Patent Application
20150107142
This invention relates to frame assemblies and more particularly to two sided frame arrangements which permit display panels to be entered, illuminated and readily changed for efficient commercial advertising purposes, and is a continuation-in-part application of our pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/986,248, filed Apr. 15, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The retail sales industry requires conspicuous advertising at every possible location in a commercial establishment. Such advertising should also be presented in an attractive and noticeable manner. Other requirements of such advertising are the enablement of such advertising to be changed easily, and often frequently.
Clearly, the more conspicuous that advertising is, the most successful it may be. Illumination is one approach to making such advertising successful. However most illuminated advertising is a direct lighting or edge illuminated displays.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly which is capable of displaying an illuminable advertising panel on a front side and if desired, the same or an alternative on a rear side of the frame assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly capable of illuminating one or more panel displays from an edge configuration or from a backlit configuration or a combination thereof.
The present invention relates to a multi-component frame arrangement assembly for holding and displaying one or more graphic panels which may be slid in from one side, or from two or three sides or just from the top side thereof. The frame assembly in a first preferred embodiment comprises a rectilinear array of single frame members, one each arranged on three sides, as for example, on the left edge side, the right edge side and the lower edge side. The frame assembly in this first preferred embodiment has a fourth edge which in one preferred embodiment is an upper edge side comprised of a split frame member arrangement. The split frame member may be arranged at the upper edge as shown in this embodiment, or one or both sides thereof in other embodiments.
Each single frame member in cross section is generally of U-shape. The single frame member comprises an elongated exterior bridge which is co-extruded with a first elongated side portion and a second elongated side portion. The exterior bridge portion lies in a plane which in one preferred embodiment, to facilitate design considerations for presentation of a display panel, is arranged at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the second elongated-side-portion as well as at an acute angle with the plane of the first elongated-side-portion. The elongated second side portion has an elongated distalmost edge with an inwardly extending flange arranged thereon. The elongated first side portion has an elongated distalmost edge within inwardly extending flange arranged thereon.
An elongated interior bridge member extends within the single frame member, co-extensively with the exterior elongated bridge member. An elongated securement channel is arranged co-extensively long the interior bridge member, which securement channel faces the inner side of the exterior bridge member.
The interior bridge member has a second side interior shoulder and a first side interior shoulder which further comprises and are each respectively joined to an elongated support member which is connected to the inside respectively, of the elongated second side portion and the elongated first side portion. The support member for the interior bridge on each side thereof, may in one preferred embodiment be of stepped panel supporting configuration. The elongated second side member has a first end with an inwardly directed elongated, generally L-shaped bracket extending thereon.
The elongated support or stepped member connected to the inside of the elongated second side member defines an L-shaped member which faces the L-shaped member extending on the first end thereof. The space between the L-shaped flange near the first end of the elongated rear side and the generally L-shaped member extending from the stepped configuration of the off of the interior bridge member defines a bracket receiving channel for one side portion of the single frame member.
The elongated second side member has a first end with an inwardly directed elongated, generally L-shaped bracket extending thereon.
The elongated stepped member connected to the inside of the elongated front-side member defines an L-shaped member which faces the L-shaped member extending on the first end thereof. The space between the L-shaped flange near the first end of the elongated front side and the generally L-shaped member extending from the stepped configuration off of the interior bridge member defines another bracket receiving channel for the single frame member.
The second side interior shoulder and the first side interior shoulder each extend toward the elongated opening of the single frame member, and have an elongated second side guide and an elongated first side guide disposed co-extensively therealong. The elongated second side guide and the elongated first side guide have an elongated second inner landing and an elongated first inner landing respectively. The elongated second inner landing and the elongated first inner landing are arranged opposed to one another with an elongated gap disposed therebetween. The stepped configuration adjacent to the second side guide and the first side guide on each respective sides of the single frame member defines an elongated graphic display receiving space, as will be described more fully hereinbelow.
