Patent Publication Number: US-6698124-B2

Title: Sign holder with hinge

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/261,874, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,618 filed Mar. 3, 1999, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/054,064, now abandoned filed Apr. 2, 1998, and claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/084,854, filed May 8, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to merchandising systems employed in retail stores. More particularly, it relates to an improved sign holder system which can be secured to a vertical support surface. 
     Merchandise signs for displaying product information and hangers for small products, such as packages of snack foods, batteries, household items, and the like, are commonly displayed on brackets mounted to the front edge of a horizontally extending shelf or to an upright shelf support, in supermarkets and other stores with the shelves themselves being used to support other products. Gebka (U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,003) discloses a merchandise hanger which is attached by a laterally extending foot to a front portion of a horizontal shelf. 
     Because such display signs and hangers sometimes extend outward into the aisle of the store, they are prone to damage by accidental knocks from passing customers. Also, the signs or products may be displaced from the bracket or damaged by the knocks. Occasionally, the protruding items may injure a shopper walking down the aisle. 
     Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved sign holder which overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display system includes a generally planar support body. A mounting member extends from a surface of the support body and selectively engages an associated fixture. A display member is selectively connectable with the support body. At least one of the display member and the support body includes a hinge portion which allows the display member to pivot in relation to the support body when a force is applied to the display member. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display system includes a generally planar support body. A mounting member extends from a surface of the support body and includes two spaced fingers extending away from the support member. The two spaced fingers selectively engage suitably shaped and positioned openings in an associated fixture. A display member is selectively connectable with the support body. At least one of the display member and the support body includes a hinge member which allows the display member to pivot in relation to the support body when a force is applied to the display member, the hinge member including an upwardly open housing extending forwardly of a second surface of one of the support member and the display member. The housing includes a bore. The other of the support member and the display member includes a stem selectively received in the bore of the housing. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a display system includes a generally planar support body. A mounting member extends from a surface of the support body. The mounting member selectively engages an associated fixture. A display member is selectively connectable with the support body. The display member includes a hinge portion and a sign holding portion connected therewith for selectively holding an associated sign. The hinge portion flexes when a force is applied to the display member. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a display system includes a generally planar support body having opposed first and second surfaces. A mounting member extends from the first surface of the support body for selectively engaging an associated fixture. A display member is selectively connectable with the support body such that it extends from a second surface of the support body. At least one of the display member and the support body includes a hinge portion which allows at least a portion of the display member to pivot in relation to the support body when a force is applied to the display member, the support body including a projection extending from the second surface, the projection engaging a portion of the display member. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a display system includes a generally planar support body having opposed first and second sides. A mounting member extends away from the first side of the support body for selectively engaging an associated fixture. A display member is selectively connectable with at least one of the first and second sides of the support body, the display member including a hinge portion which flexes when a force is applied to a portion of the display member. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a mounting bracket includes a generally planar support body. The body includes at least one groove located on a first surface thereof for selectively receiving a flange on an associated display member. At least one mounting member extends from the first surface of the support body for selectively engaging an associated fixture. A shelf extends from a second surface of the support body. The shelf contacts a generally planar portion of the associated display member when the display member is received on the support member. The generally planar portion of the display member is connected with the flange. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method of displaying a sign includes mounting a support body on a suitable fixture and connecting a display member with the support body. The display member includes a hinge portion which flexes when a force is applied to a portion of the display member and returns generally to its original position when the force is removed. The method further includes inserting the sign in a channel formed in the distal end of the display member. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a display system includes a mounting bracket which is selectively mountable on an associated fixture in a generally vertical orientation. A display member is selectively connectable with the mounting bracket. The display member includes an engagement portion configured for frictionally engaging at least a portion of the mounting bracket and a sign holding portion for holding a sign, and a hinge. The sign holding portion is connected with the engagement portion via the hinge and is pivotable relative to the engagement portion when a force is applied thereto. The sign holding portion returns to its original position when the force is removed. 
