AU733632B3

AU733632B3 - Apparatus for display of memorabilia

Info

Publication number: AU733632B3
Application number: AU25237/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marcel Chapman; Les White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-15
Filing date: 2000-04-03
Publication date: 2001-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2005-10-15
Also published as: AU2523700A

Description

P/00/011I Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

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a a a. C.

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: Apparatus for Display of Memorabilia The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Title of Invention: Apparatus for Display of Memorabilia.

Field of Invention: This invention relates to the preservation and display of items of memorabilia. In particular, the invention relates to apparatus suitable for the display of sporting memorabilia such as sports balls.

Background of the Invention: There are many occasions on which there is a need to preserve an item of memorabilia for later display.

Such an occasion could be a sporting grand final and the winning team may wish to preserve an item such as the match ball as a memento for posterity.

Presently, there is a perceived need for a device or apparatus that satisfactorily displays, preserves and designates the significance of items of memorabilia.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display and to preserve an item of memorabilia in a sturdy, safe and attractive manner.

A supplementary object of the invention is to provide a device with the abovementioned characteristics, which also has the capability of displaying and mounting a designation or explanation of the item of memorabilia.

I o Summary of the Invention: This invention accordingly provides a memorabilia displaying apparatus comprising: a substantially planar substrate; and a transparent layer formed in a manner to conform to the shape of an item of memorabilia; the said apparatus being adapted to enclose the item of memorabilia between the said substrate and said transparent layer.

It is understood throughout the description and claims that the term "memorabilia" means a three-dimensional object and specifically excludes flattened pieces of memorabilia such as certificates and photographs.

0.15 0 Preferred Aspects of the Invention: 0@00 It is preferred that the apparatus includes a frame surrounding the transparent layer.

$••oo When the item of memorabilia is a ball, it is further preferred that the transparent *•layer conforms to the shape of about half of the ball. In this case, the ball may be cut in half or, more preferably, deflated and tucked into itself to form a shell conforming to half of the inflated shape of the ball.

It is further preferred that one or more information plaques and/or one or more photographs is included in the apparatus. In this case, the plaque and/or photograph may be mounted on the frame or on the external surface of the transparent layer however, it is preferred that at least one of those items is mounted on the substrate.

Materials suitable for the construction of the transparent layer include vacform T M PETG, acrylic, glass or any rigid or semi-rigid transparent plastic.

-3- V452AU Claims.doc/iv The dimensions of the apparatus may be varied as desired to accommodate memorabilia of different sizes or to allow more space for the inclusion of additional information plaques or photographs.

Brief Description of the Drawings: Figures l a-1 d illustrate a transparent layer suitable for displaying an oval-shaped ball such as an Australian football or a rugby ball.

Figures 2a-2d illustrate a transparent layer suitable for displaying a spherical ball such as a soccer ball or basketball.

Figure 3 shows the components of the apparatus according to the invention in an 15 "exploded" view.

Figure 4 shows a transverse section of the assembled apparatus of Figure 3.

Detailed Description with Respect to the Drawings: In Figures 1 and 2 are shown alternative embodiments of a transparent layer suitable for use in the apparatus for display of memorabilia according to the invention. The transparent layer shown in Figure 1 is formed from PETG plastic with an oval-shaped blister in an otherwise substantially planar sheet. This structure is suitable for the display of a ball such as an Australian football or a rugby ball.

In a similar fashion, the transparent layer shown in Figure 2 is suitable for the display of a spherical ball such as a soccer ball or basketball. For use with a cricket ball or baseball a similar transparent layer will be used; the blister simply is made to the appropriate dimensions.

Shown in Figure 3 are the components of the apparatus in an exploded view. A substrate is provided as a backing. A football is deflated and one half is inverted into the other as shown. A transparent layer conforming to the shape of the football is placed over the football and abutting the substrate The components of the apparatus are held in place by a decorative frame This structure in its assembled form is shown in cross section in Figure 4 to illustrate the spatial relationship of the components of the apparatus according to the invention.

The disclosures of the two associated Australian Provisional Patent specifications numbers PP6504 and PP7383 are incorporated herein by reference.

0* Although described with reference to sporting balls, the scope of the invention includes any item of memorabilia such as a bat, cap a baseball or cricket cap) or a jumper or .0 0 15 jersey. In such a case, the only modification required is to provide a transparent layer moulded to the appropriate shape.

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Claims

1. Apparatus for display of memorabilia said item of memorabilia not being flat comprising: a substantially planar substrate; and .1 0 00 3 0* I I 1 00 0 a transparent layer formed in a manner to conform to the shape of an item of memorabilia; the said apparatus being adapted to enclose the item of memorabilia between the said substrate and said transparent layer.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a frame surrounding the transparent layer.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the item of memorabilia is a sports ball and the transparent layer conforms to the shape of about half of the said ball. 0 0 *2 0 0 00 1 81 Marcel Chapman and Les White By their Patent Attorneys PIPERS Dated: 7 March 2001 V452AU Claims.doc/iv