Sign stanchion

A sign stanchion includes a support frame having a first side and a second side. A plurality of substantially horizontal backer panels are mounted to the support frame, extend between the first and second sides of the support frame and are substantially vertically spaced apart from each other. At least one sign includes a main panel, a first tab coupled to a top of the main panel by a first bend and a second tab coupled to a bottom of the main panel by a second bend. The at least one sign is mounted to at least one of the plurality of backer panels by inserting one of the first tab and the second tab between two of the plurality of backer panels.

BACKGROUND

A stanchion is a freestanding, upright fixture that provides support to an item. Stanchions are portable fixtures that can be moved around as needed. Exemplary items that can be supported by stanchions include chains, belts, nets or ropes for use in crowd control or in waiting lines as well as free-standing sign holders.

SUMMARY

A sign stanchion includes a support frame having a first side and a second side. A plurality of substantially horizontal backer panels are mounted to the support frame, extend between the first and second sides of the support frame and are substantially vertically spaced apart from each other. At least one sign includes a main panel, a first tab coupled to a top of the main panel by a first bend and a second tab coupled to a bottom of the main panel by a second bend. The at least one sign is mounted to at least one of the plurality of backer panels by inserting one of the first tab and the second tab between two of the plurality of backer panels.

A display apparatus includes a pedestal and a display assembly mounted to the pedestal. The display assembly has a right side, a left side, a plurality of substantially horizontal slots that are spaced apart from each other and extend between the right side and the left side of the display assembly, at least one right side cap rotatably mounted to the right side of the display assembly and at least one left side cap rotatably mounted to the left side of the display assembly. Each of the at least one right side cap and the at least one left side cap have an opened state and a closed state. A graphic is inserted into two of the plurality of substantially horizontal slots when the at least one right side cap and the at least one left side cap are in the opened state. The graphic is secured to the display assembly when the at least one right side cap and the at least one left side cap are in the closed state.

A method of displaying at least one sign on a sign stanchion includes preparing at least one sign by bending a first tab located on a top of a main panel of the at least one sign so that the first tab is out of alignment with the main panel and bending a second tab located at a bottom of the main panel of the at least one sign so that the second tab is out of alignment with the main panel. The first tab of the at least one sign is inserted into a substantially horizontal slot in the sign stanchion. The second tab of the at least one sign is inserted into another substantially horizontal slot in the sign stanchion. The at least one sign is secured with side caps that are located on sides of the sign stanchion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The sign stanchion described in detail below is designed to be placed in highly trafficked areas in retail stores or other types of commercial or public buildings. The sign stanchion is an upright fixture that includes a base and a display area. The display area includes a plurality of substantially horizontal slots. The slots allow the display area of the sign stanchion to receive one or more signs that can be of different sizes to fill the display area. In one embodiment, the display area is located only on the front of the sign stanchion. In another embodiment, the display area is located on the front of the sign stanchion and the back of the sign stanchion.

FIG. 1is a front perspective view of a sign stanchion or display apparatus100according to one embodiment. Sign stanchion100includes a display assembly101mounted to a base or pedestal122. Base122supports display assembly101in an upright position.FIGS. 2-4are a back view, a right side view (the left side view being identical) and a top view of sign stanchion100.

Display assembly101includes an internal support frame or base frame102.FIG. 5is a front perspective view of exemplary support frame or base frame102of display assembly101.FIGS. 6-7are a back view and a right side view (the left side view being identical) of support frame102. Support frame102includes a plurality of frame members including a right side frame member104, a left side frame member106and an upper frame member108. Support frame102further includes a right side channel member110that is mounted to and extends along a right side of right side frame member104, a left side channel member112that is mounted to and extends along a left side of left side frame member106. The open channels of right side channel member110and left side channel member112face outwardly from support frame102. Together right side frame member104and right side channel member110define a right side of support frame102and left side frame member106and left side channel member112define a left side of support frame102. Support frame102further includes a bottom front panel114, a bottom back panel116and fixed corner members118,119,120and121. Corner members118,119,120and121attach bottom front panel114and bottom back panel116to frame members106and108.

With reference back toFIGS. 1-4, besides display assembly101including support frame102, display assembly101also includes a plurality of substantially horizontal backer panels or slats124-131that are mounted or attached to a front of support frame102and extend from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102. Backer panels124-131are located between upper frame member108and bottom front panel114. A plurality of substantially horizontal backer panels or slats132-139are also mounted or attached to a back of support frame102and extend from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102. Backer panels132-139are located between upper frame member108and bottom back panel116. A pair of right side caps140and142are each rotatably mounted to a right side of support frame102above corner members118and119. A pair of left side caps144and146are each rotatably mounted to a left side of support frame102above corner members120and121. A top cap148is fixedly mounted to a top of support frame102.

