Apparatus for supporting and displaying paint color cards

• US 8,931,746 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Benchmarc Display, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Benchmarc Display, Inc.
• Inventors: Fanning, Louis D. Jr., Miller, Edwin Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): McKinnon, Terrell
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLNER, MONICA E
• Application Number:
  US13/034,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20120217360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 248/220.31, 248/222.11, 248/220.21, 248/221.11, 248/222.12, 248/222.51, 211/51, 211/50, 211/55, 401/242, 401/24
• US Class Current: 248/220.31
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/0823 Article supports for peg-boards
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/0007 for stacked articles; Stabilising means therefor for cans or bottles A47F7/281
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/0042 for flat articles, e.g. panels, tiles A47F7/0014, A47F7/14, A47F7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/147 being individually detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/163 in the form of flat shaped samples G09F5/02; sample cards G09F5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 5/042 in paper, paperboard, or the like

Abstract

A bracket for supporting and displaying a planar object comprises an elongated body member including a planar web and a front wall and a rear wall extending from the longitudinal edges of the web. An end wall extends transversely with respect to and engages the distal ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web and the front and rear walls and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at the proximal end and closed at the distal end for supporting the objects. A pair of arms extend rearwardly from the body member. At least one of the arms is resiliently deflectable for engagement and retention of the lugs in an aperture of a mounting substrate. During connection, lugs on the arms are adapted to engage the portion of the mounting substrate defining the aperture for moving the arms inwardly so that the lugs pass through the aperture for permitting the arms to move outwardly and the lugs to engage the mounting substrate. The channels of adjacent brackets face each other for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the planar objects extending between the facing channels for visual observation and ease of removal of the objects for inspection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting and displaying a planar object when connected to a mounting substrate defining at least one aperture, the supporting and displaying apparatus comprising:

an elongated body member having a longitudinal axis, the body member comprising

a planar web having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the planar web having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end,

a front wall and a rear wall, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, each of the front wall and the rear wall having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end, the front wall depending from one of the longitudinal edges of the web and the rear wall depending from the other of the longitudinal edges of the web, each of the front wall and the rear wall extending the length of the web, the web, the front wall and the rear wall terminating at their proximal ends in free edges, and

an end wall extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis and engaging the second ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web, the front wall, the rear wall and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at a first end and closed at a second end for supporting the planar object; and

a pair of arms extending in a plane from the body member, a first arm of the pair of arms adjacent the closed end of the channel, and a second arm of the pair of arms longitudinally spaced from the first arm toward the open end of the channel, each of the arms formed on their ends with a lug such that the lugs extend transversely to the plane in opposite directions, at least one of the arms resiliently deflectable in a direction toward the other arm for engagement and retention of the lugs in the at least one aperture of the mounting substrate,

wherein during connection of the supporting and displaying apparatus to the mounting substrate the lugs are adapted to engage the mounting substrate adjacent the at least one aperture for moving the at least one of the arms toward the other arm so that the lugs pass through the aperture for permitting the at least one of the arms to move away from the other arm and the lugs to engage the mounting substrate to releasably connect the body member to the mounting substrate,

wherein to disconnect the body member the at least one of the arms is moved toward the other arm causing disengagement of the lugs from the mounting substrate so that the lugs pass through the aperture allowing the body member to be moved away from the mounting substrate, and

wherein the first arm is shorter than the second arm such that the lug on the first arm is spaced a less distance from the body member than the lug on the second arm and when connected to the mounting substrate the closed end of the channel is closer to the mounting substrate than the open end of the channel.

2. The supporting and displaying apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a flange extending rearwardly from adjacent the closed distal end of the body member and terminating in a longitudinal edge transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and a downwardly extending planar edge portion integral with the longitudinal edge of the flange and terminating in a longitudinal edge, wherein the planar edge portion of the flange is adapted to be received in the at least one aperture in the mounting substrate.

3. The supporting and displaying apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one shoulder extending rearwardly of the body member and adapted for engagement with the mounting substrate to prevent movement of body member toward the mounting substrate.

4. The supporting and displaying apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plate member extending longitudinally rearwardly from the rear wall of the body member adjacent to the closed distal end of the body member to a point intermediate the length of the rear wall, the plate member tapering outwardly from the closed distal end of the body member, and wherein the pair of arms extending rearwardly from the plate member.

5. An apparatus for supporting and displaying a planar object when connected to a mounting substrate defining at least one aperture, the supporting and displaying apparatus comprising:

an elongated body member having a longitudinal axis, the body member comprising

a planar web having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the planar web having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end,

a front wall and a rear wall, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, each of the front wall and the rear wall having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end, the front wall depending from one of the longitudinal edges of the web and the rear wall depending from the other of the longitudinal edges of the web, each of the front wall and the rear wall extending the length of the web, and

an end wall extending transversely with respect to and engaging the second ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web, the front wall, the rear wall and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at a first end and closed at a second end for supporting the planar object;

a plate member extending in a plane from the rear wall of the body member adjacent to the closed end of the channel to a point intermediate the length of the rear wall, the plate member tapering outwardly from the closed end of the channel; and

a pair of arms extending in the plane from the plate member, the arms formed on their ends with lugs extending transversely to the plane in opposite directions, at least one of the arms resiliently deflectable in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis of the body member toward the other arm for engagement and retention of the lugs in the at least one aperture of the mounting substrate, a first arm of the pair of arms adjacent the closed end of the body member, and a second arm of the pair of arms longitudinally spaced from the first arm toward the open end of the body member such that the lug on the first arm is spaced a less distance from the body member than the lug on the second arm,

wherein during connection of the supporting and displaying apparatus to the mounting substrate the lugs are adapted to engage the mounting substrate adjacent the at least one aperture for moving the at least one of the arms toward the other arm so that the lugs pass through the aperture for permitting the at least one of the arms to move away from the other arm and the lugs to engage the mounting substrate to releasably connect the body member to the mounting substrate, and

wherein to disconnect the body member the at least one of the arms is moved toward the other arm causing disengagement of the lugs from the mounting substrate so that the lugs pass through the aperture allowing the body member to be moved away from the mounting substrate.

6. An apparatus for supporting and displaying a planar object when connected to a mounting substrate defining at least one aperture, the supporting and displaying apparatus comprising:

an elongated body member having a longitudinal axis, the body member comprising

a planar web having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the planar web having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end,

a front wall and a rear wall, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, each of the front wall and the rear wall having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end, the front wall depending from one of the longitudinal edges of the web and the rear wall depending from the other of the longitudinal edges of the web, each of the front wall and the rear wall extending the length of the web, and

an end wall extending transversely with respect to and engaging the second ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web, the front wall, the rear wall and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at a first end and closed at a second end for supporting the planar object;

a retention wall extending from the web adjacent to and only partially coextensive in length with the rear wall and terminating at one end in a tab angularly directed toward the rear wall, the web, rear wall and retention wall defining a slot for receiving the planar object, and the tab adapted to engage the planar object for urging the planar object against the rear wall; and

a pair of arms extending in a plane from the body member, the arms formed on their ends with lugs extending transversely to the plane in opposite directions, at least one of the arms resiliently deflectable in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis of the body member toward the other arm for engagement and retention of the lugs in the at least one aperture of the mounting substrate,

wherein during connection of the supporting and displaying apparatus to the mounting substrate the lugs are adapted to engage the mounting substrate adjacent the at least one aperture for moving the at least one of the arms toward the other arm so that the lugs pass through the aperture for permitting the at least one of the arms to move away from the other arm and the lugs to engage the mounting substrate to releasably connect the body member to the mounting substrate, and

wherein to disconnect the body member the at least one of the arms is moved toward the other arm causing disengagement of the lugs from the mounting substrate so that the lugs pass through the aperture allowing the body member to be moved away from the mounting substrate.

