Flag holder and label holder

A flag and label holder assembly for holding signs or labels for displaying prices and other information on merchandise display racks and shelves. The flag and label holder includes a base, a support member and a holder for selectively accommodating a sign. The support member can be pivotable in relation to the base via a hinge. The support member further includes a rib extending from the support member and positioned between a pair of L-shaped walls. The rib engages the holder. The base further includes a hook and, spaced therefrom, a finger which are both secured to the bottom surface of the base. The hook and finger engage a wall surface adjacent a respective hole in a display rack or shelf. The holder further includes at least one fin extending inwardly from an inside surface of each wall of the holder. The fins are overlapping to secure a sign within the holder. In an alternative embodiment, the holder includes a clip and a rib which hold the sign or label in place. In a third embodiment, the clip is defined by a pair of spaced legs which form a slot to receive the sign or label.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to flag holders and label holders. 
More particularly, it relates to improved flag holders and label holders 
for use with display racks and shelves employed in retail stores for 
displaying merchandise. The holders enable signs or labels with prices and 
other information to be displayed adjacent the merchandise held on the 
display racks and shelves. 
Businesses use a wide variety of devices to display products and sale 
prices to consumers. One of the known ways to display products in a retail 
environment involves the use of horizontally oriented display shelves. 
Often in displaying products on shelves, it is difficult to prominently 
display sale tags or price signs due to a lack of space at the front edge 
of a shelf or display rack. As a result, it is desirable to provide a 
label and flag holder which is mounted on the shelf or display rack for 
easy visibility of a sign by a consumer and which allows the sign to be 
readily attached to or removed from the shelf or display rack. 
Price tag display hangers and label holders used in merchandising displays 
have been common for some time. One known device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 
5,683,003. This device is a label holder with a transparent label cover 
which enables the label holder to carry adhesive or non-adhesive labels. 
The device further includes a foot and post mounting to provide cantilever 
support for the device. A disadvantage of this device is that the label is 
not easily removable. The label cover must be removed in order to allow 
removal of a label. Another disadvantage of this device is that the size 
of labels to be displayed is limited by the size of the label cover. Also, 
the foot and post mounting arrangement is disadvantageous from the 
standpoint that it allows the front end of the device to be tipped up, 
making possible an inadvertent disengagement of the device from the shelf 
it is attached to. 
Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop new and improved 
flag holders and label holders which would overcome the foregoing 
difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous 
overall results. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a flag holder and label holder for use 
with a display rack for displaying retail products and merchandise and for 
use with signs displaying prices, etc. to consumers. 
More specifically, the label and flag holder may be attached to a display 
rack or shelf and used to display labels and signs. The signs and labels 
may list prices, product information, the existence of a sale on the 
product, etc. The signs may be displayed in a flag orientation for viewing 
from the side or in a label orientation for direct viewing. 
In the first preferred embodiment, a flag holder assembly comprises a base, 
a support member, and a holder. The base is comprised of a top surface, a 
bottom surface, and first and second ends. The support member comprises a 
planar body, and a pair of L-shaped walls and an end wall extending 
therefrom. The planar body comprises a first end and a second end and is 
connected to the base by a hinge which extends from the second end of the 
base to the first end of the planar body. The L-shaped walls are oriented 
so as to face each other. The end wall protrudes from the second end of 
the planar body in a direction perpendicular to the pair of L-shaped 
walls. The end wall and the L-shaped walls form a socket to accommodate 
the holder. The holder includes a back wall, and first and second walls 
which are spaced apart and protrude from the back wall. 
If desired, the support member can be pivotable in relation to the base via 
the hinge between an approximately horizontal orientation parallel to the 
base and a vertical orientation approximately normal (90.degree.) to the 
base. The base and the support member can be of one piece and made of a 
plastic material. 
If desired, the support member can further include a rib which extends from 
the planar body and is positioned between the pair of L-shaped walls. The 
rib engages the back wall of the holder to urge the holder into frictional 
engagement with the socket formed by the L-shaped walls and the end walls 
of the support member. 
The base can further include a hook which is secured to the bottom surface 
of the base. The hook engages a wall surface adjacent a hole in a display 
rack or shelf. 
The base can further include a finger which extends from the bottom surface 
of the base. The finger also engages a wall surface adjacent a hole in a 
display rack or shelf. The finger is spaced from the hook. Preferably, the 
finger and the hook are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the base. 
If desired, the holder can further include at least one fin which extends 
inwardly from an inside surface of the first and second walls. The fins 
are inwardly angled with the fins overlapping to secure a sign within the 
holder. 
The holder can be made from a co-extended plastic material with the fins 
made of a more resilient thermoplastic and the first, second and back 
walls made of a more rigid thermoplastic. 
In a second preferred embodiment, a label holder includes a base, a 
connecting member, and a clip. The base includes a longitudinal axis, a 
top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end. The 
connecting member extends from the second end of the base, and is disposed 
at an angle with respect to the base. The clip is secured to the 
connecting member. The clip is disposed at a downward angle with respect 
to the base. The clip includes a planar body with a first end and a second 
end. A curved body protrudes from the planar body for holding a label or 
sign. 