     The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention takes form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a) a mounting bracket and b) a merchandise hanger and label holder of a multi-component, interchangeable, pivotable display system, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled horizontal mounting bracket and merchandise hanger and label holder of FIG. 1, secured in apertures on a shelf; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a horizontal mounting bracket of the present invention secured by a clip to a shelf with apertures; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the mounting bracket of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the merchandise hanger and label holder of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the merchandise hanger and label holder of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view, broken away, of the merchandise hanger and label holder mounting section as secured in a front end of the mounting bracket of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a merchandise hanger in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a label holder in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a merchandise hanger strip in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a label holder and merchandise hanger in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the label holder and merchandise hanger of FIG. 14 mounted on a vertical mounting bracket in accordance with a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the vertical mounting bracket of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the vertical mounting bracket of FIG. 16 mounted to a vertical support surface; 
     FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the vertical mounting bracket and the vertical support surface of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a sign support mount for a non-pivotable display system according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the mount of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 19 being connected to a slotted post and supporting a rail, a sign adapter, and a sign; 
     FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the rail of FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of the sign adapter of FIG. 21 which can be supported in the rail of FIG. 22; 
     FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the sign adapter of FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 19, a flag adapter, and the rail of FIG. 22, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of the flag adapter of FIG. 25 which can be employed in the mount of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a support bracket and a display system holding a flag according to a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the support bracket, display system, and flag of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the bracket of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 30 is a front elevational view of the bracket of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 31 is an enlarged top plan view of the display member of FIG. 27; and 
     FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a pair of the support brackets and display systems of FIG. 27 holding a flag. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and are not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a multi-component interchangeable display system  1 , or pivotable merchandise and display hanger which includes a first component, in the form of a mounting base or bracket A and a second component, in the form of a pivotable display member B, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Both the bracket A and the display member B are preferably molded from a relatively rigid, but resiliently yielding plastic, such as polypropylene. As will be described in greater detail herein, the pivotable display member can have a variety of configurations for displaying labels, hanging merchandise, or both. 
     The horizontal mounting bracket A is configured for attaching the display member to a rigid support, such as a horizontal shelf having vertically extending apertures therein. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the mounting bracket A includes a generally horizontal plate member  10 , adapted to fit against an upper surface of the shelf. With reference also to FIG. 2, mounting fingers  12  for the plate member  10  preferably include a rearward pair of feet  14  and a forward pair of hooks  16 . These extend generally downwardly and radially outwardly from a lower surface of the plate member  10 , and are preferably formed integrally with the bracket. The rearward pair of feet  14  are dimensioned to be received into a selected spaced pair of rearward apertures  18  in a second row of apertures in a shelf  20 . The pair of hooks  16  snap into a corresponding pair of forward apertures  24  in a first row of apertures in the shelf  20 . 
     To insert the bracket into apertures  18 ,  24  in the shelf  20 , the plate member  10  is held at a slight angle from the horizontal and the rearward feet are slid into the two spaced rearward apertures  18  in the second row of apertures to position the mounting bracket A on the shelf  20 . The plate member is then brought into a horizontal orientation and the forward hooks  16  snapped into the two forward apertures  24  in the first row of apertures on the shelf. The hooks  16  preferably include laterally extending fins  28  which tend to grip a lower surface of the shelf, restricting upward movement of the plate member  10 . Similarly, the feet  14  each include a flat upper surface  30  which engages the lower surface of the shelf. The feet and hooks  14  and  16  provide a simple means of supporting the plate member  10  in a generally horizontal position on the shelf  20  without the need for screws or other fixing means. The plate member  10  has a rectangular rear portion  31 , to which the feet and legs are attached, and a generally V-shaped front end or forward portion  32 . Due to the resilient material from which the bracket A is made, the plate member  10  can be disengaged from the shelf  20  by lifting up on the front end  32  of the plate member  10  until the hooks  16  snap out of the forward apertures  24  and then lifting the plate member forwardly and upwardly to release the feet  14 . 
     With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plate member  10  optionally includes a securing aperture  34  in addition to, or in place of, the feet  14  and hooks  16 , for attaching the plate member to the shelf  20 . The securing aperture  34  is positioned generally centrally on the plate member and extends vertically therethrough. A conventional clip, screw, or other suitable fixing member, passes through the securing aperture and a suitably positioned aperture  36  in the shelf  20 , located between the first and second rows of apertures, to attach the mounting bracket A to an upper surface of the shelf. The clip provides another means for securing the plate member  10  to a shelf. In situations where a display shelf does not have suitably positioned apertures for receiving the feet  14  and hooks  16  as well as the clip, the feet and hooks can optionally rest on an upper surface of the shelf  20 , and a slightly longer clip is used to secure the plate member  10  to the shelf. 
     In an alternative embodiment of a horizontal mounting base or bracket C, shown in FIG. 3, a plate member  40  is without feet or hooks. The plate member  40  lies flat on the upper surface  42  of a shelf  20 . A vertically extending aperture  44  in the plate member receives a fixing member, such as a clip  46 , or other suitable fixing member, for securing the plate member to the shelf. A suitably positioned aperture  48  in the shelf receives the clip therethrough. 
     With reference once again to FIG. 1, the bracket A (and similarly the bracket C) includes an upright cylindrically-shaped housing or boss  50 , molded integrally with the generally V-shaped forward portion  32  of the plate member  10 , for releasably attaching the pivotable display member B. 