7. A system for supporting and displaying planar objects, the supporting and displaying system comprising:

a substrate having a mounting surface defining a plurality of spaced openings;

a plurality of brackets for receiving and supporting the objects, each bracket comprising

an elongated body member having a longitudinal axis, the body member including

a planar web having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the planar web having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end,

a front wall and a rear wall, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, each of the front wall and the rear wall having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end, the front wall depending from one of the longitudinal edges of the web and the rear wall depending from the other of the longitudinal edges of the web, each of the front wall and the rear wall extending the length of the web, and

an end wall extending transversely with respect to and engaging the second ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web, the front wall, the rear wall and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at a first end and closed at a second end for supporting the planar object; and

a pair of arms extending in a plane from the body member, a first arm of the pair of arms adjacent the closed end of the channel, and a second arm of the pair of arms longitudinally spaced from the first arm toward the open end of the channel, each of the arms formed on their ends with lugs extending transversely to the plane in opposite directions, at least one of the arms resiliently deflectable in a direction toward the other arm for engagement and retention of the lugs in at least one of the plurality of spaced openings in the mounting substrate,

wherein during connection of the brackets to the substrate

the lugs are adapted to engage the mounting surface defining the at least one opening for moving the at least one of the arms toward the other arm so that the lugs pass through the opening permitting the at least one of the arms to move away from the other arm and the lugs to engage the substrate to releasably connect the brackets to the substrate in spaced relationship with the longitudinal channels of adjacent brackets facing each other for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the planar objects extending between the facing longitudinal channels of the brackets for visual observation and ease of removal of the planar objects for inspection,

wherein to disconnect each bracket the at least one of the arms is moved toward the other arm causing disengagement of the lugs from the substrate so that the lugs pass through the opening allowing the bracket to be moved away from the substrate,

wherein the first arm is shorter than the second arm such that when connected to the substrate the closed end of the bracket is closer to the substrate than the open end of the bracket

wherein the first arm is shorter than the second arm such that the lug on the first arm is spaced a less distance from the body member than the lug on the second arm and when connected to the substrate the closed end of the channel is closer to the substrate than the open end of the channel.

8. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, wherein the front wall and the rear wall are joined to the web intermediate the longitudinal edges of the front and rear walls, such that the web, the front wall and the rear wall and the end wall define opposed longitudinal channels.

9. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, wherein the distance between the front wall and the rear wall is sufficient to hold a plurality of planar objects.

10. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a flange extending rearwardly from adjacent the closed distal end of the brackets and terminating in a longitudinal edge transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and a downwardly extending planar edge portion integral with the longitudinal edge of the flange and terminating in a longitudinal edge, wherein the planar edge portion of the flange is adapted to be received in at least one of the plurality of spaced openings in the mounting substrate.

11. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, further comprising at least one shoulder extending rearwardly from the brackets and adapted for engagement with the substrate to prevent movement of brackets toward the substrate.

12. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a plate member extending longitudinally rearwardly from the rear wall of the brackets from adjacent to the closed distal end of the brackets to a point intermediate the length of the rear wall, the plate member tapering outwardly from the closed distal end of the brackets, and wherein the pair of arms extending rearwardly from the plate member.

13. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, wherein the brackets are sized for displaying an upper portion of a major surface of the objects.

14. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the brackets are arranged on the substrate such that the longitudinal axes of the brackets are disposed substantially vertically.

15. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the brackets are arranged on the substrate such that the longitudinal axes of the brackets are disposed substantially horizontally.

16. The supporting and displaying system as recited in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the brackets are arranged on the substrate in a partially overlapping shingled relationship.

