US20080257756A1

US20080257756A1 - Pyramid Shaped Rotatable Collectible Display

Info

Publication number: US20080257756A1
Application number: US11/949,768
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore Michael Oakley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-08
Filing date: 2007-12-03
Publication date: 2008-10-23

Abstract

A pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display (PSRCD) provides for the selective viewing of the face, obverse or reverse, of each collectible (commemorative coins, casino chips, minted coins, etc.); displayed independently of each other therein. The PSRCD has four sides possessing multiple receptacles to accommodate the aforementioned collectibles. Each receptacle comprises of a slot to act as a groove, and the collectible a tongue to rest inwardly toward each major pyramid face. One pyramid wall has a dedicated area for personalization for items such as business cards. The PSRCD has a rotating base attached within, which includes an integrated tray for personal items. When compared to any and all displays available for desktops, there are no displays that meet the specifications of this invention—such as the integration of the following: a pyramid shaped collectible display, business card/brass plate/or sticker holder, and a rotating spindle with an integrated personal effects tray.

Description

This application claims benefit of my provisional application 60/900177 filed on Feb. 8, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to displays, holders, racks, shelves, and the like, and more particularly to a pyramid-shaped rotatable collectible display for the display of a series of collectibles such as commemorative or minted coins or poker chips and the like. A pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display (PSRCD) comprising: a rotatable base; a four sided pyramid shaped collectible display atop said base; at least four collectible triangular-shaped shelves integrated with multiple individual receptacles; with the collectible acting as a tongue and receptacle acting as groove, for PSRCD. The PSRCD provides for the selective viewing of each face of each collectible displayed, independently of other coins displayed therein. The PSRCD has a partially-visible rotatable base attached to the inner-apex of the PSRCD undercarriage. The PSRCD has a sloped-angled display area on all four sides of the pyramid, each side possessing multiple receptacles for displaying the aforementioned collectibles. One of the four sides is dedicated not only to collectibles, but has an area dedicated to accommodate business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Coins, medals, and the like stamped from a flat piece of metal have been used in trade from the earliest times of recorded history. Generally, such coins are stamped on both sides (known as obverse and reverse sides) from relatively small discs of precious or other metal. More recently, various manufacturers have developed innumerable coins, medals, even poker chips and the like to commemorate various events, identities, associations, etc.
As interest has grown in the collection and display of such coins and chips, various devices (racks, holders, stands, shelves, etc.) have been developed to provide for the display of various collectibles. Most such devices display the coins, medals or chips resting upon a background of some sort, and thus display only a one-sided/paneled view of the collectibles. While others have developed display devices which enable multiple-sided/paneled views, most such devices comprise a relatively large receptacle, such as a grooved wooden block, or plate in which a series of collectibles are randomly placed, with it being necessary to troublesomely turn the entire block or plate to view the collectibles. Therefore, there has been limited development toward displaying collectibles in a uniquely condensed fashion via a pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display.
As a result, the limited efforts in development have resulted in minimal progress and such a display which enables display rotation and the ease of collectible exhibition warrants further progress and development. Already developed devices generally comprise relatively of large, bulky, wooden blocks or plates, and do not provide for contemporary aesthetics or the growing need for the capacity of continuously collected coins, medals, or chips. In other words, there have been limited tactics utilized to develop innovative collectible displays that act in a rotatable fashion that can be exhibited as a unique desktop item, can handle a myriad of collectible shapes and sizes, and rotate. Such systems are unsuitable or limited in use for the displaying of multiple coins, medals, or chips in such a fashion as compared to this invention.