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  Display showcase with frames for covering slotted standard ends and having interchangeable featuresUSPTO Application #: 20070007865Title: Display showcase with frames for covering slotted standard ends and having interchangeable features Abstract: The present invention concerns a display showcase with frames that receive and cover the ends of the slotted standards without the use of a separate slotted standard holder. The present invention further comprises frames with built in interchangeable housing design for changing items. Items in these interchangeable housings may be changed to modify, add onto or otherwise alter the appearance of the outer portions of the frames. (end of abstract) Agent: John J. Yim, Esq. - Mclean, VA, US Inventor: John Kang USPTO Applicaton #: 20070007865 - Class: 312114000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070007865. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
INTRODUCTION [0001] The present invention concerns display showcases. Display showcases are widely used to display merchandise and products of all types. From large department stores to small retail businesses, they are used by distributors and sellers of all kinds of goods. Display showcases are critical tools for prominently and attractively displaying the showcased items. They protect the merchandise from the elements and prevent against damage. Display showcases also limit access to the merchandise and provide security. [0002] Display showcases vary widely in style, size, shape, color, design and price. Some display showcases are custom made and may involve intricate and elaborate designs. In a conventional display showcase, small items such as jewelry, watches, small items, toys, food, and any other suitable merchandise may be displayed for sale. They can be free-standing as in island-style display showcases or be designed to stand against a wall. Additional varieties include tower cases, corner cases, trophy cases, glass display cases, counter showcases, corner showcases, revolving showcases, wall cases, showcases with drawers, security cases, slanted showcases, jewelry showcases, pedestal cases, and more. Display showcases can be supported by one or more bases. Other display showcases may be placed on elevated surfaces such as table tops, while others are designed to be carried by a vendor. Display showcases may also comprise multiple parts and elements. A multiple piece showcase can be built around an enclosed area. Other display showcases display items on its outer surfaces for viewing as people walk around the display. [0003] The present invention, as described herein, can be applicable to these and other types of display showcases as described below. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004] The present invention concerns a showcase with frames that cover and hold the ends of the slotted standards without the use of separate cover and/or attachment means. The present invention further comprises frames with built in interchangeable housing for changing items. Items in these interchangeable housings may be changed to alter the appearance of the outer portions of the frames. [0005] The display showcase of the present invention comprises frames that receive and cover the ends of the slotted standards. Slotted standards are widely used in the industry as vertical supports to support and/or hold the shelf brackets. The shelf brackets in turn hold and/or support the glass shelves. Varying the position of the shelf brackets along the different slots allow the shelves to be placed at different positions. Although reference is made herein to a slotted standard (e.g., a single slotted standards with 3/4'' square tubing shape), the present invention contemplates other slotted or adjustable shelf holders as known in the art. [0006] There are generally two or more vertical slotted standards, preferably in the rear portion of the display showcase. In the prior art, slotted standards are secured directly onto the frames so that the attachment parts (such as a slotted standard holder and screw) are exposed to view. [0007] The frames of the display showcase of the present invention have an added portion that is designed to receive and cover the ends of the slotted standards. The slotted standards are preferably attached to horizontal frames in the rear area of the display showcases. [0008] Taking a rectangular-box shaped display showcase as an example, the frames generally comprise the top frames, the bottom frames, and the vertical side frames. In the example of a rectangular-box shaped display, a customer faces the front of a display showcase and the sliding doors are located at the rear. The top frames further comprise a top rear frame, a top front frame, a top right frame, and a top left frame. They connect at their ends to form a rectangular shape to make up the top frames. The bottom frames likewise comprise a bottom rear frame, a bottom front frame, a bottom right frame, and a bottom left frame. There are also four vertical side frames, which further comprise a front left, a front right, a rear left and a rear right vertical frame. The vertical frames connect the corresponding corners of the top and the bottom frames. Therefore, the frames outline the edges of the display showcase. The frames provide support for the glass frames. [0009] Generally, the vertical slotted standards are placed in the rear portion of the display showcase so that the customer's view will not be obstructed by the slotted standards and the shelf brackets. In the prior art, the slotted standards are attach directly to the top rear frame and the bottom rear frame. The slotted standards are usually held in place by a slotted standard holder, which is in turn attached by a screw or other known parts to the top rear frame and the bottom rear frame. [0010] The present invention concerns an improved frame, wherein the frames have an additional element for receiving and covering the ends of the slotted standards. With the present invention, the slotted standards do not need to be attached to the rear frames by slotted standard holders. Instead, the rear frames of the present invention are designed and extrude to contain an additional element, a slotted-standard holder & cover, which receives, holds and covers the slotted standards. The slotted-standard holder & cover portion is preferably an extension of the extruded frames. The frames may be made of extruded aluminum and can be shaped as designed. [0011] The top portion of the slotted-standard holder & cover can also be used as a surface for useful items such as rulers or other references. For example, in a display showcase for jewelry, a ruler can be placed across the entire length of a top rear frame, resting on the top surface of the slotted-standard holder & cover. This surface can be used for a number of different items as known in the art. [0012] The display showcase of the present invention also concerns frames that comprise interchangeable housings that run along about the outer portions of the frames. The interchangeable housing preferably has an opening that runs along the length of the frame so that the exterior of the frame and the interior of the interchangeable housing are connected. Different items may be interchangeably inserted into the interchangeable housing. [0013] In a typical glass display described above, the top front frame will have two outer surfaces, the top surface and the front surface. Taking the front surface of the top front frame, an interchangeable housing may be designed into the front surface of the top front frame so that different color strips may be interchangeably inserted into the housing. Different colored strips may thus be displayed. The color strips may be adjusted to match with the base. [0014] Various items may be inserted into the interchangeable housing. For example, different colored light strips may be inserted into the interchangeable housing. Also, the interchangeable housing may be at different places along the outer surfaces of the frames. For example, the interchangeable housing may also be placed at the edges. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted for illustrative purposes wherein: [0016] FIG. 1 is an example of a display showcase of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 2 (Prior Art) is a cross sectional view of a frame of a display showcase, a top rear frame, wherein a slotted standard is attached to the frame using a slotted standard holder and screws. [0018] FIG. 3 (Prior Art) is a cross sectional view of a frame of a display showcase, a bottom rear frame, wherein a slotted standard is attached to the frame using a slotted standard holder and screws. [0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a top rear frame of FIG. 1, wherein the frame receives and covers the end of a slotted standard. [0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a bottom rear frame of FIG. 1, wherein the frame receives and covers the end of a slotted standard. [0021] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the bottom rear left corner of the glass display of FIG. 1, wherein the bottom rear frame receives and covers the end of a slotted standard. Continue reading... Full patent description for Display showcase with frames for covering slotted standard ends and having interchangeable features Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Display showcase with frames for covering slotted standard ends and having interchangeable features patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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