If desired, the holder can further include a rib which protrudes from the 
planar body toward the curved body. 
The base can further include a hook which is secured to the bottom surface 
of the base. The hook engages a wall surface adjacent a hole in a display 
rack or shelf. The base can further include a finger which extends from 
the bottom surface of the base. The finger also engages a wall surface 
adjacent a hole in a display rack or shelf. The finger is spaced from the 
hook. If desired, the hook and finger can be aligned with each other along 
the longitudinal axis of the base to engage wall surfaces of holes aligned 
with each other in a display rack or shelf. 
In a third preferred embodiment, a flag holder includes a base, a holder, 
and a connecting member. The base includes a top surface and a bottom 
surface, and a first end and a second end. 
The holder includes a planar body with a first end and a second end, and a 
pair of spaced walls which protrude from the planar body. The pair of 
walls extend approximately parallel to each other and form a 
sign-receiving slot between them for selectively receiving a sign. The 
connecting member extends between the second end of the base and the first 
end of the planar body for connecting the base to the planar body. 
If desired, the pair of walls can each include an angled base portion, a 
narrow central portion and a wider inlet portion. The pair of walls of the 
holder can further include a rib located on the narrow central portion and 
positioned between the pair of walls. The rib selectively engages a sign. 
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a flag or sign 
holder assembly having a base, a holder, and a planar body which is 
connected to the base by a hinge extending between the base and the planar 
body. The holder is selectively held on the planar body. The holder 
selectively accommodates a sign. 
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of L-shaped 
walls and an end wall protruding from a planar body of a flag holder 
assembly to form a socket for selectively accommodating a holder. 
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a flag 
holder assembly in which a support member is pivotable in relation to a 
base via a hinge between a horizontal orientation approximately parallel 
to the base and a vertical orientation approximately normal to the base. 
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a flag 
holder assembly with a base which includes a hook and a finger, secured to 
the bottom surface of the base and spaced from each other. These two 
elements engage a wall surface adjacent a pair of spaced holes in a 
display rack to securely hold the base to the display rack. 
Still yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a 
flag holder assembly which is of unitary construction and includes a base 
and a holder which extends approximately normal to the base. A pair of 
spaced walls protrude from the holder and define between them a socket for 
selectively accommodating a sign. 
A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a flag or 
sign holder having at least one fin extending inwardly from an inside 
surface of each of a pair of spaced walls. The fins are inwardly angled 
and are overlapping to secure a sign within the holder. 
A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a 
sign holder of unitary construction including a base, a planar body 
secured to one end of the base and a curved body protruding from the 
planar body. The curved body and the planar body cooperate to form a clip 
and selectively hold a sign. 
Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of 
the following detailed specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of 
illustrating preferred embodiments of this invention only and not for 
purposes of limiting same, FIG. 2 shows a flag holder assembly A according 
to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 
5, the flag holder assembly A can be used to hold a sign B for displaying 
prices, product information, the existence of a sale, etc. to consumers in 
merchandise and retail product displays. The flag holder assembly A is 
attached to a display rack or shelf C so that the sign B protrudes in 
front of the shelf. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, the flag holder assembly includes a base 10, which 
has a top surface 12, a bottom surface 14, a first end 16 and a second end 
18. The flag holder assembly also includes a support member 20. The 
support member 20 includes a planar body 30 which has a first end 32 and a 
second end 34. The planar body 30 is connected to the base 10 by a hinge 
36. The hinge 36 extends between the second end 18 of the base 10 and the 
first end 32 of the planar body 30. 
The base 10 and support member 20 are preferably made of one piece and are 
fabricated from a resilient material, preferably a thermoplastic, such as 
injection molded natural polypropylene. 
The support member 20 further includes a pair of L-shaped walls 38, 40 
which are oriented so as to face each other. The L-shaped walls 38, 40 
extend upwardly from opposed side edges of the planar body 30. The support 
member 20 also includes an end wall 42 which protrudes upwardly from the 
second end 34 of the planar body 30 in a direction perpendicular to the 
longitudinal axes of the pair of L-shaped walls 38, 40. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, the support member 20 can be pivoted in relation 
to the base 10 via the hinge 36 between a horizontal orientation 44 
approximately parallel to the base 10 to a vertical orientation 46 
approximately normal to the base 10, as shown by the arrow 48. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, the flag holder assembly A also includes a 
holder 50 which is used to selectively accommodate the sign B. The holder 
50 includes a back wall 52, a first wall 54 and a second wall 56. The 
first wall 54 and the second wall 56 are parallel to each other and are 
spaced apart. They protrude from the back wall 52. The holder 50 is 
accommodated by a socket 58 formed by the pair of L-shaped walls 38, 40 
and the end wall 42 of the support member 20. 
If desired, the support member 20 can further include a rib 60 which 
extends from the planar body 30 and is positioned between the pair of 
L-shaped walls 38, 40. The rib 60 is wedge-shaped and has a thin end 
located near the opening in the socket 58 and a thick end located adjacent 
the end wall 42. Referring now to FIG. 4, the holder 50 engages the rib 60 
and the walls forming the socket 58. The rib 60 pushes the holder 50 
against the L-shaped walls 38, 40 to frictionally engage the holder 50 and 
retard its removal from the socket 58. 
