Patent Grant
10492628
The present invention relates to a suspension box suitable for displaying three-dimensional objects. In particular, the present invention relates to a suspension box having transparent walls enabling storage and viewing of an object for display contained therein, and additionally providing modular components, such as magnification and/or illumination of the object for display.
Generally, a suspension case is a form of display box that contains two pieces of planar parallel elastic film. An object for display is sandwiched between the two pieces of planar parallel elastic film and frictionally held in place therebetween.
However, such suspensions cases experience shortcomings. For example, the object for display may be a small item with intricate details that are difficult to view without removing the object for display from its location sandwiched between the two pieces of planar parallel elastic film, which is undesirable. In addition, more complex suspension cases are expensive to manufacture.
There is a need for a low cost, portable, suspension case that provides an improved viewing experience for the user. The present invention is directed toward further solutions to address this need, in addition to having other desirable characteristics.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a suspension case includes a first cap component having a top and a first stepped perimeter wall having a first at least one vertical side wall defining a first chamber within interior confines of the first stepped perimeter wall, the first at least one vertical side wall having an exterior wall surface external to the first chamber and an interior wall surface facing the first chamber, the exterior wall surface having the first stepped perimeter wall, which steps inward with a smaller perimeter wall surface than the exterior wall surface for a portion of the first stepped perimeter wall not in contact with the top, and which is configured as a first male coupler wall. A female-male coupler component has a second stepped perimeter wall with a second at least one vertical side wall defining a second chamber within interior confines of the second stepped perimeter wall, the second at least one vertical side wall having an interior wall surface facing the second chamber and an exterior wall surface outside, the exterior wall surface having the second stepped perimeter wall, with a female coupler portion on one half of the female-male coupler component and which steps inward with a smaller perimeter wall surface than the exterior wall surface for a portion of the second stepped perimeter wall, which is configured as a second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component. A first elastic film is held in tension and spanning flat across the second chamber of the female-male coupler component and coupled with the second stepped perimeter wall. A body component has a third perimeter wall comprising a third at least one vertical side wall defining a third chamber and a fourth chamber within interior confines of the third perimeter wall, the third at least one vertical side wall having an interior wall surface facing the third chamber and the fourth chamber and an exterior wall surface outside, the exterior wall surface having the third perimeter wall, wherein the interior wall surface is sized and dimensioned for an interference fit with the second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component and for an interference fit with a third male coupler wall of the base component. A second elastic film is held in tension and spanning flat across the third chamber of the body component and coupled with the third perimeter wall, the second elastic film separating the third chamber from the fourth chamber. A base component has a bottom and a fourth stepped perimeter wall comprising a fourth at least one vertical side wall defining a fifth chamber within interior confines of the fourth stepped perimeter wall, the fourth at least one vertical side wall having an exterior wall surface external to the fifth chamber and an interior wall surface facing the fifth chamber, the exterior wall surface having the fourth stepped perimeter wall, which steps inward with a smaller perimeter wall surface than the exterior wall surface for a portion of the fourth stepped perimeter wall not in contact with the bottom, and which creates the third male coupler wall. When the first male coupler wall of the first cap component is placed within the second chamber, the first male coupler wall of the first cap component fits snugly within the second chamber with an interference fit between the smaller perimeter wall surface of the first stepped perimeter wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the second stepped perimeter wall, resulting in the first male coupler wall and the female-male coupler component being frictionally held together. When the second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component is placed within the third chamber of the body component, the second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component fits snugly within the third chamber with an interference fit between the smaller perimeter wall surface of the second stepped perimeter wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the third perimeter wall of the body component and the third chamber, and the first elastic film is pressed against the second elastic film. When the third male coupler wall is placed within the fourth chamber of the body component, the third male coupler wall fits snugly within the fourth chamber with an interference fit between the smaller perimeter wall surface of the third male coupler wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the body component, resulting in the base component and the body component being frictionally held together.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the first cap component includes a magnification element positioned within the top and positioned to magnify light passing through the top of the first cap component. The magnification element of the first cap component can have a perimeter of a sufficient dimension and a height relative to an object for display to provide an appropriate focal length and magnification power to view magnification of the object for display and to provide a larger magnification when a distance of top from the object for display is increased. The base component can include a magnification element positioned within the bottom and positioned to magnify light passing through the bottom of the base component. The magnification element of the base component can have a perimeter of a sufficient dimension and a height relative to an object for display to provide an appropriate focal length and magnification power to view magnification of the object for display and to provide a larger magnification when a distance of the bottom of the base component from the object for display is increased.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the first cap component, the female-male coupler component, and the body component form a display case when coupled together. When an object for display is placed between the first elastic film and the second elastic film, the object for display is suspended between the first elastic film and the second elastic film as they stretch around and frictionally hold the object for display in suspension. The first elastic film and the second elastic film abut each other in a parallel planar manner when the case is in a fully assembled configuration.
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the suspension case can be constructed from plastic. The first cap component can include a first illumination source positioned within the top and positioned to direct illuminating light toward the first elastic film to illuminate contents of the case. The base component can include a second illumination source positioned to direct illuminating light toward the second elastic film to illuminate contents of the case.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a suspension case includes a first cap component having a top, a first stepped perimeter wall, which is configured as a first male coupler wall. A female-male coupler component has a second stepped perimeter wall with an interior wall surface, the second stepped perimeter wall configured as a second male coupler portion. A first elastic film is held in tension and spanning flat across the second chamber of the female-male coupler component and coupled with the second stepped perimeter wall. A body component has a third perimeter wall with an interior wall surface, and a third chamber and a fourth chamber within interior confines of the third perimeter wall, wherein the interior wall surface is sized and dimensioned for an interference fit with the second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component and for an interference fit with a third male coupler wall of the base component. A second elastic film is held in tension and spanning flat across the third chamber of the body component and coupled with the third perimeter wall, the second elastic film separating the third chamber from the fourth chamber. A base component has a bottom and a fourth stepped perimeter wall, configured as the third male coupler wall. When the first male coupler wall of the first cap component is placed within the second chamber, the first male coupler wall of the first cap component fits snugly within the second chamber with an interference fit between the first stepped perimeter wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the second stepped perimeter wall, resulting in the first male coupler wall and the female-male coupler component being frictionally held together. When the second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component is placed within the third chamber of the body component, the second male coupler portion of the female-male coupler component fits snugly within the third chamber with an interference fit between the second stepped perimeter wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the third perimeter wall of the body component and the third chamber, and the first elastic film is pressed against the second elastic film. When the third male coupler wall is placed within the fourth chamber of the body component, the third male coupler wall fits snugly within the fourth chamber with an interference fit between the third male coupler wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the body component, resulting in the base component and the body component being frictionally held together. When the first cap component, the female-male coupler component, the body component, and the base component are all frictionally coupled with each other the combination results in the suspension case in a fully assembled configuration.
These and other characteristics of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a suspension case having a first cap component, a female-male coupler component, a first elastic film held in tension and spanning flat across the female-male coupler component, a body component, a second elastic film held in tension and spanning flat across the body component, and a base component. Each of the first cap component, the female-male coupler component, the body component, and the base component have an interference fit with an adjacent component to frictionally hold the components together in a predetermined order (first cap component coupled with the female-male component, coupled with the body component, coupled with the base component) to form the suspension case. When the female-male component is pressed together with the body component, the first elastic film is pressed against the second elastic film. An object for display is positioned between the first and second elastic films, and frictionally held in place when the suspension case is fully assembled. The suspension case incudes at least one magnification lens disposed in the first cap component and/or the base component. The at least one magnification lens enables a magnified view of the object for display when it is disposed in the suspension case. The first cap component and/or the base component can be slidably mounted with the suspension case in such a way that the at least one magnification lens can be moved toward or away from the object for display to adjust or vary the focus and/or quantity of magnification via a change in distance from the object for display. The first cap component and/or the base component can additionally and/or alternatively include an illumination source to direct light toward the object for display, thereby illuminating the object.
A female-male coupler component 18 has a second stepped perimeter wall 22 having a second at least one vertical side wall defining a second chamber 21 within interior confines of the second stepped perimeter wall 22. The second at least one vertical side wall has an interior wall surface facing the second chamber 21 and an exterior wall surface outside, the exterior wall surface having the second stepped perimeter wall 22. A female coupler portion 23 resides on one half of the female-male coupler component 18 and steps inward with a smaller perimeter wall surface than the exterior wall surface for a portion of the second stepped perimeter wall 22 to form a second male coupler portion 25 of the female-male coupler component 18.
A first elastic film 24 is held in tension and spanning flat across the second chamber 21 of the female-male coupler component 18 and coupled with the second stepped perimeter wall 22.
A body component 26 has a third perimeter wall 32 with a third at least one vertical side wall defining a third chamber 28 and a fourth chamber 33 within interior confines of the third perimeter wall 32. The third at least one vertical side wall has an interior wall surface 29 (see
A second elastic film 30 is held in tension and spanning flat across the third chamber 28 of the body component 26 and coupled with the third perimeter wall 32. The third chamber 28 and the fourth chamber 33 are separated by the second elastic film 30.
The base component 34 has a bottom 39 and a fourth stepped perimeter wall 36 having a fourth at least one vertical side wall defining a fifth chamber 37 within interior confines of the fourth stepped perimeter wall 36. The fourth at least one vertical side wall has an exterior wall surface external to the fifth chamber 37 and an interior wall surface facing the fifth chamber 37, the exterior wall surface being the fourth stepped perimeter wall 36, which steps inward with a smaller perimeter wall surface than the exterior wall surface for a portion of the fourth stepped perimeter wall 36 that is not in contact with the bottom 39, and which creates the third male coupler wall 35.
When the first male coupler wall 16 of the first cap component 12 is placed within the second chamber 21, the first male coupler wall 16 of the first cap component 12 fits snugly within the second chamber 21 with an interference fit between the smaller perimeter wall surface of the first stepped perimeter wall pressed against the interior wall surface of the second stepped perimeter wall 22. This results in the first male coupler wall 16 and the female-male coupler component 18 being frictionally held together.
When the second male coupler portion 25 of the female-male coupler component 18 is placed within the third chamber 28 of the body component 26, the second male coupler portion 25 of the female-male coupler component 18 fits snugly within the third chamber 28 with an interference fit between the smaller perimeter wall surface of the second stepped perimeter wall 22 pressed against the interior wall surface 29 of the third perimeter wall 32 of the body component 26 and the third chamber 28, and the first elastic film 24 is pressed against the second elastic film 30.
When the third male coupler wall 35 is placed within the fourth chamber 33 of the body component 26, the third male coupler wall 35 fits snugly within the fourth chamber 33 with an interference fit between the smaller perimeter wall surface of the third male coupler wall 35 pressed against the interior wall surface of the body component 34. This results in the base component 34 and the body component 26 being frictionally held together.
A depiction of the fully assembled position with the object for display 44 sandwiched between the first elastic film 24 and the second elastic film 30 is shown in
The suspension case 10 can be manufactured of a number of different materials. Specifically, the a first cap component 12, female-male coupler component 18, body component 26, and base component 34 can all be made of a number of suitable materials, including plastic, acrylic, polystyrene, composite, or any clear or transparent material, at least with regard to the top and bottom horizontal pieces. The vertical walls, in accordance with certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention, do not need to be clear or transparent. As such, they can be manufactured of additional materials, such as metal, wood, composite, opaque plastic, or the like. The first elastic film 24 and second elastic film 30 can be made of any number of flexible elastic materials, such as polyester (PET) film, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, or the like. Specific dimensions, thickness, clarity/transparency, and the like are readily determined by those of skill in the art of suspension cases using such elastic films. In addition, the interference friction fit that holds together the components as described can be replaced with conventional latches or other mechanical fastener devices, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, such that the present invention is not limited to embodiments relying only on interference fits.
