Patent Publication Number: US-6712229-B2

Title: Display with appurtenance attachment system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to displays, and in particular, to a removably mountable attachment system for receiving hooked appurtenance brackets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the construction of exhibit and display stands, it is a conventional practice to utilize various truss and frame structures to assist in erecting and configuring the walls that create the backdrop for a particular vendor&#39;s defined booth space. Typically, frame and truss structures are designed so that they are readily disassemblable and collapsible for transportation to and from trade shows or other exhibitions. 
     Since these frame structures are collapsible and portable, nearly each component associated with these display stands must be separately detachable, including appurtenance such as shelving, and the brackets which are used to attach the appurtenances to various display frame segments. Conventional practice is to machine the surface of the frame structures with slots designed to removably receive the brackets. Consequently, in an attempt to provide numerous options in the mounting locations and configurations for appurtenances, the entire surface of each frame segment is generally slotted to accommodate hooked brackets. 
     This desire to provide multiple configuration options comes with obvious costs. First, only a limited number of these frame slots will actually be used to attach hooked brackets. However, since the manufacturer is incapable of knowing in advance the anticipated uses of each end user, each frame segment must be slotted so that the entire segment is hook-bracket-ready. This sort of inefficiency results in greatly increased manufacturing costs. Second, the machining of excessive slots is simply aesthetically unappealing. This can be a significant liability in the world of trade show displays where attractive eye-catching displays ultimately define success. 
     Consequently, there is a need for a frame attachment system which can be selectively coupled only to those segments of the framing structure where appurtenances are needed. In addition, such an attachment must be designed to reduce manufacturing costs and to increase the aesthetic appeal of the display stand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A display has a plurality of vertical columns, with vertical frame members, a slotted C-shaped circumferential frame attachment member, and a hooked appurtenance bracket to engage with the slots of the attachment. The frame attachment member of the present invention is removably attachable to a vertical frame member for attaching shelving brackets, and brackets for other appurtenances. The frame attachment member essentially includes three portions, a bracing portion, a grasping portion, and a slot portion. The grasping portion is substantially u-shaped for attachment around a vertical frame member with the bracing portion being in perpendicular opposition to the grasping portion. The slot portion is proximate the bracing portion and includes a plurality of slots capable of receiving hooked brackets such that the insertion of a hooked bracket results in the bracket flushly resting against the vertical frame member and capturing the frame attachment member on the vertical frame member. Fastening means, such as a magnet, can be fixed to one of the inner surfaces of the grasping portion to better facilitate attachment of the grasping portion to the vertical frame member prior to receipt of the hooked bracket. 
     A significant feature and advantage of the present invention is that the frame attachment member is selectively and removably attachable to any vertical frame member. Consequently, multiple configuration options are made available to the end user. A frame attachment member can be utilized in only those areas where a specific configuration is desired. Furthermore, a specific vertical frame member can be targeted, with the present invention being attachable such that hooked brackets can be attached at varying angles on the targeted vertical frame member. 
     Another significant feature and advantage of the present invention is that it allows for more visually appealing display frame structures. The use of the selectively removable frame attachment members of the present invention eliminates the conventional need for machining unattractive slots into more vertical frame members than is needed. 
     A further feature and advantage of the present invention is that manufacturing costs are significantly reduced since it is no longer necessary to machine bracket slots into each vertical frame member. 
     Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is that it can be constructed of thin sheet metal to reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, thinner sheet metal results in a lighter component to better facilitate portability. 
     A still further feature and advantage of the present invention is that it is capable of receiving commercially available hooked bracket accessories, such as those readily used in shelving. 
     Another feature and advantage of the present invention is that attachment to the display frame structure is done without tightly clasping or grasping onto the frame. As a result, scratching and other damage to the face of the outer surface of the vertical frame member is minimized. 
     The following U.S. Patent Applications are being filed by the same applicant on the same day as this application and are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/953,099, entitled “SCREEN MOUNTING APPARATUS”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/953,111, entitled “BOX FRAME ASSEMBLY”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/953,113, entitled “MODULAR MULTI-CONFIGURABLE DISPLAY SYSTEM”. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display structure with frame attachment members and appurtenance brackets attached thereto in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the display structure of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a Perspective view of a vertical column box unit. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an attachment assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the attachment assembly taken at line  6 — 6  of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the attachment assembly. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of the attachment assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a portable disassemblable display structure  20  is shown which is intended for use at trade shows and specifically suitable for use as a back wall at such trade show exhibits. The display structure  20  comprises a plurality of vertical columns  24 , a plurality of horizontal spanning members  26 , screens  30 , and appurtenances configured as shelves  32 ,  33 . This display has a unique configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2 with the screens illustrated in heavy dark lines intermediate the vertical columns capable of being put on either the front  34  or the back  36  of the display  20 . Moreover, the appurtenances configured as shelves  32 ,  33  have one shelf  32  extending from the front side of the display  20  in a forward direction, and another shelf  33  extending from the back side of the display  20  also in a forwardly direction. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 through 7, effectuating the flexibility of attaching the appurtenance from the front side or the back side of the display  20  is the vertical column box unit  40  which has a plurality of vertical support members  42  which include a pair of front side members  44  and a pair of back side members  46 . C-shaped circumferential frame attachment members  50  extend around four sides  54  of the vertical support member and are in an engagement relationship on three of the sides. Each of the sides  54  include a plurality of outwardly directed faces  55 . A strip of magnetic material  56  may be adhesively attached to the frame attachment member to secure the frame attachment member to the vertical frame member. The frame attachment member has a plurality of vertically aligned slots  60  configured for receiving a hook bracket  66 . The hook brackets  66  may be variously designed for support or securing appurtenance such as shelves, bars, tables, and the like. Insertion of the hooks  68  of the hooked appurtenance bracket  66  into the slots  60  of the frame attachment member  50  when the frame attachment member  50  is wrapped around and engaged with the vertical column effectively secure and captures the vertical column within the combination of the frame attachment member  50  and hooked appurtenance bracket  66 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the frame attachment member  50  may rest on a base  70  of the vertical columns or other means may be provided for vertically stabilizing the frame attachment member  50  to the vertical column. Such means includes the magnet strip  56  as illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     The frame attachment member  50  comprises a bracing portion  90 , a grasping portion  92 , and a slot portion  94 . The grasping portion  92  has three linear segments generally defining a J-shape. The bracing portion  90  provides stability to the hooked appurtenance bracket  66  and may extend in the direction as shown in FIG. 7, or in the opposite direction as shown in FIG.  6 . The specification configuration as shown in FIG. 6 provides better protection from marring and scratching of the vertical frame member  54  in that the hooked appurtenance bracket  66  may be inserted at an angle into the slot  60  of the frame attachment member  50  at a slight angle such that there is no direct sliding or scraping contact between the hook portion  68  and the vertical frame member  54 . That is to say, the hooked appurtenance bracket  66  may be rotated as shown in FIG. 6 in a slightly counter-clockwise direction prior to insertion in the slot  60 . 
     Although the strip of magnetic material  56  is illustrated on the interior surface of the J-shaped grasping portion opposite the slot, the magnetic material could be put on another inside surface location of the frame attachment member  50 . 
     The attachment member  50  is preferably made of sheet metal with the slots punched therein and the sheet metal appropriately formed in the shape formed as illustrated. The hooked appurtenance brackets  66  may be conventional brackets as currently available for shelves and for mounting other appurtenances. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.