Device for display item including centering mechanism

Abstract

A device for displaying a display item includes a mounting member which includes a first mounting element and a second mounting element which is mountable on the display item and movable relative to the first mounting element between a plurality of display positions to position the display item as desired, and typically, to center the display item. The first mounting element includes a base and a lid which define an interior chamber and an elongated entrance opening. The second mounting element is disposed within the interior chamber and extends through the entrance opening. The base and lid close to secure the second mounting element relative to the first mounting element. The mounting member may be mounted on a base and removable therefrom for handling and viewing of the display item.

1 . A device for displaying a display item having an internally threaded hole formed therein, the device comprising:
 a first mounting element having first and second opposed sides and a longitudinal direction extending from the first side to the second side;   a second mounting element;   a screw rotatably mounted on the second mounting element and having an externally threaded shaft extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the internally threaded hole to secure the display item to the second mounting element so that the display item is external to the first mounting element;   wherein the second mounting element and display item are movably mounted on the first mounting element to selectively move in the longitudinal direction relative to the first mounting element between a plurality of display positions.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an electric plunger switch carried by the second mounting element and having a plunger movable between depressed and non-depressed positions; and
 wherein the plunger is depressed by the display item when the display item is secured to the second mounting element.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising
 first and second stops on the first mounting element; and   first and second stop surfaces on the second mounting element; and   wherein the threaded shaft and the first side of the first mounting element define therebetween a first distance when the first stop surface abuts the first stop;   the threaded shaft and the second side of the first mounting element define therebetween a second distance when the second stop surface abuts the second stop; and   the second distance is greater than the first distance.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the first and second stop surfaces are on longitudinally spaced opposed ends of the second mounting element; and
 the threaded shaft is closer to the first stop surface than to the second stop surface.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first mounting element has a first center line; the display item has a second center line; and the second mounting element and the display item are movable to align the first and second center lines. 
   
   
       6 . A device for displaying a display item having an item mounting location, the device comprising:
 a first mounting element having first and second opposed sides, a front, a back, a longitudinal direction extending from the first side to the second side, and an axial direction extending from the front to the back;   a second mounting element comprising a first mounting location adapted to connect to the item mounting location, the second mounting element having first and second longitudinally spaced opposed ends, and a front and a back axially spaced from one another;   wherein the second mounting element is movably mounted on the first mounting element to selectively move in the longitudinal direction relative to the first mounting element between a plurality of display positions;   a first wall on one of the first and second mounting elements; and   a plurality of axially extending longitudinally spaced first ridges formed on the first wall and engageable with the other of the first and second mounting elements to prevent longitudinal movement of the second mounting element relative to the first mounting element.   
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first ridges are substantially straight and substantially parallel to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising
 a second wall on the other of the first and second mounting elements; and   a plurality of axially extending second ridges formed on the second wall and engageable with the first ridges to prevent longitudinal movement of the second mounting element relative to the first mounting element.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first ridges include a plurality of ridges formed adjacent the first side of the first mounting element and a plurality of ridges formed adjacent the second side of the first mounting element. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first ridges are formed along the first wall from adjacent the first side of the first mounting element to adjacent the second side of the first mounting element. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first ridges extend from adjacent the front to adjacent the back of the second mounting element. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first ridges extend from adjacent the front to adjacent the back of the first mounting element. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first mounting element comprises a front wall and a back wall defining therebetween an interior chamber;
 the second mounting element is disposed in the interior chamber; and the first ridges extend from adjacent the front wall to adjacent the back wall.   
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the second mounting element extends from within the interior chamber and outwardly from the first mounting element so that the first mounting location is external to the first mounting element. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first mounting element comprises a base and a lid mounted on the base and movable between an open position and a closed position; and
 wherein the first ridges are formed on one of the lid and base.   
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the base and the lid when in the closed position clamp the second mounting element therebetween to force the second mounting element into contact with the first ridges. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a base; and
 wherein the first and second mounting elements are part of a mounting member; the mounting member being movable between a mounted position in which the mounting member is in contact with the base and a removed position in which the mounting member is movable so that the mounting member is adapted to facilitate viewing and handling of the display item.   
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  further comprising an electrical conductor extending between the base and the mounting member and an alarm; and
 wherein the electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the alarm.   
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 6  in combination with the display item; and
 wherein the display item is connected to the second mounting element at the item mounting location and must move back and forth in the longitudinal direction with the second mounting element as the second mounting element moves respectively back and forth in the longitudinal direction relative to the first mounting element.