CA2632371A1 - Adjustable header assembly for signage - Google Patents
Adjustable header assembly for signage Download PDFInfo
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- CA2632371A1 CA2632371A1 CA 2632371 CA2632371A CA2632371A1 CA 2632371 A1 CA2632371 A1 CA 2632371A1 CA 2632371 CA2632371 CA 2632371 CA 2632371 A CA2632371 A CA 2632371A CA 2632371 A1 CA2632371 A1 CA 2632371A1
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- frame
- extending
- support
- header assembly
- signage
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Abstract
An adjustable header assembly is adapted to carry removable signage and can be secured to a shelf or other support structure within a commercial establishment, such as a "big box store". The header assembly includes a frame and suitable brackets for removable securement to the support structure. Each bracket has a vertically extending slot for reception of a pin and guide wheel carried at each end of the frame. At its lower end, each slot has an S-shape defining a labyrinthine path for a pin carried by the frame towards the lower end thereof. The pin is moved along the path to a locking notch which receives the pin and holds the frame in its raised condition. The pins are drawn in a reverse direction to free them from the slots and to permit the frame to be lowered, so as to provide access to goods carried by the shelf behind the raised signage, and to facilitate the changing or modification of the signage carried by the frame.
Description
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ADJUSTABLE HEADER ASSEMBLY FOR SIGNAGE
The present invention relates in general to signage that might be used in a "big box"
retail outlet, such as one of the home improvement variety, and in particular to a header assembly for removable/replaceable signs or graphics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Retail outlets are replete with signs, advertising products and/or special sales and providing information to customers and staff alike. Signs can be of any size, shape and/or color; they can be purely graphical in nature, showing pictures, sketches and/or pictographs; they can be purely textual in nature; they can be a combination of text and graphics; they can be permanently or temporarily mounted to a shelf or other support; or they can be free-standing. When the retail outlet is large in area and volume, such as a so-called "big box store", small signs can become almost invisible to the customers and staff.
Signs in such stores tend to be large in size (area) and they tend to be secured to some form of support, such as a shelf. Most such signs are fixed in position by suitable means.
They usually cannot be positionally adjusted, whether to provide access to goods stored on the shelf behind the sign, or to provide ready access to the sign so that the informational portion thereof can be changed or updated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs expressed above for a sign that is adjustable in its position so as to provide access to goods stored behind it, and to provide access to the sign so that it can be changed or updated as desired. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a header frame assembly that carries means for supporting the sign to be held by the header frame. The apparatus of the invention also includes support brackets that can be removably connected or mounted to appropriate shelf structure. The header frame is preferably generally rectilinear in configuration, with parallel upper and lower frame members separated and interconnected by at least generally vertical end frame members.
An arm extending upwardly and rearwardly from the frame assembly at each end thereof carries a rotatable wheel on a pin, which pin is receivable in a vertically extending slot of an associated bracket. Each slot leads into an upper portion which extends upwardly and rearwardly of the bracket. The slot also leads into a lower labyrinthine portion which provides an S-shaped path for a laterally extending pin at the lower end of the frame assembly. The labyrinthine portion also includes a notch for reception of the pin, such that with the pin engaged in the notch the frame assembly is fixed in a raised condition, making the signage fully visible and the shelf behind the signage inaccessible. When the pins are disengaged from their associated notches, the signage can be lowered to provide access to the shelf and to facilitate any desired change to the signage.
In its broadest form, the present invention may be considered as providing an adjustable header assembly for the mounting of signage to a support, comprising: frame means including clip means adapted to carry such signage thereon; bracket means removably mountable to such support; guiding means associated with such bracket means and such frame means for guiding the frame means in a vertically oriented direction; and fixing means associated with such bracket means and such frame means for fixing the frame means in at least one of two vertically oriented positions, an upper position blocking access to the support surface and a lower position providing access to the support surface.
In its preferred form, the present invention provides an adjustable header assembly for mounting signage to a support comprising: a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members; means associated with the frame assembly adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly; guide wheel means carried at each end of the frame assembly on an associated arm extending rearwardly and upwardly of the frame assembly; a pair of brackets adapted for spaced apart mounting to the support, each bracket including slot means extending at least vertically thereof, the slot means including lower portions defining locking means for the frame assembly and being adapted for guiding interaction with the guide wheel means;
and pin means extending outwardly from each vertically extending end frame member adjacent a lower end thereof, the pin means being engageable with the locking means of an adjacent bracket to lock the frame assembly in a raised condition thereof.
In a second iteration, the present invention provides an adjustable header assembly for mounting signage to a support member, comprising: a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members, at least the upper frame member defining a channel opening to the rear of the frame member; clip means carried by the upper and lower frame members and adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly; a pair of support brackets each adapted to be mounted to the support member, each such support bracket including flange means for securement to the support member, a first leg to which the flange means is connected, a second leg extending normal to the first leg and defining a support surface for the frame assembly, and a pivot leg extending normal to the second leg and parallel to the first leg; a pair of first elongated pivot arms, each such arm being pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the pivot leg of a respective support bracket and rotatably mounting a roller wheel at the distal end thereof, each roller wheel being receivable within the channel of the upper frame member; and a pair of second elongated pivot arms, each such second pivot arm being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to a respective first pivot arm intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof, and being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to the upper frame member between a respective end of the upper frame member and the roller wheel of the first pivot arm to which the second pivot arm is connected.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable header assembly for mounting a sign to a support comprising: upper and lower horizontally extending clip members for co-operating with upper and lower edges, respectively, of the sign to be carried by the header assembly; a pair of spaced apart track members extending perpendicular to the clip members and secured thereto, the track members opening to a rear of the assembly; a pair of clamping members, each slidably received in a respective one of the track members and adapted for being removably clamped to the support; a locking member adapted for being removably clamped to the support between the track members; and a locking mechanism mounted between and to the track members adjacent a lower end thereof, the locking mechanism including pivotable locking means engageable with the locking member when the header assembly is in a first raised position relative to the support and separable from the locking member to permit the header assembly to be lowered to a second lowered position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a raised condition and in position on a shelf of a retail establishment.
Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the upper frame member of the present invention.
ADJUSTABLE HEADER ASSEMBLY FOR SIGNAGE
The present invention relates in general to signage that might be used in a "big box"
retail outlet, such as one of the home improvement variety, and in particular to a header assembly for removable/replaceable signs or graphics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Retail outlets are replete with signs, advertising products and/or special sales and providing information to customers and staff alike. Signs can be of any size, shape and/or color; they can be purely graphical in nature, showing pictures, sketches and/or pictographs; they can be purely textual in nature; they can be a combination of text and graphics; they can be permanently or temporarily mounted to a shelf or other support; or they can be free-standing. When the retail outlet is large in area and volume, such as a so-called "big box store", small signs can become almost invisible to the customers and staff.
Signs in such stores tend to be large in size (area) and they tend to be secured to some form of support, such as a shelf. Most such signs are fixed in position by suitable means.
They usually cannot be positionally adjusted, whether to provide access to goods stored on the shelf behind the sign, or to provide ready access to the sign so that the informational portion thereof can be changed or updated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs expressed above for a sign that is adjustable in its position so as to provide access to goods stored behind it, and to provide access to the sign so that it can be changed or updated as desired. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a header frame assembly that carries means for supporting the sign to be held by the header frame. The apparatus of the invention also includes support brackets that can be removably connected or mounted to appropriate shelf structure. The header frame is preferably generally rectilinear in configuration, with parallel upper and lower frame members separated and interconnected by at least generally vertical end frame members.
An arm extending upwardly and rearwardly from the frame assembly at each end thereof carries a rotatable wheel on a pin, which pin is receivable in a vertically extending slot of an associated bracket. Each slot leads into an upper portion which extends upwardly and rearwardly of the bracket. The slot also leads into a lower labyrinthine portion which provides an S-shaped path for a laterally extending pin at the lower end of the frame assembly. The labyrinthine portion also includes a notch for reception of the pin, such that with the pin engaged in the notch the frame assembly is fixed in a raised condition, making the signage fully visible and the shelf behind the signage inaccessible. When the pins are disengaged from their associated notches, the signage can be lowered to provide access to the shelf and to facilitate any desired change to the signage.
In its broadest form, the present invention may be considered as providing an adjustable header assembly for the mounting of signage to a support, comprising: frame means including clip means adapted to carry such signage thereon; bracket means removably mountable to such support; guiding means associated with such bracket means and such frame means for guiding the frame means in a vertically oriented direction; and fixing means associated with such bracket means and such frame means for fixing the frame means in at least one of two vertically oriented positions, an upper position blocking access to the support surface and a lower position providing access to the support surface.
In its preferred form, the present invention provides an adjustable header assembly for mounting signage to a support comprising: a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members; means associated with the frame assembly adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly; guide wheel means carried at each end of the frame assembly on an associated arm extending rearwardly and upwardly of the frame assembly; a pair of brackets adapted for spaced apart mounting to the support, each bracket including slot means extending at least vertically thereof, the slot means including lower portions defining locking means for the frame assembly and being adapted for guiding interaction with the guide wheel means;
and pin means extending outwardly from each vertically extending end frame member adjacent a lower end thereof, the pin means being engageable with the locking means of an adjacent bracket to lock the frame assembly in a raised condition thereof.
In a second iteration, the present invention provides an adjustable header assembly for mounting signage to a support member, comprising: a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members, at least the upper frame member defining a channel opening to the rear of the frame member; clip means carried by the upper and lower frame members and adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly; a pair of support brackets each adapted to be mounted to the support member, each such support bracket including flange means for securement to the support member, a first leg to which the flange means is connected, a second leg extending normal to the first leg and defining a support surface for the frame assembly, and a pivot leg extending normal to the second leg and parallel to the first leg; a pair of first elongated pivot arms, each such arm being pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the pivot leg of a respective support bracket and rotatably mounting a roller wheel at the distal end thereof, each roller wheel being receivable within the channel of the upper frame member; and a pair of second elongated pivot arms, each such second pivot arm being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to a respective first pivot arm intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof, and being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to the upper frame member between a respective end of the upper frame member and the roller wheel of the first pivot arm to which the second pivot arm is connected.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an adjustable header assembly for mounting a sign to a support comprising: upper and lower horizontally extending clip members for co-operating with upper and lower edges, respectively, of the sign to be carried by the header assembly; a pair of spaced apart track members extending perpendicular to the clip members and secured thereto, the track members opening to a rear of the assembly; a pair of clamping members, each slidably received in a respective one of the track members and adapted for being removably clamped to the support; a locking member adapted for being removably clamped to the support between the track members; and a locking mechanism mounted between and to the track members adjacent a lower end thereof, the locking mechanism including pivotable locking means engageable with the locking member when the header assembly is in a first raised position relative to the support and separable from the locking member to permit the header assembly to be lowered to a second lowered position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a raised condition and in position on a shelf of a retail establishment.
Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the upper frame member of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the support brackets of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the upper frame member and the relative positioning of the first and second arms therein.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in a lowered condition.
Figure 6 is an illustration of signage according to a second embodiment of the present invention in position on a shelf of a retail establishment.
Figure 7 is a rear view of the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 7a is a rear perspective view of the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism used with the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism.
Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the clamping mechanism used with the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 10a is another partial perspective view of the clamping mechanism of Figure 10.
Figure 11 is a partial perspective view showing a locking pin used with the locking mechanism of the second embodiment.
Figure 12 is a view showing the interior of the lock box of the locking mechanism.
Figures 13a, 13b and 13c show the present invention mounting signage of different peripheral shapes.
Figure 14 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the present invention, shown in a lowered condition.
Figure 15 is a schematic representation of the third embodiment, shown in a raised condition prior to locking in place.
Figure 16 is a partial enlarged side view showing the relative positions of the components in the raised condition of the signage.
Figure 17 is a partial side view showing a guide wheel of the third embodiment.
Figure 18 is a side view of one of the brackets used with the third embodiment.
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view on the line 19-19 of Figure 18.
Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the upper frame member and the relative positioning of the first and second arms therein.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in a lowered condition.
Figure 6 is an illustration of signage according to a second embodiment of the present invention in position on a shelf of a retail establishment.
Figure 7 is a rear view of the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 7a is a rear perspective view of the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism used with the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism.
Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the clamping mechanism used with the signage support of the second embodiment.
Figure 10a is another partial perspective view of the clamping mechanism of Figure 10.
Figure 11 is a partial perspective view showing a locking pin used with the locking mechanism of the second embodiment.
Figure 12 is a view showing the interior of the lock box of the locking mechanism.
Figures 13a, 13b and 13c show the present invention mounting signage of different peripheral shapes.
Figure 14 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the present invention, shown in a lowered condition.
Figure 15 is a schematic representation of the third embodiment, shown in a raised condition prior to locking in place.
Figure 16 is a partial enlarged side view showing the relative positions of the components in the raised condition of the signage.
Figure 17 is a partial side view showing a guide wheel of the third embodiment.
Figure 18 is a side view of one of the brackets used with the third embodiment.
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view on the line 19-19 of Figure 18.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a header assembly according to the present invention as it would be seen in use, mounted to a shelf 12 of a retail outlet, such as a "big box store". The header assembly is shown without specific signage in place thereon, it being understood that the signage per se forms no part of the present invention, save that the signage will have upper and lower edges that will be utilized for retention purposes. Reference may be made to Figure 6 to see signage in position within a header assembly, Figure 6 pertaining to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The header assembly 10 comprises a generally rectilinear frame assembly 14 made up of generally horizontal parallel upper and lower frame members 16, 18 interconnected and held in position by generally vertical end frame members 20, 22. For additional rigidity, one or two central vertical support members 24 can be provided as well.
At least the upper frame member 16 is formed from an extruded channel-shaped length of suitable material such as steel, aluminum or plastic. As seen in Figure 2 this frame member has a generally square, open, cross-section, with the channel 26 thereof being defined by the upper 28 and lower 30 legs of the member, connected together by the inner bight portion 32. Upper 34 and lower 36 reentrant flanges complete the channel, there being a gap 38 between the facing edges of the flanges 34, 36. The lower frame member 18 may be a closed box section or it also may be formed as a channel member, the same as the upper frame member 16.
The channel 26 faces or opens to the rear of the header assembly 10. Each of the frame members 16, 18 carries an extruded clip member 40 that is adapted to engage a corresponding edge of the signage to be carried by the header assembly, the upper and lower clip members being the same but oriented in opposite directions. As can be seen from Figure 2 the upper clip member 40 has a main channel portion 42 that clips onto the upper frame member 16 and a pair of flanges 44, 46 extending downwardly from a forwardly projecting flange member 48. The flange 44 defines a first channel 50 between itself and the body of the clip member 40 while the flange 46 defines a second channel 52 between itself and the flange 44. When the header assembly is in use upper and lower channels 50 will be vertically aligned with each other as will upper and lower channels 52.
