Patent Publication Number: US-2011047845-A1

Title: Device for Removably Mounting a Label on a Surroundable Surface

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to a device for nondestructively and removably securing a label proximate an elongated surroundable member, such as the handle on the back of a stackable chair. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Numerous occasions arise in which it is desirable to affix a label, card, or similar display device (hereinafter “label”) proximate a surroundable surface, such as an elongated member, such that indicia marked on the label is visible from a distance to the article. For instance, in the organization and arrangement of multiple similar objects, such as the placement of portable, foldable, stackable, or nestable chairs (hereinafter “chairs”), it is often desirable to place a label on a surroundable surface of the chair visible to an observer when the chairs are arranged proximate one another, in order to assist a user in identifying the chair and distinguishing the chairs from each other. More specifically, in the arrangement of like chairs in arrays or other patterns, such as in theater arrangement or arrangement of audience seating of chairs, it is often desirable to affix a label having indicia marked thereon to a portion of the chair visible to an observer. Often, the indicia can be identification indicia, such as row and seat number indicia or other identification indicia to designate which chair a guest is to occupy when seating is reserved. In other instances, indicia marked on the label serve to assist a user in counting, organizing, or otherwise maintaining and/or organizing the foldable or nestable chairs. 
     It is known in the art to affix a label on a member of a chair using a permanent or semi-permanent fastener such as adhesive, screws, or the like. However, a label affixed to an object, such as a foldable or nestable chair, is often considered unsightly or otherwise disruptive to the natural use or enjoyment of the object, and permanent or semi-permanent fasteners are often difficult to remove or require partial destruction of the chair member to remove. For example, removing adhesive-backed labels is time consuming and difficult and can often leave an unsightly residue build-up on the chair. Attaching a label to a chair member by screws, nails or other such fasteners requires creating nail or screw holes in the chair member, which remain visible and are unsightly upon removal of the label. For these reasons, non-adhesive paper or plastic labels secured about a surroundable member of the chair by string, cord, or the like (hereinafter “string”) are generally preferred since they can be easily removed when the chair is in use and replaced during maintenance and storage of the chair. Such non-adhesive paper or plastic labels can also easily be replaced if they become damaged or if the information indicated on the label becomes outdated. However, the string securing the non-adhesive paper or plastic labels proximate the surroundable chair member often allows the label to swing freely proximate the chair, thereby allowing the indicia marked on the label to be obscured by the free movement of the label. Accordingly, there is a need for a device to allow nondestructive and removable fastening of a label proximate a surroundable member of an object, such as a handle of a chair or other such object, and to maintain visibility of the fastened label. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A device for removably mounting a label on a surroundable surface is disclosed. The device includes a body member defining a substantially planar geometry. The body member includes a first end panel portion and an opposite second end panel portion. The first and second end panel portions each define a first surface and an opposite second surface, as well as an outboard side and an opposite inboard side. At least one of the first and second end panel portion first surfaces defines at least one engaging member adapted to receive and engage a label. A clip is anchored to and projects outwardly from the first end panel portion second surface. The second end panel portion includes a post which is anchored to and projects outwardly from the second end panel portion second surface. 
     The body further includes a central portion which is interposed between and joined to respective inboard sides of the first and second end panel portions. The central portion is flexible for engaging and at least partially wrapping about the surroundable surface. The post is adapted for releasable interconnection with the clip when the body member is at least partially wrapped about the surroundable surface to secure the device in removable wrapping relationship to the surroundable surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention, and depicting various features of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the device depicted in  FIG. 1  and taken generally along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1 , and depicting the device as it appears when closed about a surroundable surface; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts the device of  FIG. 3  in the wrapped position about a surroundable top handle of a chair. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A device for removably mounting a label on a surroundable surface is described in detail and illustrated by the accompanying description and figures. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device for securing a label, or device  10 , includes generally a planar body member  12  having a first end panel portion  14  for carrying and displaying a label  16 , an opposite second end panel portion  18 , and a flexible central portion  20  interposed therebetween. As will be discussed further hereinbelow, the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  cooperate to define a releasable fastener adapted to releasably secure the first and second end panel portions proximate one another so as to allow the body member  12  to engage and wrap about a surroundable member to secure and display the label proximate the surroundable member. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first end panel portion  14  defines a substantially rectangular shape having a first surface  22  and an opposite second surface  24  with an outboard end  26  and an opposite inboard end  28 . Suitable engagement means are provided along the first surface  22  of the first end panel portion  14  for engaging and carrying the label  16  along the first end panel portion first surface  22  to display at least a portion of the label  16  along the first end panel portion first surface  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement means includes a pair of engaging members  30 ,  32  extending along the inboard and outboard ends  28 ,  26 , of the first end panel portion  14  in a configuration overhanging the first surface  22  of the first end panel portion  14 . The engaging members  30 ,  32  cooperate with the first end panel portion first surface  22  to define a channel  34  which is sized to receive the label  16  and to hold the label  16  substantially flush with the first end panel portion first surface  22 . In another embodiment (not shown), a plurality of engaging members are provided along each edge of the rectangular first end panel portion  14  in a configuration overhanging the first surface  22  of the first end panel portion  14 . In this embodiment, the engaging members cooperate with the first end panel portion first surface  22  to form a receptacle for receiving a label therein. In yet another embodiment, a single engagement member is provided in a configuration overhanging and biased toward the first end panel portion first surface  22 . In this embodiment, the engagement member is adapted to engage a label and to bias the label  16  toward the first end panel portion first surface  22  to secure the label  16  thereto. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other engagement means may be provided for engaging and carrying the label  16  along the first end panel portion first surface  22  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The second end panel portion  18  is defined by the body member  12  opposite the first end panel portion  14 . Similar to the first end panel portion  14 , discussed above, the second end panel portion  18  defines a substantially rectangular shape having a first surface  36  and an opposite second surface  38  with an outboard end  40  and an opposite inboard end  42 . A substantially flexible central portion  20  is defined by the body member  12  and extends generally between the inboard ends  28 ,  42  of the first and second end panel portions  12 ,  18 . The central portion  20  defines generally a first edge  44  joined along the first end panel portion inboard side  28  and an opposite second edge  46  joined along the second end panel portion inboard side  42 . The central portion  20  is adapted to flex about the inboard ends  28 ,  42  of the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  between an unwrapped, substantially flat configuration in which each of the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  and the central portion  20  cooperate to define a substantially coplanar relationship (see  FIG. 1 ) and a wrapped configuration in which each of the each of the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  and the central portion  20  cooperate to define a substantially semi-tubular shape (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion  20  is defined by a solid sheet of multi-directionally flexible material, such as plastic, rubber or the like, which is integrally formed with each of the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18 . In this embodiment, the central portion  20  is formed having a thickness less than the thicknesses of the first end panel portion  14 , such that the central portion  20  exhibits greater flexibility than the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18 . Conversely, the first end panel portion  14  is at least semi-rigid to allow the first end panel portion  14  to cooperate with the engaging members  30 ,  32  to carry and support the label  16 . In one embodiment, the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  are formed having sufficient thickness to allow each of the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  to remain at least semi-rigid while the central portion  20  is flexed between the unwrapped and wrapped configurations. In another embodiment, the central portion  20  is defined by a sheet of mono-directionally flexible material, such as corrugated cardboard, slatted sheeting, mono-directionally aligned wooden matting such as “tatami” matting, or the like, which is joined between the inboard ends  28 ,  42  of the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  in an orientation so as to allow the mono-directionally flexible material to wrap about the first and second end panel portion inboard ends  28 ,  42 . In still another embodiment, the central portion  20  is defined by non-continuous flexible material, such as a plurality of flexible cords, cloth, or the like. In still another embodiment, the central portion  20  is defined by a substantially elongated flexible member, such as an elongated rubber or plastic material, cord, rope, chain, or the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize other materials and configurations suitable for forming the central portion  20 , and such materials may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     As mentioned above, the central portion  20  is adapted to engage and wrap substantially around a surroundable member of an object such as a handle of a chair. The first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  cooperate to define a releasable connector such that the first and second end panel portions  14 ,  18  are adapted to be releasably fastened to one another to hold the device  10  in the wrapped configuration about the surroundable member. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a post  48  is provided which is anchored to and extends outwardly from the second surface  38  of the second end panel portion  18 . A clip  50  is provided along the second surface  24  of the first end panel portion  14  for releasably engaging the post  48 . In the illustrated embodiment, the clip  50  is defined by a pair of bifurcated planar members  52 ,  54  extending substantially outwardly from the first end panel portion second surface  24 . The planar members  52 ,  54  are arranged in a substantially parallel-planar, spaced apart configuration to define a groove  56  therebetween. The post  48  is sized to be received within and mate to the groove  56 , thereby forming a releasable connector with the clip  50 . 
     In one embodiment, the clip  50  and the post  48  are each formed with a thickness sufficient to maintain at least semi-rigidity of the releasable connector, in order to limit flexure of the clip  50  and the post  48  to allow the post  48  to remain mated within the groove  56 , yet with sufficient flexibility to allow the clip  50  and the post  48  to flex slightly proximate one another to allow selective disconnection of the post  48  from within the groove  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of internal serrations  60  are defined by opposing inner surfaces  56 ,  58  of the clip  50 . Corresponding outer surfaces  62 ,  64  of the post  48  define serrations  68  which mate with the internal serrations  60  of the clip  50  in releasable closing fashion, thereby allowing the post  48  to form a more secure connection with the clip  50  when the post  48  is received within the groove  56 . However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that inclusion of the various ridges  60 ,  68  is not necessary to accomplish the present invention. Furthermore, it will be understood that other releasable connectors exist which are suitable for use to selectively secure the second end panel portion  18  proximate the first end panel portion  14 , and such releasable connectors may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a substantially elongated handle  70  is provided along the first surface  36  of the second end panel portion  18  to allow a convenient mechanism by which a user may manipulate the second end panel portion  18  and adjoining central portion  20  between the open and closed position and by which a user may maneuver the second end panel portion  18  to accomplish selective insertion and withdrawal of the post  48  into and out of the groove  56 . In one embodiment, the handle  70  is integrally formed with the second end panel portion  18 . In another embodiment, the handle  70  is secured proximate the second end panel portion first surface  36 . Those skilled in the art will recognize other devices and configurations suitable for allowing a user to manipulate the second end panel portion  18  which may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be understood that inclusion of the handle  70  is not necessary to accomplish the present invention. 
     In several embodiments, the device  10  is formed by extruding a material such as thermoplastic resin, rubber, or other such extrudable material along a linear direction  72 . In these embodiments, each of the various features of the device  10  are integrally formed with one another and are defined by a single linear body member formed from the substantially extrudable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  10  is defined by a single extruded member having a cross-sectional shape shown in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the engaging members  30 ,  32 , the clip  50 , the post  48 , and the handle  70  each extend substantially parallel to one another along the extruded direction  72  (see  FIG. 1 ) substantially perpendicular to the cross-section illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The exact ranges of acceptable thicknesses of the various features of the device  10  depend upon the physical properties of the specific material selected to form the device  10 . For example, as discussed above, the central portion  20  is generally formed having a thickness less than the thicknesses of the first end panel portion  14  and the second end panel portion  38 , respectively, such that the central portion  20  is flexible between the wrapped and unwrapped configuration, while the first end panel portion  14  and the second end panel portion  38  remain at least semi-rigid. In another embodiment, the device  10  is formed by a molded member, such as through an injection-molding process. In other embodiments, the device  10  is assembled through separate components joined by means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in use, the device  10  is positioned in the open configuration with the first end panel portion second surface  24  facing a surroundable member of an object to be labeled, such as a handle portion  74  of a stackable chair. The central portion  20  is flexed toward the wrapped position such that the flexible member wraps about the handle  74 . Thereafter, the post  48  is mated with the clip  50 , thereby releasably connecting the second end panel portion  18  proximate the first end panel portion  14 . In this configuration, the first end panel portion  14 , the second end panel portion  18 , and the central portion  20  cooperate to define a substantially closed channel  76  which substantially encloses at least a portion of the handle  74 . In this configuration, the first surface  22  of the first end panel portion  14  is adapted to carry and display a label  16  proximate the handle  74  of the stackable chair. In the illustrated embodiment, the label  16  is marked with row and seat number identification indicia  78 , to designate assigned seating in a configuration of like chairs. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the device  10  may be used to display labels  16  carrying numerous other indicia without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize that an device for securing a label proximate a surroundable member, such as a handle of a stackable chair, has been provided which offers advantages over the prior art. The device is structured such that it is capable of carrying and displaying a label proximate a surroundable member absent destructive alteration of the surroundable member and absent excessive tooling of the device or the surroundable member. When secured around a surroundable member of an object such as a handle of a chair, the device is adapted to carry a label in a fixed position proximate the surroundable member such that movement of the label proximate the surroundable member is discouraged, thereby discouraging obscurement of the indicia marked on the label as the chair is repositioned. Moreover, the device, once secured around a surroundable member, is readily removable therefrom, allowing speedy enjoyment of the object absent disruption due to a lengthy and cumbersome label removal process. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative device and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants general inventive concept.