Device for securing a display to a door

A device for securing a display to a door utilizes attachment clips which attach to the door. The attachment clips each have a first side wall, a second wall and an end wall which extends between the first side wall and the second side wall. An arm is attached to the first side wall. The arm is attached to a display retaining assembly which is configured, upon installation, to retain the display against the door, where the display retaining assembly applies a load which causes the first side wall to engage a first surface of the door and the second side wall to engage a second side of the door, thereby urging the end wall against a side of the door.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a device for mounting a display to an object, and more specifically to a device for securely mounting a display to a door.

Door displays are commonly used by businesses to provide a variety of information to the public. Such information may include advertisements, marketing information, business hours, product specials, and the like. Such information is often affixed to the exterior of the door or to an interior side of a glass door. This may be done in a variety of ways, ranging from simple methods such as taping the display to the exterior of the door, to methods such as utilizing suction cups or other fasteners to secure the display to the exterior of the door. Such displays are easily removed, however, because the fasteners or other mechanisms used to attach the display to the exterior of the door are accessible to, and capable of being manipulated by, anyone with access to the exterior of the door.

In addition to the door displays described above, it may be desirable to securely affix other items to a door, such as a thin screened plasma or LED electronic display screen. Such screens may be utilized to display still and moving images. It is desirable that in affixing these types of items to a door, the device adequately mounts the item to secure it from falling due to motion of the door or other disturbance of the item.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a device for securing a display to a door. The device has a first attachment clip having a first side wall, a second side wall, an an end wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and an arm attached to the first side wall and extending away therefrom. The device further comprises a display retaining assembly which is configured, such that when the device has been installed to the door, to retain the display against the door. The display retaining assembly is attached to an end of the arm distal to the end wall. The display retaining assembly is configured to apply a load such that the display retaining assembly causes the first side wall to engages a first surface of the door, the second side wall to engage a second side of the door, and urges the end wall against a side of said door. The device may have a second attachment clip which may be substantially the same as the first attachment clip. The second attachment clip is attached to an end of the display retaining assembly where the display retaining assembly is configured to apply a load which urges a second attachment clip end wall against a second side of the door.

The display retaining assembly may comprise a rod member having a spring attached to an end thereof to form a rod-spring combination, where the rod-spring combination is disposed between the first attachment clip and the second attachment clip.

Alternatively, for a door having a sheet of glass disposed within a glass pocket, the display retaining assembly may comprise a frame assembly having a left side rail configured to be urged against a left side of the glass pocket and a right side rail configured to be urged against a right side of the glass pocket. A bottom rail may span between the left side rail and the right side rail, where the bottom rail is configured to be disposed at the bottom of the glass pocket. A lower left side clip track may be attached to a bottom of the left side rail and a lower right side clip track may be attached to a bottom of the right side rail. The bottom rail may have a left end attached to the lower left side clip track and a right end attached to the lower right side clip track. The first attachment clip described above may attach to the lower left side clip track and the second attachment clip, also described above, may attach to the lower right side clip track.

The display retaining assembly may further have an upper left side clip track attached at an upper end of the left side rail and an upper right side clip track attached at an upper end of the right side rail. A third attachment clip may be attached to the upper left side clip track and a fourth attachment clip may be attached to the upper right side clip track, where the third attachment clip and the fourth attachment clip are configured substantially the same as the first attachment clip and the second attachment clip. An upper rail member may span between the left side rail and the right side rail, where the upper rail is disposed above the upper left side track and the upper right side track.

A method of attaching a display to a glass door utilizes the clips and display retaininig assembly disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” and other such directional terms as used for ease and clarity in describing the present invention with respect to the accompanying figures. Unless otherwise state, such terms are not limitations on the disclosure of the invention described herein.

The device of the present disclosure is described herein in the context of a door display. Embodiments of the device may be utilized on solid doors. Alternatively, embodiments of the device may be utilized with double acting glass doors, such as glass doors200depicted inFIG. 1, which are frequently utilized with commercial business buildings, including retail stores, restaurants, and the like. Glass doors200typically have a sheet of glass202set within a glass pocket having a bottom204, a left side206and a right side208. Such glass doors200typically have a handle member210which spans across the door.

FIG. 2shows a first embodiment of an device which may be utilized for securing a display D to a door or200or other door. The device utilizes door clips10which utilize a display retaining assembly50which applies a load which retains the door clips10and the display D in place. Door clips10respectiely engage the left side206and right side208of door200. As described below, door clips10have a novel design which facilitate attachment of the display D.

As generally shown inFIGS. 3-5, embodiments of a door clip10,10′ have a first side wall12, a second side wall14, and an end wall15extending between the first side wall and the second side wall. A ring16may be optionally attached to the first side wall12, extending therefrom via arm18. In the embodiment of door clip10shown inFIG. 3, side wall15has a curvature associated therewith, while the door clip10′ depicted inFIG. 4has a flat side wall15′ Although in many instances the embodiment shown inFIG. 3may be used interchangeably with the embodiment of the ring clip10′ shown inFIG. 4, in some cases the physical characteristics of a door may lease a user to prefer one embodiment over another.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, ring16or other attachment mechanism is utilized for attachment of display retaining assembly50which exerts a force against a portion of the door to which door clip10,10′ will be secured. As shown inFIGS. 3-5, ring16may be connected by ring arm18to a body34formed of a first shoulder30and a second shoulder32extending away from ring arm18in opposing directions. It is contemplated that body34might also be a single, uniform structure and a shortened ring arm18may attach ring16to that structure. It is contemplated that the edge of ring16does not lay flat along the same plane as ring arm18, but that instead the ring16is perpendicular to the plane of ring arm18and body34. Ring arm18may be of any suitable length and may be adjustable to allow for variable positioning of ring16with respect to the side walls or body of the device.

As shown inFIG. 5, first side wall12may comprise two tabs20and22, where the tabs and side wall14have a generally elongated c-shaped cross-section between them. First tab20has a first aperture24and second tab22has a second aperture26. First aperture24and second aperture and26may be threaded so that an appropriately-sized screw may engage each respective aperture. In use, body34may be inserted into the space between side walls14and first and second tabs22and24. Screws (not shown) can then be inserted into apertures24and26and tightened to retain body34, and its associated ring arm18and ring16, in place. Because body34is slidingly engaged within tabs20and22and first side wall12, the position of body34therewithin may be adjusted as needed or desired. Characteristics of a door to which the clip is attached, such as thickness, ornamental designs, and the like may result in depressions or protrusions in the door and may determine how far the screws need to be tightened to securely hold the clip10in place.

When door clip10,10′ is associated with a door200, side wall14is typically, but not necessarily, engaged with a front surface of the door. Side wall15,15′ extends around the side206,208of the door200, and side wall12extends along a rear portion of the door. Side wall15,15′ is configured sufficiently thin enough so that the door can close with the clip affixed thereto. When placed on an exterior door200, passersby cannot detach the clip10,10′ by manipulating the screws inserted through openings24and26because these are on the inside of the door and inaccessible. Clip10,10may be secured to the door so firmly that an individual on the outside of the door will have a difficult time grasping or otherwise manipulating side wall14. It is contemplated that, while the device of the present disclosure may be used with any door, some doors may be designed for use therewith and may be formed with impressions or indentations to receive side wall14such that the side wall is flush with the exterior surface of the door and presents no surface for manipulation from outside of the door.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bprovide views of an alternative embodiment of a door clip102but with this embodiment body34and associated ring arm18and ring16have been removed. This embodiment of door clip102may be utilized with a different embodiment of a display retaining assembly50′. A second embodiment of the displayer holder100results when door clip102is utilized together with display retaining assembly50′ as depicted inFIGS. 7-10.

FIGS. 7-10depict an embodiment of a display holder100comprising a retaining assembly50′ to which are attached a plurality of door clips102as described above. Display holder100includes four sets of telescoping bars that form the sides of a generally rectangular structure. For example, first telescoping bar104and second telescoping bar106form a left side rail B. First telescoping bar104and second telescoping bar106have the same general cross-section, with first telescoping bar104having a smaller cross-sectional width so that it is capable of being received within the hollow interior of second telescoping bar106. A locking mechanism, such as a detent or pin, may be used to secure first telescoping bar104at the appropriate position along the length of second telescoping bar106. Likewise, telescoping bars108,110form a right side rail C. Telescoping bars112,114form a bottom rail member A which spans between the left side rail and the right side rail. Telescoping bars116,118form an upper rail member G which also spans between the left side rail B and the right side rail C. Thus, the overall dimensions of display holder100can be adjusted as required for any particular door200to fit any rectangular display D or device.

Display holder100further includes top elbow joints120at the top two corners. Display holder100further includes bottom elbow joints121at the bottom two corners. Bottom elbow joints121differ from elbow joints120in that the bottom elbow joints are in a “tee” configuration having an arm portion122extending outwardly from the joint. Elbow joints120,121are sized, shaped, and configured to receive each of the ends of the telescoping bars that form the sides of the display holder100, with each elbow joint120,121receiving the ends of two telescoping bars. As shown in the figures, arm portion122of bottom elbow joints121are configured for attachment of door clips102

Embodiments of display holder100also have clip tracks124each slidingly engaged with a respecting telescoping bar. A left side clip track124is positioned on the left side rail comprising telescoping bars104,106. Left side clip track124comprises an extension arm125which is configured for attachment of a door clip102. Likewise, a right side clip track124is positioned on the right side rail comprising telescoping bars108,110and right side clip track124also comprises an extension arm which is configured for attachment of a door clip102. Clip tracks124allow for adjustable positioning of a door clip102along the length of a side of display holder100. A detent, pin, or other mechanism may be used to secure a clip track124at a desired location.

Although the embodiment shown inFIGS. 7-10have attachment points for the door clips102at the bottom elbow joints121at the bottom and at the two clip tracks124at opposing sides of the device, it is contemplated that all clips may be attached to elbow joints, or that all clips may be attached to slide members, or that any combination of the two may be used. In embodiments wherein all clips are attached to slide members, it should be noted that elbow joints (without clips) are still used at the corners of the device for structural integrity.

The various embodiments of a door display holder may be used to attach a variety of displays D to a door200. The door display holder may be attached so that only side walls14of each clip10,102are on the exterior of the door thereby limiting manipulation by individuals outside the door. Such displays may be retained between the first side wall12or second side wall14of a door clip and the door, or between retaining assembly50,50′ and the door. The displays may be thin structures having advertisements, business hours, or any other desired indicia thereon.

FIGS. 11-17illustrate a method of installing embodiments of a display holder100to a door200. As shown inFIG. 11, left side rail B and right side rail C are inserted into bottom elbow joints121and screws are inserted into the bottom elbow joints to secure the left side rail and the right side rail. As indicated, allen screws tightened with an allen wrench W may be utilized for this purpose.

FIG. 12shows left and right side clip tracks124being slid respectively over left side rail B and right side rail C. Once positioned in the approximately correct position along the length of the left side rail B and the right side rail C, screws are tightened to maintain the clip tracks in the desired position on the rails.

FIG. 13shows the assembly formed by the above steps being set within a glass pocket of a door200so that the bottom rail A is resting on the lip at the bottom204of the glass pocket. The telescoping rails112,114which comprise bottom rail A are held in position by screw130. Screw130is loosened and left side rail B and right side rail C are slid laterally until left side rail B makes contact with left side206of the window pocket and right side rail C makes contact with right side208of the window pocket, at which point screw130is tightened.

FIG. 14shows door clips102being attached to arm portions122of bottom elbow joints121and to extension arms125of clips tracks124by use of screws130which secure the door clips102to arm portions122and extension arms125.

FIG. 15shows a display D being inserted into inwardly facing channels of the left side rail B and the right side rail C. Display D is slid downwardly until it is inserted into an upwardly facing channel of bottom rail A.

FIG. 16shows how left and right side slide clips124may be adjusted by loosening screw130and sliding the left and right side clips124as desired along the lengths of left side rail B and right side rail C to adjust the height to be even with the display D.

FIG. 17shows how telescoping bars116and118may be adjusted to fit into the glass pocket of door so that top elbow joints120fit over the upper ends of left side rail B and right side rail C. Screws in top elbow joints120are thereafter tightened to secure the top elbow joints to the upper ends of the side rails.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a display holder may be provided to secure an electronic video monitor, such as a flat panel LCD or other monitor, to the interior of a glass door. The telescoping sides of the display holder may be sized so as to engage the monitor and hold it in place. The monitor may be secured within the structure in any suitable manner.

Further, it is contemplated that in some embodiments of the present disclosure the arms attached to the display holder and door clips may be of varying length, extendable or retractable according to the needs or desires of the user. This may be accomplished, for example, with telescoping members extending between the door clip and the display holder.

Various components of the present disclosure may be formed integrally—for example, ring16and ring arm18may be constructed from a single, unitary portion of material—or may be formed of individual pieces attached in any suitable manner.