US20040017137A1

US20040017137A1 - Locker display case

Info

Publication number: US20040017137A1
Application number: US10/207,367
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew Straub
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-29
Filing date: 2002-07-29
Publication date: 2004-01-29

Abstract

A locker display case is modeled after a sports locker and includes a traditional grated door. The inside is suitable for displaying team jerseys, equipment, or other memorabilia. Inside the “locker”, an angled shelf is positioned to display printed material or other memorabilia. Below, drawers provide storage. On one external side, a number of pivotable/hinged, vertical display racks are provided which allows flat items of sports memorabilia (such as posters, banners, and the like) to be stored and displayed, while the other external side has a number of adjustable shelves that can be configured in numerous arrangements. Optionally, the adjustable shelves may include a glass front. In a preferred embodiment, the entire display case is made from wood or wood-like material, though other materials may be used.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the storage of collectables and more particularly, to the ornamental storage and display of collectables.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It has been a long-time popular hobby for people to collect, preserve, and display memorabilia relating to sports teams/players, historical events, musical memorabilia, and personal achievements. In particular, there are many people who collect clothing worn by famous athletes, and equipment used in major sports events. For example, many baseball fans collect major league baseball memorabilia such as baseballs, bats, caps, gloves and uniform jerseys. These sports object collections are usually contained in some kind of showcase for both protection and presentation.

A typical sports trophy showcase has a solid wooden frame, a piece of glass, one or several padding pieces, and a back panel. A sports object is first affixed to the back panel, and then the back panel and the piece of glass are assembled in the frame with one or several padding pieces so that the sports object can be viewed through the glass while being protected by the frame against dust or distortion. The frame may be hung on the wall or placed on a stand.

Over the years, an increasing number of people have begun to collect athletic miniatures. One reason people collect athletic miniatures is that the original athletic uniforms are limited, and not available to everyone. They are often contained in customized frames which are similar to the larger frames described above. Further, many parents like to collect and display sports trophies or other results of achievements of their children.

Unfortunately, there is no known means of attractively and efficiently displaying all the different types of collectables at once. In particular, the difficulty arises partly because of the numerous sizes and configurations of all the different memorabilia. A further problem arises from the fact that most display cases basically look the same.

Accordingly, what is needed is a display case that is capable of displaying memorabilia of varying sizes and configurations. The display case preferably should be attractive and allow for efficient collection, preservation, and display of memorabilia.

SUMMARY

The present invention features a locker display case allowing a user to display a plurality of collectables and other memorabilia in an attractive and efficient manner. The locker display case includes a cabinet structure modeled after a locker. The locker display case includes an inside region, a front region, and a first and second side region.

The inside region includes at least one hanger to suspend an item. In a preferred embodiment, the inside region also includes at least one horizontal or angled shelf and optionally a light source.

The front region includes at least one door allowing visual access to the inside region. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the door includes a grated material. The door may be either hinged or it may slide open. Optionally, the door may include a lock. In yet another embodiment, the front region also includes at least one drawer and optionally a nametag.

The first side region is approximately perpendicular to the front region and includes a plurality of pivotable/hinged racks. The hinged racks may be positioned in a first position adapted to display a plurality of items and a second position wherein the plurality of racks are approximately parallel to each other.

