Display device with rotating support

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to an aesthetically pleasing display device equipped with a rotating support for a prized item, and more specifically, to a display device with a transparent or semitransparent dome, where the prized item is placed on slowly moving protective cushioning material for displaying successively all views of the prized item and any autograph(s) or marking(s) placed thereupon such as sports memorabilia, an autographed baseball, a helmet, jewelry, or any other prized personal item.

1 . A display device comprising:
 a dome including a bottom lip;   a base including top surface having a groove defined therein configured to engage the bottom lip;   a support movably disposed on the top surface, the support configured to align a prized item relative to the dome; and   a motor connected to the base,   wherein the motor comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to the support such that upon activation of the motor, the shaft rotates the support and prized item thereon.   
   
   
       2 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a soft surface for contact with the prized item. 
   
   
       3 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a hole for fixation to the shaft. 
   
   
       4 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the dome comprises a cylindrical portion and a hemispherical portion. 
   
   
       5 . The display device of  claim 4 , wherein the dome is made of glass. 
   
   
       6 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is hollow and made of wood and includes an opening. 
   
   
       7 . The display device of  claim 6 , wherein the shaft is connected to the hollow portion of the base and the shaft connects to the support through the opening. 
   
   
       8 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a synchronous motor with low rotational speed. 
   
   
       9 . The display device of  claim 8 , wherein the rotational speed is less than one rotation per minute. 
   
   
       10 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is equipped with a switch and an AC/DC adaptor. 
   
   
       11 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the prized item is an article of sports memorabilia. 
   
   
       12 . The display device of  claim 11 , wherein the sports memorabilia is an autographed baseball. 
   
   
       13 . A method for displaying a prized item, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a display device in view of a person, the display device comprising:
 a dome including a bottom lip; 
 a base including top surface having a groove defined therein configured to engage the bottom lip; 
 a support movably disposed on the top surface, the support configured to align a prized item relative to the dome; and 
 a motor connected to the base, 
 wherein the motor comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to the support such that upon activation of the motor, the shaft rotates the support and prized item thereon, 
   removing the dome temporarily;   placing the prized item on the support;   replacing the dome over the prized item;   activating the motor in order to initiate the movement of the shaft.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the support comprises a soft surface for contact with the prized item. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the dome is made of glass. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is a synchronous motor with low rotational speed. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the motor is equipped with a switch and an AC/DC adaptor. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the prized item is an article of sports memorabilia. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sports memorabilia is an autographed baseball. 
   
   
       20 . A baseball display device comprising:
 a glass dome including a bottom edge, a cylindrical section, and a spherical section;   a hollow base including a top surface having a groove defined thereon, the groove configured to engaged the bottom edge;   a support movably disposed on the top surface, the support configured to align a baseball relative to the dome; and   a motor connected to the hollow base,   wherein the motor comprises a rotatable shaft coupled to the support such that upon activating the motor the shaft rotates the support and prized item thereon.