The split frame member arrangement, which in one preferred embodiment, comprises at least one side component of the frame assembly, but could be two or three sides thereof in further aspects of the present invention, consists of a elongated second-side split rail and an elongated first-side split rail separated by and spaced apart from, a rectilinear mid-rail member. The elongated second side split rail has a first edge which in one preferred embodiment, for design purposes, may be of generally a “J”-shape, and an elongated second edge which has an elongated flange extending inwardly thereon. The elongated first-side split rail similarly has both a first edge which in one embodiment is of generally a “J”-shape, and has an elongated second edge which has an elongated flange extending inwardly thereon. The elongated second-side split rail has a generally “L”-shaped flange extending from an inner side of the second side split rail, adjacent the first edge thereof. The elongated second side split rail also has a generally L-shaped flange extending from an inner side of the second side split rail adjacent the second edge thereof. The elongated space between the two generally L-shaped flanges on the inner side of the second-side split rail defines one of the two corner bracket receiving channels for the split rail member. The elongated second-side split rail and the elongated first-side split rail are in fact mirror images of one another.
The elongated mid-rail member is of generally “U”-shape in cross section. The mid-rail member has an exterior bridge at a first end thereof which exterior bridge joins an elongated rear side and an elongated front side thereof. The elongated rear side and the elongated front side of the mid rail member is also joined by an interior bridge extending therebetween. The interior bridge has a securement channel co-extruded therewith, on one side thereof, for receipt of for example, a bolt, a screw or locking pin or the like. The elongated second side of the mid-rail member as an inwardly extending second inner landing arranged thereon. The elongated first side of the mid-rail member has an inwardly extending first inner landing arranged thereon. The inner landing of the elongated second side and the inner landing of the elongated first side are opposed to and are spaced apart from one another. The second side elongated split rail, the mid-rail member and the first side elongated split rail are all supported parallel to and spaced apart from one another by corner brackets, as will be shown and described further hereinbelow.
In yet a further aspect of the present invention, a strip of light emitting diodes may be adhered to an outwardly directed side of the second inner landing and the first inner landing of one or more of the single frame members comprising the frame assembly. The open elongated chamber between the interior bridge member and the second inner landing and the first inner landing of the single frame member is arranged to define a wire routing channel within each single frame member. The elongated space between the second side guide and the first side guide of each single frame member defines a support enclosure for one or more illuminable panels and/or a middle reflector panel to be utilized within the frame assembly.
A further aspect of the present invention includes a light emitting diode strip arranged on the outwardly directed sides of the second inner landing in the first inner landing of the mid-rail members. A wire routing channel comprises the space between the interior bridge and the second inner landing and the first inner landing of the mid-rail member which is utilizable for a power circuit for a strip of light emitting diodes utilized with the split rail frame member arrangement.
In a further embodiment, the assembly may in one embodiment, include an internal elongated divider rail which accepts the display panel, graphics and an arrangement of LED strips on one or both sides thereof, and allow for multiple panels to be illuminated with graphics that may be individually changed.
Assembly of the multi-component frame arrangement is accomplished in this embodiment, by providing a mitered end (for example, a 45 degree cut on a four sided frame) on each of the single frame members and on each end of the split rail frame member arrangement. In other embodiments, the angle may vary. A pair of “L”-shaped corner brackets are placed in the respective bracket receiving channels of the single frame members and their respective adjacent either single frame members or elongated first side split rail and the elongated second side split rail corner bracket receiving channels. Securement members such as for example, a bolt, a screw or locking pin or the like may be placed through the respective ends of a single frame member into adjacent single frame member securement channels and between the mid-rail member and adjacent single frame members so as to ensure their structural integrity.
The invention thus comprises a multi-component frame assembly arrangement for the display of at least one graphic panel slidably insertable and removable with respect thereto, the frame assembly arrangement comprising: a frame perimeter comprised of at least one single frame member and at least one split rail frame member arrangement, wherein the at least one single frame member and the at least one split rail frame member arrangement are joined together by a plurality of connecting brackets; the at least one single frame member having a cross-sectional configuration of generally “U” shape, and being comprised of an exterior bridge member and an interior bridge member; the interior bridge member having a stepped configuration so as to form a bracket channel on one side of the interior bridge member and a graphic receiving channel on the other side of the interior bridge member, including a second side guide and a first side guide extending therefrom to enable secure receipt of at least one illuminable panel therewithin, wherein the second side guide and the first side guide each have an inner landing extending therealong, wherein the second side guide and the first side guide are each arranged to support an elongated strip of light emitting diodes thereagainst, wherein the interior bridge member includes a securement receiving channel and wherein the at least one split rail member is comprised of a elongated second side split rail and elongated first side split rail and a mid-rail member disposed therebetween.
The elongated second side split rail is supportively disposed in a spaced-apart manner from the mid-rail member, to enable a graphic display panel to be inserted therebetween. The elongated first side split rail is supportively disposed in a spaced-apart manner from the mid-rail member, to enable a graphic display panel to be inserted therebetween.
The mid-rail member includes an exterior bridge and an interior bridge having a securement channel co-extruded therewith. The interior bridge of the mid-rail member has a mid-member second side guide and a mid-member first side guide. The second side guide and the first side guide each have an inner landing member extending towards one another. The inner landing member of both the second side guide and the first side guide in one embodiment commonly support an elongated strip of light emitting diodes. The interior bridge of the mid-rail member and the inner landings thereadjacent define an elongated space wherein one or more of the rails, in one preferred embodiment, may be utilized for a contiguous wire connector arrangement to empower one or more strips of light emitting diodes.
The elongated second side split rail and the elongated first side split rail are mirror images of one another. The elongated second side split rail preferably has a pair of generally L-shaped flanges on an inner side thereof to define a corner bracket receiving channel therebetween to enable corner bracket attachment to an adjacent single frame member. At least one graphic panel is placable within the frame assembly arrangement and slid into a graphic receiving channel arranged on at least one single frame member.
The invention also comprises a method of illuminably displaying at least one graphic panel in a frame assembly comprising the steps of connecting at least one split frame member to at least two single frame members by connector brackets inserted into connector receiving channels on each end of the at least one split frame member and the at least two single frame members; attaching at least one strip of lightable diodes to an elongated landing on at least one of the single frame members; inserting a graphic display into an elongated opening in a split frame member on at least one side of the frame assembly, wherein the frame assembly consists of a frame perimeter comprised of at least one single frame member and at least one split rail frame member arrangement, wherein the at least one single frame member and the at least one split rail frame member arrangement are joined together by the connecting brackets, and the at least one single frame member having a cross-sectional configuration of generally “U” shape, and being comprised of an exterior bridge member and an interior bridge member; the interior bridge member having in one embodiment, a segmented or stepped configuration so as to form a bracket channel on one side of the interior bridge member and a graphic receiving channel on the other side of the interior bridge member.
The invention also comprises a method of illuminably displaying at least one graphic panel in a illuminable frame assembly comprising connecting at least one split frame member at both of its respective ends thereof, to a single-frame member, wherein the at least one split frame member consists of a first side elongated split rail and a second side elongated split rail each held in a graphic-display entrance-permitting spaced-apart relationship, with respect to and parallel to an elongated intermediately-disposed mid-rail member to provide two elongated access slots for one or two graphic displays therewithin; wherein the at least two single frame members solidly connect to the first and second side elongated split rail each by a connector bracket inserted into a respective connector receiving channel on each end of the at least one spilt frame member of the at least two single frame members, wherein the at least one mid-rail member is solidly connected to the single frame members by securement means at each end, and attaching at least one elongated strip of graphic display enhancing lightable diodes to an elongated landing on at least one inwardly facing portion of at least one of the frame members.
The method preferably also includes arranging a reflector panel interiorly supported by the single frame members to provide light reflection and light directional control within the frame assembly relative to a graphic display therewithin, The method may include placing an illuminable panel adjacent the reflector panel within the frame assembly, and sliding a graphic display into an elongated opening between a first and/or second side elongated split rail and the mid-rail member so as to be captured within an elongated light-enhanceable graphic-receiving-space in a single frame member. The method may include energizing the light diodes so as to illuminate at least one side of the graphic display within the frame assembly.
