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Storage and display rack for packaged collectiblesRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Specially Mounted, Wall Or Window, Having Trackway, Horizontally SpacedStorage and display rack for packaged collectibles description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070181518, Storage and display rack for packaged collectibles. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a device for the safe storage and clear display of collectibles, such as die cast automobiles or the like, while still within their original unopened packaging. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is common that many miniatures come protectively packaged in a clear, generally transparent acrylic blister, which is affixed to an elongated cardboard display backing. The transparent blister allows a clear view of the miniature while the face of the backing generally identifies the name, edition and production number of the miniature. [0003] This type of packaging has presented some difficulty for collectors in both the storage and display of these collectibles without either the eventual deterioration of the display backing or the need to remove the collectible entirely from the manufacturers' packaging for adequate display. [0004] Collectors of such miniatures such as die cast automobiles, determine the value of a specific item by the condition of both the packaging and the miniature. As a consequence there is a need for a storage and display device that will readily secure the package containing the collectible in an aspect which presents a series of collectible miniatures for viewing while also protecting the package backing from unnecessary wear and deterioration. [0005] Advantageously, many collectors wish a display device capable of holding a large quantity of items, either the variants a single item, or as an example, the annual production of miniature die cast automobiles of a single type such as Hotwheels.TM. which could reasonably be expected to be between 120-160 items. [0006] Further the storage and display device should hold the collectibles firmly to allow the display device to be relocated without loss of the items retained therein. [0007] In the prior art the applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,054 which issued Jun. 30, 1998 to Potter for a Display Rack, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned `J` channels attached to vertical support members. The vertical support members may then be secured to a wall. Blister packages are supported for display by the rack by first inserting the elongated cardboard display backing beneath an upper channel and resting the blister package within a lower channel. [0008] The applicant is also aware of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,799,791 and 5,370,223 which store collectibles only once the collectibles are removed from the manufacturers' packaging. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The storage device for packaged collectibles according to the present invention permits a plurality of collectibles, pre-packaged within a clear acrylic envelope or blister and secured to an elongated, thin cardboard backing, to be stored and displayed in a secure manner within a plurality of elongate, vertically oriented, open-ended retaining channels. The retaining channels provide for the easy insertion and removal of the collectible from either end of the channel and allows at least three collectibles and their manufacturers packaging to be retained therein solely by friction. [0010] In summary, the storage device for packaged collectibles, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention may be characterized as including: [0011] (a) a generally rectangular backing plate which may be removably affixed to a wall or the like by suitable fastening means including screws, double-sided tape, or the like [0012] (b) at least one pair of elongate package retaining rails mounted on a forward face of the backing member. [0013] The pair of rails are spaced apart, parallel vertical rails affixed to the backing member, wherein each rail may have an `L` or `T` shaped cross-section or other shape defining a vertical groove between the rail and the backing member. The rails may be either integrally formed with or affixed to the forward face of the backing member, collectively referred to herein as being mounted to the backing. Each adjacent pair of rails provides a pair of opposed facing grooves. The grooves for each pair of adjacent rails form an elongate retaining slot or channel which allows the laterally opposite edges of the cardboard display backing of the collectibles' manufactured packaging to be inserted and retained on the slot or channel. Advantageously, each groove formed by the rails is sized so as to accommodate snugly a sandwich of a plurality of the edges of the backing members for example equal to the thickness of three overlapping cardboard display backing members. [0014] A primary backing plate, of generally rectangular configuration, may have an edge contoured similarly to an edge of the elongated, thin cardboard backing member comprising a portion of the collectible packaging. One or more secondary backing plates having generally parallel, non-contoured edges may be abutted to primary backing plate to form a vertical contiguous array of backing plates. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1, is a front perspective view of a primary backing plate of the storage and display rack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a secondary backing plate of the rack according to the present invention. [0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the racks of FIGS. 1 and 2 assembled into a vertical array of plates having cooperating slots. [0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially cut away perspective view illustrating two collectible packages inserted into a slot of the rack of FIG. 1. [0020] FIG. 6 illustrates in side elevation, a typical overlapping of a plurality of collectible packages, overlapping within the slot of FIG. 5, partially cut away so that the sandwiching of the packages in the slot may be seen. [0021] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partially cut away sectional view taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 6. [0022] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6. Continue reading about Storage and display rack for packaged collectibles... Full patent description for Storage and display rack for packaged collectibles Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Storage and display rack for packaged collectibles 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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