Apparatus and method for displaying an object

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying an object is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion having a base end for engaging a display surface, such as a wall, and an opposite mounting end for engaging the object to be displayed. The apparatus also includes, at its base end, an attachment mechanism for securely affixing the apparatus to the display surface. The apparatus further includes, at its mounting end, a hub for releasably mounting the object being displayed onto the mounting end of the apparatus. A method of displaying an object is also provided.

1 . An apparatus for displaying an object, the apparatus comprising: 
 a body portion having a base end for engaging a display surface, and an opposite mounting end for engaging the object to be displayed;    an attachment mechanism at the base end to permit affixation of the body portion to the display surface; and    a hub at the mounting end for releasably retaining the object being displayed against the mounting end.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is frusto-conical in shape.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion tapers from the base end towards the mounting end.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the base end has a diameter measurably longer than a height of the body portion.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the base end has a diameter measurably smaller than the object being displayed, so that the apparatus may be concealed behind the object when the object is mounted thereon.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting end includes a plane against which the object to be displayed may engage.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes one of an adhesive, a screw, a nail, a hook and loop system, a magnetic system, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is arranged in a pattern that can provide secured affixation of the apparatus to the display surface.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism permits the apparatus to be disengageable from the display surface.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a plurality of flexible elements extending from the mounting end of the body portion for engagement within a hole of the object being display to retain the object at the mounting end.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the flexible elements are designed to flair radially outward to engage against an edge of the hole in the object being displayed.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the flexible elements are designed to be pushed radially inward to release the elements from their engagement against the hole.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hub includes a cap designed to extend across a hole in the object being displayed and complementarily received in the mounting end to retain the object between the cap and the mounting end.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a plurality of ribs on an underside of the apparatus to permit stable stacking of a plurality of apparatuses.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of ribs are designed to can sit atop the mounting end of a lower apparatus to permit stable and proper orientation.  
   
   
       16 . A method for displaying an object, the method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus having a base for engaging a display surface, an attachment mechanism for securely affixing the apparatus to the display surface, a mounting end opposite the base for engaging the object to be displayed, and a flexible hub for releasably mounting the object onto the mounting end of the apparatus;    affixing the apparatus at its base end to the display surface;    aligning an object having a hole with the flexible hub; and    advancing the object towards the hub until the hub extends through the hole and engages an edge of the hole.    
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the step of affixing includes affixing by one of adhesive, screws, nails, hook and loop, magnetic, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , further including releasing the object from the hub and replacing the object with another object to match specific likes and taste of a user.  
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , further including: 
 providing a plurality of the apparatuses;    affixing the plurality of the apparatuses to the display surface; and    releasably retaining an object against the mounting end of more than one apparatus.    
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the step of affixing the plurality of the apparatuses includes arranging the apparatuses in a pattern.  
   
   
       21 . A method as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the step of affixing the plurality of the apparatuses includes rearranging the apparatuses in a different pattern.