     Preferably, the forward portion  32  includes support walls  54  and  56 , extending generally vertically from side edges of an upper surface  58  of the forward portion  32  and integrally molded with the boss  50  and the forward portion. The support walls  54  and  56  extend to, and are connected with, an upper end  60  of the boss  50  and provide a rigid connection between the boss and the plate member  10 , thereby providing resistance to movement of the boss relative to the plate member  10  and corresponding fracturing of the bracket A. 
     With continued reference to FIG.  1  and reference also to FIGS. 4,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , a vertically extending bore  70  is formed through the boss  50 . The bore  70  is configured for snugly receiving a vertically extending connecting member  72  located on a rearward portion of the display member B. The cross section of the bore changes at around a mid point of the length of the bore. Specifically, an upper portion  76  of the bore  40 , best shown in FIG. 4, extends from an upper surface  78  of the boss  50 . The upper portion  76  has a cross section which includes a circular central region  80  with two opposed key slots  82  laterally extending from the central region. With particular reference to FIG.  1  and reference also to FIG. 8, the key slots  82  are configured for receiving ribs  86  protruding axially from a distal end of the connecting member  72  of the display member B. 
     A lower portion  90  of the bore  70 , best shown in FIG. 7, extends vertically from a lower surface  92  of the boss to meet the upper portion  76  of the bore. The lower portion  90  has a circular cross section with a diameter which is slightly greater than a distance d between outer edges of the key slots  82  of the upper portion  76  of the bore. The two-diameter configuration of the bore provides for releasable locking of the display member B to the mounting bracket A and for pivoting of the display member about a vertical axis though the bore when fully installed, which is perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the mounting bracket, and will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Turning now to the pivotable display member, FIGS. 1,  8 , and  9  show a first embodiment B of the display member. In this embodiment, the display member B serves both to display labels and to hang small items of merchandise. The display member includes a display portion  98  which can take on a variety of configurations. The display portion  98  of embodiment B includes a generally U-shaped hanger  100  which includes a vertical post  102 , an upper laterally projecting display arm  104 , which extends forwardly from an upper end  106  of the post  102 , and a lower laterally projecting display arm  108 , which extends forwardly from the post adjacent a lower end  110  of the post. The upper and lower laterally projecting display arms  104 , 108  are preferably inclined upwardly at a slight angle to the horizontal. 
     The connecting member  72  is generally L-shaped and extends from the upper end  106  of the post  102 . The connecting member includes a horizontal upper arm portion  114 , which extends rearwardly from the post upper end  106 , and a vertical forearm portion or stem  116 , connected at an elbow, which extends downwardly from the upper arm portion. The ribs  86  extend laterally from a lower end  118  of the forearm portion  116  of the connecting member in a direction generally parallel to that of the display arms  104 , 108 . Preferably the U-shaped hanger  100  is integrally molded with the connecting member  72 . 
     A label holder  120  is attached to a forward end  122  of the upper display arm  104 . The label holder is configured for receiving display labels which provide pricing and other information about the product displayed on the merchandise and display hanger optionally, the label holder includes a flat label plate  124  on which display labels may be adhesively fixed. A lower lip  126  extends forwardly from a lower edge of the plate  124  as an additional support for a display label. Alternatively, the label holder includes other means of supporting a display label, such as upper and lower channels (not shown) which receive upper and lower edges of the display label or an adhesive surface for adhesively securing a label. Horizontal strengthening ribs  128 , best shown in FIG. 9, extend along a rear surface  130  of the plate  124 . The label holder may be integrally formed with the rest of the pivotable display member B or adhesively attached, welded or otherwise attached by the rear surface  130  to the end  122  of the upper display arm. 
     The lower display arm  108 , which preferably defines the shape of a hook, is configured for receiving packages of the products to be displayed and may include an upwardly turned tip  134  at a forward end  136  of the lower display arm to inhibit packages from accidentally sliding off the arm. The packages preferably include holes in an upper portion thereof and are slid onto the display arm  108  via the tip  134 . 
     To mount the display member B on the bracket A, the display member is aligned in one of two equivalent mounting positions in which the ribs  86  on the connecting member  72  are positioned over the open key slots  82  of the upper portion  76  of the bore  70 . In either of the mounting positions, a longitudinal axis X—X of the display member B is aligned generally parallel with a front edge of the shelf, and generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis Y—Y through the mounting bracket A. The connecting member  72  is lowered into the boss bore  70  until the ribs  86  enter the lower portion  90  of the bore. An audible click indicates that the connecting member  72  has been properly seated in a pivoting position. As shown in FIG. 7, a shoulder  140  is defined between the upper and lower portions  76 , 90  of the bore, extending through the boss  50 . The click arises because of the resiliency of the plastic from which both the shoulder  140  and ribs  86  are formed, and because the shoulder, which extends around the key slots  82 , compresses the ribs slightly. The pivotable display member is then rotated to a position in which the display arms  104  and  108  extend generally outward from the shelf  20 . 
     In the pivoting position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10 (i.e., when the display member is fully inserted in the bore), the display member B may be pivoted horizontally via the connecting member  72 , about a vertical axis of rotation R which extends through the bore  70 . Except in two positions where the ribs  86  of the display member are aligned with the key slots  82  of the upper portion  76  of the bore, the connecting member is prevented from being removed from the bracket A by engagement of the ribs  86  with the shoulder  140 . During normal operation, therefore, when the display member B protrudes generally outward from the shelf  20 , the display member B is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket A, and does not tend to be dislodged, for example, by accidental knocking of the display member or when packages are removed from the lower projecting display arm  108 . At the same time, the display member B can rotate out of the way when struck by a shopper traveling down a store aisle, thereby preventing injury to the shopper. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1,  2 ,  8 , and  10 , a bearing surface  144  protrudes from a rear portion of the post  102  of the U-shaped hanger  100 . As best shown in FIG. 10, the bearing surface  144  slidingly engages an outer surface  146  of the boss  50  for smooth pivotal rotation of the display member and to prevent wobbling of the display member B in relation to the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a pivotable display member D. The display member D is intended for releasable connection with the mounting bracket of any of the embodiments described herein, including the mounting brackets A and C, and is suited to the display of merchandise. The display member D includes an L-shaped connecting member  150 , similar to the connecting member  72  of FIG. 1, and a display portion  154 . The connecting member  150  extends rearwardly and downwardly from an upper, rearward end of the display portion  154 . The connecting member is configured for being received in the bore  70  of the mounting brackets A and C. 
     The display portion  154  includes a vertical post  156  which is connected at an upper end  158  to an upper arm portion  160  of the connecting member  150 . A bearing surface  162  extends rearwardly from a rear surface of the post  156  for slidingly engaging the outer surface  146  of the mounting bracket boss  50 . A generally horizontal display arm or mounting arm  166  extends forwardly from the upper end  158  of the vertical post  156  of the display portion  154 . The display portion  154  optionally includes a triangular support plate  168  which provides support for the mounting arm  166 . The support plate  168  extends forwardly from a front surface of the post  156  and is connected along an upper edge to the mounting arm  166  to stiffen the arm. A pair of package hooks  170  are secured to a lateral arm  172 , for receiving packages of products to be displayed. The lateral arm is connected at its midpoint to a forward end  174  of the mounting arm  166  and extends laterally therefrom. 
     The mounting bracket A, C is suited to pivotally supporting a variety of other pivotable display members having the connecting member of FIGS. 1 and 11. FIGS. 12,  13 , and  14 - 15  show three alternate embodiments of a pivotable display member by way of example. FIG. 12 shows a display member E suited to the display of a single label  178 . The display member includes a connecting member  180  having an upper arm portion  182  and a forearm portion  184 , constructed like the connecting member  72  of FIG.  1 . Mounted on the a forward end  186  of the upper arm portion  182 , is a single label holder  188 . Labels may be adhesively or otherwise affixed to a front face  190  of the label holder. Preferably, a vertical post  192 , mounted to a rear surface of the label holder, and extending downward from the forward end  186  of the upper arm portion  182 , supports a bearing surface  194 , which extends rearwardly from a rear surface of the post. As before, the bearing surface engages an outer surface of the mounting bracket boss  50 . 
     With reference to FIG. 13, a pivotable display member F, in the form of a vertically extending merchandiser, is suited to the display of merchandise. The display member F includes a connecting member  200  having an upper arm portion  202  and downwardly extending forearm portion  204 , similar to the connecting member  72  of FIG. 1. A display portion  205  includes a downwardly extending display arm  206 , which also serves the functions of the post of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . The display arm is connected at an upper end  208  to a forward end  210  of the upper arm portion  202 . The display arm includes a rod  214  with several vertically spaced hooks  216  protruding therefrom for receiving packages of the products to be displayed. As shown in FIG. 13, the hooks  216  protrude forward from the rod, although other arrangements, such as sideward protruding hooks, are also contemplated. A bearing surface  218  of the type previously described extends rearwardly from an upper portion of the rod  214  for engaging an outer surface of the boss  50 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 a pivotable display member G is suited to the display of labels and small items of merchandise. The display member G includes a display portion  219 , which includes a side facing label holder  220  with left and right facing surfaces  222  and  224  for displaying a label  226  on each side of the label holder. The label holder is attached along a rear vertical edge  228  to a vertically extending post  230 . A connecting member  232 , similar to the connecting member  72  of the display member B and serving the same purpose, extends rearwardly and downwardly from an upper end  234  of the post  230 . A bearing surface  236  extends rearwardly from a rear surface of the post  230 . Two mounting hooks  238  and  240  extend outwardly from a lower portion of the left and right facing surfaces  222  and  224 , respectively, for receiving small packaged goods. 
