, the vertical heights of the case sections 51, 52 are equal.

Turning now to FIG. 9, the display case 20 includes one or more suspended card securing liners 70 coupled to the case sections 51, 52. Note that FIG. 9 depicts the liners 70 separated from the case sections 51, 52 for clarity. Each liner 70 is coupled to one of the case sections 51, 52. In certain examples, each liner 70 is coupled to the frame interior surface 59 with any suitable component such as adhesive tape and the liner 70 is suspended and spaced apart from the viewing panes 64. In certain examples, a separation distance V1 and a cavity 74 (FIG. 4) are defined between each liner 70 and the corresponding second pane surface 66 of the viewing pane 64 or the fourth plane 84. In certain examples, the separation distance V1 is 0.10 inches. The liner 70 can include holes 71 which align with the magnets 62. In certain examples, the liner 70 is stretched over the magnets 62 such that the liner 70 is in tension.

The liner 70 can be formed of any suitable material such as polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), rubber, and shrink wrap type material. The thickness of the liner 70 can vary, and in certain examples, the thickness of the liner 70 is 0.03 millimeters (mm). In another example, the thickness of the liner 70 is a value in the range of 0.005-0.13 mm. In certain examples, the liner 70 is formed with a layer of adhesive thereon that corresponds to the frame surface 59. The size and/or the shape of the liner 70 can vary, and in the example depicted in FIG. 9 the liners are rectangular planar sheets. In certain examples, the material forming the liner 70 has ultraviolet (UV) light protection features. In certain examples, the liner 70 is coated with a UV light protection material.

Referring back to FIGS. 4-5, each liner 70 generally extends along the third plane 83. In certain examples, the liners 70 extend at least partially along the frame surfaces 59. The liners 70 are configured to suspend the card 10 between the case sections 51, 52 (described further herein). The liner 70 thereby at least partially defines the cavity 74 between the liner 70 and the second pane surface 66. In addition, when display case 20 is in the closed position (FIG. 2), the liners 70 of each case section 51, 52 define a void 75 therebetween in which the card 10 can be received. Note that when the card 10 is in the void 75 and sandwiched between the liners 70 (as depicted in FIG. 4), the one or both liners 70 flex toward the second pane surface 66 such that the distance V2 between the liner 70 and the second pane surface 66 is less than the separation distance V1 when there is no card 10 present between the liners 70. In certain examples, the liner 70 is tensioned between the frame interior surfaces 59 such that when the card 10 is not located between the liners 70, the liners 70 do not ‘sag’ out of their respective third planes 83 under the force of gravity. Note that the liners 70 suspending the card 10 advantageously provides an aesthetically pleasing display of the card 10 and the card 10 is observed as ‘floating’ within the display case 20. Note that when the case 20 is in the closed position the liners 70 may abut each other such that the void 75 is note present therebetween.

Additional details regarding the liners 70 and interaction with the card 10 are described herein below with reference to the below-described example installation sequence for inserting a card 10 into the display case 20.

To insert a card 10 into the display case 20, the user moves the display case 20 into the open position, as depicted in FIG. 6. In the open position, the first case section 51 and the second case section 52 each rest on a support surface (not depicted; e.g., desk) and the liners 70 (FIG. 9) are exposed. The user locates the card 10 on the liner 70 which is coupled to the second case section 52. The user then moves the first case section 51 such that the first case section 51 pivots about the axis 56 and the first case section 51 is moved onto the second case section 52. The magnets 62 of the case sections 51, 52 magnetically couple to each other such that the case sections 51, 52 are secured together in a stacked orientation.

When the display case 20 is in the closed position (FIG. 2), the card 10 is sandwiched between the liners 70 (see FIGS. 4-5) in the void 75. The thickness T1 (FIG. 5) of the card 10 causes the liners 70 to flex away from each other (see arrows C on FIG. 5) and into the opposing cavities 74. The liners 70 are configured to apply compression forces on the card 10 that prevent the card 10 from inadvertently moving relative to the liners 70. As such, the liners 70 compress the card 10 therebetween. Note that the card 10 is suspended between the viewing panes 64 of the case sections 51, 52 such that case sections do not act on the card 10 (e.g., the case sections 51, 52 do not compress the card 10). As is depicted in FIGS. 4-5, the portions of the liner 70 abutting the card 10 are moved out of the third plane 83 while at least a portion of the liner 70 may remain in the third plane 83. The liners 70 hold and suspend the card 10 between the second pane surfaces 66 thereby preventing the card 10 from contacting the second pane surface 66. Note that the liners 70 may permit minimal movement toward or away from the second pane surfaces 66 in response to a shock event (e.g., the display case 20 is dropped on the ground) thereby cushioning the card between the case sections 51, 52. The liners 70 are also configured to prevent movement (e.g., translation) of the card 10 in the display case 20. In certain examples, the surfaces of the liners 70 engage with the surfaces of the card 10 to thereby prevent movement of the card 10 relative to the liners 70. For instance, friction forces and/or compression forces between the card 10 and the liners 70 prevent movement of the card 10. In addition, the deformation of the liners 70 out of the third plane 83 may cause the edge(s) or edge surface(s) of the card 10 to engage or abut the surface of liners 70 thereby further preventing translation of the card 10 along the liners 70. In certain examples, the liners 70 are formed of elastic materials. Note that compression forces applied to the card 10 by the liners 70, frictional forces acting on the card 10, and/or forces applied to the edge(s) of the card 10 do not damage the card 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-C and 11, the display case 20 can optionally include a jacket 90 configured to surround the case sections 51, 52. The jacket 90 has a perimeter frame-shape member 91 that defines a pair of openings 92. When the jacket 90 is coupled to the display case 20, the openings 92 correspond to the viewing panes 64 (see FIG. 1). The jacket 90 also defines one or more pockets 94 in which the hinge 53 and/or the tabs 55 are received. In operation, with the display case 20 in the closed position (FIG. 2), the user elastically stretches the jacket 90 around the frames 57 of the case sections 51, 52 such that the hinge 53 and/or the tabs 55 are received into the pockets 93. The user then releases the jacket 90, and the jacket 90 moves back toward its original shape. The jacket 90 prevents the display case 20 from inadvertently moving to the open position (FIG. 6) thereby further securing the card 10 in the display case 20. The jacket 90 can be configured to apply compressive forces to the display case 20. For example, the jacket 90 prevents movement of the first case section 51 relative to the second case section 52. The jacket 90 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, rubber, silicone, material capable of elastically deforming, and/or the like. In certain examples, the jacket 90 advantageously prevents water and/or debris from entering the display case 20 via the seams 54 thereby increasing the waterproof characteristics of the display case 20.

The card 10 can be removed from the display case 20 by removing the jacket 90 from the display case 20. The user then engages the tabs 55 to pry the case sections 51, 52 apart from each other (FIG. 2) against the magnetic coupling forces of the magnets 62 (FIG. 6). The case sections 51, 52 pivot about the axis 56 (FIG. 2) and display case 20 is moved to the open position (FIG. 6). The card 10 rests on the liner 70 suspended from the frame surface 9 of the second case section 52, and the user can now view the ‘raw’ card 10 and/or remove the card 10 from the display case 20. In certain examples, when in the open position (FIG. 6), the liners 70 tend to flex away from the viewing panes 64 and toward the third plane 83 due to the card 10 not being sandwiched between the liners 70.

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses, systems, and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses, systems, and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

DISPLAY CASES

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