Abstract:
A lug mount system in which a generally U-shaped lug engaging member is secured to a display panel member so that information presented by the display panel member is easily viewed. The system is mounted to the proximal end of an arm of a conventional free standing display stand by engagement with a lug on the proximal end of the arm. The lug engaging member and the display panel member may be releasably or permanently secured to one another. The display panel member may include provisions for lighting, animation, electronic displays, and print media. When the display panel member and the lug engaging member are releasably secured together the connection therebetween may be configured so that compound motion is required to release them.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/022,489, filed Jan. 21, 2008. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to lug-mount systems for mounting on the ends of conventional free standing display stand arms to provide for displaying graphical or textual information. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Free standing display stands are employed in a wide variety of retail, commercial, and other operations to display goods, tools, and equipment of many different kinds, including, for example, hardware, tools, articles of clothing, floor covering samples, and the like. Such display stands are free standing to readily permit their movement from one location to another in an open space. Typically, such free standing display stands have generally horizontally or angularly downwardly extending arms. Such arms are mounted at their distal ends to a normally generally vertically extending pole or rail, which in turn is supported by feet that are adapted to moveably rest on a floor or other generally horizontal surface. The proximal ends of such arms include a lug that extends upwardly therefrom. The lugs may be located at the extreme proximal location on the arm, or they may be spaced slightly from that location. The lugs may be of any shape so long as they serve to prevent hangers from sliding off the proximal end of the arm. Typical lug shapes include, for example, flat tabs projecting upwardly from the arm and oriented either along or laterally of the major axis of the arm, or cylinders projecting upwardly from the arm. The conventional purpose of these lugs is to prevent hangers, packages, hooks, and other article support members from sliding off the proximal end of the arm. 
         [0004]    It would be of great benefit if information could be displayed in immediate association with each individual arm, particularly if such information could be changed at will by a responsible person where the free standing display stand is located. Those skilled in the free standing display stand art recognize that improvements are needed in this area. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments of a lug-mount system allow for presenting information on a proximal end of an arm in a conventional free standing display stand. The arm includes a lug element located at approximately the proximal end of the arm. The lug element projects generally upwardly from the arm. In conventional use the lug element is provided to prevent hangers from sliding off the proximal end of the arm. 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the present lug-mount system comprise a lug engaging member that has a generally U-shaped configuration. The U-shaped configuration includes a base portion extending generally between opposed first and second leg portions. The two leg portions and the base portion define therebetween three sides of an engagement cavity. A fourth side, generally opposed to the base portion is generally open to receive the proximal end of the arm. The obverse face of the generally U-shaped lug engaging member is also generally open to receive the proximal end of the arm. A lug engaging opening generally extends through the base portion and is adapted to releasably interengage with the generally upwardly projecting lug element. The engagement cavity is thus adapted to engagingly receive the proximal end of the arm. 
         [0007]    In use, the engagement cavity is inserted generally over the proximal end of the arm and into engagement with the lug element. In some embodiments the base portion is positioned at what in use is the normally upper end of the engagement cavity. The base portion thus serves, among other things, to prevent the end of the arm from moving upwardly out of the engagement cavity. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the lug mount system include a display panel member that is adapted to present information in an easily visible manner to those who view it. Such information may include, for example, advertising and promotional materials or instructional or informational text or graphics on safety, identification, or use, relating to the sale goods, tools, equipment, or other items hanging on the arm. Where, for example, the things hanging on the arm are for sale, the information may include, price, size, examples of related goods, examples of use, or the like. Where, for example, the things hanging on the arm are work or safety related, the free standing display stand may be positioned in a convenient location and information about the nature or use of the things on the arm is presented by the display panel member. 
         [0009]    The information presented by a display panel member may be static, as in printed material, or animated as in digital or analog images that constantly change on, for example, an LCD or other conventional image displaying screen or panel. When desired, the display panel member may be made self illuminating by the incorporation of light emitting diodes, incandescent, fluorescent, or other conventional light emitting devices. Where such light emitting or image displaying devices are part of the display panel member, suitable power supplies for operating such devices may be provided in association with the display panel member. 
