1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates in general to display apparatuses, and more particularly, to a display attachment apparatus which is configured to provide ease of mounting items to be displayed (such as posters, placards and display items). Additionally the display attachment apparatus greatly facilitates the removal and replacement of displayed items with minimal effort.
2.Background Art
The use of hanging displays is well known in the art. Typically posters and the like can be hung from ceilings and walls in a number of locations. For example, signs and posters are often hung overhead from the ceiling in stores (i.e., to display special offers and the like). Additionally, signs and posters are often hung from ceilings and walls in school classrooms.
Generally, these display items are attached to the ceiling by way of tape. In other structures, a fishing line is attached to the ceiling and to the display item. Often, to install the poster, the user must climb onto a chair or ladder. As these items are rarely found close at hand, a user often improvises with the use of less than optimal chairs, books, steps, etc. Often this leads to injury. Additionally, without such aids close at hand, the user often delays hanging display items, or resists changing the items that are displayed.
In other embodiments, specialized assemblies are utilized to attach a display to an outside structure. These specialized assemblies are often expensive and require special installation procedures. Thus, the use of these specialized assemblies is not widespread and is limited to particular installations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a display attachment apparatus which facilitates the hanging of display items from outside structures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a display attachment apparatus which can easily be installed in a number of different locations.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a display attachment apparatus which can be easily removed and reattached without the use of ladders, steps and the like.
These objects as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.
The disclosure is directed to a display attachment apparatus comprising a clamp assembly and a mounting assembly. The clamp assembly has a first clamp arm, a second clamp arm and a hinge assembly hingedly coupling the first clamp arm to the second clamp arm. Each clamp arm has a plurality of magnets which engage either corresponding magnets or other ferromagnetic members on an opposing clamp arm, when the clamp arm is in an engaging, or closed configuration.
The mounting assembly has an outside surface attachment subassembly, a clamp attachment subassembly and a coupling structure. The clamp attachment subassembly includes either a magnet or a ferromagnetic member releasably engageable with at least one of the corresponding magnets and ferromagnetic members of one of the first and second clamp arms. The coupling structure couples the outside surface attachment subassembly to the clamp attachment assembly in operable engagement.
In a preferred embodiment, a mating engagement member is positioned proximate each of the plurality of magnets and corresponding magnets and ferromagnetic members and a corresponding mating engagement member is disposed on the clamp attachment assembly proximate the one of the magnet and the ferromagnetic member of the clamp attachment subassembly. Upon engagement of the clamp attachment assembly and the clamp assembly, the mating engagement member of the clamp assembly and the mating engagement member of the clamp attachment assembly positively engage. As a result, any slidable movement is limited which prevents disengagement of the clamp assembly and the clamp attachment subassembly.
In a preferred embodiment, the mating engagement member of one of the clamp assembly and the clamp attachment subassembly comprises a post and the mating engagement member of the other of the clamp assembly and the clamp attachment subassembly comprises a slot.
In one such embodiment, the slot comprises an arcuate slot centered about the corresponding magnet or ferromagnetic member which allows for at least partial rotation of the clamp attachment subassembly about the corresponding magnet or ferromagnetic member.
In another embodiment, the outside surface attachment subassembly further comprises one of a magnet and a c-channel clamp.
In another preferred embodiment, the coupling structure comprises a cavity having an opening and an access slot positioned on the clamp attachment subassembly or the outside surface attachment subassembly. A tab extends from a neck on the other of the clamp attachment subassembly and the outside surface attachment assembly. The tab can be inserted in the cavity through the access slot so that the neck extends through the opening, while the tab is larger than the opening, and precluded from passage therethrough. Additionally, the tab can rotate while positioned within the cavity.
In another preferred embodiment, the first clamp arm includes three spaced apart magnets that engage three corresponding magnets on the second clamp arm. Each of the magnets is positioned within a magnet housing that extends inwardly on each clamp arm. Each clamp arm has an inward projection terminating at the hinge, such that upon engagement of the magnets of the first and second clamp arms with a display member positioned therein, the clamp arms are substantially parallel to each other and have a substantially uniform distance therebetween.
In another preferred embodiment, each of the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm further include an outward flange that extends orthogonal from a bottom end of each clamp arm.
In a preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly comprises a plurality of discrete live hinge members joining the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm.
In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an installation tool, comprising a body and an upper end engagement member. The body has a central coupling region and opposing clamp arm engagement structures. The clamp engagement structures each have a pair of fingers which are configured to engage a portion of a bottom end of the first clamp arm or the second clamp arm therebetween. The upper end engagement member is configured to extend over and beyond the top end of the first and second clamp arms so as to positively engage and maintain the bottom end of the first clamp arm or the second clamp arm to which it is attached.
In a preferred embodiment, the installation tool has a pole extending from the central coupling region.
In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of magnets and ferromagnetic members are integrally molded with at least one of the clamp arms.
In another preferred embodiment, the clamp attachment subassembly further comprises a first side and a second side. A magnet extends from the first side to the second side. A mating engagement member extends outwardly from each of the first and second sides proximate the magnet.
The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment illustrated.
It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
The clamp assembly 12 is shown in detail in
With reference to
As can be seen in
With reference to
The second clamp arm 22 is essentially a substantially identical mirror image of the first clamp arm. The second clamp arm includes top end 50, bottom end 52, side edges 54a, 54b, inward projection 56 and outward flange 58. In addition, a plurality of magnets 62 are spaced so as to correspond to the magnets of the first clamp arm. The magnets are each positioned within the magnetic housing which includes perforations 64. Engagement members, such as engagement member 66 is positioned proximate each of the plurality of magnets.
