Apparatus for collecting and storing autographs

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting and storing autographs includes a housing having a hollow interior that is configured to receive and hold autograph media. The housing includes a plurality of side walls and a floor and can be in the form of a cube. The apparatus includes an outer frame that is disposed about an outer surface of one side wall and defines an exterior slot that is open along one side for receiving autograph medium. The autograph medium comprises a substrate that has a surface on which an autograph can be written.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting and storing autographs comprising:
 a housing having a hollow interior that is configured to receive and hold autograph media, the housing including a plurality of side walls and a floor; and   an outer frame disposed about an outer surface of one side wall and defining an exterior slot that is open along one side for receiving autograph medium;   wherein the autograph medium comprises a substrate that has a surface on which an autograph can be written.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a cube. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of dividers disposed along inner surfaces of two opposing side walls, the dividers defining individual slots for receiving individual autograph media. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the dividers comprise protrusions extending from the inner surface of the respective side walls. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer frame comprises at least two corner frame pieces, each corner piece disposed at one corner of the housing and having first and second notches formed therein, wherein one pair of first notches of two corner frame pieces defines the exterior slot. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the corner frame piece comprises a first leg that is disposed along one side wall and a second leg that is disposed along an adjacent side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the corner frame piece has an L-shape with the first and second legs being formed at a right angle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the corner frame piece has a longitudinal bore formed therein and closed off at one end thereof for receiving and storing a writing implement. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second notches comprises a longitudinal notch formed in the corner frame piece. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second notches passes completely through the corner frame piece and is open at each end thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a floor is disposed between the two corner frame pieces to restrict movement of the autograph medium when the autograph medium is inserted into the exterior slot. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and second notches does not pass completely through the corner frame piece but instead terminates proximate one end of the corner frame piece thereby forming a stop for the autograph medium. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow interior is partitioned into a first compartment in which the autograph media is disposed and a second compartment for receiving and holding one or more accessories. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more accessories comprises a writing implement. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes an outer layer on which an autograph can be written. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer comprises an outer structure attached to the substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein outer structure emulates a sports ball surface. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the outer structure is selected from the group consisting of tennis ball felt, football cowhide, baseball cowhide, and basketball cowhide. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is rectangular or square shaped and includes a hole proximate a top edge. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a removable cover for placement over the hollow interior. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the cover includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the cover to the housing. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein cover includes a rotating handle operatively connected via a gear to a pair of locking pins which in extended positions are received in openings formed in the housing. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the hollow interior includes a plurality of cover supports on which the cover rests and a plurality of pivotable locking tabs are disposed along top edges of the housing, wherein when the pivotable locking tabs are pivoted over a top surface of the cover to lock the cover in place. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing and substrate are formed of wood. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the autograph media are disposed in a parallel orientation within the hollow interior. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one side wall of the housing defines a rear surface of the exterior slot. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the autograph media are held separately in the hollow interior.