WO2018170437A1

WO2018170437A1 - Memorabilia support system

Info

Publication number: WO2018170437A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/022941
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Minardi
Original assignee: John Minardi
Priority date: 2017-03-16
Filing date: 2018-03-16
Publication date: 2018-09-20

Abstract

A memorabilia support system. The memorabilia support system includes a base having a torso portion having a front side and a rear side. An upper mounting bracket is disposed on an upper end of the rear side, the upper mounting bracket having at least one aperture thereon, and a lower mounting bracket is disposed on a lower end of the rear side, the lower mounting bracket having at least one aperture thereon, wherein each aperture is configured to receive a fastener therethrough. An exemplary embodiment includes a mounting plaque to which the base may be secured via the fasteners. The base is configured to support an article of clothing such as a sports jersey, while the mounting plaque is securable to a surface such as a wall in order to display the article of clothing.

Description

Memorabilia Support System

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/472,069 filed on March 16, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to memorabilia support systems. More specifically, the present invention provides a memorabilia support system configured to support an article of clothing such as a sports jersey on a wall or other surface for display purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many individuals enjoy collecting and displaying memorabilia relating to, for example, their favorite sports teams. Such memorabilia may include pennants, game equipment, toys, cards, and the like. Some individuals particularly enjoy collecting and displaying articles of clothing, such as the jersey of their favorite sports team. However, it can be difficult to support and display a jersey in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. These individuals would benefit from a memorabilia support system sized to display any size of jersey on a wall or other surface. In view of the above, it is desirable to provide a memorabilia support system configured to support an article of clothing such as a sports jersey on a wall or other surface for display purposes.

[0004] Devices have been disclosed in the known art relating to memorabilia support systems. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to support systems for displaying articles of clothing. However, the devices in the known art have several drawbacks. The devices in the known art fail to provide a base having a torso portion for supporting an article of clothing in an aesthetically pleasing and realistic fashion. Further, the devices in the known art fail to provide a mounting plaque to which the base may be secured.

[0005] In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and

consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing

memorabilia support systems. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of memorabilia support systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a memorabilia support system wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when displaying an article of clothing such as a sports jersey on a wall. The memorabilia support system includes a base having a torso portion having a front side and a rear side. An upper mounting bracket is disposed on an upper end of the rear side, the upper mounting bracket having at least one aperture thereon, and a lower mounting bracket is disposed on a lower end of the rear side, the lower mounting bracket having at least one aperture thereon, wherein each aperture is configured to receive a fastener therethrough. An exemplary embodiment includes a mounting plaque to which the base may be secured via the fasteners. The base is configured to support an article of clothing such as a sports jersey, while the mounting plaque is securable to a surface such as a wall in order to display the article of clothing.

[0007] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a front view of the memorabilia support system.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the memorabilia support system.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the memorabilia support system.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the memorabilia support system.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the memorabilia support system.

[0014] FIG. 6 shows an alternate front view of the memorabilia support system.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the memorabilia support system with a garment secured thereto.

[0016] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the memorabilia support system with a garment secured thereto. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the

memorabilia support system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for displaying an article of clothing such as a sports jersey on a surface such as a wall. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0018] Referring now to FIGs. 1 and 2, there is shown a front view of the memorabilia support system and a rear view of the memorabilia support system, respectively. The memorabilia support system includes a base comprising a torso portion 11 having a front side and a rear side. The torso portion 11 is configured to support an article of clothing such as a sports jersey thereon. The torso portion includes an upper end 13 and a lower end 14, and one embodiment includes a tapered middle section 17 therebetween. The upper end 13 includes a pair of shoulder portions 12 disposed on opposing sides of a neck portion 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the front side of the torso portion 11 includes a pair of pectoral muscular portions and abdominal portions, wherein each of the pectoral and abdominal muscular portions protrude outward from the front side of the torso portion 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal ends of the shoulder portions 12 are free and non- connectable to another structure. [0019] An upper mounting bracket 22 is disposed on the upper end 13 of the rear side of the torso portion 11, and a lower mounting bracket 23 is disposed on the lower end 14 of the rear side of the torso portion 11. The upper and lower mounting brackets 22, 23 comprise apertures 21 thereon configured to receive fasteners therethrough. In the shown embodiment, there is a pair of apertures 21 disposed on each of the upper and lower mounting brackets 22, 23, and each pair of apertures 21 is disposed in a linear arrangement. Further, in the shown embodiment, the upper mounting bracket 22 extends between an inner edge 15 of each of the shoulder portions 12, and the lower mounting bracket 23 extends from a first side edge 25 of the torso portion 11 to a second side edge 26 of the torso portion 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of apertures 21 disposed on the upper mounting bracket 22 are closer to one another than the pair of apertures 21 disposed on the lower mounting bracket