         [0010]    According to certain embodiments, the display panel member includes a pocket that is adapted to open and retainingly receive a sheet of material bearing the desired information. Embodiments of the display panel member that are oriented generally perpendicular to the major axis of the arm afford a viewer easy visual access to the information presented there. The display panel member may be planar, or arcuate, or a combination thereof as may be desired. 
         [0011]    In embodiments where the display panel member is releasably or permanently secured to the lug engaging member the display panel member generally serves as an additional barrier (in addition to the lug) to prevent things hanging on the arm from sliding off the proximal end. The display panel member may also serve a safety function in that it presents a large flat shield on the proximal end of the arm so that any person or thing that falls against the proximal end of the arm is protected from encountering the relatively smaller proximal end of the arm. 
         [0012]    According to embodiments where the display panel member includes an arm stop portion extending between the first and second leg elements, this arm stop portion generally defining a reverse face of the engagement cavity. The arm stop portion generally serves to prevent the proximal end from projecting through the engagement cavity. The reverse face may also serve to cooperate with the base portion in defining therebetween a lug engaging opening. 
         [0013]    According to certain embodiments, the display panel member is releasably secured to the lug engaging member through a mechanical latching mechanism. In further embodiments the display panel member is permanently secured to the lug engaging member through an adhesive bond, weld, or the like, between the display panel and at least one of the opposed first and second leg portions. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments at least one of the opposed first and second leg portions includes an arm gripping portion. The arm gripping portion is positioned to grippingly engage the arm. The gripping force provided by this gripping portion aids in retaining the proximal end of the arm in the engagement cavity. 
         [0015]    The arms in some free standing display stands extend generally horizontally. These are generally described as “straight” arms. In other display stand configurations the arms angle downwardly so the proximal end of the arm is below its distal end. Such arms are often described as “cascading” or “waterfall” arms. In angularly extending cascading arms the lug engaging member is adapted to engage the generally angularly extending proximal end. 
         [0016]    According to certain embodiments, the lug engaging member and display panel members include between them a retaining element projecting outwardly from one of these members, and a slot element configured to releasably engage with the retaining element on the other of these members. In one configuration, the retainer element is on the lug engaging member, and in another embodiment the retainer element is on the display panel member. Certain embodiments include a retaining element projecting rotatably from one member and a slot element configured to releasably engage with the retaining element on the other member. In certain embodiments the lug engaging member includes opposed attachment panels projecting generally laterally from the legs and adapted to being permanently or releasably attached to generally planer locations on display panel members. 
         [0017]    Certain embodiments of the lug mount system wherein the display panel member is releasably attached to the lug engaging member include a plurality of display panel members. Information can be applied to a plurality of display panel members at, for example, a central location remote from the free standing display stand. The display panel members may then be brought to a free standing display stand and attached to the proximate ends of the arms as desired. When, for example, a decision is made to change all or some of the goods on a particular arm, the display panel member on that arm may be quickly changed to reflect information about the new goods. 
