Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
IMPROVED FRAME PIECE FOR DISPLAY HOLDER
Technical Field
This invention pertains to display holders of the type for
displaying sign boards and, more particularly, to an improved ;
frame piece for display holders for providing easy access to
and replacement of sign boards, with a secure, yet removable,
interlock between the frame piece and the display holder.
Background Information
My U.S. patent No. 5,419,134 issued May 30, 1995,.~nd entitled
"Display Holder", discloses a vertical display board having frame sections
that
discloses a vertical display board having frame sections that
frame the area of the sign board held by the display holder.
Either the top frame section or the bottom frame section is
removable from the display holder to gain access to the sign
board. In use, the top frame section can be removed to insert
a sign board into the display holder, and then replaced to
frame out the sign. Replacement of the sign board is achieved
in a similar manner.
The present invention is an improvement over the top frame
section of my aforementioned U.S. Patent. The top frame section disclosed in
2 5 my prior application was held to the display holder by a chemically-
applica.tion was held to the display holder by a chemically
bonding cement, by friction and by gravity. The present
invention improves upon this design to provide a positive,
secure interlocking of the top frame section to the display
holder.
Disclosure of the Invention
Briefly described, the present invention comprises a
display holder including a center panel andframe pieces around
outer edges of the center panel for holding a display sign
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against the center panel. The center panel includes an
elongated opening in its upper region. A top section of the
frame pieces is separable from the center panel and includes
a pair of spaced apart flanges forming a center panel receiving
slot . The flanges include inwardly proj ecting ridges sized to
fit into the elongated opening in the, center panel. Upon
placing the removable top frame piece section onto the center
panel, the ridges are held in the center panel elongated
opening and thereby secure the top frame section to the center
panel.
According to an aspect of the invention, the ridges are
provided at the outer edges of the flanges and the height of
the flanges is approximately equal to the distance from the
center panel opening to an outer edge of the center panel. In
this manner, the ridges securely fasten the top frame section
to the center panel without any slack between the two
components.
According to another aspect of the invention, the top frame
section includes an elongated opening extending along its
length proximately aligned with the ridges and positioned
between the flanges. This elongated opening is used in the
injection molding process for manufacturing the ridges into the
flanges.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and
the claims, all of which are incorporated into the disclosure
of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Like reference numerals and letters are used to designate
like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and:
Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a display holder
incorporating the invention, shown in its upright position, and
taken fromaboveand towards the top, one side and the rear
edge;
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Fig. 2 is a rear edge elevation view of the display holder
shown by Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a front edge elevational view of the display
holder shown by Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a first side elevational view of the display
holder shown by Figs. 1-3;
Fig. 5 is a second side elevational view of the display
holder shown by Figs. 1-4;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the display holder shown by
Figs. 1-5;
Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the display holder shown
by Figs. 1-6;
Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially
along line 8--8 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially
along line 9--9 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially
along line 10--10 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the bottom end cap taken
substantially from the position of line 11--11 of Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is an end view of the end cap shown by Fig. 11,
such view being taken generally from an aspect indicated by
line 12--12 in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
13--13 of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is a sectional view through an extrusion die used
for forming the mounting member by a co-extrusion process;
Fig. 15 is an exploded pictorial view of the display holder
of Figs. 1-7, shown with a modified mounting structure;
Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken through the
rear flange of the display holder and a mounting member adapted
to mount the display holder in the manner shown by Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the upper
. and lower ends of the display holder and the mounting structure
shown by Fig. 15;
Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially
along line 18--18 of Fig. 19, showing a mounting bracket that
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may be used for connecting the display holder to a horizontal
beam, such view showing a beam in phani=om lines;
Fig. 19 is an elevational view looking towards the left
side of Fig. 18; and
Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken substantially along line
20--20 of Fig. 19.
Fig. 2i is an underside view of an alternative embodiment
for the top cap strip or frame portion shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the cap strip of Fig. 21;
Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line 23--23 of
Fig. 21;
Fig. 24 is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment
for the top portion of the center panel shown in Figs . 4 , 5 ,
which operates in conjunction with the cap piece of Fig. 21;
Fig. 25 is a partial schematic diagram showing an
interconnection between the cap piece of Fig. 21 and the center
panel of Fig. 24.
