Abstract:
A display apparatus is provided that has multiple contiguously arranged adjustable mounting brackets that each has a proximal base portion and a distal attachment portion. There are a corresponding number of contiguously arranged display frames that are attached to the distal attachment portions of the adjustable mounting brackets. The display frames are designed to accommodate removable displays. The adjustable mounting brackets can be extended and retracted so that the display apparatus can attach to different sized mounting areas.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/866,589, filed on Aug. 16, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to advertising and more specifically to devices for use in displaying advertisements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Retail stores are constantly looking for new ways to display their marketing messages. However, space is often limited in retail stores, and most of it must be used to display merchandise. Therefore, retail stores are left with limited options on how to effectively display marketing messages without using valuable space that can be used to display merchandise. 
         [0005]    Often overlooked areas of the typical retail store are columns. Columns are essential to the structural integrity of the retail store, but they occupy precious space. Rather than merely ceding columns as lost space, retailers have attempted to use columns to display their marketing messages. 
         [0006]    However, using columns to display marketing messages poses a number of problems. Columns come in many different shapes: some might have flat surfaces while others have curved surfaces. Columns also come in many different sizes: some might be large while others are small. Additionally, columns aren&#39;t always bare. Conduits, fire extinguishers, and other obstacles exist that prevent retailers from easily and effectively displaying their marketing messages on columns. 
         [0007]    Some retailers have attempted to hang banners on columns; however, all of the characteristics of columns discussed previously make what is usually a simple task much more complicated. Banners have to be customized for each unique column due to the different sizes and shapes of columns, along with where conduits, fire extinguishers, and other obstacles are located on the column. Additionally, in order to properly attach these banners to the column, the column itself often must be permanently damaged, such as by using a nail or other damaging fastener. These issues make it expensive and time consuming to display a marketing message on a column. 
         [0008]    Additionally, marketing messages do not last forever, and most marketing campaigns change frequently. Changing banners on columns several times a year can be cumbersome and time consuming. Therefore, it is highly desirable to be able to quickly and efficiently change marketing messages several times a year. 
         [0009]    Most retailers have many different marketing messages that they would like to display at once. Using a column to display a single marketing message using a banner or a similar device is already difficult enough. Attempting to display multiple marketing messages on a single column using the current methods would be even more impracticable, and in some cases impossible. 
         [0010]    Therefore it is highly desirable to have a device that assists retail stores in using columns to easily and effectively display marketing messages. It is also highly desirable to have a device that can be universally used with different sized and shaped columns while avoiding conduits, fire extinguishers, and other obstacles commonly found on columns. Additionally, it is highly desirable to have a device that allows marketing messages to be easily and inexpensively changed when displaying these messages on columns. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In one form of the present disclosure, a display apparatus is provided that comprises a plurality of contiguously arranged adjustable mounting brackets with each adjustable mounting bracket having a proximal base portion and a distal attachment portion. The display apparatus also comprises a plurality of contiguously arranged display frames that are secured to the distal attachment portions of the corresponding adjustable mounting brackets. The display frames are designed to accommodate removable signage, while the adjustable mounting brackets are proximally and distally extendable to accommodate different sized mounting areas. 
         [0012]    In another form of the present disclosure, a display apparatus is provided that comprises a plurality of contiguously arranged adjustable mounting brackets. The display apparatus also comprises a plurality of adjustable scissor brackets with each adjustable scissor bracket having a proximal end and a distal end. The adjustable mounting brackets are attached to the proximal ends of the corresponding adjustable scissor brackets. The display apparatus also has a plurality of contiguously arranged display frames that are secured to the distal ends of the adjustable scissor brackets. The display frames are designed to accommodate removable displays, while the adjustable scissor brackets can be proximally and distally extended to accommodate different sized mounting areas. 
         [0013]    In still another form of the present disclosure, a method for displaying media is provided, which includes providing a plurality of contiguously arranged adjustable mounting brackets, with each mounting bracket having a proximal base portion and a distal attachment portion. The method also includes providing a plurality of contiguously arranged display frames that are secured to the distal attachment portions of the corresponding adjustable mounting brackets. The method also comprises adjusting the adjustable mounting brackets by proximally and distally extending them in order to accommodate different sized mounting areas. The method of displaying media also includes fastening a plurality of removable displays to the corresponding display frames and replacing the removable displays with additional removable displays. 
         [0014]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the display apparatus secured to a small column; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the display apparatus secured to a large column; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of one of the adjustable mounting brackets; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is perspective view of one of the adjustable mounting brackets in a fully closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is perspective view of one of the adjustable mounting brackets in a middle position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  is perspective view of one of the adjustable mounting brackets in a fully open position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the back of one of the display frames; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of one of the sign brackets that attaches to the back of the display frames; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view showing how two contiguously arranged sign brackets interact; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of several display frames; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective front view of the display apparatus; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a perspective top view of the display apparatus; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the pulley system of the display apparatus; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of the center pulley plate in the pulley system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of one of the front brackets; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a detailed view of one of the back brackets; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the interior angle of two contiguously arranged display frames; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of one of the display frame pulleys; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the contiguously arranged display frames. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. It should also be understood that various cross-hatching patterns used in the drawings are not intended to limit the specific materials that may be employed with the present disclosure. The cross-hatching patterns are merely exemplary of preferable materials or are used to distinguish between adjacent or mating components illustrated within the drawings for purposes of clarity. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a display apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosures is illustrated and indicated by reference number  10 . In  FIG. 1A , the display apparatus  10  is shown adjusted to attach to a mounting area, which in this embodiment is a small column  12 . In  FIG. 1B , the display apparatus  10  is shown adjusted to attach to a mounting area, which in this embodiment is a large column  14 . Referring to both  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the display apparatus  10  generally includes display frames  16  and adjustable mounting brackets  18 . In this embodiment, the adjustable mounting brackets  18  are scissor brackets. However, these brackets can also be, but are not limited to: square brackets, flat brackets, rectangular brackets, arcuate brackets, corner brackets, hinges, static carriage brackets, sliding carriage brackets, outboard brackets, scissor brackets, and ratcheting brackets. The display apparatus  10  is secured to the mounting area, which in these figures are the small column  12  or the large column  14 . In this embodiment, the display apparatus  10  is secured to the small column  12  or the large column  14  using ratcheting straps  20 . However, the display apparatus  10  can be secured to the small column  12  or the large column  14  using other commonly known methods. 
         [0037]    In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the display apparatus  10  has four display frames  16  to correspond to the four surfaces that the small column  12  and the large column  14  have. However, the display apparatus  10  can also be designed to attach to columns of other shapes, such as a column with three sides or a column with curved sides. In the scenario with a three sided column, the display apparatus  10  could have three display frames  16 . However, the present invention is not limited to having the same number of display frames  16  as the number of sides on a column. 
         [0038]    In  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the display frames  16  are contiguously arranged. Contiguously arranged is defined as the display frame  16  neighboring or adjacent to each other. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , one of the adjustable mounting brackets  18  is shown. Each adjustable mounting bracket  18  has at least one inboard bracket  22 . The inboard brackets  22  are used to secure the display apparatus  10  to a mounting area. In this embodiment, there are two inboard brackets  22  used, and they are more specifically corner brackets. However, the present invention is not limited to using only corner brackets for the inboard brackets  22 . The inboard brackets  22  can be any type of mounting brackets that includes, but are not limited to, square brackets, flat brackets, rectangular brackets, arcuate brackets, corner brackets, hinges, static carriage brackets, sliding carriage brackets, outboard brackets, scissor brackets, and ratcheting brackets. In this embodiment, the inboard brackets  22  mate with the corners of the mounting area, and then a ratcheting strap  20  is wrapped around the column and the inboard brackets  22 . The ratcheting strap  20  is then tightened until the inboard brackets  22  are secured to the column by using friction between the inboard brackets and the column. 
         [0040]    Multiple inboard brackets  22  are secured to an inboard guide rail  24 . The inboard brackets  22  can be secured to the inboard guide rail  24  using any commonly used method of mating pieces together, but it is preferred to weld them together. 
         [0041]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , outboard brackets  26  are used to secure the adjustable mounting brackets  18  to the display frames  16 . As with the inboard brackets  22 , each adjustable mounting bracket  18  has at least one outboard bracket  26 . In this embodiment, there are two outboard mounting brackets  26  that are male hinge brackets. The outboard guide rail  28  is used to secure the outboard mounting brackets  26 . The outboard mounting brackets  26  can be secured to the outboard guide rail  28  using any commonly used method of mating pieces together, but it is preferred to weld them together. 