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a PSRCD which provides for the unique and innovative rotation of a pyramid-shaped (four-sided) collectible display, where the faces of the collectibles are oriented in the same direction of each of the four pyramid panels. The PSRCD provides for the selective viewing of the face of each collectible displayed, independently of other coins displayed therein. The PSRCD has a partially-visible rotatable base attached to the inner-apex of the PSRCD undercarriage. The PSRCD has a sloped-angled display area on all four sides of the pyramid, each side possessing multiple receptacles for displaying the aforementioned collectibles. One of the four sides is dedicated not only to collectibles, but has an area dedicated to accommodate business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers, which is a rarity in rotatable displays. Each collectible receptacle provides for differently shaped collectibles to be displayed thereon. Each receptacle comprises of a slot, a narrowed opening, for the collectible to rest rear-balanced, inwardly, toward each major pyramid face, displaying the front face of each collectible. The rear-balanced, inward displaying receptacles were designed to ensure the display the face of at least one side of selected collectibles. Alternatively, the receptacle designed for business cards, can also be appropriately sized brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,474,897 issued on Oct. 28, 1969 to Walter Rambow, titled “Display Device For Objects Such As Coins And The Like,” describes a display board having a series of sockets into which a series of plugs may be removably installed. Each of the plugs holds a circular coin display holder thereon. In other embodiments, a series of ribs are placed on the board, with the ribs having shoulders for gripping the edges of the coin holders. None of the embodiments disclosed by Rambow provide similarities to the PSRCD and how coins or collectibles such as poker chips are displayed therein, unlike the present invention with its 360 degree rotatable viewing area, collectible receptacles, and its pyramid shaped four-sided viewable area.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,475 issued on Sep. 24, 1974 to Gerrit M. Bolanz, titled “Storage Device For Coins And Similar Objects,” describes an adjustable rack for holding a single coin. The Bolanz device is adjustable to hold coins of different diameters, with the adjustable portion held in a sealed enclosure with transparent panels on each side thereof Bolanz does not disclose any means for the allowance of displaying multiple coins or collectibles. Bolanz allows a person to examine only both sides of a coin alternately, and does not have a means to display as many collectibles on as many as four sides of his rack as viewable areas that display multiple coins and collectibles, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,410 issued on Oct. 29, 1974 to Luther N. Cook, titled “Mounting Of Coins In The Faces Of Coin Albums,” describes the pivotal mounting of coins in a relatively thin sheet of material, between a pair of horizontally opposed pivots. A selectively releasable lock is provided 90 degrees to the pivots, to hold the coins in the desired plane. While the Cook device enables the viewer to selectively pivot and view any given coin or coins from the plane of the holder sheet, the limitations are present pertaining to the utilization of open display of each of the coins or collectibles within. This does not enable all of the coins or collectibles to be viewed without interference and the necessary manual effort of the viewer, which is dissimilar to the present invention that allows for non-interruptive multi-sided viewing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,477 issued on Aug. 23, 1977 to Raymond E. Deese, titled “Coin Display,” describes a series of generally rectangular, interlocking frames, each of which may hold a single coin between two transparent sheets of material. The coins are held in place by inserts which hold each coin centered within its corresponding frame. The relatively flat, thin configuration of the resulting assembly does not permit the coins or collectibles to be displayed on a multiple, four-sided, pyramid shaped display nor does it allow for a three tiers of receptacles for collectibles on each of the four sides, as provided by this invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,915 issued on Jun. 23, 1998 to David Crumrine et al., titled “Coin Display Device,” describes an assembly for displaying one face of a coin in a belt buckle, ring, or the like. The Crumrine et al. assembly sandwiches the coin beneath a transparent window, which is in turn assembled in a buckle assembly or the like. While Crumrine et al. state that both sides of the captured coin may be viewed selectively, their holder holds only a single coin and does not provide for turning or rotating of multiple coins or collectibles with an area for business cards or brass plate, silk screening or stickers for viewing, as is accomplished by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,755 issued on Mar. 23, 1999 to Richard M. Vaccarella, titled “Revolving Coin Display Stand,” describes a desktop display stand for proof sets involving a limited number of coins. The Vaccarella stand allows a person to turn over the entire display portion to view the obverse sides of the coins, but the numbers of coins or collectibles are limited as compared to the PSRCD and the display does not allow for an integrated area for the displaying of business cards or brass plate, silk screening or stickers for viewing, as is accomplished by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,365 issued on Nov. 23, 1999 to Natalie D. McAdams, titled “Coin Display Case,” describes a device resembling the Vaccarella coin display holder described immediately above, in that it also holds a series of coins in a single holder which may be rotated about a horizontal axis. The same distinctions noted with the Vaccarella holder, are seen to apply here as well.
U.S. Pat. No. D-378,222 issued on Feb. 25, 1997 to Maria Svrcek, titled “Gold Chocolate Coin Display,” illustrates a design having the appearance of a transparent suitcase or attache case randomly filled with coins, most of which overlap one another. This does not enable all of the coins or collectibles to be viewed without interference and the necessary manual effort of the viewer, which is dissimilar to the present invention that allows for non-interruptive multi-sided viewing.
