U.S. patent application number 10/828833 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for display system.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACCO Brands, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cole, Piyali, Cortez, Joseph E., Dohlen, Christopher Von, Merz, Gregory J., Welk, Michael P..
Application Number | 20050236347 10/828833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35135379 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050236347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cole, Piyali ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Display system
Abstract
A display system including a portable display board and method
of mounting a portable display board to a mounting surface. The
display system includes a rail and a portable display board
removably coupled to the rail. When the display board is removably
coupled to the rail, at least a portion of the display board is in
pressure engagement with the mounting surface.
Inventors: |
Cole, Piyali; (Long Grove,
IL) ; Cortez, Joseph E.; (Corona, CA) ; Welk,
Michael P.; (Schaumburg, IL) ; Dohlen, Christopher
Von; (Columbus, OH) ; Merz, Gregory J.;
(Gahanna, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH, LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
ACCO Brands, Inc.
Lincolnshire
IL
|
Family ID: |
35135379 |
Appl. No.: |
10/828833 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/94.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 1/103 20130101;
G09F 1/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/094.01 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/08 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A display system comprising: a rail having a mounting portion
and a first hook portion, the first hook portion defining an axis
that is angled relative to the mounting portion; and at least one
display board removably coupled to the rail, the display board
having a board hook portion removably coupled to the first hook
portion along the axis.
2. The display system of claim 1, wherein the angle relative to the
mounting portion causes at least a portion of the display board to
flex away from the mounting portion when the display board is
coupled to the rail.
3. The display system of claim 1, wherein the rail further
comprises a second hook portion.
4. The display system of claim 3, further comprising at least one
accessory item coupled to the second hook portion of the rail.
5. The display system of claim 4, wherein the at least one
accessory item includes one of a marker caddy or a flip chart.
6. The display system of claim 5, wherein the marker caddy includes
a base and an insert having at least one holding area capable of
holding objects of varying sizes.
7. The display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display
board includes a dry erase surface.
8. The display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display
board includes a surface capable of receiving a hanging
implement.
9. The display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display
surface is magnetic.
10. The display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display
board includes two display boards.
11. The display system of claim 1, wherein the first hook portion
has a width, and wherein the board hook portion has a gap width
approximately equal to the width of the first hook portion such
that the board hook portion engages with the first hook portion to
couple the at least one display board securely to the rail.
12. The display system of claim 1, wherein the angle relative to
the mounting portion is greater than about 5.degree. and less than
about 45.degree..
13. The display system of claim 1, wherein the angle relative to
the mounting portion is greater than about 10.degree. and less than
about 25.degree..
14. The display system of claim 1, wherein the angle relative to
the mounting portion is about 15.degree..
15. A portable display board assembly configured to be removably
coupled to a mounting surface, the portable display board assembly
comprising: a display board; and a board hook portion coupled to
the display board, the board hook portion configured to cooperate
with the mounting surface such that when the display board is
removably coupled to the mounting surface, the display board
defines an axis that is angled relative to the mounting
surface.
16. The portable display board of claim 15, wherein removably
coupling the display board to the mounting surface results in a
pressure engagement between at least a portion of the display board
and the mounting surface.
17. The portable display board of claim 15, wherein the board hook
portion is configured to cooperate with a corresponding mounting
hook portion to removably couple the display board securely to the
mounting hook portion.
18. The portable display board of claim 15, wherein the angle
relative to the mounting surface is about 15.degree..
19. A portable display board configured to be removably coupled to
a mounting surface, the portable display board comprising: a top
edge; a bottom edge; and a board hook portion coupled to the
display board, the display board configured to cooperate with the
mounting surface such that when the display board is removably
coupled to the mounting surface, at least a portion of the display
board engages the mounting surface to securely couple the display
board to the mounting surface.
20. The portable display board of claim 19, wherein removably
coupling the display board to the mounting surface results in a
pressure engagement between the display board and the mounting
surface at or near the bottom edge of the display board.
21. The portable display board of claim 19, wherein the board hook
portion is configured to cooperate with a corresponding mounting
hook portion to removably couple the display board securely to the
mounting hook portion.
