US3852901A

US3852901A - Display stand

Info

Publication number: US3852901A
Application number: US00261782A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Woodle; D Smith
Original assignee: Arlington Aluminum Co
Current assignee: Arlington Aluminum Co
Priority date: 1970-06-01
Filing date: 1972-06-12
Publication date: 1974-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-10

Abstract

A display stand, particularly suitable for displaying posters, comprising a plurality of frame members joined together to form poster-retaining frames, each frame being joinable to provide a stackable display module. Preferably, each frame is in the form of a square or rectangle and is right angularly joined to adjacent frames so as to provide a box-like module. The frame members are preferably formed by an extrusion process.

Description

United States Patent [191 Woodle et al.

[ DISPLAY STAND [75] Inventors: John C. Woodle, Bloomfield Hills;

Dennis J. Smith, Saint Clair Shores, both of Mich,

[73] Assignee: Arlington Aluminum Company, Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 12,1972

' 211 App]. No.2 261,782

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 42,309, June 1, 1970,

abandoned.

[52] [1.8. Cl. 411/125 H, 52/285, 52/ 58 6 [51] hit. Cl. ..G09f 7/18 [58] Field of Search 40/125 H, 125 F, 125 G, .40/154, 156, 155, 125 R; 52/584, 586, 285

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,772,494 12/1956 Bishop ..40/125H Dec. 10, 1974 2,960,249 11/1960 Walsh 52/586 X 3,015,899 l/1962 Ensign et al. 40/125 H 3,180,459 4/l965 Liskey 52/584 X 3,378,977 4/l968 Vervloet 52/584 3,425,721 2/1969 Agee 52/584 Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hamess, Dickey & Pierce 5 7] ABSTRACT A display stand, particularly suitable for displaying posters, comprising a plurality of frame members joined together to form poster-retaining frames, each frame being joinable to provide a stackable display module. Preferably, each frame is in the form of a square or rectangle and is right angularly joined to adjacent frames so as to provide a box-like module. The frame members are preferably formed by an extrusion process.

17 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DISPLAY STAND This is a continuation of the copending application, Ser. No. 42,309 which was filed June I, 1970 now abandoned.

' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to display stands for posters and the like, frames for posters and the like, and frame members which form frames for posters and the like.

There are, many prior art methods and apparatus for providing display stands for posters and the like. Generally, an optimum display stand would be simple and convenient to assemble, versatile, consist of component parts which are not costly to manufacture, and would be structurally durable. Prior art display stands have been found to be deficient in one or more of these attributes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display stand which may be conveniently assembled, and moreover, it is constructed of relatively few specially designed parts. Additionally, the display stand of this invention is versatile and is characterized by high structural strength and exceptional durability. An exemplary display stand according to this invention has a plurality of cooperating frames each constructed of frame members, preferably extruded, having means forming a first channel adapted to receive a connecting corner member which joins and interconnects adjacent frame members thereby forming display frames, a second displayed article-receiving channel cooperating with corresponding channels in adjacent frame members to retain the display article in a frame, and a third frame interlocking channel adapted to receive a coupling means preferably in the form of a frame interlocking bar to join adjacent frames thereby forming a display module.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, each of the frames consist of four right-angularly disposed frame members to form a square or rectangle poster containing frame, and four of the frames thusly provided are right-angularly connected to provide a box-like module. The module may be stacked with other like modules to provide a structure having an increased number of provisions for posters. Stacking of the modules may be readily accomplished by extending the frame interlocking bars between modules. Alternately, the frames may be connected in a zigzag fashion so as to provide an elongated, as opposed to box-like, structure for displaying posters.

Preferably, a single basic design is used to derive the form of the top, bottom and side frame members. In an exemplary embodiment, the unaltered basic design is used for the side members. The top and bottom members are provided by altering the basic design in accordance with their respective functions.

Otheradvantages and features of this invention will become apparent in view of the drawings and the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a display stand according to this invention comprising two vertically stacked display modules;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pair of adjacent side frame members taken along the lines 22 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a pair of frame members of FIG. I joined by an L-shaped frame member connector;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIG. 1 of a bottom frame member of an upper module in position with a top frame member of a lower module; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective interior view of the preferred method of stacking modules as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a display stand 10 according to this invention is shown for displaying a plurality of posters 12 or other articles. The display stand 10 comprises an upper module assembly 14 and a lower module assembly 16, each of the modules l4 and 16 comprising four right-angularly connected square frames 18. Each frame 18 comprises a top frame member 20, a pair of side frame members 22, and a bottom frame member 24 disposed in rightangular relation with respect to each other and having mitered ends butted together at the corners of the frame.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a pair of'side frame members 22 of FIG. 1 are illustrated which are detachably connected in right-angular relationship by a coupling means in the form of a longitudinally adjustable frame interlocking bar 26 extending between the frame members 22 and are secured in that relationship by a screw 28 or other means adjustably coacting with said bar. Each of the side frame members 22 comprise an exterior frame member portion 30 and an interior frame member portion 32. The outer exterior frame member portion 30 includes a curved corner portion 34 extending toward and terminating in close proximity and, in fact, in substantially edgewise butting relation to a like corner portion on the adjacent frame member 22, and a right-angular ledge portion 36.

The interior or rear frame member portion 32 has a web 38 extending at substantially right angles to the exterior or front frame member portion 30 intermediate the ends thereof. The web 38 has a first flange 40 connected in T-like fashion at the extreme inside end thereof and a second flange 42 right-angularly connected intermediate the first flange 40 and the exterior frame member portion 30 extending toward the corner of the frame 18. The flange 42 is provided with a lipportion 44 extending at right angles with respect thereto away from the exterior frame member portion 30.

As can be best seen in FIG. 2, the flanges 40 and 42 and the web 38 form a generally square channel 46, which has been referred to previously herein as the third channel. The channel 46 is open at both ends and it accepts and closely cooperates'with a squared (i.e., non-circular) portion 48 of the frame interlocking bar 26. As also can be seen in FIG. 2, the third channel 46 has an opening 50 opposing an opening in a like channel in the adjacent side frame member 22.

On the opposite side of the web 38, the second channel 51 is provided for accepting a displayed article 12 which comprises the web 38, the end 52 of the ledge portion 36, and the flange 40.

The ledgeportion 36 of the exterior frame member portion 30 is provided with a pair of projections 54 and 56 forming a first groove 58 for receiving a frame member interlocking member to be described in detail with respect to FIG. 3. The web 38 is provided with a corresponding pair of raised portions or projections 60 and 62 forming a second groove 64 which opposes and is aligned with the first groove 58 to form the first channel which receives the frame member interlocking corner member 74. It should be observed that the projection 62 has a curved rightward surface to facilitate entry of the posters 12 into the second channel 51 therefor.

As can be seen upon comparative observation of the side frame members of FIG. 2, each is identical to the other in all respects, however, they are shown in a complementary configuration which is simply achieved by inverting one member with respect to the other member.

Although the frame members 22 have been described in terms of portions, flanges, and webs, it will be understood that the frame members 22 are preferably extrusion molded, for example, of aluminum, so as to form an integral structure.

With reference now specifically to the frame interlocking bar 26,. it can be seen that a complementary square portion 66 is provided which is joined to the square portion 48 by a web 68 having a threaded opening receiving the screw 28. As can be seen in the drawings, the screw 28 is of the recessed-head or flat head configuration so as to provide conical surfaces 72 which abut and frictionally engage the flange 40 so as to draw the frame interlocking bar 26 against the opposite sides of the flange 40 thereby fixedly securing the side frame members in angular relationship as shown in FIG. 2. Since the side frame members 22 of FIG. 2 are each part of separate frames, joining the side frame members 22 as shown is effective to join separate frames.