     Mounting brackets A and C are configured for attaching to a horizontal surface, such as the upper surface of a shelf. It should be appreciated that by mounting the boss to a vertical plate rather than to a horizontally-extending plate, a mounting bracket suited to mounting on vertical surfaces is obtained. FIGS. 16-18 show an embodiment of an upright mounting bracket H configured for attachment to a front face of a vertical shelf support, or other vertically extending surface. The connecting member of any of the embodiments of the pivotable display member shown herein can be pivotally mounted in the mounting bracket H and still retain their intended orientation. For example, the connecting member  72  of pivotable display member B is used for mounting the display member B to the mounting bracket H. The bracket H includes a vertical extending plate member  250 . A cylindrical boss  252 , similar to the boss  50  of FIG. 1, is connected to a front face  254  of the plate member  250 . In particular, a triangular-shaped, horizontal support wall  256  extends forward from a middle region of the front face  254  and is connected to an upper end  258  of the boss  252 . Additionally, a vertical support wall  260  extends forwardly from the front face  254  and is connected at a forward vertical side  262  to a rearward facing surface of the boss and to a lower surface of the horizontal support wall  256 . The two support walls  256  and  260  are thus joined to form a somewhat T-shaped construction in cross-section. The two support walls rigidly support the boss  252  and resist twisting of the boss. A bore  266  extends vertically through the boss. The bore is configured in the same manner as the bore  70  of the boss  50  of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     Upper and lower L-shaped fingers  268  protrude from a rear face  270  of the plate member  250  and are adapted for hooking into suitably shaped slots  272  in the front face  274  of an upright support  276  or other suitable support surface. Other means of attachment of the bracket H to a vertical support surface are also contemplated. For example, peghooks or mounting fingers configured for attachment of supports to a pegboard could be employed with the mounting bracket H. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, the upright mounting bracket H preferably includes a Y-shaped stop  280  which extends upwardly from an upper end  282  of the plate member  250 . If the plate member is moved upwards during operational use, the stop  280  engages an adjacent upper surface of the upright support slot  272  or other suitable restriction to movement, inhibiting the fingers  268  from being dislodged from their respective slots. A rearwardly extending wing  286  of the Y-shaped stop biases the plate member  250  forwardly by pressing on an adjacent portion of the vertical support surface. This brings the fingers  268  into frictional engagement with the wall material adjacent the slots of the vertical support to which the bracket H is mounted. This feature retards unintended removal of the bracket from the vertical support. Preferably, the stop  280  is resiliently flexible so that it deflects slightly, if needed, during installation of the mounting bracket to allow engagement of the fingers  268  with the slots. A Y-shaped cross section for the stop  280 , with a forward facing wing  288  can be conveniently used, although a stop without a forward facing wing is also contemplated. 
     FIGS. 19-26 show various embodiments of a multicomponent rigid, or non-pivotable interchangeable display system  290 . With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, in a preferred embodiment, the non-pivotable display system  290  includes a vertical mounting bracket or upright mount J for use with a non pivotable display member. Like the vertical bracket H, the vertical mounting bracket J is suited to mounting on a vertical support surface, such as the support surface  276  shown in FIG.  17 . It should be appreciated however, that a horizontal mounting bracket is also contemplated, for mounting to a horizontal support surface, such as shelf  20 . The mount J comprises a support body  300 . As shown in FIG. 19, extending from a rear surface  302  of the support body are spaced first and L-shaped second fingers  304  and  306 . Each of these fingers includes a first section  308  which projects approximately normal to a plane of the support body  300  and a second section  310  which is oriented approximately normal to the first section  308  and approximately parallel to the plane of the support body  300 . Extending from a front wall  312  of the support body  300  is a housing  320 . The housing comprises a bottom wall  322 , a front wall  324  and first and second side walls  326  and  328  (FIG.  20 ). Together, the several walls and the adjacent support body define a socket  332 . With reference again to FIG. 18, a slot  334  is defined in the front wall  324 . Extending into the socket  332  are a pair of spaced ribs  336  and  338 . These ribs project forwardly from the front wall  312  of the support body  300 . 
     The support body has an upper end  340  and a lower end  342 . Extending from the upper end and lower ends, respectively, are first and second wings  344  and  346 . These wings include a substantially planar body  348  and, located on a distal end thereof, a rounded protrusion  350 . As is evident from FIG. 17, the wings extend rearwardly at an obtuse angle to the plane of the support body  300 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 21, the upright mount J is shown as being secured in a vertically extending reinforcing member  354  located along one side edge of a pegboard  356 . The pair of spaced finger  304  and  306  of the upright mount J protrude into vertically spaced slots  358  in the reinforcing member  354 . It is apparent from FIG. 23 that the wings  344  and  346  bias the support body  300  forwardly so as to insure that the first and second fingers  304  and  306  are held tightly in the slots  358  of the reinforcing member  354 . This design of the upright mount J prevents inadvertent dislodgement of the upright mount from the reinforcing member  354 . Supported in the socket  332  of the housing  320  is a bottom end  360  of a non-pivotable display member K. 
     With reference now to FIG. 22, one form of a display member K comprises a rail  400 . The rail includes a base wall  402 . A first side wall  404  and a second side wall  406  extend away from the base in a first direction. The first and second side walls are substantially parallel to each other. A first channel  408  is defined between the first and second side walls  404  and  406  and the base wall  402 . A respective lip  410 ,  412  extends into the first channel  408  from a distal end of each of the side walls  404  and  406  such that the lips contact each other. The lips can thus frictionally engage opposed sides of a sign such as the sign L illustrated in FIG.  25 . Extending away from the base  402  in a second direction are third and fourth side walls  414  and  416 . It can be seen that the third and fourth side walls  414  and  416  are substantially parallel to the first and second side walls  404  and  406 . The third and fourth side walls  414  and  416 , together with the base wall  402  define between them, a second channel  418 . Extending into the channel from the distal ends of the third and fourth side walls are respective lips  420  and  422 , which can contact each other. A sign can be inserted into the second channel  418  between the lips and be gripped thereby. The rail  400  is made from a suitable conventional resilient material, such as a thermoplastic, for example, an extruded clear polyvinyl chloride, the lips can flex away from each other to allow the insertion and removal of the sign L. The flexibility of the lips allows them to accommodate signs of varying thickness. 
     The rail  400  is advantageous from the standpoint that it can hold signs on either side. It is apparent that the construction of the rail  400  is such as to allow either set of lips  410 ,  412  or  420 ,  422  to grasp a side edge of the sign L. Since the rail is preferably transparent, the sign held can be fully seen. 
     The rail  400  may be inserted in the socket  320  of the upright mount J in a vertical orientation, as shown in FIG. 21, or may be mounted in a horizontal orientation with the aid of a flag adapter, as shown in FIG.  25  and described in further detail below. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 23 and 24, mounted in a top end of the rail  400  is a sign adapter M which holds a suitable conventional sign N. The sign adapter M comprises a body  430  having a horizontally oriented base wall  432  and a pair of vertically oriented spaced side walls  434  and  436 . With particular reference to FIG. 24, a first side wall  434  extends substantially perpendicularly from one side edge of the base wall  432  and a second side wall  436  extends substantially perpendicularly from an opposed side edge of the base wall  432 . A channel  438  is defined between the base wall  432  and the pair of side walls  434  and  436 . 
     Extending into the channel  438  from an inner surface of each of the first and second side walls  434  and  436  are a series of space ribs  442 . The ribs serve to reduce the width of the channel when approaching the base wall  432  as is evident from FIG.  24 . Reducing the channel width is advantageous from the standpoint that it allows the holding of a suitable sign N which may be inserted into the sign adapter M more firmly. 
     Projecting from the base wall  432  in a direction opposite to the orientation direction of the first and second side walls  434  and  436  are first and second mounting legs  444  and  446 . The two mounting legs are spaced apart by a slot  448  defined between them. A first wing  450  is located on an outboard side of the first mounting leg  444  and a second wing  452  is located on an outboard side of the second mounting leg  446 , as may be evident from FIG.  23 . The first and second mounting legs  444  and  446  are adapted to extend into the first and second channels  408  and  418  in the rail  400  illustrated in FIG.  22 . The wings  450  and  452  are trapped between the pairs of lips  410 ,  412 ,  420  and  422  of the rail  400  and serve to prevent the sign adapter from falling out of the rail. 
     With reference now to FIG. 26, a flag adapter P is there illustrated. The flag adapter comprises a body  460  having a mounting portion  462 . The mounting portion includes a T-shaped section  464  and a rib  466 . These two elements are secured together by a connecting wall  468  and a brace section  470 . Another wall section  472  projects rearwardly from the T-shaped section  464 . A flag supporting portion  476  is also provided on the body  460 . The flag supporting portion includes a first leg  478  and a second leg  480 . The two legs are spaced from each other along a slot  482 . It is apparent from FIG. 26 that while the T-shaped section  464  of the mounting portion  462  is approximately vertically oriented, the first and second legs  478  and  480  of the flag supporting portion  476  are approximately horizontally oriented. A connecting wall  486  secures the flag supporting portion  476  to the mounting portion  462 . 
     With reference to FIG. 25, the upright mount J is shown as being secured in the reinforcing member  354  and the flag adapter P is shown as being suspended in the socket of the upright mount. To this end, the flag adapter mounting portion  462  is inserted into the socket  332  of the mount J and the pair of legs  478  and  480  protrude forwardly of the mount. It should be appreciated that the connecting wall  486  of the flag adapter P is meant to extend through the slot  334  in the front wall  324  of the support body  300  of the upright mount G. A rail  400  has a first end accommodating the pair of spaced legs  478  and  480  of the flag adapter P. A suitable conventional sign M can be held in a second end of the rail in a flag or in a banner-like manner. 
     From the foregoing, it should be readily appreciated that the non-pivotable display system shown in FIG. 25 could take the form of a pivotable display system. To do this, a flag adapter similar to flag adapter P is provided, but with a pivotable connecting member similar to the connecting member  72  of FIG. 1 instead of the T-shaped section  464 , connecting wall  468 , and brace section  470  of the mounting potion  462  of flag adapter P. The connecting member is inserted into the boss  50  or  252  of horizontal and vertical mounting brackets A or H, respectively, rather than in the socket  332  of mount J. In this embodiment, the flag adapter, rail  400  and sign L pivot about an axis through the respective bore  70 ,  270  of the boss. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 27-31, another embodiment of a display system  500  includes a vertical mounting bracket or upright mount R for use with a display member  504 . Like the vertical bracket H, the vertical mounting bracket R is suited to mounting on a vertical support surface, such as the upright support  276  shown in FIG.  17 . It should be appreciated however, that a horizontal mounting bracket is also contemplated, for mounting to a horizontal support surface, such as shelf  20 . The terms “upper,” “lower,” “rearward,” and “forward” and the like are used with respect to the orientation shown in FIG.  27 . 
     As shown in FIG. 29, the mount R comprises a rectangular, generally planar support body  506 . Spaced first and second hook-shaped fingers  508  and  510  extend rearwardly and downwardly from a rear surface  612  of the support body for entering corresponding slots  614  (FIG. 27) in the upright support  276 . Once inserted, the fingers grip the material of the upright support between the fingers and the rear surface of the support body. Other mounting members are also contemplated. For example, the fingers  508 ,  510  may be replaced with a layer of adhesive for adhesively attaching the rear surface  612  to a suitable support body. The adhesive may be of the releasable type, to allow the mount R to be removed and/or if repositioned if desired. The adhesive may be covered with a release layer prior to use. Or, fingers analogous to fingers  14 ,  16 , shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or a fastener, analogous to screw  46 , as shown in FIG. 3, may be used. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the various components will change accordingly if the display system is used, for example, on a horizontal shelf. 
     Vertical edges  618 ,  620  of the support body are cut away along their length to define a pair of spaced, parallel grooves  622 ,  624  on either side of the rear surface of the support body. With reference now also to FIG. 28, two spaced apart protrusions  626 ,  628  extend forwardly of a front, planar surface  630  of the support body. The protrusions are preferably generally hemispherical in shape, although other shapes are also contemplated. 
     With reference now to FIG. 31, the display member  504  includes a proximal or engagement portion  632  which is shaped to releasably and frictionally engage the support body  506 . Specifically, the engagement portion includes a generally planar forward wall  634  with two opposed rearwardly extending U-shaped flanges  636 ,  638 , which each define a channel to receive the cut away sides  618 ,  620 , respectively, of the support body therein. 
     To assemble the display member  504  and mount R, the display member is positioned above the mount, as shown in FIG. 28, and slid downward over the mount, the flanges slidingly contacting the grooves of the support body. This operation is preferably carried out before mounting the mount R on the support surface, although it can be done afterwards. The grooves  622 ,  624  can have tapered, lower ends  639  adjacent the lower end  640  of the support body, so that the sides  618 ,  620  of the support body increase in width towards the bottom, creating an increasing frictional engagement between the flanges and the support body. The momentum developed in sliding the display member downwards onto the mount allows the user to overcome this friction force and complete the installation of the display member. However, once installed, the force needed to begin sliding the display member upwards is relatively large, resisting accidental removal. Additionally, the two projections  626 ,  628  on the front of the support body provide an outward force on the forward portion, such that by the time the display member has reached a lower end  640  of the support body, the display member is gripping the support body sufficiently firmly to resist displacement of the display portion if knocked from below. 
