AQUACACAAAUS 20050076552A1
`
`asy United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2005/0076552 Al
`Tolnaet al. Apr.14, 2005 (43) Pub. Date:
`
`
`
`(54) WIND RESISTANT SIGN
`
`(52) U.S. C1.cc ecseeseneseesseesneenne 40/607.03, 40/608
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Stefan N. Tolna, Westland, MI (US),
`David U. Hillstrom, Novi, MI (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE,P.L.C.
`P.O. BOX 828
`BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48303 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22)
`Filed:
`
`10/683,310
`Oct. 10. 2003
`,
`Publication Classification
`
`CSV) Tb. C17 eee csessesssssesssssssenseeneeeeeeees GO9F 15/00
`
`I6
`
`67)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A display device and method of assembling the same is
`provided having, a support structure and first and second
`support members. The support structure generally includes a
`plurality of legs and a cross bar. Each suppori member
`generally includes a staff portion and a spring element for
`biasing the staff portion in an upright position. The display
`device further includes a corrugated display card having a
`plurality of vertical channels therein for engaging the staff
`portions of the support members.
`
`PRIORART_00000856
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 1
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 14,2005 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2005/0076552 Al
`
`PRIORART_00000857
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 2
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 2
`
`

`

`FIG 5 eN
`
`32
`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 14,2005 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2005/0076552 Al
`
`bh
`
`PRIORART_00000858
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 3
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 14,2005 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2005/0076552 Al
`
`PRIORART_00000859
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 4
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 4
`
`

`

`US 2005/0076552 Al
`
`Apr. 14, 2005
`
`WIND RESISTANT SIGN
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to portable display
`devices and, more particularly, to wind resistant portable
`display devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG.6 is a detail of a third embodiment of a cross
`[0011]
`bar and support member in accordance with the display
`device of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0012] The following description of the preferred embadi-
`ments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way
`intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its
`application, or its uses.
`
`Portable display devices have become widespread
`[0002]
`in the advertising industry. ‘They are often used out of doors
`and therefore, become exposed to the forces of wind.
`[0013] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodi-
`Because rigid display devices tend to topple over under the
`mentof a display device 10 is provided including a support
`force of wind, a variety of display devices has been devel-
`base 12, a pair of support members 14 andadisplay card 16.
`oped having a spring mechanism that is adapted to maintain
`The support base 12 generally includes two pair of legs 18
`the display device upright. Conventional spring loaded
`interconnected at a coupling 20 bycross bar 22, thereby
`display devices include a support structure and a frame for
`supporting the cross bar 22 horizontally. The support mem-
`containing a display card, whereby a spring mechanism is
`bers 14 generally include a spring clement 26 and a staff
`interposed between the frame and the support structure. This
`portion 24. As presently preferred, the spring element 26 and
`configuration enables the display frame to independently
`the staff portion 24 are formed as a one-piece support
`moverelative to the support structure. A problem with the
`member 14. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate
`conventional configuration is the relatively high cost asso-
`thal the support members 14 could be made of separate
`ciated with constructing the frame, the spring mechanism,
`interconnected
`components. Likewise,
`the
`preferred
`the support structure and any of the fasteners required to
`embodimentis illustrated as having a pair of support mem-
`interconnect these components. Furthermore, assembly of
`bers 14 extending from the support base 12. Ilowever, one
`the conventional spring loaded display device can be overly
`skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific number and
`time consuming.
`location of the support members may vary depending on the
`given application.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] A portable display device is provided including a
`support base, first and second elongated support members,
`and a display card. The support base supports cach of the
`first and second support members vertically thereon,
`enabling a display card having vertical channels through an
`interior portion thereof to be inserted onto the elongated
`support members.
`
`[0004] Further areas of applicability of the present inven-
`tion will become apparent from the detailed description
`provided hercinaftcr.
`It should be understood that
`the
`detailed description and specific examples, while indicating
`the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for
`purposesof illustration only and are not intended to limit the
`scope of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`invention will become more fully
`[0005] The present
`understood from the detailed description and the accompa-
`nying drawings, wherein:
`
`[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display
`device in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0007] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a display
`device in accordance with the present invention;
`
`[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
`IlI-If in FIG. 2;
`
`FIG.4 is a detail of a first embodiment of a cross
`[0009]
`bar and support member in accordance with the display
`device of the present invention;
`
`[0010] FIG. 5 is a detail of a second embodiment of a
`cross bar and support member in accordance with the
`display device of the present invention; and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[0014] The spring elements 26 are attached to a top side of
`the cross bar 22 and define a central longitudinal axis A-A.
`The staff portions 24 generally include elongated rods
`extending upward along central longitudinal axis A-A and
`have anoffset portion 46 formed therein slightly above the
`spring element 26. The offset portion 46 functions to provide
`a slight interference fit with the display card 16 as hercin-
`after described. As presently preferred, the offset portion 46
`is in the form of a kink or bend in the staff portion 24.
`However, one skilled in the art will recognize that an offset
`portion may be provided in the staff portion 24 by other
`means such as swaging or otherwise deforming the cross-
`
`
`section, or alternately locally adding material to the cross-
`
`
`section of the staff portion 24 to provide a slight interference
`fit.
`
`[0015] The display card 16 includes an interior display
`card having opposing faces 28 interconnected by a corru-
`gated web 30, which defines a plurality of vertical channels
`32 therebetween. A preferred embodiment of the display
`card is plastic sheet material approximately 8 millimeters
`thick such as the material sold under the trademark Coro-
`plast® by Great Pacific Enterprises, Inc. of Vancouver,
`British Columbia, Canada. As seen in FIG. 3, the vertical
`channels 32 are generally trapezoidal
`in shape having a
`width which is greater than the height. The staff portion is
`dimensional to be about equal to the height of the channel.
`The bend 46 is dimensioned to provide a slight interference
`with the web, thereby providing a sufficiently tight friction
`fit between the support member 14 and the display card 16.
`In an alternate embodiment, the display card 16 may be
`fabricated from a suitable weatherproof corrugatcd card-
`board having opposing faces and corrugated web similar to
`the Coroplast® sign material shown and described herein.
`Access to the channels 32 is provided at the botiom edge 34
`of the display card 16. In this manner, the staff portion 24 of
`
`PRIORART_00000860
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 5
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 5
`
`

`

`US 2005/0076552 Al
`
`Apr. 14, 2005
`
`each support member 14 may be inserted into a vertical
`channel 32 in the display card 16, thereby supporting the
`display card 16 in an upright position. In this configuration,
`the display card 16 need not be supported in a frame, but
`rather, directly by the support members 14.
`[0016] With reference to FIG.4, a first embodiment of a
`cross bar 22 and support member14 is provided. The cross
`bar 22 is generally u-shaped in cross section and includes an
`aperture 36 there through. The spring element26is a helical
`spring. A fastener assembly includes a spring seat 40 and a
`threaded fastener 42. The spring seat 40 is a metal plug
`adapted to and threaded onto the interior surface of the
`spring element 26 and has a threaded aperture 44 through a
`bottom side thereof. The spring seat 40 is secured to the
`helical spring 26 by threaded engagement. More specifically,
`an annular ring 48 extending upwardly from a base 50 has
`a male thread pattern form thereon which cooperates with
`the helical coils of spring element 26 to secure the support
`member 14 to the spring seat 40. Threaded fastener 42 is
`received through the aperture 36 in the cross bar 22 and
`threaded into the threaded aperture 44 formed in base 50 of
`the spring seat 40, thereby securing the support member 14
`to the cross bar 22.
`
`[0017] With reference to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of
`a cross bar 22 and support member14 is provided. The cross
`bar 122 is generally u-shaped in cross section and includes
`an aperture 136 through a top side 146 thercof. The support
`member114 is similar to support member14 and includes a
`staff portion 124 extending from a top ofa helical spring 126
`and a pin portion 130 extending from a bottom ofthe helical
`spring 126. The pin portion 130 generally includes a solid
`cylindrical rod substantially shorter in length than the staff
`portion 124, wherein the rod extends through the aperture
`136 in the top side 146 of the cross bar 122. A fastencr
`assembly includes a spring seat 140 and a lock washer 142.
`The spring seat 140 includes a metal cup-shaped member
`having an aperture 144 through a bottom side thereof. The
`spring seat 140 is secured to the helical spring 126 bytack
`welding 138 or other suitable fastening means to provide a
`surface for engaging the top side of the cross bar 122. The
`lock washer 142 cngages the pin portion 130,
`thereby
`securing the support member 114 to the cross bar 122.
`
`[0018] With reference to FIG.6, a third embodimentof a
`cross bar 22 and support member 14 is provided. The cross
`bar 222 is generally u-shaped in cross section and includes
`an aperture 236 through a top side 246 thercof. The support
`
`
`member 214 is similar to support member 14 and includes
`
`
`a staff portion 224 extending from a top of a helical spring
`226, and a threaded pin portion 230 extending from a bottom
`
`
`of the helical spring 226, which is substantially shorter in
`
`
`length than the staff
`portion 224. The pin portion 230
`extends through the aperture 236 in the cross bar 222. A
`fastener assembly includes a spring seat 240 and a hexago-
`nal nut 242. The spring scat 240 includes a mctal cup-shaped
`member having an aperture 244 through a bottom side
`thereof. The spring seat 240 is secured to the helical spring
`226 by tack welding 238 or other suitable fastening means
`to provide a surface for engaging the top side of the cross bar
`22. The hexagonal nut 242is threaded onto the threaded pin
`portion 230, thereby securing the support member214 to the
`cross bar 222.
`
`[0019] With further reference to FIGS. 1-3, during assem-
`bly, a pair of support members 14are attached to the top side
`
`ofthe cross bar 22 toward opposite ends thereof. Attachment
`is accomplished in accordance with either of the three
`descriptions provided above depending on the specific
`embodiment employed. Thereafter, two vertical channels 32
`within an interior portion of the corrugated display card 16
`are aligned above the support members 14 andslid thereon.
`The vertical channels 32 frictionally cngage the staff por-
`tions 24, thereby securing the display card 16 on the support
`members 14.
`
`[0020] The description of the invention is merely exem-
`plaryin nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from
`the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope
`of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
`departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`
`1. Adisplay device comprising:
`
`a support structure having a cross bar;
`
`at least one support memberattached to said cross bar
`including a spring element located adjacent to said
`cross bar, a staff portion extending upward from said
`spring element and a retaining element on said staff
`portion;
`
`a display card having a pair of opposing faces and al least
`one interior channel disposed therebetween, said staff
`portion being received withinsaid interior channel such
`that said retaining element provides an interference fit
`
`
`in said interior channel between said display card and
`
`
`said staff portion to support andretain said display card
`in an uprightposition.
`2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a
`fastener assemblyattaching said at least one support mem-
`ber to said cross bar.
`3. The display device of claim 2, wherein said fastener
`assembly comprises a spring seat attached to an end of said
`spring element and a threaded fastener for engaging said
`spring seal.
`4. The display device of claim 2, wherein said fastener
`assembly comprises a pin portion extending downward from
`said spring elementof said at least one support member and
`adapted to be received in said cross bar.
`5. The display device of claim 4, wherein said fastener
`assembly further comprises a lock washer engaging said pin
`portion.
`6. The display device of claim 4, wherein said pin pertion
`includesa threaded portion adapted to receive a threaded nut
`to secure said support memberto said cross bar.
`7. The display device of claim 1, wherein said display
`card comprises a corrugated display card inserted on said
`staff portion and supported by said at least one support
`member.
`
`8. The display device of claim 1, wherein said spring
`element includes a helical spring.
`9. The display device of claim 1, wherein said staff
`portion includes an elongated cylindrical rod.
`10. The display device of claim 1 wherein said retaining
`element comprises an offset porlion formed in said staff
`portion such that said interference fit is provided in said
`channel between said staff portion and said display card.
`11. The display device of claim 1, wherein said at least
`one support member includes a one-piece support member.
`
`PRIORART_00000861
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 6
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 6
`
`

`

`a first fastencr assembly securing said first support mem-
`ber to said cross bar;
`
`a second support member attached to said cross bar
`
`
`including a second spring element defining a second
`
`
`central
`longitudinal axis and a second staff
`portion
`extending upwardly from said second spring elemen
`along said second central longitudinal axis; and
`
`a second fastener assembly sccuring said second suppor
`memberto said crossbar.
`13. The display device of claim 12, wherein said first and
`second stall portions each include an elongated cylindrica
`rod.
`14. The display device of claim 12, wherein saidfirst and
`second spring elements each include a helical spring.
`15. The display device of claim 12, wherein said first and
`second support members each include a one-piece suppor
`member.
`16. The display device of claim 12, wherein said first and
`second fastener assemblies each include a spring sea
`attached to an end of said spring element and a threaded
`fastener extending through said cross bar and engaging said
`spring scat.
`17. The display device of claim 12, wherein said firs
`support memberfurther includes a first pin portion extend-
`
`
`
`US 2005/0076552 Al
`
`Apr. 14, 2005
`
`12. A display device comprising:
`
`ing downward from saidfirst spring element in said cross bar
`and said second support member further includes a second
`pin portion extending downward from said second spring
`element in said cross bar.
`
`a support structure having a plurality of legs and a
`crossbar horizontally supported by said plurality of
`legs;
`
`a display card having a plurality of vertical channels in an
`interior portion thercof;
`
`18. The display device of claim 17, wherein said first and
`second fastener assemblies each include a lock washer
`engaging said first and second pin portions.
`19. The display device of claim 17, whercin said first and
`a first support memberattachedto said cross bar including
`second fastener assemblies each include a threaded nut
`a first spring element defining a first central longitudi-
`received on each of said first and second pin portions.
`nal axis andafirst staff portion extending upwardly
`
`20. ‘The display card of claim 12 wherein at least one of
`fromsaid first spring element along said first central
`
`
`longitudinal axis;
`said first and second staff
`portions has an offset portion
`formed therein such that an interference fit is provided in
`
`
`said channel betweensaidstaff portion and said display card.
`21. (canceled)
`22. A display device comprising:
`
`
`
`a support structure having a cross bar;
`
`at Icast onc support memberattached to said cross bar
`including a spring element located adjacent
`to said
`cross bar and a staff portion extending upward from
`said spring element, said staff portion having an offset
`portion formed therein; and
`
`a display card having a pair of opposing faces and at Icast
`one interior channel disposed therebetween, said staff
`portion being received within said channel to support
`said display card in an upright position;
`
`wherein an interference fit is provided in said channel
`between said staff portion and said display card.
`23. he display card of claim 12 whereinatleast one of said
`first and second staff portions has a retaining element
`thereon to provide an interference fit between said staff
`portion and said displaycard.
`
`PRIORART_00000862
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 7
`
`Petitioner Chanel, Inc. Exhibit 1040
`Page 7
`
`