Abstract:
A label holder including a transparent cover member overlying a main body panel to form a label-receiving pocket and a locking mechanism to releasably lock the cover member with respect to the main body portion. The locking mechanism is formed by two elongated planar facing ridges lying parallel to each other and integrally formed with the cover member and the main body portion. A release element is integrally formed with the cover member. Disengagement results from an outwardly directed force component on the release element to enable the ridges to bend with respect to each other and thus disengage. The release element has different angular orientations with respect to the plane defined by the label holder cover member.

Description:
[0001]     This is a complete application claiming benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/556,893 filed Mar. 29, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to label holders of the kind used, for example, with merchandise display shelves in retail outlets such as supermarkets, drug stores, or the like, to receive labels providing information relating to merchandise being displayed on the shelves. More specifically, this invention is directed to a label holder with a locking transparent window or cover member of the type shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,632 issued May 14, 1996, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference (the &#39;632 patent) and a locking mechanism for a combined label/sign holder of the type shown in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,112 issued May 27, 2003 (the &#39;112 patent), also incorporated herein in its entirety by reference).  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In the &#39;632 patent, the transparent cover member of a plastic label holder is hingedly and resiliently secured to the bottom of a back or main body panel to form a pocket between them for reception of a paper label or the like. The cover member has a height such that its top edge is releasably engaged or “locked” behind a downwardly extending lip on the top of the main body panel, which lip is in line contact engagement with the cover member. A forwardly extending channel-shaped formation is provided along the top edge of the cover, comprising an inner downwardly extending limb and an outer upwardly extending limb between which the top lip of the main body panel is received when the cover is “locked” in position. The outer limb forms a gripping element by which the top edge of the cover can be disengaged from behind the top lip by finger pressure exerted from above, downwardly and outwardly on the upper edge of the outer limb. The construction of the &#39;632 patent is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in use. However, for certain applications it may be desirable to provide means that directly and releasably secure the cover to the main body panel without requiring a downward hinge pressure and provide a locking arrangement with greater contact area between the interengaging locking elements than a line contact.  
         [0006]     In the &#39;112 patent, a combined label and sign holder is disclosed, but without a locking mechanism between the back main body panel and the transparent cover. A pair of sign holder-receiving lip members is formed on the cover member to provide for the capturing of a sign. A pocket is formed between the cover member and main body panel and the cover member can be opened to receive a label. It has been found that the locking mechanism of the &#39;632 label holder patent can be utilized with the combined label/sign holder of the &#39;112 patent. One such product is the OMNI™ channel system of Fast Industries, Ltd., the assignee of the present application, which system is available in various embodiments that attach to C-channels, or directly to a shelf supporting surface by double-sided tape or similar adhesive.  
         [0007]     Locking mechanisms for label holders have also been proposed that are the subject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/216,197 filed Aug. 12, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,826 issued on Mar. 8, 2005, and also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The locking mechanisms of this application are primarily ball and socket interconnections or other arrangements where the opening of the cover member with respect to the back main body portion is provided by generally downward movement on a release element extension of the cover member.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of this invention to provide a novel locking mechanism for releasably securing the cover member of a plastic price channel of the type described above to the main body portion so as to retain a paper label or the like in a pocket formed between the main body portion and the cover member. A gripping or release element integral with the cover member facilitates release of the locking mechanism when access is required to the label-receiving space behind the cover member.  
         [0009]     More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a locking mechanism for a label holder or combined label/sign holder having a back or main body panel and a cover member wherein the locking mechanism is formed from two substantially parallel planar ridges that face each other and extend along the complete length of the main body panel and cover portion and which provides a greater locking surface area than a line contact engagement. The ridge associated with the back main body panel extends from an extension of the back main body panel to overly and enclose the opening between the cover member and back panel. Further, this ridge associated with the overhanging extension lies outwardly from the ridge associated with the cover member. Disengagement or release of the locking mechanism occurs by the opposing projections flexing independent of the direction of force acting on the cover member.  
         [0010]     It is a further object of the present invention to associate the locking mechanism with a plurality of various oriented release elements to enable disengagement of the locking element regardless of the direction of application of force on the release element. That is, the release element can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the cover member or inclined upwardly or downwardly and release can be accomplished by upward, downward, or horizontal movement of the release element.  
         [0011]     Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description and claims taken in conjunction with the attached drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a combined label and sign holder with the opposed ridge locking mechanism and an outwardly extending release element;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a label/sign holder with opposed ridge locking mechanism and outwardly and downwardly extending release element;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a label/sign holder with opposed ridge locking mechanism and an outwardly and upwardly extending release element;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a label/sign holder with the locking mechanism of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a label/sign holder positioned “upside-down” with the locking mechanism at the bottom. 
     
    
       [0017]     Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0019]     In the accompanying drawings,  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a combined label/sign holder  10 , generally comprising a back or main body panel  12 , and a transparent cover member  14  is provided form a pocket, when opened, to retain a label as is known in the art. The main body panel  12  and cover member  14  are integrally or co-extruded to form a resilient bight or hinge connection  16  enabling the cover member  14  to be tipped forwardly for access to the pocket formed between the back main body panel  12  and cover member  14  to insert or remove a paper or plastic label (not shown) when the locking mechanism  100  (to be described) is disengaged. As is known in the art, the label/sign holder  10  is elongated and extends a substantial length, such as up to four feet or more in length. The label/sign holder is typically an extruded PVC material. Preferably, the main body panel  12  is of a darkened color and the cover member  14  is transparent.  
         [0020]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the main body panel  12  includes a means  20  for engaging the label/sign holder  10  on a shelf channel (not shown). The specific means for engaging shown in  FIG. 1  is known as the “907” connection wherein an arcuate downwardly extending member  22  with a free end engages an outwardly-facing lip on a shelf channel (not shown) and the curved arm  24  wraps around the channel to provide a biasing force on the rear portion thereof. This “907” connection is only one of several forms of engaging means that could be utilized with the present invention, including an H-back connection (not shown) or many other engagement mechanisms for interconnection with shelf components such as C-channels. In addition, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , to be described, an adhesive tape  420  can be affixed to the back of the main body panel  412  to retain the label/sign holder to a face of a shelf support member. The specific means for engaging, connecting or attaching the label/sign holder is not per se the novel feature of the present invention.  
         [0021]     Although the various embodiments depicted in the drawings are all shown as label/sign holders similar to those described in the &#39;112 patent and the OMNI™ product of Fast Industries, it should be understood that the novel locking mechanisms of the present invention can apply equally to a label holder that includes simply a transparent window or cover member overlying a back main body panel as is disclosed in the &#39;632 patent and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,826. Indeed, as used herein, whenever the term “label holder” is used, it refers to both a label holder and a combined label/sign holder of the types described in the previously-identified patents and co-pending patent application, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0022]     The locking mechanism  100  shown in  FIG. 1  includes two planar elongated parallel ribs or ridges  102 ,  104  integrally formed with the cover member  14  and with an extension  108  of the main body  12 , respectively. These ridges extend the entire length of the label holder. Ridge  102  is integrally formed with the cover member  14  and is substantially parallel to the cover member  14 . As shown, the cover member  14  includes an extension  106  which lies substantially perpendicular to and is outward from the cover member  14 . This extension defines a release element. The ridge  102  is substantially perpendicular to the release element  106  and is offset slightly from the plane of the cover member  14 . It should be appreciated that the ridge  102  can be coplanar with the cover member  14  instead of shifted laterally outward with respect thereto as is shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]     The ridge  104  is integrally formed with the main body portion  12  and is substantially parallel therewith. It extends from extension  108 , the latter of which lies perpendicular to the main body portion and parallel to the release element  106 . It is thus seen that the extension  108  forms a cover portion over the opening defined by the main body portion  12  and cover member  14  which can protect against liquid spills from above. The ridge  104  extending downward from the extension or cover member  108  is in facing and engaging relationship with the ridge  102  and forms the lock mechanism.  
         [0024]     The release element  106  includes a bulbous end  110  which can be gripped to be pulled in an outward direction or can, by finger pressure, be pushed down or pulled up to provide the disengagement. Disengagement requires a force vector component in an outward direction, but this force vector component can result from movement of the release member at its bulbous end  110 , not only outwardly and downwardly, but also upwardly.  
         [0025]     The downwardly extending portion  15  from the release member  106  is a lip member that is part of the sign holding mechanism and forms no part, specifically, of the release element  106  or the locking mechanism  100 , generally. When the label holder does not include a sign holder function, this extension  15  would typically be eliminated.  
         [0026]     The plastic material from which the elements of the locking mechanism are formed is the same or similar to those used to form the cover member  14  and back main body portion  12 , and are sufficiently resilient so that the ridges  102  and  104  can deform as the cover member is opened and closed with respect to the main body portion  12 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a label/sign holder  10  with engaging means  20  identical to that of  FIG. 1 , but having a locking mechanism  200  modified to accommodate a downwardly and outwardly extending release element  206 . The overhanging cover extension  208  from the main body portion  12  is outwardly and downwardly disposed with respect to the main body portion  12  and lies parallel to the release element  206 . Ridges  202  and  204  are provided and are substantially parallel to cover member  14  and main body portion  12 , respectively. In this embodiment, the release element  206  may be pulled or deformed downwardly or upwardly and, so long as there is at least a force component in an outward direction, the parallel ridges  202 ,  204  will deform and release from interlocking engagement. The locking mechanism  200  of the label/sign holder shown in  FIG. 2  in side view is depicted in a perspective view of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a label holder of the same general configuration as  FIGS. 1 and 2 , i.e., with a main body panel  12 , a transparent cover member  14 , and a shelf engaging mechanism  20 . It differs by the locking mechanism  300 . Here, the flexible extending and co-acting ridge members  302 ,  304  are connected, respectively, to extensions  306  and  308  which lie parallel to each other and extend outwardly and upwardly from their respective cover member  14  and back main body panel  12 . As in the previous embodiments, the overhanging extension  308  from the main body panel  12  overlies the opening between the panels  12  and  14 , and lies parallel to the release element  306  extending from the cover member  14 . As in the previous embodiments, the ridges  302 ,  304  lie parallel to their respective cover member  14  and main body panel  12 , respectively. Engagement and disengagement occurs with a force vector outwardly to distort the free ends of each of the ridges. The release member  306  includes a bulbous portion and disengagement can take place with upward, downward or outward movement.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  depicts a label/sign holder  400  that is similar in shape and function to the label/sign holders of the embodiments discussed above, except it is intended for mounting in a manner such that the hinge portion  416  now lies at the top. This provides further protection against spills and requires that the main body panel  412  and cover member  414  be opened from the bottom. In this embodiment, the main body panel  412  is affixed to a shelf portion by adhesive means, such as a ¾ tape  420 . Note also the provision of a guide element  422 , which is well known in the art. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism  500  is an upside-downward upward locking element of the type shown in  FIG. 3 . That is, the release element  506  lies at an obtuse angle with respect to cover member  414 . Similarly, the extension  508  lies at an obtuse angle with respect to main body panel  412 . When disposed in an upside-down configuration, it is seen that the release element  506  is angled outwardly and downwardly and the extension  508  is parallel thereto. It should be appreciated that the other locking mechanisms, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , can be utilized with a bottom opening label/sign holder  400 .  
         [0030]     It is a characteristic of each of the above embodiments that locking and retention is formed by a pair of parallel ridges having planar faces that face each other and are in planar contact. The planar faces provide a greater locking surface area than the point or line-type locking as shown in the &#39;632 patent.  
         [0031]     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.