Patent Application
20080110066
Various types of sports memorabilia exist which are collectible and often displayed. While different types of displays are known it would be desirable if a display could be provided which permits the sports memorabilia item to be prominently displayed and particularly in a manner that enhances the theme of the sport or sports memorabilia display item.
It is known to have switch actuated music boxes including music boxes which contain rotating items such as a Christmas tree. Such music boxes, however, are not used for displaying externally mounted sports memorabilia items.
An object of this invention is to provide a sports memorabilia display stand for prominently displaying various memorabilia items.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a sports memorabilia stand that permits the item to be rotated and could also contain some audio, such as a song or speech consistent with the item.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such a sports memorabilia display stand which includes auxiliary items consistent with that sport.
In accordance with this invention a sport memorabilia display stand includes a base having a motor operated rotatable drive mechanism. A display pillar assembly extends upwardly from the base for mounting a support pedestal which would hold the memorabilia item. The display pillar assembly is operatively connected to the drive mechanism so that it can be selectively rotated about an axis extending longitudinally through the display pillar assembly and thereby rotate the support pedestal. The base may incorporate a music box for containing audio with the same theme as the sport of that sport memorabilia item. An audio control member would permit the selective actuation of the audio. Alternatively, or in addition, at least one auxiliary sports item may also be provided which is of the same theme of the sports memorabilia item.
Various types of sports memorabilia items may be displayed. For example, where the item is a baseball the ball could be held in a cup shaped support. Auxiliary items could include simulated bats. Various inserts, such as team logos, could be mounted to the display pillar.
Where the item is a football the item could be displayed by having the support pedestal in the form of a kicking tee. Another variation would be to have the support pedestal simulate a football field and have the football mounted on the field.
Other types of items could be displayed on the appropriate support pedestal with corresponding audio and/or auxiliary items.
The present invention generally comprises a sports memorabilia display stand which includes a base having a motor operated rotatable drive mechanism. A display pillar assembly extends upwardly from the base on which is mounted a support pedestal which in turn supports the sports memorabilia item. The stand may include a music box for providing audio consistent with the sport of that item and/or may include various auxiliary sports items consistent with the sport of that item.
The sports item may be of various sports. One form of sports could involve the use of balls, such as baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, etc. Other types of sports may include hockey, track, etc. Further, the display stand may also be used for such sports as race car driving or fishing. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments shown and described herein are merely exemplary of the various manners in which the invention may be practiced.
Base 14 could be of any suitable shape since the shape itself is not critical in the practice of the invention. Rather a shape would be selected from an aesthetic standpoint and, if desired, for compactness in minimizing the space taken should that be a consideration. Base 14 is essentially a hollow stepped cylindrical housing having a suitable motorized drive for rotating the sports item 12 so that essentially all portions of the item can be prominently displayed when desired. Various types of suitable drive mechanisms include a gear motor, a belt drive or a capstan. In the illustrated embodiment a drive motor 20 rotates a shaft 22 extending into a spindle 24 in the display pillar assembly. The primary components of the display pillar assembly are a carriage 26 and the vertical pillar 16. Carriage 26 is in the form of a generally flat disk having a downwardly extending peripheral skirt which may be ribbed. Carriage 26 is of the same circular shape as the top of base 14 to be located above and slightly spaced from base 14 while appearing to be a continuation of base 14. Spindle 24 is mounted to and internally of carriage 26. Pillar 16 is mounted to and extends upwardly from carriage 26. A set screw 28 selectively connects spindle 24 to shaft 22 to permit engagement/disengagement of the shaft and spindle as desired. Thus, when shaft 22 rotates, spindle 24 also rotates causing the entire display pillar assembly to rotate and thereby also rotate support pedestal 18 and item 12.
The actuation of the rotatable drive mechanism may be controlled by a rotation actuating member or switch 30 mounted to and exposed from base 14 in any suitable manner.
Drive motor 20 may be powered in any suitable manner such as by an electric cord plugged into a wall socket. Preferably, however, as illustrated, drive motor 20 is operated by batteries 32 in a suitable battery case in base 14. A motor mounting plate 34 is located in base 14 and is secured by suitable fasteners 36 to the top wall 38 of base 14. Top wall 38 supports ball bearings 40 which facilitate the rotation of support disk, 26 spindle 24 and the display pillar assembly.
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a music box 42 is mounted in base 14. Music box 42 may be of any known form as is conventionally used with music boxes. As regards the present invention music box 42 would be provided with suitable speakers 44 and with an audio control member, such as push button 46 which is mounted to and exposed from base 14 for selectively turning the audio from the music box on and off. Music box 14 would preferably include, for example, songs or speeches or other audio information consistent with the theme of the particular sport of that sports memorabilia item 12. Where, for example, the sports memorabilia item 12 is a baseball, the music might be a traditional song such as “Take me out to the ballgame”. Where the sports item is a football, the audio could be a motivational speech. Where the sports item is relating to fishing or boating the music could be of a soothing, soft nature such as the tune “Sailing” consistent with that activity.
Carriage or disk 26 comprises the lower portion of the display pillar assembly. The vertical portion 16 of the display pillar assembly is desirable to add height to the display stand 10 and also to provide surface area for auxiliary sports items. Thus, for example, display inserts 48 could be mounted to the surface of pillar 16. Such insert 48 could contain a logo or some identification or other information consistent with the sport of the sports memorabilia item 12. Where pillar 16 is made with a square cross-section there would be four sides to permit four different inserts 48. Other shapes, such as circles, triangles, hexagons, etc. could also be used to accommodate different types of inserts.
If desired, motor 20 could be a reversible motor so that the direction of push of switch 30 would control the direction of rotation of the display pillar 16 and support pedestal 18. There would be no rotation when switch 30 is in the central straight position. The invention could also be practiced where the display pillar assembly is stationary and only the support pedestal 18 rotates. This could easily be done by having the motor shaft or some connection to the motor shaft extend through carriage 26 and display pillar 16 and then be connected to a spindle in display pedestal 18.
In a preferred practice of this invention the simulated sports item 12 is rotated by rotating the display pillar assembly through selective actuation of the switch 30. Where the support pedestal 18 is rigidly mounted to pillar 16 support pedestal 18 would necessarily rotate along with pillar 16.
The size and shape of display pedestal 18 would be selected to best display the item 12. As shown in
The baseball 12 could be an actual baseball such as an authentic autographed baseball or could be a simulated baseball. For example, the baseball 12 or other item could be a weighted ball made in accordance with the teachings of copending application Ser. No. 11/468,051 filed Aug. 29, 2006, all of the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. A weighted ball is a particularly desirable item to display since its weight assists in reliably mounting the ball in a support pedestal with most of the ball visible for viewing.
Other variations of the baseball theme that could be incorporated in the display stand include cast homeplates and cast bats; spinners or rotatable display pillars, such as zinc-cast; brushed black nickle plated finished spinner that includes homeplates and cast bats; a second spinner having a simple pedestal or pillar without bats or homeplate; two bats or two pair of crossed bats.
As an enhancement or an alternative to the race car theme shown in
As is apparent the invention could be practiced to provide a display of sports items of various different natures from various different sports. The display stand effectively exhibits the item which is enhanced by the ability to rotate the item and could further be enhanced by providing audio relating to the item.
