Patent Application
20160106233
The embodiments of the present invention relate to an at least partially transparent storage case for displaying articles, such as basketball shoes.
Basketball shoes have become a collector'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.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to develop a storage and display case and system allowing collectible shoes to be stored, maintained and displayed.
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.
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.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
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.
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, 3D 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.
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.
As shown in
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.
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.
As shown in
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.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
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.
