Abstract:
A frame assembly for supporting and displaying a display panel comprising: at least one pair of elongated split rails supported in a joined, spaced apart, parallel relationship by a pair of first corner connectors that are permanently mated therewith, either a second pair of elongated split rails or a unitary rail and a pair of elongated unitary rails fixedly attached by sliding, barbed and threaded engagement to the preceding rails to form a four sided frame assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to frame assemblies and more particularly to a construction for a pressed together and screwed together connection arrangement to permit the easy assembly of panel displays for commercial purposes. 
     2. Discussion of Prior Art 
     The commercial display industry is replete with panel holding systems for supporting signage in business establishments. There is a need however for frame assemblies which are easily assembled by business employees of those commercial establishments, which employees require minimal technical capabilities, which frame assemblies however, permit a wide variety of assembly configurations. Such frame assemblies also need to be sturdy so as to withstand occasional customer abuse or mistreatment and which frame assemblies may be shipped and/or stored in a minimal space or containment. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention, to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly which may be readily assembled by commercial staff with minimal training. 
     It is still yet a further object of the present invention, to provide a frame assembly in which portions thereof may be preassembled, in a configuration which minimizes the size of any shipping container needed, or minimizes the storage facility necessary therefor. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a frame assembly consisting of a plurality of unitary rails and split rails joined at their respective mitered ends by corner connectors. In a first preferred embodiment, the frame assembly comprises a quadrilateral arrangement. In this embodiment, one side of the frame assembly consists of a pair of elongated split rails joined together. The other three sides of the frame assembly are each comprised of an elongated unitary rail. A corner connector is permanently pressed into each end of a pair of opposed, parallel, split rails and into each end of the parallel unitary rail. Each corner connector is also, subsequently slid into an adjacent unitary rail and threadedly attached thereto, so as to form a four sided frame assembly. 
     Each elongated a unitary rail is of generally “U” shape in cross section, and consists of an outer bridge member connected to a first side member of generally “L” shape in cross-section and a second side member of generally “L” shape in cross section. The “L”-shaped portions of the first and second side members are the inner side of the unitary rails when assembled in the frame assembly. The “L”-shaped portions have an inner flange which are opposed to one another, and define a panel-receiving slot therebetween. The unitary rail also has an inner bridge member extending thereacross at a mid-point between the first and second sides thereof. The inner bridge member has a generally “U” shaped bolt-receiving boss upstanding thereon. An elongated channel extends between the outer bridge member and the inner bridge member, so as to define an elongated leg-receiving-channel, further explained hereinbelow. The inner bridge member has an elongated surface on each side of the generally U-shaped bolt receiving boss, to function as a “barb-engaging” surface therealong, further explained hereinbelow. 
     Each elongated split rail assembly comprises a first and a second split rail which are identical and face one another to form a symmetrical assembly. Each split rail member is generally of “E” shape in cross section. Each split rail member has an outer side-flange and an inner side-flange connected by a sidewall. Each split rail member has a generally “L”-shaped mid-flange extending off the inner side of a mid-portion of the sidewall. The generally L-shaped mid-flange extending off of the mid-portion of the sidewall of each split rail member has a barb engaging surface thereon. The L-shaped mid-flange on a first split rail functions to provide a receiving channel which receives and engages and secures a first (or second) leg of the corner connectors so as to hold the respective first and second split rails parallel and spaced apart from one another in a sturdy construction thereof, when a second leg of the corner connector is inserted in the receiving channel of a second split rail thereadjacent. 
     An elongated swivel-support rail, for external support of a frame assembly, has certain features identical to the elongated unitary rail except that it does not have the extended legs which form a display panel receiving channel, and is adaptable to the outside of the unitary rails on a frame assembly so as to provide a swivel support therefor. The elongated swivel-support rail comprises outer bridge member and a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected by an inner bridge member, with a U-shaped bolt-receiving boss extending inwardly thereon. 