         [0042]    The inboard guide rail  24  and the outboard guide rail  28  are connected to each other using an adjustable scissor bracket  30 . The adjustable scissor bracket  30  allows the adjustable mounting bracket to adjust to different sized mounting areas; however, other methods of adjusting the adjustable mounting bracket can be used in place of the adjustable scissor brackets  30 . In this embodiment, the adjustable scissor bracket  30  contains a first cross-member  32  and a second cross-member  34 . The first cross-member  32  is secured at one end to the inboard static carriage bracket  36  using a rivet  38 . The rivet  38 , and all subsequent rivets  38 , creates a pivot point that allows the connected cross-member to rotate along a plane while not allowing longitudinal motion. The rivet  38 , and all subsequent rivets  38 , can be replaced with any other fastener that is able to create a pivot point. The inboard static carriage bracket  36  is secured, preferably by welding, to the bottom of the inboard guide rail  24 . 
         [0043]    The other end of the first cross-member  32  is secured to the outboard sliding carriage bracket  40  using a rivet  38  to create a pivot point. The outboard sliding carriage bracket  40  is secured to the outboard guide rail  28 . However, the outboard sliding carriage bracket  40  is still able to freely slide along the length of the outboard guide rail  28 . 
         [0044]    The second cross-member  34  is secured to the inboard guide rail  24  and the outboard guide rail  28  in a similar manner as the first cross-member  32 . However, the second cross-member is secured on one end to the outboard static carriage bracket  42  using a rivet  38  to create a pivot point. The outboard static carriage bracket  42  is secured, preferably by welding, to the bottom of the outboard guide rail  28 . The other end of the second cross-member  34  is secured to the inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  using a rivet  38  to create a pivot point. The inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  is secured to the inboard guide rail  24 . However, the inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  is still able to freely slide along the length of the inboard guide rail  24 . 
         [0045]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the first cross-member  32  and the second cross-member  34  are connected to each other at the center of each cross-member using a rivet  38 . This rivet  38  creates a pivot point. The inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  and the outboard sliding carriage bracket  40 , allow the first cross-member  32  and the second cross-member  34  to extend distally and proximally from the display frames  16 . During this distal and proximal extension, the outboard guide rail  28  and the inboard guide rail remain parallel to each other while still allowing the display apparatus  10  to adjust to different sized mounting areas. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C show the adjustable mounting bracket  18  adjusting to different sized mounting areas.  FIG. 3A  shows the adjustable mounting bracket  18  in a fully closed position adjusting to a largest column  46 . In this position, the inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  is at the top of the inboard guide rail  24 , and the outboard sliding carriage bracket  40  is at the top of the outboard guide rail  28 . Additionally, the inboard guide rail  24  and the outboard guide rail  28  are at their nearest point to each other. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3B  shows the adjustable mounting bracket  18  in a middle position adjusting to a mid-sized column  48 . Here, the outboard guide rail  28  and the inboard guide rail  24  are still parallel to each other, while the outboard sliding carriage bracket  40  and the inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  are at the halfway point of their respective guide rails. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3C  shows the adjustable mounting bracket  18  in a fully open position adjusting to a smallest column  50 . Here, the outboard guide rail  28  and the inboard guide rail  24  are still parallel to each other, while the outboard sliding carriage bracket  40  and the inboard sliding carriage bracket  44  are at the lowest point of their respective guide rails, almost touching their corresponding static carriage brackets. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the back of the display frame  16  is shown. Secured to the display frame  16  are two sign brackets  52 . In this embodiment, each sign bracket  52  is secured to the display frame  16  using two rivets  38  each. These rivets  38  do not create pivot points, and any other commonly used fastening method can be used to secure the sign brackets  52  to the display frame  16 . These sign brackets  52  are used to secure the display frame  16  to the adjustable mounting brackets  18 . More specifically, the sign brackets  52  connect to the outboard brackets  26  of the adjustable mounting brackets  18 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows one detailed embodiment of a sign bracket  52  in more detail. Here, the sign bracket  52  is designed to connect to the hinge bracket design of the outboard brackets  26 . Each sign bracket  52  has a sign hinge member  54  that is secured to the display frame  16  using rivets  38 . There are also two female hinge brackets  56  that are secured to the sign hinge member  54 , preferably by welding. The female sign hinge brackets  56  mate with the respective male hinge brackets of the outboard brackets  26 . The female hinge brackets  56  stay in place because of gravity. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  shows how two sign brackets  52  of contiguously arranged display frames  16  interact. The female hinge brackets  56  on contiguous sign brackets  52  are offset, so that the contiguously arranged display frames  16  can be placed at the same level of height. The offset female hinge brackets  52  are therefore able to mate with the same outboard bracket  26 , thus securing both female hinge brackets in place. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  shows the contiguously arranged display frames  16 . Each display frame  16  has a backer panel  58  against which a graphic  60  is placed. The graphic  60  does not necessarily need to be an advertisement as this embodiment shows. Then, the graphic  60  is secured using a display holder  62  or  64 . In this embodiment, the display holder  62  or  64  is a snap frame, but the display holder  62  or  64  can be any common device used to secure items in displays. The snap frame is shown in its open position  62  and its closed position  64 . The graphic  60  is first placed against the backer panel  58  when the snap frame is in its open position  62 . Then, the snap frame is pushed into its closed position  64  using a small amount of force to then secure the graphic  60  in place. This process is repeated for the other contiguously arranged display frames  16 , with other graphics  60  being placed in each display frame  16 . 
