Patent Application
20170055706
The present invention relates to display cases and, more particularly, to a stand-alone display case module with a hinge and segmented rod system for connecting to other adjacent display case modules in horizontal and/or vertically stacked configurations.
Once a collector acquires more collectibles than their single display case will hold, they often have to buy a second standalone case, resulting in two groups of collectibles rather than one large collection, because current display cases do not grow seamlessly with their collections. In other words, existing display cases are not modular as they cannot combine dozens of cases vertically and horizontally for one large seamless display. As a result, currently collectors jumble together a plethora of single standalone cases, or they custom build cases or shelves when displaying their cherished collectibles.
As can be seen, there is a need for a stand-alone display case module with a hinge and segmented rod system for connecting to other adjacent display case modules in horizontal and/or vertically stacked configurations.
In one aspect of the present invention, a display case module adapted for modular engagement with other ones of said display case module, the display case module includes two opposing vertical walls; at least one horizontal wall extending between the two vertical walls; a first modular connector mounted to one of the two opposing vertical walls; a second modular connector mounted to another of the two opposing vertical walls; at least one rod member adapted to engage a first portion of both modular connectors, wherein said display case module is adapted to form a pivotal modular connection between adjacent said display case modules by an engagement of the second modular connector of one said display case module, the first modular connector of the adjacent said display case module, and the rod member, whereby the pivotal modular connection pivotally connects the adjacent said display case modules.
In another aspect of the present invention, a display case modular system, includes a first and second display case module adapted for modular engagement with each other, the first display case module includes two opposing vertical walls; at least one horizontal wall extending between the two vertical walls; a first modular connector mounted to one of the two opposing vertical walls; the second display case module includes two opposing vertical walls; at least one horizontal wall extending between the two vertical walls; a second modular connector mounted to another of the two opposing vertical walls; a rod member adapted to engage a portion of both modular connectors, wherein the first display case module is adapted to form a pivotal modular connection between the second display case module by an engagement of the second modular connector, the first modular connector, and the rod member, whereby the pivotal modular connection pivotally connects the first and second display case modules.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a stand-alone display case module having a first modular connector and a second modular connector mounted to opposing vertical walls, wherein a rod member may slidably engage the nesting of the first modular connector of one display case module and the second modular connector of another display case module so as to form a pivotal modular connection between at least two adjacent display case modules, and wherein the adjacent display case modules are pivotably connected in horizontal and/or vertically stacked configurations.
Referring to
Each display case module 12 may include two opposing vertical walls 66, wherein at least one horizontal wall 68 extends between peripheral edges of the two opposing vertical walls 66 for form a generally rectangular compartment area. At least one internal horizontal member 70 may extend between the two opposing vertical walls 66, forming at least one shelf portion. At least one internal vertical member 72 may extend between a horizontal member 70 and an adjacent horizontal member 70 or the at least one horizontal wall 68, forming a plurality of sub-compartments 14, 32 within the at least one shelf portion/compartment area.
As a result, each display case module 12 may be a free-standing display case. Along those lines, each sub-compartment 32 may include a plurality of ledges 34 disposed therein for supporting floor and ceiling tiles 36, 40, as illustrated in
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the first and second modular connectors 16, 24 include first and second tubular elements 85, 87, respectively, dimensioned and adapted so that when the modular connectors 16, 24 are nested, the tubular lumen of each tubular element 85, 87 align. The rod member 22 may be dimensioned and adapted to slidably be received in at least a portion of each modular connectors 16, 24, wherein the rod member 22 snugly slides through the tubular lumen formed by each modular connector 16, 24, so that the resulting pivotal modular connection 100 enables the two pivotally connected adjacent display case modules 12 to be pivoted about at least one vertical axis, so as to be adjustable to fit within the contours of nearly any room or as desired for display purposes.
Each modular connector 16, 24 may be mounted to each of the vertical walls 66. In a preferred embodiment, the modular connectors 16, 24 are disposed along a first peripheral side 80; though, they can be mounted near the first peripheral side 80, on the opposing second peripheral side 82, or anywhere in between.
The first modular connector 16 may be two spaced apart tubular elements 85, and the second modular connector 24 is one tubular element 87, the latter dimensioned to snugly fit between the two spaced apart tubular elements 85, when nested to form the pivotal modular connection 100, as illustrated in
Referring to
The rod member 22 may form a tubular aperture 23 disposed in one distal end, as illustrated in
For vertical stacking, wherein a plurality of display modules 12 are connected to form a stacked configuration, as illustrated in
A method of using the present invention may include the following. The display case module 12 or 52 disclosed above may be provided. A user may set the footing 20 on a floor/ground so that the rod member 22 extends vertically upward relative to the floor/ground. Then the user can by nest the first modular connector 16 of one display case module 12 and the second modular connector 24 of another display case module 12 so as to operably slide the rod member 16 through at least a portion of the aligned tubular elements 85 and 87. Now the two adjacent display case modules 12 may pivot relative to each other to fit within the contours of the room or be arranged as the collector desires, including a lined-up arrangement of the linear configuration of the system, as illustrated in
Then the user may slide the vertical rod member 62 through a remaining portion of the aligned tubular elements 85, 87 so that its upward portion 90 protrudes there above, and the aperture protrusion 64 secures into the tubular aperture 23. Then the user may form the stacked configuration of the system 10 by placing at least one additional display case module 12 one or both of the two adjacent display case modules 12 so that the stacked modular connectors 16 or 24 slidably engage the protruding vertical rod member 62.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
