DISPLAY SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

A display support device releasably attaches to a display item to be supported and which, using magnets, removably attaches the image to a support structure allowing a display being supported to be placed, moved and reused. The display support device is reusable with any number of images and on multiple support surfaces and is sized and shaped based on the size and weight of the display item to be supported.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to sign and graphic image holders and more particularly, to a unique device for supporting and integrating a sign, graphic image or other similar device to a background structure.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Most retail establishments brand, promotional and directional communications are achieved through changeable content and their correlating display structures. Such communications consist of words, colors or graphical images used to alert consumers to various products, services, specials and the like. Such communications are also used to reinforce a brand message as well as for directional purposes.

In the past, these communications have been more in a two dimensional presentation and there has been an increased need and desire to make this information three dimensional to maximize impact and highlight portions of the communications. When communications information is presented within a single 2D layer (i.e. a printed poster), and parts of the information need to be updated, the entire layer would need replacing. Furthermore single layered communications lack a degree of impact and presence within a retail environment. With existing solutions creation of a more dimensional message was either more costly to ship or required installation by a relatively skilled person who would have to be sent to the retail establishment location which is very costly.

In addition, a business will often want to maintain a particular advertising campaign but may want to change the promotional item in some form or another. For example, a bank may offer free checking and a purse one month and then change to a free coffee cup the next month. In that case, the “campaign” remains the same but only the give away or promotional item will need to be changed. Ordinarily such a change would likely result in an entirely new sign whereas only a small portion of the display needs to change.

In the past, the use of adhesive type solutions to achieve three dimensional or “layered” communications has left the adhesive portion of the system behind and detracts from a finished retail environment. Also current use of magnetic devices has not allowed that portion of the system to be reusable. In addition systems with such magnetic devices are also susceptible to damaging existing display systems and supply little friction to counter act the downward pull of gravity. Other type solutions are limited in their ability to integrate within the communication and hide the support system.

Accordingly, the need for a system that creates a multidimensional platform for communications that allows the reuse of part of the campaign materials, reuses the attachment devices, protects existing display structures, hides the support structure, increases weight capacity, is easy to change out and increases impact and dimensionality is something this device addresses.

SUMMARY

The present invention features a display support device, for supporting an image, sign or other image or graphic item to be displayed with respect to a magnetically attractable region of an receiving substrate. The display support device includes a housing having first and upper and lower assembly and an internal region. The lower assembly includes a display item interface, configured for releasably coupling with the display item to be supported. The upper assembly includes a region having a generally rubber-like coating which serves to protect the contact surface of the receiving substrate and supply friction between the contact surface and the display support device. At least one magnet is disposed in the internal region of the housing. The at least one magnet is configured for interacting with a magnetically attractable region of a receiving substrate, to support the housing and the releasably coupled display item coupled thereto.

In the preferred embodiment, the display support device has a generally triangular shape and the housing has a generally circular central region with three outwardly extending arms, each of the three outwardly extending arms having a predetermined radius from the generally circular central region. This shape, however, is not a limitation of the present invention as other shapes including round, square and octagon for example, are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. The display interface includes a display interface region located on each of the three outwardly extending arms. In one embodiment, the display interface includes one of a hook and loop fastener while the present invention also contemplates display interface elements including magnets, adhesive and adhesive tape. In the preferred embodiment, the predetermined radius of the three outwardly extending arms is selected based upon one or more criteria consisting of the size and weight of the display item to be supported. The display item to be supported could include, but is not limited to, promotional, brand or directional communications.

In the preferred embodiment, the internal region of the housing includes three magnets in which case the internal region of the housing may include a housing region portion separating each of the three magnets. Further in the preferred embodiment, the upper assembly including a region having a generally rubber-like coating is formed on one surface of the generally circular central region of the housing. The magnetically attractable region of a receiving substrate may include either or both of a stationary and non-stationary magnetically attractable region.