The invention also comprises a four sided frame display system for displaying at least two illuminable display panels, the frame display system comprising: at least one single-frame member and at least one split-frame member connected together and comprising two of the four sides of the four sided frame display system, wherein the split frame member has a pair of parallel slots which permit entry and removal of the one or more display panels, and the at least one single-frame member has at least two shouldered slots for receipt of the one or more display panels; and wherein an elongated array of lights is arranged on a pair of spaced apart inner landings to provide illumination of the one or more display panels supported in the system A pair of elongated side guides within the single-frame member support a reflector panel sandwiched between a pair of illuminable panels, which are sandwiched between the one or more display panels within the system. The elongated array of lights are arranged adjacent at least one side of the illuminable panels. The at least one split-frame member and the at least one single-frame member have a common overall peripheral configuration. The at least one mid rail split-frame member and the at least one single-frame member have an interior bridge member which includes a centrally disposed securement channel for connecting the at least one mid rail member to the at least one single-frame member. The respective one or more display panels are supported in a spaced-apart orientation from their inwardly adjacent illuminable panels. A cross member may be arranged to subdivide the frame display system into multiple display panel supports. The cross member is comprised of two “H” configurations having a common bridge portion. The two “H” configuration of the cross member has parallel spaced apart flanges for receipt of individual display panels.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
The present invention relates to a multi-component frame arrangement assembly 10 for holding and displaying one or more graphic panels P1 and P2 which may be slid in from the side or from the top thereof, as represented in
Each single frame member 12, in cross section is generally of U-shape, as may be seen in
An elongated interior bridge member 30 extends within the single frame member 12, co-extensively with the exterior elongated bridge member 16. An elongated securement-member-receiving channel 32 is arranged co-extensively along the interior bridge member 30, which securement member receiving channel 32 faces the inner side of the exterior bridge member 16 as may be seen in
The interior bridge member 16 comprises a rear side interior shoulder 34 and a front side interior shoulder 36 which are each respectively joined to and have extend therefrom an elongated support member 38 and 40 which is connected to the inside respectively, of the rear elongated side portion 20 and the front elongated side portion 18, as is shown in
The elongated stepped member 38 connected to the inside of the elongated second or rear-side member 20 defines an L-shaped member 46 which faces the L-shaped member 44 extending on the first end 42 thereof. The space 48 between the L-shaped flange member 44 near the first end 42 of the elongated second side 20 and the generally L-shaped member 46 extending from the stepped configuration 38 off of the interior bridge member 30 defines a bracket receiving channel for the single frame member 12.
The elongated first or front side member 18 has a first end 50 with an inwardly directed elongated, generally L-shaped bracket 52 extending thereon, as may be seen in
The elongated stepped member 40 connected to the inside of the elongated front-side member 18, as shown in
The second or rear side interior shoulder 34 and the first or front side interior shoulder 36 each extend toward the elongated opening 60 of the single frame member 12, and have an elongated illuminable-panel supporting rear side guide 62 and an elongated illuminable-panel supporting first or front side guide 64 disposed co-extensively therealong, as represented in an end view in
The split frame member arrangement 14, as shown in
The extruded elongated mid-rail member 76 is of generally “U”-shape in cross section, as shown in
In yet a further aspect of the present invention, a strip of light emitting diodes 120 may be adhered to and supported on an outwardly directed side 122 of the second inner landing 66 and the first inner landing 68 of one or more of the single frame members 12 (and/or the split frame members 14) comprising the frame assembly 10. The open elongated chamber 124 between the interior bridge member 30 and the second inner landing 66 and the first inner landing 68 of the single frame member 12 is arranged to define a confined, conduit-retaining, collectively full peripheral or singularly partially peripheral channel for routing electrical conduits or wires 130 within each single frame member 12, as represented in
The aspect of the present invention showing a light emitting diode strip 120 in phantom, arranged on the outwardly directed sides 122 of the second or rear inner landing 66′ and the first or front inner landing 68′ of the mid-rail members 76 is represented in
In a further embodiment, the assembly 10 may include an elongated divider rail which accepts the panel, graphics and an LED strip on one or both sides, and allow multiple panels to be illuminated with graphics that may be changes individually.
Assembly of the multi-component frame arrangement 10 is accomplished, as shown in