The signage can be positioned within either of the aligned pairs of channels for ready viewing by customers of the store. It would also be possible to arrange a plurality of signs within the aligned channels so as to impart a plurality of messages to the customers of the store.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one of the support brackets 54 that is part of the header assembly of the present invention and which is used to support the header frame on a shelf or other similar structure. Preferably, a pair of support brackets 54 will be utilized with the present invention, only one being described herein. It will be noted that the support bracket 54 shown in Figure 3 includes an upper flange 56 that is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the shelf so as to bear the weight of the header assembly. The flange 56 can be provided with a through aperture 58 permitting the flange to be solidly secured to the shelf by a suitable fastener (not shown) such as a lag bolt.
Alternatively, a second flange 60, shown in broken lines, can be provided below the flange 56, with the second flange carrying a rotatable threaded rod 62 and a clamp member 64.
Using the clamp member 64 will permit the support bracket to be readily removed from the shelf so that it can be used elsewhere without damaging the shelf. Of course, a combination of clamp and fastener can be utilized to provide even greater strength to the attachment of the support bracket to shelf.
The flange 56 (and the flange 60 if provided) extends rearwardly from a generally vertically oriented leg 66, from which projects forwardly a lower support leg 68 engageable with the lower edge of the lower frame member 20. Furthermore, an upright leg projects upwardly from the lower leg 68 close to but spaced from the leg 66 of the support means.
Each of the support brackets 56 has a first elongate pivot arm 72 pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to, preferably, the vertically oriented leg 66. The opposite, or distal, end of the first pivot arm 72 carries a roller wheel 74 rotatably mounted on a pivot pin or axle 76. The roller wheel 74 is sized for rolling reception within the channel 26 of the upper frame member 16, the wheel being retained therein by the reentrant flanges 34, 36 with the pivot axle extending therebetween through the gap 38. The roller wheel 74 can be introduced into the channel 26 through the adjacent open end of the frame member 16.
A second pivot arm 78 is provided for each end of the header assembly, each pivot arm 78 being pivotally connected, at a proximal end thereof, to the first pivot arm 72 intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the arm 72. At the distal end thereof each second pivot arm is pivotally connected, as by pivot pin 79, to the upper frame member 16 between the adjacent end of the frame member and the roller wheel 74 carried by the first pivot arm 72.
A removable stop member 80 is secured to the upper frame member 16 intermediate the connection thereto of the second pivot arm 78 and the roller wheel of the first pivot arm 72. The stop member prevents the roller wheel 74 from moving too far along the channel during vertical movement of the header assembly.
The orientation and relative positioning of the first and second arms 72 and 78, the stop member 80, and the channel 26 is seen in Figure 4.
The operation of the header assembly of the present invention will now be described, with particular reference to Figures 1 and 5. Figure 1 shows the header assembly in its raised position, with the lower frame member 18 supported by the lower legs 68 of the two support brackets 56. It should be noted that, if desired, and in particular if the frame assembly 14 is large, there could be utilized several additional support brackets intermediate the end brackets. Of course, if intermediate brackets are used then there would be no pivot arms connected thereto. In the position shown in Figure 1 the first and second pivot arms 72 and 78 form a y" shape, with the roller wheel 74 of each first pivot arm being at its outermost location, farthest away from the center of the upper frame member 16.
When it is desired to change the signage carried by the frame assembly 14 or when it is necessary to gain access to the shelf area behind the frame assembly one will first of all lift the frame assembly so that the lower frame member 18 can clear the upwardly extending lip 82 provided at the outer end of the lower leg 68 of each support bracket 56.
The lower frame member 18 is then moved outwardly away from the shelf and the support brackets so that the entire frame assembly 14 can be lowered relative to the shelf. There is sufficient play in the components of the header assembly to permit such movement. The outward movement is depicted by the arrow A. Then the frame assembly 14 is lowered in the direction of the arrow B until the upper frame member 16 can be supported by the outwardly projecting legs 68 of the support brackets 56. The frame assembly 14 is maintained parallel to the shelf and its downward motion is controlled by the pairs of first and second pivot arms 72, 78. During the downward movement each second pivot arm pivots about its distal connection to the upper frame member 16 while the roller wheel 74 at the distal end of the first pivot arm moves laterally within the channel 26 towards the center of the frame member 16. The lowered position of the frame assembly is illustrated in Figure 5. In its supported lowered position it is possible for an operator to remove the existing signage carried by the header assembly and to replace that signage with new signage imparting new information to potential customers. Furthermore, full access to the shelf to which the header assembly is mounted, is now available inasmuch as the header assembly is fully clear of the shelf and there is no impediment to such access.
Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention wherein a sliding header assembly 100 displays the actual informational sign 112 held in a generally rectangular support or header frame 114. The sliding header assembly carries the sign 112 so that it is directed toward potential customers who might be interested in the information imparted by the sign itself. The sign 112 can be completely textual, completely graphical, or a combination of text and graphics. The nature of the sign 112 and the information imparted thereby is immaterial as far as the invention is concerned. The header assembly 100 is shown as being positioned at the forward edge of a shelf 116 carrying goods, presumably for sale or in temporary storage, thereon.
Figure 7 shows the rear of the support or header frame 114. There it is seen that the header frame 114 may include a backing plate 118, generally rectangular in configuration, with a pair of sign-engaging clips 120, 122 extending along the upper and lower edges of the plate 118. The clips 120, 122 are adapted to engage the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the sign 112. The clips 120, 122 can extend forwardly of the backing plate 118 so that when the sign is positioned in the header 114 it will take on a concave appearance as seen in Figure 6. If the upper clip 120 extends forwardly a distance greater than that by which the lower clip 122 extends then the sign 112 will take an attitude that is angled relative to the backing plate 118. If, for example, the header is secured so as to be vertical, then the sign would be angled downwardly towards the floor of the retail outlet, making the information thereon more readily visible to someone endeavoring to read the sign 112. The clips 120, 122 can come in a variety of configurations and are generally as disclosed and discussed in commonly owned US Patent Application No.
11/206,270 of August 18, 2005 (published as US 2006/0070285 on April 6, 2006. A pair of end plates 124, 126 cap off the header frame at the respective ends thereof, extending between and attached to the clips 120, 122. The end plates 124, 126 will prevent the sign 112 from sliding lengthwise out of the header 114.
Extending between the clips 120 and 122, generally symmetrical to a central vertical centerline of the header 114 is a pair of U-shaped channels or track members 128, 130.
The track members are spaced apart by a suitable distance. Each track member includes a bight or rear wall 132, a pair of side walls 134, 134 extending perpendicularly to the rear wall, and a pair of reentrant flanges 136, 136 extending towards each other from the free edge of the respective side walls 134, 134. The free edges of the flanges 136, 136 are spaced from each other, providing by a gap therebetween access to the interior of each track member as defined by the walls and flanges thereof.
The track members 128, 130 are securely connected to the respective upper and lower clips 120, 122 as by way of nuts and bolts, by spot welding, by a suitable adhesive, by rivets, by machine screws, or by any other suitable fastening means. Since the track members act to space the clips 120, 122 apart it is possible that the header frame 114 can be manufactured without a backing plate 118, with the clips 120, 122, the end plates 124, 126 and the track members 128, 130 creating a skeletal frame that is sufficiently rigid to effectively carry the sign 112, without the need for a backing plate. A
backing plate will, of course, increase the rigidity of the header assembly 100, although it would also increase the weight thereof.
Each track member carries a clamping mechanism 138 best seen in Figures 10 and 10a. Each clamping mechanism includes a base or support member 140 with a depending clip member 142 that has a sliding fit within the interior of the track member, co-operating with the walls and flanges thereof to permit movement of the clip member along the track member while retaining the clip member 142 so that it cannot exit the track member except at an open end thereof. The base member 140 mounts thereon a C-shaped clamp 144, the clamp 144 including a threaded member 146 with a foot member 148 thereon. The threaded member 146 can be rotated so as to clamp a shelf or a portion thereof between the foot member 148 and the base 150 of the clamp, to thereby secure the header 114 to a shelf or any other suitable member. While the clamp 144 is illustrated in an orientation such that the structure (for example the front lip of a shelf) to which the clamp would be secured extends vertically, parallel to the track members 128, 130, it is clear that the clamp 144 could be oriented such that it could be secured to a horizontally extending structure, such as a shelf itself.
With reference to Figures 11 and 11a a C- or U-shaped mounting member 152 is provided for clamping directly to a shelf 116 or to a vertical flange 154 of the shelf. The member 152 is preferably in the form of a clamp that can be removably secured to the shelf or flange by way of a suitable clamping member (not shown). The clamping effect has to be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the header assembly 100. A pin member 156 is affixed to one of the walls of the member 154 and extends or projects away from the member 154 so as to be parallel to the side walls 134 of the track members 128, 130.
With reference to Figures 7, 7a, 8, 9 and 12 it will be noted that the structure of the header frame 114 includes a locking mechanism 160 that is secured to a pair of mounting bars 162, 162 that extend laterally between the track members 128, 130 adjacent the lower edge of the header 114. The locking mechanism includes a pair of opposed plates 164, 164 (only one is seen in the drawings), an opening 166, a locking arm 168 which intrudes into the opening 166, a release tab 170 and a locking tab 172. The interior of the locking mechanism 160 is best seen in Figure 12, where the locking arm 168 is pivotally secured to one of the opposed plates 164 by way of a pivot pin 174. The locking arm 168 includes a first portion 175 which co-operates with the pivot pin 174 and an arcuate second portion 176 which defines, with the first portion 174, a C-shaped opening 178 sized to closely fit on the locking pin member 154. The locking arm 168 extends from the first and second portions to a leg portion 180 from which a pin member 182 extends and is slidably received within an elongated slot 184 of a plunge arm 186. The plunge arm 186 is pivotally mounted to the plate 164 by way of a pivot pin 188. A tension spring 190 is connected to the plunge arm 186 near the slot 184 as well as to the plate 164. At the opposite end thereof the plunge arm 186 is pivotally connected to one end 192 of the elongated lock release tab 170 by pivot pin 194, the other end 196 of which is available to be pushed. The lock release tab 170 is slidably confined within the locking mechanism 160 for vertical movement as seen in Figure 12.
In operation, the header frame 114 would first of all be positioned relative to a shelf 116 and the clamping mechanisms 138 operated so as to clamp the to the shelf or to a flange or lip 154 thereof. The mounting member 152 is clamped to the shelf or flange so that the pin member 156 is vertically aligned with the opening 166 of the locking mechanism. With the header frame 114 in its lowermost position relative to the clamping mechanism 138 a sign 112 can be located within the confines of the header frame, with the upper and lower edges thereof engaging the respective upper and lower clip members 120, 122. Then, the entire signage can be raised relative to the shelf 116 and the clamping mechanisms 138 by pushing upwardly on the locking tab 172 of the locking mechanism 160. The push may be applied by hand or by any suitable instrument, including for example a broom handle. The header frame and the sign carried thereby are raised relative to the clamping mechanisms and the shelf until the second portion 176 of the locking arm 168 contacts the locking pin member 156. Since the second portion 176 of the locking arm is curved as seen in Figure 12 it will be pivoted or cammed by the pin member 156 until the free end passes the pin member and the pin member enters the C-shaped opening 178.
The locking arm will pivot back, under the influence of the tension spring, so as to capture the pin member in the opening 178, thereby locking the header 114 with respect to the pin member 178 and thus with respect to the clamping mechanisms and the shelf.
With the locking mechanism in place the sign is prevented from descending to its lowermost position.
When it is necessary to access the goods carried by the shelf 116 behind the header assembly 100, or when it is necessary to replace, for example, the sign 112 carried by the header frame 114, it is possible to quickly and easily lower the signage from its uppermost position relative to the shelf to its lowermost position. This is accomplished by pushing upwardly on the available end 196 of the release tab 170 by hand or with any suitable implement, such as the aforementioned broom handle. Upward movement of the release tab 170 will impart an upward movement to the adjacent end of the plunge arm causing the plunge arm to rotate on the pivot pin 188. The plunge arm 186, by way of the slot 184, will exert a downwards force on the pin member 182 of the locking arm 168 causing it to rotate on the pivot pin 174. This in turn opens the C-shaped opening vertically such that the weight of the header assembly 100 will cause it to descend away from the locking pin member 156. The signage can then be lowered away from the locking pin member 156, the clamping mechanism 138 and the shelf 116. With the signage in its lowermost position assess to goods on the shelf 116 is enabled and the sign 112 can be changed or adjusted as necessary.
Note that the upper end of each track member 128, 130 will carry a suitable plug or cap (not shown), secured to its track member to prevent the signage from separating from the clamping mechanisms during the descent thereof. The plugs or caps can be removably secured to the track members so that the clamping mechanisms can be removed from the track members for assembly or disassembly of the header.
Figures 14 to 19 are illustrative of a third, and preferred, embodiment 150 of the present invention. In this case, the frame carrying appropriate signage is designated by the reference number 152, it being noted that the frame can be similar to the frames depicted in the first and second embodiments. The present description is primarily concerned with the mechanism for mounting the frame to a support and to the means for guiding the frame during raising and lowering thereof.
With reference to Figures 14 and 17 it will be seen that the frame 152 is provided, at each end thereof, with a vertically and rearwardly angled arm 154, the arm at its proximal end being affixed to the frame by any suitable means such as rivets, metal screws, or bolts and nuts. At its distal end each arm carries a rotatable guide wheel 156 on a pin 158 affixed to the arm. The wheel 156 will be outboard of each arm.
Right and left mounting brackets 160, 162 are provided for mounting to, preferably, vertical supports of a shelving unit, by way of one or more of the through holes 164. One of the brackets is best seen in Figures 18 and 19. There it is seen that each bracket has at least three mounting holes 164 spaced apart along one vertical edge 166. The mounting holes 164 can be elongated so as to accommodate different spacings between corresponding mounting holes in the associated vertical supports.
At it upper end, each bracket has a portion 168 that extends rearwardly of the bracket. A guide slot 170 extends vertically adjacent the opposite edge 172 and leads into an upper portion 174 that angles upwardly and rearwardly into the extension portion 168.
At its lower end the slot leads into a labyrinthine portion which includes a short portion 176 that slopes slightly upwardly and forwardly towards the vertical edge 166. A
short vertical portion 178 extends upwardly from the free end of slot portion 176, leading to another short portion 180 that extends forwardly to and opens at the edge 172. As seen in Figure 18, a small notch 182 extends downwardly at the free end of short portion 176, as a downward extension of the vertical slot portion 178.
As can be seen in Figure 19, the outboard surface of each bracket is provided with a pair of opposing L-shaped flanges 184, 186 each of which has a short leg portion 188 extending outwardly of the bracket, and a reentrant arm portion 190 which faces the opposing reentrant arm portion of the other flange. The width or distance between the leg portions 188 of the flanges is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the guide wheel 156 carried by the adjacent arm 154 mounted to the frame 152.
