Abstract: A three-dimensional figure made from an inflatable, sculptured envelope of soft pliable material into which is blown a constant flow of ambient air wherein said flow of ambient air can be modulated or reversed to cause a lifelike movement of the sculptured figure. The inflatable envelope can be attached to the face of a billboard to create a three-dimensional display which can be quickly assembled or dismantled. The structure can tolerate substantial leakage of air from the envelope along seam lines, through the pliable material fabric or small puncture holes.

Abstract: A dasher board for ice skating rinks is disclosed comprising a flat front panel member with a flange adjacent the lower edge to support the panel in a vertical upright position. The panel has a sheet member containing indicia in the form of advertising or the like located adjacent the front portion of the panel and a window means is positioned over the sheet member and secured to the panel. A kickplate is also provided adjacent the lower edge to absorb the impact of hockey pucks and the like. The method of constructing the dasher board is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sign construction having a plurality of movably connected panels including a mounting panel and panels successively hung from the lower edge of the mounting panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the sign construction includes an upper mounting panel having structure for securing the mounting panel facially to a windowpane. The panel portions hanging from the mounting panel define selective information-conveying sign structure and, in the illustrated embodiment, include an upper panel portion and a lower panel portion which are hingedly connected to permit the lower panel portion to selectively hang downwardly from the upper panel portion or be retained between the front face of the upper panel portion and the windowpane as a result of hinged swinging of the lower panel portion upwardly from the hanging disposition. The connection of the upper edge of the upper panel portion to the lower edge of the mounting panel, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided by a hinge.

Abstract: A picture frame comprising a transparent synthetic plastics plate with inclined edges, and a clamping member which snaps between the inclined edges and presses a picture against the transparent plate by spring action.

Abstract: A frame for a self-service sales display device is provided with pockets on each side of the frame. Guide members are provided on the entry side or wall of the frame and on the side or wall of the frame opposite the entry side for guiding the flat members into and out of the pockets in the frame. A cutout is provided through the entry wall into each pocket for ease in gripping the edge of a poster or flat member for removal from the frame. The frames have shaped pivots which extend into openings formed in surfaces of the display device such that the frame can be pivoted into a picture book position on the device.

Abstract: A card holder for a rotary type information retrieving device such as a telephone number list, address list, and so on, in which a plurality of information-containing card cases are hangingly supported between a pair of mutually spaced rotary discs. In the present invention, a plurality of pins are projectively provided on the mutually opposed surfaces of the pair of rotary discs around their circumference and at an equal space interval provided among them, and a plurality of the information-containing card cases are hangingly supported between the rotary discs by the inwardly projected pins thereon. Each card case is formed by folding a single sheet of film material into a folder shape, and its bent portion, either in a single U-shape or in a circular shape in its cross-section, is made a pin insertion engagement part.

Abstract: A name plate comprising a right angle glass prism mounted on a mirror such that an exhibit mounted on one of the prism faces provides several images depending upon the user's line of sight of the prism.

Abstract: A rectangular sign frame assembly presenting opposing side walls having undercut lips at their upper edges, which receive corresponding edges of a deflectable elastic sign to hold the latter in assembled relation to the frame. The sign may be removed by bowing the same further inwardly to expose a hidden recess into which a tool can be inserted for prying the sign loose. The sign assemblies may also have a deflection inhibitor which limits such further inward deflection of the sign, preventing removal by unauthorized persons and which may be moved into a position allowing such deflection and removal of said sign.

Abstract: Various tags, which are detachably connected to each other in a predetermined overlapping relationship to form a stick of tags and which are adapted to be used in a stapler that includes a staple magazine loaded with conventional staples and a tag magazine detachably connected to the bottom of the staple magazine and loaded with such a stick of tags, are disclosed. When a lever on the stapler is depressed, a staple driver drives the foremost staple of the staple stick in the staple magazine into and through the foremost one of the stick of tags in the tag magazine, detaching it from the stick, and further into one or more works so as to attach the tag to the work or works.

Abstract: An improved copy holder comprises a stand and a line guide movably attached to the stand by means of magnetic rollers rotatably mounted side by side with their flats in coplanar relation and their rolling surfaces aligned perpendicular to the line guide for rolling magnetic contact parallel with a side of the stand.

Abstract: An illuminated sign comprises a casing having a front wall comprising a frame supporting a light-transmitting panel. The front wall is pivoted about its upper edge where it is connected to the top wall of the casing. The front edge of the top wall has a C-shaped groove extending along it which opens to the front of the casing. The upper frame element of the front wall has a generally L-shaped flange extending towards the groove, the distal limb of that flange being directed upwardly and terminating in a longitudinally extending bead which, cooperating with the interior surface of the C-shaped groove of the front edge of the top wall, constitutes a hinge about which the front wall can be swung to allow access to the interior of the casing. The L-shaped flange of the top frame element of the front wall provides a drainage channel along which rain water, which might otherwise stain the panel, is conducted.