         [0018]    The detailed description of the invention below is intended to merely be an example and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to this example. Accordingly, modifications to the description below are possible, and it should be clearly understood that the invention may be practiced in many different ways than the example specifically described below, and still remain within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view diagrammatically depicting an embodiment of a lug mount system wherein a generally U-shaped lug engaging member is secured to a display panel member; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  depicts a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  depicts a diagrammatic broken side view of a prior art display stand arm; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  depicts a diagrammatic broken side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  mounted to the prior art display stand arm of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment in which the display panel member includes a hinged face or frame panel element that hingedly opens as indicated by a double headed arrow to provide a pocket for receiving a sheet of material bearing information (not shown); 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a display panel member in which a face or frame element is bonded at a lower portion to flex open as indicated by a double headed arrow to provide a pocket for receiving a sheet of material bearing information (not shown); 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a display panel member in which a face or frame element is unitary with a lower portion of a backing panel to flex open as indicated by a double headed arrow to provide a pocket for receiving a sheet of material bearing information (not shown); 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a display panel member in which a face or frame element is unitary with a lower edge of a backing panel to flex open as indicated by a double headed arrow along a living hinge to provide a pocket for receiving a sheet of material bearing information (not shown); 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  depicts diagrammatic a side view of an embodiment of a display panel member in which a face or frame element is separate from a backing panel to move away from the backing panel as indicated by a double headed arrow to provide a pocket for receiving a sheet of material bearing information (not shown); 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a lug engaging member in which a headed retainer element projects therefrom; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  depicts a diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of a dispaly panel member in which a pair of slot elements is formed in a backing panel, which slot elements are especially configured to releasably engage with a headed retainer element; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  depicts diagrammatically in sequence from left to right the steps in the engagement of a headed retainer element with a specially configured slot element; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  depicts a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of lug engaging member in which headed retainer elements project outwardly therefrom; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a lug engaging member of  FIG. 13  releasably engaged with a generally Z-shaped display panel member; 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  depicts a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a lug mount system wherein the engaging member includes a leg portion with an arm gripping portion that is free to flex as indicated by a double headed arrow; 
           [0038]      FIG. 19  depicts a diagrammatic perspective view of a conventional free standing display stand with straight arms; 
           [0039]      FIG. 20  depicts a diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of a dispaly panel member in which a pair of slot elements are formed in a backing panel, which slot elements are especially configured to releasably engage and mechanically interlock with a headed retainer element so that compound movement is required to release the display panel member from the lug engaging member; 
           [0040]      FIG. 21  depicts diagrammatically the steps in interengaging a rotatably mounted retaining element and a specially configured slot element in a display panel; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 22  depicts diagrammatically the steps in interengaging additional embodiments of a rotatably mounted retaining element and a specially configured slot element in a display panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    In the embodiment chosen for illustration in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , depict a lug-mount system indicated generally at  10  for mounting on the end of conventional free standing display stand arms  26  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) to provide for displaying graphical or textual information on a display face  32  of a display panel member  12 . A lug engaging member has a generally U-shaped configuration composed of base portion  14  extending between first leg portion  16  and second leg portion  18 . The leg portions are opposed to one another. Opposed to base portion  14  is an open side  20 . A portion of base portion  14  adjacent to display panel member  12  is removed to form a lug engaging opening  22  between base portion  14  and the adjacent face of display panel  12 . The embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  is illustrative of those embodiments in which at least one of the first or second leg portions is permanently secured by an edge to the adjacent surface of display panel member  12 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4 and 5  depict generally at  24  the proximal end of an arm  26  of a conventional free standing display stand  126  ( FIG. 19 ). A lug  28  projects normally upwardly from and terminates arm  26 . Lug  28  is generally planar and extends generally normal to the major axis of arm  26 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict generally the assembly of arm  26  together with lug mount system  10  ( FIG. 1 ). As illustrated in these Figs., the arm  26  fits snugly into an engagement cavity that is formed by the generally U-shaped lug engaging member in cooperation with display panel member  12 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of a lug-mount system mounted on an arm in which a lug engaging member is secured to a display panel that is hinged at  30  to permit transparent panel  38  to swing as indicated by the double headed arrow to provide a pocket  36  to receive a sheet of material upon which information is provided. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9 through 12  depict embodiments of various display panel member embodiments. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , front panel  42  is affixed to and flexibly deflectable away from back panel  40  to provide pocket  44 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , panels  46  and  48  are formed from the same sheet of material, and are cut so that portion  48  is deflectable away from panel  46  to provide pocket  50 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , panels  52  and  54  are connected through a living hinge  64  that is sufficiently flexible to allow the panels to separate to form pocket  56 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , panels  58  and  60  are separate from one another to form pocket  62 , and are secured together in use by means of one or more separate clips (not shown). 
         [0047]      FIGS. 13 and 14  depict embodiments of a lug-mount system wherein a lug engaging member indicated generally at  66  mechanically and releasably interlocks with display panel member  76  to secure the two together. In the illustrated embodiment, a retaining element comprised of an enlarged head  72  with a shoulder  74  is mounted on a shank  70 . Shank  70  is attached to first leg portion  68  of lug engaging member  66 . A similar retaining element is attached to opposed second leg portion (not shown). Enlarged head  72  is sized to fit through circular portion  78  of a keyhole slot in display panel  76  but not straight channel  80 . Shank  70  is sized so that it fits through straight channel  80  as depicted, for example, in  FIG. 15 . Shoulder  74  engages display panel  78  on a side of such display panel member that is opposed to lug engaging member  66 . Lug engaging member  66  and display panel  76  are thus releasably secured together. A boss  69  is formed in lug engaging member  66  so that a portion of the lug engaging member  66  is spaced from region  81  of display panel member  76  when the retaining element is received in the slot element that is defined by circular portion  78  and straight channel  80  in display panel member  76 . A similar boss is shown in the opposed leg portion (not shown). 
         [0048]      FIG. 16  depicts an embodiment of a generally U-shaped lug engaging member indicated generally at  82 . An attachment panel  90  is unitary with and projects generally laterally from first leg portion  86 . Similarly attachment panel  92  projects generally laterally from second leg portion  88 . A step  98  in first leg portion  86  together with a similar step in second leg portion  88 , which steps are continued through base portion  99 , serve to space the base portion from the adjacent surface of a display panel that is mounted to lug engaging member  82 . Enlarged heads  94  and shanks  96  serve to releasbly engage a display panel as previously described. 
         [0049]      FIG. 17  depicts an embodiment wherein lug engaging member  66  ( FIGS. 13 and 15 ) is interengaged with a generally Z-shaped display panel member. Back panel  100  is provided with slot elements as depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 14  or  20 . Bend  102  serves to space back panel  100  from panel  103  sufficiently so that enlarged head  72  fits between the two panels. Bend  104  serves to space panels  103  and  108  far enough apart to receive in pocket  106  information or an information display device such as, for example, an LCD screen (not shown) or other electronic dispalys. 
         [0050]      FIG. 18  depicts an embodiment of a lug engaging member indicated generally at  110  with opposed attachment panels  120  and  122 , a boss  124 , an open side  112 , a first leg portion  114 , and a second leg portion  118 . Second leg portion  118  includes a leg gripping portion  116  that is free to flex as indicated by the double headed arrow. The purpose of gripping portion  116  is to firmly clamp the proximal end of an arm that is inserted into the engagement cavity defined by display panel member  111  and U-shaped lug engaging member  110 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 19  depicts a conventional free standing display stand indicated generally at  126 . Arms  26  terminate in lugs  28 , and project generally laterally of generally vertically extending rails  132 . Rails  132  are mounted in normally horizontally extending feet  128  and  130 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 20  depicts an embodiment of a display panel member  134  in which slot elements are configured so that compound motion is required to move the display panel to a position where it may be disengaged from the lug engaging member. Each of the slot elements includes a circular portion  78  that is adapted to receive an enlarged head of a retaining element. Channels  136  are configured so that the shanks of engaging elements must be moved downwardly, laterally, and downwardly again before the display panel member and the lug engaging member may be released from one another. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 21 and 22  depict embodiments of retaining elements that are adapted to project through a slot element and rotatably engage therewith. A retaining element indicated generally at  138  includes an enlarged head  140  that is adapted to pass through circular portion  78 . It also includes a fin  144  that projects outwardly from rotatable shaft  142 . Fin  144  is adapted to pass through channel  80  when aligned therewith. As soon as shaft  142  is rotated to bring fin  144  out of alignment with channel  80 , the two members in which the slot element and the rotatable engagement element are located are releasably secured together. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 22 , a rotatable retainer element indicated generally at  146  performs similarly to retainer element  138  except that there is no head and the releasable engagement function is performed by fin  152  and channel  148 . 
         [0054]    The retainer elements of the various embodiments may be mounted to the display panel members, the lug engaging members, or they may be separate pieces that extend through both members to secure them together. 
         [0055]    The foregoing detailed description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes and modifications are possible with respect to the foregoing description, and it is understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than that specifically described herein and still be within the scope of the claims.