17. A system for supporting and displaying planar objects, the supporting and displaying system comprising:

a substrate having a mounting surface defining a plurality of spaced openings;

a plurality of brackets for receiving and supporting the objects, each bracket comprising

an elongated body member having a longitudinal axis, the body member including

a planar web having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the planar web having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end,

a front wall and a rear wall, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, each of the front wall and the rear wall having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end, the front wall depending from one of the longitudinal edges of the web and the rear wall depending from the other of the longitudinal edges of the web, each of the front wall and the rear wall extending the length of the web, and

an end wall extending transversely with respect to and engaging the second ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web, the front wall, the rear wall and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at a first end and closed at a second end for supporting the planar object;

a plate member extending in a plane from the rear wall of the body member adjacent to the closed end of the channel to a point intermediate the length of the rear wall, the plate member tapering outwardly from the closed end of the channel; and

a pair of arms extending in the plane from the plate member, each of the arms formed on their ends with lugs extending transversely to the plane in opposite directions, at least one of the arms resiliently deflectable in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis of the body member toward the other arm for engagement and retention of the lugs in at least one of the plurality of spaced openings in the mounting substrate, a first arm of the pair of arms adjacent the closed end of the channel, and a second arm of the pair of arms longitudinally spaced from the first arm toward the open end of the channel such that the lug on the first arm is spaced a less distance from the body member than the lug on the second arm,

wherein during connection of the brackets to the substrate the lugs are adapted to engage the mounting surface defining the at least one opening for moving the at least one of the arms toward the other arm so that the lugs pass through the opening permitting the at least one of the arms to move away from the other arm and the lugs to engage the substrate to releasably connect the brackets to the substrate in spaced relationship with the longitudinal channels of adjacent brackets facing each other for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the planar objects extending between the facing longitudinal channels of the brackets for visual observation and ease of removal of the planar objects for inspection, and

wherein to disconnect each bracket the at least one of the arms is moved toward the other arm causing disengagement of the lugs from the substrate so that the lugs pass through the opening allowing the bracket to be moved away from the substrate.

18. A system for supporting and displaying planar objects, the supporting and displaying system comprising:

a substrate having a mounting surface defining a plurality of spaced openings;

a plurality of brackets for receiving and supporting the objects, each bracket comprising

an elongated body member having a longitudinal axis, the body member including

a planar web having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, the planar web having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end,

a front wall and a rear wall, each of the front wall and the rear wall having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, each of the front wall and the rear wall having longitudinal edges extending between the first end and the second end, the front wall depending from one of the longitudinal edges of the web and the rear wall depending from the other of the longitudinal edges of the web, each of the front wall and the rear wall extending the length of the web, and

an end wall extending transversely with respect to and engaging the second ends of the web, the front wall and the rear wall such that the web, the front wall, the rear wall and the end wall define a longitudinal channel open at a first end and closed at a second end for supporting the planar object;

a retention wall extending from the web adjacent to and only partially coextensive in length with the rear wall and terminating at one end in a tab angularly directed toward the rear wall, the web, rear wall and retention wall defining a slot for receiving at least one of the planar objects, and the tab adapted to engage the at least one of the planar objects for urging the at least one of the planar objects against the rear wall; and

a pair of arms extending in a plane from the body member, each of the arms formed on their ends with lugs extending transversely to the plane in opposite directions, at least one of the arms resiliently deflectable in a direction toward the other arm for engagement and retention of the lugs in at least one of the plurality of spaced openings in the mounting substrate,

wherein during connection of the brackets to the substrate the lugs are adapted to engage the mounting surface defining the plurality of spaced openings for moving the at least one of the arms toward the other arm so that the lugs pass through the opening permitting the at least one of the arms to move away from the other arm and the lugs to engage the substrate to releasably connect the brackets to the substrate in spaced relationship with the longitudinal channels of adjacent brackets facing each other for receiving and supporting at least a portion of the planar objects extending between the facing longitudinal channels of the brackets for visual observation and ease of removal of the planar objects for inspection,

wherein to disconnect each bracket the at least one of the arms is moved toward the other arm causing disengagement of the lugs from the substrate so that the lugs pass through the opening allowing the bracket to be moved away from the substrate.