Graphics display

Abstract

A graphics display of the present invention has a support with a curved forward surface for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon. At least one generally transparent flexibly resilient retaining cover is mounted for movement between a first position away from the support to permit the one or more flexible sheets to be positioned on the curved forward surface and a sheet retaining position in which the at least one cover is resiliently flexed to have a configuration in which it holds the one or more flexible sheets against the curved forward surface of the support. Also, the graphics display may have a support and at least one holder for holding one or more graphic sheets in a curved configuration in which the graphic sheet(s) are in contact with the curved forward surface of the support. The graphics display may have a light system for illuminating the one or more graphics sheets that is moveable between an operative position and a collapsed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/502,082 filed Sep. 11, 2003, and 60/493,751 filed Aug. 8, 2003, which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an improved graphics display.

Food service establishments and other businesses have menu boards or signage assemblies that display information regarding items that are available for purchase by patrons of such establishments. The information displayed on the signage assemblies may include the type, size, and/or price of the food or other products that are available for purchase at the establishment. Frequently, customers of a food service establishment form their initial impressions of the establishment based on visual observations of the signage assemblies that display information from which the customer makes their purchasing decision. Therefore, it is important that menu boards and other signage assemblies effectively convey product information to consumers in a manner that promotes positive impressions of the establishment. Also, it is important, particularly in fast food restaurants, that the product information is clearly displayed to a potential customer so that the customers can quickly locate and read the applicable information so that their menu choice is made in an expeditious manner to speed up the ordering process.

Signage assemblies or display boards are costly to purchase and maintain and often require multiple inserts or display sign boards that must be discarded and replaced with every menu change. One common signage design utilizes magnetic attraction or other adhesives to attach a transparent cover to a backsheet with a menu board or other information sheet held therebetween. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,308,446 and 4,531,320, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes, show typical signage assemblies utilizing a magnetic back sheet and magnetically attractive top sheet. Such existing signage assemblies require menu boards with magnetically attractive coatings that are costly to manufacture. The high cost of the menu boards of existing signage designs increases operating costs of a restaurant or other establishment that desires to make menu changes. Therefore, a need exists for a graphics display that is easy to manufacture and less expensive to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of an improved display for displaying graphics, such as menu boards in food establishments; the provision of such a display which illuminates graphics in the display for easy viewing; the provision of such a display that allows modular assembly of adjacent displays; the provision of such a graphics display that simplifies manufacture; the provision of such a display that allows easy removal and installation of graphics; and the provision of such a display that has an attractive appearance.

In general, a graphics display of the present invention comprises a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon. At least one generally transparent flexibly resilient retaining cover is mounted for movement between a first position away from the support to permit the one or more flexible sheets to be positioned on said curved forward surface and a second sheet retaining position in which the at least one cover is resiliently flexed to have a configuration in which it holds the one or more flexible sheets against the curved forward surface of the support.

In another aspect of the invention, the graphics display comprises a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more graphics sheets having graphics thereon. At least one holder holds the one or more graphics sheets in a curved configuration in which the one or more graphics sheets are in contact with the curved forward surface of the support.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the graphics display comprises a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more graphics sheets having graphics thereon and a frame for mounting the support on a wall. A light system is mounted on the frame for illuminating the one or more graphics sheets. The light system is moveable between an operative position in which the light system is positioned for illuminating the one or more graphics sheets and a collapsed position for storage and transport of the graphics display.

In another aspect of the invention, the graphics display comprises a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more graphics sheets having graphics depicted thereon and a frame for mounting the support on a wall. The frame has a housing and at least one mounting bracket adjustable on the housing for mounting the housing at different angles of tilt to facilitate viewing of the one or more graphics sheets.

In another aspect of the invention, an assembly comprises a first graphics display having a support for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon and a frame for mounting the first graphics display on a wall. A second graphics display has a support for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon and a frame for mounting the second graphics display on the wall generally adjacent the first graphics display. The frame of the first graphics display and the frame of the second graphics display comprise respective side panels that are configured to telescope relative to one another upon mounting of the first and second graphics displays side by side on the wall.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation illustrating a person viewing a wall-mounted graphics display of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the graphics display of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along plane 3—3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 3 showing a top holder of the graphics display;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 3 showing a bottom holder of the graphics display;

FIG. 6 is a back perspective of the graphics display;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the graphics display;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective of the graphics display with graphics sheets and retaining covers removed therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective of a housing removed from the graphics display;

