Foldable sign holder

• US 7,258,315 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fasteners for Retail Incorporated (FFR DSI Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fasteners for Retail Incorporated (FFR DSI Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wamsley, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/767,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20050167555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 248/231.81, 248/230.4, 248/231.51, 248/227.4, 248/228.4, 248/222.13, 248/223.41, 248/229.1, 248/229.13, 248/229.16, 245/951, 211/140, 211/87.01, 406/57
• US Class Current: 248/231.81
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/204 specially adapted to be attached to a shelf or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

A holder for planar material includes a first panel and a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel. A prong is secured to the first panel and extends in a direction approximately normal thereto. The prong has a pointed tip. An aperture is defined in the second panel. The pointed tip pierces an associated planar material located between the panels such that the prong of the first panel can pass through the associated planar material and enter the aperture of the second panel when the first panel overlies a portion of the second panel, thereby holding the associated planar material between the first and second panels. A clip is connected to at least one of the first and second panels. The clip allows the holder to be mounted to an associated support. In another embodiment, each of the first and second panels includes an extension and a hinge connects the first and second extensions thereby allowing the first panel, and the first extension, to be pivoted in relation to the second panel and the second extension. This enables the holder to be selectively mounted on a wire component of an associated support.

Claims

1. A sign holder, comprising:

a first panel;

a second panel hingedly connected to said first panel;

a prong secured to said first panel and extending in a direction approximately normal thereto, said prong having a pointed tip;

an aperture defined in said second panel, wherein said pointed tip pierces an associated sign so that said prong of said first panel can pass through the associated sign and enter said aperture of said second panel when said first panel overlies a portion of said second panel thereby holding the associated sign between said first and second panels;

an extension connected to at least one of said first and second panels, said extension allowing the holder to be mounted to an associated support, wherein said extension comprises a first semicircular member extending away from a plane of said first panel;

a second semicircular member extending away from a plane of said second panel; and

,

a bracing member extending approximately perpendicularly from one of said first and second panels for locating an edge of the associated sign selectively held between said first and second panels, wherein said one of said first and second panels is planar.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said extension comprises:

a clip.

3. The holder of claim 1 wherein said first panel comprises a tab extending away from a plane of said first panel, said tab being manually graspable.

4. The holder of claim 1 wherein said prong includes a shoulder defined rearwardly of said tip, wherein said prong shoulder cooperates with a rear side of said second panel to hold said prong in said second panel.

5. The holder of claim 4 wherein said second panel comprises a shoulder defined adjacent said aperture, said prong shoulder contacting said panel shoulder when said prong extends through said aperture.

6. A holder for planar material, comprising:

a first panel;

a second panel hingedly connected to said first panel;

a prong secured to said first panel and extending in a direction approximately normal thereto, said prong having a pointed tip;

an aperture defined in said second panel, wherein said pointed tip pierces an associated planar material so that said prong of said first panel can pass through the associated planar material and enter said aperture of said second panel when said first panel overlies a portion of said second panel thereby holding the associated planar material between said first and second panels;

a clip connected to at least one of said first and second panels, said clip allowing the holder to be mounted to an associated support, wherein said clip comprises a base and a pair of arms extending away from a plane of said base, wherein said base is oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to said second panel; and

,

a ramp extending from adjacent a first side wall of the base towards a second side wall thereof, said ramp enabling said clip to frictionally engage the associated support.

7. The holder of claim 6 wherein said ramp includes a first, lower, end located adjacent said first side wall of said base and a second, higher, end located adjacent said second side wall of said base.

8. The holder of claim 7 wherein said ramp second end is connected to said second panel.

9. The holder of claim 6 wherein said prong extends from a first side of said first panel and said clip extends from a second side of said second panel.

10. The holder of claim 9 wherein said clip is approximately C-shaped in cross section.

11. The holder of claim 9 wherein said first panel is thinner than said second panel.

12. The holder of claim 9 wherein said clip is positioned on said second panel adjacent said aperture in said second panel.

13. A sign holder comprising:

a first panel including a first extension;

a second panel including a second extension wherein said first and second panels are planar;

a hinge connecting said first and second extensions thereby allowing said first panel, and said first extension, to be pivoted in relation to said second panel, and said second extension, wherein said first and second extensions cooperate to form an approximately circular opening thus enabling the holder to be selectively mounted on a wire component of an associated support;

a first reinforcing rib protruding from at least one of said first panel, said first extension, said second panel and said second extension;

a prong protruding from said first panel;

an aperture extending through said second panel, wherein said prong pierces an associated sign and extends into said aperture when said first panel is pivoted in relation to said second panel; and

,

a bracing wall extending from said second panel for locating an edge of the associated sign selectively held between said first and second panels.

14. The holder of claim 13 wherein said first reinforcing rib protrudes from at least one of said first panel and said first extension and further comprising a second reinforcing rib protruding from at least one of said second panel and said second extension.

15. The holder of claim 14 wherein said first and second reinforcing ribs are aligned with each other.

16. The holder of claim 14 wherein said first and second reinforcing ribs are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the holder.

17. The holder of claim 14 further comprising:

a third rib protruding from at least one of said first panel and said first extension;

in spaced relation to said first rib; and

,

a fourth rib protruding from at least one of said second panel and said second extension, in spaced relation to said second rib.

18. The holder of claim 17 wherein said first and third ribs are positioned adjacent opposed side edges of said first extension;

and

wherein said second and fourth ribs are positioned adjacent opposed side edges of said second extension.

19. The holder of claim 13 further comprising a lock for maintaining said prong in said aperture, said lock comprising:

a shoulder formed on said prong, said shoulder cooperating with a rear surface of said second panel adjacent said aperture.

20. A holder for planar material comprising:

a first panel extending in a first plane;

a first extension connected to said first panel and protruding away from said first plane;

a prong secured to said first panel and protruding therefrom;

a second panel extending, in a first orientation, in said first plane;

a second extension connected to said second panel and protruding away from said first plane;

an aperture defined in said second panel;

a hinge connecting said first and second extensions thereby allowing said first panel, and said first extension, to be pivoted in relation to said second panel, and said second extension by approximately 180°

from said first orientation to a second orientation so that said prong can pass through an associated planar material and enter said aperture of said second panel, thereby holding the associated planar material between said first and second panels;

wherein said first and second extensions cooperate to form an approximately circular opening which enables the holder to be suspended from a wire element of an associated support; and

,

a bracing wall extending from one of said first and second panels for locating an edge of an associated sign selectively held between said first and second panels.

21. The holder of claim 20 further comprising:

a first reinforcing rib protruding from at least one of said first panel and said first extension; and

,

a second reinforcing rib protruding from at least one of said second panel and said second extension.

22. A sign holder comprising:

a first panel;

a second panel hingedly connected to said first panel;

a prong secured to said first panel and extending in a direction approximately normal thereto, said prong having a pointed tip;

an aperture defined in said second panel, wherein said pointed tip pierces an associated sign so that said prong of said first panel can pass through the associated sign and enter said aperture of said second panel when said first panel overlies a portion of said second panel thereby holding the associated sign between said first and second panels; and

,

a clip connected to at least one of said first and second panels, said clip allowing the holder to be mounted to an associated support, wherein said clip comprises a first portion which extends approximately perpendicular to a plane of said second panel, a second portion which extends approximately perpendicular to a plane of said first portion, and is oriented approximately perpendicular to said plane of said second panel, and a third portion.

23. The sign holder of claim 22 further comprising a tab extending away from one of a plane of said first panel or a plane of said second panel, said tab being manually graspable.

24. The sign holder of claim 22 further comprising a bracing member extending away from one of said first and second panels for locating an edge of an associated sign selectively held between said first and second panels.