Abstract:
A sign holder arrangement for the support of a sign from an overhead support. The holder arrangement comprises an upper sign holder assembly clamped upon an upper edge of the sign and a lower sign holder assembly clamped upon a lower edge of the sign. At least one outer support clip is disposed peripherally around the upper sign holder. The clip has a cable attached thereto and to the overhead support to hold the sign therefrom.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an elongated sign holder arrangement for grippingly and replacably supporting a sign from an overhead support or the like. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    One approach for advertising wares in stores is to utilize signs printed or mounted on substrates such as paper or sheets of plastic. The advantages of such signs are their low cost, ease of shipping and their ability to be changed in a very short period of time. 
         [0005]    The disadvantages of such signs is that unless they are properly supported, they may curl on their ends, warp, or twist, often in undesirable manners. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and to provide a sign holder arrangement which is easily usable and changeable by the most inexperienced store personnel. 
         [0007]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a sign holder arrangement which will keep a sign in proper alignment without permitting any undesirable turns or twisting therewith. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a sign holder with strong gripping/holding power. 
         [0009]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sign holder that in its simplicity, is very aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0010]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a sign holder which neatly and easily supports and grips a sign which may be wider than the sign holder is long. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sign holder which is not dependent on the surface quality of the substrate, or its rigidity (or lack thereof, excluding cloth), in order to easily close and open for the purposes of changing the sign. 
         [0012]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a sign holder which is best suited for use with all of its constituent parts, thus insuring a complete and finished display appearance. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]    The present invention comprises a sign holder arrangement for suspending a sign from an overhead support such as for example, a ceiling rail or the like. The sign holder arrangement preferably comprises an elongated upper sign holder assembly encircled by one or more rigid outer support clips. Each rigid outer support clip is supported by an overhead support cable attached thereto. The upper sign holder assembly enclosingly supports a sign extending vertically downwardly therefrom. 
         [0014]    An elongated lower sign holder assembly attaches along the lower edge of the vertically supported sign. The upper sign holder assembly and the lower sign holder assembly are effectively mirror images of one another, except that the upper sign holder assembly has at least one, but typically two or more, overhead cables extending from their respective rigid outer support clips. 
         [0015]    Each outer support clip has an articulable inner liner arrangement fitted therewithin. Each inner liner has a first and a second side, in a generally “C”-shaped configuration. Each inner liner side is connected to its opposed liner side by an inner liner bridge. Each inner liner side is attached to the inner liner bridge by a liner living hinge. The inner liner may be folded into a somewhat oval shape with an elongated gap between the (distalmost ends of its respective side members. The inner liner slidingly mates within the rigid outer support clip in a securable support manner therewithin. The rigid outer support clip being of rigid generally oval shape has one edge portion with a sign receiving slot therealong. The other edge of the generally oval-shaped rigid outer support clip has channel running therealong. The channel is defined by an elongated flange with a gap running alongside. 
         [0016]    A cable slot extends up one side portion of the rigid outer support clip. The cable slot permits an elongated flexible cable to be slid into that rigid outer support clip in a supportive manner. That cable has a lowermost tab thereon, which is received within the channel of the clip. The inner liner bridge member, when the liner is mated within the clip, insures that the cable tab remains within the channel of the rigid outer support clip during its use. 
         [0017]    Each upper and lower holder assembly utilizes an inner gripper assembly. The inner gripper assembly is comprised of a pair of opposed inner frame members, each of generally “C” shape in cross-section. Each inner frame member has a plurality of spaced-apart “T”-shaped flanges extending parallel to one another within the inner frame. The inner gripper assembly also comprises a sign gripper. The sign gripper comprises a pair of elongated co-extruded side panels having a pair of “L” shaped support flanges thereon. Each “L” shaped support flange is arranged so as to slidingly engage their respectively adjacent “T” shaped flanges on their respective inner side of the frame portions. Each sign gripper panel is connected to its opposite gripper panel by a living hinge extending across a first edge thereof. 
         [0018]    Once the sign grippers are mated within their respective side portions of their inner frames, they are articulable with respect to one another by the living hinge. 
         [0019]    A sign may be placed upon an open inner gripper assembly, up to and along the living hinge of the sign gripper. One inner frame is then closed over the other inner frame so as to securely grip and maintain the sign between a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel, wing members extending off of the respective inner panel side members. The elongated wings are resilient so as to flexibly hold and maintain a sign therebetween. 
         [0020]    Once a first inner frame member is folded over the other corresponding inner frame member of a sign holder assembly, it may be slid within the inner liners in one or more rigid outer support clips. Both of the upper edge of the sign and the lower edge of the sign may thus the similarly captured respectively by the upper sign holder assembly and the lower sign holder assembly. The overhead cables attached to the rigid outer support clip or clips surrounding the upper sign holder assembly may be attached in a customary manner such as an overhead inverted “T” rail or the like, for display of that sign. 
         [0021]    The invention thus comprises a sign holder arrangement for the holding of a sign from an overhead support, comprising: an upper holder assembly clamped upon an upper edge of the sign; a lower holder assembly clamped upon a lower edge of sign; and at least one outer support clip disposed peripherally around most of the upper holder member, the clip having a cable attached thereto and to the overhead support to support the sign therefrom. The upper holder assembly may have a pair of outer support clips thereon. The outer support clip may have an articulable liner slidingly received therein, to provide snug receipt of an inner gripper assembly therein. The inner gripper assembly is preferably comprised of a pair of generally “C” shaped, elongated inner frame members. The inner frame members preferably have a plurality of “T” shaped flanges co-extruded therewith, extending off of an inner side thereof. Each of the inner frame members may have an elongated sign gripper attached thereto, each of the sign grippers having an elongated “L” shaped flange extending off of an outer side thereof for engaging the “T: shaped flanges on the inner frame members. Each of the sign grippers preferably have a plurality of elongated, flexible, co-extruded wing members extending off of a side thereof, the wing members being arranged to resiliently pinch a sign between opposed wing members when a sign is arranged therebetween. The outer support clip may have a slot on one side thereof to permit sliding entry of a tab end of the cable to be slid therein. The outer support clip preferably has an elongated channel therein on one side edge thereof, to permit the tab end of the cable to be secured therewithin. 
         [0022]    The invention also comprises a method of supporting a sign from an overhead support, comprising one or more of the following steps: clamping an upper edge of the sign in an upper sign holder assembly; clamping a lower edge of the sign in a lower sign holder assembly; inserting a support cable into a slot on an outer support clip, inserting the upper sign holder assembly into the outer support clip; and attaching an upper end of the cable to an overhead support. The method may include: inserting the upper sign holder assembly into a second support clip, after inserting a second support cable into the second support clip. 
         [0023]    The invention also comprises a method of supporting a sign from an overhead support, comprising one or more of the following steps including: arranging a plurality of parallel elongated articulable fin members on an elongated foldable backing panel; folding the foldable backing panel onto a display panel to as to be serpentinely squeezed therebetween; inserting the flexible backing panel into a rigid support clip so as to comprise a holder assembly; and supporting the holder assembly from the overhead support; inserting an overhead support cable into the rigid support clip before inserting the backing panel into the rigid support clip. The flexible display panel may be of a width L 2  and the support assembly may have a length L 1 , wherein L 2  is larger than L 1 . 
         [0024]    The invention also includes a sign holder arrangement for supporting a sign from an overhead support, comprising: an upper frame support assembly clamped upon an upper edge of the sign; a lower frame support assembly clamped upon a lower edge of the sign; an inner foldable gripping panel having a plurality of parallel, fins articulably attached thereto, so as to compress said fins and pinch said sign therebetween, the gripping panel member being arranged in both the upper frame member and the lower frame member; at least one outer support clip disposed peripherally around most of the upper frame member, the clip having a cable attached thereto and to the overhead support to support the sign therefrom. The outer support clip preferably has a gap on one edge thereof to permit the sign to extend therebetween. 
         [0025]    The invention also includes a sign holder assembly for supporting a sign from an overhead member, comprising an elongated, articulable, sign-clamping upper sign holder, an elongated, articulable, sign-clamping lower sign holder, an upper sign holder clamp to maintain the upper sign holder clamped about a sign therewithin, a lower-sign holder clamp to maintain the lower sign holder clamped about a sign therewithin, and a connector arranged between the upper sign holder clamp and the overhead member for supporting the sign holder assembly therefrom. The upper sign holder and the lower sign holder are preferably structurally equal. The lower sign holder may be of a length which is shorter than the sign having a width, is wide. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sign holder arrangement showing an upper sign holder assembly and a lower sign holder assembly with a sign configured therebetween; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an inner liner fully opened, which inner liner mates, once folded-up, with an outer support clip; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing an outer support clip with an inner liner being slid therewithin; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an inner gripper assembly which comprises an inner frame and a sign gripper in their pre-interlocking mode; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the inner frame and the sign gripper of  FIG. 4 , shown assembled; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the inner gripper assembly shown in  FIG. 5  with a sign being placed along one of the sign grippers, prior to the sign grippers being folded against one another; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is an end view of an upper sign holder assembly with its support cable, its inner liner, its inner frame and its sign gripper holding a sign therewithin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the present invention which comprises a sign holder arrangement  10  for supporting a sign  12  from an overhead support  14  such as for example, a ceiling rail or the like. The sign holder arrangement  10  preferably comprises an elongated upper sign holder assembly  16  encircled by one or more rigid outer support clips  18  and  20 . Each rigid outer support clip  18  and  20  (on the upper sign holder assembly  16 ) is supported by an overhead support cable  22  attached thereto. The upper sign holder assembly  16  enclosingly supports the sign  12  extending vertically downwardly therefrom. 
         [0035]    An elongated lower sign holder assembly  24  attaches along the lower edge of the vertically supported sign  12 . The upper sign holder assembly  16  and the lower sign support assembly  24  are effectively mirror images of one another, except that the upper sign support assembly  16  has one or more overhead cables  22  extending from their respective rigid outer support clips  18  and/or  20 . 
         [0036]    Each outer support clip  18  and/or  20  has articulable inner liner arrangement  30  fitted therewithin, as may be seen in  FIG. 1 , and shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 . Each inner liner arrangement  30 , has a first and a second curved side  32  and  34 , which have a generally “C”-shaped configuration as is shown in  FIG. 2 . Each inner liner side  32  and  34  is connected to its opposed liner side by an inner liner bridge  36 . Each inner liner side  32  and  34  is respectively attached to the inner liner bridge  36  by a liner living hinge  38 . The inner liner  30  may be folded into a somewhat oval shape with an elongated gap  40  between the distalmost ends of its respective side  32  and  34 , as represented in  FIG. 3 . The inner liner  30  slidingly mates within the rigid outer support clip  18  in a securable support manner therewithin, as represented in  FIG. 3 . The rigid outer support clip  18  (or  20 ) being of rigid generally oval shape has one edge portion with a sign receiving slot  42  therealong. The other edge  44  of the generally oval-shaped rigid outer support clip  18  (or  20 ) has channel  46  running therewithin. The channel  46  is defined by an elongated flange  48  with a gap  50  running alongside, as best shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0037]    A cable slot  52 , shown in  FIG. 3 , extends up one side portion of the rigid outer support clip  18 . The cable slot  52  permits an elongated flexible cable  22  to be slid into that rigid outer support clip  18  in a supportive manner. That cable  22  has a lowermost tab  54  thereon, which is received within the channel  46  of the clip.  18 , as best represented in  FIG. 7 . The inner liner bridge member  36 , when the liner  30  is mated within the clip  18 , insures that the cable tab  54  remains within the channel  46  of the rigid outer support clip  18  (or  20 ) during its use. 
         [0038]    Each upper and lower holder assembly  16  and  24  is comprised of an inner gripper assembly  56 , as represented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The inner gripper assembly  56  is comprised of a pair of opposed inner frame members  58  and  60 , each of generally “C” shape in cross-section, as represented in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . Each inner frame member  58  and  60  has a plurality of spaced-apart “T”-shaped flanges  62  extending parallel to one another within their respective inner frame  58  or  60 , as represented in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . The inner gripper assembly  56  also comprises a sign gripper  64 . The sign gripper  64  comprises a pair of elongated co-extruded side panels  66  and  68  each having a pair of “L” shaped support flanges  70  thereon, best represented in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . Each “L” shaped support flange  70  is arranged so as to slidingly and supportively engage their respectively adjacent “T” shaped flanges  62  on their respective inner side of the inner frame members  58  and  60 . Each sign gripper panel  66  and  68  is connected to its opposite gripper panel  68  and  66  by a living hinge  72  extending across a first edge thereof, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 . 
         [0039]    Once the sign grippers  64 ′ are mated within their respective side portions  66  and  68  of their inner frames  58  and  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 5  and  6 , they are articulable with respect to one another about the living hinge  72 , as represented by arrow “R” shown in  FIG. 6 . End caps  71 , shown in  FIG. 4  in a pre-attached viewing, are permanently secured to the respective ends of the frames  58  and  60 , as represented in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0040]    A sign  12  may be placed upon an open inner gripper assembly  56 , up to and along the living hinge  72  of the sign holder  56 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . One inner frame  58  is then closed over the other inner frame  60  so as to securely grip and maintain the sign  12  between a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel, wing members or “fins”  74 , co-extruded with and flexible, extending off of the respective inner panel side members  66  and  68 . The elongated wings or fins  74  are resilient so as to flexibly and firmly hold and strongly maintain a sign  12  therebetween, as represented in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
         [0041]    Once a first inner frame member i.e  58 , is folded over the other corresponding inner frame member  60  of a sign holder assembly  56 , it may be slid within one or more rigid outer support clips  18  and  20 , which have their inner liners  30  in place, as represented in  FIG. 1 . Both of the upper edge of the sign  80  and the lower edge  82  of the sign  12  may thus be similarly captured respectively by the upper sign holder assembly  16  and the lower holder assembly  24 . The overhead cables  22  attached to the rigid outer support clips  18  and  20  surrounding the upper sign holder assembly  16  may be attached in a customary manner such as an overhead inverted “T” rail  14  or the like for display of that sign  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]    It is to be noted that a sign or poster  12 ′, as partially represented in phantom in  FIG. 6 , could be wider than the frame members  58  and  60  are long, while still providing strong lateral support and gripping power due to the fins  74  compressing against the sides of sign  12  when the sign is pinched between the fins  74 , as represented in  FIG. 7 . For example, the frame members  58  and  60 , and the sign holder  64  and fins  74  for example, preferably have a generally common length L 1 , and the sign  12 ′ may have a length L 2 , wherein length L 2  is longer than length L 1 , as represented in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0043]    Thus, the present invention provides a simple, closable support assembly for a sign  12  which omits the need for springs, cams, pressure fits or other intricate mechanisms typically associated with the prior art. The holding power of this support arrangement  10  accommodates almost any kind of sign substrate  12 , even if for example, such a sign  12 ′ is larger (wider) than the support assembly  16  is long.