Patent Publication Number: US-9898941-B2

Title: Modular flush-mount sign channel track system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a sign holder for interchangeable signs, and more particularly to a system and method for mounting signs that include interchangeable signs held in tracks or channels. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Convenience stores, gas stations, markets, grocery stores, and other types of stores and shops may use signs that have interchangeable sign elements. One type of sign has a sign board on which are formed channels or tracks into which sign elements are inserted. A common sign element is a strip of cardboard, plastic or other material which has been printed with the desired text and image. The strip sign element is mounted on the sign board by sliding the strip sign element into the track or channel. Sign boards are provided that accept one, two, three, or more of the strip sign elements. The sign boards may have tracks or channels on one or both sides so that the strip sign elements may be displayed on just one side or on both sides of the sign board. 
     Sign boards that use strip sign elements mounted in channel tracks may be used to announce new products or sales on products. The sign boards may also be used as aisle indicators to list the items available in that aisle of the store. A grocery store may use the sign boards as way finding directories to mark the aisle for coffee, tea, and breakfast cereals, for example or a big box store may mark an aisle as school supplies and backpacks, for example. Convenience stores may use channel track signs to announce a sale price for a soft drink or a snack item. The strip sign elements are commonly used to advertise cigarettes, beer, lottery ticket sales, soft drinks and snack items. The sign boards containing strip sign elements may be used in new product promotional campaigns, to advertise sports fan apparel and products, school team apparel and products, or any number of other product, promotions or items. 
     Price information or other information may also be shown on the sign board as well. In one configuration, the price information or other message information is printed on cards, often as individual digits and symbols. The cards showing the digits and symbols may be inserted into the channel tracks next to one another to make up the price. Other information or messages may be provided on the cards as well. As just a few examples, the cards may be printed with a dollar sign, a cent sign, information such as “per case,” “24 oz. bottles,” “12 pack,” “each,” etc. Sets of the number cards may be spiral bound in a pack so that different numbers and information can be displayed by flipping the cards to reveal the desired number or information. The spiral bound card sets may be positioned next to one another after being flipped to the desired number to read, for example, “16 oz. cans $1.29 each” An alternate number set is a strip on which the numbers or other information has been printed. The strip is accordion folded so that a desired number or message may be revealed by changing the folded position of the strip. Channel tracks for holding spiral bound number sets or accordion folded number sets are formed to accommodate the greater thickness of the spiral bound or accordion folded number sets within the sign board tracks. 
     The number sets may be used with the strip sign elements in the same sign board channel track. For example, the strip sign element may be inserted in the channel strip of the sign board to show a soft drink or other product or its logo and the price information for that product may be provided by assembling the number sets in the same channel in front of the strip sign element so that the price appears with the illustration or logo of the product. 
     Common configurations of sign boards are formed of a single sheet of plastic on which has been provided several of the channel tracks. For example, a sign board may include three channel tracks on each side configured for receiving the strip sign elements and a fourth channel track configured for receiving number sets, either alone or with a strip sign element. The sign boards are generally formed as a continuous sheet in a specifically designed configuration or profile by extrusion. A multiple track sign board is large for an extruded part, requiring that the extruder device be operated slowly to ensure correct formation of the specifically designed sign board configuration. As a result, the specifically designed multiple track sign board may be time consuming and expensive to produce. 
     Multiple track sign boards are large, the result of which is that shipping of the large sign boards may be expensive. The large sign boards are also more prone to damage during shipping. A large multiple track sign board occupies a significant amount of space when stored. It is also prone to damage during storage due to its large size. 
     If a store has a three track sign board, for example, it could not be used to announce a sale on four items or to mark an aisle with five types of products, and so the store might be required to obtain a different extruded sign board for each desired presentation. A store with a four track sign board that would like to announce only two items, for example, may choose to get a different two track sign board for the new sale, or to use the existing sign board and leave two tracks empty—a less desirable option. It may be necessary for the store to obtain and keep a number of different sign boards having different numbers of tracks or channels to accommodate the different strip sign element circumstances encountered. 
     If the store has a sign board having, for example, two channel tracks for strip signs and one channel track for spiral bound number sets, it will not be possible for the store to use the sign board to hold two or three different prices using spiral bound number sets. It may be necessary for the store to obtain a completely different sign board to provide the desired display. Not only must the number of channel tracks match the desired strip sign displays, but the number of sign strip channels and the number of number set channels must agree with that desired for display. Store personnel may find that unfortunately the sign board that the store has available for use may fail to meet the immediate need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a modular channel track sign board that permits channel tracks to be added and removed as desired. A channel and/or track sign board may be customized to provide a different size, style or number of channel tracks according to the immediate needs of the user. Not only are the sizes, styles and number of channel tracks customizable, but the number and location of the number set tracks relative to the number and location of the sign strip channel tracks may be arranged as desired. Taller channel tracks for larger height strip sign elements may be interchanged with shorter height channel tracks for smaller strip sign elements. 
     The modular channel tracks may be separated into individual panels which are smaller than multiple track sign boards. As a result, the modular channel tracks are quicker and less expensive to form by extrusion, they are less expensive to ship and less prone to damage during shipping, they occupy less space when stored and are also less prone to damage when stored. The modular sign channel tracks may be assembled, reconfigured and customized directly at the store location as desired, so that the modular sign channel track may replace a number of different, single configuration sign boards. This further reduces the storage room and expense, as well as eliminating the shipping costs for obtaining alternative specific purpose sign board configurations. 
     Not only is a modular sign board system provided, but the sign board system may be mounted using an offset ladderless mounting apparatus with no need for additional sign hanging hardware. The mounting apparatus permits the sign board to be mounted flush and tight to the ceiling, for example, so that the sign surface area may be maximized while still providing head room for customers and clear lines of sight visibility for store personnel to assist in shoplifting prevention. Stores with lower ceilings, which may be more common in convenience stores and gas stations, may now use the multiple channel sign boards mounted tight to the ceiling where such signs were not possible before or additional sign hanging hardware was required. 
     The offset ladderless mounting apparatus includes a mounting pole end gripper that permits the sign to be mounted at the desired mounting location and removed from the mounting location without requiring a ladder, step stool, chair, or other object for the user to climb on to reach the desired mounting location. There is no need to bring a ladder into the store to change the sign and no need for the store personnel to risk falling or other injury to change the sign. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a person mounting or unmounting a sign according to principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the sign and mounting system; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the sign and mounting system; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view showing the assembly of components of the sign mounting system; 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view showing the assembled sign mounting system; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of the assembled sign mounting system of  FIG. 5  taken along line VI-VI; 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of an alternate mounting strip; 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of a first alternate panel for use with the mounting strip of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of a second alternate panel for use with the mounting strip of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of a third alternate panel for use with the mounting strip of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of a fourth alternate panel for use with the mounting strip of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of a fifth alternate panel for use with the mounting strip of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIG. 1 , a person  10  is mounting or unmounting a sign  12  at a ceiling  14 . The sign  12  is being connected to or removed from a grid member  16 . The grid member  16  is one of several grid members  16  that hold ceiling tiles  18 . The grid member  16  is magnetically attractive, such as being formed of a ferromagnetic material, so that a magnet may attach to the grid member  16 . To mount or unmount the sign  12  at the ceiling  14  without using a ladder or other object to climb on, the user  10  is holding a pole  20  that has a gripper  22  at the end. The gripper  22  holds the sign  12  as the user moves the sign  12  to a position at the ceiling  14 . The gripper  22  includes a rope or cord  24  that extends from the gripper  22  to a position where the person  10  may pull on the rope or cord  24  to release the gripper  22  from the sign  12  when at the mounting position. The sign is positioned at and mounted to the grid member  16  while the person&#39;s feet remain on the floor  26 . This may be accomplished regardless of the height of the person  10  or the height of the ceiling  14  from the floor  26 . A longer pole or an extendable pole may be provided for higher ceilings or where desired. 
     Removal of the sign  12  from the ceiling  14 , such as after the sale has ended or to change display elements in the sign, may be accomplished while the person&#39;s feet remain on the floor  26 . The person moves the pole  20  so that the gripper  22  is at the sign  12 , and in particular at a gripping portion of the sign  12 . The person  10  pulls on the rope or cord  24  to open the gripper  22  and moves the gripper to an engagement portion of the sign. The person  10  releases the pulling force on the rope or cord  24  which causes the gripper  22  to engage the sign  12 . The sign  12  may be removed from the grid member  16  or may be moved to a different location or orientation on the grid member  16 . The removal may be for changing and remounting the sign or to display, for example, a new or different product, a new or different sale, a different product location in the store or other facility, or for other reasons. 
     The sign  12  includes display space that extends flush to or nearly flush to the ceiling  14 . Display space is not lost by requiring that the sign hang a distance below the ceiling to permit the sign to be mounted and unmounted. The sign  12  at the ceiling  14  is prominently positioned for viewing by customers, for example, yet may be high enough above the floor  26  to provide head clearance for even tall persons in the store or other facility. The sign  12  is also high enough to provide line-of-sight visibility around the store or facility for security purposes, such as to deter shop lifting or theft. By positioning the sign flush to the ceiling  14 , the size of the sign  12  may be increased compared to signs that require hanging hardware to hang a distance below the ceiling, without violating head clearance needs or blocking visibility for security. This is particularly so for stores, gas stations, convenience shops, boutiques, and other facilities that may have lower ceilings and thus limited height for displaying ceiling mounted signs. 
     The store or facility may have a plaster ceiling or other ceiling type that does not have a grid member  16  to which to attach the sign  12 . Metal plates (not shown) or metal strips may be mounted flush to the ceiling  14  by anchoring, for example, to provide a magnetically attractive mounting location for the sign. Examples of metal plates are shown in pending application Ser. No. 14/248,899, filed Apr. 9, 2014, which is entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LADDERLESS DISPLAY MOUNTING AND UNMOUNTING, which is incorporated herein by reference. The sign  12  may be mounted using a rotatable mounting strip or using hooks, both of which are shown in the pending application Ser. No. 14/248,899. The sign  12  may be mounted in windows such as by attachment to a window frame using the mounting system and process described herein. For window frames that are not magnetically attractive, a metal strip or other metal elements may be affixed to the window frame to provide a mounting location for the sign  12 . The metal strip may be adhesively fastened to the window frame or other surface, for example. 
     Other mounting means for the sign  12  are also envisioned and within the scope of this patent. For example, the sign  12  may be mounted using a track and cleat system. Examples of track and cleat mounting by which mounting of the modular sign as shown herein may be accomplished as shown in pending patent application Ser. No. 14/664,154, filed Mar. 20, 2015, entitled LADDERLESS CLEAT AND TRACK BANNER HANGER FOR VERTICAL SURFACE, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the sign  12  is held in the gripper  22  mounted on the pole  20 . The sign  12  includes display strips  28  for mounting on panels  30 . The display strips  28  may be pre-printed strips of heavy paper, cardboard, plastic or other material that is to be displayed. Examples of information on the display strips  28  include product names, product logos, photographs or graphics showing products or other information, aisle identifier information, product categories or product types, store name or store information, sale information, price information, store hours, holiday information or images or products, promotional information, special announcements, and countless other information. The display strips  28  may be readily exchanged in the panels  30 . 
     The illustration of  FIG. 2  shows two panels  30  holding the display strips  28  with product type information, here “soft drinks” and “snacks” are printed on the strips  28 . This sign may be placed over an aisle containing soft drinks and snacks, or may be placed at a prominent location within the store to announce the availability of these products. The sign  12  accommodates display strips  28  on both sides of the sign. 
     The panels  30  each include an upper channel  32  and a lower channel  34 . The upper channel  32  extends outward from the panel  30  and then includes a portion extending downward to define a channel track  36  that is open from below. The lower channel  34  includes a portion that extends outward from the panel  30  and a portion that extends upward to define a channel track  38  that is open from the top. The channel tracks  36  and  38  are directed toward one another. The display strip  28  is held onto the panel  30  by upper and lower edges of the display strip  28  extending into the channel tracks  36  and  38 . 
     An upper panel  30   a  has a clip  40  along the lower edge in the illustrated embodiment. The clip  40  is formed by two inwardly angled strips  42  that define a space between them. A lower panel  3   b  has a flange  44  at its upper edge in the illustrated embodiment. The flange  44  extends into the space between the angled strips  42  to hold the lower panel  30   b  to the upper panel  30   a . The lower panel  30   b  may be removed from the upper panel  30   a  or attached as desired. A pin  46  is inserted into the clip  40  and the flange  44  to ensure that the panels  30   a  and  30   b  are secured together. 
     The upper panel  30   a  has a flange  48  at its upper edge. The flange  48  extends into a holder  50  of a mounting strip  52 . Details of the holder  50  will be described with reference to other drawings. A pin  54  is inserted into the holder  50  and through the flange  48  to hold the upper panel  30   a  to the mounting strip. The mounting strip  52  includes a magnet  56  at a top surface of the mounting strip  52  by which the mounting strip  52  is magnetically attached to the grid members  16  of the ceiling  14  or to metal plates or other magnetically active mounting sites. An offset grasping portion  58  extends laterally from the mounting strip  52 . The offset grasping portion  58  includes a downward extending projection  60  having an inverted T shape. The downwardly extending projection  60  is shaped to permit engagement by the gripper  22 . The lateral position of the downward extending projection  60  permits the mounting strip  52  to be engaged and moved by the gripper  22  without requiring a space between the mounting strip  52  and a sign mounted below the mounting strip  52 . 
     The gripper  22  is mounted on the pole  20  by a gripper body  62 . At the end of the gripper body  62  is a stationary jaw  64 . A movable jaw  66  is mounted in the gripper body  62  by a pivot  68 . A spring (not shown) is mounted within the gripper body  62  to bias the movable jaw  66  to a closed position against the stationary jaw  64 . An extension  70  is provided on the movable jaw  66 . The rope or cord  24  is connected to the extension  70 . By exerting a pulling force on the rope or cord  24 , the user is able to open the movable jaw  66  by moving the jaw  66  away from the stationary jaw  64  to permit the jaws  66  and  64  to grasp the downward extending projection  60 . The pulling force is released and the jaws  66  and  64  close. Once the mounting strip  52  is grasped in this way, it may be moved using the pole  20  and gripper  22 . The gripper  22  may grasp and hold the mounting strip  52  while the signs that are mounted therein extend flush to the ceiling  14 . As described elsewhere in this specification, the gripper  22  may also release the mounting strip  52  while at the ceiling  14  without requiring a space between the mounting strip  52  and sign in a flush-to-the-ceiling manor. 
       FIG. 3  shows an example of a modular sign. At the top is the mounting strip  52 . The mounting strip  52  has three magnets  56  mounted on a top surface. The magnets  56  of the illustrated embodiment each include two ceramic magnet elements within a metal channel. Other configurations or numbers of magnets may be provided as desired. In an alternate embodiment, the magnets  56  may be mounted on the back side of the mounting strip  52  so that mounting strip  52  may be mounted to a wall, window frame edge, or other vertical surface. The mounting strip  52  has the upper panel  30   a  mounted in the holder  50 . The upper panel  30   a  has the display strip  28   a  being slid into the channel tracks  36  and  38  formed by the upper and lower channels  32  and  34 . The display strip  28   a  may be changed as desired to show any product or information. In an example of the display strip  28   a , the strip has a height of approximately 5.5 inches and a length of approximately 26 inches. Other sizes and dimensions are of course possible. 
     The lower panel  30   b  is connected to the upper panel  30   a  in the illustration. The panels  30  may be connected or disconnected as desired. The lower panel  30   b  also has an upper channel  32  and lower channel  34  forming channel tracks  36  and  38  that are directed toward one another. A display strip  28   b  is being inserted into the channel tracks  36  and  38 . In the illustrated example, the panel  30   b  has approximately the same dimensions as the panel  30   a  and the display strip  28   b  is of approximately the same size. It is also possible that the panels could be of different sizes to accommodate display strips of different sizes. For example, the panels  30  and display strips  28  may be different sizes in a height direction so that a short sign or display strip and a tall sign or display strip are mounted in the corresponding panels. 
     In this example, a third panel  72  is attached to the other panels  30 . The third panel  72  is connected to the lower panel  30   b  in the same way that the lower panel  30   b  is connected to the upper panel  30   a . The third panel  72  is shaped to accept a taller display strip  74 . The illustrated example shows the display strip  74  of approximately 8 inches in height. Other sizes can of course be provided. The assembled panels  30   a ,  30   b  and  72  are an example of a sign stack  76 . The sign stack  76  may include any arrangement of shorter and taller panels  30 ,  72  holding shorter or taller display strips  28 ,  74  as desired. The modular panels permit the number of panels connected to one another to be increased or decreased and the arrangement of the panels to be changed. 