In FIG. 3, a side frame member 22 is illustrated as joined to a top frame member by a flat stock, L- shaped corner connecting means or interlocking member 74. For clarity, the flange 38 and the ledge portion 36 are shown in cross-section. The corner interlocking member 74 is disposed in the

grooves

58 and 64 at one end of the

frame members

20 and 22 so as to position the

frame members

20 and 22 at right angles as shown in FIG. 3. The

frame members

20 and 22 are complementarily mitered at 45 to enable the positioning thereof as shown. The corner interlocking member 74 preferably has a plurality of cutouts 76 such that the projections 56 and 62 may be crimped inward or stacked into the cutouts 76 so as to fixedly secure the corner interlocking member 74 to the

frame members

20 and 22. It can be seen that joining the two

frame members

20 and 22 as illustrated forms one corner of a frame 18. The other end of the side frame member 22 is similarly joined to the bottom frame member 24. The other side frame member 22 may be joined to the top frame member 20 at one of its ends and to the bottom frame member 24 at the other of its ends in a like manner so as to complete the construction of a frame 18. Four frames 18 may be joined at adjacent side frame members 22 using an equal number of frame interlocking bars 26 so as to form the box-like modules 14 and 16.

The top frame member 20, the bottom frame member 24, and the side frame members 22 are advantageously provided using a single basic cross-sectional design. This will be better appreciated in view of the cross-sectional views of these frame members shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. More particularly, in FIG. 4, a bottom frame member 24 of an upper module 14 is shown abutting a top frame member 20 of a lower module 16 in the relationship resulting from vertical stacking of the modules 14 and 16. To provide a clear illustration of the design of the cross-sections of the top and

bottom frame members

20 and 24, respectively, the parts of the side frame members 22 which are deleted in the alteration of the basic. design to provide the crosssections of the

members

20 and 24 are shown in dotted lines. With reference now to the bottom frame member 24, it can be seen that the bottom frame member 24 is identical to the side frame member 22 with the exception of the deletion of the flange 42 and the portion of the flange 40 extending from the web 38 toward the corner portion of the frame member 22 to permit passage of the interlocking bar 26 to allow stacking of the modules 14 and 16 as described with respect to FIG. 5. If the modules 14 and 16 are not to be stacked, that operation is unnecessary. If desired, a single extrusion may be formed and portions may be removed or barbered, for example, by grinding or shearing, according to the above scheme to produce the top and bottom frame members. However, it is preferred to use separate extruded forms to eliminate that step and to minimize the formation of scrap material.

With reference now to the top frame member 20, it can be seen that the top frame member 20 is identical to the side frame member 22 with the exception of the deletion of the flanges 42, the flange 40 and the web 38 extending beyond the projection 62. Preferably the round shape of the projection 62 is continued so as to provide a semicircular projection as shown in FIG. 4. These portions are deleted so as to permit entry of the posters 12 into the channels therefor from the top of the frame 18.

The preferred manner of stacking the modules 14 and 16 can be seen with reference to FIG. 5. More particularly, each of the four frame interlocking bars 26 are positioned so as to extend upwardly into the corresponding frame interlocking channels 46 of the upper module 14, and downwardly into the corresponding frame interlocking channels of the lower module 16. The interlocking bar 26 is secured to each module using the screws 28. Moreover, additional frame interlocking bars 26 may be secured to the lower module channels 46 so as to extend downwardly to provide legs for the display stand 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Prior to stacking of the modules 14 and 16, the posters of the lower module 16 are inserted into the appropriate channels therefor. v

In view of the preceding description of the exemplary display stand according to this invention, it now will be appreciated that the modules 14 and 16 may be quickly and conveniently assembled in situ, preferably utilizing preassembled frames 18. Moreover, the resulting display stand has exceptional high structural strength and durability and is pleasing in exterior appearance, particularly since the channels and other structural details are hidden from view.

The display stand of this invention is exceptionally versatile. For example, stacking of modules as shown maybe accomplished readily or. if desired, the display frames 18 may be secured in zigzag" fashion by placing an interlocking bar 26 between every other frame 18. Additionally, modification of the frame interlocking channels will permit other than square shapes to use the same concept, for example, shapes having more or less than four sides.

While it will be apparent that the teachings herein are well calculated to teach one skilled in the art the method of making the preferred embodiment of this in vention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or meaning of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. In a display stand,

a plurality of frames each comprising top, bottom and side frame members having inner sides and mitered ends disposed in butting relation at the corners of the frame, all of said frame members being provided at the rear thereof with means forming first channels 5 opening through the inner sides and extending to the ends thereof, said side and bottom frame members being provided also at the rear thereof with means forming second channels i 7' 1 opening through the inner sides and extending through the ends thereof and collectively defining a U-shaped recess for accommodating and confining the side and bottom marginal edge portions of an article to be displayed, said side frame members being further provided at the rear thereof and laterally outwardly of said article receiving channels with means forming third channels which open laterally and toward the rear of said frame and through the ends of said side frame members; connecting means in the first channels of said top, bottom and side frame members of each frame joining and holding said frame members together; and coupling means adjustably and removably. mounted in the third channels of adjacent frames detachably intercon necting the same, whereby said plurality of frames can be assembled in side-by-side relation or superimposed one upon the other in said display stand and detachably interconnected in said.

assembly by said coupling means, the front outer marginal portions of said frame members extending laterally outwardly beyond the portions thereof referred to specifically above. said front outer marginal portions adapted to be disposed in edgewise butting relation with respect to each other and mutually cooperative to close the spaces between said frames and to conceal the inner sides thereof, the corner connections in said first channels, and the coupling means in third channels. 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of frames are disposed at substantially right angles with respect to each other in said display stand, and wherein said coupling means interfit with said third channels to hold said frames in rightangularly disposed relation each with respect to the ones adjacent thereto with the outer front marginal portions of the side frame members of adjacent frames disposed substantially in edgewise butting relation with respect to each other so as to conceal the inner sides of said frames and said coupling means.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said coupling means are in the form of rigid connecting bars, and including means interacting between said third channels and said bars operative to hold adjacent frames of said display stand substantially firmly in substantially right-angular relation with respect to each other.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bars are longitudinally adjustable in said third channels and are extensible beyond said side members to provide supporting legs for said display stand or connecting means for similar frames disposed in superimposed relation with respect thereto.

5. The combination as set forth in claim ll wherein the mear'is forming said first channels of each frame comprise a part also of the means forming said second article-receiving channels.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first channels open laterally into said second article-receiving channels.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first channels are disposed in front of said second article-receiving channels.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first channels are disposed in front of said second article-receiving channels, wherein said first mentioned channels open toward the rear of said frame and into said article-receiving channels, and wherein said second article-receiving channels open inwardly through the side of said frame.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first channels of each frame open toward the rear of the frame and into the sides of said second articlereceiving channels, and wherein said means forming said first channels defines one side of said articlereceiving channels.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third channels of each frame open rearwardly and laterally outwardly of said frame.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a part of the second channel-forming means of each frame comprise a part also of said third channelforming means.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the third channel-forming means of said side frame members is adapted to be sheared away to form said bottom frame members.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least portions of the second and third channelforming means of said side frame members are adapted to be sheared away to form said top frame members.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a portion of said second channel-forming means of said bottom frame member is adapted to be sheared away to form said top frame members.

15. In a display stand, a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members having ends disposed in butting relation at the corners of the frame;

means interconnecting the butted ends of said frame members;

said side and bottom frame members being provided at the rear thereof with laterally inwardly opening article-receiving channels disposed in coplanar relation and collectively defining a U-shaped recess for accommodating and confining the side and bottom marginal edge portions of an article to be displayed;

said side frame members being further provided at the rear thereof and laterally outwardly of said article-receiving channels with integral means for detachably interconnecting with means in the form of an elongate bar means for coupling a plurality of said frames together;

said integral means and said coupling means having interfitting and interlocking tongue and groove portions for holding said coupling means fastened securely but detachably to said frame;

each of said coupling means being adapted to interconnect with the side members of adjacent frames disposed side-by-side in angular relation with respect to each other;

said groove portions extending through the ends of said side frame members and said bar means adapted to extend beyond said side frame members to detachably interconnect adjacent frames which are superimposed one upon the other; and

the front outer marginal portions of said frame members extending laterally outwardly beyond the portions of said frame members referred to above and adapted to be disposed in substantially edgewise butting relation to corresponding portions on frame members of adjacent or superimposed frames and to be mutually cooperable with said corresponding portions to close the spaces between said frames and to conceal the inner sides thereof.

16. In a display stand, a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members having ends disposed in butting relation at the corners of the frame;

means interconnecting the butted ends of said frame members;

said side frame members being further provided at the rear thereof and laterally outwardly of said article-receiving channels with integral means for detachably interconnecting with means for coupling a plurality of said frames together;

said integral means being in the form of laterally outwardly opening channels in said side frame members;

said coupling means being in the form of elongate bars;

said channels and said bars having interfitting and interlocking portions;

each of said bars adapted to interconnect the side members of adjacent frames disposed substantially in right-angular relation with respect to each other and also being longitudinally adjustable in said channels and extensible therefrom to fasten said interconnected side-by-side related frames to still other frames disposed in superimposed relation with respect thereto; and

17. Separate display frames for a display stand, said frames disposed side-by-side in predetermined angular relation and having adjacent frame members provided with confronting channels formed with opposed channel openings;

bar means extending between said frame members and through said channel openings with portions thereof received by and interlocked with said channels;

said channels being open at both ends and said bar means being insertable into and extensible from said channels through either of the open ends thereof;

said bar means being longitudinally adjustable in said channels and extensible therefrom in one direction to provide supporting legs for said frames and extensible therefrom in the opposite direction to provide means for interconnecting said display frames with corresponding frames superimposed thereon;

portions defining a corner of said display stand be tween said display frames and concealing said channels and said bar means.

Claims

1. In a display stand, a plurality of frames each comprising top, bottom and side frame members having inner sides thereof and mitered ends disposed in butting relation at the corners of the frame, all of said frame members being provided at the rear thereof with means forming first channels opening through the inner sides and extending to the ends thereof, said side and bottom frame members being provided also at the rear thereof with means forming second channels opening through the inner sides and extending through the ends thereof and collectively defining a U-shaped recess for accommodating and confining the side and bottom marginal edge portions of an article to be displayed, said side frame members being further provided at the rear thereof and laterally outwardly of said article receiving channels with means forming third channels which open laterally and toward the rear of said frame and through the ends of said side frame members; connecting means in the first channels of said top, bottom and side frame members of each frame joining and holding said frame members together; and coupling means adjustably and removably mounted in the third channels of adjacent frames detachably interconnecting the same, whereby said plurality of frames can be assembled in side-by-side relation or superimposed one upon the other in said display stand and detachably interconnected in said assembly by said coupling means, the front outer marginal portions of said frame members extending laterally outwardly beyond the portions thereof referred to specifically above, said front outer marginal portions adapted to be disposed in edgewise butting relation with respect to each other and mutually cooperative to close the spaces between said frames and to conceal the inner sides thereof, the corner connections in said first channels, and the coupling means in said third channels.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of frames are disposed at substantially right angles with respect to each other in said display stand, and wherein said coupling means interfit with said third channels to hold said frames in right-angularly disposed relation each with respect to the ones adjacent thereto with the outer front marginal portions of the side frame members of adjacent frames disposed substantially in edgewise butting relation with respect to each other so as to conceal the inner sides of said frames and said coupling means.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means forming said first channels of each frame comprise a part also of the means forming said second article-receiving channels.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first channels of each frame open toward the rear of the frame and into the sides of said second article-receiving channels, and wherein said means forming said first channels defines one side of said article-receiving channels.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a part of the second channel-forming means of each frame comprise a part also of said third channel-forming means.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least portions of the second and third channel-forming means of said side frame members are adapted to be sheared away to form said top frame members.

