Centering mechanism with self-oriented mounting area

• US 20070145211A1
• Filed: 08/21/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVue Security Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Marsilio, Ronald M., Belden, Dennis D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,614,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/176.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/024 with provisions for preventing unauthorised removal show cases with devices for prevention of theft A47F3/002; devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18

Abstract

A device for displaying a display item includes a mounting member which includes a first mounting element and a second mounting element which is mountable on the display item and movable relative to the first mounting element between different display positions to position the display item as desired, typically to center the display item. The first mounting element includes a base and lid which define an interior chamber and an elongated entrance opening. The second mounting element is disposed within the interior chamber and extends through the entrance opening. The base and lid close to secure the second mounting element relative to the first mounting element. The mounting member may be mounted on a base and removable therefrom for handling and viewing of the display item. An alignment mechanism may be provided for automatically moving the mounting member when on the base from an unaligned orientation to a display orientation.

Claims

1. A device for displaying a display item having an item mounting location, the device comprising:

a mounting member comprising;

a first mounting element having first and second opposed sides and a longitudinal direction extending from the first side to the second side; and

a second mounting element comprising a first mounting location adapted to connect to the item mounting location;

wherein the second mounting element is movably mounted on the first mounting element to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the first mounting element between a plurality of display positions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the second mounting element is slidably movable between the display positions.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising at least one first projection carried by one of the first and second mounting elements and engageable with the other of the first and second mounting elements to selectively prevent the second mounting element from sliding.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the at least one first projection comprises a plurality of ridges.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first mounting element comprises a base and a lid which is movable between open and closed positions;

wherein the second mounting element is movable between the display positions when the lid is in the open position; and

wherein the base and lid secure the second mounting element in one of the display positions when the lid is in the closed position.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second mounting elements further comprises a window having an elongated direction;

and further comprising a light carried by the other of the first and second mounting elements;

wherein the light is movable in the elongated direction adjacent the window.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the first mounting element defines an interior chamber and an entrance opening which communicates with the interior chamber and is elongated in the longitudinal direction;

wherein the second mounting element is disposed within the interior chamber and comprises a portion which extends through the opening and outwardly thereof; and

further comprising a fastener adapted to fasten the second mounting element to the display item.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the first mounting element defines an interior chamber;

and further comprising;

a light which is carried by the second mounting element within the interior chamber and is externally visible; and

an electrical wire electrically communicating with the light and extending outwardly from the first and second mounting elements.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising an alarm;

and an arming sensor adapted for arming the alarm when the display item is connected to the second mounting element.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a plunger switch having a depressible plunger extending outwardly from the second mounting element and adapted to be depressed by the display item.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the second mounting element is selectively positionable on the first mounting element in first and second orientations which are the reverse of one another.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the first mounting element defines first and second opposed entrance openings;

and further comprising;

an electrical conductor which is connected to the second mounting element; and

wherein the conductor passes through the first entrance opening when the second mounting element is in the first orientation and through the second entrance opening when the second mounting element is in the second orientation.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the first mounting element comprises a window;

and further comprising;

first and second lights carried by the second mounting element;

wherein the first light is disposed adjacent the window when the second mounting element is in the first orientation; and

wherein the second light is disposed adjacent the window when the second mounting element is in the second orientation.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

first and second stops on the first mounting element;

first and second stop surfaces on the second mounting element;

wherein the first mounting location and the first side of the first mounting element define therebetween a first distance when the first stop surface abuts the first stop;

wherein the first mounting location and the second side of the first mounting element define therebetween a second distance when the second stop surface abuts the second stop; and

wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

15. The device of claim 1 in combination with the display item;

wherein the second mounting element and the display item are connected at the mounting locations;

wherein the first mounting element has a first center line;

wherein the display item has a second center line; and

wherein the second mounting element and display item are movable to align the first and second center lines.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a base on which the mounting member is mountable and movable relative thereto between an unaligned orientation and an aligned display orientation; and

an alignment mechanism for automatically moving the mounting member from the unaligned orientation to the display orientation.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising a base;

and wherein the mounting member is movable between a mounted position in which the mounting member is in contact with the base and a removed position in which the mounting member is movable so that the mounting member is adapted to facilitate viewing and handling of the display item.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a tether connected to the mounting member and the base.

19. The device of claim 1 further comprising a base on which the mounting member is rotatably mounted.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the mounting member is rotatable relative to the base between an unaligned orientation and an aligned display orientation;

and further comprising an alignment mechanism for automatically rotating the mounting member from the unaligned orientation to the display orientation.