The first and second clamp arms are configured such that the magnets match up with each other. It will be understood that while magnets are positioned in each of the magnet housings of the first and second clamp arm, certain of the magnets can be replaced with ferromagnetic material instead. For example, three magnets can be positioned within the first clamp, and three ferromagnetic materials may be positioned within the second clamp. Other configurations are likewise contemplated, as long as the mating pairs have at least one magnet. It will also be understood that the proper orientation of the north and south poles of the magnets should be considered to achieve the proper mating engagement.
The magnets in the embodiments shown comprise circular magnets that are akin to short cylindrical members. In other embodiments, the magnets may comprise rectangular, circular, square, polygonal, as well as arbitrary configurations. The magnets, it is contemplated, comprise high strength magnets which are configured to grasp with a substantial force. It will be understood that a number of different magnets are contemplated for use. The stronger the magnets, the better the hold, and the heavier the materials that can be held and retained. The invention is not limited to any particular magnets, or to magnets of any particular composition, size or shape. Additionally, while three magnets (or ferromagnetic materials) are contemplated as being positioned along the first clamp arm, a greater or lesser number are likewise contemplated for use.
With reference to
The mounting assembly 14 is shown in
In another embodiment, as is shown in
With reference to
It will be understood that in other embodiments, the post may be positioned on the clamp arm whereas the slot may be positioned on the clamp attachment subassembly. In other embodiments, other structures which matingly engage with each other can be utilized. The purpose of the engagement members is to limit the slidable movement of the magnets of the clamp arms that are engaged to the clamp attachment subassembly. While magnets have great strength in tension, magnets can slide relative to each other with substantially less than the force required to separate. In turn, gravity can pull the magnets so that they slide relative to each other. The engagement members stop the slidable movement of the magnets relative to each other. It will be understood that only some of the magnets of the clamp arms and the clamp attachment subassemblies may include engagement members.
With reference to
The coupling structure 74 further includes cavity 110, access slot 112 and receiving opening 114. This portion of the coupling structure is attached to (or integrally molded) with the clamp attachment subassembly. The cavity 110 has an access slot 112 in a sidewall thereof and a receiving opening 114. The receiving opening 114 is circular, but it is larger than the tab assembly, whereas the cavity is circular and sized to accommodate the tab assembly. The tab assembly can be pushed into the cavity 110 through the receiving opening 114. The receiving opening is sized so that the tab assembly elastically deforms upon insertion. As such, the tab assembly is retained and inadvertent dislodging is minimized.
Additionally, as the tab assembly is circular and as the cavity is appropriately sized, the tab assembly can rotate within the cavity through a full rotation. In other embodiments, stops can be provided so that only partial rotation is allowed. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the tab assembly can be provided on the clamp attachment assembly and the cavity can be provided on the outside surface attachment subassembly. In other embodiments, a different structure can be utilized, such as a ball and socket joint, or the like. In such an embodiment, a ball can be positioned on one of the outside surface attachment subassembly and the clamp attachment subassembly, and a socket can be positioned on the other one of these structures. In another embodiment, the coupling structure can include a magnet or ferromagnetic member, one of which is coupled to the outside surface attachment subassembly and the other of which is coupled to the clamp attachment subassembly. In another embodiment, the coupling structure can be integrated with each of the outside surface attachment subassembly and the clamp attachment subassembly.
The installation tool 18 is shown in
A pole 137 can be inserted into the central coupling region 122 so that the reach of the installation tool can be extended. In certain embodiments, the pole can be integrally molded with the central coupling region. In others, it may be a completely separate member.
In operation, a desired placard, poster, display or other structure that is to be coupled to the display attachment apparatus is first selected. Secondly, the outside structure to which the apparatus is to be coupled is determined. In the embodiment shown, the outside structure comprises a steel frame typically utilized with a suspended drop ceiling.
The clamp assembly is first positioned in the open position so that it is ready to accept the display member. The display member is positioned in a desired orientation relative to one of the clamp arms, and the other clamp arm is rotated about the hinge assembly until the respective magnets of each of the first and second clamp arms are attracted toward each other and engage. Due to the size of the inward projections, and the extent to which the magnets extend from the inner surface of the clamp arm, once a thicker display item (i.e., 1/16th of an inch) is positioned within the clamp arms, the clamp arms are essentially parallel to each other. With thicker display items, or thinner display items, the clamp arms may be oblique to each other.
Once the display item has been positioned, the clamp assembly is ready for mounting. In turn, the mounting assembly is then coupled to the desired outside structure. In particular, the desired type of outside surface attachment subassembly is selected. The mounting assembly is then connected to the outside structure. Once connected, the clamp assembly can be connected with the mounting assembly.
If the apparatus is positioned in a remote location, the installation tool can be utilized to retrieve the apparatus. In particular, the tool can be manipulated so that the angled fingers grasp spaced apart regions of the outward flange of one of the clamp arms. Subsequently, the installation tool is rotated so that the upper end engagement member extends beyond the hinge of the clamp assembly. At that time, the installation tool can be rotated to disconnect the clamp assembly from the mounting assemblies. The clamp assembly (or the display item) can then be retrieved as desired. The installation tool can also be used to grasp the clamp assembly for installation in a remote location.
The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090255096 A1 | Oct 2009 | US |