Abstract:
A visual display mounting assembly has first and second vertical metal plate legs and transverse stop plates extending in cantilever manner from opposite sides of the vertical legs at a position spaced above the lower ends of the leg. A visual display support means is attached to the upper ends of the legs and includes pivotal clamp frame means for clamping a display sign, poster or other visible sheet in position on each side of the display means so that the device can be positioned between rows of vending or gaming machines to provide visible access of the display to users of either row. In a second back-lit embodiment fluorescent rubes are provided between translucent plastic support panels.

Description:
This is a divisional of U.S. application No. 09/973,008, filed 10 Oct. 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,301 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is in the field of visual display devices and is more specifically directed to a unique visual display of a bi-directional view capability, which can be mounted between the back-facing surfaces to back-to-back rows of gaming or vending machines for encouraging use or providing other messages for customers or users of both rows of such machines. One contemplated usage of the present invention is in connection with back-to-back rows of slot machines; however, usage of the subject invention is not limited to slot machines since the invention has equal applicability for usage with other types of vending machines, including but not limited to, merchandise display cabinets and the like. 
   The field of signs and display devices is replete with devices providing back-to-back or double-sided displays of information such as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,579,599 and 5,682,696. Other prior devices such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,429,211; 5,295,500 and 5,799,767 are directed to various types of apparatus for attaching a sign to supporting structures such as posts, automobiles and the like. Similarly, the use of signs with gaming devices such as slot machines is well known and is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,125 in which a forwardly-facing sign is provided on fixedly extending vertical pipes attached to the base on which the slot machine rests. However, the prior art is devoid of any teaching of double-sided signs or other display materials which can be easily changed and in which a single sign is visible by users of two back-to-back gaming machines while being easily replaceable without need for mechanical connection or disassembly of any sort. 
   Therefore, there remains an unmet need for display assemblies or apparatus, which can be easily associated with or removed from association with back-to-back machines such as gaming machines or the like without there being any need for mechanical connection, disconnection or other time consuming and expensive procedures. 
   Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved display apparatus for mounting on back-to-back gaming or other devices, which can provide messages to persons viewing such devices from the front of either of the devices. 
   A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved sign assembly, which can be positioned on and supported in stable manner between two rows of devices arranged in back-to-back manner. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved back-lit display apparatus for mounting on back-to-back gaming or other devices, which can provide messages to persons viewing such devices from the front of either of the devices. 
   An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved back-lit sign assembly, which can be positioned on and supported in a stable manner between two rows of devices arranged in back-to-back manner. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved display means having leg-type supports resting on the tops of back-to-back devices and including means engaging such devices for providing horizontal stability. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
   Achievement of the foregoing objects of the invention is enabled by the preferred embodiments of the invention through the provision of a display mounting assembly comprising first and second vertical metal legs having transverse stop plate means extending in cantilever manner from opposite sides of each leg. The stop plate means is positioned above the lower end of the leg, which is extended downwardly into an open space or valley between back-to-back rows of gaming or vending machines. Visual display support means comprising fiber panels, boards or the like are attached to the upper ends of the vertical legs and include clamp frame members defining a rectangular periphery of the display support means and which are operable to receive and clamp posters, signs or the like on outwardly facing surfaces of the assembly so that such signs are visible to users of either row of vending or gaming machines. 
   An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a back-lit display mounting assembly in which translucent support panels are provided in place of fiber panels or boards and fluorescent light tubes or other light sources are incorporated between the translucent panels for effecting display of transparency type posters, signs or the like. The back-lit embodiment is identical to the first embodiment with the exception of the fact that the translucent support panels are spaced apart a greater distance than the fiber panels of the first embodiment so as to accommodate positioning of the fluorescent tubes. 
   Alternative embodiments additionally include rounded corner construction, which can be used with either the first embodiment or the alternative back-lit embodiment if desired. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS  OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a right side elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevation of an alternative rounded corner embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevation of a back-lit embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; and 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
   Achievement of the foregoing objects of the present invention is enabled by the preferred embodiment which is generally designated  10  and which includes a first or left vertical leg  12  and a second or right vertical leg  14 , both of which are identical to each other and are formed of vertical steel or other metal plate material. The first vertical leg  12  has a lower end  16  and the second vertical leg  14  similarly has a lower end  18 . The first vertical leg  12  has two horizontally aligned transverse stop plates  13  extending from it in opposite directions (only one stop plate is shown in the drawings). 
   The second vertical leg  14  is identical to first vertical leg  12  and has two transverse stop plates  15  which extend outwardly perpendicular to vertical leg  14  and also has an upper end  17  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first vertical leg similarly has an upper end, which is not shown. First vertical leg  12  is identical to second vertical leg  14  and the end elevation view taken from the left side of the device of  FIG. 1  would be structurally identical to  FIG. 2 . It should also be noted that a rear elevation view of the preferred embodiment would be identical to the front elevation view of  FIG. 1  with the exception of the fact that the position of vertical legs  12  and  14  would be reversed. 
   A front sheet display support panel  20  formed of fiber board or the like is supported in a rectangular front border frame which is attached to the front surfaces of the first vertical leg  12  and the second vertical leg  14  and has an upper edge approximately coextensive with the upper end  17  ( FIG. 2 ) of vertical leg  14  and the corresponding upper end of leg  12 . The front border frame comprises a horizontal upper clamp frame assembly  26 , a horizontal lower clamp frame assembly  28 , a left vertical clamp frame assembly  30  and a right vertical clamp frame assembly  32  which enables retention of a front display sheet  34  on display support panel  20 . The display sheet is formed of paper, cardboard, metal, plastic or the like and provides a desired visual message. Sheet  34  has been omitted from  FIGS. 3 and 4  for purposes of clarity. 
   Similarly, a rear sheet display support panel  42  ( FIG. 2 ) formed of fiber board or the like is horizontally aligned with the front sheet display support panel  22  and is supported in a rectangular rear border frame which is identical to the front border frame and is attached to the rear surfaces of the upper portions of the vertical legs  12  and  14 . The rear border frame comprises a rear upper horizontal clamp frame assembly  46 , a rear lower horizontal clap frame assembly  48  ( FIG. 3 ), a left rear vertical clamp frame assembly  50 , and a right rear vertical clamp frame assembly  52  ( FIG. 4 ). The aforementioned rear clamp frame assembly components are identical to the clamp frame components  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  and enable mounting of a rear display sheet in the same manner as front display sheet  34 . 
   It should be understood that the clamp frame components  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  42 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52  are conventional extruded metal which respectively each have base members  26 B,  28 B,  30 B,  32 B,  42 B,  46 B,  48 B,  50 B and  52 B which receive and retain one edge of one of the support panels  20  or  42 . The base members pivotally support sheet clamps  26 C,  28 C,  30 C,  32 C,  42 C,  46 C,  50 C and  52 C. The front base members  26 B,  28 B,  30 B and  32 B are attached to the front surfaces of vertical legs  12  and  14  and the rear base members  46 B,  48 B  50 B and  52 B are attached to the rear surfaces of vertical legs  12  and  14 . Each of the sheet clamp components  26 C,  28 C, etc. is biased by an over-center spring  54  into either a clamping position shown in solid lines or an open position shown on dashed lines in  FIG. 4 . Each spring  54  urges its respective sheet clamp  26 C,  28 C, etc. to either position when manually moved past an over-center position. The foregoing clamp frame components are indicated by the manufacturer as being covered by one or more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,145,828; 4,512,095; 4,519,152; 4,523,400; 4,714,220; 4,937,959 and 4,958,458. 
   In use, the preferred embodiment of the invention is positioned so that the lower ends of the vertical legs  12  and  14  extend downwardly into an open or valley space  60  ( FIG. 2 ) between back-to-back parallel rows  62  and  64  of vending or slot machines  66  and  68  which respectively have rear surfaces  66 R and  68 R. The downwardly facing surfaces of the transverse stop plates  13  and  15  are positioned above the bottom ends of vertical legs  12  and  14  a distance which exceeds the width of valley space  60  and rest on the upper surfaces of the rows of devices  66  and  68  to provide support for the display assembly with the lower end portions extending downwardly into the valley providing transverse stability so that the display assembly cannot fall over or create a hazard for persons in the vicinity. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative arrangement comprising a rounded corner assembly, which can be used on all four corners instead of the square corner arrangement of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Only one such corner  100  is illustrated; however, it should be understood that the other corners would be identical in construction. The modified construction necessarily includes pivotal clamp members  126  and  132 , which are reduced in length as compared to the corresponding clamp members  26  and  32  of the first embodiment. While not shown, the modified embodiment would also use reduced length clamp members in place of clamps  28  and  30  of the first embodiment. 
     FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  illustrate an alternative back-lit embodiment, which is identical to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4  with the exception of the fact that the back-lit embodiment employs a front translucent plastic display support panel  120  in place of support panel  20  of the first embodiment and a rear translucent plastic display support panel  142  ( FIG. 7 ) in place of rear support panel  42  of the first embodiment. Additionally, a plurality of fluorescent light tubes  144  are positioned internally of the space between the translucent plastic display support panels  120  and  142  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Each of the fluorescent light tubes  144  is supported at each end by a conventional fitting  146  mounted on the inwardly facing surfaces of legs  12  and  14  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Electrical current is supplied to the fluorescent tubes in a conventional manner. It should be understood that the use of fluorescent tubes is not mandatory for practice of the invention since other conventional light sources could also be used if desired. 
   The back-lit embodiment of  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  also differs from the first embodiment by the inclusion of front vertical spacer plates  80  and  82  attached to the front surfaces of legs  10  and  12  and rear vertical spacer plates  84  and  86  which are attached to the rear faced surfaces of legs  12  and  14  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Similarly, front horizontal spacer plates  90  and  92  extend between the front surfaces of each of the vertical legs  12  and  14  as shown in  FIG. 7  and identical rear horizontal spacer plates  94  and  96  extend between legs  12  and  14  and are connected to the rear surfaces of legs  12  and  14 . The spacer plates separate the front and rear clamp assemblies sufficiently to provide a space  150  of sufficient front to rear dimension between the translucent plastic display support panels  120  and  142  to easily receive the fluorescent tubes  144  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
   It should be understood that various other modifications of the preferred embodiment will undoubtedly occur to those of skill in the art and the spirit and scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the appended claims.