Best Mode for Carryina out the Invention
Referring to Figs. 1-6, in preferred form, the display
holder of the present invention comprises a main member 10 that
is preferably an extrusion. The cross-sectional shape of this
extrusion is shown by Fig. 8. Main member 10 includes a center
panel 12 having a first side face 14 and a second side face 16.
Center panel 12 also includes a first side edge 18, a second
side edge 20, a third edge 22 at its top (Fig. 9) and a fourth
edge 24 at its bottom (Fig. 10). Edges 18, 20 are sometimes
referred to as first and second opposite edges. This is
because they are at opposite side edge boundaries of the center
panel 12. Edges 22 and 24 are sometimes referred to as third
and fourth opposite edges. This is because they are at
opposite end boundaries of the center panel 12.
Referring back to Fig. 8, the extrusion which includes
center panel 12 also includes first and second frame portions
28, 30. Frame portion 28 includes a base strip 32 which
extends perpendicular to center panel 12. In preferred form,
base strip 32 projects outwardly, an equal amount on each side
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of the center panel 12. A first flange 34 is connected to a
first edge of base strip 32. A second flange 36 is connected
to the second edge of base strip 32. The flanges 34, 36 are
o parallel to each other and both extend from the base strip 32
in a direction opposite from center panel 12. A first lip 38
is connected to flange 34. A second lip 40 is connected to
flange 36. Lips 38, 40 are coplanar with each other and are
in laterally spaced parallelism with base strip 32. Base strip
32, flanges 34, 36 and lips 38, 40 together form a lipped
channel in which one flange 42 of a mounting member 44 is
received. The lipped channel opens edgewise outwardly of the
center panel 12. Frame portion 28 includes a pair of frame
t
flanges 46, 48 which project from base strip 32, in a laterally
spaced relationship with the center panel 12. Frame flanges
46, 48 extend parallel to each other and to the center panel
12. A channel 50 is formed by and between center panel 12 and
frame flange 46. A channel 52 is formed by and between center
panel 12 and frame flange 48.
Frame portion 30 comprises a cap strip 54 and a pair of
frame flanges 56, 58. Cap strip 54 is generally semi-annular
in cross=sectional shape. Frame flange 56 extends from cap
strip 54 in a laterally spaced relationship with center panel
12. Frame flange 58 also extends from cap strip 54 in a
laterally spaced relationship from center panel 12, but on the
opposite side of the center panel 12 from frame flange 56.
Frame flanges 56, 58 extend parallel to each other and to the
center panel 12. A channel 60 is formed by and between center
panel and frame flange 56. On the opposite side of the center
panel 12, a channel 62 is formed by and between center panel
12 and frame flange 58.
As shown by Fig. 8, channel 60 confronts channel 50 on a
first side of center panel 12. Channel 62 confronts channel
52 on the opposite side of center panel 12. The channels 50,
60 and 52, 62 receive side edge portions of a article or
articles to be displayed. For example, a plastic or cardboard
sign board may be slid endwise of the display holder, with its
opposite edge portions within channels 50, 60. A duplicate of
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this display board can be located in channels 52 , 62 on the
opposite side of display holder 10. Or, for example, a
plurality of strips of wood, each bearing a different paint
sample, can be slid into the channels 50, 60 and/or 52, 62.
v
Frame portions 64, 66 may be injection molded from a
suitable structural plastic. As shown by Figs. 9 and 10, frame
portions 64, 66 comprise cap strips 68, 70 which are like cap
strip 54, in cross-sectional configuration. However, they
include flanges 72, 74 and 76, 78 which are parallel to each
other and laterally spaced apart a distance substantially equal
to the thickness of center panel 12. As shown by Fig. 9, the
upper edge portion of center panel 12 is snugly fitted in a
channel formed by and between flanges 72 , 76 . As shown by Fig .
10, a lower end portion of center panel 12 is snugly fitted
within a channel formed by and between flanges 56, 78. Fig.
11 is a top plan view of frame portion 66. It is also a bottom
plan view of frame portion 64 because frame portions 64 , 66 are
identical in construction. In Fig. 11, the channel in which
the lower end portion of center panel 12 is received is
designated 80.
As shown by Fig. 11, the end of frame portion 66 which
meets the end of frame member 30, at a lower corner of the
display holder, is rounded at 82. This rounded corner region
is substantially in the shape of a .quarter sphere. Frame
portion 64 includes a like end region 84. Referring to Fig.
11, the opposite end of frame portion 66 includes a tongue 86
which extends downwardly into the lipped channel formed by base
strip 32, flanges 34, 36 and lips 38, 40. It also includes a
space 88 in which is received a central end portion of base
strip 32, when frame portion 66 is connected. to the lower edge
portion of center panel 12. Mounting member 44 is shorter in
length than base strip 32. The opposite ends of mounting
member 44 are spaced endwise inwardly of frame portions 64, 66,
to allow entry of the end portions of mounting strip 32 into
the space 88 in frame portion 66, and into a like space in
frame member 66. The end portions of center panel 12 are
snugly received between the flanges 72, 74 at the top and 76,
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78 at the bottom. In this manner, the frame portions 64, 65
are fractionally connected to the ends of the main member 10.
As can be seen from the several drawing figures, when the frame
portions 64, 66 are in place, they form end closures for the
channels 50, 60 and 52, 62.
Mounting member 74 includes flange 42, a base flange 90 and
a web 92. Base flange 90 includes a base wall 94 that is in
spaced parallelism with flange 42. Wall 94 extends
perpendicular to web 92. Flanges 96, 98 extend from wall 94
in a direction opposite web 92. Flanges 96, 98 are parallel
to each other and are perpendicular to wall 94. Lips 100, 102
extend inwardly from flanges 96, 98. Lips 100, 102 are in
coplanar parallelism. They are also in spaced parallelism with
wall 94. Wall 94, flanges 96, 98 and lips 100, 108 together
15, form a lapped channel 104 which extends the full length of the
mounting member 44.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, mounting
member 44 is manufactured by a co-extrusion process . Referring
to Fig. 14, die cavities 42c, 90c, 92c are formed in an
extrusion die ED. A first structural plastic "A" is introduced
into cavities 42c and 90c while a second plastic "B" is
introduced into cavity 92c. The two plastics "A" and "B" bond
together as they move through the die ED. Plastic "A" is a
relatively strong and rigid structural plastic , a . g . rigid
PVC .
Plastic "B" is a strong but resilient plastic, e.g. resilient
PVC. It is bendable but returns to its at rest shape when the
bending force is removed from it. Referring to Fig. 6, for
example, when a force "F" is applied against the display holder
10, it will cause the web 92, which also may be referred to
as
a "hinge strip", to bend. When force F is removed, the hinge
strip 92 returns to its at rest position, shown in Fig. 8.
Thus, hinge strip 96 is in the nature of a spring. It is
bendable but as it bends it stores spring energy. When the
bending force is removed, the spring energy moves the hinge
strip 96 back into its at rest position. Preferably, the at
rest position has the display holder 10 extending generally
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perpendicular to the member to which mounting flange 90 is
connected.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4-7, an elongated tongue portion
106 of a connector 108 may fit snugly within lipped channel
104. A set screw 110 may be threaded into a threaded opening
in the tongue 106. Set screw 110 can be rotated clockwise to ,
exert a locking force against wall 94 of lip channel 104. In
this manner the set screw 110 holds the connector 108 firmly
to the mounting member 44. Connector 108 extends upwardly and
rearwardly from tongue 106 and then downwardly as a rear leg
112. It then extends horizontally as a mounting leg 114. The
mounting leg 114 may be set down on a shelf and screw fasteners
(not shown) may be inserted through openings 116 and used to
firmly connect the connector 108 to the shelf. Of course,
other methods of attaching the display holder 10 to a shelf or
other support member may be employed.
Figs. 15-17 relate to a modified embodiment of the
invention in which the mounting member 44 is replaced by a
different style of mounting member 118. Mounting member 118
has a uniformed cross section throughout its length (Fig. 16).-
It is equal in length to mounting member 44. Mounting member
118 includes a flange 120 that is like flange 42. Flange 120
fits snugly within the lipped channel in frame portion 28
formed by the base strip 32, the flanges 34, 36 and the lips
38, 40 (Fig. 16) . Mounting member 118 also includes a slotted,
tubular rib 130. Rib 130 is substantially annular in cross
section but includes a slot 132 which extends the full length
of rib 130. It also includes a center opening 134. Rib 130
provides a strong back bone for the mounting member 118. It
also provides mounting sockets for a pair of trunnions 136,
138. Each trunnion 136, 138 includes an enlargement 140, 142
which divides it between inner and outer parts . Each inner
part 144, 146 fits snugly within the opening 134 at one end of
the rib 130. The enlargements 140, 142 fit against the end
surface of the rib 130 and prevent movement of the trunnion
136, 138 into the opening 134 beyond the location of
enlargement 140, 142. The outer or outboard portions 148, 150
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of the trunnions 136, 138 each extend coaxial with the other.
The outboard end portion 148 of trunnion 136 extends through
an opening 152 in an upper mounting bracket 154. Specifically,
opening 152 is in a horizontal leg of the bracket 154. The
outboard end portion 150 of trunnion 138 fits within an opening
156 in a second bracket 158. As shown by Fig. 15, opening 156
V
is in a horizontal leg of bracket 158. Brackets 154, 156 are
secured to a frame member 160, by fastener assemblies including
bolts 162, washers 164 and nuts 166, as shown in Fig. 15.
The opening 134 is slightly smaller in diameter than the
diameter of end parts 144, 146 of the trunnions 136, 138.
Thus, it is necessary to force the end parts 144, 146 into the
ends of the opening 134. This is permitted by the slot 132.
It allows the side portions of the rib 130, on opposite sides
of slot 132, to spread apart slightly as the trunnions are
forced inwardly. This makes the side portions act as springs
or clamps. They firmly grip and hold the end portions 144, 146
of the trunnions 136, 138. The lower enlargement 142 also acts
as an end bearing, where it bears against the metal surrounding
opening 146.
As shown in Fig. 15, the horizontal legs of the brackets
154, 158 may be provided with a plurality of laterally spaced
apart openings. In the illustrated example, five openings are
shown. This permits the mounting of five display holders 10,
as a group, between the two brackets 154, 158. Other ways of
mounting the display holder may be used. Also, the
configuration of the display holder may vary from what is
illustrated.
The corners 82, 84 are rounded and the frame portions 30,
64, 66 are rounded in the lateral direction. This provides a
surface which is not apt to cause any injury if struck by a
person or any damage to an object that may be accidently moved
in contact with the display holder 10. The illustrated display
holders are vertically elongated. However, certain aspects of
the invention could be used with advantage within a display
holder that is horizontally elongated. For example, the
construction of the display holder from a single extrusion main
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member, including a center panel and opposite edge frame
portions, together with detachable frame members for the other
pair of opposite edges.
Figs. 18-20 illustrate the mounting bracket that may be
used for securing the first embodiment (Figs. 1-13) to a
horizontal frame member or beam 170. Beam 170 may be like
frame me_m__be_r 160 show_n_ i__n_ Fi_g_ 1 5 = T-h_P mn"_n_t i ng l~,ra~l~At 1
72
would be used in place of the connector 108. Mounting bracket
172 comprises a f first part 174 and a second part 177 . Part 174
has a vertical wall 176, a top wall 178 and a flange 180.
Flange 180 depends from top wall 178 and is parallel to wall
176. The second part 177 includes a vertical wall 182 and a
bottom wall 184. walls 182, 184 are perpendicular to each
other. Walls 176, 178 are perpendicular to each other and
flange 180 is perpendicular to wall 178. As illustrated, wall
176 side laps wall 182. Wall 176 includes a vertical slot 186
and wall 182 includes a vertical slot 188. Each slot 186, 188
is closed at both of its ends. Slots 186, 188 are in alignment
with each other, as best shown by Fig. 19. A screw fastener
190 extends through the two slots 186, 188. Screw fastener 190
includes a head 200 that is larger in diameter than the slots
186, 188 are wide. Screw 190 threads into a nut 202. The
screw fastener 190 is screwed tight into the nut 202 so that
it clamps the two members 176, 182 together. The provision of
the slots 186, 188 and the screw fastener 190 permits
adjustment of the mounting bracket 172 to different depth
beams. Member 182 may include a pair of side flanges 206, 208
between which the vertical leg of member 176 is received.
Flanges 206, 208 contact the opposite edges 210, 212 of
vertical wall 176, to prevent bracket 172 from rotating in
position relative to member 176, about the axis of the fastener
screw 190. A spacer rod 214 is secured to the member 177. Rod
214 includes a horizontal leg 216 and a vertical leg 218.
These legs 214, 216 are spot welded to member 177, at 220, 224
and 226. A flat bar 228 is welded to rod parts 216, 218 at 222
and 230. Flat bar 228 forms a flange that is sized and shaped
to fit snugly within the Tipped channel 104, in place of tongue
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106. Bar 228 includes a threaded opening 232 which receives
a set screw, like set screw 110. This set screw is used to
firmly anchor the bar 228 in position relative to channel
member 90 of mounting member 44.
Parts 174 , 177 are brought together about the beam 170 .
Then, the screw fastener 190 is tighter~ed within nut 202, to
firmly clamp members 174, 177 together. The square nature of
the four corners of beam 170, the two corners of member 174
and
the lower left (as pictured) corner of member 177 result in
bracket 172 being firmly secured to the beam 170, and
restrained against movement in essentially all directions.
This clamping of the members 174 , 177 together, and to the
beam
170, provides a definite vertical placement of the member 228.
Bar portion 218 provides a proper lateral spacing of flat bar
228 from vertical walls 176, 182. Member 218 is also sized to
fit within the open region of the channel 104, between the two
lips 100, 102.
Figs . 21-25 illustrate an alternative embodiment for a top
frame piece 300. As shown in Figs. 21, 22, and 23, frame piece
300 is substantially the same as frame piece 64 of Figs. 4 and
5, and includes a curved cap strip 302, a pair of upstanding
parallel flanges 3 04 , 3 0 6 , a rectangular end 3 0 8 , and
a rounded
end 310. Rectangular end 308 includes a short projecting
tongue 312, similar to tongue 86 of Fig.ll.
Flanges 304, 306 include aligned rails 316 along their
outer edges. The center rails 316' include inner projections
or ridges 320, which project toward one another and narrow the
gap at the outer edges of flanges 304, 306. Flanges 304, 306
are spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the
thickness of the center panel of the display holder. Ridges
320 reduce the spacing between flanges 304, 306 for purpose
of
interlocking frame piece 300 to the center panel of the
display.
Cap strip 302 includes an elongated slot-like opening 322,
which is aligned longitudinally with center flanges 316'.
Opening 322 is formed by a plated projection used in the
injection mold process for manufacturing frame piece 300. The
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plated projection is necessary for the formation of ridges 320.
Once flanges 304, 306 and ridges 320 are formed, opening 322
serves no purpose.
In Fig. 24, center panel 324 is shown slightly modified
from center panel 12 of Fig. 1. The upper region of center
panel 324 includes an elongated opening 326, which is aligned
with the top edge 328 of center panel 324. As shown in Fig.
25, opening 326 receives ridges 320 to securely hold frame
piece 300 to center panel 324. Frame piece 300 preferably is
made of a material having sufficient flexibility to allow
flanges 304, 306 to flex away from one another as frame piece
300 is snap-fitted onto top edge 328 of center panel 324.
Ridges 320 should be rounded or smooth enough to minimize the
effort necessary to pull frame piece 300 off of center panel
324. Ridges 320 and opening 326 act as a detent means for
releasibly securing frame piece 300 to center panel 324.
The height of flanges 304, 306 from their base at cap strip
302 up to ridges 320 approximately is equal to the distance
between opening 326 and edge 328 in center panel 324. With
frame piece 300 snap-fitted onto center panel 324, there is no
slack between the two components because ridges 320 securely
hold center panel 324 between flanges 304, 306.
The alternative embodiment shown for frame piece 300 and
center panel 324 provides a secure interlocking connection
between the two components, yet allows for easy removal of
frame piece 300 so that the sign board held by the display
holder can be changed, cleaned, modified, or otherwise removed
from the display holder.
The scope of protection is not to be limited by the
illustrated examples. Rather, it is to be determined by a
construction of the patent claims which follows, in accordance
with established rules of patent claim construction, including
use of the doctrine of equivalents.
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