23.

[0020] Referring now to FIGs. 3 and 4, there is shown a top view of the memorabilia support system and a bottom view of the memorabilia support system, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the torso portion 11 includes a solid, closed neck portion 16 at the upper end thereof, and an open lower portion 41 at the lower end thereof. The closed neck portion 16 is centered between the pair of shoulder portions 12. The open lower portion 41 is defined by opposing side edges 43 and an apex portion 42 extending outwardly from the lower mounting bracket 23. [0021] Referring now to FIGs. 5 and 6, there is shown an exploded view of the memorabilia support system and an alternate front view of the memorabilia support system, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the memorabilia support system further comprises a mounting plaque 51 that is securable to a wall or other surface in order to support the torso portion 11 thereon. The mounting plaque 51 may be secured to the wall or other surface via any known fastening means for securing an object to a wall.

[0022] In the shown embodiment, the mounting plaque 51 includes a sloped perimeter edge 56. In this embodiment, the area of the rear side 54 of the mounting plaque 51 is greater than the area of the front side 55 of the mounting plaque 51. The mounting plaque 51 further includes a pair apertures 21 disposed on an upper end 52 thereof and a pair of apertures disposed 21 disposed on a lower end 53 thereof. The apertures 21 of the mounting plaque 51 are positioned such that they align with the apertures 21 of the torso portion 11. A fastener such as a screw, bolt, or the like is insertable through the apertures 21 of the mounting plaque 51 and the apertures 21 of the torso portion 11 in order to secure the torso portion 11 to the mounting plaque 51.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plaque 51 has a rectangular perimeter 62. In alternate embodiments, the perimeter 62 can have an alternate shape, such as a circular, elliptical, triangular, or other shapes. In use, an article of clothing such as a sports jersey can be secured to the torso portion 11, which can then be mounted on a wall via the mounting plaque 51. The torso portion 11 can be any size in order to fit any size article of clothing. In this way, an individual is provided with an aesthetically pleasing means to display an article of clothing such as a sports jersey on their wall.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a rear view of the memorabilia support system with a garment secured thereto. In the shown embodiment, a t-shirt 71 is secured to the torso portion 11. The neck portion 16 of the torso portion 11 is exposed above an upper end 72 of the t-shirt 11. The t-shirt 11 is removably securable to the torso portion 11 via a fastener 73 disposed on the upper end 72 of the t-shirt 11. The fastener 73 is disposed on a rear side 74 of the t-shirt 11 so that it is not visible when the t-shirt 11 is displayed. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 73 is a zipper. Users can unzip the zipper and insert the torso portion 11 into the t-shirt 71, and then rezip the zipper in order to keep the t-shirt 71 secured to the torso portion 11. The fastener 73 may alternatively be a hook and loop closure, a snap closure, or other suitable fastener 73 for securing the t-shirt 71 to the torso portion 11. The mounting apertures 21 can correspond to existing apertures on the t-shirt 71, so that a fastener may be inserted therethrough when mounting the torso portion 11 to display the attached t-shirt 71. In the illustrated embodiment, the t-shirt 71 is sized to fit in close tolerance with the torso portion 11 such that the t-shirt 71 forms the shape of the torso portion 11 when disposed thereon.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view of the memorabilia support system with a garment secured thereto. The t-shirt 71 is secured to the mounting plaque 51 such that a front side 81 of the t-shirt 71 is oriented outwardly from the mounting plaque 51. In this way, a t-shirt 71 or other garment can be secured to the torso portion 11 which can then be mounted to the mounting plaque 51, allowing individuals to display the garment in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

[0026] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0027] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A memorabilia support system, comprising:

a base comprising a torso portion having a front side and a rear side, the torso portion

configured to support an article of clothing thereon;

an upper mounting bracket disposed on an upper end of the rear side, the upper mounting bracket having at least one aperture thereon;

a lower mounting bracket disposed on a lower end of the rear side, the lower mounting bracket having at least one aperture thereon;

wherein each aperture is configured to receive a fastener therethrough.

2) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the torso portion comprises a tapered middle section between the upper end and the lower end of the torso portion.

3) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture of the upper mounting bracket comprises a pair of apertures positioned in a linear arrangement, and wherein the at least one aperture of the lower mounting bracket comprises a pair of apertures positioned in a linear arrangement.

4) The memorabilia support system of claim 3, wherein the pair of apertures of the upper mounting bracket are closer to one another than the pair of apertures of the lower mounting bracket. 5) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the torso portion comprises a closed neck portion at the upper end thereof and an open lower portion at the lower end thereof.

6) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the lower mounting bracket extends from a first side edge of the torso portion to a second side edge of the torso portion.

7) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the torso portion comprises a pair of opposing shoulder portions, wherein the upper mounting bracket extends between an inner edge of each shoulder portion of the pair of opposing shoulder portions.

8) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, further comprising a mounting plaque having an upper aperture and a lower aperture configured to align with the aperture of the upper mounting bracket and the aperture of the lower mounting bracket.

9) The memorabilia support system of claim 8, further comprising a fastener configured to secure the base to the mounting plaque.

10) The memorabilia support system of claim 8, wherein a rear side of the mounting plaque comprises a first area, and wherein a front side of the mounting plaque comprises a second area, wherein the first area is greater than the second area. 11) The memorabilia support system of claim 8, wherein the mounting plaque comprises a sloped perimeter edge.

12) The memorabilia support system of claim 8, wherein the mounting plaque comprises a rectangular perimeter.

13) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the rear side of the torso portion is entirely planar.

14) The memorabilia support system of claim 1, wherein the front side of the torso portion includes a pair of pectoral muscular portions and abdominal portions, wherein each of the pectoral and abdominal muscular portions protrude outward from the front side.

15) The memorabilia support system of claim 7, wherein terminal ends of each of the pair of shoulder portions 12 are free and non-connectable to another structure.

16) The memorabilia support system of claim 14, further comprising a t-shirt disposed over the torso portion and size to be in close tolerance with the torso portion such that the t-shirt forms to a shape of the torso portion. 17) A memorabilia support system, comprising:

configured to support an article of clothing thereon;

the front side of the torso portion includes a pair of pectoral muscular portions and abdominal portions, wherein each of the pectoral and abdominal muscular portions protrude outward from the front side;

an upper mounting bracket disposed on an upper end of the rear side, the upper mounting bracket having a pair of apertures thereon;

a lower mounting bracket disposed on a lower end of the rear side, the lower mounting bracket having a pair of apertures thereon;

wherein each aperture is configured to receive a fastener therethrough;

the torso portion comprises a tapered middle section between the upper end and the lower end of the torso portion;

the torso portion comprises a closed neck portion at the upper end thereof and an open lower portion at the lower end thereof;

a mounting plaque having a pair of upper apertures and a pair of lower apertures configured to align with the pair of apertures of the upper mounting bracket and the pair of apertures of the lower mounting bracket;

a t-shirt disposed over the torso portion and size to be in close tolerance with the torso portion such that the t-shirt forms to a shape of the torso portion. 18) The memorabilia support system of claim 17, wherein the pair of apertures of the lower mounting bracket and the upper mounting bracket are each positioned in a linear arrangement and the pair of apertures of the upper mounting bracket are closer to one another than the pair of apertures of the lower mounting bracket.

19) The memorabilia support system of claim 17, wherein the torso portion comprises a pair of opposing shoulder portions, wherein the upper mounting bracket extends between an inner edge of each shoulder portion of the pair of opposing shoulder portions.

20) The memorabilia support system of claim 18, wherein terminal ends of each of the pair of shoulder portions 12 are free and non-connectable to another structure.