22. A method of mounting a portable display board to a mounting
surface, the method comprising: coupling a rail to the mounting
surface, the rail including a first hook portion defining an axis;
providing at least one display board having a board hook portion;
and engaging the board hook portion with the rail.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein engaging the board hook portion
with the rail includes sliding the board hook portion over the
first hook portion.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein sliding the board hook portion
over the first hook portion causes a pressure engagement between
the display board and the mounting surface.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein engaging the board hook portion
with the rail includes coupling the display board to the rail at an
angle relative to the mounting surface.
26. The method of claim 22, further comprising coupling at least
one accessory item to a second hook portion adjacent to the
mounting surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to display products, and more
particularly to display systems that can be mounted on a wall or
other mounting surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Display systems including display boards are useful to
display a variety of information, such as business information,
advertising information, and educational information. Some systems
are portable in that the display board can be easily removed from a
mounting surface, allowing the display board to be removed from one
position and reattached at another position. However, these systems
can be unstable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides a display system for use in
any number of different applications. More specifically, the
invention provides a display system including a rail. The rail has
a mounting portion and a first hook portion. The first hook portion
defines an axis that is angled relative to the mounting portion.
The display system also includes at least one display board
removably coupled to the rail. The display board has a board hook
portion that is removably coupled to the first hook portion along
the axis such that the display board is also angled relative to the
mounting portion.
[0004] In one embodiment, the angle relative to the mounting
portion causes at least a portion of the display board to flex away
from the mounting portion when the display board is coupled to the
rail. In another embodiment, the rail includes a second hook
portion and at least one accessory item coupled to the second hook
portion. In another embodiment, the first hook portion has a width
and the board hook portion has a gap width approximately equal to
the width of the first hook portion. In another embodiment, the
angle of the axis relative to the mounting portion is about
15.degree..
[0005] The invention also provides a portable display board
configured to be removably coupled to a mounting surface. The
portable display board includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and a
board hook portion coupled to the display board. The display board
is configured to cooperate with the mounting surface such that when
the display board is removably coupled to the mounting surface, at
least a portion of the display board engages the mounting surface
to securely couple the display board to the mounting surface.
[0006] The invention also defines a method of mounting a portable
display board to a mounting surface. The method includes coupling a
rail to the mounting surface, the rail including a first hook
portion defining an axis, providing at least one display board
having a board hook portion, and moving the board hook portion into
position with the rail, thereby removably coupling the board hook
portion to the rail along the axis.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed description, claims, and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display system embodying
aspects of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of a display board for use in the
display system of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of a rail for mounting the display
board of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side view of the display board of FIG. 2 mounted
to the rail of FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flip chart holder to be
used with the display system of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of the flip chart holder of FIG. 6
engaging a pad of paper.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 with
the pad of paper removed.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a marker caddy for
use with the display system of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative rail of the
display system of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the alternative rail of FIG.
10.
[0019] Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "having," and
"comprising" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass
the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as
additional items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a display system 14 according to the
invention. The display system 14 includes a rail 30 that is
designed to support a variety of different portable display boards.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 30 supports a white board
assembly 18, a chalk board assembly 22, and a peg board assembly
26. In addition to these surfaces, the present invention could
include a magnetic surface, cork, or any other suitable display
material or combination of materials.
[0021] The rail 30 extends along a desired length of a wall 48. It
is understood that while the rail 30 of the illustrated embodiment
is a continuous rail extending along the wall 48, the rail 30 can
instead include a plurality of spaced apart rail segments and still
fall within the scope of the present invention. Other features of
the rail 30 will be described in more detail below with respect to
FIG. 4.
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the portable white board assembly
18 for use in the display system 14 in more detail. In the
illustrated embodiment, the white board assembly 18 includes a
white board 32 having a dry erase surface 34 that allows for easy
addition and removal of information using a suitable dry erase
marker. The white board assembly 18 further includes a frame 50
surrounding at least a portion of the edges of the white board 32.
