Abstract: A sign board having a message portion and a display portion. The message portion has horizontal, evenly spaced grooves intersected by evenly spaced, vertically oriented grooves, the horizontal and vertical grooves being perpendicular to each other. Selected letter blocks are assembled in the grooves to convey a message. Adjacent the message portion is a display portion where a scene usually associated with the message is displayed. The board is rectangular in shape and can be mounted horizontally or vertically with the appropriate set of parallel grooves being used to compose the message. Optionally, the display portion can be backlighted.

Abstract: A display assembly for eyeglass frames, each having a bridge and spaced temples. A plurality of upright modules are arranged edge-to-edge to define a multi-sided geometrical configuration. Each module includes a forwardly projecting mid-portion defining a vertical front face. A plurality of upwardly opening hooks, having downwardly opening hook portions, project forwardly of the front face and each serve as a cradle for the bridge of an eyeglass frame. Horizontally spaced, generally planar side portions extend rearwardly of the vertical front face, and vertically extending convex edge portions are formed at the rear of the side portions. Spaced apertures are provided at the base of each convex edge portion through which the temples of the eyeglass frames can be extended, with the convex configurations of the edge portions serving to guide the temples into the apertures.

Abstract: A display assembly comprising a plurality of modules each having a display area particularly suitable for mounting eyeglass frames. Each module has spaced vertical edges having male and female hinge portions permitting successive mating of adjacent modules. The male hinge portion has an elongate vertical member which is received in a vertically extending opening defined in the female hinge portion. The adjacent modules are joined by aligning the male portion with the opening in an adjacent panel and advancing the modules vertically, each toward the other. The female hinge portion defining the opening has a plurality of tabs which are extendable through cutouts in the wall of the adjacent module with the male hinge portion. The passage of the tabs through the cut outs extends the range of relative pivoting between adjacent modules and permits arrangement of the modules in configurations from flat to continuous interconnection with the use of three modules.

Abstract: A multiplanar device has at least one component that consists of two rigid plastic wall members that have major areas of substantially uniform thickness, strips of considerably greater thickness along the side portions of said wall members, and a miter joint between the two wall members. A continuous thin film of flexible plastic is bonded to the two wall members and around the outside of the miter joint.The method of making the component is to mold it as a flat intermediate piece with a V-notch between the strips of greater thickness and to simultaneously bond the film to the surface at the apex of the V; and to thereafter apply adhesive to the sides of the V and bend the piece to bring the sides of the notch together and bond them together.Several such components may be connected with the similar or dissimilar components at miter joints to form a complete multiplanar device.

Abstract: A multiplanar device has at least one component that consists of two rigid plastic wall members that have major areas of substantially uniform thickness, strips of considerably greater thickness along the side portions of said wall members, and a miter joint between the two wall members. A continuous thin film of flexible plastic is bonded to the two wall members and around the outside of the miter joint.The method of making the component is to mold it as a flat intermediate piece with a V-notch between the strips of greater thickness and to simultaneously bond the film to the surface at the apex of the V; and to thereafter apply adhesive to the sides of the V and bend the piece to bring the sides of the notch together and bond them together.Several such components may be connected with other similar or dissimilar components at miter joints to form a complete multiplanar device.

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 display stand for displaying flat articles on edge, such as greeting cards and the like, has a base and a vertical column to which is assembled one or more tiers of upwardly angled housings having card-receiving pockets. Each tier has multiples of two housings located diametrically opposite each other on a mounting web, such that when four, six or eight housings are provided, the housings are equally spaced apart circumferentially by abutments on said webs. Each web has a column-engaging hub of reduced axial length which interfits with an axially displaced hub on an adjacent web to present a continuous axial hub to the column throughout the axial height of said tier. Tabs project upward and downward from each housing to interfit with tabs on housings on a tier above and/or below said housing. Each housing has a divider to make two pockets therein with openings in the lower corner of each pocket to permit dust and the like to fall out.

Abstract: An illuminated advertising display device produces changing visual effects by placing a panel having a pattern of holes at the front of a light box with some of the holes defining alpha-numeric characters, and reciprocating behind the panel a shutter which has a pattern of transparent spots each of which registers with a hole in the panel at some point in the reciprocation of the shutter, with some of the spots registered simultaneously with all the holes that define the alpha-numeric characters. The panel has a forwardly facing reflective surface, and spaced forwardly of the panel is a light transmitting reflective sheet. If desired, the transparent spots may be tinted in several different colors.