FIG. 10 is front perspective of a support removed from the graphics display;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective of a frame mounting bracket removed from the graphics display;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective of the graphics display mounted on the wall;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective of two graphics displays mounted side by side on the wall;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section of a second embodiment of the graphics display of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 14 showing a top holder of the graphics display;

FIG. 14B is an enlarged portion of FIG. 14 showing a bottom holder of the graphics display;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section of the second embodiment showing a light system attached to the graphics display;

FIG. 16A is a view similar to FIG. 14 but showing a cover in a first position away from a support and a graphics sheet being inserted between the cover and the support;

FIG. 16B is a view similar to FIG. 16A but showing the graphics sheet inserted into a top holder;

FIG. 16C is a view similar to FIG. 16B but showing the graphics sheet inserted into the top holder and the bottom holder;

FIG. 16D is a view similar to FIG. 16C but showing the cover moved towards the support and a bottom portion of the cover positioned for insertion into the bottom holder;

FIG. 16E is a view similar to FIG. 16D but showing the cover received in the bottom holder;

FIG. 16F is a view similar to FIG. 16E but showing the cover in a holding position in contact with the graphics sheet;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section of a third embodiment of the graphics display of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17 showing a top holder of the graphics display;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17 showing a bottom holder of the graphics display;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of a graphics display showing a first embodiment of a moveable light system of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a partial side perspective of the graphics display of FIG. 20 illustrating the light system in an operative position;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but showing the light system in a collapsed position;

FIG. 23A-23C are enlarged partial elevation views showing movement of the light system from the operative position to the collapsed position;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective of the graphics display with the light system in the operative position;

FIG. 25 is a partial side perspective of a graphics display having a second embodiment of the light system shown in the operative position;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are enlarged partial elevation views showing movement of the light system of FIG. 25 from the operative position to the collapsed position;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective of the graphics display with the light system of FIG. 25 shown in the operative position;

FIG. 27A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 27 showing a portion of an arm of the light system received in a channel; and

FIG. 27B is an exploded perspective of FIG. 27A.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a graphics display of the present invention, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 1. The display is illustrated as being mounted on a wall W and located above a counter C for displaying graphics (e.g., a sign or other printed matter) intended to be viewed by a customer or other person P in a restaurant or other establishment. It will be understood that the display 1 of the present invention is particularly useful for displaying restaurant menu information, but that the display can also be used to display other types of information.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the display 1 comprises a frame 11 for mounting the graphics display on a wall W (FIG. 1) or other surface. (The wall is illustrated as being vertical, but this is not essential.) A curved support 13 comprising, in one embodiment, a generally rigid backing is mounted on the frame 11 and has a forward surface 17 (FIG. 10) for supporting one or more flexible sheets 21 having graphics depicted (e.g., printed) thereon. A light system, generally indicated 25, is mounted on the frame 11 for illuminating the flexible sheets 21 supported by the backing 13. In one embodiment, the graphics display 1 has two flexibly resilient retaining panels or covers 29 mounted on the display. Each retaining cover 29 holds one or more respective flexible graphics sheets 21 against the curved forward surface 17 of the backing 13. It will be understood that the graphics display 1 could comprise one flexible graphics sheet 21 and one flexibly resilient cover 29 or the graphics display could comprise more than two flexible graphics sheets and covers without departing from the scope of this invention. As discussed below in more detail, the transparent flexibly resilient cover 29 is movable between a first position away from the backing 13 to permit one or more flexible sheets 21 to be positioned on the curved surface 17 of the backing and a sheet retaining position in which the cover is resiliently flexed to hold the flexible sheet against the curved forward surface of the backing.

As seen in FIGS. 2-7, the frame 11 comprises two side panels (end caps) 35 attached to a housing (shell), generally indicated 39, by a respective top mounting bracket 43 (FIG. 6) and respective bottom mounting bracket (not shown). As shown in FIG. 6, each side panel 35 has a front vertical flange 45 projecting laterally outward from the panel and a rear vertical flange 46 projecting laterally inward from the panel for attachment to the housing 39. In the illustrated embodiment, the right-hand side panel 35, as viewed in FIG. 2, is sized slightly smaller than the left-hand side panel and the front vertical flange 45 of the right-hand side panel is spaced closer to the rear flange 46, so that when multiple graphics displays are mounted side by side the front flanges of adjacent displays can telescope past one another when installed. The resulting overlap of the front flanges 45 of adjacent displays aids in hiding gaps during installation that may result from irregular mounting surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the housing 39 has a vertical back wall 47 forming the back wall of the graphics display, a top wall 51 extending generally horizontally forward from the back wall adjacent is upper end, and a lip 55 which angles up and forward at the front edge of the top wall.

As shown in FIG. 5, the back wall 47 of the housing 39 has a lower portion comprising a series of bends that form a bottom holder, generally designated 59, for holding the bottom portions of the backing 13, flexible graphics sheet 21 and retaining cover 29. The bottom holder 59 has an inclined surface or shelf 63 which supports the lower edges of the backing 13, flexible graphics sheet 21 and flexibly resilient retaining cover 29, and an upright back surface 67 extending up from the shelf for contact by a rear face 71 of the backing. As shown in FIG. 9, the upright surface 67 of the bottom holder 59 has holes 75 that correspond with holes in the support 13 to allow access to the flexible resilient graphics sheet 21 from the back of the holder. The angled shelf 63 of the bottom holder 59 is configured for holding the flexibly resilient cover 29 in its sheet retaining position in which it holds the flexible graphics sheet 21 against the curved forward surface 17 of the backing 13.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the frame 11 includes two mounting brackets, generally designated 83, that are connected to the housing 39 for mounting the graphics display 1 on a wall W (FIG. 1) or other surface. Each mounting bracket 83 is adjustable on the housing 39 for mounting the housing at different angles of tilt to facilitate viewing of the graphic sheets 21 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, each bracket 83 comprises a flat bar 87 extending vertically on the back wall 47 of the housing 39. The bars 87 are formed with mounting holes 91 for mounting the assembly 1 on a desired surface (e.g., wall W in FIG. 1). The brackets 83 have upper flanges 95 which overlie the top wall 51 of the housing 39. The upper flanges 95 are formed with downturned lips 99 that are received in selected slots 103 in the top wall 51 of the housing 39. As shown in FIG. 7, the top wall 51 of the housing 39 has two rows of five parallel slots 103 for receiving the downturned lips 99 of the brackets 83 to provide the desired spacing of the graphics display 1 from the wall W. The lips 99 of the brackets 83 are receivable in different slots 103 in the housing 39 to allow the spacing of the graphics display 1 from the wall W to be adjusted so that the graphics display can be angled a desired amount from horizontal according to viewing preference. The brackets 83 also have bottom flanges 107 similar to the top flanges 95 that are received in openings 111 in the bottom portion of the housing 39 (see FIG. 5). The bottom flanges 107 allow the graphics display 1 to pivot with respect to the connection of the bottom flanges to the housing 39 when the top flanges 95 of the brackets 83 are adjusted.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4 the graphics display 1 has a top holder 115 near the top of the display between the two side panels 35. In one embodiment the top holder 115 is a steel angle running the length of the graphics display. The top holder 115 is mounted between the two side panels 35 and has holes for receiving threaded fasteners (e.g., nut 117 and bolt 119 fasteners in FIG. 4) to affix the holder to the support 13 and the angled lip 55 of the housing 39. It will be understood that other types of fasteners or non-threaded fasteners (e.g., rivets) could be used without departing from the scope of this invention. As seen in FIG. 4, the upper edge margins of the backing 13, graphics sheet 21 and retaining cover 29 are positioned between the top holder 115 and the inclined lip 55 of the housing 39, so that tightening of the fasteners will exert a clamping force that holds the retaining cover in the sheet retaining position holding the graphics sheet against the backing as shown.

As seen in FIG. 10, the support or backing 13 comprises a substantially rigid member in the form of a curved plate that has upper notches 123 for receiving corresponding threaded fasteners 119 (FIG. 4) affixing the backing to the top holder 115 and lower notches 127 corresponding with the holes 75 in the bottom holder 59. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the backing 13 has a curved forward surface 17 for contacting and supporting one or more of the flexible graphics sheets 21. The backing 13 has a curved rearward surface 71 that has an upper portion held against the angled lip 55 of the housing 39 by the top holder 115 and a lower portion that contacts the upright surface 67 of the bottom holder 59. As shown in FIG. 10, the lower portion of the backing 13 has holes 131 for receiving threaded fasteners (not shown) that connect the backing to the housing 39. In the illustrated embodiment, the backing (support) 13 comprises 24-gauge paint-grip steel but it will be understood that the backing could comprise other materials and have other thicknesses without departing from the scope of this invention. In one embodiment, the backing 13 has a radius of curvature in the range of approximately 38 inches to approximately 42 inches (more preferable about 40 inches) to promote easy viewing of the graphics sheet 21.