     A further internal structural support member for a frame assembly embodiment, comprises an elongated central cross member. The elongated central cross member has a first sidewall having an “L” shaped flange at its upper end and a “L” shaped flange at its lower end, connected by a bolt receiving bridge member, to a mirror-image second sidewall. The bolt receiving bridge member has an elongated slot exposed there through so as to permit a threaded member to be secured within that elongated slot between opposed rail members of the frame assembly. On either side of the threaded connector receiving channel, the elongated central cross member also has a pair of side channels. These serve to receive a pin which may be used to prevent rotation when one end of the pin is engaged in a drilled hole in the inner flange of an abutting cross member, split rail or unitary rail. 
     The corner connector comprises an “L”-shaped member having a hub from which a first leg and a second leg extend in a parallel, bifurcated manner. The corner connector also has a third leg extending from the hub in a manner which is perpendicular to the first and second legs. A bolt hole extends through the hub and parallel to the third leg. A cleat extends off of an outer side of the third leg, between a pair of spaced apart flanges thereon. The first and the second leg have an inner side on which a plurality of gripping barbs are arranged. In a preferred embodiment of the corner connector, the first and second legs extending from the hub, are longer than the third leg extending from the hub. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the construction of the frame assembly of the present invention, a corner connector may have its first and second legs, that is its longer legs, inserted into each end of a pair of opposed split rails, wherein each leg is inserted within a leg receiving channel of a respective elongated split rail. The barbs on the underside of the first and second legs of the corner connector engage the barb engaging surface on the inner L-shaped member respectively, on each elongated split rail. The first leg and the second leg on each of a pair of corner connectors inserted into the respective open ends of the elongated split rail, holds the elongated split rails in a spaced apart configuration, so as to thereby define a display panel receiving slot therebetween. 
     An elongated unitary rail may similarly receive a pair of the first and second legs inserted at each end thereof within their respective leg-receiving channels. Each leg receiving channel on the elongated unitary rail as noted hereinabove, has a barb engaging surface adjacent its mid-located U-shaped bolt receiving boss. The barbs on the underside of the first and second legs in the bufurcated leg arrangement on the corner connector engage the barb engaging surface in the leg receiving channels, so as to snugly support and lockingly secure that corner connector received therein. It has to be noted herein that the length of the third leg extends from the hub no further than the plane of the first and the second side flanges of the split rails and of the unitary rails in which the longer first and second legs are inserted. This permits a pre-assembly of a set of corner connectors into a set of elongated split rails and a preassembly of an elongated unitary rail with minimum space requirements, to facilitate shipment to and assembly at a commercial location while minimizing damage potential to adjacently packaged rails. 
     Once a set of corner connectors has been inserted into their respective ends of an elongated split rail and an elongated unitary rail, a further pair of unitary rails may now receive the third leg of each corner connector which extends from the respective ends of the pre-assembled split rail assembly and the elongated unitary rail, so as to provide the third and fourth sides of a frame assembly. 
     A threaded member such as a screw or a bolt may be inserted through the slot in the outer side portions of the split rail and through the bolt hole at the hub of the corner connectors and into the U-shaped boss to secure the split rail assembly to a pair of side unitary rails. A similar arrangement may be constructed with the remaining unitary rail at the other end of the now-attached side unitary rails by insertion of a bolt through a pre-drilled bolt hole at the respective ends of the unitary rail and through the bolt hole in each corner connector and into a U-shaped bolt receiving boss on the inner bridge member of the respective unitary rail for completion of a four sided frame assembly. 
     A further aspect of the present invention includes an “H”-shaped sliding carriage having a first leg and a second leg in a parallel, spaced apart configuration, connected by a bridge member extending between a mid-portion thereof. The bridge member includes a mid-portion with a bolt hole therethrough. The sliding carriage may be inserted within the leg receiving channels of a pair of split rails before the corner connectors are inserted respectively therein. The sliding carriage permits an elongated central cross member, identified hereinabove, to be supported between a pair of parallel rails, such as an elongated unitary rail and an elongated pair of split rails. The bolt hole through the bridge member of the sliding carriage is arranged to receive an attachment bolt which extends therethrough, which attachment bolt would penetrate and be secured to the elongated slot in each respective end of the elongated central cross member to permit its&#39; extending between a pair of parallel rails. The elongated central cross member also has a pair of side channels to either side of the receiving channel. These serve to receive a pin which may be used to prevent rotation when one end of the pin is engaged in a drilled hole in the inner flange of an abutting cross member, split rail or unitary rail. The elongated central cross member would function so as to subdivide a frame assembly into smaller panel-supporting members. Each elongated central cross member also has a pair of elongated panel-receiving slots at respective sides thereof so as to receive and support a display panel therewithin, in conjunction with the receiving slots on the inner side of a unitary rail or on the inner side of a pair of assembled the elongated split rails. 
     The invention thus comprises a frame assembly for supporting and displaying a display panel comprising: at least one pair of elongated split rails supported in a joined, spaced apart, parallel relationship, by a pair of first corner connectors that are permanently pressed in either a second pair of elongated split rails or a unitary rail with a second set of corner connectors permanently pressed therein, and a pair of elongated unitary rails attached to the corner connectors connected by a screw or bolt to form a 4-sided frame assembly. Each elongated split rail preferably has a corner connector leg-engaging channel. Each elongated unitary rail preferably has a pair of parallel, spaced-apart corner connector leg-engaging channels. Each corner connector preferably is of “L”-shape. Each elongated unitary rail preferably has a generally “U”-shaped bolt receiving boss arranged between the spaced-apart corner connector leg-engaging channels. Each pair of joined, elongated split rails and each elongated unitary rail has an inwardly facing, panel-receiving slot therein. Each leg engaging channel of each elongated split rail preferably has a barb engaging surface thereon. The frame assembly preferably consists of one pair of joined split rails, and three elongated unitary rails, one of the elongated unitary rails, and the pair of joined split rails having a corner connector permanently pressed in place, and attached to the additional two unitary rails by sliding the corner connector into their leg engaging channels and screwing the rails together, to form a quadrilateral frame assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the frame assembly may also consist of two pairs of joined split rails and two unitary rails. The frame assembly may include one or more elongated central cross-members adjustably supported between any two rails or split rail pairs. If the elongated cross-member is supported between one or more split rail pairs, an “H” shaped sliding carriage may be arranged within the leg engaging channels of the parallel, joined split rails. An “H” shaped sliding carriage may be located in the split rail pair adjacent to the end of the elongated central cross member to support that cross member when it abuts against the parallel joined elongated split rails, or a hole may be drilled in an abutting unitary rail or central cross member to allow a screw or bolt to pass through. The “L”-shaped corner member preferably comprises a first and a second spaced apart parallel leg arrangement extending from a corner hub, and a third leg arranged on the hub in a 90° orientation from the first and second legs thereof. The “L”-shaped corner member may have a bolt hole extending through the corner hub thereof, so as to permit securement of the corner member to an elongated adjacent rail. The first and second spaced apart parallel leg arrangement may be longer than the third leg extending from the corner hub. The first and second parallel legs of the corner connector may have an arrangement of gripping the barbs on an inwardly directed surface thereof. The corner hub may have an “L” shaped cleat on the third leg thereof, to enable a support cable loop to be disposed therearound for supporting the frame assembly from an overhead support. 
     The invention also includes a method of supporting and displaying a display panel comprising: connecting at least one pair of elongated split rails supported in a joined, spaced apart, parallel relationship by a pair of first corner connectors; connecting a set of elongated unitary rails attached to one another by a second pair of corner connectors, the unitary rails also attached to at least one pair of split rails by the first corner connectors, so that at least one pair of joined, split rails and the set of elongated unitary rails form a four sided frame assembly, with an inwardly facing display panel-receiving slot arranged contiguously therearound, the inwardly facing panel-receiving slot arranged to slidingly receive a display panel from the receiving-slot arranged between at least one pair of joined split rails. The method may include: forming a pair of spaced apart first and second legs on a portion of the corner connector to engage independent leg receiving channels on each elongated split rail, and to hold those joined, split rails apart in a parallel spaced apart relationship; forming a third leg on a portion of the corner connector to slidingly engage a connector receiving channel in an adjacent elongated unitary rail; supporting the four sided frame assembly from an overhead support by a loop disposed around an L-shaped cleat extending from an outer side of the third leg on a first and on a second corner connector arranged at the respective ends of the uppermost joined pair of split rails. 
     The invention also may comprise a four sided frame assembly for supporting and displaying a display panel therewithin, the frame assembly comprising: a first elongated rail having a permanently fixed corner connector inserted into a corner-connector receiving-channel at each end thereof; a second elongated rail having a permanently fixed corner connector inserted into a corner-connector receiving-channel at each end thereof; and a pair of elongated side rails arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first and second rails, the side rails having a corner connector receiving channel and a fastener receiving channel, to permit a securably reinforced construct of the four sided frame assembly. The corner connector in each end of the first elongated rail has a hub with a channel for the receipt of a fastener to extend therethrough and into the fastener receiving channel of an adjacent respective side rail. The fastener preferably comprises a threaded member. The first elongated rail preferably comprises a joined split rail arrangement. The corner connector arranged at each end of the elongated first rail preferably has a rail engaging surface with an arrangement of barbs thereon for secure engagement with a corner-connector receiving-channel. The corner connectors at each end of the first and the second rails may also be secured thereto by one of following: adhesive, elongated fasteners and metal deformation. The first rail may be a unitary rail. The unitary rail may have has a slot arranged through an outer bridge member thereof, to permit passage of a display panel therethrough and into the frame assembly. The fastener preferably extends in parallel alignment with the adjacent rail to which it is attached. Each corner connector preferably has a pair of split legs and a single leg which each extend from a common corner hub. The split legs of each corner connector are preferably longer than the single leg extending from the common corner hub to provide orientation cues for ease of assembly and eliminate unnecessary damage during partial pre-assembled shipping. The corner hub preferably has a support cleat thereon, to permit engagement with an overhead support member. The frame assembly may include at least one elongated central cross-member adjustably supported between two rails. A sliding carriage may be arranged within the corner connector receiving channel of the parallel, joined split rails. 
     The invention may also include a method of securely supporting and displaying a display panel within a four sided frame assembly, comprising one or more of the following the steps of: installing a corner connector permanently, into a corner-connector receiving-channel in each end of an elongated first rail; installing a corner connector permanently, into a corner-connector receiving-channel in each end of an elongated second rail; and assembling the first rail and the second rail with a pair of elongated side rails arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first and second rails, the side rails having a corner connector receiving channel mating with the respective corner connectors in the first rail and the second rail, the side rails each also having a fastener receiving channel, to permit a fastener secured reinforced construct of the four sided frame assembly; installing a fastener through a fastener receiving channel in a hub of the corner connector in each end of the first elongated rail and into the fastener receiving channel of an adjacent respective side rail. The fastener preferably comprises a threaded member. The first elongated rail preferably comprises a joined split rail arrangement. The method may also include arranging barbs on a rail engaging surface of the corner connector arranged at each end of the elongated first rail for secure engagement of the corner-connector with the corner connector receiving-channel; and supporting the frame assembly from an overhead support by attachment of a support member to a cleat arranged on an outer side of the hub of the corner connectors received in the corner connector receiving channels in the elongated first rail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the frame assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a elongated split rail; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of elongated unitary rail; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an elongated central cross member; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an elongated swivel support rail; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a corner connector; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the corner connector shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a pair of elongated split rails and their associated corner connectors in a preassembled configuration thereof; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view similar to  FIG. 9  showing a unitary rail and its associated corner connectors in a pre-assembled configuration thereof; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an “H” shaped sliding carriage; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the H. shaped sliding carriage shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a view taken along the lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of a frame assembly with a pair of split rails and opposed portions thereof; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view taken along the lines A-A of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a frame assembly showing elongated central cross members arranged there within; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a frame assembly supported in a swivel support attached thereto. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the present invention which comprises a frame assembly  30 , for receipt of a display panel “DP”. The frame assembly  30  consists of a plurality of unitary rails  32  and a pair of split rails  34  joined at their respective mitered ends by a corner connector  36 , as represented in  FIG. 2 . In a first preferred embodiment, the frame assembly  30 , as represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , comprises a quadrilateral arrangement. In this embodiment, one side of the frame assembly  30  consists of a pair of elongated split rails  34  joined together by a corner connector  36  at each end thereof, as represented in an exploded view in  FIG. 9 . The other three sides of the frame assembly  30  are each preferably comprised of an elongated unitary rail  32 , as represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A corner connector  36  is permanently pressed into each end of a pair of opposed, parallel, split rails  34 , as may be seen in  FIG. 9  and each end of the opposing unitary rail  32 , as may be seen in  FIG. 10 . Each corner connector  36  may be subsequently slid into an adjacent unitary rail  32 , and threadedly attached thereto, by a bolt or pin  132 , as represented in  FIG. 2 , so as to form a four sided frame assembly  30  as represented in  FIG. 1 . 
     Each elongated a unitary rail  32  is of generally “U” shape in cross section, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and consists of an outer bridge member  40  connected to a first side member  42  having an inner portion  46  of generally “L” shape in cross-section and a second side member  44  also having an inner portion  48  of generally “L” shape in cross section. The “L”-shaped portions  46  and  48  of the first and second side members  42  and  44  are the inner side of the unitary rails  32  when assembled in the frame assembly  30 . The “L”-shaped portions  46  and  48  each have an inner flange  50  which are opposed to one another as represented in  FIG. 4 , and define a panel-receiving slot  52  therebetween, as may be seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . The unitary rail  32  also has an inner bridge member  54  extending thereacross at a mid-point between the first and second sides  42  and  44  thereof. The inner bridge member  54  has a generally “U” shaped bolt-receiving boss  56  upstanding thereon. An elongated channel  58  extends between the outer bridge member  40  and the inner bridge member  54 , so as to define an elongated leg-receiving-channel  58 , further explained hereinbelow. The inner bridge member  54  has an elongated surface  60  on each side of the generally U-shaped bolt receiving boss  56 , shown in  FIG. 4 , to function as a “barb-engaging” surface therealong, further explained hereinbelow. 
     Each elongated split rail assembly comprises a first and a second split rail  34 , which are identical and face one another, to form a symmetrical assembly, as may be seen in  FIG. 9 . Each split rail member  34  is generally of “E” shape in cross section, as best represented in  FIG. 3 . Each split rail member  34  has an outer side-flange  62  and an inner side-flange  64  connected by a sidewall  66 . Each split rail member  34  has a generally “L”-shaped mid-flange  68  extending off the inner side of a mid-portion of the sidewall  66 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The generally L-shaped mid-flange  68  extending off of the mid-portion of the sidewall  66  of each split rail member  34  has an elongated barb engaging surface  70  thereon. The L-shaped mid-flange  68  on a first split rail  34  functions to provide a receiving channel  72  which receives and engages and secures a first (or second) leg  74  and  76  of the corner connectors  36  so as to hold the respective first and second split rails  34  and  34  parallel and spaced apart from one another in a sturdy construction thereof, when a first and second leg  74  and  76  of the corner connector  36  is inserted in the receiving channel  72  of a mirror image second split rail  34  thereadjacent, as may be seen in  FIG. 9 . 
     An elongated swivel-support rail  80 , for external support of a frame assembly  30 , has certain features identical to the elongated unitary rail  32  (except that it does not have extended legs which form a display panel receiving channel), and is adaptable to the outside of the unitary rails  32  on a frame assembly  30  so as to provide a swivel support therefore, as represented in  FIG. 17 . The elongated swivel-support rail  80  comprises outer bridge member  82  and a first sidewall  84  and a second sidewall  86  while connected by an inner bridge member  88 , with a U-shaped bolt-receiving boss  90  extending inwardly thereon, as represented in  FIG. 6 . 
     A further internal structural support member for a frame assembly embodiment, comprises an elongated central cross member  92 , shown in cross section in  FIG. 5 , and in a frame assembly  30 , shown in  FIG. 16 . The elongated central cross member  92  has a first sidewall  94  having an “L” shaped flange  96  at its upper side, and a “L” shaped flange  98  at its lower side, connected by a bolt receiving bridge member  100 , to a mirror-image second sidewall  102 , having an “L” shaped flange  96  at the upper side (end as shown in  FIG. 5 ), and a “L” shaped flange  98  at its lower side (end as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The bolt receiving bridge member  100  has an elongated slot  104  disposed therethrough so as to permit a threaded member  109 , to be secured within that elongated slot  104  between opposed rail members of the frame assembly  30 , as represented in  FIG. 16 . On either side of the elongated slot  104 , the elongated central cross member also has a pair of side channels  111  and  113 , as represented in  FIG. 5 . These serve to receive a pin, not shown for clarity, which pins may be used to prevent rotation when one end of the pin is engaged in a drilled hole in the inner flange of an abutting cross member  92 , split rail  34  or unitary rail  32 . 
     The corner connector  36 , best represented in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , comprises an “L”-shaped member having a hub  106  from which the first leg  74  and the second leg  76  extend in a parallel, bifurcated manner. The corner connector  36  also has a third leg  108  extending from the hub  106  in a manner which is perpendicular to the first and second legs  74  and  76 . A bolt hole  110  extends through the hub  106  and extends parallel to the third leg  108 . A cleat  112  extends off of an outer side  114  of the third leg  108 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , between a pair of spaced apart flanges  116  thereon. The first and the second leg each have an inner side  118  on which a plurality of gripping barbs  120  are arranged. In a preferred embodiment of the corner connector, the first and second legs  74  and  76  extending from the hub  106 , are longer than the third leg  108  also extending from the hub  106 . A support wire  122 , shown with dashed lines in  FIG. 7 , having a loop at its lower end, may encircle the cleat  112  and extend through the slot  52  between a pair of split rails  34  so as to support a frame assembly from an overhead support, not shown for clarity of figures. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the construction of the frame assembly of the present invention, a corner connector may have its first and second legs, that is, its longer legs  74  and  76 , inserted into each end of a pair of opposed split rails  34 , wherein each leg  74  and  76  is inserted within a respective leg receiving channel  72  of a respective elongated split rail  34 , as represented in  FIG. 9 . The barbs  120  on the underside  118  of the first and second legs  74  and  76  of the corner connector  36  engage the barb engaging surface  70  on the inner L-shaped member  68 , respectively, on each elongated split rail  34 . The first leg and the second leg  74  and  76  on each of a pair of corner connectors  36  inserted into the respective open ends of the pair of elongated split rails  34 , holds the elongated split rails  34  in a spaced apart configuration as represented in  FIG. 9 , so as to thereby define the display panel receiving slot  52  therebetween. 
     An elongated unitary rail  32  may similarly receive a pair of the first and second legs  74  and  76  inserted at each end thereof within their respective leg-receiving channels  58 , as represented in  FIG. 10 . Each leg receiving channel  58  on the elongated unitary rail  32  as noted hereinabove, has a barb engaging surface  60  adjacent its mid-located U-shaped bolt receiving boss  56 . The barbs  120  on the underside  118  of the first and second legs  74  and  76  in the bifurcated leg arrangement on the corner connector  36  engage the barb engaging surface  60  in the leg receiving channels  58 , so as to snugly support and lockingly secure that corner connector  36  received therein. It has to be noted herein that the length of the third leg  108  extends from the hub  106 , preferably no further than the plane “P” (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the first and the second side flanges  64  of the split rails  34  and of the bottom flanges  50  of the unitary rails  32  in which the longer first and the second legs  74  and  76  are inserted. This permits a pre-assembly of a set of corner connectors  36  into a set of elongated split rails  34  and a pre-assembly of an elongated unitary rail  32  with minimum space requirements, to facilitate shipment to and assembly at a commercial location. 
     Once a set of corner connectors  36  has been inserted into their respective ends of an elongated split rail  34  and an elongated unitary rail  32 , a further pair of unitary rails  32  may now receive the third leg  108  of each corner connector  36  which extends from the respective ends of the pre-assembled split rail assembly  34  and the elongated unitary rail  32 , so as to provide the third and fourth sides of a frame assembly  30  as represented in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 1 . 
     A threaded member such as a screw or a bolt  130  may be inserted through the slot  52  in the outer portions  62  of the split rail  34  and through the bolt hole  110  at the hub of the corner connectors and into the U-shaped boss  56  to secure the pair of split rails  34  to a pair of side unitary rails  32  as represented in  FIG. 2 . A similar arrangement may be constructed with the remaining unitary rail  32  at the other end of the now-attached side unitary rails  32  by insertion of a bolt  132 , as represented in  FIG. 2 , through a pre-drilled bolt hole  134  at the respective ends of the unitary rail  32  as represented in  FIG. 10 , and hence through the bolt hole  110  in each corner connector  36  and into a U-shaped bolt receiving boss  56  on the inner bridge member  54  of the respective unitary rail  32  for completion of a four sided frame assembly  30 , represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     A further aspect of the present invention includes an “H”-shaped sliding carriage  140 , shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 . The carriage  140  has a first leg and a second leg  142  and  144  in a parallel, spaced apart configuration, connected by a bridge member  146  extending between a mid-portion thereof. The bridge member  146  includes a mid-portion with a bolt hole  148  therethrough. The sliding carriage  140  may be inserted within the leg receiving channels  72  of a pair of elongated split rails  34  before the corner connectors  36  are inserted respectively therein. The sliding carriage  140  permits an elongated central cross member  92 , identified hereinabove, to be supported between a pair of parallel rails, such as an elongated unitary rail  32  and an elongated pair of split rails  34 , as represented in  FIG. 16 . The bolt hole  148  through the bridge member  146  of the sliding carriage  140  is arranged to receive an attachment bolt  150  which extends therethrough, as represented in  FIG. 15 , which attachment bolt  150  would penetrate and be secured to the elongated slot  104  in each respective end of the elongated central cross member  92 , to permit its&#39; extending between a pair of parallel rails  34  and  32 , as represented in  FIG. 16 . The elongated central cross member  92  also has a pair of side channels  111  and  113  to either side of the threaded connector receiving channel  104 , as represented in  FIG. 5 . These serve to receive a pin, not shown for clarity of figures, which pin may be used to prevent rotation when one end of the pin is engaged in a drilled hole in the inner flange  98 ,  64  or  50  of an abutting cross member  92 , split rail  34  or unitary rail  32 , respectively. The elongated central cross member  92  would function so as to, for example, subdivide a frame assembly  30  into smaller panel-supporting members, as represented in  FIG. 16 . Each elongated central cross member  92  also has a pair of elongated panel-receiving slots  52  at respective sides thereof, as represented in  FIG. 5 , so as to receive and support a display panel “DP” therewithin, in conjunction with the receiving slots  52  on the inner side of a unitary rail  32  or on the inner side of a pair of assembled elongated split rails  34 .