Abstract:
A sign holder in the form of individual parts which, upon assembly, provides for the support and display of signage in a plurality of orientations. The sign holder includes a base configured to receive and support a first end to the stem, the stem having a first end and second end, the first end configured to be releasably retained by the base and the second end configured to retain a sign frame. The sign frame, in turn, is configured to be releasably retained by the second end of the stem and have a left side and a right side and a gap between its sides. The gap is provided with tabs for positioning the stem on the sign frame to retain the stem in a predetermined location.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to a sign holder device in the form of individual parts which, upon assembly, provide for the support and display of signage in a plurality of orientations. By employing devices as taught herein, a retail facility can inventory a bin of parts and construct signage of a variety of configurations and orientations avoiding the need to stockpile signs of fixed geometry. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Retail establishments such as supermarket chains require signage of every imaginable configuration. Every product sold requires some type of sign to inform a consumer of the nature and price of products on display. For example, produce such as oranges, bananas and grapefruit require one type of signage while frozen food bins and deli cases yet others, it is impractical for a multi-product retail establishment such as a grocery chain to inventory preassembled signage for each dedicated orientation. A far better solution is to provide the retailer with an inventory of parts which can be assembled on site depending upon the product display requiring such signage. 
         [0003]    The present invention is not the first instance in which it was suggested that retail store signage be provided from a parts bin rather than as assembled members. However, prior knockdown component oriented kits have not been universally embraced by the retail trade for several reasons. Products of this nature of the prior art tend to be flimsy, and not easily assembled and disassembled and oftentimes require a certain level of skill and experience in converting the bin of parts to professionally looking customer-inviting signage. For example, it is oftentimes important to position a sign frame appropriately upon a support stem in order to make the sign support professional looking. It is not difficult to produce geometrically centered frames upon support stems at a factory location when a product is produced which is not intended to be disassembled on site. However, retail store employees-are called upon to work quickly moving from one location to the next and it is oftentimes incumbent upon them to assemble and disassemble signage rapidly. Kit products of the prior art, when assembled rapidly by non-skilled personnel, tend to look haphazard and not professional in construction. 
         [0004]    It is also important to manufacturers of such products to be able to construct signage from a bin of parts. Flexibility enjoyed by retail store employees as noted above also provides advantages for manufacturers for a multiple of signage products can be constructed by picking and choosing individual components enabling a wide variety of reconstructed signage products to be shipped to customers without having to inventory a myriad of molds for each variation. 
         [0005]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a sign holder device m the form of individual parts which, when assembled, provides for a professional appearing support for the display of signage in a plurality of orientations. 
         [0006]    This and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a sign holder device in the form of individual parts which, upon assembly, provide for support and display of signage in a plurality of orientations. The sign holder device comprises a tease configured to receive and support the first end of a stem, the stem having a first end and a second end. The first end of the stem is configured to be releasably retained by the base while the second end is configured to retain a sign frame. The sign frame, in turn, is configured to be releasably retained by the second end of the stern and includes a left side and a right side and gap between these sides. The gap is provided with tabs for positioning the stem on the sign frame to retain the stem on the frame in a predetermined orientation. Alternatively, the frame can be supported directly by the base, thus eliminating the stem when appropriate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one variation of an assembled sign frame produced from the parts of the present invention, 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view illustrating in perspective the joining of base and stem members of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded side view showing the joining of frame and stem members pursuant to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an adapter employed as a preferred embodiment for use herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing the use of the adapter of  FIG. 7  in practicing the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the frame member of the present invention showing the necessary gap between the frame halves end tabs employed for aligning the stem. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A and 8  are an exploded view and side plan view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of the present invention, in this instance, a two part base configuration for adjoining signage to a wire rack typically found in refrigerated cases of the type employed by supermarkets. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, in this instance, being a modification to a base member for use between wooden slats. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side view showing a portion of the stem of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, in this instance, being a modification to a base member for use between wooden slats. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is again a side cross-sectional view of a base member for use between wooden slats. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a base member for use between wooden slats while  FIG. 12B  is the base member shown in  FIG. 12A  in a side cross-sectional orientation. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 13A through 13D  are various orientations of still a further embodiment of the present invention for its use between wooden slats. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 14A through 14C  are a continuing embodiment of the present invention again being a modification to a base member for use between wooden slats. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a further embodiment of the present invention again being a modification to a base member for use between wooden slats, 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , the present sign holder device is shown whereby the various individual parts have been joined. Sign holder device  10  is shown constructed of base  11 , stern  3  and frame halves  15  and  16 , each of which being capable of rapid disassembly and reassembly on site. 
         [0024]    The base employed to support the remaining parts of the sign holder device can be of several different configurations depending upon the surrounding structure used to support it. When the sign holder device is intended to be placed upon a flat horizontal surface such as that of a table or counter, base  11  is most appropriate. 
         [0025]    Base  11  includes C-shaped receiving element  19  which is sized to frictionally retain cylindrical portion  18  of stem  9  as shown or frame halves  15  and  16  if stem  9  is eliminated. As best depicted in  FIG. 2 , cylindrical portion  18  of stem  9  preferably being unitarily molded as pan of outer sleeve  12  is further provided with slot  8 . Once cylindrical element  18  is frictionally fit within C-shaped receiving element  19 , ridge  7  is intended to fit within slot  8  for the purpose of maintaining stem  9  completely perpendicular to the plane of base  11  and the surface (not shown) on which is resides. 
         [0026]    As noted by reference to  FIG. 1 , frame halves  15  and  16  are sized to create open region  17  which is intended to accept signage slid between the frame halves as needed. Gap  21  can also accept ridge  7  in base  11  if the frame is intended to reside within the base, eliminating stem  9 . 
         [0027]    Frame halves  15  and  16  when snap fit together are separated from one another by shoulders (not shown) creating gap  21 . Ridge  22  ( FIG. 3 ) can be caused to pass within end be captured by gap  21  in region  33  ( FIG. 6 ) as C-shaped member  4  fictionally captures the outer surface of frame halves  15  and  16 . Ridge  22  is configured to fit within region  33  and be bounded by centering ribs  31  and  32  which positions stem  9  at the geometric center of the frame. As such, when a manufacturer or when an employee is desirous of rapidly creating sign  10  from a bin of parts including frame halves  15  and  16 , stem  9  and base  11 , the frame-halves will only seat upon stem  9  or base  11  at a properly positioned geometrically centered location and in a vertical (non-rotating) orientation resulting in signage which is aesthetically pleasing. Without this feature, rapid assembly can oftentimes result in a misaligned sign frame giving one the impression that the frame is misconstructed resulting in the sign drawing attention to itself and away from the information intended to be displayed within area  17 . 
         [0028]    Although the present invention contemplates stems which are not adjustable, as a further embodiment, as noted by arrow  5  and the phantom lines of  FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that the vertical height of signage  10  be adjustable by providing stem  9  with inner shaft  13  and outer sleeve  12 . As a preferred embodiment, reference is made to  FIG. 9  showing the details of the construction of inner shaft  13  and outer shaft  12 . Specifically, inner shaft  13  is provided with protrusions  93  positioned on thinned side wall  95 . As inner shaft  13  is moved along outer shaft  12 , inner shaft  13  is caused to frictionally fit within space  91  while protrusions snap release along indents  92  to provide a stutter motion as stem  3  is extended or retracted. 
         [0029]    As a further preferred embodiment, reference is made to  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrating an embodiment whereby sign halves  15  and  16  can be angled with respect to stem  9  or stem  9  can be angled with regard to base  11  through the use of a single adapter as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , adapter  70  is composed of cylindrical portion  71  and C-shaped portion  72  connected by web region  74 . Cylindrical portion  71  is provided with a series of indents  73 ; in this particular illustrated embodiment, three such indents are shown. In reference to  FIG. 5 , when adapter  70  is fictionally fit within C-shaped section  4  at the second end of stem  9 , frame halves  15  and  18  can be rotated from vertical as shown by phantom lines whereby protrusion  22  seats within various indents  73  as lateral pressure is placed along the sign frame. 
         [0031]    Although not shown, adapter  70  can likewise be frictionally fit within re-shaped section  19  whereby ridge  7  ( FIG. 2 ) can also cause a to reside within adjacent indent  73  as lateral pressure is placed along stem  9 . 
         [0032]    As noted previously, base  11  is intended to reside upon a flat horizontal surface such as a table or countertop. As alternative embodiments, reference is made to  FIGS. 7 and 8  showing alternatives to base  11 . 
         [0033]    Turning first to  FIGS. 7A and 8 , a base intended to reside upon a series of parallel wires  57  such as those employed in a refrigerated case is illustrated. Lower base  56  is provided with four upwardly extending protrusions  55  which are caused to pass within receiving slots  43 , Upon rotation of the upper and lower bases  44  and  58  with respect to one another, the upper base can be caused to snap fit to the lower base and be retained thereby, lower base  56  can then be removably retained by wires  57  through the use of clothesline clip  59  ( FIG. 7B ). Upon installation, stem  9 , frame halves  15  and  16  or adapter  70  can then be employed by being received by C-shaped section  41  coupling with ridge  42  as described above, it is further noted that wires in refrigerated cases can be made to run either parallel to or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the case. Through the use of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A and 7B , upper base  44  can he rotated 90° C. with regard to the lower base  56  while protrusions  55  are snap fit within receiving slots  43 . As such, regardless of the orientation of wires  57 , the signage supported by the base configuration shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  can always be oriented in the appropriate direction. 
         [0034]    Yet a further configuration is shown in  FIG. 8  whereby base  60  is intended to fit between parallel wooden slats  81  and  82  of a Euro-table, commonly found in grocery store displays, in this embodiment, base  80  is shown as having support legs  85  and  86  intended to fit above and beneath wooden slats  61  and  62 , respectively. As in the previous embodiments, once base  80  is in place, C-shaped section  63  can capture either stem  9  or adapter  70  or frame halves  15  and  18  and maintain their appropriate orientation through the use of protrusion  64 . 
         [0035]    In this instance, assembly  108  ( FIG. 10 ) comprising blade  107 , shaft  109  and head  110  are appended to base  101 . In use, base  101  is placed upon the Euro-Table with assembly  108  protruding between slats  104  and  105 . Thereupon, base  101  is rotated 90° C. so that slats  104  and  105  capture blade  107  retaining base  101  and c-shaped section  102  and protrusion  103  in place. 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a similar embodiment to that of  FIG. 10  whereby base  118  is retained on a Euro-Table between slats  117  and  118  by rotating base  116  and appended blade  112 , shaft  111  and bead  115  90° C. causing its capture. Blade  112  is provided with lips  113  for causing a spring-like capture of base  116  to the top surface of adjacent slats  117  and  118 . 
         [0037]    Turning to  FIG. 12A , base member  120  incorporating C-shaped receiving element  121  and ridge  122  can be employed as described above. In this instance, base  120  is provided with flap  124  which can be connected to the planar surface of base  120  through the use of a plastic web of material creating a living hinge. In use, flap  124  is depressed from its normal planar orientation with base  120  creating opening  123 . Flap  124  is then placed between wooden slats  125  and  126  in opening  127  as shown in  FIG. 12B . This substantially causes base  120  to resist movement along the Euro-table even when the surface of the table is inclined as shown in  FIG. 12B . Further, as was noted with regard to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , base  120  can be provided with openings  128  for receiving a lower base (not shown) in the event that a configuration or akin to that shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are contemplated. 
         [0038]      FIG. 13B  shows yet a further embodiment whereby base  130  is intended to fit between parallel wooden slats (not shown) of the type discussed above, in this embodiment, base  130 , again being provided with cylindrical portion  131  and ridge  132  are employed as in the previous embodiments of the present invention. In this instance, however, flap  135 , as best shown in  FIG. 13C , is provided with bulbous edge  136  such that when flap  135  is passed within base  130  as shown in  FIG. 13D , bulbous end  136  is captured by socket  137  enabling flap  135  to extend between adjacent wooden slats (not shown) of the type discussed above. As an alternative, as shown in  FIG. 13A , bass  140  can be provided with flap  141  as a unitary fixed construction, its function when extending between adjacent wooden slats would be as previously described. 
         [0039]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 14A through 14C  again showing embodiments whereby a base can be retained between wooden slats (elements  156  end  158 ) of a typical Euro-table employed in a supermarket environment. In this instance, upper base  150  can again be provided with openings  159  for accepting protrusions  181  contained on lower base plate  160 . As such, upper base  150  and lower base plate  160  can be locked together with a snap fit rotating motion, in use, lower base plate  160  is provided with vertical arm  162  and horizontal legs  163  which can surround and capture a wooden slat such as shown in  FIG. 14B . Once upper base  150  is connected to lower base plate  160 , cylindrical portion  153  and ridge  154  can be employed to accept a stem, adapter and/or frame in the manner described previously. 
         [0040]    As a further alternative, reference is made to  FIG. 15  whereby the base  170  can be molded as a unitary structure with vertical arm  171  and horizontal legs  172 . 
         [0041]    As noted, through the practice of the present invention, an extremely durable aesthetically pleasing sign can be constructed from a bin of parts quickly and without the need of skilled personnel. The sign, once constructed, can be used in a number of diverse areas throughout a retail establishment and thus provides the user with a degree of flexibility not enjoyed by similar signage of the prior art. 
         [0042]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, other modifications thereof are possible within the scope of the following claims.