15. In a display stand, a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members having ends disposed in butting relation at the corners of the frame; means interconnecting the butted ends of said frame members; said side and bottom frame members being provided at the rear thereof with laterally inwardly opening article-receiving channels disposed in coplanar relation and collectively defining a U-shaped recess for accommodating and confining the side and bottom marginal edge portions of an article to be displayed; said side frame members being further provided at the rear thereof and laterally outwardly of said article-receiving channels with integral means for detachably interconnecting with means in the form of an elongate bar means for coupling a plurality of said frames together; said integral means and said coupling means having interfitting and interlocking tongue and groove portions for holding said coupling means fastened securely but detachably to said frame; each of said coupling means being adapted to interconnect with the side members of adjacent frames disposed side-by-side in angular relation with respect to each other; said groove portions extending through the ends of said side frame members and said bar means adapted to extend beyond said side frame members to detachably interconnect adjacent frames which are superimposed one upon the other; and the front outer marginal portions of said frame members extending laterally outwardly beyond the portions of said frame members referred to above and adapted to be disposed in substantially edgewise butting relation to corresponding portions on frame members of adjacent or superimposed frames and to be mutually cooperable with said corresponding portions to close the spaces between said frames and to conceal the inner sides thereof.

16. In a display stand, a frame comprising top, bottom and side frame members having ends disposed in butting relation at the corners of the frame; means interconnecting the butted ends of said frame members; said side and bottom frame members being provided at the rear thereof with laterally inwardly opening article-receiving channels disposed in coplanar relation and collectively defining a U-shaped recess for accommodating and confining the side and bottom marginal edge portions of an article to be displayed; said side frame members being further provided at the rear thereof and laterally outwardly of said article-receiving channels with integral means for detachably interconnecting with means for coupling a plurality of said frames together; said integral means being in the form of laterally outwardly opening channels in said side frame members; said coupling means being in the form of elongate bars; said channels and said bars having interfitting and interlocking portions; each of said bars adapted to interconnect the side members of adjacent frames disposed substantially in right-angular relation with respect to each other and also being longitudinally adjustable in said channels and extensible therefrom to fasten said interconnected side-by-side related frames to still other frames disposed in superimposed relation with respect thereto; and the front outer marginal portions of said frame members extending laterally outwardly beyond the portions of said frame members referred to above and adapted to be disposed in substantially edgewise butting relation to corresponding portions on frame members of adjacent or superimposed frames and to be mutually cooperable with said corresponding portions to close the spaces between said frames and to conceal the inner sides thereof.

17. Separate display frames for a display stand, said frames disposed side-by-side in predetermined angular relation and having adjacent frame members provided with confronting channels formed with opposed channel openings; bar means extending between said frame members and through said channel openings with portions thereof received by and interlocked with said channels; said channels being open at both ends and said bar means being insertable into and extensible from said channels through either of the open ends thereof; said bar means being longitudinally adjustable in said channels and extensible therefrom in one direction to provide supporting legs for said frames and extensible therefrom in the opposite direction to provide means for interconnecting said display frames with corresponding frames superimposed thereon; adjustable means coacting with said bar means and said frame members holding the same detachably securely together; said channels being disposed at the inner sides of said frames; and said frame members including outer portions formed integrally therewith extending toward and terminating in close proximity to each other, said outer portions defining a corner of said display stand between said display frames and concealing said channels and said bar means.