Patent Publication Number: US-2009217561-A1

Title: Pivotal, Removable Holder for Interchangeable Window Signage

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/991,453, filed Nov. 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     I. Technical Field 
     This invention pertains to a holder for window signage, and particular to a temporary or removable window signage holder. 
     II. Related Art and Other Considerations 
     Many different types of decals or stickers are adhered to window surfaces, such as interior window surfaces of motor vehicles. For example, window decals enable students or alumni of a school to express support for their institutions. Other types of decals or stickers are adhered to other parts of a motor vehicle, such as to an auto bumper. Bumper stickers are popular ways of advertising products or ideas or simply making a statement (e.g., a political statement or a sociological statement expressed by a campaign bumper sticker). 
     The ease of application of an adhesive decal to an interior window of a motor vehicle varies with the contour and degree of inclination of the vehicle interior window. For example, adhesive decals are more difficult to apply and read for vehicles having a steep angled interior window surface. 
     The removal of an adhesive decal or sticker can be arduous and tedious. Often a sharp instrument must be employed to scrape the decal, or pieces of the decal, from the interior window surface or from a bumper. Even after a decal is removed, a gummy coating often remains on the surface where the decal or sticker previously resided. 
     Window display devices or automobile-related accessories having suction cups are illustrated in the following (all of which are incorporated herein by reference): US Design Patent 304,737 to Mori; U.S. Pat. No. 1,468,197 to Downing; U.S. Pat. No. 1,885,103 to Barnett; U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,315 to Romaine; and French Patent  2650104 . 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In its various aspects the technology disclosed herein concerns embodiments of sign holders. In an example embodiment, a sign holder comprises a display support member configured to carry a sign without adherence of the sign to the display support member; an attachment member which is connected to the display support member so that the attachment member can be oriented relative to the display support display member at a selected one of a range of maintainable pivot angles; and means for securing the attachment member to an external surface. 
     In an example embodiment, a sign holder comprises a display support member; an attachment member; and means for securing the attachment member to an external surface. The a display support member comprises a panel section comprising a panel display surface; a lower clip connected proximate a lower end of the panel section and which is configured at least partially to form a lower channel; an upper clip connected proximate an upper end of the panel section and is configured at least partially to form an upper channel. The lower clip and the upper clip at least partially form a track, the track being configured to receive or accommodate a sign which can be slidably inserted into or removed from the track, e.g., inserted or removed by sliding. 
     In an example implementation of the foregoing embodiment, the display support display member comprises a panel section comprising a panel display surface and a panel edge which is configured to form a pivot channel; and the attachment member comprises an attachment member edge which is configured for pivotal insertion into the pivot channel. 
     In another example embodiment a sign holder comprises a display support member configured to carry a sign; an attachment member configured to carry a second sign and connected to the display support member; and means for securing the attachment member to an external surface. In this example embodiment, the attachment member comprises an auxiliary panel; an auxiliary panel lower clip connected proximate a lower end of the auxiliary panel and which is configured at least partially to form an auxiliary panel lower channel; an auxiliary panel upper clip connected proximate an upper end of the auxiliary panel and which is configured at least partially to form an auxiliary panel upper channel. The auxiliary panel lower clip and the auxiliary panel upper clip at least partially form an auxiliary panel track, the auxiliary panel track being configured to receive or accommodate the second sign which can be slidably inserted into or removed from the auxiliary panel track (e.g., inserted or removed by sliding). 
     In another example embodiment, a sign holder comprises a display support member; an attachment member configured to carry a second sign and connected to the display support member; and means for securing the attachment member to an external surface. The display support member comprises: a panel section comprising a panel display surface; a lower clip connected proximate a lower end of the panel section and which is configured at least partially to form a lower channel; an upper clip connected proximate an upper end of the panel section and is configured at least partially to form an upper channel. The lower clip and the upper clip at least partially form a track, the track being configured to receive or accommodate a sign which can be slidably inserted into or removed from the track. The attachment member is configured to carry a second sign and connected to the display support member. The attachment member comprises an auxiliary panel. The auxiliary panel bears or carries a second sign. In one example implementation, the auxiliary panel has content of a second sign printed or embossed or otherwise affixed thereto. In another example implementation, the attachment member comprises, in addition to the auxiliary panel, an auxiliary panel lower clip connected proximate a lower end of the auxiliary panel and which is configured at least partially to form an auxiliary panel lower channel; an auxiliary panel upper clip connected proximate an upper end of the auxiliary panel and which is configured at least partially to form an auxiliary panel upper channel. The auxiliary panel lower clip and the auxiliary panel upper clip at least partially form an auxiliary panel track, the auxiliary panel track being configured to receive or accommodate the second sign which can be slidably inserted into or removed from the auxiliary panel track. In an example implementation, the means for securing the attachment member to the external surface comprises a pair of spaced apart suction cups positioned to preclude lateral translation of the second sticker along the auxiliary panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Any dimensions provided in the drawings are for an non-limiting example embodiment; in other embodiments the dimensions can differ. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a sign holder according to an example embodiment which bears a single sign. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the sign holder of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the sign holder of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an essentially flat orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the sign holder of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1  in a pivoted orientation. 
         FIG. 5  is a first enlarged left side view of an upper end of a display support display member of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a second enlarged left side view of an upper end of a display support display member of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial view of a display support display member of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged left side view of window attachment member  24  of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the sign holder according to  FIG. 1  but bearing both a primary sign and an auxiliary sign. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. That is, those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 
       FIG. 1  shows a sign holder  20  according to an example embodiment. The sign holder  20  includes two members that pivot or rotate with respect to one another: display support member  22  and attachment member  24 . At least one, and preferably both of display support display member  22  and attachment member  24  are preferably, but not necessarily, comprised of (e.g., formed from) a transparent material, such as a transparent hard plastic, for example. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , display support display member  22  comprises panel section  26  having a substantially flat, rectangular shape. The panel section  26  has panel front or panel display surface  28  and panel rear surface  30 . Panel section  26  has panel lower edge  32  extending parallel to first axis  34 . A curved lower clip  36  is formed to extend substantially along the entire length of panel lower edge  32 . The lower clip  36  curves or otherwise turns back upon panel display surface  28  to form lower clip channel  38 . A narrow lower slit  40 , or a resilient lower nip, is provided between distal end  42  of curved lower clip  36  and panel display surface  28 . In one example embodiment, the example display support display member  22  extends approximately twelve inches along first axis  34 . For the particular example embodiment illustrated, measurements shown in the figures are in inches. It should be understood, however, that other dimensions and measurements are possible in other embodiments, and that no measurements provided or shown are critical unless otherwise noted or clear from the context of the description. 
     The panel section  26  also has curved upper clip  46  extending proximate an upper edge  47  thereof. Upper clip  46  curves symmetrically with curved lower clip  36  back toward panel display surface  28 , and similarly has distal end  48 . Narrow upper slit  50 , or a resilient upper nip, is provided between distal end  48  of curved upper clip  46  and panel display surface  28 . Collectively, the panel display surface  28 , the curved lower clip  36 , and curved upper clip  46  form a track into which a sign can be slidably inserted or removed (e.g., inserted or removed by sliding). In other words, the lower clip  36  and the upper clip  46  (together with panel display surface  28 ) at least partially form a track which is configured to receive or accommodate a sign which can be slidably inserted into or removed from the track. 
     While the example illustrated embodiment shows curved lower clip  36  and curved upper clip  46  as being means for retaining the sign on panel display surface  28 , in other embodiments other types of sign retaining mechanisms and sign retaining mechanisms of other configurations can be provided. Alternatively, an adhesive-backed sticker, placard, or the like can be secured to panel section  26  by activation (e.g., exposure) of the sticker&#39;s adhesive backing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a sign  60  such as an essentially planar sticker, decal, or other flat display can have leading edges inserted into narrow lower slit  40  and narrow upper slit  50  so that the sign  60  can be slid into a direction  62  (e.g., parallel to first axis  34 ) and generally in contact with panel display surface  28  into the track which is at least partially formed by the lower clip  36  and the upper clip  46 . Sliding or placement of the sign  60  is such that an upper elongated edge of sign  60  is secured beneath curved upper clip  46  and a lower elongated edge of sign  60  is secured beneath curved lower clip  36 . Preferably the sign  60  extends along a length along first axis  34  which is essentially the same or shorter than panel section  26 . Sliding insertion and sliding removal of sign  60  in this manner permits a sign to be selectively utilized in sign holder  20 . When it is desired for another sign to be displayed, a sign which is currently displayed and be slid out of display support display member  22  and another sign, of either similar or dissimilar subject matter, and be inserted in its stead. 
     Thus,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example, non-limiting embodiment of structure of a display support member which is configured to carry a sign without adherence of the sign to the display support member, e.g., with the use of an adhesive or the like. Preferably the sign is held in place by a mechanical clamping or engagement that can be selectively applied or released so that the sign can be selectively inserted and removed relative to the display support display member  22  without necessitating a bonding interaction of a surface of the sign with a surface of the display support display member  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and in more detail in  FIG. 7 , panel upper edge  47  has a recess or upset (e.g., indent  62 ) provided at its intersection with both transverse edges (the transverse edges are those which are essentially orthogonal to first axis  34 , and thus to panel lower edge  32 ). Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and in more detail in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , panel upper edge  47  is curved to form hinge channel or pivot channel  64 . The curved panel upper edge  47  extends slightly rearward of panel rear surface  30  and then arcs forward in hook-like fashion to form pivot channel  64 . A gap  66  extends between panel upper edge  47  and curved upper clip  46  and provides entrance to pivot channel  64 . 
       FIG. 8  shows window attachment member  24  in more detail. Attachment member  24  has lower or hinge edge  70 ; auxiliary panel  72 ; and upper edge  74 . Auxiliary panel  72 , essentially flat in the illustrated example embodiment, is intermediate hinge edge  70  and upper edge  74 . Auxiliary panel  72  has both auxiliary panel front surface  76  and auxiliary panel rear surface  78 . 
     Hinge edge  70  of attachment member  24  is curved to travel around in the direction of auxiliary panel rear surface  78  and back on itself in an essentially “C” shape. Hinge edge  70  is sized and configured for friction fit insertion into pivot channel  64  in the manner shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , with the friction fit not being so great that attachment member  24  and display support display member  22  cannot pivot with respect to one another. An exterior surface of hinge edge  70  is thus sized and configured for contact with an interior surface of the portion of panel upper edge  47  that forms pivot channel  64 , and to turn or pivot within pivot channel  64 . The indent  62  also serves to precluding sliding or translation of display support display member  22  and attachment member  24  relative to one another along the first axis. 
     Concerning the pivoting capabilities of display support display member  22  and attachment member  24 ,  FIG. 3  shows sign holder  20  of the example embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an essentially flat orientation (e.g., with attachment member  24  oriented substantially planar to display support display member  22 ).  FIG. 4 , on the other hand, shows sign holder  20  in a pivoted orientation suitable, for example, for attachment to an inclined interior surface of a window such as an automobile window. 
     The pivotal connection of the attachment member  24  relative to the display support display member  22  is such that the two members can be pivoted through a range of angles relative to one another, so that a desired orientation of the display support display member  22  can be achieved and maintained relative to an external surface (e.g., an automobile window interior) to which the attachment member  24  is secured. That is, the pivotal connection is such that, once pivoted, a desired angular relationship between attachment member  24  and display support display member  22  can be maintained without significant further slippage. Thus, the pivotal connection of the attachment member  24  relative to the display support display member  22  is configured to provide a range of maintainable angular positions. In other words, the attachment member  24  can be oriented relative to the display support display member  22  at a selected one of a range of maintainable pivot angles. In an example implementation, the range of maintainable pivot angles is achieved through the friction fit of hinge edge  70  and pivot channel  64  in the manner essentially described above. 
     Auxiliary panel  72  carries two suction cups  80 . Although shown in various other figures, suction cups  80  are not shown in  FIG. 8 . Rather,  FIG. 8  shows cup holes  81  or apertures formed or provided in auxiliary panel  72  and through which base or butt ends of suction cups  80  can be inserted. Preferably the cup holes  81  are spaced apart, so that each suction cup  80  is proximate (e.g., slightly spaced away from) a transverse edge of attachment member  24 . 
     The auxiliary panel  72  also serves as an auxiliary or alternative display member, thus providing a second display member in addition to primary display member  22 . The auxiliary panel  72  bears or carries a second sign. In one example implementation, the auxiliary panel has content of a second sign printed or embossed or otherwise affixed thereto. In another example implementation, auxiliary panel  72  comprises lower auxiliary clip  82  and upper auxiliary clip  84 . The auxiliary panel lower clip  82  and auxiliary panel upper clip  84  have analogous structure to curved lower clip  36  and curved upper clip  46  of display support display member  22 , respectively. An auxiliary display region  86  extends between auxiliary panel lower clip  82  and auxiliary panel upper clip  84  in the direction of first axis  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a sticker, placard, or other indicator (referred to generically as “second sign”  88 ) can be inserted into a comparably formed track to have its backside lie on auxiliary display region  86  and its topside edges engaged or slid under lower auxiliary clip  82  and upper auxiliary clip  84 . Alternatively, if the second sign  88  is adhesive-backed, the adhesive can be activated and the second sign  88  placed so that the second sign  88  is secured to the front face of auxiliary panel  72 . 
     Thus, attachment member  24  comprises auxiliary panel lower clip  82  connected proximate a lower end of the auxiliary panel  72  and which is configured at least partially to form an auxiliary panel lower channel, as well as auxiliary panel upper clip  84  connected proximate an upper end of the auxiliary panel  72  and which is configured at least partially to form an auxiliary panel upper channel. The auxiliary panel lower clip  82  and the auxiliary panel upper clip  84  at least partially form an auxiliary panel track, the auxiliary panel track being configured to receive or accommodate the second sign  88  which can be slidably inserted into or removed from the auxiliary panel track. 
       FIG. 9  shows that sign holder  20  can bear both a primary sign  60  and an auxiliary or second sign  88 . The primary sign  60  and auxiliary or second sign  88  may be of related, or entirely different, subject matter. 
     As stated previously, suction cups  80  each have cup base  90  which is insertable into respective cup holes  81  for anchoring suction cups  80  into auxiliary panel  72  of attachment member  24 . When auxiliary panel  72  serves as an auxiliary display panel, the bases  90  of one or both of the cups  80  can be squeezed or otherwise deformed so that the cup  80  can be removed from cup holes  81 . Removal of the cup(s)  80  allows for slidable insertion of the second sign  88  onto auxiliary display region  86  and (if desired) beneath the clip edges of lower auxiliary clip  82  and upper auxiliary clip  84 . After slidable insertion of the second sign  88 , the bases  90  of cup(s)  80  can be pressed back into cup holes  81 . The cups  80  are then ready for securing the entire assembly to a window surface. Moreover, when pressed back into cup holes  81 , the cups  80  (e.g., the annular lips of suction cups  80 ) protrude beyond a plane of the auxiliary panel  72  and thus also serve for precluding lateral translation or shifting of second sign  88  along the first axis  34 . 
     Thus, as understood from the foregoing and accompanying figures, in an example embodiment sign holder  20  comprises display support display member  22  and attachment member  24  which are pivotally hinged to one another for adjustable angular positioning of a sign borne by panel section  26 . The display support display member  22  facilitates selective display of different signs by virtue of allowing a sign  60  to be easily slid into and subsequently removed from a track formed by a panel display surface  28  as secured therein by curved lower clip  36  and curved upper clip  46 . The sign holder  20  can be secured to a window surface such as an interior surface of an automobile window using suction cups  80  carried by the attachment member  24 . As an optional variation, the attachment member  24  can be configured to have an auxiliary panel  72  which provides a auxiliary display region  86  for an additional or alternative indicator. 
     The display support display member  22  and attachment member  24  are hinged for pivotal movement by virtue of an upper edge of display support display member  22  being configured to form pivot channel  64 . An essentially “C” shaped hinge edge  70  of the attachment member  24  fits into and travels along an interior wall of the pivot channel  64  to facilitate pivoting of display support display member  22  and attachment member  24  relative to one another, and thus adjustment of a display angle for the sign  60  carried by display support display member  22 . 
     Various non-exhaustive embodiments illustrated herein show a hinged arrangement for effecting pivotal movement between the display support member  22  and attachment member  24 . Yet in other embodiments the pivotal action between display support member  22  and attachment member  24  can be achieved by other structures. 
     In the non-exhaustive embodiments thus far described, suction cups  80  have been illustrated as the particular means employed for securing the attachment member  24  to an external surface such as an interior surface of a glass window (e.g., an automobile window). In other embodiments, the means for securing the attachment member  24  to an external surface can take other forms. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”