Abstract: A luggage marker including a strap for providing a strap loop including means for locking the strap in place as it is pulled tight during placement of the luggage marker about the handle of a piece of luggage. The luggage marker preferably includes an integrally molded hinged window for securing and protecting an identification tag within a tag receiving base portion integral with the strap.

Abstract: A fabric is stretched across a sign framework to serve as a display face. Forming the framework are upper, lower and respective side support elements. Depending upon the particular version, a hinge or saddle is affixed to one or more of the support elements. A hinge pin tensioner has limited rotation and is coupled to a marginal portion of the farbric. In some versions, such hinge assemblies are included along more than one side of the framework. In others, different fasteners are employed along some of the support elements. In one particular approach, the fabric is stretched directly across a separate frame that, in turn, is hinged along a support element of the main framework, so that the frame may be swung away for the purpose of obtaining access to the interior of the main framework that usually encloses a source of illumination.

Abstract: A modular display system having a plurality of display modules, a plurality of display signs, a plurality of insertable digit panels, a plurality of insertable spacer panels, and one or a plurality of insertable colon panels. The display system is mounted to a wall and can be reconfigured as different predetermined configurations both as to the number of signs and modules. Each module can be changed to a variety of predetermined configurations. A thumbwheel switch is provided on each module so that with each different configuration, a different setting is entered on the thumbwheel switch thereby reconfiguring control information to display the data properly on each module.

Abstract: A point of purchase advertising display device has a front element and a rear element which are spaced a short distance apart and back illuminated. Primary copy is transparent or translucent on the front element and is repeated on the rear element in translucent form in register with that on the front element. A front fine pattern of transparent and opaque areas occupies the rest of the front element and defines the margins of each character in the primary copy. Translucent secondary copy on the rear element is viewed through parts of the front pattern, and the rest of the rear element consists of a rear fine pattern of translucent and opaque areas which is dissimilar from the front pattern but cooperates with the front pattern to produce a field of changing visual effects as a person moves relative to the display device. The rear fine pattern defines the margins of each character in the copy on the rear element.

Abstract: A storage device for microfiche and the like, wherein a pair of sheets are secured in facing relation, one of which is provided with a plurality of parallel slits each having downturned end portions to define a flap swingable forwardly to open a slot for removably receiving microfiche, and the other sheet is cut to define a plurality of inverted generally U-shaped sheet formations having their upper bight regions secured to the flaps for outward swinging therewith and unobstructed reception of microfiche into said slots.

Abstract: A display device such as is used to display information relating to the description and price of goods for sale comprises a facia panel (10) to which is attached one or more cartridges (20) each carrying self-coiling information strips (29,30,31) readily adjustable so that the information regarding the goods may be quickly and easily changed, the attaching means (27,28) provided on the cartridge (20) and the attaching means (13,14,15,16) provided on the facia panel (10) co-operating to provide a push-pull connection.

Abstract: A free-standing display system comprising a base, an upright post supported from the base and a plurality of shelves mounted on the post, is described. Each of the shelves has an opening dimensioned and shaped to fit freely around the post. The shelves are securely mounted on the post at desired height by means of wedges releasably held on the post by lugs which engage corresponding holes in the post. With the wedges in place, the shelf is moved downwardly around the post until the walls of the shelf opening, which are inclined to match the wedging surface of the wedges, snugly engage the wedging surfaces. Differently shaped and dimensioned shelves may be employed in the system and the shelf opening may be at the shelf centers or adjacent an edge. No tools are required to assemble or disassemble the shelves to the post. A header may be fastened to the upper end of the post, after the desired number of shelves are in place, to carry product identifying indicia or an advertising message.

Abstract: A storage and security frame assembly and more particularly a storage and security frame assembly including a multi-sided polygonal frame comprising respective frame members abutting adjacent frame members at mitered joints and wherein one of the frame members is magnetically retained in the closed position thereof to form the polygonal frame.

Abstract: A multi-dial, manually operable indicator employing color-coded, alphabetical and numerical indicia which are indicative of railway or road vehicle destinations, regardless of whether they may be local or outbound, major or minor vehicle defects requiring repair, other varied information requiring matching of indicia for proper vehicle selection, and other indicia affording useful information to the driver of the associated vehicle or highway or railway personnel. A novel clutch mechanism which is effective under the control of a single knob affords selective dial rotation while other manually operable knobs effect pointer operations indicative of the condition of special vehicle equipment such as refrigeration apparatus or the like.