U.S. Pat. No. D-399,540 issued on Oct. 13, 1998 to Richard Wolfenstein, titled “Casino Chip Holder,” illustrates a design of a casino or poker chip display in the context of open and closed positions, which does not fall in the same distinction of the current invention, but was however one of the closest matches falling under the search criteria for this invention as it related to casino chip displays.
U.S. Pat. No. D-482,735 issued on Nov. 25, 2003 to Evan Christopher Evans, titled “Stackable Poker Chip Holder,” illustrates a design of stacking poker chips in the context of stacking or piling of poker chips, which does not fall in the same distinction of the current invention, but was however one of the closest matches falling under the search criteria for this invention as it related to poker chip displays.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,161 issued on Sep. 5, 2006 to James A. Helzer et al., titled “Rotatable Coin Display,” describes a display for a collectible item, such as a coin, in which the collectible item may be rotated relative to the display. In one embodiment, the display comprises a bubble, which can be a semi-rigid transparent material, supported between at least two layers of support material, which can be a rigid material such as card-stock, which are adhered together. The bubble includes a capsule for encapsulating the collectible item, and a flange extending from an outer perimeter of the capsule. As the item might have the ability to rotate, its ability to display numerous coins is limited when compared to the PSRCD and the display does not allow for an integrated area for the displaying of business cards or brass plate, silk screening or stickers for viewing, as is accomplished by the present invention.
Finally, British Patent Publication No. 1,106,395 published on Mar. 13, 1968 to Jan Wolfert, titled “Improvements In Coin Albums,” describes a sheet having one or more relatively large holes therein, with a series of concentrically fitting rings for selectively installing within each hole. This system permits coins of virtually any size to be installed securely within the holes in the sheet, using none, or one or more, of the rings for fit. As the coins are immovably held within the sheet by the fitting rings, no means is apparent for rotating the coins either collectively to show their faces or for providing a means to integrate the displaying of business cards or brass plates, silk screening or stickers for viewing, as is accomplished by the present invention.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Cursory searches conducted at www.uspto.gov that were considered ‘keyword’ relative, such as: pyramid displays, coin pyramids, etc. resulted in either dissimilar or negative findings. Thus, a collectible display solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display (PSRCD) provides for the selective viewing of each collectible that can physically be displayed, independently of other pieces displayed therein as well as an area dedicated for the displaying of business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers; to include a small tray area located on the rotating spindle for personal storage of small office items. There are no collectible devices that facilitate these specifications or provide this multi-use luxury in an all encompassing format. Room for additional innovation remains in the field of coin displays and/or storage systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pyramid shaped rotatable coin display according to the present invention, showing its side-angled view;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (translucent side view) of my invention, showing the rotatable spindle affixed to the inner-apex of this invention, the opposite side being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises various embodiments of a PSRCD, providing for the display of a series of coins having obverse (front) or reverse (back) faces or sides, to include an area dedicated for the displaying of business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers. The present pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display allows the observer to rotate and display coins and collectibles and personalized items on their desktop and have into view, a display that utilizes all four sides for collectible viewing.
A PSRCD provides for the selective viewing of each collectible coin, poker chip, token, military challenge coin, sports coin, fraternity coin, commemorative coin, minted coin, special event coin, law enforcement coin, school coin, religious coin, emergency medical services coin, fire department coin, organizational coin, anniversary coin, membership coin or any piece of memorabilia that can physically be displayed, independently of other pieces displayed therein as well as an area dedicated for the displaying of business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers; to include a small tray area located on the rotating spindle for personal storage of small office items. There are no collectible devices that facilitate these specifications or provide this multi-use luxury in an all encompassing format. Room for additional innovation remains in the field of coin displays and/or storage systems.
There is a need to provide a simple inexpensive rotatable coin holder that can be quickly adapted to hold multiple coins or collectibles of various shapes and diameters on all four sides of the pyramid, as provided by this invention—the PSRCD. The present invention relates to a four-sided rotatable pyramid shaped mounting device for various sized objects preferably coins or collectibles alike where it is desirable to keep said items available for viewing from the front and/or rear of said item, which includes an area for business card or brass plate, silk screening, or sticker placement.
A PSRCD provides for the selective viewing of the face, obverse or reverse (front or back), of each collectible displayed, independently of other coins displayed therein. The PSRCD has a partially-visible rotatable base attached to the inner-apex of the PSRCD undercarriage. The PSRCD has a sloped-angled display area on all four sides of the pyramid, each side possessing multiple receptacles for displaying the aforementioned collectibles. One of the four sides is dedicated not only to collectibles, but has an area dedicated to accommodate business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers. Each collectible receptacle provides for differently shaped collectibles to be displayed thereon. Each receptacle comprises of a slot, a narrowed opening, for the collectible to rest rear-balanced, inwardly, toward each major pyramid face, displaying the obverse or reverse of each collectible. The rear-balanced, inward displaying receptacles were designed to ensure the display the face of at least one side of selected collectibles. Alternatively, the receptacle designed for business cards, can also be utilized for appropriately sized brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an innovative pyramid-shaped, four-sided, collectible display for holding coins, poker chips, and collectibles alike that vary in size, whereby the opening for the collectibles accepts the size of most coins and collectibles.
It is another object of the invention to provide a collectible display having a designated area for business cards, which can also be utilized for appropriately sized brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.
It is another object of the invention to have the collectible display rotate via a spindle (manual or electrical), comprised of a partially-visible rotatable base attached to the inner-apex of the PSRCD; integrated with a small supply tray to hide personal or office items/supply.
It is another object of the invention to provide a collectible that is inexpensive and easy to use and manufacture via plastic injection molding.
It is an object to clarify that this invention is that of being unique when compared to any other collectible display. When compared to any and all displays available, there are no displays that meet the specifications of this invention—such as the integration of the following: a pyramid shaped collectible display, business card/brass plate/or sticker holder, personal tray with rotating spindle.
Although the invention has been described with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In conclusion, the present pyramid shaped rotatable coin display provides great versatility and flexibility over other coin and collectible displays of the prior art. The present display case is particularly well suited for the display of commemorative and military coins, with their obverse or reverse faces having the same relative orientation to one another. It is well known that coins and collectibles, whether commemorative or monetary, are produced in a wide variety of different diameters. Therefore, the present invention includes means for securing most coins of different diameters and thicknesses within each of the receptacles of the present invention. This lightens the burden on the collector and prevents great need for a series of unwanted coin holders to fit varying coin or collectible diameters. In addition, the present display may also be easily modified for the display of monetary type coins or casino and poker chips in the display's multi-faceted receptacles. The present display, with its rotatable base configuration, allows the collector to also store personal or office items within the PSRCD in the tray of the rotatable base.
The individual collectible receptacles of the present display, allows persons viewing the collectibles to view each side of the display as desired, without the need to turn a large medium of material in which a series of coins or collectibles are installed, or otherwise displacing or turning a number of additional coins or collectibles. The ease of viewing provided by the present display, along with the versatility of the integrated business card holder/coin tray, will prove to be extremely popular with numismatists and collectible enthusiasts who collect and display commemorative, military, and/or other types of coins and collectibles such as casino chips and minted coins as well.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of my claim.
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings provide perspective, cross-sectional, and top views of the present pyramid shaped rotatable coin display 10. The display 10 is a one object pyramid shaped display with multiple receptacles 13 integrated for the utilization of collectible placement. The display 10 is comprised of a rotatable base portion 12, which is affixed to the inner-apex 16 of display 10. The display 10 provides for the display of circular, non-circular or other oddly shaped coins, tokens, casino chips, discs, collectibles, and the like via receptacles 13. A tray 14 located on 12 is integrated together with the rotatable base 12 for the storage of personal or office items. The display 10 also includes a dedicated area 15 on its front side for the displaying of business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.


Current U.S. Class:	206/.81; 206/.84; 206/459.5
Current International Class:	A47G 1/00 (20060101); A47G 1/12
	(20060101); A45C 001/00 ( )
Field of Search:	206/223, .8, .81, .82, .83, .84, 216, 449, 457,
	459.5
	312/114, 125, 135, 136, 330.1
	211/163, 165, 13.1


References Cited:
U.S. Patent Documents

3474897	October 1969	Rambow
3837475	September 1974	Bolanz
3844410	October 1974	Cook
4043477	August 1977	Deese
D378222	February 1997	Svrcek
5768915	June 1998	Crumrine et al.
D399540	October 1998	Wolfenstein
5884755	March 1999	Vaccarella
5988365	November 1999	McAdams
D482735	November 2003	Evans
7100161	September 2006	Helzer et al.


Foreign Patent Documents

	1106395	March 1968	GB

Claims

1. A pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display (PSRCD) that provides for the selective viewing of each collectible coin, poker chip, token, disc-like object, casino chip, military challenge coin, sports coin, organizational coin, or any piece of memorabilia that can physically be displayed, independently of other pieces displayed therein as well as an area dedicated for the displaying of business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers. A pyramid shaped rotatable collectible display (PSRCD) comprising: a rotatable base (a base to accommodate the rotation of the PSRCD) with integrated personal or office supplies tray; a four sided pyramid shaped collectible display atop said base; at last four sloped collectible triangular-shaped shelves integrated with multiple collectible receptacles (whereby the opening for the collectibles matches the size of most coins and collectibles); collectible acting as a tongue and the receptacle acting as a groove, for PSRCD. The PSRCD provides for the selective viewing of the face (obverse or reverse/front or back) of each collectible displayed, independently of other collectibles displayed therein. The PSRCD has a partially-visible rotatable base attached to the inner-apex of the PSRCD undercarriage. The PSRCD has a sloped-angled display area on all four sides of the pyramid, each side possessing multiple receptacles for displaying collectibles and one of the four sides possessing an integrated area to hold business cards, brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers. Each collectible receptacle provides for differently shaped collectibles to be displayed thereon. Each receptacle comprises of a slot, a narrowed opening, for the collectible to rest rear-balanced, inwardly, toward each major pyramid face/wall, displaying the obverse or reverse (front or back) of each collectible. The rear-balanced, inward displaying receptacles were designed to ensure the display the face of at least one side of selected collectibles. Alternatively, the receptacle that is comprised of an extruded base and a lip to catch and hold business cards in place, can also be utilized for appropriately sized brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.

2. The PSRCD according to claim 1, wherein: said at least four triangular-shaped shelves/walls integrated with multiple receptacles for collectible display; each display shelf comprises a plurality of collectible display receptacles; and each of said receptacles includes cooperating means for facilitating differently sized and shaped said collectibles.

3. The PSRCD according to claim 1, wherein: said at least four interconnected triangular-shaped faces/walls integrated with multiple coin/collectible receptacles (collectible acting as a tongue and receptacle acting as groove), for PSRCD; each display face/wall comprises a plurality of collectible display receptacles; and each of said receptacles includes cooperating means for facilitating differently sized and shaped said coins and collectibles; one said pyramid shelf contains not only collectible receptacles but also a receptacle that is comprised of an extruded base and a lip to catch and hold business cards in place, can also be utilized for appropriately sized brass or engraved plates, silk screening, or personalized stickers.

4. The PSRCD according to claim 1, further including rotatable device, comprising: a partially-visible rotatable base (a base to accommodate the rotation of the PSRCD); attached to the inner-apex of the PSRCD undercarriage, for the purposes of facilitating either manual or electrical rotation of the PSRCD for the purposes of full 360 degree rotation and display of said collectibles. Integrated to the rotatable base (inside of pyramid) is a tray to hold or store personal or office items.