Referring again to FIG. 3, the base 10 can further include a hook 62 and, 
spaced therefrom, a finger 64 which both extend from the bottom surface 14 
of the base 10. The finger 64 extends rearwardly from the base 10. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, the hook 62 and the finger 64 each engage a wall 
surface adjacent a hole 66 in the display rack or shelf C. It is apparent 
from FIG. 2 that the hook 62 and finger 64 are aligned on the longitudinal 
centerline of the base 10. The hook 62 is advantageous from the standpoint 
that it positively locks the base 10 to the shelf C shown in FIG. 5 to 
retard its removal from the shelf when the assembly A is inadvertently 
bumped by a shopper passing by the shelf. 
If desired, with reference now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the holder 50 can 
include one or more fins 70 which extend from inside surfaces of the first 
and second walls 54, 56 of the holder 50. The fins 70 can be inwardly 
angled and preferably overlap each other to firmly secure the sign B in 
the holder 50 and retard its removal. 
Preferably, the holder 50 is made from a co-extended plastic material. 
Preferably, the fins 70 are made of a more resilient thermoplastic and the 
back, first, and second walls 52, 54, 56 are made of a more rigid 
thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic is a clear 
polyvinylchloride. 
A second preferred embodiment of the label holder is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 
and 7A. Referring to FIG. 6, in this embodiment a label holder D includes 
a base 80. The base 80 has a longitudinal axis 81, a top surface 82, a 
bottom surface 83, a first end 84 and a second end 85. A connecting member 
86 extends from the second end 85 of the base 80 and is disposed at a 
downward angle with respect to the base 80. 
The label holder D further includes a clip 87 which includes a planar body 
88 which has a first end 90 and a second end 92. The clip 87 is connected 
at the first end 90 to the connecting member 86. The clip 87 also includes 
a curved body 94 which protrudes from the first end 90 of the planar body 
88. 
Referring to FIG. 7A, if desired, the clip 87 can further include a rib 96 
which protrudes from the planar body 88 toward the curved body 94. The rib 
96 can extend horizontally along a portion of or along the entire length 
of the planar body 88 and aids in holding a label E in place by 
frictionally engaging an upper end of the label with the curved body 94. 
The curved body 94 and the planar body 88 together form a nip 97. The nip 
97 and the reduced thickness area formed between the rib 96 and the curved 
body 94 both form tight receiving areas for the label which prevent the 
label from becoming easily detached from the clip 87. 
Referring now to FIG. 7, the base 80 can include a hook 98 and, spaced 
therefrom, a finger 100 which both extend from the bottom surface 83 of 
the base 80. Referring again to FIG. 6, the hook 98 and the finger 100 
each engage a wall surface adjacent a respective hole 102 in the display 
rack or shelf C. 
Preferably, the base 80 and the holder 87 are made of one piece and are 
fabricated from a suitable conventional plastic material. 
A third preferred embodiment of a flag holder is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
Referring now to FIG. 8, a flag holder F includes a base 110 having a top 
surface 112, a bottom surface 114, a first end 116 and a second end 118. 
The flag holder F also includes a holder 120 which includes a planar body 
122 with a first end 124 and a second end 126. The planar body 122 is 
connected at the first end 124 to a connecting wall 128. The connecting 
wall 128 extends between the second end 118 of the base 110 and the planar 
body first end 124. 
The holder 120 includes a clip 130 which protrudes from the planar body 122 
and includes a pair of spaced legs 132, 134. Referring to FIG. 9, the legs 
132, 134 extend approximately normal to each other and form between them a 
sign-receiving slot 136. 
If desired, the leg 132 can include an inlet wall section 140, a central 
wall section 142, and a base wall section 144. Similarly, the leg 134 can 
include an inlet wall section 150, a central wall section 152, and a base 
wall section 154. The several wall sections cooperate to form a tapered 
inlet portion, a narrow central portion and a wider base portion of the 
slot 136. 
If desired, the clip 130 can include a rib 156 which is located on the 
narrow central portion of the slot 136 and is positioned between the pair 
of central wall sections 142, 152 and extends from one of them. The rib 
156 may be perpendicular to or parallel to a longitudinal axis 157, shown 
in FIG. 8, of the legs 132, 134. The rib 156 can extend along a portion of 
or along the entire length of the central wall section 142, 152. The rib 
156 narrows the slot 136 so that a sign is pushed against one of the 
central wall sections 142, 152. The sign is frictionally engaged by the 
rib 156 and one of the central wall sections 152, 152. The rib 156 retards 
removal of the sign from the slot 136. 
Referring again to FIG. 8, the base 110 can include a hook 158 and, spaced 
therefrom, a finger 160 which both extend from the bottom surface 114 of 
the base 110. The hook 158 and the finger 160 engage a wall adjacent 
respective holes in a display rack or shelf. 
The invention has been described with reference to several preferred 
embodiments. Obviously, alterations and modifications will occur to others 
upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to 
include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within 
the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.