Abstract: A gravity feed can dispenser for use in a commercial cooler is provided with integral means permitting two or more dispensers to be stacked in interlocked relationship, and further integral means permitting two dispensers to be connected side by side. The racks in most coolers are formed of parallel wires extending from front to rear; and in order that a dispenser may be stably supported on such a rack there must be transversely extending feet that rest upon several rack wires. In the present structure there is a fixed foot at the front which is vertically small enough that on an upper dispenser of a stack it does not interfere with removal of a can from the dispenser beneath it; and there is a hinged panel toward the rear which selectively occupies a non-interference position if the dispenser is an upper one, or a supporting position if the dispenser rests directly upon the rack.

Abstract: A device for selectively displaying alphabetic or numeric characters has a housing which contains several stacked prefabricated subassemblies of any required number of units, each unit having an opaque front plate with a rectangular layout of light permeable spots; and there are film receiving slots with guides at both sides of each unit so that a selected part of a film member associated with a unit may abut the front plate while the rest of the film member is curved rearwardly through the slots. One type of film member has a geometric pattern of matching and contrasting elements which cooperate with light permeable spots forming a block number 8 to define any desired arabic numeral from 0 to 9; while another type of film member has a similar geometric pattern that cooperates with light permeable spots in several parallel vertical columns to define any letter of the alphabet.

Abstract: A unitary molded frame structure having a recessed back edge to receive a poster board or picture and a pair of duplicate slotted clamping members which slideably engage at least a pair of hook-like protrusions on the frame back and snap-engage over the edges of the poster board to hold it firmly within the frame. The clamping members provide multiple attaching means for hanging the frame at the desired attitude from a wall surface. Once assembled, the clamping means are recessed within the back of the frame against the back of the poster or a cardboard back-up sheet in a hidden position and the weight of the assembly in at least one hanging attitude biases the cooperating slot-protuberance combination into tighter engagement. The frame and clamping members are molded in a common mold with the clamping members co-planar within the inner opening of the frame and oriented and spaced in such a manner that they are readily broken out and are ready for assembly with the frame to hold a picture.

Abstract: A revolving self-service sales display device is provided which comprises a vertically disposed revolving carrousel or pedestal carried on a base, which base can be set on a counter top, on the floor or on stands of any desired height. The revolving pedestal has a plurality of pivotally mounted, radially projecting frames for displaying flat members, such as posters, in pockets on each side of each frame. Each frame is provided with guide members both top and bottom for guiding the flat members into and out of the pockets in the frame. The frames have shaped pivots which extend into openings formed in sloping surfaces of a hub or bar such that the weight of the frame will always pivot the frame into a position with the body of the frame projecting radially outward from the pedestal. The device may have one, two or more pedestals stacked end-on-end in tandom or it may be a vertical rectangular support with horizontal frame engaging bars.

Abstract: A knockdown display case for small articles has rectangular floor and top boards mounted on extruded aluminum corner posts that have parallel side webs at 45.degree. to the edges of the boards engaged in notches in the boards, a connecting web which, with the side webs, defines a vertical, inwardly facing cavity for tubular lamps, and outward extensions on the side webs slidably receive a decorative strip that is parallel to the connecting web to define a wireway. Molded plastic end panels have vertical marginal portions extending outwardly at 135.degree. and snugly held in bifurcations of two post side webs; and each end panel has several spaced horizontal rows of inwardly projecting, narrow rectangular lugs that define vertical slots. Horizontal article supporting shelves and inclined article supporting racks are supported on the lugs and have webs engaged in the slots.

Abstract: A revolving self-service sales display device is provided which comprises a vertically disposed revolving carrousel or pedestal carried on a base, which base can be set on a counter top, on the floor or on stands of any desired height. The revolving pedestal has a plurality of pivotally mounted, radially projecting frames for displaying flat members, such as posters, in pockets on each side of each frame. Each frame is provided with guide members both top and bottom for guiding the flat members into and out of the pockets in the frame. The frames have shaped pivots which extend into openings formed in sloping surfaces of a hub or bar such that the weight of the frame will always pivot the frame into a position with the body of the frame projecting radially outward from the pedestal. The device may have one, two or more pedestals stacked end-on-end in tandom or it may be a vertical rectangular support with horizontal frame engaging bars.