Turning now to Figures 14 to 16, the operation of the third embodiment will now be described. Starting with the condition shown in Figure 14 it will be seen that the frame 152 is lowered relative to the brackets 160, 162, the lowered condition providing access to a shelf or shelves normally blocked when the signage carried by the frame 152 is in the raised condition. In the lowered condition the guide wheels 156, contained by the flanges 184, 186 are at the bottom of the vertical slot 170 and the frame is suspended therebelow.
Access to the shelf or shelves is now possible, and the signage carried by the frame can be changed or altered as desired.
To move the signage to a raised condition, as seen in Figure 15, the frame has been moved vertically and the guide wheels 156 have moved upwardly in the channel defined by the flanges 184, 186, into the angled slot portions 174. During the upward movement the frame 152 has been angled forwardly, pivoting on the pins 158 to which the wheels 156 are mounted.
At the uppermost elevation of the frame 152, with the wheels 156 within the angled slot portions174, a pin 192 which extends outwardly from each side wall of the frame 152 at the lower end thereof, will be aligned with the entrance to each of the short slot portions 180. Each pin 192 can then enter the adjacent slot portion 180, slide therealong, and then follow the vertical slot portion 178 downwardly until it rests in the notch 182. With the pins resting in the notches the frame is locked or fixed in place, with the signage carried by the frame available to provide appropriate information to customers and others desirous of becoming informed by the material carried by the signage.
The present invention clearly enables staff of a store or other facility to readily alter and adjust signage intended to impart information to passers-by and it also permits access to a shelf or other structure to which the invention is mounted. While the invention has been described in relation to generally rectilinear signs, it need not be restricted to such signs; it would only be necessary to provide the generally rectangular frame 14, 114, 152 with suitable signage-carrying clip members 200, 202, 204 adapted to support signs of a different configuration (oval, circular, polygonal, e.g. hexagonal, et cetera) as seen in Figures 13a, 13b, and 13c. Such clip members would be secured to an appropriate frame 206 of either the first or the second embodiment. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein the invention should not be construed as being restricted to such embodiments given that a skilled workman would be able to effect appropriate alterations to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a header assembly according to the present invention as it would be seen in use, mounted to a shelf 12 of a retail outlet, such as a "big box store". The header assembly is shown without specific signage in place thereon, it being understood that the signage per se forms no part of the present invention, save that the signage will have upper and lower edges that will be utilized for retention purposes. Reference may be made to Figure 6 to see signage in position within a header assembly, Figure 6 pertaining to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The header assembly 10 comprises a generally rectilinear frame assembly 14 made up of generally horizontal parallel upper and lower frame members 16, 18 interconnected and held in position by generally vertical end frame members 20, 22. For additional rigidity, one or two central vertical support members 24 can be provided as well.
At least the upper frame member 16 is formed from an extruded channel-shaped length of suitable material such as steel, aluminum or plastic. As seen in Figure 2 this frame member has a generally square, open, cross-section, with the channel 26 thereof being defined by the upper 28 and lower 30 legs of the member, connected together by the inner bight portion 32. Upper 34 and lower 36 reentrant flanges complete the channel, there being a gap 38 between the facing edges of the flanges 34, 36. The lower frame member 18 may be a closed box section or it also may be formed as a channel member, the same as the upper frame member 16.
The channel 26 faces or opens to the rear of the header assembly 10. Each of the frame members 16, 18 carries an extruded clip member 40 that is adapted to engage a corresponding edge of the signage to be carried by the header assembly, the upper and lower clip members being the same but oriented in opposite directions. As can be seen from Figure 2 the upper clip member 40 has a main channel portion 42 that clips onto the upper frame member 16 and a pair of flanges 44, 46 extending downwardly from a forwardly projecting flange member 48. The flange 44 defines a first channel 50 between itself and the body of the clip member 40 while the flange 46 defines a second channel 52 between itself and the flange 44. When the header assembly is in use upper and lower channels 50 will be vertically aligned with each other as will upper and lower channels 52.
The signage can be positioned within either of the aligned pairs of channels for ready viewing by customers of the store. It would also be possible to arrange a plurality of signs within the aligned channels so as to impart a plurality of messages to the customers of the store.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one of the support brackets 54 that is part of the header assembly of the present invention and which is used to support the header frame on a shelf or other similar structure. Preferably, a pair of support brackets 54 will be utilized with the present invention, only one being described herein. It will be noted that the support bracket 54 shown in Figure 3 includes an upper flange 56 that is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the shelf so as to bear the weight of the header assembly. The flange 56 can be provided with a through aperture 58 permitting the flange to be solidly secured to the shelf by a suitable fastener (not shown) such as a lag bolt.
Alternatively, a second flange 60, shown in broken lines, can be provided below the flange 56, with the second flange carrying a rotatable threaded rod 62 and a clamp member 64.
Using the clamp member 64 will permit the support bracket to be readily removed from the shelf so that it can be used elsewhere without damaging the shelf. Of course, a combination of clamp and fastener can be utilized to provide even greater strength to the attachment of the support bracket to shelf.
The flange 56 (and the flange 60 if provided) extends rearwardly from a generally vertically oriented leg 66, from which projects forwardly a lower support leg 68 engageable with the lower edge of the lower frame member 20. Furthermore, an upright leg projects upwardly from the lower leg 68 close to but spaced from the leg 66 of the support means.
Each of the support brackets 56 has a first elongate pivot arm 72 pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to, preferably, the vertically oriented leg 66. The opposite, or distal, end of the first pivot arm 72 carries a roller wheel 74 rotatably mounted on a pivot pin or axle 76. The roller wheel 74 is sized for rolling reception within the channel 26 of the upper frame member 16, the wheel being retained therein by the reentrant flanges 34, 36 with the pivot axle extending therebetween through the gap 38. The roller wheel 74 can be introduced into the channel 26 through the adjacent open end of the frame member 16.
A second pivot arm 78 is provided for each end of the header assembly, each pivot arm 78 being pivotally connected, at a proximal end thereof, to the first pivot arm 72 intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the arm 72. At the distal end thereof each second pivot arm is pivotally connected, as by pivot pin 79, to the upper frame member 16 between the adjacent end of the frame member and the roller wheel 74 carried by the first pivot arm 72.
A removable stop member 80 is secured to the upper frame member 16 intermediate the connection thereto of the second pivot arm 78 and the roller wheel of the first pivot arm 72. The stop member prevents the roller wheel 74 from moving too far along the channel during vertical movement of the header assembly.
The orientation and relative positioning of the first and second arms 72 and 78, the stop member 80, and the channel 26 is seen in Figure 4.
The operation of the header assembly of the present invention will now be described, with particular reference to Figures 1 and 5. Figure 1 shows the header assembly in its raised position, with the lower frame member 18 supported by the lower legs 68 of the two support brackets 56. It should be noted that, if desired, and in particular if the frame assembly 14 is large, there could be utilized several additional support brackets intermediate the end brackets. Of course, if intermediate brackets are used then there would be no pivot arms connected thereto. In the position shown in Figure 1 the first and second pivot arms 72 and 78 form a y" shape, with the roller wheel 74 of each first pivot arm being at its outermost location, farthest away from the center of the upper frame member 16.
When it is desired to change the signage carried by the frame assembly 14 or when it is necessary to gain access to the shelf area behind the frame assembly one will first of all lift the frame assembly so that the lower frame member 18 can clear the upwardly extending lip 82 provided at the outer end of the lower leg 68 of each support bracket 56.
The lower frame member 18 is then moved outwardly away from the shelf and the support brackets so that the entire frame assembly 14 can be lowered relative to the shelf. There is sufficient play in the components of the header assembly to permit such movement. The outward movement is depicted by the arrow A. Then the frame assembly 14 is lowered in the direction of the arrow B until the upper frame member 16 can be supported by the outwardly projecting legs 68 of the support brackets 56. The frame assembly 14 is maintained parallel to the shelf and its downward motion is controlled by the pairs of first and second pivot arms 72, 78. During the downward movement each second pivot arm pivots about its distal connection to the upper frame member 16 while the roller wheel 74 at the distal end of the first pivot arm moves laterally within the channel 26 towards the center of the frame member 16. The lowered position of the frame assembly is illustrated in Figure 5. In its supported lowered position it is possible for an operator to remove the existing signage carried by the header assembly and to replace that signage with new signage imparting new information to potential customers. Furthermore, full access to the shelf to which the header assembly is mounted, is now available inasmuch as the header assembly is fully clear of the shelf and there is no impediment to such access.
Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention wherein a sliding header assembly 100 displays the actual informational sign 112 held in a generally rectangular support or header frame 114. The sliding header assembly carries the sign 112 so that it is directed toward potential customers who might be interested in the information imparted by the sign itself. The sign 112 can be completely textual, completely graphical, or a combination of text and graphics. The nature of the sign 112 and the information imparted thereby is immaterial as far as the invention is concerned. The header assembly 100 is shown as being positioned at the forward edge of a shelf 116 carrying goods, presumably for sale or in temporary storage, thereon.
Figure 7 shows the rear of the support or header frame 114. There it is seen that the header frame 114 may include a backing plate 118, generally rectangular in configuration, with a pair of sign-engaging clips 120, 122 extending along the upper and lower edges of the plate 118. The clips 120, 122 are adapted to engage the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the sign 112. The clips 120, 122 can extend forwardly of the backing plate 118 so that when the sign is positioned in the header 114 it will take on a concave appearance as seen in Figure 6. If the upper clip 120 extends forwardly a distance greater than that by which the lower clip 122 extends then the sign 112 will take an attitude that is angled relative to the backing plate 118. If, for example, the header is secured so as to be vertical, then the sign would be angled downwardly towards the floor of the retail outlet, making the information thereon more readily visible to someone endeavoring to read the sign 112. The clips 120, 122 can come in a variety of configurations and are generally as disclosed and discussed in commonly owned US Patent Application No.
11/206,270 of August 18, 2005 (published as US 2006/0070285 on April 6, 2006. A pair of end plates 124, 126 cap off the header frame at the respective ends thereof, extending between and attached to the clips 120, 122. The end plates 124, 126 will prevent the sign 112 from sliding lengthwise out of the header 114.
Extending between the clips 120 and 122, generally symmetrical to a central vertical centerline of the header 114 is a pair of U-shaped channels or track members 128, 130.
The track members are spaced apart by a suitable distance. Each track member includes a bight or rear wall 132, a pair of side walls 134, 134 extending perpendicularly to the rear wall, and a pair of reentrant flanges 136, 136 extending towards each other from the free edge of the respective side walls 134, 134. The free edges of the flanges 136, 136 are spaced from each other, providing by a gap therebetween access to the interior of each track member as defined by the walls and flanges thereof.
The track members 128, 130 are securely connected to the respective upper and lower clips 120, 122 as by way of nuts and bolts, by spot welding, by a suitable adhesive, by rivets, by machine screws, or by any other suitable fastening means. Since the track members act to space the clips 120, 122 apart it is possible that the header frame 114 can be manufactured without a backing plate 118, with the clips 120, 122, the end plates 124, 126 and the track members 128, 130 creating a skeletal frame that is sufficiently rigid to effectively carry the sign 112, without the need for a backing plate. A
backing plate will, of course, increase the rigidity of the header assembly 100, although it would also increase the weight thereof.
Each track member carries a clamping mechanism 138 best seen in Figures 10 and 10a. Each clamping mechanism includes a base or support member 140 with a depending clip member 142 that has a sliding fit within the interior of the track member, co-operating with the walls and flanges thereof to permit movement of the clip member along the track member while retaining the clip member 142 so that it cannot exit the track member except at an open end thereof. The base member 140 mounts thereon a C-shaped clamp 144, the clamp 144 including a threaded member 146 with a foot member 148 thereon. The threaded member 146 can be rotated so as to clamp a shelf or a portion thereof between the foot member 148 and the base 150 of the clamp, to thereby secure the header 114 to a shelf or any other suitable member. While the clamp 144 is illustrated in an orientation such that the structure (for example the front lip of a shelf) to which the clamp would be secured extends vertically, parallel to the track members 128, 130, it is clear that the clamp 144 could be oriented such that it could be secured to a horizontally extending structure, such as a shelf itself.
With reference to Figures 11 and 11a a C- or U-shaped mounting member 152 is provided for clamping directly to a shelf 116 or to a vertical flange 154 of the shelf. The member 152 is preferably in the form of a clamp that can be removably secured to the shelf or flange by way of a suitable clamping member (not shown). The clamping effect has to be sufficiently strong to support the weight of the header assembly 100. A pin member 156 is affixed to one of the walls of the member 154 and extends or projects away from the member 154 so as to be parallel to the side walls 134 of the track members 128, 130.
With reference to Figures 7, 7a, 8, 9 and 12 it will be noted that the structure of the header frame 114 includes a locking mechanism 160 that is secured to a pair of mounting bars 162, 162 that extend laterally between the track members 128, 130 adjacent the lower edge of the header 114. The locking mechanism includes a pair of opposed plates 164, 164 (only one is seen in the drawings), an opening 166, a locking arm 168 which intrudes into the opening 166, a release tab 170 and a locking tab 172. The interior of the locking mechanism 160 is best seen in Figure 12, where the locking arm 168 is pivotally secured to one of the opposed plates 164 by way of a pivot pin 174. The locking arm 168 includes a first portion 175 which co-operates with the pivot pin 174 and an arcuate second portion 176 which defines, with the first portion 174, a C-shaped opening 178 sized to closely fit on the locking pin member 154. The locking arm 168 extends from the first and second portions to a leg portion 180 from which a pin member 182 extends and is slidably received within an elongated slot 184 of a plunge arm 186. The plunge arm 186 is pivotally mounted to the plate 164 by way of a pivot pin 188. A tension spring 190 is connected to the plunge arm 186 near the slot 184 as well as to the plate 164. At the opposite end thereof the plunge arm 186 is pivotally connected to one end 192 of the elongated lock release tab 170 by pivot pin 194, the other end 196 of which is available to be pushed. The lock release tab 170 is slidably confined within the locking mechanism 160 for vertical movement as seen in Figure 12.
In operation, the header frame 114 would first of all be positioned relative to a shelf 116 and the clamping mechanisms 138 operated so as to clamp the to the shelf or to a flange or lip 154 thereof. The mounting member 152 is clamped to the shelf or flange so that the pin member 156 is vertically aligned with the opening 166 of the locking mechanism. With the header frame 114 in its lowermost position relative to the clamping mechanism 138 a sign 112 can be located within the confines of the header frame, with the upper and lower edges thereof engaging the respective upper and lower clip members 120, 122. Then, the entire signage can be raised relative to the shelf 116 and the clamping mechanisms 138 by pushing upwardly on the locking tab 172 of the locking mechanism 160. The push may be applied by hand or by any suitable instrument, including for example a broom handle. The header frame and the sign carried thereby are raised relative to the clamping mechanisms and the shelf until the second portion 176 of the locking arm 168 contacts the locking pin member 156. Since the second portion 176 of the locking arm is curved as seen in Figure 12 it will be pivoted or cammed by the pin member 156 until the free end passes the pin member and the pin member enters the C-shaped opening 178.
The locking arm will pivot back, under the influence of the tension spring, so as to capture the pin member in the opening 178, thereby locking the header 114 with respect to the pin member 178 and thus with respect to the clamping mechanisms and the shelf.
With the locking mechanism in place the sign is prevented from descending to its lowermost position.
When it is necessary to access the goods carried by the shelf 116 behind the header assembly 100, or when it is necessary to replace, for example, the sign 112 carried by the header frame 114, it is possible to quickly and easily lower the signage from its uppermost position relative to the shelf to its lowermost position. This is accomplished by pushing upwardly on the available end 196 of the release tab 170 by hand or with any suitable implement, such as the aforementioned broom handle. Upward movement of the release tab 170 will impart an upward movement to the adjacent end of the plunge arm causing the plunge arm to rotate on the pivot pin 188. The plunge arm 186, by way of the slot 184, will exert a downwards force on the pin member 182 of the locking arm 168 causing it to rotate on the pivot pin 174. This in turn opens the C-shaped opening vertically such that the weight of the header assembly 100 will cause it to descend away from the locking pin member 156. The signage can then be lowered away from the locking pin member 156, the clamping mechanism 138 and the shelf 116. With the signage in its lowermost position assess to goods on the shelf 116 is enabled and the sign 112 can be changed or adjusted as necessary.
Note that the upper end of each track member 128, 130 will carry a suitable plug or cap (not shown), secured to its track member to prevent the signage from separating from the clamping mechanisms during the descent thereof. The plugs or caps can be removably secured to the track members so that the clamping mechanisms can be removed from the track members for assembly or disassembly of the header.
Figures 14 to 19 are illustrative of a third, and preferred, embodiment 150 of the present invention. In this case, the frame carrying appropriate signage is designated by the reference number 152, it being noted that the frame can be similar to the frames depicted in the first and second embodiments. The present description is primarily concerned with the mechanism for mounting the frame to a support and to the means for guiding the frame during raising and lowering thereof.
With reference to Figures 14 and 17 it will be seen that the frame 152 is provided, at each end thereof, with a vertically and rearwardly angled arm 154, the arm at its proximal end being affixed to the frame by any suitable means such as rivets, metal screws, or bolts and nuts. At its distal end each arm carries a rotatable guide wheel 156 on a pin 158 affixed to the arm. The wheel 156 will be outboard of each arm.
Right and left mounting brackets 160, 162 are provided for mounting to, preferably, vertical supports of a shelving unit, by way of one or more of the through holes 164. One of the brackets is best seen in Figures 18 and 19. There it is seen that each bracket has at least three mounting holes 164 spaced apart along one vertical edge 166. The mounting holes 164 can be elongated so as to accommodate different spacings between corresponding mounting holes in the associated vertical supports.
At it upper end, each bracket has a portion 168 that extends rearwardly of the bracket. A guide slot 170 extends vertically adjacent the opposite edge 172 and leads into an upper portion 174 that angles upwardly and rearwardly into the extension portion 168.
At its lower end the slot leads into a labyrinthine portion which includes a short portion 176 that slopes slightly upwardly and forwardly towards the vertical edge 166. A
short vertical portion 178 extends upwardly from the free end of slot portion 176, leading to another short portion 180 that extends forwardly to and opens at the edge 172. As seen in Figure 18, a small notch 182 extends downwardly at the free end of short portion 176, as a downward extension of the vertical slot portion 178.
As can be seen in Figure 19, the outboard surface of each bracket is provided with a pair of opposing L-shaped flanges 184, 186 each of which has a short leg portion 188 extending outwardly of the bracket, and a reentrant arm portion 190 which faces the opposing reentrant arm portion of the other flange. The width or distance between the leg portions 188 of the flanges is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the guide wheel 156 carried by the adjacent arm 154 mounted to the frame 152.
Turning now to Figures 14 to 16, the operation of the third embodiment will now be described. Starting with the condition shown in Figure 14 it will be seen that the frame 152 is lowered relative to the brackets 160, 162, the lowered condition providing access to a shelf or shelves normally blocked when the signage carried by the frame 152 is in the raised condition. In the lowered condition the guide wheels 156, contained by the flanges 184, 186 are at the bottom of the vertical slot 170 and the frame is suspended therebelow.
Access to the shelf or shelves is now possible, and the signage carried by the frame can be changed or altered as desired.
To move the signage to a raised condition, as seen in Figure 15, the frame has been moved vertically and the guide wheels 156 have moved upwardly in the channel defined by the flanges 184, 186, into the angled slot portions 174. During the upward movement the frame 152 has been angled forwardly, pivoting on the pins 158 to which the wheels 156 are mounted.
At the uppermost elevation of the frame 152, with the wheels 156 within the angled slot portions174, a pin 192 which extends outwardly from each side wall of the frame 152 at the lower end thereof, will be aligned with the entrance to each of the short slot portions 180. Each pin 192 can then enter the adjacent slot portion 180, slide therealong, and then follow the vertical slot portion 178 downwardly until it rests in the notch 182. With the pins resting in the notches the frame is locked or fixed in place, with the signage carried by the frame available to provide appropriate information to customers and others desirous of becoming informed by the material carried by the signage.
The present invention clearly enables staff of a store or other facility to readily alter and adjust signage intended to impart information to passers-by and it also permits access to a shelf or other structure to which the invention is mounted. While the invention has been described in relation to generally rectilinear signs, it need not be restricted to such signs; it would only be necessary to provide the generally rectangular frame 14, 114, 152 with suitable signage-carrying clip members 200, 202, 204 adapted to support signs of a different configuration (oval, circular, polygonal, e.g. hexagonal, et cetera) as seen in Figures 13a, 13b, and 13c. Such clip members would be secured to an appropriate frame 206 of either the first or the second embodiment. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein the invention should not be construed as being restricted to such embodiments given that a skilled workman would be able to effect appropriate alterations to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.
Claims (20)
1. An adjustable header assembly for the mounting of signage to a support, comprising:
frame means including clip means adapted to carry such signage thereon;
bracket means removably mountable to such support;
guiding means associated with said bracket means and said frame means for guiding said frame means in a vertically oriented direction; and fixing means associated with said bracket means and said frame means for fixing said frame means in at least one of two vertically oriented positions, an upper position blocking access to a support surface and a lower position providing access to said support surface.
frame means including clip means adapted to carry such signage thereon;
bracket means removably mountable to such support;
guiding means associated with said bracket means and said frame means for guiding said frame means in a vertically oriented direction; and fixing means associated with said bracket means and said frame means for fixing said frame means in at least one of two vertically oriented positions, an upper position blocking access to a support surface and a lower position providing access to said support surface.