In operation, the object for display 44 is placed onto the second elastic film 30. The female-male coupler component 18 is placed into the third chamber 28 of the body component 26 and slid down toward the second elastic film 30. Depending on how large the object for display 44 is, the female-male coupler component 18 can be slid all the way down until it abuts the second elastic film 30, or part way down as the object for display 44 interferes with and stops the female-male coupler component 18 from moving further. The first cap component 12 is placed into the second chamber 21 of the female-male coupler component 18 and slid down until it abuts the step of the second stepped perimeter wall 22. The base component 34 is placed into the fourth chamber 33 and slid up until it abuts the step of the fourth stepped perimeter wall 36 against the body component 26. Notably, the order in which the base component 34 or the first cap component 12 are coupled with the other components does not matter. Likewise, the order in which any of the components is removably coupled with the other components to form the suspension case 10 also does not matter. The components can be combined in any order, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
Once all components are removably coupled with each other to form the suspension case 10, the suspension case 10 is considered to be in fully assembled configuration (as depicted in
As utilized herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are intended to be construed as being inclusive, not exclusive. As utilized herein, the terms “exemplary”, “example”, and “illustrative”, are intended to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and should not be construed as indicating, or not indicating, a preferred or advantageous configuration relative to other configurations. As utilized herein, the terms “about”, “generally”, and “approximately” are intended to cover variations that may existing in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of subjective or objective values, such as variations in properties, parameters, sizes, and dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about”, “generally”, and “approximately” mean at, or plus 10 percent or less, or minus 10 percent or less. In one non-limiting example, the terms “about”, “generally”, and “approximately” mean sufficiently close to be deemed by one of skill in the art in the relevant field to be included. As utilized herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extend or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. For example, an object that is “substantially” circular would mean that the object is either completely a circle to mathematically determinable limits, or nearly a circle as would be recognized or understood by one of skill in the art. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some instances depend on the specific context. However, in general, the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were achieved or obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when utilized in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art.
Unless otherwise noted or defined herein, to the extent directional vocabulary is utilized, the disclosure and figures are described with reference to a conventional three-dimensional coordinate axis system of X, Y and Z, where the X direction is generally left-right or east-west, the Y direction is generally in-out, relative to the plane of the page of the document, and the Z direction is generally up-down or north-south on the page. Further as utilized herein, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are utilized consistent with their conventional definitions as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, and as generally illustrated and expanded upon below. For example, in the fields of physics, engineering, and construction, the direction designated as vertical is usually that along which a plumb-bob hangs in response to the force of gravity. The direction of horizontal is considered along a line or plane that is normal or orthogonal to the vertical plane. As such, moving in a horizontal direction (horizontally) is effectively equivalent to traveling across the earth's surface, e.g., moving forward, backward, left, right, etc., along the ground, while moving in a vertical direction (vertically) is effectively equivalent to moving up (away from the ground) or down (toward or into the ground). Merging the X, Y, Z coordinate access with the terms vertical and horizontal, the Z-axis lies in the vertical direction and the X and Y axes lie in the horizontal plane with the vertical Z axis being orthogonal thereto. To the extent any ambiguity is generated by the specific wording of the above explanations, it is anticipated that such ambiguity may be interpreted and clarified consistent with the conventional interpretations of the terms horizontal and vertical.
Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure may vary substantially without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. It is intended that the present invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 201834403 | May 2011 | CN |
| 108657551 | Oct 2018 | CN |
