Modular table top display apparatus

• US 7,140,134 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rodger H. Flagg
• Original Assignee: Rodger H. Flagg
• Inventors: Flagg, Rodger H.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US10/673,432
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 108/90, 108/152, 108/60, 108/61, 108/50.01, 211/180, 312/196, 160/351, 248/231.71, 248/229.25, 406/071.4
• US Class Current: 40/607.14
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

A modular table top display having a first upright sub-assembly, a second upright sub-assembly, and upper and lower horizontal cross-members, which extend between the first and second upright sub-assemblies, to span the desired length of the table top. A horizontal cross member extension may be selectively used to extend the length of the display apparatus for longer displays. A flexible sheet material with indicia thereon is releasably secured to the modular table top display apparatus at assembly, and may be rolled up for transport or storage. A clamp extends beneath the table top to secure each of the first and second upright sub-assemblies directly to the table top. Optional lighting may be supported by the rigid frame. The modular table top display apparatus my be disassembled and compactly stored in a carrying case or bag, for ease of transport and storage.

Claims

1. A modular table top display apparatus to be supported and secured to a new or existing table top, which comprises:

a) a first upright sub-assembly, comprising at least one vertical tubular member, a upper connector secured to the upper end of the first vertical tubular member, and a lower connector secured to the lower end of the vertical tubular member;

b) a first clamping means positioned beneath the first upright sub-assembly, the first clamping means having a horizontal table top brace, a depending lower extension, and a horizontal clamping arm with a vertical aperture located near the distal end of the horizontal clamping arm, a threaded nut secured within the horizontal clamping arm in alignment with the vertical aperture, a threaded rod engaging the threaded nut, and extending through the vertical aperture, a handle secured to the lower end of the threaded rod, the threaded rod sized to engage the bottom of the table top when the handle is tightened, and to clear the depending lip of the table top when the handle is loosened;

c) a second upright sub-assembly, comprising at least one vertical tubular member, an upper connector secured to the upper end of the vertical tubular member, and a lower connector secured to the lower end of the vertical tubular member;

d) a second clamping means positioned beneath the second upright sub-assembly, the clamping means having a horizontal table top brace, a depending lower extension, and a horizontal clamping arm with a vertical aperture located near the distal end of the horizontal clamping arm, a threaded nut secured within the horizontal clamping arm in alignment with the vertical aperture, a threaded rod engaging the threaded nut, and extending through the vertical aperture, a handle secured to the lower end of the threaded rod, the upper end of the threaded rod sized to engage the bottom of the table top when the handle is tightened, and to clear the depending lip of the table top when the handle is loosened;

e) at least one upper horizontal cross member, the upper horizontal cross member(s) sized to extend between the connector secured to the upper end of the first upright sub-assembly and the connector secured to the upper end of the second upright sub-assembly;

f) at least one lower horizontal cross member(s), the lower horizontal cross member(s) sized to extend between the lower connector secured to the lower end of the first upright sub-assembly and the lower connector secured to the lower end of the second upright sub-assembly;

g) a flexible sheet material sized to be releasably secured to a frame formed by the vertical tubular member on the first upright sub-assembly, the vertical tubular member on the second upright sub-assembly, the upper horizontal cross member and the lower horizontal cross member at assembly, and;

h) the horizontal clamping arms of the first and second upright sub-assemblies are pivotal in relation to the respective first and second upright sub-assemblies, to position the clamp means to avoid objects located on the underside of the table top.

2. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein two vertical tubular member(s) are used to extend the height of the respective first and second upright sub-assemblies, and to provide a more compact disassembly, for ease of transport and storage.

3. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 2, wherein an elastomeric cord is secured between adjacent vertical tubular members for ease of alignment and assembly.

4. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein two horizontal cross member(s) are used to extend the length of the modular table top display apparatus, and to provide a more compact disassembly, for ease of transport and storage.

5. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 4, wherein an elastomeric cord is secured between adjacent horizontal cross members for ease of alignment and assembly.

6. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one light fixture is releasably secured to the upper portion of the frame to selectively illuminate the modular table top display apparatus.

7. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a multiple light cord assembly is secured to the frame formed by the lower portion of the upper horizontal cross member, the upper portion of the lower horizontal cross member, the inner side of the first vertical tubular member, and the inner side of the second vertical tubular member, thus forming a substantially continuous multiple light cord assembly having multiple points of light positioned within the frame to aid in illuminating the flexible sheet material located within the modular table top display apparatus, and a controller is provided to selectively control the actuation of the multiple lights.

8. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one end of a straight connector, a right angle connector, and a four way connector is slotted in at least one direction to provide a slip fit connection.

9. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein an end connector is provided to close off the distal end of each of the horizontal clamping arms.

10. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position of the clamping arms are offset in relation to the vertical tubular member on each of the first and second upright sub-assemblies to position the clamp arm at least four inches inward of the opposing ends of the table top to position the clamping means to avoid obstacles located underneath the table top.

11. A modular table top display apparatus to be supported and secured to a new or existing table top, which comprises:

a) a first upright sub-assembly, comprising at least one vertical tubular member, an upper connector secured to the upper end of the vertical tubular member, and a lower connector secured to the lower end of the at least one vertical tubular member, a horizontal spacer secured to the lower end of the right angle connector, with a first end of a four way connector secured to the horizontal spacer on one side, and a slip fit connector end secured to the opposite side;

b) a first clamping means positioned beneath the four way connector, the first clamping means having a horizontal table top brace extending at right angles to the horizontal extension and secured to the four way connector, a depending vertical extension secured to the four way connector, a right angle connector secured to the lower end of the depending vertical extension, and a horizontal clamping arm secured to the right angle connector and extending in spaced relation beneath the horizontal table top brace;

a vertical aperture located near the distal end of the horizontal clamping arm, a threaded nut secured within the horizontal clamping arm in alignment with the vertical aperture, a threaded rod engaging the threaded nut, and extending through the vertical aperture, a handle secured to the lower end of the threaded rod, the threaded rod sized to engage the bottom of the table top when tightened, and to clear the depending lip of the table top when loosened;

c) a second upright sub-assembly, comprising at least one vertical tubular member, an upper connector secured to the upper end of the vertical tubular member, and a lower connector secured to the lower end of the at least one vertical tubular member, a horizontal spacer secured to the lower end of the right angle connector, with a first end of a four way connector secured to the horizontal spacer on one side, and a slip fit connector end secured to the opposite side;

d) a second clamping means positioned beneath the four way connector, the second clamping means having a horizontal table top brace extending at right angles to the horizontal extension, a depending vertical extension secured to the four way connector, and a right angle connector secured to the lower end of the depending vertical extension, a horizontal clamping arm secured to the right angle connector and extending in spaced relation beneath the horizontal table top brace;

a vertical aperture located near the distal end of the horizontal clamping arm, a threaded nut secured within the horizontal clamping arm in alignment with the vertical aperture, a threaded rod engaging the threaded nut, and extending through the vertical aperture, a handle secured to the lower end of the threaded rod, the threaded rod sized to engage the bottom of the table top when tightened, and to clear the depending lip of the table top when loosened;

e) at least one upper horizontal cross member(s), the upper horizontal cross member(s) sized to extend between the right angle connector secured to the upper end of the first upright sub-assembly and the right angle connector secured to the upper end of the second upright sub-assembly;

f) at least one lower horizontal cross member(s), the lower horizontal cross member(s) sized to extend between the lower connector secured to the lower end of the first upright sub-assembly and the lower connector secured to the lower end of the second upright sub-assembly;

g) and a flexible display sheet sized to be releasably secured to the vertical tubular member on the first upright sub-assembly, the vertical tubular member on the second upright sub-assembly, the upper horizontal cross member and the lower horizontal cross member at assembly.

12. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 11, wherein the horizontal clamping arms of the first and second upright sub-assemblies are pivotal in relation to the respective first and second upright sub-assemblies, to position the clamp means to avoid apparatus located on the underside of the table top.

13. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 11, wherein a multiple light cord assembly is secured to the lower portion of the upper horizontal cross member, the upper portion of the lower horizontal cross member, the inner side of the first vertical tubular member, and the inner side of the second vertical tubular member, thus forming a substantially continuous multiple light cord assembly having multiple points of light positioned within the frame to aid in illuminating the flexible sheet material located within the modular table top display apparatus, and a controller is provided to selectively control the actuation of the multiple lights.

14. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one end of each straight connector, right angle connector, and four way connector is slotted in at least one direction to provide a slip fit connection.

15. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 11, wherein an end connector is provided to close off the open end of each of the table top braces and the clamping arms.

16. A modular table top display apparatus to be supported and secured to a new or existing table top, which comprises:

a) a first upright sub-assembly, comprising at least one vertical tubular member, a right angle connector secured to the upper end of the vertical tubular member, and a lower connector secured to the lower end of the vertical tubular member;

b) a first clamping means positioned beneath the first upright sub-assembly, the first clamping means having a horizontal table top brace, a depending lower extension, a pivotal connecting means pivotally secured within the depending lower extension, and a pivotal horizontal clamping arm secured to the pivotal connecting means, with a vertical aperture located near the distal end of the pivotal horizontal clamping arm, a threaded nut secured within the pivotal horizontal clamping arm in alignment with the vertical aperture, a threaded rod engaging the threaded nut, the threaded rod extending through the vertical aperture, a handle secured to the lower end of the threaded rod, the threaded rod sized to engage the bottom of the table top when tightened, and to clear the depending lip of the table top when loosened;

c) a second upright sub-assembly, comprising at least one vertical tubular member, a right angle connector secured to the upper end of the vertical tubular member, and a lower connector secured to the lower end of the vertical tubular member;

d) a second clamping means positioned beneath the second upright sub-assembly, the second clamping means having a horizontal table top brace, a depending lower extension, a pivotal connecting means pivotally secured within the depending lower extension, and a pivotal horizontal clamping arm secured to the pivotal connecting means, with a vertical aperture located near the distal end of the pivotal horizontal clamping arm, a threaded nut secured within the pivotal horizontal clamping arm in alignment with the vertical aperture, a threaded rod engaging the threaded nut, and extending through the vertical aperture, a handle secured to the lower end of the threaded rod, the threaded rod sized to engage the bottom of the table top when tightened, and to clear the depending lip of the table top when loosened;

e) at least one upper horizontal cross member(s), the upper horizontal cross member(s) sized to extend between the right angle connector secured to the upper end of the first upright sub-assembly and the right angle connector secured to the upper end of the second upright sub-assembly;

f) at least one lower horizontal cross member(s), the lower horizontal cross member(s) sized to extend between the lower connector secured to the lower end of the first upright sub-assembly and the lower connector secured to the lower end of the second upright sub-assembly;

g) and a flexible sheet material sized to be releasably secured to the vertical tubular member on the first upright sub-assembly, the vertical tubular member on the second upright sub-assembly, the upper horizontal cross member and the lower horizontal cross member at assembly.

17. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the position of the table top brace, the lower extension and the clamping arm are offset in relation to the vertical tubular member on each of the first and second upright sub-assemblies to position the clamp arm at least four inches inward of the opposing ends of the table top to avoid obstacles located underneath the table top.

18. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 16, wherein a multiple light cord assembly is secured to the lower portion of the upper horizontal cross member, the upper portion of the lower horizontal cross member, the inner side of the first vertical tubular member, and the inner side of the second vertical tubular member, thus forming a substantially continuous multiple light cord assembly having multiple points of light positioned within the frame to aid in illuminating the flexible sheet material located within the modular table top display apparatus, and a controller is provided to selectively control the actuation of the multiple lights.

19. The modular table top display apparatus of claim 16, wherein an end connector is provided to close off the open end of each of the table top braces and the clamping arms.