     As shown in FIG. 30, a shelf  644  extends forwardly of the lower end  640  of the support body. A lower end  646  of the engagement portion of the display member rests on the shelf when the display member is fully inserted. The shelf serves to prevent the display member from sliding off the bottom of the mount. 
     The display member and support body are preferably configured such that the force required to remove the display member from the mount is substantially greater than the force required to remove the mount from the support slots  614 . This facilitates removal of the display system from the shelf support  276  and repositioning by gripping the display member  504 . 
     The display member  504  further includes a display or distal portion, such as a sign holding portion  650 , for holding a sign or flag  652  (FIG.  28 ). The sign holding portion extends forwardly of the forward wall  634  of the engagement portion and is connected thereto by a hinge  654 . As shown in FIG. 31, the hinge preferably comprises a strip of material which connects the forward wall of the engagement portion  632  and the sign holding portion  650 . The hinge  654  is resiliently flexible, allowing the sign holding portion  650  to flex or pivot in use, relative to the engagement portion, when a force is applied, for example, when a shopper knocks the sign. This causes a force to build up in the hinge. The material from which the hinge is made has a memory. Thus, once the applied force is removed, the hinge  654  flexes back and returns to its original position-generally perpendicular to the front portion  634  of the engagement portion. 
     The sign holding portion  650  of the display member releasably and frictionally holds the sign  652 , which may be a sheet of plastic, card, paper, or the like. The sign displays information about the products on the shelves, such as price. The sign holding portion may comprise a U-shaped channel  658 , connected to the hinge by a central wall  670 , thereof. Two side walls  672 ,  674  extend forwardly from the central wall  670  to define the U-shaped channel  658  for receiving the sign. The U-shaped channel has an inlet end  676  opposite the central wall  670 . The longest dimension of the channel is generally parallel to and generally coextensive with the longest dimension of the hinge portion (i.e., with hinge and channel longest dimensions are both vertically oriented). 
     Thus, the hinge flexes readily in directions S and T when a force is applied to one or other of the faces of the sign. For sign holders which are to be used on upper or lower shelves, it may be desirable to angle the sign towards the shopper&#39;s view. In such cases, the hinge may be aligned at an angle to the largest dimension of the front wall  634 . The hinge is preferably wide enough to allow the sign holding portion to pivot to a position in which the sign is relatively flush with the shelf support. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 27-31, the sign could be pivoted by about 30-45° from its normal rest position when the sign holding portion  650  is pivoted towards the shelf to its maximum extent. 
     Resiliently flexible fins  678  extend into the channel  676  from each of the side walls  672 ,  674  to frictionally engage opposite sides of the sign  652 . Preferably, the fins are oriented such that their distal tips point rearwardly. As shown in FIG. 31, the fins attached to one side wall are interdigitated with those on the other wall (the tips slightly overlapping), although other arrangements are contemplated. The fins flex rearwardly to allow the sign to be inserted but resist removal of the sign by gripping it when an attempt is made to pull the sign outwardly. 
     Alternatively, the sign holding member may be formed similarly to the rail  400  shown in FIG. 22, with two lips similar to lips  410 ,  412  extending into the channel  676  from a distal end of each of the side walls  672 ,  674  such that the lips contact each other. The lips can thus frictionally engage opposed sides of the sign. 
     The display member may be integrally formed from suitable thermoplastic materials by coextrusion or by other known manufacturing methods. A clear flexibly resilient material is particularly preferred. More preferably, the fins and hinge can be made from a resiliently flexible material, such as a urethane (e.g., Pellethane™, obtained from Dow Plastics), while the remaining portions of the display member can be formed from a less flexible, relatively rigid material, such as a polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The mount may be formed from a relatively rigid plastic. 
     With reference now to FIG. 32, the display system  500  can be used to support elongated signs and other larger items, for example, a large sign  680 , by using more than one display member  504  and mount R. FIG. 32 shows two spaced apart mounts R and R′, one positioned below the other, each with its own display member,  504 ,  504 ′. If the sign  680  is knocked, both display members can flex as needed, reducing any stress on the sign. 
     It will be appreciated that the hinged display member  504  can take on other forms than that shown in FIGS. 27-28 and  31 . For example, the sign holding portion  650  may be replaced by a distal portion similar to the pivotable display member G illustrated in FIG.  15 . In this embodiment, the hinge  654  and  634  would replace the post  230  and connecting member  232  of FIG. 14, the label holder  220  being attached directly to the hinge portion. The display member may support package hooks for displaying small items, analogous to hooks  238 ,  240 . 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It should be apparent that modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such alterations and modifications insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.