The frame 50 includes corner portions 54 that protect the corners
of the white board 32 and a side molding 58 coupled to the bottom
and sides of the white board 32. The side molding 58 has a rounded
exterior and includes an inner protrusion 70 that interacts with a
corresponding cavity 74 in the board 32 to secure the side molding
58 to the board 32.
[0023] The frame 50 further includes a top molding 78 coupled to
the top of the board 32. The top molding 78 includes an inner
protrusion 86 that interacts with a corresponding cavity 90 in the
top of the board 32 to secure the top molding 78 to the board 32.
The top molding 78 further includes an outer protrusion 92 that can
flex to accommodate variations in the width of the rail 30 when the
white board assembly 18 is coupled to the rail 30. The top molding
78 further includes a board hook portion 94 that defines a gap
having a width W.sub.1 that is designed to couple the board
assembly 18 to the rail 30.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 4, the rail 30 is designed to be
coupled to a mounting surface, such as the wall 48. The rail 30
includes a mounting portion 102, a first hook portion 106, and a
second hook portion 110 capable of receiving an accessory. The
mounting portion 102 includes an aperture 114 through which a
fastener 116 can be inserted to couple the rail 30 to the wall 48.
The fastener could be a screw, a nail, a bolt, a rivet, glue,
mating layers of hook and loop material, or any other appropriate
fastener.
[0025] The first hook portion 106 has a width W.sub.2 that is
approximately equal to or slightly larger than the gap width
W.sub.1 of the board hook portion 94. The first hook portion 106
defines an axis 118 that is angled relative to the mounting portion
102. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis 118 is angled
approximately 15.degree. relative to the mounting portion 102.
However, it is understood that the axis 118 could be any
appropriate angle, such as greater than about 5.degree. and less
than about 45.degree., and preferably greater than about 10.degree.
and less than about 25.degree.. The chosen angle will depend on the
height H of the white board 32 and the flexibility of the board.
For example, a white board 32 having greater flexibility could be
mounted at a steeper angle than a board with less flexibility.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates the white board assembly 18 coupled to
the rail 30. Coupling the white board assembly 18 to the rail 30
angles the white board assembly 18 with respect to the mounting
portion 102 of the rail 30, causing a portion of the white board
assembly 18 (near the bottom edge 62) to engage and press against
the wall 48. This pressure engagement causes the assembly 18 to
flex away from the mounting portion 102 of the rail 30. It is
understood that, while the white board assembly 18 contacts the
wall 48 near the bottom edge 62 of the board assembly 18 in the
illustrated embodiment, any portion of the white board assembly 18
can contact the wall and still fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0027] The pressure engagement of the white board assembly 18 to
the wall 48 securely couples the white board assembly 18 to the
rail 30 such that when a user exerts pressure in the dry erase
surface 34, such as by writing on the surface 34, the white board
assembly 18 does not move with respect to the wall 48. Thus, the
white board assembly 18 is securely coupled to the rail 30 and is
stable for ease of use by the user.
[0028] It is understood that in other embodiments (not shown), the
first hook portion 106 (and thus the axis 118) can be substantially
parallel to the mounting portion 102. In these embodiments, the
pressure engagement between the white board assembly 18 and the
wall 48 is due to factors other than the angle of the axis. For
example, the bottom edge 62 of the white board assembly 18 could
have a greater width than the remainder of the board, resulting in
engagement between the bottom edge 62 of the white board assembly
18 and the wall 48. In this embodiment, the white board assembly 18
would flex away from the mounting portion 102 of the rail 30 as the
display board is coupled to the rail 30 (i.e., it would be flexed
to allow coupling of the board assembly 18 to the rail 30).
