Patent Publication Number: US-6216375-B1

Title: Sign decoration system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to advertising, and more particularly to apparatus that enhances the appearance of alpha-numeric displays. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various types of equipment have been developed to display commercial advertising and other promotional messages. For example, display panels that hold interchangeable characters such as numerals and alphabet letters are well known and in widespread use. Examples of prior display panels may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,237,637; 4,265,040; 5,257,472; 5,357,701; and 5,367,800. 
     In some instances, the display panels are translucent or transparent such that a source of illumination can backlight the characters on the panel. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,367,604 and 5,588,238 show backlit menu boards. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,202 and Des. 354,313 show representative plates that include characters for display. The plate of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,202 patent is especially useful with backlit display panels. 
     Despite the large variety of display panels, alpha-numeric characters, and character plates that are presently available, they are limited in the size and variety of graphic arts that can be handled. U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,604 shows graphic picture units, but they must be custom made to suit a particular display panel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,238 shows pictorial assemblies that are sandwiched between transparent window panels. The pictorial assemblies must thus be of a specific size and shape. In addition, the design of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,238 patent is such that it is difficult to change or rearrange the pictorial assembly after it has been created. 
     A further disadvantage of prior display equipment is that the numeral and alphabet letter plates are limited to use with specific tracks of a display panel. That is, the plates are all of the same height so as to fit within the tracks. Accordingly, variations in character heights in a particular track of a display panel are usually not possible. 
     Thus, a need exists for improvements in the way graphic materials are displayed on display panels. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an eyecatching sign decoration system is provided that is readily adaptable to conventional display panels. This is accomplished by apparatus that includes a connector secured to a decoration and held in the display panel. 
     The decoration is preferably made from a thin sheet of material such as wood, metal, or heavy paper. The decoration may be of any desired size and shape. Any desired graphic can be imprinted or otherwise applied to the decoration front face. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the connector comprises a tab in the form of a thin straight strip of a strong but flexible material. One end of the strip is secured to the back face of the decoration near the top end thereof. The other end of the strip is flexible to bend about the first end. A second component of the connector is a holder having a slot that receives the free end of the strip that is secured to the decoration. The holder is sized to fit in a track of a conventional display panel in the same manner as conventional alpha-numeric character plates. 
     The holder and decoration can be placed at any desired location on the display panel. By inserting the strip of the decoration into the slot of the holder, the decoration is presented for view on the display panel. The decoration makes the display panel more attractive and noticeable than a display panel having only conventional characters. 
     In a modified embodiment of the invention, the tab on the decoration is U-shaped rather than straight. One leg of the tab is secured to the decoration, and the other leg is inserted into the holder. 
     In a further embodiment, the tab is L-shaped. One leg of the tab is secured to the decoration. For example, the tab first leg can project from one face of a flat plate, with the flat plate second face being secured to the decoration. The tab second leg is inserted into a suitable opening in the holder. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the connector is designed as a single component in the form of a flexible generally flat plate. A center section of one face of the plate is secured to the decoration, leaving top and bottom sections unattached to the decoration. The plate is sized such that the top and bottom sections can slide within and be held in a track of the display panel in the same manner as conventional character plates. 
     As an alternate design, the connector is a single component having a generally C-shape. A center section of the convex side of the connector is secured to the decoration. The free ends of the connector are sized and shaped to fit over and grip the ledges that define the tracks of a conventional display panel. 
     As a further modification, the connector is equipped with one or more pairs of magnets or hook and eye tapes. One half of the cooperating magnets or hook and eye tapes are secured to the decoration. The other half is secured to a holder that is held in a display panel track. 
     In many instances, the decoration can be adequately supported in the display panel by a single connector. However, if the decoration size or shape makes it impractical to be supported with one connector, two or more connectors can be used. The connectors are secured to the decoration and held in the display panel in a manner that best suits the particular decoration. 
     Further in accordance with the present invention, the sign decoration system need not have a connector that is permanently secured to the decoration. Rather, the sign decoration system can be designed such that the decoration is removably secured to the connector. In that embodiment, a number of different decorations are interchangeable with a single connector. The connector has the height of a conventional alpha-numeric character plate. The connector width is substantially equal to the decoration width, which may have any practical width. The connector ends bend forwardly to make narrow channels that converge downwardly. The decoration has side edges that slide into and are held by gravity in the connector channels. Different decorations with the same side edge design can be interchangeably used with a single connector. 
     To further demonstrate the versatility of the present invention, a large decoration is mountable on a display panel without the use of any connector. The decoration is made of a size that spans two or more tracks. The upper edge of the decoration fits in the upper ledge of a first track of the display panel. The lower edge of the decoration fits in the lower ledge of a lower track on the display panel. In that manner, a decoration that is too large to fit in a single track can be mounted to the display panel without using any connector. 
     The method and apparatus of the invention, using a decoration alone, or in combination with one or more connectors, thus provides eye-catching appeal to a display panel. The connectors can be adapted to suit a wide variety of different decorations, even though the display panel is conventional. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a typical display panel that includes a sign decoration system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 1A is an end view on an enlarged scale of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a typical alpha-numeric character plate. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a system holder according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a typical decoration with a tab secured thereto in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is side view of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing an alternate embodiment of the connector of FIGS. 5-7. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the display panel of FIG. 1 showing the decoyation system mounted thereto. 
     FIG. 9 is an end view of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of a typical decoration with a modified tab secured thereto. 
     FIG. 11 is an end view of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a front view of a further modified tab. 
     FIG. 14 is an end view of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a front view of a modified embodiment of a tab. 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is an end view of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 18 is a front view of a holder that is used with the tab of FIGS. 15-17. 
     FIG. 19 is an end view of FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 20 is a top view of FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 21 is a front view of a modified connector according to the invention. 
     FIG. 22 is a top view of FIG.  21 . 
     FIG. 23 is an end view of FIG.  21 . 
     FIG. 23A is a view similar to FIG. 23, but showing an alternate embodiment of the connector. 
     FIG. 24 is a front view of a further modified connector for holding a decoration to a display panel. 
     FIG. 25 is a n end view of FIG.  24 . 
     FIG. 26 is a front view o f a decoration in combination with another alternative connector. 
     FIG. 27 is a top view of FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 28 is an end view of FIG.  26 . 
     FIG. 29 is a front view of a holder that is used with the decoration of FIGS. 26-28. 
     FIG. 30 is a top view of FIG.  29 . 
     FIG. 31 is an end view of FIG.  29 . 
     FIG. 32 is a front view of a large decoration with more than one connector. 
     FIG. 33 is an end view of FIG.  32 . 
     FIG. 34 is a top view of FIG.  32 . 
     FIG. 35 is a front view of a further alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 36 is an end view of FIG.  35 . 
     FIG. 37 is a cross sectional view on an enlarge scale taken along line  37 - 37  of FIG.  35 . 
     FIG. 38 is a front view of a sign decoration system that requires no connector. 
     FIG. 39 is an end view of FIG.  38 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, a typical display panel  1  is illustrated that advantageously includes the sign decoration system  3  of the invention. The display panel  1  itself is conventional and is merely representative of a wide variety of display panels for indoor and outdoor use having horizontal tracks that accept alpha-numeric character plates  23 . The display panel may be translucent for back lighting purposes. 
     Looking also at FIGS. 1A and 1B, the particular display panel  1  shown has a wall  5  with a front surface  7 . There is an L-shaped bottom ledge  9  projecting from the front surface  7 . The bottom ledge  9  includes an upstanding lip  11 . Another L-shaped top ledge  13  is at the top of the display panel wall  5 . The top ledge  13  has a depending lip  15  that is longer than the lip  11 . There are intermediate generally T-shaped ledges  17  between the top ledge  13  and the bottom ledge  9 . Each intermediate ledge  17  has an upstanding first lip  19  and a second longer depending lip  21 . Adjacent ledges cooperate to form tracks  22 . 
     Reference numeral  23  represents a typical character plate that is used with the display panel  1 . The plate is provided with any alpha-numeric character  25 . The plate may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The plate has a height that fits in the tracks  22  of the display panel. The plates can slide into a track from an end of the display panel. Alternately, the plates can be installed from the front of the display panel by sliding the plate top edge  24  up behind a depending lip  15  or  21 , swinging the plate bottom edge  26  over the associated upstanding lip  11  or  19  and fully into the track, and lowering the plate until its bottom edge rests on the track lower ledge. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the sign decoration system  3  is interchangeable with the alpha-numeric character plates  23  in the display panel  1 . Turning to FIGS. 2-9, the sign decoration system is comprised of a decoration  25  and a connector  27 . The decoration  25  can have any shape, size, and graphic illustration  31  on it. For example, the decoration may be made of a heavy sheet of paper  29  covered with the illustration  31  and laminated between transparent films. 
     The connector  27  has two components. The first component is a tab  33 . As depicted, the tab  33  is a thin strip of a strong but flexible material. One end  35  of the strip is secured, as with an adhesive, to the decoration  25  on the side opposite the illustration  31 . The other end  37  of the strip is bendable about the secured end  35 . 
     The second component of the connector  27  is a holder  39 . The holder  39  comprises a plate  41  that is the same size and shape, and may be made of the same material, as the alpha-numeric character plate  23  of FIG.  1 B. On one surface of the plate  41  is attached a pair of spacers  43  and a cross bar  45 . The plate  41 , spacers  43 , and cross bar  45  cooperate to define a slot  47  that is capable of receiving the tab  33  that is secured to the decoration  25 . 
     In FIGS. 8 and 9, the connector tab  33  is shown inserted into the slot  47  of the holder  39  to create the sign decoration system  3 . The holder is installed in the track  22  of the display panel  1  in the same manner as a conventional character plate  23  as described in connection with FIGS. 1A and 1B. An example of a sign decoration system that works very well is the following: The decoration  25  is oval in shape, being approximately 13 inches high and ten inches wide. The tab  33  is a strip nine inches long and 1.50 inches wide. The strip first end  35  is approximately 3.75 inches long. The connector holder  39  is nine inches high. The slot  47  is two inches wide. The sign decoration system can be placed at any desired location on the display panel. Conventional-numeric character plates such as is shown in FIG. 1B can be used with the decoration to produce a very eye-catching message on the display panel (FIG.  1 ). 
     If desired, the connector tab can be made from a relatively rigid material. In FIG. 7A, the tab  48  is preformed. It has one end  50  that is secured to the decoration  25 ′. A second end  52  is offset from the first end  50  such that the second end can be inserted into the slot  47  of the holder  39  in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10-12. A decoration  49  has a connector tab  51  that is U-shaped. One leg  53  of the tab  51  is secured to the decoration sheet  55 . The other tab leg  57  is sized to fit within the slot  47  of the holder  39  of FIGS. 2-4. Thus, the decoration  49  is installed in the display panel  1  in generally the same manner as the decoration  25 , FIGS. 8 and 9. 
     In FIGS. 13 and 14, a U-shaped tab  57  has one leg  59  that is much larger in area than the second leg  61 . The leg  59  is secured, as by bonding, to the decoration  63 . The large area of the tab leg  59  provides increased stability to the decoration  63  for outdoor applications. 
     FIGS. 15-20 show a further modified sign decoration system  65  comprising a decoration  67  and a connector  71 . The connector  69  is made of a tab  71  and a holder  73 . The tab  69  is made as a thin plate  75  with an L-shaped leg  77 . One end  79  of the leg  77  is joined to the plate  75 . The second leg end  81  of the tab leg is received in an opening  83  of the holder  73 . The holder opening  83  is defined by a tubular length  85  that lies alongside and is joined to a holder plate  87 . 
     In FIGS. 16 and 20, the cross-sections of the tab leg end  81  and of the holder opening  83  are shown as being circular. However, it will be appreciated that square or other cross-sectional shapes can be used as well as circular. 
     Now turning to FIGS. 21-23, a sign decoration system  89  is depicted in which the connector  91  has a single component. The connector  91  is a plate having a top section  93 , a center section  95 , and a bottom section  97 . The height of the connector  91  is the same as the height of the holder  39  of FIGS. 2-4 and of the holder  73  of FIGS. 18-20. One surface  99  of the center section  95  is secured to the decoration  101 . The sections  93  and  97  are free to bend relative to the center section  95  in the same manner as the end sections  37  of the tab  33  (FIGS.  5 - 7 ). The sign decoration system  89  is mounted on the display panel by sliding the connector  91  in the tracks of the display panel from an end thereof, or by the tilting and lowering method described previously in conjunction with the plate  23  of FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
     The connector  91  of FIGS. 21-23 need not be made from a flexible material. In FIG. 23A, an alternate connector  102  is made of a relatively rigid material. The connector  102  has a center section  104  that is secured to the decoration  101 ′. The connector top and bottom sections  106  are offset from the center section  104 . The connector  102  has a size and shape that enables it to be assembled into a track  22  of a display panel (FIG.  9 ). 
     FIGS. 24 and 25 depict a connector  103  that is a single component. The connector  103  is generally C-shaped, having a long center section  105  and opposed end sections  107 . The end sections  107  are shaped as bent-over legs that are located and sized to slidingly fit over the lips  19 ′ and  21 ′ of the display panel  1 ′. The connector center section  105  is secured to a decoration  109  to make a sign decoration system  111 . The sign decoration system  111  is mounted by sliding the connector over the lips  19 ′ and  21 ′ from the ends of the display panel ledges  17 ′. 
     Another sign decoration system  113  according to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 26-31. The sign decoration system  113  has a connector  116  that includes one or more magnets  117  secured to a decoration  115 . The connector  116  further comprises a holder  119 . The holder  119  is fabricated as a plate  121  similar to the alpha-numeric character plate  23  of FIG.  1 B. One or more additional magnets  123  are secured to the plate  121 . Accordingly, the decoration  115  is assembled to the holder by means of the magnets  117  and  123 . If desired, cooperating patches of hook and eye tape can be substituted for the magnets. 
     Further in accordance with the present invention, the size of the decoration is not limited by the size of the connector or of the display panel tracks. Turning to FIGS. 32-34, a decoration  125  is shown that is relatively large compared with the display panel tracks  22 ′. To mount the large decoration  125  to the display panel  1 ′, more than one connector is used. As shown, four connectors  127  are used. The connectors  127  in FIGS. 32-34 are the same as the connector  27  of FIGS. 2-7. However, it will be appreciated that any of the other connectors  69 ,  91 ,  103 , or  116  of the invention can be used with the decoration  125 . In addition, the number of connectors, as well as their locations on the decoration, can be varied to suit the particular size and shape of the decoration. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that the connector need not be permanently secured to the decoration. Rather, as shown in FIGS. 35-37, a sign decoration system  128  comprises a decoration  129  that is removably secured to a connector  131 . The connector  131  has a plate section  133  that has a height suitable for being held in a track  134  of a conventional display panel  137 . The plate section  133  can be of any width to suit the particular decoration  129 . At each end of the plate section is a pad  135 . The pads  135  are between the lips  139  of the display panel ledges  140  when the connector is held in the display panel  137 . Each pad has a locating surface  141  that is forwardly of the display panel ledges  140 . The pad locating surfaces  141  cooperate with bent-over ends  143  to form a channel  145  on each end of the connector. The channels  145  are thus located forwardly of the display panel ledges. The channels have respective side edges  146  that converge slightly in the downward direction. 
     The decoration  129  has a width between side edges  147  that suits the width of the connector  131 . The decoration side edges  147  converge downwardly at the same angle as the side edges  146  of the connector channels  145 . The decoration is slipped into the connector channels until a wedging action is made between the side edges  146  and the decoration side edges  147 . At that point, the sign decoration system  128  is firmly mounted to the display panel  137 . Any of a number of decorations can be interchangeably assembled to a single connector, which remains held in the display panel. A typical sign decoration system  128  has a decoration that is 20 inches high and 18 inches wide across the top. The holder channels  145  and decoration side edges  147  converge at a five degree included angle. 
     The versatility of the present invention is further demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39. Reference numeral  149  represents a conventional display panel having two tracks  151  and  153 . The track  151  is defined by an upper ledge  155  having an upper lip  157  and a longer lower lip  159 , and by a center ledge  161  having lips  163  and  165 . The display panel track  153  is defined by the center ledge  161  and by a lower ledge  167  having an upper lip  169  and a longer lower lip  171 . 
     A decoration  173  has a height that is greater than the heights of the individual display panel tracks  151  and  153 . ordinarily, the decoration  173  would not be mountable in the display panel  149  without using one or more of the connectors  27 ,  69 ,  91 ,  102 ,  103 ,  116 , or  131  described previously. However, the decoration  173  is designed with a height that substantially spans both tracks  151  and  153  as well as the ledge  161 . Specifically, the decoration height is chosen such that the decoration upper edge  175  fits behind the lower lip  159  of the ledge  155 . At the same time, the decoration lower edge  177  fits behind the upper lip  169  of the ledge  167 . The decoration is made of a material flexible enough to permit it to bend slightly to pass in front of the center ledge  161 . As used in one commercially available display panel  149 , the decoration  173  has a height of 20 inches and a width of 16 inches. It will be understood, of course, that the decoration can be constructed to span three or more tracks, if desired. 
     In summary, the results and advantages of display panels, both indoor and outdoor, can now be more fully realized. The sign decoration system of the invention provides both eye-catching appeal and versatility to display panels. This desirable result comes from using the combined functions of the connectors. According to one aspect of the invention, the connector comprises a single component. In that case, the connector is more or less permanently secured to the back side of a decoration, which may be any of a wide variety of decorative graphics or other artwork. The connector and decoration constitute a unitary system that is complete in itself. The holder is held in the display panel in the same manner as conventional alpha-numeric character plates used with the display panel for displaying written messages. Alternately, the connector may be in two pieces: a tab secured to the decoration, and a holder held in the display panel. Any of a number of different decorations can be used interchangeably with a holder. Accordingly, the holder need not be removed from the display panel in order to change the decoration. According to another aspect of the invention, the connector and decoration are not permanently secured to each other. The decoration is removeably secured to the connector by a wedging action such that many different decorations can be interchangeably secured to the connector. The sign decoration system is further characterized by a large decoration that needs no connector to mount it to a display panel. 
     It will also be recognized that in addition to the superior performance of the sign decoration system, its construction is such as to cost little more than traditional alpha-numeric character plates installed on display panels. Moreover, since the sign decoration system is made of rugged components and according to a simple design, it will give a long service life with minimal maintenance. 
     Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a sign decorating system that fully satisfies the aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.