     The panels  30 ,  72  may all be configured to hold only flat display strips or may be configured to hold additional display elements. In  FIG. 3 , a spiral bound pad  78  is provided with pre-printed information that may be displayed in the sign  12 . The spiral bound pad  78  includes several pages  80  bound by a spiral binding  82 . When removed from the sign  12 , the pages  80  of the spiral bound pad  78  may be flipped to reveal the desired information. Once the desired information is on the front page  80 , the spiral bound pad  78  is inserted into channel tracks  84  and  86  on the third panel  72 , which are configured to accept the spiral bound pad  78 . The spiral bound pad  78  may be inserted in front of the display strip  74 . If the user desires to have the spiral bound pad  78  at the top of the sign, the modular panels are separated and re-assembled in the desired way. If the user desires to have several of the panels of the sign stack with the spiral bound pad information, the panels that accommodate the pads  78  may be included in the sign stack  76  as desired. The panel  72  that accepts the spiral bound pad  78  is shown as taller than the other panels  30 . Panels  72  that are shorter or taller and accept the pads  78  are also possible. 
     The spiral bound pad  78  may include price information, including several digits per page or single digits and/or symbols per page that are assembled side-by-side with other pads to provide price information, for example. Other information may be provided on the pre-printed spiral bound pads, such as “per pack,” “per case,” “12 oz. bottles,” etc. The pads need not be spiral bound. Some pre-printed pads are accordion folded or otherwise constructed to permit the pages to be displayed in a sign. Other pads or price cards are possible. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the mounting strip  52  and the panels  30  are of approximately the same length and are connected to one another with the ends aligned with one another. The display strips  28  that make up the sign are also generally of the same length and are inserted into the channel tracks in the panels  30  so that the ends of the display strips  28  align with the ends of the panels  30 . It is possible in some embodiments and in some installations that the mounting strip, panels, and display strips may be of different lengths. It is also possible that the mounting strip, panels and display strips may be assembled so that the respective ends are out of alignment with one another. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , the modular ladderless sign channel track system is shown. To mount the sign  12  at the ceiling  14  using the gripper  22 , the mounting strip  52  is provided at the top. A first panel  30   a  to be mounted closest to the ceiling  14  is attached to the mounting strip  52  by inserting the flange  48  into the holder  50 . The holder  50  is configured to securely hold the sign stack  76  without requiring further fasteners. It may be desired in some embodiments to provide pins  46  through aligned holes  88  and  90  in the flange  48  and holder  50 . If the single panel  30   a  is sufficient for the user&#39;s needs, the display strip  28  may be inserted into the channel tracks  36  and  38  of the panel  30   a  and the resulting sign flush mounted at a display location. 
     If the user wishes to include a second display strip  28  in the sign stack  76 , the lower panel  30   b  is connected to the upper panel  30   a . The connection is accomplished inserting the flange  48  of the lower panel  30   b  into the clip  40  of the upper panel  30   a . The inwardly angled strips  42  of the clip  40  of certain embodiments exert sufficient force to hold the panels  30   a  and  30   b  together. The user may desire to further secure the panels  30   a  and  30   b  together by inserting pins  46  into aligned holes  88  and  92  in the flange  48  and the clip  40 , respectively. A further display strip  28  is mounted in the lower panel  30   b . The person  10  may flush mount the sign  12  with two panels in the sign stack  76  at a display location. 
     In the illustrated example, the user has elected to add a third panel  72  to the sign stack  76 . The third panel  72  has a top flange  48  that fits into the clip  40  of the lower panel  30   b . The panels  30   b  and  72  may be fastened only by the force of the clip  40  or may be provided with additional fasteners in the form of the pins  46  that extend through aligned holes  88  and  92 . If the user wished, a fourth, fifth, sixth, and possibly more panels, either single sided or double sided, may be connected together in this modular system to provide as much information and sign space as desired. 
     The pins  46  may be removable pins, for example of a plastic material such as nylon. The pins  46  extend through aligned holes  88 ,  90  and  92  in the assembled parts. The holes  88 ,  90  and  92  may be provided in any location or position desired. In certain examples, the holes are formed four inches in from each end of each component of the modular system. 
     The third panel  72  has an upper channel  94  that is configured to accept the spiral binding  82  of the spiral bound pad  78 . The third panel  72  has a lower channel  96  that accommodates the stacked pages  80  of the spiral bound pad  78 . 
     The illustrated panels  30   a  and  30   b  and  72  have the same configuration of channels  32 ,  34 ,  94  and  96  on both sides of each panel. It is within the scope of this invention that the channels may be provided on only one side or that different channels may be provided on the opposite sides of the panel. 
     The mounting strip  52  and the panels  30  and  72  are formed of plastic by extrusion. The extrusions generally have the same profile from one end to another. The manufacture of each panel for each display strip as individual panels makes for smaller extrusions, which simplifies and speeds up the manufacturing process. The possibility to provide separated panels for shipping and storage requires smaller boxes for shipping, which reduces shipping costs and storage costs as well as reduces the risks of damage during shipping and storage. The possibility for configuring the sign as desired avoids the need for purchasing and stocking multiple sign panels of different configurations. For the manufacturer, fewer tools (extrusion forms) are required. The panel may be formed by a given tool regardless of where the panel is to be used in the sign stack. It is no longer necessary for the manufacturer to have tools (extrusion forms) to make two panel signs, three panel signs, four panel signs, etc. or to have a sign with the price under the sign, the price over the sign, the price below two signs, the price above two signs, etc. 
       FIG. 5  shows the sign stack  76  of one example. The panels  30   a  and  30   b  are connected at the top two positions in the sign stack  76 . The panel  72  is provided at the lower most position in the sign stack  76 . The panels  30   a  and  30   b  are provided with the shorter display strips  28  in the channel tracks. The panel  72  is provided with the taller display strip  74  in the upper and lower channels  94  and  96 . In addition, the spiral bound pad  78  is inserted into the upper and lower channels  94  and  96  in front of a portion of the display strip  74 . Cross section line VI-VI is marked in  FIG. 5 . 
     In  FIG. 6  is shown the cross section along line VI-VI. Beginning at the top, the assembled modular display system includes the magnet  56  mounted on the mounting strip  52 . The mounting strip  52  has the offset grasping portion  58  extending laterally and supporting the downwardly extending projection  60 . The projection  60  includes soft vinyl strips  98  on both sides of a neck  100  at which the gripper jaws  64  and  66  engage. The gripper jaws  64  and  66  are prevented from slipping by the soft vinyl strips  98 . The mounting strip  52  includes reinforcing ribs  102 ,  104  and  106  to strengthen the mounting strip  52 . The holder  50  is formed of first and second wall portions defining a capture space between them. The wall portions have several inwardly directed flexible ribs  108  that bear against the flange  48  to hold the panel  30  in the mounting strip  52 . The illustrated example includes five such ribs  108 , although other numbers of ribs or other first and second wall portion shapes and styles may be provided. The holder  50  may optionally be provided with pins  46  extending through holes to fasten the flange  48  into the holder  50 . 
     The flange  48  extends upward from the panel  30   a . Immediately below the flange  48  are the upper channels  32  on both sides of the panel  30 . The upper channels  32  define channel tracks  36  that engage upper edges of the display strips  28 . Lower edges of the display strips  28  are held in the channel tracks  38  formed by the lower channels  34 . Extending from the lower channels  34  are the inwardly angled strips  42  that form the clip  40 . The strips  42  need not be inwardly angled in every instance, particularly if a pin  46  or other fastener will be used. The free ends of the inwardly angled strips  42  are angled outwardly to more easily accept the flange  48  of the next lower panel  30   b.    
     The next lower panel  30   b  has its flange  48  inserted into the clip  40  of the panel  30   a  above it. A pin  46  extends through the aligned holes in the clip  40  and flange  48 . The pin  46  includes a split pin shaft that holds the pin  46  in place but permits the pin  46  to be removed when the user desires to separate the panels  30 . Like the panel  30   a  above it, the panel  30   b  has upper and lower channels  32  and  34  that hold the display strips  28  in channel tracks  36  and  38 . The lower edge of the panel  30   b  has a clip  40  formed in the same way as the clip of the panel  30   a  above. 
     The lower most or third panel  72  has its flange  48  extending into the clip  40  of the panel  30   b  above it. A pin  46  secures the panels  30   b  and  72  together. Below the flange  48  is the upper channel track  84  that is of sufficient size to accept the display strip  74  and the spiral bound pad  78 . The spiral binding  82  fits into the upper channel track  84 . An inwardly directed portion  110  engaged beneath the spiral binding  82  is to help prevent the spiral binding  82  from coming out of the channel track  84  except at the end. The lower channel track  86  extends far enough from the panel  72  to accept both the pages  80  of the spiral bound pad  78  and the display strip  74 . The channel tracks  84  and  86  will accept other pads or cards of pre-printed information, such as accordion folded pads or the like. The lower channel tracks  86  are connected to inwardly angled strips  42  that form a clip  40  on the lower edge of the panel  72 . Openings  92  are shown in the inwardly angled strips  42  into which a pin  46  may be inserted. 
     It is contemplated that the channel track  84  may be sufficiently flexible to accept the spiral bound pad  78  directly into the upper channel track  84  from below rather than having to slide the spiral bound pad into the channel track in at the ends. A further panel (not shown) may be connected to the clip  40  of the third panel  72 . Additional panels may be connected below that. The configurations of the panels in the sign stack  76  may vary as desired by the user. 
     The openings  88  in the flanges  48  are preferably of a larger diameter than the openings  90  and  92  in the holder  50  and the clips  40 . The opening size difference permits easier fastening of the pins  46 . In certain embodiments, the openings  88  in the flanges  48  are of twice the diameter of the openings  90  and  92  in the holder  50  and clips  40 . Other shapes or other size openings are also possible. 
     In the drawing Figures, the larger panel that accepts the spiral bound price pad is the lower panel in the sign stack  76 . It is possible that the panel for holding the price pad may be provided at the top panel of the stack, or in the middle, or at some other position. It is possible that several or all panels in the sign stack are configured to accept price pads, or that all panels are for flat display strips only or may be single sided or double sided as shown. 
     Although two sizes of panels are shown, the panels may be provided in a variety of different sizes to accept different heights of display strips. Examples of possible sizes include panels to accept three inch high display strips, four inch high display strips, five inch high display strips, six inch high display strips, seven inch high display strips, and eight inch high display strips. Of course, other sizes are possible. 
     Even if the configuration of the sign stack is to remain the same, the ladderless mounting and unmounting of the sign  12  simplifies the changing of the sign message and eliminates the need to bring a ladder into the store to make the change. The chance of damaging store fixtures and merchandise as the ladder is brought into and out of the store and set up in what may be narrow aisles and closely spaced fixtures is eliminated. Signs can be changed with less hassle and may be kept up-to-date by changing the signs frequently by store associates while safely standing on the floor. 
     The panels may be connected to one another by a variety of connectors including C-shaped channels at the lower edge into which is received various shaped upper edge connection members. For example, the upper edges may be provided with horizontal rods, tubes, or plates that slide into horizontal channels of the adjoining panel. 
     The panels are shown as receiving pre-printed display strips, but other display types may be provided. For example, one or more of the panels may be provided as a chalk board. The sign  12  may display store director or way finder information, menu items, aisle identification information, or the like. 
     The modular panels  30  and  72  may be used with the mounting strip  52  or may be used separately, such as by mounting the sign using hooks, rings, cable, or chain, or other mounting means. 
     An alternate mounting strip  112  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The mounting strip  112  includes an offset grasping portion  114  and a top surface  116  and a back surface  125  on which to mount magnets. In place of the holder  50 , the alternate mounting strip  112  includes a C-channel  118  defining an elongated space  120  into which a connection portion of a panel may be inserted. The C-channel  118  of the illustrated embodiment is generally rectangular in cross-section with an open slot  122  at a lower surface. Braces  124  are provided to strengthen and reinforce the mounting strip  112 . Other shapes of “C” channels are of course possible. The holder  50  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-6  and the C-channel of  FIG. 7  illustrate the diversity of possible attachment structures possible, all of which are within the scope of this patent. 
       FIG. 8  is an end view of a first alternative panel  130 . The panel  130  has a connector portion  132  extending along its top edge. The connector portion  132  is shaped to fit into the elongated space  120  in the channel  118 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connector portion  132  has a generally rectangular shape in cross section and is of a smaller size in height and width than the elongated space  120  so that the connector portion  132  may be slid into the elongated space  120  in the mounting strip  112  from the end of the mounting strip  112 . A neck  134  extends from the connector portion  132  to the body of the panel  130 . The neck  134  passes through the slot  122  when the panel  130  is assembled in the mounting strip  112 . The lower edge of the panel  130  includes a C-channel  136  that is similar in size and shape to the C-channel  118  of the mounting strip  112 . The C-channel  136  accepts a connector portion  132  of a second panel  130 . Further panels  130  may be joined to each other to form a sign stack  76  if any desired height or configuration. Panels  130  may be added or removed as desired, and of course the display strips  28  and spiral bound pads  78  may be changed easily. The panel  130  has upper channels  138  and lower channels  140  for holding the display strips  28 . Although the channels  138  and  140  are shown configured for the flat display strips  28 , the panel  130  may instead be configured to hold the spiral bound pads  78 . The panel  130  maybe provided in different sizes to hold display strips or spiral bound pads of different heights. 