The second side region is opposite the first side region and includes a plurality of shelves. In a preferred embodiment, the shelves are enclosed in glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: [0012]
FIG. 1 is plain side view of one embodiment of the present invention; and [0013]
FIG. 2 is a plain side view of another embodiment of the present invention.[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A locker display case [0015] 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, allows a user to display a plurality of collectables 12, for example, but not limited to, public servant memorabilia (for example firefighters or police memorabilia), military memorabilia, musical/performing arts memorabilia, or sports memorabilia (such as team jerseys, equipment, awards, or the like), and other memorabilia in an attractive and efficient manner. The locker display case 10 may be constructed out of wood, metal, plastic, a combination of two or more, or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the art.
The front of the locker display case [0016] 10 is modeled after a sports locker and includes a door 14. The door 14 may either swing open on a hinge or slide open (either as a single piece or as two pieces sliding in opposite directions). In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the door 14 is made from a grated or mesh or chain-like material 15 typically found on sport lockers. In yet another embodiment, a portion of the door 14 may be made from a transparent material. The door 14 may also include a lock 22 to secure the collectables 12 contained inside as well as a nameplate 24.
The [0017] inside 16 of the locker display case preferably contains at least one coat hook and/or garment hanger rod 18. The inside 16 also preferably includes an angled shelf 20 that is positioned to display printed material 12 or other memorabilia. Additional shelves (not shown) may also be added for display purposes. The shelves 20 and the hangers 18 may optionally be user adjustable to allow the user to customize the locker display case 10. According to a preferred embodiment, the inside 16 also includes a light source (not shown).
Below the “locker” on the front, [0018] drawers 26 are preferably included to provide additional storage. These drawers 26 may optionally contain locks. Moreover, the drawers 26 may further include adjustable or fixed partitions (not shown) allowing the user to configure the drawers 26 to store and organize collectable 12 such as, but not limited to, baseball cards and the like. In another embodiment, the drawers 26 are modeled after typical footlockers and may include a clear seethrough front.
On a first external side, a plurality of pivotable/hinged, vertical display racks [0019] 30 are provided. The racks 30 allow the user to efficiently store and organize a plurality of collectables 12. The racks 30 may further be used to create a “timeline” such as the history of the user's favorite player, sports team, etc. The racks 30 are particularly useful for storing and organizing large items such as posters and clothing or a collection of smaller items such as newspaper clippings, banners, pictures and the like. In one embodiment, the racks 30 include a portion of corkboard like material or hooks and loops to allow the user to easily attach posters, banners, and the like 12. In another embodiment, the racks 30 may optionally include shelves (not shown). Alternatively, the racks 30 may be made from an attractive material such as wood, metal, or plastic. The exterior rack 34 is preferably finished in an attractive material such that when the racks 30 are closed they appear hidden within the locker display case 10. Optionally, the exterior rack 34 may further include a lock to protect the collectables 12.
The second external side, opposite the first external side, preferably includes a plurality of [0020] adjustable shelves 32, FIG. 2. The adjustable shelves 32 may be configured in numerous arrangements allowing the user to customize the locker display case 10 to suit their particular tastes and/or configure the shelves to suit large and small items. Optionally, the adjustable shelves 32 may include a glass front that is hinged and locked.
Accordingly, modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims. [0021]

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A locker display case comprising:

a cabinet structure including:

an inside region having a device to suspend an item;

a front region, said front region including at least one door allowing visual access to said inside region and at least one drawer located on said front region;

a first side region, said first side region approximately perpendicular to said front region and including a plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices having a first position adapted to display a plurality of items and a second position wherein said plurality of racks are approximately parallel to each other; and

a second side region, said second side region being opposite said first side region and including a plurality of shelves.

2. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said door is grated.

3. The locker display case as claimed in claim 2 wherein said door is hinged.

4. The locker display case as claimed in claim 2 wherein said door slides open.

5. The locker display case as claimed in claim 4 wherein said door slits into two pieces, each piece sliding opposition from each other.

6. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said door is made from a transparent material.

7. The locker display case as claimed in claim 3 wherein said door further includes a nametag.

8. The locker display case as claimed in claim 3 wherein said door further includes a lock.

9. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inside region further includes a light source.

10. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inside region further includes at least one shelf.

11. The locker display case as claimed in claim 10 wherein said shelf is angled.

12. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drawer on said front region further includes a lock.

13. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a region of corkboard.

14. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a region of hooks and loops.

15. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a plurality of shelves.

16. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of racks on said first side region further includes a lock.

17. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shelves on said second side region are enclosed in glass.

18. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shelves on said second side region are adjustable.

19. The locker display case as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shelves on said second side region are fixed.

20. A locker display case comprising:

a cabinet structure modeled after a locker and including:

an inside region having hanger to suspend an item and at least one shelf;

a front region including:

at least one door allowing visual access to said inside region, at least a portion of said door including a grated material; and

at least one drawer located on said front region;

a first side region, said first side region approximately perpendicular to said front region and including a plurality of hinged racks having a first position adapted to display a plurality of items and a second position wherein said plurality of racks are approximately parallel to each other; and

21. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said door is hinged.

22. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said door slides open.

23. The locker display case as claimed in claim 21 wherein said door further includes a nametag.

24. The locker display case as claimed in claim 21 wherein said door further includes a lock.

25. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said inside region further includes a light source.

26. The locker display case as claimed in claim 22 wherein said door slits into two pieces, each piece sliding opposition from each other.

27. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a region of corkboard.

28. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a region of hooks and loops.

29. The locker display case as claimed in claim 20 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a plurality of shelves.

30. A locker display case comprising:

a cabinet structure modeled after a locker and including:

an inside region including:

at least one hanger to suspend an item at least one shelf; and

a light source;

a front region including:

at least one door allowing visual access to said inside region, at least a portion of said door including a grated material;

at least one drawer located on said front region;

a nametag located on said front region;

31. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said door is hinged.

32. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said door slides open.

33. The locker display case as claimed in claim 31 wherein said door further includes a lock.

34. The locker display case as claimed in claim 32 wherein said door slits into two pieces, each piece sliding opposition from each other.

35. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a region of corkboard.

36. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a region of hooks and loops.

37. The locker display case as claimed in claim 30 wherein said plurality of hinged vertically oriented storage devices on said first side region further includes a plurality of shelves.