The plurality of substantially horizontal backer panels124-131are also referred to as a first set and each include a height123. Backer panels124-131are substantially vertically spaced apart from each other to form substantially horizontal slots150-156therebetween. Therefore, slots150-156also extend from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102. In one embodiment, the substantially horizontal backer panels124-131are evenly spaced apart from each other to form substantially even slots150-156. In addition, upper backer panel124is spaced apart from top cap148to form a substantially horizontal slot165that extends from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102and lower backer panel131is spaced apart from bottom front panel114to form a substantially horizontal slot166that extends from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102. Slots165and166have the same substantially even spacing as slots150-156.

The plurality of substantially horizontal backer panels132-139are also referred to as a second set and each include height123, which is the same as the heights of each of backer panels124-131. Backer panels132-139are substantially vertically spaced apart from each other to form substantially horizontal slots158-164therebetween. Therefore, slots158-164also extend from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102. In one embodiment, the substantially horizontal backer panels132-139are evenly spaced apart from each other to form even slots158-164. In addition, upper backer panel132is spaced apart from top cap148to form a substantially horizontal slot167that extends from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102and lower backer panel139is spaced apart from bottom back panel116to form a substantially horizontal slot168that extends from the right side of support frame102to the left side of support frame102. Slots167and168have the same even spacing as slots158-164.

Slots165,150-156and166are located on the front side of sign stanchion100and are substantially aligned with slots167,158-164and168, respectively, that are located on the back side of sign stanchion100. More specifically, slots165and167are substantially aligned, slots150and158are substantially aligned, slots151and159are substantially aligned, slots152and160are substantially aligned, slots153and161are substantially aligned, slots154and162are substantially aligned, slots155and163are substantially aligned, slots156and164are substantially aligned and slots166and168are substantially aligned.

The pair of right side caps140and142are also referred to as at least one first side cap or at least one right side cap. First right side cap140is located nearer to the front of support frame102, while second right side cap142is located nearer to the back of support frame102. As described, each of the pair of right side caps140and142are rotatable and more specifically rotatable between closed positions or closed states and opened positions or opened states. The pair of left side caps144and146are also referred to as at least one second side cap or at least one left side cap. First left side cap144is located nearer to the front of support frame102, while second left side cap146is located nearer to the back of support frame102. As described, each of the pair of left side caps144and146are rotatable and more specifically rotatable between closed positions or states and opened positions or states.

FIG. 8Aillustrates a top view of sign stanchion100illustrated inFIG. 1, but with top cap148removed and side caps140,142,144and146in closed positions or closed states.FIG. 8Billustrates a top view of sign stanchion100illustrated inFIG. 1, but with top cap148removed and side caps140,142,144and146in opened positions or opened states. As illustrated, side caps140,142,144and146are rotatable about axes or pin141,143,145and147. When first right side cap140and first left side cap144, which are located on the front of sign stanchion100, are in the opened positions, the front of display assembly101can receive at least one sign. When first right side cap140and first left side cap144are in the closed positions, side caps140and144secure and retain the at least one sign.

Likewise, when second right side cap142and second left side cap146, which are located on the back of sign stanchion100, are in the opened positions, the back of display assembly101can receive at least one sign. When second right side cap142and second left side cap146are in the closed positions, side caps142and146secure and retain the at least one sign. In one embodiment, right side caps140and142and left side caps144and146are secured into closed positions using magnets. For example, the right and lefts sides of at least one of the backer panels124-131on the front of display assembly101and the right and left sides of at least one of the backer panels132-139on the back of display assembly101may include a magnet for magnetically securing the side caps into closed positions.

Sign stanchion or display apparatus100includes at least one sign or graphic.FIG. 9illustrates a plan view of an exemplary sign or graphic170according to one embodiment. Sign or graphic170includes a main panel or base area172, a first tab or first flap174coupled to a top of main panel172by a first bend175and a second tab or second flap176coupled to a bottom of main panel172by a second bend177. As illustrated inFIG. 9, first tab174is bent in the direction of arrow178and second tab176is bent in the direction of arrow179.FIG. 10illustrates a front perspective view of sign stanchion100, but with first right side cap140and first left side cap144in opened positions. This is accomplished by rotating first side cap140in the direction of arrow180and rotating second side cap144in the direction of arrow181. In the opened positions, sign or graphic170can be mounted to at least one of backer panels124-131of display assembly101by inserting first tab174into one of the plurality of slots165and150-156and inserting second tab176into a different one of slots150-156and166than first tab174was inserted. By mounting sign or graphic170to at least one of backer panels124-131, sign or graphic170covers at least one of backer panels124-131.

FIG. 11illustrates a front perspective view of sign stanchion100receiving a plurality of signs or graphics while first right side cap140and first left side cap144are in the opened positions. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 11, there are four signs or graphics270,370,470and570that are being received by the front of display assembly101of sign stanchion100. Main panel272of sign270includes a height271. Height271is slightly greater than height123of each backer panel so that first tab274can be inserted into slot165, second tab276can be inserted into slot150and main panel272spans or covers only one of the backer panels, specifically backer panel124. Main panel372of sign370includes a height371. Height371is slightly greater than height123of each backer panel so that first tab374can be inserted into slot150, second tab376can be inserted into slot151and main panel372spans or covers only one of the backer panels, specifically backer panel125. Main panel472of sign470includes a height471. Height471is slightly greater than height123of each backer panel so that first tab474can be inserted into slot151, second tab476can be inserted into slot152and main panel472spans or covers only one of the backer panels, specifically backer panel126. Main panel572of sign570includes a height571. Height571is slightly greater than the height of five backer panels including the spacing of slots between those five backer panels so that first tab574can be inserted into slot152, second tab576can be inserted into slot166and main panel572spans or covers backer panels127-131.

As shown inFIG. 11, the front of display assembly101can include one or more signs270,370,470and570that together span or cover all eight backer panels124-131on the front of display assembly101. In addition, the back of display assembly101can include or more signs270,370,470and570that together span or cover all eight backer panels132-139.

FIG. 12illustrates a front perspective view of sign stanchion100illustrating signs or graphics270,370,470and570being secured to the front of display assembly101of sign stanchion100. In particular, first right side cap140and first left side cap144are rotated from their opened positions to their closed positions as shown by the illustrated arrows182and183.

FIG. 13illustrates a back perspective view of sign stanchion100receiving a plurality of signs or graphics while second right side cap142and second left side cap146are in the opened positions. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13, there is one sign or graphic670that is being received by the back of display assembly101of sign stanchion100. Main panel672of sign670includes a height671. Height671is slightly greater than the height of all eight backer panels132-139including the spacing of slots158-164between those eight backer panels132-139so that first tab674can be inserted into slot167, second tab676can be inserted into slot168and main panel672spans or covers backer panels132-139.

As such, main panel172of exemplary sign170illustrated inFIG. 9can have height171that spans or covers one or more of the plurality of backer panels132-139, such as all eight of backer panels132-139on the back of display assembly101. In addition, the front of display assembly101can include one or more signs670that together span or cover all of backer panels124-131on the front of display assembly101.

FIG. 14illustrates a back perspective view of sign stanchion100illustrating sign or graphic670being secured to the back of sign stanchion100. In particular, second right side cap142and second left side cap146are rotated from their opened positions to their closed positions as shown by the illustrated arrows184and185.

FIG. 15illustrates a perspective view of the back of sign stanchion100receiving a plurality of signs or graphics while second right side cap142and second left side cap146are in the opened positions. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 15, there are two signs or graphics770and870that are being received by the back of display assembly101of sign stanchion100. Main panel772of sign770includes a height771. Height771is slightly greater than the height of four backer panels132-135including the spacing of slots158-160between those four backer panels132-135so that first tab774can be inserted into slot167, second tab776can be inserted into slot161and main panel772spans or covers backer panels132-135. Main panel872of sign870includes a height871. Height871is slightly greater than the height of four backer panels136-139including the spacing of slots162-164between those four backer panels136-139so that first tab874can be inserted into slot161, second tab876can be inserted into slot168and main panel872spans or covers backer panels136-139.

As such, main panel172of exemplary sign170illustrated inFIG. 9can have height171that spans or covers one or more of the plurality of backer panels132-139, such as four of backer panels132-139on the back of display assembly101. For example, the back of display assembly101can include one or more signs770and870that together span or cover all eight backer panels132-139. In addition, the front of display assembly101can include on ore more signs770and870that together span or cover all of backer panels124-131located on the front of display assembly101.

FIG. 16illustrates a back perspective view of sign stanchion100illustrating signs or graphics770and870being secured to the back of sign stanchion100. In particular, second right side cap142and second left side cap146are rotated from their opened positions to their closed positions as shown by the illustrated arrows186and187.

A method of displaying at least one sign on a sign stanchion is provided. With reference toFIG. 9, the method includes preparing at least one sign by bending a first tab174located on a top of main panel172of at least one sign170so that first tab174is out of alignment with the main panel172and bending a second tab176located at a bottom of main panel172of at least one sign170so that second tab176is out of alignment with main panel172. The method includes inserting first tab174into one of the substantially horizontal slots in sign stanchion100and second tab176into another of the substantially horizontal slots in sign stanchion100. The at least one sign170is secured to sign stanchion100with side caps that are located on sides of the sign stanchion.