       FIG. 9  shows a second alternative embodiment of a panel  142 . The panel  142  includes a connector portion  144  extending along its upper edge. The connector portion  144  of the illustrated embodiment is generally cylindrical and extends along the length of the upper edge of the panel  142 . The connector portion  144  is shaped and sized to fit into the C-channel  118  of the mounting strip  112 . Like the panel  130 , the second alternative panel  142  include a C-channel  146  into which a connector portion  144  of another panel may be inserted. The C-channel  146  may be of the generally the same size and shape as the channel  118 . The panel  142  also has upper and lower channels  148  and  150  for holding display strips and/or spiral bound pads. 
     A third alternative embodiment of a panel  152  is shown in  FIG. 10 . The panel  152  is similar to those described above except that a connector portion  154  is of generally a T shape. The T-shaped connector portion  154  is sized and shaped to fit into the channel  118  of the mounting strip  112 . The connector portion  154  is slid into the channel  118  to join the panel  152  to the mounting strip and slid out of the channel  118  to remove the panel  152 . The panel  152  includes a C-channel  156  that accepts a connector portion  154  from a second panel  152 . The panel  152  has upper and lower channels  158  and  160  for holding display strips  28  or spiral bound pad  78 . 
     A fourth alternative embodiment of a panel  162  has a connector  164  along its top edge. The connector  164  is of a roof shape or arrow shape that is of a size and shape to fit into the channel  118  of the mounting strip  112 . The connector  164  is configured to be slid in from the end of the channel  118  and slid out of the channel when the panel  162  is to be removed. In certain embodiments, the connector  164  may be sufficiently flexible to fit into the channel  118  by pushing the connector  164  into the slot  122 . Other embodiments may have a more rigid connector  164  or other flexible shapes. The panel  162  has a C-channel  166  extending along its lower edge. The C-channel  166  may be of generally the same size and shape as the channel  118  and is shaped to receive a connector  164  of a second panel  162 . Upper and lower channels  168  and  170  are provided for holding display strips  28  or spiral bound pads  78 . 
     A fifth alternative embodiment of a panel  172  has a connector  174  for connection into the channel  118 . The connector  174  is in a shape of an upwardly directed trough extending along the edge of the panel  172 . The panel  172  has a C-channel  176  extending along the bottom edge that is shaped to receive a connector  174  of a second panel  172 . Upper and lower channels  176  and  178  are provided to hold display strips and spiral bound pads. 
     The alternative embodiments show only some of the examples of connectors that may be provided for a modular panel sign system. Other connectors are possible and within the scope of this invention. 
     A system and method is provided for the direct/flush mounting of a sign at a ceiling, window, or wall that includes modular panels that are removably connected to one another to form a sign board stack. The sign board stack is mounted or unmounted from a prominent display location using a pole end gripper. The sign board stack extends from a mounting strip having a holder at which the sign board stack is fastened, and the pole end gripper engages the mounting strip at an offset grasping portion disposed laterally of the holder. The mounting strip has magnets on a top surface for magnetically engaging a ceiling grid. The panels have flanges at the top edge to fit into the holder of the mounting strip and clips at the bottom edge to hold a flange of a panel connected below it. Channel tracks are formed on the panels to hold strip sign elements, some of which may include accordion or spiral bound numbers, pads or messages. 
     Thus, there is shown and described a modular sign system that permits the user to configure, customize and change the number and positions of the sign holding channels in the sign board stack. The modular sign system may be directly flush mounted to a ceiling or other mounting location without the use of a ladder or the user otherwise climbing to reach the designed sign hanging location. The sign system may be provided in environments with low ceiling heights while providing additional head clearance, clear lines of sight for shoplifting prevention, and additional advertising space. The sign system may be used in stores and other facilities having ceiling heights as low as eight or nine feet and no additional sign hanging hardware would be required. At least an extra inch of head clearance or additional advertising space is provided by the offset flush mounting strip. Not only may the information in the sign be changed easily, safely and frequently, if desired, but the configuration of the sign holder itself may be readily changed. 
     Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.