AU2003101072A4 - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant(s): LEGENDS GENUINE MEMORABILIA PTY LTD A.C.N. 059 488 649 Invention Title: DISPLAY APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2- DISPLAY APPARATUS The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and particularly to a display apparatus which is suitable for displaying items in a three-dimensional manner.

The display apparatus of the present invention was particularly conceived for the display of sporting memorabilia, although other possible applications are foreseen.

Sporting memorabilia, particularly in the form of clothing or sports equipment has long been highly collectible. Clothing, such as shirts or jerseys, which have been worn in high profile matches or championships may be collected, and such items are of increased value if they have been autographed by the player who wore the clothing, or by the entire team. There is a considerable market for autographed clothing, and also for autographed sports equipment such as cricket bats or rugby balls.

Owners or collectors of sports memorabilia may wish to display these items. In particular, autographed shirts are often owned by pubs, bars or sports clubs and are displayed in public areas. Shirts are typically displayed in a folded configuration with the arms outstretched, in a frame similar to those used for photographs or artwork.

Thus, the shirt is pressed flat between a backing plate and a sheet of glass. This generally does not display the shirt to best advantage. The frame may also include photographs of the team or the player who has signed the shirt, and written information regarding the history of the particular shirt, such as information about the match or tournament in which the shirt was worn, or information regarding the player who wore the shirt.

Although the present invention has been conceived particularly with the display of sporting memorabilia in mind, it is noted that there are other similar types of memorabilia which are also often displayed. For instance, pop music memorabilia such as signed T-shirts or instruments are also often displayed in pubs or bars, and the present invention would be equally applicable to such items.

According to the present invention, a display apparatus comprises: a display enclosure for enclosing an item of clothing to be displayed, the display enclosure having at least one transparent portion for viewing the item; and substantially transparent suspension means for suspending the item of clothing -3within the display enclosure, the suspension means comprising a transparent rigid member including a portion adapted to fit within the item of clothing and an attachment portion for attachment to the display enclosure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a display apparatus compnrises: a display enclosure for enclosing an item of sporting equipment to be displayed, the display enclosure having at least one transparent portion for viewing the item; and substantially transparent suspension means for suspending the item within the display enclosure, the suspension means comprising a transparent rigid member including a portion adapted to be fixed to the item of sporting equipment and an attachment portion for attachment to the display enclosure.

In the display apparatus of the present invention, the item is suspended inside the display enclosure. Thus, compressible items such as items of clothing are not pressed flat but are allowed to hang, giving a three-dimensional effect. The suspension means are substantially transparent such that, at least if viewed from a distance, the suspension means are almost invisible. Thus the object appears suspended inside the display enclosure. The display enclosure may additionally include printed material such as photographs or written information relating to the displayed object. These may be photographs of the team or information regarding the history of the item displayed.

The suspension means are rigid which to some extent prevents movement of the object if the display enclosure is knocked or jarred.

Preferably, the suspension means is formed from a transparent plastics material.

In the case where the displayed item is an item of clothing, preferably the attachment portion is held rigidly to prevent movement of the suspension means with respect to the display enclosure. Thus, although the item of clothing is free to move within the enclosure, if the display enclosure is knocked or jarred, the suspension means will not move. In the case wherein the item of clothing is a shirt or jersey, the suspension means preferably comprises a hanger having a portion adapted to support -4the shoulders of the shirt or jersey and wherein the display apparatus further includes at least one bracket portion adapted to fit inside a bottom opening of the shirt or jersey.

This helps maintain the shirt or jersey hanging flat.

In the embodiment wherein the displayed item is an item of sporting equipment, preferably the portion adapted to be fixed to the item is shaped to fit the surface of the item.

Preferably, the display enclosure is a rectangular case having a frame and a transparent front, and the suspension means hangs down from the top plate of the case.

Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment for of a display means for displaying a cricket bat; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the display enclosure of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the back portion of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a display means for displaying a shirt; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the display enclosure of the embodiment of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the back portion of the embodiment of Figure 4.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, a display apparatus includes a display enclosure 1, having a rectangular frame 2, an opaque back portion 3, and a transparent glass front portion 4. A cricket bat 5 is suspended inside the display enclosure 1 by a transparent perspex bracket 8, the cricket bat 5 being autographed by the players on a cricket team. The bracket 8 comprises two transparent perspex support portions 9a, 9b which project from the back portion 3. A transparent perspex connecting portion extends between the two support portions 9a, 9b. The support portions 9a, 9b and the connecting portion 10 have a V shaped profile which is shaped to fit the back surface of the cricket bat 5. The connecting portion 10 includes a plurality of holes 1 la, 1 ib, 1 Ic, 1lId through which screws pass to fix the cricket bat 5 onto the bracket 8. Additionally or alternatively, the cricket bat 5 may be glued onto the connecting portion 10. The back portion 3 includes photographs 6 of the players who have autographed the cricket bat In the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, a display apparatus includes a display enclosure 1, having a rectangular frame 2, an opaque back portion 3 and a transparent glass front portion 4. An autographed shirt 15 is suspended inside the display enclosure 1 by means of a transparent perspex hanger 7 which is rigidly fixed to the inside of the top of the frame 2 by means of screws passing through holes 12a, 12b. The hanger 7 is a typical coat hanger which supports the shoulders of the shirt 15. The shirt 15 hangs freely inside the display enclosure 1. A pair of spaced apart L shaped brackets 13a, 13b project from the back portion 3 and fit inside the bottom opening of the shirt 15 to maintain the shirt 15 flat such that the insignia and/or autograph on the shirt 15 can be viewed. Photographs and information relating to the player who has autographed the shirt 15 is attached to the transparent glass front portion 4.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that a reference herein to a prior art publication does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia, or any other country.

Claims (4)

1. A display apparatus comprising: a display enclosure for enclosing an item of clothing to be displayed, the display enclosure having at least one transparent portion for viewing the item; and substantially transparent suspension means for suspending the item of clothing within the display enclosure, the suspension means comprising a transparent rigid member including a portion adapted to fit within the item of clothing and an attachment portion for attachment to the display enclosure.

2. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is held rigidly to prevent movement of the suspension means with respect to the display enclosure.

3. A display apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the item of clothing is a shirt or jersey, and the suspension means comprises a hanger adapted to support the shoulders of the shirt orjersey, and wherein the display apparatus further includes at least one bracket portion adapted to fit inside a bottom opening of the shirt or jersey. 2 0

4. A display apparatus comprising: a display enclosure for enclosing an item of sporting equipment to be displayed, the display enclosure having at least one transparent portion for viewing the item; and substantially transparent suspension means for suspending the item within the display enclosure, the suspension means comprising a transparent rigid member including a portion adapted to be fixed to the item of sporting equipment and an attachment portion for attachment to the display enclosure. A display apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to, or as shown in, the accompanying figures. Dated this 19 th day of December 2003 LEGENDS GENUINE MEMORABILIA PTY LTD By Their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK