Abstract:
An elongated system for independently supporting a plurality of elongated signs from a plurality of sides and edges thereof from a common extrusion, comprising a slidable first side sign holder, a slidable second side sign holder, a slidable lower edge third sign holder. An end cap is arranged at each end of the system for securing the plurality of signs within the system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to elongated sign supports particularly for use I commercial settings where changes in displays are frequent and necessary. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    Sign holders are ubiquitous in commercial establishments. Such signs are usually supported from an overhead support which is coupled to the ceiling. The signs are of necessity, changed frequently. There is a need for permitting multiple signs to be supported from a common sign holder. There is also a need for a commonly supported, multiple-display sign holder to be able to have one or more of its displays changed easily. Those multiple signs by that site holder ought also to be changeable independently from one another. 
         [0005]    One such unique sign holder assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,658, to Pitcher et al. However, this sign holder does not support more than one sign at a time. 
         [0006]    It is thus an object of the present invention to improve the upon the prior art. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sign support arrangement which is readily changed by store personnel with minimum complexity. 
         [0008]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a signed support arrangement which permits multiple signs to be supported from a common member. 
         [0009]    Is yet still a further object of the present invention, to permit a multiple signs support for commercial establishments, wherein anyone of those supported signs may be changed without affecting any of the other signs supported therefrom. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention comprises an elongated sign receiving and supporting arrangement for supporting a plurality of signs independently of one another. The elongated sign receiving and support arrangement in a first embodiment thereof, comprises an elongated extrusion having an elongated, upper support-receiving channel arranged on an elongated upper edge of a elongated spine. The upper support receiving channel has a pair of parallel sides having an inwardly directed flange along each upper edge thereof, spaced apart yet facing one another, and an outwardly directed, inverted “J” shaped flange on each of the parallel side walls as well. 
         [0011]    The elongated spine has a lower edge with an inverted “U”-shaped gripper-receiving channel arranged thereon. The elongated griper-receiving channel has a pair of parallel spaced apart lower edges of outwardly directed, upwardly facing “J” shaped configuration arranged thereon. The inverted (downwardly facing) “J” shaped flanges adjacent elongated upper support receiving channel and the upwardly directed “J” shaped channels on the lower edges of the gripper-receiving channel define slots for receipt of the edges of an elongated side display panel further described hereinbelow. The gripper receiving channel has a pair of inwardly directed flanges, spaced apart from one another at an upper end thereof, to define an elongated pinch-gripper support channel therebetween. 
         [0012]    A pair of generally “T”-shaped backer-flanges extend along each side of the elongated spine along a longitudinal midline thereof, to provide a backing support to any side display panel supported within the upper and lower “J”-shaped flange arrangements thereon. 
         [0013]    An elongated pinch gripper member may be inserted within the gripper receiving channel, which pinch gripper member may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,658, incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. The elongated pinch gripper member has an upper edge of “T”-shape in cross-section. The “T”-shaped portion of the elongated gripper member is slidably received in the elongated gripper-support channel along the upper edge of the gripper receiving channel. The elongated pinch gripper member is arranged to biasedly receive a display panel therein. When the elongated pinch gripper member is slid into the elongated gripper support channel, the lower display may thus be supported therein, the further display sign being suspended beneath the elongated sign receiving arrangement. 
         [0014]    A further embodiment of the elongated sign receiving arrangement, in a height-wise lower version thereof, comprises a pair of extruded, elongated sidewalls defining an upper support receiving channel therebetween. The sidewalls each have an upper edge having an inverted upper “J”-shaped flange extending outwardly therealong, the upper edge of the elongated sidewalls also having a pair of spaced apart flanges extending inwardly towards one another along the length of that channel. A bridging member extends between the upper side portions of the two elongated sidewalls to further define therewith, that upper support receiving channel thereby. 
         [0015]    A flange extends along each sidewall, adjacent to the bridge member, to define a gripper support channel therebetween. An elongated pinch gripper member similar to the aforementioned embodiment, having an upper elongated “T”-shape edge thereon, may be slidingly received within that elongated gripper support channel. The elongated pinch gripper member is arranged to support a lower display panel received between the biased portions thereof. 
         [0016]    A side display panel may be slidingly received between the upwardly directed lower “J”-shaped flanges and the downwardly directed upper “J” shaped flanges. 
         [0017]    The invention thus comprises An elongated, extruded, sign holder for holding a plurality of readily changeable independently supported elongated signs comprising, an elongated extrusion having an upper channel arranged on an upper edge of the extrusion; an elongated lower channel arranged on a lower edge of the extrusion; an elongated independent sign receiving arrangement arranged on a first side of the sign holder; an elongated independent sign receiving arrangement arranged on a second side of the sign holder; and an elongated independent sign receiving arrangement arranged on a lower edge of the sign holder. The upper channel comprises an overhead support receiving channel. The independent sign receiving arrangement on the lower edge of the sign holder comprises a gripper support channel. The elongated independent sign receiving arrangement on the first side of the sign holder comprises a pair of “J”-shaped channels openly facing one another. The elongated independent sign receiving arrangement on the second side of the sign holder comprises a pair of “J”-shaped channels openly facing one another. The independent sign receiving arrangement on the lower edge of the sign holder comprises a gripper receiving channel. The gripper support channel is defined by a pair of spaced apart flanges and a bridging member. The gripper receiving channel receives an elongated gripping receiving member. 
         [0018]    The invention also comprises an elongated system for independently supporting a plurality of elongated signs from a plurality of sides and edges thereof from a common extrusion, comprising: a slidable first side sign holder; a slidable second side sign holder; a slidable lower edge third sign holder; and an end cap arranged at each end of the system for securing the plurality of signs within the system. The end caps each have a finger pivotably disposed in an upper support receiving channel. The end caps are pivotable with respect to the support channel. The system includes a sign backer member to keep any sign supported thereagainst from bowing inwardly. The sign backer member comprises a pair of “T”-shaped flanges extending off of the common extrusion. The slidable first sign holder comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart “J” shaped flanges facing one another on a first side of the common extrusion. The slidable second sign holder comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart “J” shaped flanges facing one another on a second side of the common extrusion. The slidable lower edge third sign holder comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart inwardly directed flanges facing one another of the common extrusion for engaging and supporting an elongated gripper member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, and viewed in conjunction with following drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the elongated sign receiving arrangement constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing how an elongated sign is received in a side portion thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the elongated side receiving arrangement; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an end to view similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  with a side display panel shown within the side portions thereof and an elongated pinch group or in a lower portion of the sign receiving arrangement, with a lower display suspended therefrom; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the elongated side receiving arrangement constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  show and how would elongated sign is received in a side portion thereof; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the second embodiment of the elongated sign receiving arrangement shown with a elongated gripper member inserted therewithin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown an elongated multi-sign receiving and supporting arrangement  10  for supporting a plurality of changeable signs  12 A,  12 B and  14 , independently of one another. The elongated sign receiving and support arrangement  10 , in a first embodiment thereof, as represented in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  comprises an elongated extrusion  16  having an elongated, upper support-receiving channel  18 , arranged on an elongated upper edge of a elongated spine  20 , is best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The upper support receiving channel  18  has a pair of parallel sides  22  and  24  having an inwardly directed flange  26  along each upper edge thereof, spaced apart, yet facing one another, and an outwardly directed, inverted “J” shaped flange  28 , on each of the parallel side walls  22  and  24  as well, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0028]    The elongated spine  20  has a lower edge  30  with an inverted “U”-shaped gripper-receiving channel  32  arranged thereon, having a connecting bridge member  39  thereon, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The elongated griper-receiving channel  32  has a pair of parallel spaced apart lower edges  34  of outwardly directed, upwardly facing “J” shaped configuration arranged thereon. The inverted (downwardly facing) “J” shaped flanges  28  adjacent elongated upper support receiving channel  18  and the upwardly directed “J” shaped channels  34  on the lower edges of the gripper-receiving channel  32  define slots for receipt of the edges of the elongated side display panels  12 A and  12 B further described hereinbelow. The gripper receiving channel  32  has a pair of inwardly directed flanges  36 , spaced apart from one another at an upper end thereof, to define an elongated pinch-gripper support channel  38  therebetween. 
         [0029]    A pair of generally “T”-shaped backer-flanges  40  extend along each side of the elongated spine  20 , along a longitudinal midline thereof, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to provide a backing support to any side display panel  12 A and  12 B slidably supported within the upper and lower “J”-shaped flange arrangements  28  and  34 , thereon, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    An elongated pinch gripper member  50  may be inserted within the gripper receiving channel, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pinch gripper member  50  may be seen more specifically in U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,658, incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. The elongated pinch gripper member  50  has an upper edge  52  of “T”-shape in cross-section. The “T”-shaped upper edge  52  of the elongated gripper member  50  is slidably received in the elongated gripper-support channel  38  along the upper edge of the gripper receiving channel  32 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The elongated pinch gripper member  50  is arranged to biasedly receive the lower display panel or sign  14  therein. When the elongated pinch gripper member  50  is slid into the elongated gripper support channel  38 , the lower display sign  14  may thus be supported therein, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the further display sign being suspended beneath the elongated sign receiving arrangement  10 . 
         [0031]    A pivotable end cap  54  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  for covering the ends of the channels  18  and  38 , to keep any display signs  12 A,  12 B and  14  maintained therein. Each end cap  54  has a pivot finger  56  insertable into the upper channel  18  to keep the end caps  54  (and any signs) in place. An overhead support  58  is shown in phantom in  FIGS. 1   2 ,  3  and  4 , which support  58  is attachable at an upper end thereof, to a ceiling or overhead support, not shown for clarity of the drawings. 
         [0032]    A further embodiment of the elongated sign receiving arrangement  10 , in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , in a height-wise “lower” version thereof. The elongated multi-sign receiving arrangement  10  comprises a pair of extruded, elongated sidewalls  60  defining an upper support receiving channel  62  therebetween, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The sidewalls  60  each have an upper edge  64  having an inverted upper “J”-shaped flange  66  extending outwardly therealong, the upper edge  64  of the elongated sidewalls  60  also having a pair of spaced apart flanges  68  extending inwardly towards one another along the length of that channel  62 , as shown best in  FIG. 7 . A bridging member  70  extends between the upper side portions of the two elongated sidewalls  60  to further define therewith, that upper support receiving channel  62  thereby. 
         [0033]    A flange  72  extends inwardly, along each sidewall  60 , adjacent to the bridge member  70 , to define a gripper support channel  74  therebetween. An elongated pinch gripper member  50  similar to the aforementioned embodiment, having an upper elongated edge  52  thereon, of “T”-shape in cross-section, may be slidingly received within that elongated gripper support channel  74 . The elongated pinch gripper member  50  is arranged to support a lower display panel  14  received between the biased portions thereof. 
         [0034]    A pair of side display panels  12 A and  12 B may be slidingly received between the upwardly directed lower “J”-shaped flanges  76  and the downwardly directed upper “J” shaped flanges  66 , at the lower edge of the side walls  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . An overhead support  58  having an enlarged lower end received in the upper channel  70 , is shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , in phantom, in a manner similar to the earlier embodiment. Similarly, end caps  54  may be pivotably secured by end cap fingers  56  to the ends of the upper channel  62  and elongated sign receiving arrangement  10 , as was recited in the aforementioned embodiment.