         [0053]    The display apparatus  10  does not need to be limited to displaying advertisements. The uses of the display apparatus  10  can also include, but are not limited to, displaying non-advertising related messages and mounting multiple televisions. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8A  shows a front view of the display apparatus  10  and  FIG. 8B  shows a top view of the display apparatus  10 . The display apparatus  10  has a pulley system  66  that can raise and lower the display frames  16  on a column  70 . In this embodiment, the column  70  has four sides; however, the present invention is not limited to being used with a four sided column. The column  70  can be any number of sides or shapes, or even a cylindrical column. 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  shows a zoomed in view of the pulley system  66 . In this embodiment, the pulley system  66  has a center pulley plate  72 , a left front bracket  74 , a right front bracket  75 , a left back bracket  76 , and a right back bracket  77  (not shown). The pulleys on the pulley system  66  are connected using cords  78 . The center pulley plate  72 , front brackets  74  and  75 , and back brackets  76  and  77  are secured to the column  70  using a ratcheting strap  20 ; however they can be secured to the column  70  in other ways as well. 
         [0056]      FIG. 10  shows a detailed view of the center pulley plate  72 . In this embodiment, the center pulley plate  72  has two back bracket pulley wheels: a left back bracket pulley wheel  80  and a right back bracket pulley wheel  81  that correspond to the two back brackets  76  and  77  (not shown), respectively. In this embodiment, the center pulley plate  72  also has two front bracket pulley wheels: a left front bracket pulley wheel  82  and a right front bracket pulley wheel  83  that correspond to the two front brackets  74  and  75  (not shown), respectively. Each pulley wheel is secured to the center pulley plate  72  using a rivet  38  or any other fastener that still allows the pulley to rotate freely. Additionally, the center pulley plate  72  has a flat belt pulley wheel  84  that bundles the cords  78  from the back bracket pulley wheels  80  and  81 , and the front bracket pulley wheels  82  and  83 , creating a bundle  79 . The bundle  79  allows the cords  78  to be manipulated in unison. The bundle  79  is then fed through a locking mechanism  86  that allows the display apparatus  10  to be locked in place after the bundle  79  is manipulated to adjust the display apparatus  10  to its desired location. 
         [0057]    Additionally, the center pulley plate  72  has rubber pads  88  that prevent the center pulley plate  72  from damaging the mounting area when the center pulley plate  72  is secured against the mounting area. The rubber pads  88  can be secured to the center pulley plate  72  using glue or any other sort of bonding material. There are also two clamping band tabs  90  that are attached to the center pulley plate  72  using welding or any other bonding method. The clamping band tabs  90  are used in relation with the ratcheting strap  20  to help secure the center pulley plate  72  to the mounting area. 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  shows a detailed view of one of the front brackets  74  or  75 . Each front bracket  74  and  75  has a swivel pulley  92  that is attached to the front bracket  74  or  75  using a swivel pulley hanging hook  94 . The swivel pulley hanging hook  94  is preferably welded to the front bracket  74  or  75 , but other ways of securing it are possible. Each front bracket  74  and  75  also has a corner pulley  96 . The corner pulley  96  is generally welded to the front bracket  74  or  75 , but it can be attached in other ways. Additionally, two clamping band tabs  90 , like the ones on the center pulley plate  72 , are attached to each front bracket  74  and  75 . The clamping band tabs  90  are used to help secure the front brackets  74  and  75  to the mounting area with the ratcheting strap  20 . A cord tie-off  98  is preferably welded to the front bracket  74  or  75 , but it can be attached using other means. 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  shows a detailed view of one of the back brackets  76  or  77 . Each back bracket  76  and  77  has a swivel pulley  92  that is attached to the back bracket  76  or  77  using a swivel pulley hanging hook  94 . The swivel pulley hanging hook  94  is preferably welded to the back bracket  76  or  77 , but other ways of securing it are possible. Each back bracket  76  and  77  also has two clamping band tabs  90  like the ones on the center pulley plate  72 . The clamping band tabs  90  are used to help secure the back brackets  76  and  77  to the mounting area with the ratcheting strap  20 . A cord tie-off  98  is preferably welded to the back bracket  76  or  77 , but it can be attached using other means. 
         [0060]      FIG. 13  shows an interior angle of two of the contiguously arranged display frames  16 . In this embodiment, the two display frames  16  are secured to each other using two angle irons  100 . The angle irons  100  are secured to each display frame using any common fasteners. Each corner mate of the display frames  16  is secured by angle irons  100  to create a 90 degree angle between the display frames  16 . Additionally, a display frame pulley  102 , is attached to the inside edge of each display frame  16 . In this embodiment, each display frame  16  has one corresponding display frame pulley  102  at the right, interior edge of each display frame  16 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 14  shows a blown up view of one of the display frame pulleys  102 . In this embodiment, the display frame pulley  102  is connected to the display frame  16  using an angle iron  100  and an S-hook  104 . The display frame pulley  102  is secured, preferably by welding, to the S-hook  104 . The S-hook is then secured, preferably by welding, to the angle iron  100 . The angle iron  100  is then secured to the display frame  16  using any common fastener. 
         [0062]    Referring back to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and  13 , the mechanical function of the pulley system  66  will now be described. The cords  78  are arranged together below the locking mechanism  86  in a bundle  79 . The bundle  79  can be pulled to raise the entire display apparatus  10 , or it can be released to lower the display apparatus  10 . Once the display apparatus  10  is in its desired location on the column  70 , the locking mechanism  86  will lock the bundle  79  and hold the display apparatus  10  in place. The bundle  79  can then be secured to the tie-off cleat  106  for storage. The tie-off cleat  106  can be glued, fastened, or secured to column  70  in any common way. 
         [0063]    When the bundle  79  is pulled or released, several things happen at once. The cords  78  split off into different directions after passing above the flat belt pulley wheel  84 . One cord  78  wraps around the left front bracket pulley  82 , extends to the left front bracket  74 , and then around the swivel pulley  92  connected to the left front bracket  74 . The cord  78  then extends down to a first display frame pulley  102 , wraps around that display frame pulley  102 , and then extends back up to the left front bracket  74 , where the cord  78  is secured to the cord tie-off  98  of the left front bracket  74 . The second cord  78 , starting from just above the flat belt pulley wheel  84 , wraps around the right front bracket pulley  83  and extends to the right front bracket  75 . From there, the second cord  78  wraps around the swivel pulley  92  connected to the right front bracket  75 , extends down to a second display frame pulley  102 , wraps around it, and then is secured on the cord tie-off  98  of the right front bracket  75 . 
         [0064]    The third cord  78  wraps around the left back bracket pulley  80 , then extends to the left front bracket  74  and wraps around the corresponding corner pulley  96 . The cord  78  then extends to the left back bracket  76  where it wraps around the corresponding swivel pulley  92 . The cord  78  then extends down to a third display frame pulley  102 , wraps around it, and then is secured to the cord tie-off  98  of the left back bracket  76 . The fourth cord  78  wraps around the right back bracket pulley  81 , and then extends to the right front bracket  75  and wraps around the corresponding corner pulley  96 . The cord  78  then extends to the right back bracket  77  where it wraps around the corresponding swivel pulley  92 . The cord  78  then extends down to a fourth display frame pulley  102 , wraps around it, and then is secured to the cord tie-off  98  of the right back bracket  77 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 15  shows a view of the contiguously arranged display frames  16 . Each display frame  16  has a backer panel  58  against which a graphic  60  is placed. The graphic  60  does not necessarily need to be an advertisement as this embodiment shows. Then, the graphic  60  is secured using a display holder  62  or  64 . In this embodiment, the display holder  62  or  64  is a snap frame, but the display holder  62  or  64  can be any common device used to secure items in displays. The snap frame is shown in its open position  62  and its closed position  64 . The graphic  60  is first placed against the backer panel  58  when the snap frame is in its open position  62 . Then, the snap frame, in conjunction with the snap frame hinges  108 , is pushed into its closed position  64  using a small amount of force to then secure the graphic  60  in place. This process is repeated for the other contiguously arranged display frames  16 , with other graphics  60  being placed in each display frame  16 . 
         [0066]    The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.