In the illustrated embodiment, each flexibly resilient retaining cover 29 comprises a transparent material and has a top edge margin or portion 135 (FIG. 4) in fixed engagement with the top holder 115 and a bottom edge margin or portion 139 (FIG. 5) that is releasably held by the bottom holder 59. The bottom portion 139 of the retaining cover 29 is movable with respect to the backing 13 so that flexible graphics sheets 21 may be inserted between the cover and the backing. As seen in FIG. 2, each retaining cover 29 is movable between a first position away from the backing 13 and a sheet retaining position substantially adjacent the forward curved surface 17 of the backing. At the first position, the retaining cover 29 is pivoted so the bottom portion 139 of the cover is spaced away from the backing 13 to permit one or more flexible graphics sheets 21 to be inserted between the retaining cover and backing. At the first position, the top edge portion 135 of the retaining cover 29 received in the top holder 115 remains clamped against the backing 13 and the bottom portion 139 of the cover is spaced away from the backing to allow insertion of the graphics sheet 21. At the sheet retaining position, the lower edge of the retaining cover 29 is supported on the angled shelf 63 of the bottom holder 59 so that the retaining cover is resiliently flexed to provide a holding force holding the graphics sheet 21 against the support 13. As shown in FIG. 5, the shelf 63 of the bottom holder 59 is positioned such that the retaining cover 29 is flexed to apply a clamping force holding the flexible graphics sheet 21 against the support 13. The retaining cover 29 is adjustable in the top holder 115 so that cover has the proper length so that the radius of curvature of the cover substantially matches the radius of curvature of the support 13 when the lower edge of the cover is supported by the angled shelf 63 of the bottom holder 59. The position of the top edge portion 135 of the cover 29 in the top holder 115 can be adjusted to assure a tight fit of the cover against the flexible graphics sheet 21 and support 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining cover 29 is a rectangular panel of a resilient sheet material such as polycarbonate material (e.g., Mylar® or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) having a thickness of approximately 0.03 inches. Preferably, the thickness of the retaining cover 29 can be in the range of approximately 0.02 inches to approximately 0.09 inches. It will be understood that increasing the thickness of the retaining cover 29 correspondingly increases the holding force exerted by the cover in its sheet retaining position. The retaining cover 29 may have a satin or velvet finish to reduce glare and increase visibility of the graphics sheet 21. Preferably, the retaining cover 29 may have a radius of curvature in the sheet retaining position of approximately 36 inches to approximately 44 inches. These dimensions and materials are exemplary only.

In the illustrated embodiment, the graphics sheet 21 is a sheet of paper having printed graphics thereon. The sheet 21 preferably has considerably less thickness than the retaining cover 29 and the backing 13 but it will be understood that the graphics sheet could have a larger thickness without departing from the scope of this invention. The flexible sheet 21 is sized for insertion between the retaining cover 29 and the backing 13 so that the graphics printed on the sheet are readily visible from the front of the graphics display 1.

The graphics display 1 of the present invention includes a light system 25 mounted on the frame 11 of the display. The light system 25 includes two arms 143, each mounted on a respective side panel 35 of the display 1. As shown in FIG. 3, each arm 143 has a substantially horizontal portion 147 attached to a respective side panel 35 and a downwardly angled forward portion 151 that supports a reflector 155 extending between the arms. As shown in FIG. 6, each reflector 155 houses a ballast 159 for attachment to a fluorescent light 163, or other source of illumination, and is angled to direct light toward the graphics sheet (or sheets) 21 held in the graphics display 1. The light system 25 comprises a power control panel 167 mounted on the top wall 51 of the housing 39 that comprises a 120 VAC power cord 171 and a 120 VAC receptacle 175 capable of operating between 120 VAC and 277 VAC. As shown in FIG. 13, the receptacle 171 on the control panel 167 allows multiple graphics displays 1 to be mounted adjacent each other on a wall WI having only a single power outlet P. The power cord 171 of a second graphics display 1 adjacent a first graphics display electrically connected to the power outlet P can plug directly into the receptacle 175 on the control panel 167 of the first graphics display. In this way, multiple displays can be connected in daisy-chain fashion even though only one wall outlet may be available.

FIG. 12 shows an angled mounting configuration of the graphics display 1 of the present invention. The mounting brackets 83 have been adjusted so that the top of the display 1 is spaced away from the wall WI to pivot the display and allow easy viewing of the graphics sheets 21 held in the display.

FIG. 13 shows an assembly of multiple graphics displays 1 mounted side by side and electrically connected in daisy-chain fashion, with the first graphics display 1 being electrically connected to the wall outlet P and an adjacent graphics display electrically connected to the power receptacle 175 of the first graphics display. As previously discussed, the adjacent side panels 35 of the graphics displays 1 are sized for telescopic engagement when the graphics display are mounted on the wall so that when multiple graphics displays are mounted side by side the front flanges 45 of the adjacent side panels can telescope past one another when installed. The overlap of the side panels 35 of adjacent displays 1 aids in hiding gaps during installation that may result from irregular mounting surfaces.

The graphics display 1 is manufactured using components (e.g., support 13, housing 39 and side panels 25) that are “self-fixturing”, meaning that during assembly of the display a separate assembly fixture is not needed. By using self-fixturing components, the graphics display 1 of the present invention can be quickly and economically assembled without the need for the time consuming and costly step of manufacturing a separate assembly fixture to support the components during assembly of the graphics display.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, a second embodiment of a graphics display of the present invention is generally indicated at 200. The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment except the top and bottom holders have been modified. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A, the top holder 205 of the graphics display 200 of this embodiment comprises a metal extrusion having a slot 207 that receives the top portion of the backing 13, the retaining cover (panel) 29 and the flexible graphics sheet 21. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 14B, the bottom holder 209 comprises a metal extrusion having a slot 213 that receives the bottom portion of the backing 13 and the bottom portion of the retaining cover 29 and flexible graphics sheet 21 when the retaining cover is positioned in its sheet retaining position. The retaining cover 29 has a handle 217 comprising a flap of material attached to the outer surface of the cover for grasping the cover and moving it to its first position away from the curved forward surface of the backing 13. As shown in FIGS. 16A-16F, the handle 217 allows the retaining cover 29 to be grasped and moved relative to the bottom holder 209 when the cover is being moved from its first position away from the backing 13 to its sheet-retaining position or vice versa. When the cover 29 is in its sheet-retaining position (FIG. 16F), the handle 217 rests on the top of the bottom holder 209 and extends forward from the holder for grasping to move the cover away from the backing for insertion of the graphics sheet 21 (FIGS. 16A and 16B). As shown in FIGS. 14-14B, the housing 221 of this embodiment 200 includes an upper wall or flange 225 having a downwardly turned lip 229 that is received in the top holder 205 and a lower wall or flange 233 with an upwardly turned lip 237 that is received in the bottom holder 209. As shown in FIG. 15, the light assembly 241 of this embodiment has a pair of arms 245 that are substantially parallel with the upper wall 225 of the housing 221.

FIGS. 16C-16F are sequential views of the graphics display 200 that show the cover 29 snapping into a holding position against the flexible sheet (menu sheet) 21. In FIG. 16C the cover 29 has been removed from the bottom holder 209 and the flexible sheet 21 has been inserted into the top holder 205 and bottom holder of the graphics display 200. FIG. 16D shows the cover 29 moved toward the support 13 and the bottom portion of the cover raised for insertion into the bottom holder 209 causing the cover to be bowed over center away from the concave surface of the support. FIG. 16E shows the bottom portion of the cover 29 received in the bottom holder 209 and the amount of outward curvature of the cover reduced but the cover still bowed outward away from the concave surface of the support 13. To progress from FIG. 16E to the holding position of FIG. 16F, a pushing force is applied to the outwardly flexed cover 29 (indicated by arrow A in FIG. 16E) to snap the cover overcenter to the holding position where the cover conforms to the concave surface of the support 13. At the holding position of FIG. 16F, the flexible sheet 21 is held in place against the support 13 by the holding force created by the resilient flexing of the cover 29 to conform to the support.

FIGS. 17-19 show a third embodiment of a graphics display 267 of the present invention similar to the graphics display 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, and corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers. In the third embodiment, each graphics sheet 21 comprises a flexible sheet such as a sheet of paper laminated with a plastic coating, and the cover sheet 29 of the first embodiment is replaced by upper and lower retaining members 251, 253 extending along respective upper and lower edge margins of the graphics sheet(s) for holding the graphics sheet(s) against the curved support 13. The upper retaining member 251 is held between the top holder 115 and the support 13 by the threaded fasteners 119. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower edge of the upper retaining member 251 may be bent to provide a handle 257 for manipulating the retaining member away from the support 13 for insertion of the graphics sheet 21 between the retaining member and the support. The upper retaining member 251 provides a clamping force pressing the graphics sheets against the curved support 13 to retain the graphics sheet in the display 267. The lower retaining member 253 is spaced away from the upright back surface 67 of the bottom holder 59 to provide a slot 255 for receiving the bottom portion of the graphics sheet 21 and the backing 13. The retaining member 253 is suitably fastened (e.g., by welding) to the shelf 63 of the bottom holder 59. The upper and lower retaining members 251, 253 could be eliminated entirely without departing from the scope of this invention.

As seen in FIGS. 20-24, the graphics display 1 of the present invention may have a moveable light system, generally designated 269, that allows the light system to be positioned for storage and transport of the display. It will be understood that the moveable light system 269 could be installed on any of the embodiments of the graphics display described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the light system 269 includes a light holder assembly, generally indicated 271, comprising the two arms 143, reflector 155 and ballasts 159. The light holder assembly 271 holds the source of illumination (fluorescent light 163) and is moveable between an operative position shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and a collapsed position shown in FIGS. 20 (in phantom), 22 and 24 (in phantom).

As seen in FIG. 21, each arm 143 of the moveable light system 269 comprises a forward slider 275 and a rearward slider 279 that are connected to the horizontal portion 147 of each arm and are received in a slot 285 in a respective side panel 35 of the frame 11. In one embodiment, each slider 275, 279 is in the form of a threaded fastener (e.g., screw) having a head larger than the width of the slot 285 and a threaded shank having a threaded connection with a respective arm 143 of the light holder assembly 271. The screws 275, 279 are configured on the arms 143 such that the screws can be tightened to secure the arms 143 in a fixed position relative to the side panels 35 and loosened to enable each arm to be moved relative to the side panels to a position in which each rearward screw 279 functions as a pivot allowing each arm to swing down to its collapsed position and then re-tightened to secure the arm in that position. Other arrangements for pivotally mounting the arms 143 on the respective side panels 35 are also possible.

Each slot 285 in the side panels 35 has closed front and back ends and an opening 291 between the ends of the slot that allows the forward slider 275 to be removed from the slot when moving the light system 269 to the collapsed position. Both sliders 275, 279 could be removed from the slot 285 through opening 291 to detach the light system 269 from the graphics display 1. In the operative position of FIGS. 20 and 21, the forward slider 275 is received in a front portion of the slot 285 and the rearward slider 279 is received in a rear portion of the slot with both sliders being tightened to lock the light system 25 so that the light 163 is positioned for illumination of the menu sheet(s) 21 held in the graphics display 267.

FIGS. 23A-23C illustrate movement of the light system 269 from the operative position (FIG. 23A) to the collapsed position (FIG. 23C). Only one arm 143 is shown in FIGS. 23A-23C but it will be understood that the other arm of the light system 269 also pivots in identical fashion to allow the light system to be moved from the operative position to the collapsed position. In the operative position of FIG. 23A, each slider 275, 279 on the arm 143 is loosened to allow the sliders to be free to move in the slot 285 of the side panel 35. As shown in FIG. 23B, the arm 143 is moved in a rearward direction toward the back of the graphics display 1 so that the forward slider 275 is positioned below the opening 291 and the arm is pivoted upward to remove the forward slider from the slot 285. Once the forward slider 275 is removed from the slot 285 as shown in FIG. 23C, the arm 143 is moved forward until the rearward slider 279 is received in the front portion of the slot. With the rearward slider 279 in the front portion of the slot 285, the arm 143 is pivoted downward on the frame 11 to swing the light system 269 to the collapsed position where the forward slider 275 of the arm contacts the front surface of the side panel 35. The rearward slider 279 held in the slot 285 can be tightened to lock the arm 143 in the collapsed position for storage and transport of the graphics display 1.

FIGS. 25-27 show a second embodiment of a moveable light system, generally designated 301. As with the moveable light system 269 described above, the light system 301 could be installed on any of the embodiments of the graphics display described herein. The light system 301 is substantially similar to the light system 269 in that the system includes the light holder assembly 271 that comprises the two arms 143, reflector 155 and ballasts 159 that cooperate to hold the source of illumination (fluorescent light 163). As in the previous embodiment, the light holder assembly 271 is moveable between an operative position shown in FIG. 25 and a collapsed position shown in FIGS. 26B and 27 (in phantom). The arms 143 of the light system 301 each have a single slider (screw) 307 that is received in a closed slot 311 in a respective side panel 35. The slider 307 is substantially similar to the sliders 275, 279 of the previous embodiment in that the slider 307 has a head larger than the width of the slot and a threaded shank having a threaded connection with the arm. As best seen in FIGS. 27, 27A, and 27B, the light system 301 includes modified top brackets 315 that connect the side panels 35 to the frame 11 of the graphics display 1. The top brackets 315 each comprise a channel 319 that receives the rear portion of a respective arm 143 to hold the arm in the operative position. It will be understood that the channel 319 may be a separate part unattached to the top bracket 315 without departing from the scope of this invention. Each channel 319 restricts pivotal movement of the respective arm 143 received therein to hold the light system 301 in its operative position. The screws 307 are configured on the arms 143 such that the screws can be tightened to secure the arms 143 in a fixed position relative to the side panels 35, and loosened to enable each arm to be removed from the channel 319 to a position in which each screw functions as a pivot allowing each arm to swing down to its collapsed position and then re-tightened to secure the arm in that position.

As shown in FIGS. 26A, 26B and 27, the light system 301 may be moved from the operative position to the collapsed position by withdrawing the arms 143 from the channels 319. The slider 307 of each arm 143 may be loosened to allow the arm to slide forward in the channel 319. As the arm 143 is withdrawn from the channel 319 the slider 307 slides forward in slot 311. When each arm 143 is completely withdrawn from its respective channel 319, the arms are pivoted downward about the sliders 307 that are retained in the slots 311 of a respective side panels 35 to position the light system 301 in the collapsed position. After rotating the arms downward to the collapsed position shown in FIGS. 26B and 27 (in phantom), the light system 301 may be locked in this position by tightening the slider 307 of each arm 143. It will be understood that the light system 301 of the present invention allows simplified movement of the light holder assembly 271 to the collapsed position by allowing the arms 143 to be withdrawn from the channels 319 in a single directional movement that allows the holder to be free to pivot downward on the frame about the slider 307 held in the slot 311.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A graphics display comprising:

a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon; and

at least one generally transparent flexibly resilient retaining cover mounted for movement between a first position away from the support to permit said one or more flexible sheets to be positioned on said curved forward surface and a sheet retaining position in which the at least one cover is resiliently flexed to have a configuration in which it holds the one or more flexible sheets against the curved forward surface of the support.

2. The graphic display as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one holder releasably holding said at least one cover in the said sheet-retaining position.

3. The graphic display set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least one holder comprises a top and bottom holder.

4. The graphic display set forth in claim 3 wherein said top holder is attached to said support and receives an upper edge margin of the retaining cover.

5. The graphic display set forth in claim 4 wherein said top holder applies a force to clamp the retaining cover against the support.

6. The graphic display set forth in claim 5 wherein said top holder comprises a metal angle.

7. The graphics display set forth in claim 5 wherein said top holder comprises a metal extrusion.

8. The graphic display set forth in claim 3 wherein said bottom holder comprises an angled shelf for holding the flexibly resilient retaining cover in said sheet retaining position.

9. The graphics display as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bottom holder comprises a metal extrusion.

10. The graphic display as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support has at least one opening in it for manually pushing the at least one retaining cover from said sheet-retaining position toward said first position.

11. The graphic display as set forth in claim 1 further comprising said one or more flexible sheets supported by said support.

12. The graphic display as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a frame for mounting said support on a wall, and a light system on the frame for illuminating the one or more sheets.

13. The graphics display as set forth in claim 12 wherein said light system comprises a source of illumination and a light holder for holding said source of illumination, said light holder being mounted on the frame for movement between an operative position in which said source of illumination is positioned for illuminating said one or more sheets, and a collapsed position for storage and transport of the display.

14. The graphics display as set forth in claim 13 wherein said light holder is pivoted on the frame for swinging between said operative and collapsed positions.

15. A graphics display comprising:

a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more graphics sheets having graphics thereon; and

at least one holder for holding said one or more graphics sheets in a curved configuration in which the one or more graphics sheets are in contact with the curved forward surface of the support.

16. The graphics display as set forth in claim 15 wherein said at least one holder comprises upper and lower retaining members for holding said one or more graphics sheets against the support.

17. The graphics display as set forth in claim 16 wherein said upper retaining member provides a clamping force holding the one or more graphics sheets against the curved support.

18. The graphics display as set forth in claim 17 wherein said upper retaining member includes a handle for manipulating the upper retaining member away from the support for insertion of the one or more graphics sheets between the retaining member and the support.

19. The graphics display as set forth in claim 16 wherein said lower retaining member is spaced away from the support to define a slot for receiving a bottom portion of the one or more graphics sheets.

20. The graphics display as set forth in claim 15 further comprising a frame for mounting said support on a wall, and a light system on the frame for illuminating the one or more graphics sheets.

21. The graphics display as set forth in claim 20 wherein said light system comprises a source of illumination and a light holder for holding said source of illumination, said light holder being mounted on the frame for movement between an operative position in which said source of illumination is positioned for illuminating said one or more graphics sheets, and a collapsed position for storage and transport of the display.

22. The graphics display as set forth in claim 21 wherein said light holder is pivoted on the frame for swinging between said operative and collapsed positions.

23. A graphics display comprising:

a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more graphics sheets having graphics thereon;

a frame for mounting said support on a wall; and

a light system mounted on the frame for illuminating said one or more graphics sheets, the light system being moveable between an operative position in which the light system is positioned for illuminating said one or more graphics sheets and a collapsed position for storage and transport of the graphics display.

24. The graphics display as set forth in claim 23 wherein said light system comprises a source of illumination and a light holder for holding said source of illumination.

25. The graphics display as set forth in claim 24 wherein said light holder comprises two arms operatively connected to the frame.

26. The graphics display as set forth in claim 25 wherein said light holder comprises at least one slider operatively connected to each of said two arms and slidably received in a slot in the frame.

27. The graphics display as set forth in claim 26 wherein said at least one slider comprises two sliders connected to each of said two arms.

28. The graphics display as set forth in claim 27 wherein at least one of said two sliders acts as a pivot to allow pivotal movement of the light system between said operative and collapsed positions.

29. The graphics display as set forth in claim 26 further comprising two channels each adapted to receive a respective one of said two arms.

30. The graphics display as set forth in claim 29 wherein said arms are received in respective channels when the light system is in said operative position of the light system thereby to restrict pivotal movement of the light system.

31. The graphics display as set forth in claim 29 wherein said at least one slider acts as a pivot to allow pivotal movement of the light system between said operative and collapsed positions when each arm is withdrawn from a respective channel.

32. A graphics display comprising:

a support having a curved forward surface for supporting one or more graphics sheets having graphics depicted thereon; and

a frame for mounting said support on a wall, the frame comprising a housing and at least one mounting bracket adjustable on the housing for mounting the housing at different angles of tilt to facilitate viewing of the one or more graphics sheets.

33. The graphics display as set forth in claim 32 wherein said housing comprises a top wall having a plurality of slots therein and said mounting bracket comprises a top flange receivable in a selected one of said plurality of slots to adjust the angle at which said one or more graphics sheets are viewed.

34. The graphics display as set forth in claim 33 wherein said housing comprises a bottom wall having an opening and said mounting bracket comprises a bottom flange received in the opening in the bottom wall to form a pivot connection allowing the graphics display to pivot when the top flange is adjusted.

35. The graphics display as set forth in claim 32 further comprising at least one generally transparent flexibly resilient retaining cover mounted for movement between a first position away from the support and a sheet retaining position in which the at least one cover is resiliently flexed for holding the one or more flexible sheets against the curved forward surface of the support.

36. The graphics display as set forth in claim 32 further comprising upper and lower retaining members for holding said one or more graphics sheets against the support.

37. An assembly comprising:

a first graphics display having a support for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon, and a frame for mounting the first graphics display on a wall;

a second graphics display having a support for supporting one or more flexible sheets having graphics depicted thereon, and a frame for mounting the second graphics display on the wall generally adjacent the first graphics display;

wherein the frame of the first graphics display and the frame of the second graphics display comprise respective side panels that are configured to telescope relative to one another upon mounting of the first and second graphics displays side by side on the wall.

38. The assembly set forth in claim 37 wherein each respective side panel of the first and second graphics display has a front flange adapted to telescope relative to one another upon mounting of the first and second graphics displays side by side on the wall.

39. The assembly set forth in claim 37 wherein the first and second graphics displays each comprise a respective light system for illuminating the graphics on said one or more flexible sheets, the first graphics display being electrically connected to a wall outlet and the second graphics displays being electrically connected to the first graphics display so that electrical power from the wall outlet powers the respective light systems to illuminate the first and second graphics displays.