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 1, the display system of the
illustrated embodiment also includes a plurality of accessories
coupled to the second hook portion 110 of the rail 30. In the
illustrated embodiment, the accessories include a marker caddy 122
coupled to one portion of the second hook portion 110, and a flip
chart 126 coupled to another portion of the second hook portion
110.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the flip chart 126 is coupled
to the second hook portion 110 via a flip chart holder 130. The
flip chart holder 130 includes a chart hook portion 134, extended
side walls 138, 142, and a protrusion 146. The chart hook portion
134 is of appropriate size and curvature to cooperate with the
second hook portion 110 of the rail 30 to secure the flip chart
holder 130 to the rail 30. The side walls 138, 142 extend
downwardly from the chart hook portion 134 to surround both sides
of the top edge of the flip chart 126. The protrusion 146 extends
inwardly from the inner surface 150 of one of the side walls 138,
142. With reference to FIG. 8, the protrusion 146 includes a
plurality of outwardly extending tabs 154 that are in pressure
engagement with the flip chart 126. The tabs 154 secure the flip
chart 126 within the flip chart holder 130.
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the marker caddy 122 in more detail. The
marker caddy 122 includes a base 158 and a tool-receiving portion
162. The base 158 and tool-receiving portion 162 are preferably
injection molded of plastic and includes a caddy hook portion 166
at the top of the base 158. The caddy hook portion 166 is of
appropriate size and curvature to cooperate with the second hook
portion 110 of the rail 30 to secure the marker caddy 122 to the
rail 30.
[0032] The tool-receiving portion 162 includes a plurality of
holding areas 174. At least one of the holding areas 174 includes
recesses 178, 182 of different sizes capable of receiving tools
(e.g., markers) of different sizes. In the illustrated embodiment,
one of the holding areas 174 includes a large recess 186 that is
sized to hold an eraser (not shown) for use with the dry erase
surface 34 of the white board assembly 18.
[0033] The display system 14 described above can also be used to
perform a method of mounting a portable white board assembly 18 to
a mounting surface (such as the wall 48). The rail 30 is coupled to
the wall 48 by inserting a fastener 116 through the aperture 114.
The board hook portion 94 is moved into position over the first
hook portion 106 of the rail 30, and then slid down over the first
hook portion 106. Sliding the board hook portion 94 over the first
hook portion 106 along the axis 118 causes the pressure engagement
between the white board assembly 18 and the wall 48. The white
board assembly 18 is secured to the rail 30 via the interaction
between the board hook portion 94 and the first hook portion 106 of
the rail 30 and via the pressure engagement between the white board
assembly 18 and the wall 48. In the illustrated embodiment,
coupling the white board assembly 18 to the rail 30 along the axis
118 includes angling the white board assembly 18 with respect to
the wall 48, and with respect to the mounting portion 102.
[0034] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternate system for mounting
the board using a different rail 200. The rail 200 is designed to
cooperate with the top 204 of a wall 208 of a cubicle. Cubicles are
often used to divide space in an office setting and are well known
in the art. The rail 200 includes a mounting portion 212 that is
substantially normal to a first hook portion 216. The mounting
portion 212 is configured to cooperate with the top 204 of the
cubicle wall 208 and includes a channel 220 therethrough.
[0035] The rail 200 also includes an adjustment bracket 224 that
allows the rail 200 to be adjusted to cooperate with cubicle walls
208 of varying thicknesses. The adjustment bracket 224 is designed
to cooperate with the backside 226 of the cubicle wall 208,
opposite the first hook portion 216. The adjustment bracket 224
includes a top portion 228 that includes an aperture 232 that
cooperates with the channel 220 in the mounting portion 212. The
adjustment bracket 224 also includes a side portion 236.
[0036] To couple the rail 200 to the wall 208, the top portion 228
of the adjustment bracket 224 is placed along the top 204 of the
wall 208. The mounting portion 212 of the rail 200 is then placed
on top of the adjustment bracket 224 such that the channel 220
aligns with the aperture 232. The adjustment bracket 224 is then
adjusted until the side portion 236 is in contact with the backside
226 of the wall 208. A fastener, such as a screw 240, is then
inserted through the channel 220 and the aperture 232 and tightened
to couple the mounting portion 212 and adjustment bracket 224
securely together. A display board can then be coupled to the first
hook portion 216. The rail 200 can easily be removed from the wall
208 and be readjusted to fit on another cubicle wall of differing
width.
[0037] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *