Hanging display device for memorabilia

Abstract

A display device including a plaque, a hanger secured to a rear face of the plaque for hanging the plaque on a vertical surface such that the rear face of the plaque is substantially parallel with the vertical surface, a support assembly secured to a front face of the plaque, and memorabilia held by the support assembly, wherein the support is adapted to hold the memorabilia in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A display device comprising: 
 a plaque;    a hanger secured to a rear face of the plaque for hanging the plaque on a vertical surface such that the rear face of the plaque is substantially parallel with the vertical surface;    a support assembly secured to a front face of the plaque; and    memorabilia held by the support assembly, wherein the support is adapted to hold the memorabilia in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface.    
     
     
         2 . The display device of    claim 1    wherein the front and the rear faces of the plaque are parallel.  
     
     
         3 . The display device of    claim 1    wherein the memorabilia comprises a helmet and the support assembly comprises: 
 a spacer positioned between the helmet and the plaque, the spacer having a flat surface abutting the front face of the plaque and an opposing contoured surface abutting the helmet, the contoured surface of the spacer contoured to match an outer contour of the helmet such that the helmet is in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface; and  
 a fastener passing through a hole in the helmet, through the spacer and secured to the plaque.  
 
     
     
         4 . The display device of    claim 3    wherein the fastener comprises a screw and the support assembly also includes a washer positioned between a head of the screw and the helmet.  
     
     
         5 . The display device of    claim 3    wherein the hole in the helmet that the fastener passes through comprises an ear hole.  
     
     
         6 . The display device of    claim 1    wherein the memorabilia comprises a helmet and the support assembly comprises: 
 a first clamp arm positioned between the helmet and the plaque, the first clamp arm having a contoured portion abutting the helmet, the contoured portion curved to match an outer contour of the helmet such that the helmet is in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface;  
 a second clamp arm positioned within the helmet, the second clamp arm having a gripping portion directed towards the contoured portion of the first clamp arm and securing the helmet against the contoured portion; and  
 a fastener securing the clamp arms to the plaque.  
 
     
     
         7 . The display device of    claim 6    wherein the second clamp arm extends through a hole in the helmet.  
     
     
         8 . The display device of    claim 1    wherein the memorabilia comprises a helmet and the support assembly comprises a resilient curved prong clamping a sidewall of the helmet and securing the helmet in an upright position.  
     
     
         9 . The display device of    claim 8    wherein the support assembly further comprises a stud extending through the plaque from the resilient curved prong and secured with a nut.  
     
     
         10 . The display device of    claim 1    wherein the memorabilia comprises a helmet and the support assembly comprises: 
 a backing plate secured to the plaque;  
 a first panel extending from the backing plate; and  
 a second panel intersecting the first panel;  
 the helmet supported in an upright position on the first and the second panels.  
 
     
     
         11 . The display device of    claim 10    wherein one of the first and the second panels includes a hook engaging an ear shield of the helmet and securing the helmet in an upright position on the first and the second panels.  
     
     
         12 . The display device of    claim 1    wherein the memorabilia comprises a ball and the support assembly comprises a transparent case secured to the plaque, said case having: 
 opposing endwalls extending from the plaque; and  
 a cup secured to each endwall;  
 with the ball held between the cups.  
 
     
     
         13 . The display device of    claim 12    wherein the ball comprises a football having opposing tips received in the cups.  
     
     
         14 . The display device of    claim 13    wherein the cups are U-shaped.  
     
     
         15 . The display device of    claim 13    wherein the cups are concave, and wherein one of the cups is rotatably mounted in the endwall and includes a knob extending through the endwall for allowing said cup and, thus, the football to be rotated within the case.  
     
     
         16 . The display device of    claim 15    wherein the other of the cups includes a nonfriction liner.  
     
     
         17 . The display device of    claim 12    wherein the cups are concave, and wherein one of the cups is rotatably mounted in the endwall and includes a knob extending through the endwall for allowing said cup and, thus, the ball to be rotated within the case.  
     
     
         18 . A display device for hanging on a vertical surface and holding memorabilia in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface, the device comprising: 
 a plaque;    a hanger secured to a rear face of the plaque for hanging the plaque on a vertical surface such that the rear face of the plaque is substantially parallel with the vertical surface; and    a support assembly secured to a front face of the plaque and including, 
 a spacer for positioning between the helmet and the plaque, the spacer having a flat surface for abutting the front face of the plaque and an opposing, malleable surface for abutting the helmet, wherein the malleable surface can be contoured to match an outer contour of the helmet such that the helmet is in an upright position with respect to the vertical surface when abutting the spacer, and  
 a fastener for passing through a hole in the helmet, through the spacer and secureable to the plaque.