CONVERTIBLE DISPLAY STAND AND TRAVEL CASE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a combination display stand and travel case for holding an object such as a wet shave razor, hand tools, jewelry or the like where it would 1 o be advantageous to provide a low profile travel case and a display stand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
~ s Stands for holding wet shave razors upright have been provided with various commercially available products for a number of years. In order to hold the razor in the upright position and be stable, the stands generally require a relative large footprint. This is especially true in the case of premium razors which can weigh in the range of 40 - 50 g. or more. The large base which is required for stability becomes a detriment in that it requires a 20 large and deep retail sales package. This increase in the depth of the sales package reduces the number of packages which may be placed on any given display prong at a retail outlet.
Consequently, the display prongs containing the deep razor packages require more frequent refilling than those containing packages without stands. Further, some commercially available razor stands comprise two or more pieces which require assembly by the user.
It would be advantageous to provide a combined razor display stand and travel case which has a relatively large footprint to avoid the disadvantages of stands with small footprints. Further, it would be advantageous to provide such a stand pre-assembled in order to avoid the disadvantage to the user of having to assemble the unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a combined display stand and travel case which may be utilized with items such as razor, jewelry or tools. The case is movable from a closed position which encloses the item to be carried and protects that item during transit or storage. The case is movable to a second, open position in which the item may be removed from the case or maintained in a standing, uncovered position within the case.
Preferably, the case does not require any assembly by the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case with a razor within the case.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case containing a razor and with the lid of the case open.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case containing a razor in the standing position.
Figure 4 is a cut-away side view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position containing a razor.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 6 is a top end view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
3o Figure 7 is a bottom end view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 8 is a top view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 9 is a side view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 10 is a bottom view of the combined display stand and travel case.
Figure 11 is a bottom view of the combined display stand and travel case having a removable cartridge holder.
Figure 12 is a close-up view of the rotation mechanism of the combined display stand and travel case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates the combined travel case and display stand (hereinafter referred to as the "case" or the "stand") of the present invention in the closed, or travel, position.
Although the figures illustrate the case in combination with a wet shave razor, it should be 2o understood that the case is also capable of use with any other item, such as jewelry or tools, which is desired to be placed alternatively within a safe travel case and in a standing position for display. As shown in Figure 1, case 10 comprises a base portion 1 and a lid portion 2. The base and lid may be constructed from any suitable plastic material such as ABS and, in a preferred embodiment, the lid may be transparent to allow for easy viewing 2s of the contents. Preferably, the base and lid are symmetrically curved as shown in the figures. This curving allows for the overall footprint of the base to be as minimal as possible while, at the same time, providing a sturdy base for holding the razor in a display position. The base is provided with cut-out 4 which, when the case is closed, is aligned with cut-out 3 of the lid. In this closed, aligned position, the portion of the contents of the case 3o which does not fit within the case may extend through the opening. As shown in Figure 1, razor handle 20 may extend through the opening formed by cut-outs 3 and 4.
As shown in Figure 2, the lid 2 may be lifted upward into a second, open position.
In this open position, the contents, in this case_a wet shave razor, are exposed and may be easily removed from the case. As shown in Figure 2, means for releaseably attaching the lid and the base are provided on the edges of the lid and base. Virtually any known form of attachment means may be utilized, including latches, snaps or protrusions and detents. As illustrated, snaps 7 are provided on the edge of the lid 2 in order to provide a snap-fit with the ridges 6 provided on the edge of the base. Figure 3 illustrates the razor and case in the display position. In this position, the razor stands upright with the lower end of the handle 20 contained within cut-out 4. Preferably, the bottom edge of the razor handle 20 may be placed within cut-out 9 (illustrated in Figure 4) which may be provided in the base adjacent to cut-out 4 in order to accommodate the end of the razor and provide support when the to razor is in the display position. The upper end of the handle is placed within cut-out 3 for support and the razor cartridge portion 21 extends above the top of lid 2.
Figure 3 also illustrates the opening 8 and cavity 5 which are adapted to receive the handle 20 and the cartridge 21 respectively when the case is in the closed position. The cavity 8 may preferably have widened portion 17 which extends outward from the cavity.
Widened portion 17 allows the user to easily grasp the razor when the lid is open but the razor is not in the upright display position. When the razor is in the upright display position of Figure 3, the razor is easily accessible and removable for use.
Figure 4 illustrates a cut-away view of the razor contained within the case 10. As 2o shown, razor cartridge 21 is contained within cavity 5, while razor handle 20 fits within opening 8 and extends outward through cut-outs 3 and 4. In the preferred embodiment, razor cartridge holder 30 is removably attached to the bottom of base 1 via clips 31 and 32.
Also in the preferred embodiment, cut-out 9 is provided in base 1. When the razor is in the display position, the end of the razor handle 20 may be placed within cut-out 9 in order to provide additional stability to the razor.
Figures 5 -11 illustrate various views of the case without any contents. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided to aid the user in lifting and lowering the lid.
Preferably the means for opening and closing the lid may comprise finger grips 10. With 3o regard to the razor cartridge holder, Figure 10 illustrates the underside of the case without the holder and Figure 11 illustrates the underside of the case with the holder. As shown in Figure 11, in a preferred embodiment, feet 15 may be placed on one or more corners of the bottom of the base. These feet provided added stability to the case. Also preferred are one or more openings 16 on the bottom of the base adjacent to cavity 5. These openings 16 provide drainage for any excess water remaining on the razor cartridge when it is placed within the case.
s Figure 12 illustrates the preferred mechanism for allowing the lid to be placed in two different positions. Flanges 14 are provided adjacent to mating hinges 11 at the position in the case for which it is desired to pivot the lid. The flanges are affixed to lid 2 , while the mating hinges are affixed to the inside wall of base 1. The flanges provide a snap fit with the mating hinges in order to firmly affix the lid to the base. The mating hinges contain one or more, and preferably two, detents 12 which aid in positioning the lid. The end of the lid contains protrusion 13 which fits within the detents 12. During use of the case, the protrusion may be placed within the appropriate detent in order to provide the desired position for the lid. Once the tooth is in the detent, the lid is held.
rigidly in position. In the closed position, the detent/protrusion attachment acts in combination with the snap-fit means on the opposite end of the lid to firmly hold the lid closed. This provides great safety to the contents when the case is being moved or stored. When the user desires to change the position of the lid, the protrusion is removed from the detent and moved to and placed within the other to .allow the lid to remain firmly in the new position. With this preferred mechanism, the only moving part is the lid which moves between the detents.
The preferred mechanism minimizes the number of moving parts and thus reduces the possibility of breakage and wear which could be caused by an excessive number of moving parts.
While there have been described what are presently believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that various 2s changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.