2. An adjustable header assembly for mounting signage to a support member, comprising:
a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members, at least said upper frame member defining a channel opening to the rear of said frame member;
clip means carried by said upper and lower frame members and adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly;
a pair of support brackets each adapted to be mounted to the support member, each such support bracket including flange means for securement to the support member, a first leg to which said flange means is connected, a second leg extending normal to the first leg and defining a support surface for the frame assembly, and a pivot leg extending normal to the second leg and parallel to the first leg;
a pair of first elongated pivot arms, each such arm being pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the pivot leg of a respective support bracket and rotatably mounting a roller wheel at the distal end thereof, each said roller wheel being receivable within the channel of the upper frame member; and a pair of second elongated pivot arms, each such second pivot arm being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to a respective first pivot arm intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof, and being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to said upper frame member between a respective end of the upper frame member and the roller wheel of the first pivot arm to which the second pivot arm is connected.
a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members, at least said upper frame member defining a channel opening to the rear of said frame member;
clip means carried by said upper and lower frame members and adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly;
a pair of support brackets each adapted to be mounted to the support member, each such support bracket including flange means for securement to the support member, a first leg to which said flange means is connected, a second leg extending normal to the first leg and defining a support surface for the frame assembly, and a pivot leg extending normal to the second leg and parallel to the first leg;
a pair of first elongated pivot arms, each such arm being pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the pivot leg of a respective support bracket and rotatably mounting a roller wheel at the distal end thereof, each said roller wheel being receivable within the channel of the upper frame member; and a pair of second elongated pivot arms, each such second pivot arm being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to a respective first pivot arm intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof, and being pivotally connected at a distal end thereof to said upper frame member between a respective end of the upper frame member and the roller wheel of the first pivot arm to which the second pivot arm is connected.
3. The header assembly of claim 2 wherein said flange means and said second leg of each said bracket extend in opposite directions from the upper and lower end respectively of said first leg, and said second leg includes an upwardly extending lip at the outermost end thereof, said pivot leg being located between said lip and said first leg.
4. The header assembly of claim 2 or claim 3 including at least one central frame member extending vertically between said upper and lower frame members.
5. The header assembly of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said channel is defined by generally parallel upper and lower legs of said upper frame member extending rearwardly of a vertically extending bight portion, and a pair of upper and lower reentrant flanges extending vertically from the free ends of said upper and lower legs respectively, so as to define a gap therebetween.
6. The header assembly of claim 5 wherein each said roller wheel is rotatably mounted to a pivot pin extending from the distal end of the respective first pivot arm, said pivot pin extending through said gap between said reentrant flanges whereby said roller wheel can reside within said channel.
7. The header assembly of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein said clip means comprises first and second clips carried respectively by said upper and lower frame members, each said clip defining at least one elongated channel facing the elongated channel of the other clip, said elongated channels being adapted to receive respective edges of the signage to be carried thereby.
8. The header assembly of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein said clip means are shaped so as to receive signage having edges that may be circular, oval, or polygonal in configuration.
9. The header assembly of any one of claims 2 to 8 including additional support brackets for positioning intermediate said pair of support brackets.
10. The header assembly of claim 3 wherein said flange of each said support bracket has an aperture extending therethrough for reception of a fastener engageable with said support member.
11. The header assembly of claim 10 further including an additional flange extending from said first leg below said flange, said second flange receiving a threaded rod having clamping means thereon for clamping said bracket to said support member.
12. An adjustable header assembly for mounting a sign to a support comprising:
upper and lower horizontally extending clip members for co-operating with upper and lower edges, respectively, of the sign to be carried by said header assembly;
a pair of spaced apart track members extending perpendicular to said clip members and secured thereto, said track members opening to a rear of said assembly;
a pair of clamping members, each slidably received in a respective one of said track members and adapted for being removably clamped to said support;
a locking member adapted for being removably clamped to said support between said track members; and a locking mechanism mounted between and to said track members adjacent a lower end thereof, said locking mechanism including pivotable locking means engageable with said locking member when said header assembly is in a first raised position relative to said support and separable from said locking member to permit said header assembly to be lowered to a second lowered position.
upper and lower horizontally extending clip members for co-operating with upper and lower edges, respectively, of the sign to be carried by said header assembly;
a pair of spaced apart track members extending perpendicular to said clip members and secured thereto, said track members opening to a rear of said assembly;
a pair of clamping members, each slidably received in a respective one of said track members and adapted for being removably clamped to said support;
a locking member adapted for being removably clamped to said support between said track members; and a locking mechanism mounted between and to said track members adjacent a lower end thereof, said locking mechanism including pivotable locking means engageable with said locking member when said header assembly is in a first raised position relative to said support and separable from said locking member to permit said header assembly to be lowered to a second lowered position.
13. The header assembly of claim 12 wherein each said track member includes a rear wall portion, a pair of leg portions extending rearwardly of the rear wall portion, and a pair of reentrant flange portions extending towards each other at the free ends of the leg portions, said reentrant flange portions defining a gap providing access to the interior of each track member.
14. The header assembly of claim 12 or claim 13 wherein each of said clamping members includes clamping means for removably securing each such clamping member to the support.
15. The header assembly of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein said locking member includes a pin member extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the leg portions of said track members.
16. The header assembly of claim 15 wherein said locking mechanism includes spring means connected to said pivotable locking means for automatically pivoting said locking means into locking engagement with said pin member when said header assembly is elevated to its first raised position.
17. An adjustable header assembly for mounting signage to a support comprising:
a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members:
means associated with said frame assembly adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly;
guide wheel means carried at each end of said frame assembly on an associated arm extending rearwardly and upwardly of the frame assembly;
a pair of brackets adapted for spaced apart mounting to said support, each bracket including slot means extending at least vertically thereof, said slot means including lower portions defining locking means for said frame assembly and being adapted for guiding interaction with said guide wheel means; and pin means extending outwardly from each said vertically extending end frame member adjacent a lower end thereof, said pin means being engageable with said locking means of an adjacent bracket to lock said frame assembly in a raised condition thereof.
a generally rectilinear frame assembly including parallel upper and lower frame members interconnected by generally vertically extending end frame members:
means associated with said frame assembly adapted to engage with peripheral areas of the signage so as to support such signage on the frame assembly;
guide wheel means carried at each end of said frame assembly on an associated arm extending rearwardly and upwardly of the frame assembly;
a pair of brackets adapted for spaced apart mounting to said support, each bracket including slot means extending at least vertically thereof, said slot means including lower portions defining locking means for said frame assembly and being adapted for guiding interaction with said guide wheel means; and pin means extending outwardly from each said vertically extending end frame member adjacent a lower end thereof, said pin means being engageable with said locking means of an adjacent bracket to lock said frame assembly in a raised condition thereof.
18. The header assembly of claim 17 wherein each said slot means includes an upper portion which slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the uppermost end thereof, and said lower portions included a first short slot portion sloping forwardly and upwardly from the lowermost end of said slot means, a second short slot portion extending vertically upwardly from the forward end of said first slot portion, and a third short slot portions extending forwardly from the upper end of said second slot portion, and wherein said locking means comprises a notch extending downwardly from the forward end of said first slot portion, said pin means being receivable within said notch.
19. The header assembly of claim 18 wherein each of said brackets includes a pair of opposing flanges adjacent said slot means, each such flange including a leg portion extending normal to the bracket and a reentrant flange portion facing the flange portion of the opposing flange, said leg portions being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the adjacent guide wheel carried by said frame assembly.
20. The header assembly of any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein each of said brackets includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart through holes for mounting the bracket to a vertically extending riser of a shelving system.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US94063507P | 2007-05-29 | 2007-05-29 | |
| US60/940,635 | 2007-05-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2632371A1 true CA2632371A1 (en) | 2008-11-29 |
Family
ID=40074423
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2632371 Abandoned CA2632371A1 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2008-05-28 | Adjustable header assembly for signage |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2632371A1 (en) |
-
2008
- 2008-05-28 CA CA 2632371 patent/CA2632371A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |