Patent Application
20050262745
This invention generally relates to displays for advertising items. More particularly, the invention pertains to a display that includes a containment clip that, when in an open position, operates to allow removal or replacement of signage material, and when in a closed position blocks a channel to retain the signage material within the display.
Conventional display signs used in card stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and the like, utilize rectangular-shaped graphics or printed materials that may include letters and numbers that slide into a plurality of channels formed by spaced-apart tracks of the display. Such signage is used to advertise various products and to display current selling prices. For items such as cigarettes, that change price fairly frequently, it is advantageous for store owners to merely have to remove and replace a few signage elements to update their store displays. These displays typically also include clip-on members that rely on tension to retain the signage elements in their channels on the display. However, repetitive use due to frequent changes of the signage materials causes fatigue so that the clip-on members loose their effectiveness over time, resulting in their failure. Such failures can lead to a disheveled display appearance or having some or all of the signage elements fall out of their respective display channels. In addition, some clip-on members are small and thus are easily lost or displaced in a busy store environment. In some retail environments, store personnel will not make signage changes if clip-on members are missing or broken, and thus some advertising displays of this type are underutilized.
A need therefore exists for a containment element that provides improved signage support without the drawbacks mentioned above, so that advertising displays are fully utilized.
The invention relates to a display apparatus comprising a supporting frame that includes track members in spaced relation to define a channel therebetween to receive signage material therein; and a containment clip operatively associated with the display and moveable between opened and closed positions. The clip advantageously comprises a channel blocking portion connected to a pin member for securing the clip to the display. In the closed position, the channel blocking portion blocks the channel to prevent exiting or removal of the signage material, and, in the opened position, the channel blocking portion is sufficiently displaced from the channel to allow removal or replacement of the signage material in the channel.
Preferably, the channel blocking portion is rotatable between the opened and closed positions. Also, the pin member can be configured to securely retain the channel blocking portion in an opened or closed position. To assist in this, the pin member may further comprise at least one rib for retaining the containment clip on the display.
The channel blocking portion and pin member of the containment clip are preferably formed as an integral component, such as one of injection molded plastic. If desired, the containment clip can further comprise a flange for grasping the clip to assist in moving the clip between the first and second positions. In additional embodiments, the containment clip further comprises a biasing device for biasing the containment clip in the closed position, or alignment elements associated with the channel blocking portion. These alignment elements may comprise a pair of spaced, raised elements which engage the apparatus to fix the containment clip in the closed position.
The channel blocking portion is of a generally teardrop shape having relatively narrower and relatively wider portions, with the relatively narrower portion being positioned closer to the pin member. The shape of the channel blocking portion is weighted to bias the containment clip to the closed position under the influence of gravity. In a further embodiment, the channel blocking portion is of a generally bowtie shape having a relatively narrower portion positioned between two relatively wider portions, with the relatively narrower portion being positioned closer to the pin member. Also, the relatively narrower portion of either embodiment may be connected to the pin member.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings, and from the claims.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description that is viewed in conjunction with the attached drawing figures, wherein:
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The containment clip 50 is operatively associated with the display, and in an embodiment is attached to the display and is an integral part of the display. Thus, the containment clip 50 is not removable. In this configuration, the channel blocking portion 54 pivots about the pin member 52 when in use. In the closed position, the channel blocking portion 54 blocks one of the tracks of a channel to prevent exiting or removal of the signage. In the open position, the channel blocking portion 54 is rotated to be sufficiently displaced from the track to allow removal or replacement of the signage in the channel.
In an implementation, the pin member 52 is operable to retain the channel blocking portion in the opened or closed position, and includes one or more ribs 58 that retain the containment clip on the display. The ribs 58 may also provide a friction fit within the display such that when the channel blocking portion 54 is moved to the opened position, the ribs 58 are operable for retaining the channel blocking portion in its displaced orientation away from the display channel until a user manually turns the containment clip to return it to the closed position. Alternately, the containment clip 50 may further include a biasing device, such as a conventional spring element (not shown), that is attached to the pin member and to the device. This element can be used to bias the containment clip in the closed position so that the signage can be securely maintained in the channel of the track members. In yet another variation, the containment clip may include a conventional ratchet mechanism (not shown) to maintain the channel blocking portion in any one of a variety of orientations.
In an implementation, the channel blocking portion is about 0.6 inches long and about 0.5 inches wide, and the pin member 52 is about 0.7 inches in length and 0.125 inches in diameter. These measurements may be larger or smaller depending on such considerations as the size of the tracks and/or channels, and the required durability requirements. It should thus be understood that the containment clips are adaptable to multiple thicknesses and sizes to fit various types of displays.
b are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of another embodiment of the present containment clip 60 according to the invention.
The containment clip 60 is also operatively associated with the display, and in an embodiment is attached to the display and is an integral part of the display. Thus, the containment clip 60 is not removable. In this configuration, the channel blocking portion 64 pivots about the pin member 62 when in use. In the closed position, the channel blocking portion 64 blocks at least one of the tracks of a channel to prevent exiting or removal of the signage. In the open position, the channel blocking portion 64 is rotated to be sufficiently displaced from the track to allow removal or replacement of the signage in the channel.
In an implementation, the pin member 62 is operable to retain the channel blocking portion in the opened or closed position, and the ribs 68 function to retain the containment clip on the display. The ribs 68 may also provide a friction fit within the display such that when the channel blocking portion 64 is moved to the opened position, the ribs 68 are operable for retaining the channel blocking portion in its displaced orientation away from the display channel until a user manually turns the containment clip to return it to the closed position. Alternately, the containment clip 60 may further include a biasing device, such as a conventional spring element (not shown), that is attached to the pin member and to the device. This element can be used to bias the containment clip in the closed position so that the signage can be securely maintained in the channel of the track members. In yet another variation, the containment clip may include a conventional ratchet mechanism (not shown) to maintain the channel blocking portion in any one of a variety of orientations.
It is noted that the containment clips shown in
The containment clips described herein may be made of molded plastic, rubber or a durable composite material. The containment clips may be of a one piece, unitary construction, or may be made of several different elements. In a configuration, the pin member is made of steel, another type of metal, a composite material, or other durable material that minimizes the problem of fatigue associated with conventional retaining clips. However, the channel blocking portions are not designed to support the weight of any of the signage materials, but function as doors to prevent signage materials from sliding out of their channels when in the closed position and allowing passage when in the opened position.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
