Magnifying display case

Abstract

A display case is provided for displaying collectible items such as photographs, trading cards, stamps or coins. The display case includes a compartment for holding the collectible and a magnifying lens for viewing the details of at least one side of the collectible. An opening is provided in the compartment to allow the insertion of the collectible. The collectible is sealed in the compartment by a seal. By sealing the collectible within the compartment of such a display case, the collectible is not only protected from physical damage, it is also protected from exposure to moisture, air and any airborne contaminants. The magnifying lens permits the details of the collectible to be viewed without fear of damage to the collectible as may occur with physical handling. The seal may be either temporary or permanent. A temporary seal is useful where a collector desires to display different collectibles in a single display case at different times. A permanent seal is useful for permanently sealing an authenticated collectible within the compartment to discourage any tampering with the collectible as such tampering would require that the display case be broken apart. A valve can also be provided either to evacuate air from the compartment by a vacuum source or to purge air from the compartment by the use of an inert gas such as nitrogen.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A display case in combination with a collectible, the collectible having first and second sides and an outer edge, the display case comprising: 
 a compartment adapted to hold the collectible;    an opening in the compartment to permit the insertion of the collectible into the compartment;    a seal to hermetically seal the opening once the collectible has been inserted into the compartment;    a first magnifying lens to permit viewing of details of the first side of the collectible; and    a second magnifying lens to permit viewing of details of the second side of the collectible.    
     
     
         2 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of collectibles are to be displayed, the display case further comprising multiple compartments for holding the plurality of collectibles.  
     
     
         3 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 1  wherein the seal comprises a gasket between the frame and the lenses.  
     
     
         4 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 1  further comprising a valve.  
     
     
         5 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 4  wherein the valve is a check valve.  
     
     
         6 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 1  further comprising a light source.  
     
     
         7 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 1  wherein the magnifying lenses and compartment are provided as one integral piece.  
     
     
         8 . A display case in combination with a collectible, the collectible having first and second sides and an outer edge, the display case comprising: 
 a support frame adapted to receive the collectible about its outer edge;    a transparent back plate covering the second side of the collectible;    a magnifying lens covering the first side of the collectible; and    means for sealing the support frame, back plate and magnifying lens to hermetically seal the collectible within the display case.    
     
     
         9 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 8  wherein the magnifying lens is permanently affixed to the support frame and the means for sealing comprises a gasket between the support frame and the back plate.  
     
     
         10 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 8  wherein the back plate is permanently affixed to the support frame and the means for sealing comprises a gasket between the support frame and the magnifying lens.  
     
     
         11 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 8  further comprising a valve.  
     
     
         12 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 8  further comprising a light source.  
     
     
         13 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 8  wherein the support frame defines a slot sized to permit the insertion of the collectible and the means for sealing comprises a seal for sealing the slot.  
     
     
         14 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 8  wherein the magnifying lens is a first magnifying lens and the back plate comprises a second magnifying lens.  
     
     
         15 . A display case in combination with a collectible having first and second sides and an outer edge, the display case comprising: 
 a compartment adapted to hold the collectible;    an opening in the compartment to permit the insertion of the collectible into the compartment;    a magnifying lens spaced a distance from the collectible to permit viewing of details of the first side of the collectible; and    a transparent back plate to permit viewing of the second side of the collectible.    
     
     
         16 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 15  wherein the magnifying lens is a first lens and the back plate comprises a second magnifying lens.  
     
     
         17 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 16  wherein the second magnifying lens permits viewing details of the second side of the collectible.  
     
     
         18 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 15  further comprising a support frame for holding the collectible within the compartment.  
     
     
         19 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 15  further comprising a seal adapted to hermetically seal the collectible within the compartment.  
     
     
         20 . The display case and collectible combination of  claim 15  further comprising a second lens for protecting the magnifying lens.