It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by any allowed claims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary display support device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a display support device in use supporting an image against a receiving substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features a display support device 10, FIG. 1 which, for exemplary purposes only, includes a multi-part housing including an upper assembly 20 and a lower assembly 30. The exemplary upper assembly 20 includes an upper assembly substrate 23 having a generally circular portion 23a on or over which is provided an overmold 22 having the first surface 21. The exemplary upper assembly 20 also includes a generally triangular shaped base 23 which forms three outwardly extending arms 23b. The size, shape and extent of the display support device 10 is dictated by the size (or “extent”) and weight of the display item to be supported as is well known to those skilled in the art. Each of the outwardly extending arms 23b have a radius from a central point in the unit that have corresponding arms 33c in the lower assembly 30. By simply adjusting the radius of the arms and/or increasing the number of arms, the display support device 10 will support a larger and/or heavier image. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the size, shape and configuration of the display support device 10 provided herein is for exemplary purposes only and not a limitation of the present invention. A typical size of the display support device is approximately ¾ inch thick, has a triangular base length of approximately 2.75″ and a top surface diameter of approximately 1¾″.

The upper assembly 20 and lower assembly 30 of the display support device 10 are typically formed of a molded plastic or other similar type materials in one or more pieces. The upper assembly 20 and lower assembly 30 form a cavity 33a, FIG. 1, which houses magnets 31 as will be explained in greater detail below. The lower assembly 30 includes one or more image interface elements 34 which serve to releasably couple the display support device 10 to an image or other display item 40, FIG. 2, to be supported. The image interface elements 34 are preferably hook and loop type fasteners with either the hook or loop element disposed on the lower assembly 30 of the display support device 10 while the corresponding hook or loop element is coupled to the back of the image 40 to be supported. The present invention contemplates that the image interface elements may also include magnets, adhesive or adhesive tape or generally any other type of element now known or provided in the future which allows the display support device 10 to be securely yet releasably attached to an image 40 to be supported.

The display contact surface 21 of the display support device 10 is also typically a plastic overmold over which has been provided, over at least a portion of the surface 21, a generally rubber-like material such a TPE. The generally rubber-like material preferably has a softness measured in the range of 50A to 60A durometer reading. The purpose of the generally rubber-like material is to protect any acrylic or other surface 41a, FIG. 2, of the receiving substrate 41 to which the display support device 10 is attached, and to also provide additional friction between the display support device 10 and the receiving substrate 41 which helps minimize the tendency of the display support device 10 and attached image 40 to “slide” down the vertical face 41a of the receiving substrate 41, despite being held generally in place by the internal magnets.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary display support device 10 in an exploded view. As shown, the upper assembly 20 and lower assembly 30 together form the cavity 33a which houses the magnets 31 and, in the exemplary embodiment, a metal plate 32 to which the magnets are attached and attracted to aid in installing the magnets and keeping the magnets in place within the device 10. In addition, the lower assembly 30 may include a number of portions or partitions 33b which are shaped, sized and placed to receive the magnets 31. The base partitions 33b help guide the magnets into position onto the plate 32. It has been found that using very strong magnets is difficult to assemble and therefore, the plate 32 and the partitions 33b between the magnets help the assembly process. Those of ordinary skill in the art will note that this can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates how an display support device 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention can be utilized. As illustrated, an image or other item to be displayed 40 such as a graphic image used for advertising, signs or the like is desired to be supported on a receiving substrate 41. One type of receiving substrate 41 includes an acrylic top surface 41a attached to a metal or other magnetically attractable base 41b. In the present example, the magnets 31 located in the interior region 33a of the lower assembly 30 hold the display support device 10 to the image support 41 due to the attraction between the magnets 31 and the magnetically attractable base, such as a metal panel, 41b, as illustrated by arrows 42. In an alternative receiving substrate 41, only a top surface non-magnetic support 41a may be provided while the magnetically attractable base 41b may include a movable and portable small square, circular or other similarly shaped piece of metal which is simply placed behind the top surface support 41a and to which the magnets 31 are attracted, to hold the display support device 10 in place were desired against the top surface 41a of receiving substrate 41. In addition, the receiving substrate 41 may or not include an acrylic or other similar top surface 41a. Further, the top surface 41a may include a paper, cardboard or other similar type of layer between the top surface support 41a and the metal or magnetic attractable layer 41b.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel and useful display support device which releasably attaches to an image to be supported by means of hook/loop fastener or the like and which, using magnets, removably attaches the image to a support structure allowing an image being supported to be placed, moved, reused and that can also provides to the ability to coordinate with other campaign material for a more layered/dimensional display.

In addition, the display support device of the present invention is reusable with any number of display items and on multiple support surfaces. Additional modifications may be provided which are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, the outwardly extending arms may include a surface having a rubber-like material. In addition, the magnets may be located in the outwardly extending arms themselves rather than in the central region as depicted, all without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Additional modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the allowed claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A display support device, for supporting a display item with respect to a magnetically attractable region of a receiving substrate, said device comprising:

a housing having top and bottom surfaces and an internal region;

said bottom surface including an image interface, configured for releasably coupling the with the display item to be supported;

said top surface including a region having a generally rubber-like coating; and

at least one magnet, disposed in said internal region of said housing, said at least one magnet configured for interacting with a magnetically attractable region of a receiving substrate, to support said housing and said releasably coupled display item coupled thereto.

2. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said housing has a generally triangular shape.

3. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said housing has a generally circular central region with three outwardly extending arms, each of said three outwardly extending arms having a predetermined radius from said generally circular central region.

4. The display support device of claim 3, wherein said image interface includes a display interface region located on each of said three outwardly extending arms.

5. The display support device of claim 4, wherein said display interface includes one of a hook and loop fastener

6. The display support device of claim 3, wherein said predetermined radius is selected based upon one or more criteria consisting of the size and weight of said image to be supported.

7. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said display item to be supported includes a graphic advertising image.

8. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said internal region of said housing includes three magnets.

9. The display support device of claim 8, wherein said internal region of said housing includes at least one housing region partition separating each of said three magnets.

10. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said display interface is selected from the group consisting of one of a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, adhesive and adhesive tape.

11. The display support device of claim 3, wherein said top surface including a region having a generally rubber-like coating is formed on one surface of said generally circular central region of said housing.

12. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said magnetically attractable region of an receiving substrate includes a stationary magnetically attractable region.

13. The display support device of claim 1, wherein said magnetically attractable region includes a non-stationary magnetically attractable region.

A display support device, for supporting a display item with respect to a magnetically attractable region of an receiving substrate, said device comprising:

a housing having top and bottom surfaces and an internal region, said housing having a generally circular central region with three outwardly extending arms, each of said three outwardly extending arms having a predetermined radius from said generally circular central region;

said bottom surface of said outwardly extending arms including a display interface, configured for releasably coupling with the display item to be supported, said display interface including one of a hook and loop fastener;

said top surface of said generally circular central region of said housing including a region having a generally rubber-like coating; and

at least one magnet, disposed in said internal region of said housing, said at least one magnet configured for interacting with a magnetically attractable region of a receiving substrate, to support said housing and said releasably coupled display item coupled thereto.

14. A display support device, for supporting a display item with respect to a magnetically attractable region of an receiving substrate, said device comprising:

a housing having top and bottom surfaces and an internal region, said housing having a generally circular central region with three outwardly extending arms, each of said three outwardly extending arms having a predetermined radius from said generally circular central region;

said bottom surface of said outwardly extending arms including an image interface, configured for releasably coupling with the display item to be supported, said display interface including one of a hook and loop fastener;

said top surface of said generally circular central region of said housing including a region having a generally rubber-like coating; and

at least two magnets, disposed in said internal region of said housing, said at least two magnets configured for interacting with a magnetically attractable region of a receiving substrate, to support said housing and said releasably coupled display item coupled thereto, wherein said internal region of said housing includes a housing region partition separating each of said at least two magnets.