Integrated display coordination systems

Abstract

An integrated display coordination system is provided. The system includes a support structure. The system also includes a base, the base interfaced with the support structure, the support structure having a plurality of display surfaces. The system further includes a plurality of posts, each of the plurality of posts affixed to at least one of the plurality of display surfaces. The system includes display item areas, the display item areas are formed by at least one of the plurality of display surfaces and at least one of the plurality of posts affixed to the plurality of display surfaces. The system is configured wherein the support structure and base, when assembled and connected in a shape of a cube, and wherein the interlocking reusable panels are interconnected with dovetail connections and wherein a bottom of the interlocking reusable panels rest on the base.

Claims

1. An integrated display coordination system comprising of: a support structure; a base, the base interfaced with the support structure, the support structure having a plurality of display surfaces; a plurality of posts, each of the plurality of posts affixed to at least one of the plurality of display surfaces; display item areas, the display item areas are formed by at least one of the plurality of display surfaces and at least one of the plurality of posts affixed to the plurality of display surfaces; and wherein the support structure and base are assembled and connected into a shape of a cube, and wherein the plurality of posts are molded into the plurality of display surfaces forming unitary members, and wherein the each of the plurality of display surfaces and their respective plurality of posts form interlocking reusable panels, and wherein the interlocking reusable panels are interconnected with dovetail connections along edges of the interlocking reusable panels and wherein a bottom of the interlocking reusable panels rest on the base and abut an inside lip of the base.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of posts are bendable and/or flexible and can be configured to be bent into curved and/or non-linear shapes.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of posts includes a variation in length or diameter.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the posts comprises magnetic tips.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the posts comprises a lighting device.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least the interlocking reusable panels are washable in a dishwasher.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments given below is considered in conjunction with the figures provided.

(2) FIGS. 1 and 1A is a perspective view of a post support structure or fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a post support structure or fixture having placed thereon decorative objects in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 1C is a top view of a fixture having placed thereon decorative objects in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 1D is a top view of a fixture having placed thereon decorative objects in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a fixture 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 2C is a top view of fixture 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 3A is a top view of a fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the fixture in 3A, in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the fixture in 3A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fixture in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 6 is a flowchart displaying a method of an embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

(15) FIG. 8 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

(17) In one embodiment of the invention, two or more post support structures having a means for connecting said supports together creates linear patterns or three-dimensional structures in a variety of geometric and non-geometric shapes for the display of organic and inorganic design elements. As shown in FIG. 1a, a non-limiting embodiment of a fully assembled undecorated post support structure or fixture 102 is connected via support structure and base (not shown) in the shape of a cube. Other post support structure shapes may be used, as by way of example and not limitation: 3-dimensional geometric shapes, such as the full set of polyhedrons (e.g., cube, triangular prism, dodecahedron), or conic sections, (e.g. a cone, parabola, spheres, hemispheres).

(18) In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, one or more of the supports and/or one or more posts 214 are permanently affixed to the surface of fixture 102, and may be designated by one or more colors, numbers, letters or other methods of coding such that when the support and/or posts are assembled, the final design is similar to a suggested design and assembly pattern or instruction.

(19) In another embodiment, the one or more posts 214, or sections of posts, may be removable or made permanent via molding them into the surface of the fixture 102. By way of example and not limitation, removal of one or more posts or sections of posts may permit the addition of other design elements or objects that might fill a void left by the removal of one or more posts, or may permit the user to add posts of differing shape, size or dimension, or add a section to the support that is devoid of one or more posts. Alternatively, one or more posts 214 may be made longer. By way of example and not limitation, a post varied in length or diameter may be affixed to a pre-existing post to increase the size, length or dimension of an original post. Alternatively, a post or section of posts may be removed and in its stead, a blank portion of the support may be inserted, so as to create one or more places where posts are absent from the structure. Changing or alternating posts or creating blank spaces, may be desirable in achieving a certain shape or design.

(20) Turning to fixture 102 as decorated in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D, inclusive, where a variety of possible design elements is employed. FIG. 1C through FIG. 1D illustrate a top down view of several non-limiting embodiments of the fixture 100 demonstrating the use of flowers 104, fruit 106, vegetables 108 and candy 110 as design elements. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, a support, base and/or posts may be pre-assembled in whole or in part in pre-determined shapes and designs. By way of example, and not limitation, a user who desires to display a food arrangement for a child's party may select a partially assembled mermaid shape, so that the creation of the final display, which may include selecting an overall design pattern, determining edible or non-edible design elements such as food, plants, lights, may be completed by an adult, or child, or both as part of a shared creative experience.

(21) FIG. 2A illustrates one non-limiting embodiment of a fully assembled undecorated fixture 202 in the shape of a pyramid. FIG. 2B is an exploded view of one non-limiting embodiment of a fixture 202, and having three support structures, 204, 206 and 208, respectively, a base 210 and a locking tip 212.

(22) FIG. 2C is a top down view of one non-limiting embodiment of a fully assembled, undecorated fixture 202, showing a plurality of posts 214 jutting out from each support 204, 206, 208 as illustrated in FIG. 2B. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, one or more posts 214 are permanently affixed to a support 204. In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, one or more posts 214 are removable or extendable (not shown). In another non-limiting embodiment, the shape and dimension of a post or sections of post may be altered by the addition of another lengthening and/or widening post (not shown) the fits over atop an existing post or group of posts.

(23) FIG. 3A is a top-down view of one non-limiting embodiment of a fixture 302. FIG. 3B is an exploded view of fixture 302. A non-limiting embodiment of a twist on-off interlocking mechanism 304 is shown. In another non-limiting embodiment, a fixture may be suspended by securing and threading a length of material (e.g., cord, hanger) (not shown) through a thru-hole 306 and securing the other end of the material at the other end to a support (e.g., hook) (not shown).

(24) FIG. 4A shows a cross-section of FIG. 3A with an optional light emitting diode (LED) 402 within the fixture for illuminating one or more of the posts 214 or post tips 406.

(25) FIG. 5 shows a partial section of FIG. 2A, showing a means for joining a support 204 with a base 210.

(26) The fixture 100 may be constructed through a variety of processes and techniques, such as injection molding, thermoforming, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, metal forming, as well as utilizing adhesives, mating parts or other means of joining or molding materials. Such processes and techniques are well-known to those skilled in the art of manufacturing and assembling two-dimensional and three-dimensional shaped fixtures constructed from metals, plastics and recyclable materials. In a preferred embodiment the post support structure 102 and posts 214 are integrally molded into the support structure and protrude so as to enable the use of the chosen decorations (fruits, vegetables, etc.). However, as indicated above, in an alternate embodiment (not shown), the support structure 102 contains holes or receptacles, for the insertion of posts 214. In this manner the arrangement of posts may offer the user the ability to design an arrangement in the form of a picture, words, slogans and the like.

(27) As can be appreciated, a plurality of supports may be connected together in varying combinations to create a variety of support shapes. Further, a plurality of design elements, (e.g., organic elements such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, and inorganic elements such as lights, LEDs, messages, or objects having a suggestive or themed shape) may be attached to one or more posts to achieve a decorative arrangement.

(28) In another embodiment, a post may exist as or may be formed from an illumination device, such as by way of example and not limitation, the distal end of a post may contain one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be detachable, replaceable or permanently affixed to a post. Alternatively, a post may contain or have a detachable, replacement or permanently affixed bundle of fiber optic strands through which light may be transmitted and displayed. The LED may emit one or more colors, may be permanently on or off, or dim/brighten or flash on/off, at varying speeds. The one or more LEDs may be controlled by a switch, or alternatively by a wireless technology, such as BLUETOOTH™ (Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) through an independent controller or smart-tablet or smartphone (not shown).

(29) The present invention can also include a method for assembling decorative arrangements employing the steps of: (i) selecting one or more support structures for a linear, geometric or non-geometric shape from a plurality of support structure designs, (ii) selecting a base for the selected shape, (iii) joining a base with one or more support structures to create the selected shape by interlocking the base and supports into a rigid framework, (iv) selecting a fixable design element that is attachable to a post 214, (v) affixing a design element, in one of an original way or assisted by suggested creative designs, (vi) displaying a completed decorative arrangement.

(30) As best seen in FIG. 6, the system can include a method for utilizing an integrated display coordination system 600. The method includes selecting one or more support structures having a linear, geometric or non-geometric shape 602. The method also includes configuring a base to be able to join the base with one or more support structures to create the selected shape by interlocking the base and supports together 604. The method further includes selecting a fixable design element that is able to be attached to a plurality of posts 606. The method includes constructing a design element to be able to be arranged to the plurality of posts 608. The method also includes placing display items to be able to be displayed on at least one display surface and/or to be affixed to the plurality of posts 610. The method further includes providing a sanitize-able, reusable, and cleanable method to display a completed integrated display coordination system 612.

(31) As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 interlocking panels are interconnected with dovetail connections 216.

(32) In embodiments not shown, the system can include self-powered components, the components configured such that elements of the system can move and animate in synchronization with music, lights, and/or other systems. Embodiments of the system can be scalable such that coordinated display systems can operate on top of, but not limited to, a standard kitchen table, a chair, a sound stage for an outdoor concert, a baseball field, a football field, and/or a sports arena, the system arranged to be as large as the surface area that the system exists. The system can be designed to be compact and/or large.

(33) In other embodiments not shown, the system can include lighting components, the lighting components designed to change in illumination, brightness, color, and/or blinking with respect to time. The system can be used in theatrical performances and/or musical performances. Further, the system can be used in large displays such as on the field during a half-time of a football game or before a baseball game.

(34) In embodiments not shown, the system can include coordinated display systems structured to display frozen foods and/or temperature sensitive items. The system including refrigeration systems and/or heating systems designed to maintain display items at predetermined temperatures. Items such as ice cream and/or hot foods can be displayed on the system.

(35) In some embodiments, the method or methods described above may be executed or carried out by a computing system including a tangible computer-readable storage medium, also described herein as a storage machine, that holds machine-readable instructions executable by a logic machine (i.e. a processor or programmable control device) to provide, implement, perform, and/or enact the above described methods, processes and/or tasks. When such methods and processes are implemented, the state of the storage machine may be changed to hold different data. For example, the storage machine may include memory devices such as various hard disk drives, CD, flash drives, cloud storage, or DVD devices. The logic machine may execute machine-readable instructions via one or more physical information and/or logic processing devices. For example, the logic machine may be configured to execute instructions to perform tasks for a computer program. The logic machine may include one or more processors to execute the machine-readable instructions. The computing system may include a display subsystem to display a graphical user interface (GUI) or any visual element of the methods or processes described above. For example, the display subsystem, storage machine, and logic machine may be integrated such that the above method may be executed while visual elements of the disclosed system and/or method are displayed on a display screen for user consumption. The computing system may include an input subsystem that receives user input. The input subsystem may be configured to connect to and receive input from devices such as a mouse, keyboard or gaming controller. For example, a user input may indicate a request that certain task is to be executed by the computing system, such as requesting the computing system to display any of the above described information, or requesting that the user input updates or modifies existing stored information for processing. A communication subsystem may allow the methods described above to be executed or provided over a computer network. For example, the communication subsystem may be configured to enable the computing system to communicate with a plurality of personal computing devices. The communication subsystem may include wired and/or wireless communication devices to facilitate networked communication. The described methods or processes may be executed, provided, or implemented for a user or one or more computing devices via a computer-program product such as via an application programming interface (API).

(36) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

(37) The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be noted and understood that various modifications and variations can be crafted by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative only and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Further it is intended that any other embodiments of the present invention that result from any changes in application or method of use or operation, method of manufacture, shape, size, or materials which are not specified within the detailed written description or illustrations contained herein are considered within the scope of the present invention.